In this greatest hits episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I'm joined by my friend and colleague Karen C.L. Anderson for a powerful conversation about the role of healthy anger—and how to relate to it in a way that creates healing instead of harm.

Karen is a master-certified life coach and author who helps smart, creative women transform their relationships with their mothers—into catalysts for growth. She's the author of Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters, one of my favorite books to recommend to clients when mom stuff comes up, and You Are Not Your Mother: Releasing Generational Trauma and Shame (Living Free from Narcissistic Mothers and Fathers) which I also highly recommend.

Her work has also been featured in the New York Times as an expert on boundaries, and I'm so excited to share her wisdom with you.

Together, we talk about the difference between immature and mature anger, how to use anger as a guide instead of something to fear, and why giving yourself permission to feel it can lead to deeper self-trust and healthier boundaries.

If anger has ever felt confusing, overwhelming, or like something you had to avoid in order to be "good," this episode is for you.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• The difference between immature and mature anger

• What anger is often signaling—and why it matters

• The Anger Scale and how to use it for self-awareness

• The concept of the Microscopic Truth and how it helps in conflict

• How to process and move through anger without fear or shame

• The link between anger and healthy boundary-setting

• A powerful coaching moment from Karen that shows anger in action

Holding space is one of the most transformative relationship skills—and yet most of us were never taught how to do it.

In this greatest hits episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I'm joined by Adam Brady, teacher at the Chopra Center, for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about The Art of Holding Space.

Together, we explore what it means to be fully present with your partner without rushing to fix, defend, or solve. Whether you're navigating conflict, emotional moments, or just trying to be more supportive in your everyday life, this episode offers a gentle but powerful roadmap.

Holding space doesn't mean staying silent or stuffing your own feelings. It means creating a compassionate container where both people feel seen, safe, and supported. And in this conversation, Adam shares how to cultivate that kind of presence—starting with how you relate to yourself.

If you've ever wondered how to stay grounded while your partner is in pain, or how to listen without taking it all on, this episode will help you deepen your connection without burning out.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• What "holding space" really means (and what it doesn't)

• Why presence is often more powerful than problem-solving

• The role of non-judgment in creating emotional safety

• How to stay centered when your partner is triggered or upset

• The connection between mindfulness and communication

• How to offer compassion without self-abandonment

If you've ever caught yourself shrinking, shutting down, or bending over backwards to keep the peace in your relationship—even when it costs you your own peace—this episode is for you.

I'm joined by feminist healer, trauma-informed coach, and author Béatriz Victoria Albina, whose groundbreaking new book Ending Emotional Outsourcing names what so many of us experience… but don't know how to describe.

Together, we unpack what happens when your body goes into a functional freeze—where you look fine on the outside, but feel disconnected on the inside. We talk about why so many high-achieving women end up over-functioning in their relationships, and how feminist healing helps you reclaim your voice, your agency, and your inner safety.

Whether you've been stuck in a loop of doing all the work, feeling like it's never enough, or just craving a new way to relate to your emotions and your marriage—this conversation is the place to start.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• What functional freeze really looks like in high-achieving women

• Why emotional outsourcing is so common—and so costly

• How self-referencing can change the way you relate to everything

• Why boundaries often feel unsafe (and what to do instead)

• The difference between protecting peace and performing it

• The role of feminist healing in relational repair

• How Béa's new book helps you name, understand, and shift these patterns

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Connect with Béa on Instagram

• GET THE BOOK HERE - https://beatrizalbina.com/book/

If you've ever wondered what marriage coaching really looks like behind the scenes—this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I'm joined by my former client Amanda Gold, who vulnerably shares how her relationship transformed through coaching.

Amanda opens up about the frustration and disconnection she once felt in her marriage, and the moment she realized something had to shift—not just in her relationship, but in how she was showing up for herself.

Together, we unpack what it looks like to move from resentment to relief, how coaching helped Amanda reclaim her voice, and why creating emotional safety within is often the first step to creating it with your partner.

