Untangling Relationships

In the realm of relationships, trust and trustworthiness lay the foundation upon which intimacy and connection are built. Episode 29 of "Untangling Relationships," hosted by Janae and Penney, delves into these critical elements, providing listeners with a deep understanding of their meanings and implications within romantic and other relationships.
Exploring Trust and Trustworthiness
Trust, as discussed by our hosts, is the belief in your partner's commitment and their unwavering support. It's about feeling secure that your partner is "all in," dedicated to the relationship without doubts or hesitations. Trustworthiness, on the other hand, extends beyond trust, embodying the willingness to prioritize the relationship's needs over one's own. This distinction lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of how these concepts manifest in relationships, especially romantic ones.
Grounding their conversation in the research and insights from John Gottman and Dan Silver's book, "What Makes Love Last: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal," Janae and Penney navigate through the complexities of trust and trustworthiness. They bring to light how even in new relationships, where trust may be high, trustworthiness needs time and actions to flourish fully.

Week 1: Theme of thought: remembering why you chose them:  

Week 2: Theme of Thought: How am I focusing on changing/Keeping the I a WE:  

Week 3: Theme of Thought: Remembering the magic of the love story. 

Week 4: Theme of Thought: Loving the culture of our relationship 

Week 5:  Theme of Thought: What makes this person the perfect partner for my journey. 

Week 6: Theme of Thought: Looking for things to appreciate. 

Week 7: Theme of Thought: Continuing to build connections and prioritize the relationship. 

Good luck and remember we are all in this together and making the best of every day we have in our relationship.  

Join the waitlist for the couples communication online course here

Analyzing the intricacies of relationships portrayed in reality TV offers a unique perspective on human interactions. Despite the heightened drama and external pressures, the raw emotions and relational dynamics depicted serve as a mirror to our own experiences. As viewers, we are invited to reflect on our own communication styles, conflict resolution strategies, and the importance of empathy in navigating challenging situations.

Clip from Married at First Sight Season 17 Episode 6

Unraveling the Knot: Uncovering the 6 Predictors of Divorce Through Reality TV
It's often said that truth is stranger than fiction, but when it comes to understanding the complexities of relationships and the subtle nuances that predict divorce, reality TV might just provide some of the best real-life examples.

In this episode, we'll break down some key insights and concepts as illustrated by the reality show "Married at First Sight." We discuss the predictors of divorce, focusing on a couple's communication and body language issues. This episode highlights the importance of positive need statements, self-soothing, attunement, and building trust in relationships. We emphasize the impact of these factors on relationship dynamics and potential divorce outcomes for 'Married at First Sight' couple Cameron and Clare.

Continue learning from past couple's communication skills episodes

Ep 11: Finding Compromise

Ep 13: Mapping Your Nervous System -Flooding

Ep. 20: How to Create a Culture of Appreciation?

Ep. 22: Sharing the Mental Load

Ep. 23 The Power of Repair: Recovering After a Fight

In Episode 26 of "Untangling Relationships," our hosts, Janae and Penney, bring to the table an insightful and open-ended conversation about body positivity and acceptance. They are joined by McKenzie, the creator of a local body acceptance community, Body Kind.

This discussion underscores the significance of self-compassion, mindfulness, and inclusive spaces to promote body acceptance. It also sheds light on the societal shift required to redefine beauty and body norms. Above all, it emphasizes that losing weight or changing your body isn’t a prerequisite for happiness.

Links Mentioned

Body Kind Idaho Falls Facebook Community

Body Trust Program

Poodle Science

The Body is Not an Apology

You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People

In episode 25 of 'Untangling Relationships', hosts Janae and Penney explore the relationship between movement, stress, and mental health. They exchange personal experiences with physical activities like yoga and CrossFit, highlighting the impacts on their physical and mental well-being. The conversation interrogates societal and personal expectations around physical wellness, the mental obstacles people often face, and the power of community in this context. The hosts round off the episode by sharing practical tips for embarking on health journeys, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, compassion, and small, consistent steps toward improvement.

Introduction

The role of movement in managing stress

Personal experiences and perspectives

Taking the step towards physical activity

Challenges in maintaining a consistent workout routine

Impact of exercise on mental health

Talking about the mental health aspect

The irony of exercising on mental health

Impact of energy levels on exercise

Supportive elements in a movement practice

Finding balance in movement practices

When exercise isn't helpful

Tips for Healthier Movement Practices

Ep. 24 New Year Resolutions and Reflections

In this episode of 'Untangling Relationships', your hosts Janae and Penney reflect upon the past year and share their new year resolutions and career aspirations for 2024. They discuss their goals, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic, incremental goals, creating a supportive environment, planning for potential failures, and persisting through obstacles. They open up about their personal revelations and aspirations while dropping several valuable tidbits about maintaining successful relationships. They also delve into revising and resetting goals throughout the year, maintaining resilience during vulnerable times, and the significance of creating positive changes. All in all, it's a vivid exchange filled with genuine experiences, practical advice, and spurring inspiration.

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of relationship repairs in our latest podcast episode. No relationship is perfect, and conflict is inevitable - but it's the recovery that counts! Learn how to navigate the aftermath of a fight, join hosts Janae and Penney on this enlightening journey

Welcome to episode 22 where hosts, Janae and Penney, discuss the concept of mental load, the cognitive effort required to manage situations and complete tasks, with specific emphasis on the mental load associated with the holidays. Key points include how mental loads are assigned and the impact on individuals and their relationships. We suggest ways to share and manage the mental load to reduce stress, fatigue, and burnout.

Here are some links for continuing your learning

Article with mental load definition

Mapping Your Nervous System Episode

Nervous system blog post

Horseman episode

Horseman blog

Dreams within Conflict

Stress Reducing Conversations

Today's episode starts with different holiday perspectives based on Google search trends tied to Thanksgiving in different states, from the types of food served to different ways people spend the holiday.

We also discuss tips on handling the holiday better, including letting go of expectations, sharing chores, and avoiding the pressure of perfection, among others.

This conversation touches on issues like food shaming, body neutrality, and breaking stereotypes about expected gender roles on this occasion.

We wish all our listeners a happy Thanksgiving and encourage you to celebrate in ways that feel most comfortable and enjoyable to you.

Links for this Episode

Each State's Google searches on Thanksgiving

How to Show up for Difficult Conversations, Especially During the Holidays  Blog Post

Creating a Culture of Body Appreciation and Neutrality Blog Post

In this episode, Janae and Penney discuss the concept of creating a culture of appreciation. They emphasize its importance in personal and business relationships and discuss ways to cultivate it. They suggest mindfulness in recognizing others' good qualities, using positive language about one's body, and setting aside time to reflect on appreciations. The hosts also recommend formulating a personal mantra about what appreciation means for one's self and how to express it and creating practices toward celebrating both intentions and milestones. The pair also discuss the importance of clear communication in asking and understanding how others wish to be appreciated.