What if love isn’t something you “find”… but something you practice?

In this episode, you’ll get personal growth insights, real conversations with an industry leader, and bold conversations that inspire action.

Mark A. Hicks returns to break down what it really takes to sustain long-term love, especially when life gets heavy and passion starts to fade.

We revisit his “five components of love” and go deeper into the two areas where most couples get stuck: healing old hurts and learning to love yourself first.

In this episode, we explore:

-Embracing stress can lead to personal growth and resilience

-High-functioning individuals often struggle with emotional connections due to past traumas

-Stress can be a competitive advantage when managed effectively

-Emotional intelligence and vocabulary are essential for navigating relationships and heartbreak

-Understanding the difference between challenge and danger is crucial for high achievers

Guest Bio

Mark A. Hicks is a counselor and author of Learning Love, where he breaks love down into five core components to help people build healthier relationships. He’s also the founder of the Learning Love Foundation, a nonprofit focused on mental health education, helping families and workplaces develop healthier, high-trust relationships.

Guest Offers / Products / Books

Book: Learning Love

Nonprofit: Learning Love Foundation (resources and mission)

Guest Contact Info

Website: learninglovefoundation.com

Mark’s site: markahicks.com

TIMESTAMPS (Key Moments)

00:00 – Audio issues, quick fix, and a classic “we’ve been here before” moment

02:10 – Mark returns: why love is learned, not automatic

04:35 – The 5 components of love (rapid refresher)

08:40 – Why grief is the first component of love

12:45 – The self-love hurdle: why validation from others won’t fix it

18:30 – When passion fades: how to intentionally bring fun back

23:10 – “Fake laughter” and retraining your brain for joy

27:05 – Audacity in relationships: loving boldly through life’s twists

31:30 – The most audacious act: small things done consistently (coffee story)

35:10 – Fearless Fast Round: texting arguments, tough love, and “I’m sorry”

Blog Link

Read the full EPISODE blog post here: [Blog Link]

Listen on Major Platforms

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2jVR6V7X2kRiCCDXE0FTyl?si=IR3TsfEWR3WA6BzfBRnVXQ

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-audacious-living-podcast/id1547447345

Amazon → https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/9f7902bb-dec8-4bd9-918d-d1fef21b7c67/the-audacious-living-podcast?ref=dm_sh_pGv57yQvAmAQVp2IIaXoDwtFt

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Behind-the-Scenes Note from Audley

This convo hit different because it reminded me that love doesn’t run on intentions, it runs on practice. Mark’s “coffee story” was a mic-drop moment for me. It’s not always the grand gestures, it’s the small things done consistently that keep love alive.