✨ If you've been stuck in a cycle of frustration or burnout in your relationship, let this episode remind you: it's possible to feel better—starting now.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• Amanda shares the "aha" moment that brought her to coaching

• Why self-silencing became a default—and what broke that pattern

• The Power of One and how Amanda took action without resentment

• What coaching actually looked like (and why it wasn't about fixing him)

• Building trust in herself, her partner, and the process

• What life and marriage feel like now: grounded, connected, and honest

In this greatest hits episode, we're revisiting one of the most powerful communication tools I teach—one that's both simple and transformative.

If you've ever walked away from a conversation feeling misunderstood, reactive, or like your needs weren't truly seen, this episode is for you.

It's not just about what you say. It's about the lens you're using to listen.

I'm breaking down why the perspective you bring into a conversation—the emotional framing you carry—can change everything. You'll learn how noticing your "lens" helps you shift your energy, change the direction of the dialogue, and respond in ways that bring more clarity, calm, and connection.

From the sneaky effects of internalized patriarchy to how we're conditioned to live "leftovers lives," this episode is packed with both mindset shifts and practical tools you can apply right away.

Grab a journal, take a walk, or just listen with curiosity—and let's explore how small shifts in perspective create big changes in communication.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• Why communication feels so hard (even though we do it every day)

• What it means to "notice your lens"—and why it matters

• The connection between your emotions and how you hear your partner

• A coaching challenge to shift your perspective and improve conversations

• How internalized patriarchy shapes how we listen, respond, and prioritize our needs

• An invitation to live a 5-star life instead of a "leftovers life"

What if self-sabotage isn't sabotage at all—but self-protection in disguise?

In this powerful and playful conversation between two life coaches (and dear friends), Dr. Melissa Parsons and I unpack the messy middle of procrastination, rest, and the inner parts that slow us down.

We talk about why so many high-achieving women resist rest, how to reframe "boredom" as a sign of emotional safety, and what happens when we stop making ourselves the villain in our own story.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• Why "self-sabotage" might actually be a protective part of you

• The difference between physiological vs. psychological procrastination

• How to practice satisfaction in a "what's next?" society

• Rewriting your internal script around rest, repair, and thriving

• The gift of a "boring" marriage—and why that might be exactly what you want

This episode is part life coaching, part loving smackdown, and all about giving yourself radical permission to be human.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Visit Melissa's website https://www.melissaparsonscoaching.com/

• Connect with Melissa on IG @coachmelissaparsonsmd

When you think about making changes in your marriage, it can feel overwhelming—especially when you've tried things before and nothing seemed to stick. But if there's one thing I've seen over and over again, it's that beliefs shape everything.

In this greatest hits episode, I'm walking you through three powerful beliefs that will help you create real, lasting shifts in your relationship—starting today. These aren't vague affirmations. They're the foundation of the work I do with my private coaching clients and the work I've done in my own marriage.

If you've been wondering whether change is possible—or whether you're the one who can spark it—this episode is your reminder (and your roadmap) that you absolutely can.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• The first belief: You are worthy of something better.

• Why taking action on your own behalf matters more than waiting for your partner

• The second belief: Things can actually change.

• What to do if you've tried before and it didn't work

• The third belief: You need to trust your guide.

• Why support matters—and how to find the right fit for you

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Move My Marriage Forward Worksheet

• Susan Hyatt's Bare Book - In this book, Susan Hyatt shares her personal story of weight gain, weight loss, diet hell, body drama, and her journey to health, happiness, and liberation—and how she decided to try the most radical thing of all: treating her body like a friend.

