In today’s episode, we are exploring how to explore different types of intimacy while in a relationship with our very special guest, Rachel's partner, Gianni! He is giving us the male perspective while we look at reasons exploring intimacy can feel more difficult once you’re in a relationship, how to go about exploring with a partner, and how certain expectations & misinformation impacts sexual exploration with partners.  If you find our episodes helpful then check out our best-selling courses which are on sale for the FINAL DAY! Don’t miss your last chance to grab it at the lowest price you will see before it goes up in 2024: Save up to 50% now: Check out our programs   Website: https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

This episode is going to explore how cooperation and competition show up in relationships when it comes to household responsibilities, conflict, and intimacy.  Understanding competition vs cooperation can be a great way of gaining perspective on what's going on in your relationship and how to approach it in a different way.  If you find our episodes helpful then check out our best-selling courses (which are 50% off for Black Friday!) Relationship Roadmap:https://www.decodingcouples.com/relationship-roadmap Before the Next Step: https://www.decodingcouples.com/before-the-next-step   Mark your calendars for 11/24 to snag your chance to transform your relationship without ever leaving your couch!    Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

Healthy communication is a cornerstone of any good relationship and today we are looking at the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy communication. This episode is going to look at what healthy and unhealthy communication styles look like in real-life situations to uncover grey areas, hard no’s, and where it’s okay. Hopefully, this will give you a baseline and clear up any misinformation that you may have heard.    Want MAJOR savings on something that is going to change your relationship in a big way? Do not miss out on our biggest sale of the year on our infamous online courses Relationship Roadmap:https://www.decodingcouples.com/relationship-roadmap Before the Next Step: https://www.decodingcouples.com/before-the-next-step   Mark your calendars for 11/24 to snag your chance to transform your relationship without ever leaving your couch!    Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/  

Feeling confident in the decision to end a relationship isn’t easy, so how do you know when it’s the right time and what’s the right way to break up with someone?   In today’s episode, we talk about questions you should be asking yourself to know if breaking up with your partner could be the right move and how to handle post-breakup roadblocks.   DC membership is open! Get weekly live support from Rachel and Stacey. Use the link below to join now with an exclusive discount. https://www.decodingcouples.com/get-to-know-the-decoding-couples-membership-1   Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/  

Resentment is a complicated topic AND it is so common in relationships. During this episode, we are going to cover what to do when you have resentment, what not to do, and when you should  “let it go”. DC membership is open!  We are just about to start month twos topic which is all about  RESENTMENT and how to work through it. Join us for weekly lives, a supportive community and weekly prompts via our workbook and community forum.   ****Join us inside the membership community: lhttps://www.decodingcouples.com/get-to-know-the-decoding-couples-membership-1 Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/  

Breaches in trust and a lack of repairing that trust are common causes of relationship conflicts and communication issues but that doesn’t mean trust can’t be rebuilt. In today’s episode, we are breaking down four ways to rebuild trust after infidelity, heated arguments, resentment, and even with yourself.    Breaking trust with your partner can make you feel like there is no way back but with these tips, you will find out it can be done. DC membership is open! Inside the membership last week we talked about trust building and everyone had some great ideas of what has worked and what has or has not made things worse, so join us in there and check it out  ****Join us inside the community for ongoing support: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp   Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

Settling vs accepting when it comes to your partner and relationships…do you know the difference? Have you sought relationship advice from a friend and their response was “Don’t settle!” which left you even more confused?   In this episode, we cover: knowing if you are settling when you shouldn’t, when to accept certain relationship dynamics and the key differences between them. DC membership is open! Join us inside the community for ongoing support: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp   Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

In today's episode, we are uncovering the reality of boundaries and what they actually mean. We discuss the difference between a boundary and an ultimatum and how to come to terms with our feelings around communicating them in our marriage or to family.   DC membership is open!  Inside this valuable membership, we hammer out what these examples look like in real life, with your real-life scenarios, other members are sharing their situations, not only are you not alone you are seeing examples that apply to your life  ****Join us inside the community for ongoing support: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp   Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

It’s no secret alcohol can be the cause of many relationship problems, not just with your partner but also with your social circles.   In this episode, we are talking about the boundaries we have (or don’t have) surrounding alcohol and ways to initiate healthy communication with your partner around their drinking habits. Plus we dive into “mom drinking culture” and it’s influence in today’s society.  Don’t forget, that the DC membership is open! Join us inside for ongoing relationship support: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp     Website:https://decodingcouples.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/  

DC membership is open!  $35 for the next week (9/25/23-10/1/23) so take advantage of our early bird pricing: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp   Defensiveness is a common relationship problem, especially with people you care about. In this episode, we are uncovering 5 mistakes you could be making when becoming defensive in your communication and what next steps you can take to work on building healthy communication in relationships moving forward.   Website:https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/home-page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

