Does your marriage feel hopeless right now? Before you make any permanent decisions, you need to know if you are fighting your spouse or if you are both fighting depression.

⚠️ This is Part 2 of our Deep Dive on Depression. In Part 1, Dr. Scott Hastings explained the medical side (brain chemistry, meds, and diagnosis).

Watch Part 1 Here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PZyTeOqWd5E7YU1gTuQAh?si=ff2f5e06ec8342c5

In this episode of Marriage iQ, Dr. Heidi Hastings shifts the focus from the brain to the relationship. We break down the specific ways depression distorts your view of your partner, the "Three Lies" it tells you, and why your struggles feel permanent even when they aren't.

If you or your spouse are navigating this darkness, this video will give you the research-backed tools to separate the illness from the marriage and find a path back to connection.

Research & Links:
✨Seligman, M. E. P., & Garber, J. (1980). Human helplessness: Theory and applications.

✨Academic Press. Roepke, A.M. and Seligman, M.E., 2016.Depression and prospection.

✨British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 55(1), pp.23-48.

About Marriage IQ: We are Dr. Heidi Hastings (Marriage & Sex Researcher) and Dr. Scott Hastings (Medical Doctor). We combine medical expertise with relationship research to help you intelligently transform your marriage. Whether you need a tune-up or a total overhaul, we share the "secret sauce" of a scintillating relationship through real-life experience and science.

Link to the video Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman - Animation : https://youtu.be/2hHNq45rEnU

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Stop blaming yourself for being "lazy." If you physically cannot get off the couch, no amount of willpower or New Year's Resolutions will fix it—because the problem isn't in your mind. It’s in your biology.

In this video, Dr. Scott Hastings explains the difference between "burnout" and actual clinical depression. We break down the invisible physical markers—from inflammation to serotonin depletion—that hijack your motivation and leave you feeling exhausted. If you have been white-knuckling your way through the holidays and feel like you’ve hit a wall, this medical breakdown is the permission slip you need to stop pushing and start healing.

RESEARCH & REFERENCES
✨Hasin, D. S., et al. (2018). Epidemiology of adult DSM-5 major depressive disorder and its clinical correlates. JAMA Psychiatry.
✨The Inflammation Theory: Cytokines and their impact on mood regulation.
✨Neurotransmitters 101: The role of Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine.
✨S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder): The impact of light deprivation on the hypothalamus.

ABOUT MARRIAGE IQ: Could your marriage use a tune-up or an overhaul? We are Dr. Heidi Hastings (PhD, Researcher) and Dr. Scott Hastings (physician). We combine medical science with relationship psychology to help smart couples build scintillating marriages. No fluff—just the hardware and software of love.

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In this reposted episode of Marriage IQ, we pause for the holiday season and reflect on the importance of slowing down, being intentional, and prioritizing family time—before stepping into a deeply meaningful conversation about trust and healing in marriage.

We’re joined by Geoff Steurer, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in helping couples rebuild trust after sexual betrayal. With clarity and compassion, Geoff unpacks what it truly takes to move from crisis toward connection, offering hope for couples navigating deep hurt.

You’ll hear powerful insights around:

✨ The four cornerstones of a healthy marriage: identity, intentionality, insight, and intimacy

✨ Why trust is foundational—and how betrayal disrupts more than just the relationship

✨ What not to do after betrayal, and why timing and response matter

✨ How trust is rebuilt through accountability, consistency, and open communication

✨ Practical wisdom drawn from Jeff’s clinical experience with real couples

Geoff also shares resources from his own work, including his podcast From Crisis to Connection and his online recovery program Courageous Together, designed to support couples walking the difficult but hopeful road of restoration.

🌐You can find Geoff Steurer and learn more about his work at : geoffsteurer.com

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