• EPISODE # 13 – Sex in Stressful Times with Danielle Savory

• EPISODE #15 – How to Argue Better with Simone Seol

• Rich Coach Club Podcast Interview - Maintaining A Thriving Business And A Successful Relationship With Maggie Reyes

In this first episode of my new four-part series on Love & Patriarchy, I'm breaking down why resentment isn't a flaw—it's a map. I'll share the real reason it shows up, how it connects to internalized patriarchy, and why your guilt might actually be your inner wisdom trying to guide you home. This is consciousness work—and it starts right here.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• What patriarchy really means (it's probably not what you think)

• Why guilt, frustration, and resentment are invitations—not flaws

• The difference between linear vs. holistic thinking in relationships

• Five Relationship Powers you can activate—no matter what your partner does

• The "Power of One" and how your inner shifts change the whole system

• Everyday examples of internalized patriarchy—and what to do about them

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Episode 173: Responsive Desire

• Episode 189: Why Your Marriage Should Feel Like A Sanctuary

• Episode 58: The Power of One

In today's episode, I am dropping a brand-new framework—straight from my own mental oven—showing you how to tell if your marriage feels like a nourishing refuge or a never-ending war zone. I am sharing a raw story about crying in the car with her task-focused engineer husband and turns it into a masterclass on collaboration, personal responsibility, and the power of a single re-frame.

✨ EPISODE AT A GLANCE

• Sanctuary vs. Battleground—what those vibes actually feel like day-to-day, leaks in the roof and all.

• The 80 % Rule for "safe enough" and why thriving might ask you to raise that bar.

• Maggie's Three R's: Re-IMAGINE, Re-NEGOTIATE, or Re-LEASE when things stop feeling safe.

• The Sanctuary Scale (1 = war zone, 10 = oasis) + game-changing coaching questions.

• Two ways to "release": shift expectations or lovingly exit the relationship.

• How to know if you need specialized support instead of another communication tip.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Episode 58: The Power of One

• Episode 181: Compound Stress Syndrome, The Stroy/State Cycle & Turning into an Opportunity for Connection in Your Marriage

On this episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I'm joined by a brilliant coach and nervous system educator Sarah Hall, whose compassionate approach to stress and productivity has helped so many women feel more calm, clear, and in control. I am proud to say she is also a former client of mine and so delighted to share her wisdom with you!

In this episode Sarah shares some of her favorite takeaways from our private life coaching together. And we talk about the transformative power of life coaching, particularly in managing stress and integrating personal and professional lives.

Sarah introduces the concept of an intentional stress mindset—a way of working with your nervous system, instead of against it. We explore how our stress responses are often shaped by patterns we don't even realize we're in, and how simple shifts in awareness and preparation can dramatically change our experience.

You'll hear us talk about the three core nervous system states—mobilized, shut down, and safe—and how to recognize which one you're in. Sarah also shares how to access what she calls "glimmers," or moments of calm and connection that help support your body and mind even in high-pressure seasons.

This conversation is full of insight, but also deeply grounding. It offers a new lens for understanding your stress—not as something to avoid, but something to understand, and eventually, support.

Listen in to learn more about:

• The three nervous system states: safety, mobilization, and shutdown

• Four intentional stress mindsets and how they reframe your relationship with pressure

• How preparation supports your nervous system before overwhelm sets in

• What "glimmers" are and how to identify them in everyday life

• Why regulating stress starts with tuning in, not powering through

• The difference between avoiding stress and integrating it

Highlights -

00:00 Introduction to Life Coaching and Stress Management

02:01 Integration of Personal and Professional Life

06:50 The Power of Guided Meditations

10:41 Building Confidence and Following Nudges

12:41 Navigating Life's Challenges

18:36 The Importance of Resilience

22:52 Exploring Time Hacking and Productivity

23:51 Understanding the Role of the Mind in Time Management

34:15 Recognizing Gains in Relationships

35:12 Intentional Stress Mindset

36:12 Understanding Stress Cycles

38:35 Mindset for Managing Stress

40:46 Normalizing Dysregulation

42:19 Identifying Nervous System States

47:19 Supporting and Regulating Yourself

49:56 Proactive Nervous System Support

54:09 Glimmers and Micro Moments

57:42 Following Your Nudges