Today is the day…DC membership is open!  $27 for the next week (9/18/23-9/24/23) so take advantage of our early bird pricing: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp   In this episode, we are breaking down what to do when you’re no longer attracted to your partner, reasons why this can happen and steps to take in rebuilding intimacy for the long run.   We are giving insight into those burning questions: “Should I tell my partner?” and “Is this normal?”     Website: https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/home-page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding_couples/?hl=en Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/decodingcouples247/

In this episode, Rachel and Stacey break down the "unsexy" parts of sex...to make them feel sexy again! Rachel and Stacey start by discussing what younger versions of themselves used to find attractive and sexy and how it has changed through age and different phases of life. They then dive into topics such as when partner's have different libidos, crying during/after sex, what to do when you or your partner want to try new things in the bedroom but the other doesn't, body image and so much more. This episode, Rachel is taking on DC in the DMs, where the DC community wrote about their "unsexy" experiences with their partner's for our tips and feedback.

This episode tackles all things couples therapy! This episode starts by discussing why couples therapy gets such a bad rap and what typically lands couples in therapy. Rachel and Stacey then share their first experiences in couples therapy…mostly what went wrong. They talk about when individual therapy is more appropriate than couples therapy, and different scenarios that could lead a couples therapist to ask partners to do individual therapy first.    This week’s DC in the DMs is a little different: Stacey & Rachel were flooded with couples therapy horror stories from their Instagram community, so they set the record straight on exactly what to expect and NOT expect in couples therapy.  

Rachel and Stacey dive into the magical world of rom-coms, Disney movies and how that has set them up for relationship failure. From relationship expectations to sex and intimacy, Rachel and Stacey discuss different ways the make-believe of movies and tv shows have impacted their romantic relationships and how they show up with their partners. They answer DC community questions on adjusting to “real life” relationships and how to make sense of what real love looks like outside Lifetime movies.Rachel is in the hot seat for this episode's DC in the DMs where she gives her take on what relationship expectations are realistic or “Disney”.

Rachel and Stacey share their experiences of how the lines blur between their professional roles as couples therapists and regular ol’ people when it comes to relationships and mental health struggles. Rachel discusses how being a professional “soul walker” in private practice impacts her marriage. Stacey shares her struggles with depression and anxiety as well as her experience sharing her medication journey with the Decoding Couples community on Instagram. This week Stacey is in the hot seat for DC in the DM’s where she's asked about relationship experiences that potentially “blur the lines” between kosher and break up worthy behavior.    The article referencing the Gottman’s stat https://www.gottman.com/blog/managing-vs-resolving-conflict-relationships-blueprints-success/ The article referencing medication stat https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db419.htm

This episode unpacks the dynamic between the most common attachment style pairing in relationships: Anxious & Avoidant.  Spoiler alert: This is the exact dynamic of our partnership! We are diving into how each attachment style responds when faced with conflict, attraction, and intimacy. Plus we answer the BIG question: Can this type of relationship work in the long run? If you'd love to work on some of the issues in this episode relationally or individually, check out the Decoding Couples Membership (Doors OPEN 9/18!): Join the membership

This episode is all about the things that are said to a partner(s) that indicate BIGGER issues going on individually or relationally. The things that we can’t seem to forget (or are burned in to our brains) usually mean there are...relationship issues, trust issues, attachment issues , unhealthy or abusive dynamics, resentment and so much more! If you'd love to work on some of the issues in this episode relationally or individually, check out the Decoding Couples Membership (Doors OPEN 9/18!): https://decodingcouples.mykajabi.com/decoding-couples-membership-lp

  This week we are joined by Lorena Aynalem, LCSW, to break down mental health in pregnancy and postpartum. We talk about the impact of becoming parents on the relationship and practical relationship advice so all parties can be supported during this time! Learn more about Lorena here:  ps://lorena.aynalem.com/⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/lorenaaynalem/⁠ Need more support? Check out these resources! Postpartum Support International (PSI) ⁠https://www.postpartum.net/⁠ The postpartum partner by karen kleinman ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/56047/9781669858485⁠ The Postpartum Husband by karen kleinman  https://bookshop.org/a/56047/97807388363

Is it healthy to grieve a relationship while you’re still in it? Is there such a thing as “too much grief”? Do I need to grieve in order to fully heal from my past? We answer these relationship questions and give advice related to grieving your relationships!  

Communication, kids and boundaries oh my! Here are the top things that we wish we had talked about before marriage, moving in together, joining finances, kids and generally just getting serious with a partner! Ready to have the hard conversations so you don’t look back and think “we SHOULD have talked about this!?”..then don’t miss your exclusive discount for Before The Next Step Online Course https://decoding-couples.teachable.com/p/before-the-next-step?coupon_code=PODCAST40&product_id=4720123 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/decoding-couples/support