In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Jurgens to talk about something I have very strong feelings about: polarity. If you've been out in the internet wilderness hearing about masculine-feminine energy and how you need to lean into it to create spark in your marriage, and you're getting a weird vibe about it—you're not alone.

A couple years ago, my husband and I took a virtual retreat on this exact topic with a well-renowned teacher. And I had the most visceral experience of probably disgust I've ever had in a teaching setting. The class promoted things like agency and consent in the description, but the structure was the opposite—repressive, oppressive, and the exact opposite of choice.

Ever since then, I've been a hard no on teaching polarity in my programs. But then I found Laura's podcast episode on this topic and it was like finding a Coca-Cola in the desert. She brings the nuance, the research, and the practical wisdom about when polarity can work without causing harm—and when it's just patriarchy disguised as spirituality.

We talk about the mix of deep and fun that I love, and we're going to tell you exactly when this approach can be helpful and when it becomes harmful.

Episode at a Glance

• What polarity actually is (and why it's everywhere right now)

• Why the masculine-feminine framework often reinforces harmful gender stereotypes

• How polarity can damage women's agency and men's emotional vulnerability

• The five criteria for when polarity can work without causing harm

• Why high-achieving women often fantasize about being dominated (and what that actually means)

• The difference between healthy dom/sub dynamics and repackaged patriarchy
  
  

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Growth Gap Workshop (FREE)

• The Desire Gap Podcast with Laura Juergens

• Visit Laura's website: https://laurajurgens.com/

• Laura's Instagram: @laura.juergens.coach

• Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

In this greatest hits episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I'm resharing one of my most important episodes for the long-term health of your marriage: teams versus alliances.

This framework explains why some marriages thrive for decades while others dissolve—and gives you specific tools to strengthen yours starting today.

Here's what made this especially timely: Oprah recently did a whole podcast episode on gray divorce (which has tripled for people 65+ since 1990). I've been talking about this phenomenon since 2016, and honestly? It made me do a little happy dance to see this conversation going mainstream. Because the more you understand what's driving gray divorce, the more you can prevent it in your own future.

In this episode, I share updated research on gray divorce, then dive into the original framework about what separates marriages that stay strong from those that quietly drift apart.

You'll discover:

• The exact difference between a team and an alliance (you'll immediately know which one you are)

• Why teams create happiness and resilience while alliances eventually run out of reasons to stay together

• Three mindset shifts to build more team spirit in your marriage

Ready to make your marriage not just functional, but five-star? Let's dive in.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• Growth Gap Workshop (FREE)

• Marriage Mindset Makeover

• Episode #1: How to Have a Better Marriage

• Bowling Green State University research on gray divorce

• Institute for Family Studies research

In this episode, I sit down with Ali Ryan, a trauma-informed embodiment coach and clinical nurse hypnotist, to talk about something we don't discuss enough: friend breakups.

I just went through one myself, and even as a relationship coach, I needed support and guidance, so I was up at 1 am googling, what are the steps in Conscious Uncoupling? And they were SO HELPFUL!

I share some of my process in my conversation with Ali and was so delighted to hear her insights!

On this episode, we explore conscious uncoupling (not just for romantic relationships!), how to have what I call a "loving ending" that honors the past while acknowledging when something needs to end, and why we don't have to make someone right or wrong when a relationship evolves.

This conversation is for anyone navigating the end of a friendship and wanting to do it with grace, integrity, and love.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• What conscious uncoupling really means beyond the buzzword

• Why we need to normalize talking about friend breakups

• The five steps of conscious uncoupling and how they apply to friendships

• How to stay out of survival brain when a relationship needs to end

• Why our society conditions us to be unconscious in both coupling and uncoupling

• The power of allowing relationships to evolve without making anyone wrong
  
  

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• The Growth Gap - Free Workshop

• Ali's Instagram: @ali_ryan__

• Ali's Website: www.aliryancoaching.com

• Katherine Woodward Thomas (creator of Conscious Uncoupling framework)