How do you change a long-standing pattern in your marriage without just giving in to keep the peace? How do you stay true to yourself and stay connected, especially when conflict is high?

Last week, I shared why setting clear expectations often backfires and creates more resentment than resolution. This week, Brent joins me to bring that concept to life with a real, raw story from our own marriage.

We unpack a big fight over a red light, and how it became a hinge point for shifting out of old dynamics. You’ll hear what it looked like when expectations weren’t met, the frustration that followed, and how we moved toward something more honest, self-authored, and connected.

We talk about:

1. The difference between yielding to pressure vs. making aligned choices
2. Why emotional regulation (not anger or withdrawal) builds real trust
3. What it actually takes to interrupt long-standing patterns, without losing yourself

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of pursuing, distancing, people-pleasing, or silent resentment, this conversation will show you a new way through.

🗓️ Want to learn how to disagree without disconnecting? Our April couples retreat in Bear Lake is your next step. More Details Here

What if your “clear expectations” are actually creating distance in your marriage?

In this episode, I unpack the subtle but powerful shift that happens when expressing a desire turns into demanding agreement, and how this dynamic often stems from deeper wounds, especially for survivors of abuse. You’ll hear how I navigated this in my own relationship with Brent, why healthy disagreement matters, and how to express what you want without losing connection.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, hurt, or triggered when your partner doesn’t respond the way you hoped, this conversation will offer clarity, compassion, and a more honest path to intimacy.

🔗 Want to explore this work more deeply? Learn about our upcoming couples retreat in April. More Details Here

What happens when one partner carries sexual trauma into a marriage and the other feels guilty for wanting sex at all?

In this honest, deeply personal episode, Brent joins me to talk about what it was like being the higher desire partner when sex still felt unsafe for me. We share what helped, what didn't, and how important it was that we both stopped masking what we were experiencing in our sexual relationship.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between guilt, pressure, and desire, or if you're navigating sex after abuse in your own marriage, this conversation is for you.

💬 Interested in signing up for the next couples retreat? Find all the details HERE.

If you'd like to talk with Brent and I before deciding, schedule a discovery call HERE.