The Empowered Wife Podcast

What would you do if you found out your husband cheated on you? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about four important steps to take once you’ve found out that your man has been unfaithful.

My guest Michaela was exhausted from trying to sift through her husband’s lies and betrayal but she truly wanted to save her marriage. She found a solution and says that her relationship with her husband is now amazing! Today she’ll share with us exactly what she did.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so frustrating to even think about that I’m not surprised it doesn’t work. In fact, it probably makes things in your marriage worse instead of better, despite so-called marriage experts claiming that it should fix things.

How can you make your relationship better without your husband even knowing what you did? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to take your relationship up a few notches - and your husband won’t even realize what changed!

My guest Sara was resentful that her husband was weak, didn’t take initiative, and didn’t know how to discipline their children because he didn’t have a backbone. She knew he had a lot of issues to work through, but therapy wasn’t helping. Then Sara learned something that changed everything and today her husband is masculine and attractive! She looks forward to his touch and loves the way he looks at her.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is a recipe for a standoff that could last for years! It’s a saying that many of us have heard time and time again, but instead of being helpful, it’s actually incredibly disrespectful.

What can you do when your husband says he doesn’t love you? Here are 3 secrets for turning the breakdown into a breakthrough. 

My guest Becky was fighting for her marriage alone--her husband didn’t want to stay married. But now he says they’re in it for life. Here’s what she did.

I promise you’ve heard The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week and if you’re anything like I was, you never even questioned it.

Learn exactly how you can work on your marriage when your husband refuses. Single-handedly create connection again. 

My guest Debby’s husband shocked her when he announced that he wanted a divorce. He wouldn’t talk to her or touch her. She describes how she fixed her marriage.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week seems so logical it’s hard to even question it, but it will just leave you stuck.

Here’s the real reason your man is emotionally abusive and 3 ways to make him stop.

My guest Bonnie’s husband was abusive and mean, so she filed for divorce. But now she feels safe, loved and knows he’s the best man in the world for her.

A blog reader got the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week from professionals. My first question is... professional what? It’s truly terrible!

How to Get Your Husband to Listen: 4 Ways to Speak the Language Husbands Like and Understand

Marriage counseling didn’t help Sue with her third marriage...until the counselor wrote something on a post-it note. Now, her marriage is loving, respectful, intimate, comfortable and optimistic.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so popular that it’s part of the language. But it didn’t work for me and it didn’t work for the listener who sent it in either.

Is your man having a midlife crisis? So frustrating! I’ll share the real reason he’s acting that way and what you can do about it.

My guest Valerie was giving her husband a year to shape up or she was done. Then he announced that HE was leaving her. She’ll share how she fixed her marriage and saved her family.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which sounds pretty good but will make you resentful unless you make a small but important tweak.

There are 5 proven ways to inspire your husband to become more prosperous if he doesn’t make enough money.

My guest Shelly wanted to leave her angry, negative husband just when the kids were leaving the nest. Instead, she feels connected to him and enjoys going out on dates with him. Here’s how she got there.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week masquerades as self-respect but it’s a counterfeit that will leave you lonely.

If your husband drinks too much here are 3 ways you can get him to choose you over alcohol.

Sage’s husband was an insensitive, drunken jerk. She couldn’t live like that so they separated. Today his drinking is no longer a problem and she has her dream.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is more like the voice of doom because it will doom your relationship.

How to fix your husband’s low self-esteem: 11 Ways to Give Him Swashbuckling Swagger and Self-Confidence

My guest Joanna was lonely, sad and defeated because her controlling, workaholic husband was avoiding her and didn’t even want to have sex. But today the passion is back and they enjoy spending most of their time together. She’s going to tell us how she did that. 

Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which is directly from a pop song that may have worked its way into your subconscious.

3 secrets that can quickly turn the breakdown of feeling like your husband doesn’t love you into a breakthrough.

My guest Jo's husband never had time for her. They were like roommates. But today he takes her on romantic trips and wows her. She’s going to tell us exactly how she caused that incredible transformation.

You hear The Worst Relationship Advice as the reason a couple ends their relationship. Seems like it could happen to anybody--but there’s more to the story.

On today’s episode I share: 

I’ll share 3 power moves to restore the peace after a breakdown when you want an apology.

My guest Jola was in an exhausting, lonely marriage until she found something that empowered her to create connection and family hugs. She’s going to tell us what she did.

The award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week comes up so quickly in conversations among girlfriends, and it seems self-respecting, but most of the time it’s just lousy advice.

What if you had a powerful one-word answer that made him think about what he had just said or done and respond with tenderness and even accountability?

Darlene’s relationship with her first love fizzled shortly after they had their daughter but...life brought them back together again. She’s going to tell us how she made that relationship amazing, shiny and wonderful.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is part of some popular communication training, but it causes boatloads of hostility. That is not what anyone is trying to do!

What can you do when your husband is not attracted to you? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about why the problem is not what you think and how to solve the real issue.

My guest Tess was devastated, heartbroken and shocked when her husband fell in love with her best friend, who was a marriage therapist. Her husband was so cold and unloving that she just wanted to leave. But then again, she didn’t really want to leave because she wanted her husband back. Then she made the best decision she ever made. She started doing something that put an end to her insecurities and had her husband declare his undying love for her and her alone.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is something that just can’t be done. It sounds good in theory, but it’s impossible. And if there’s anything you don’t need when you’re struggling in your relationship, it’s impossible advice that sets you up to fail.

Who has the most power in your relationship? I’ll  tell you how to figure that out and what you can do about it.

My guest Stefanie had one failed marriage and a failed rebound relationship, and she was pretty sure that her relationship with a Latin waiter was also a big mistake because she broke up with him almost every week. But today she is happily married to that man, who likes to make her dreams come true. She’s going to tell us the secrets for how she made her high-drama romance dreamy.

Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which just makes a big problem where there was NO problem before. You’ve probably tried this. I know I did!

What makes you feel safe and able to trust? We’ll talk about how you can create that even if you’ve caught your man lying about where he was, who he was with or what he was doing. I'll show you three ways to keep your husband honest.

My guest Mila was ashamed to be living with fights and hostility that no one knew about. A month before her due date, her non-commital fiancee announced that he was moving out after the baby came. Now she enjoys a peaceful, loving home with the same man, who says that marrying her was the “best decision he ever made.” She’s going to tell us how she created that dramatic turnaround.

You have definitely heard pop-psychology drivel that is winning The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award. It sounds convincing but it’s just ridiculous hooey that keeps so many people stuck thinking their relationship is hopeless.

"Let’s talk about How to Be Feminine and 10x More Attractive. Today I’m revealing what your mom and your grandma would have told you about what it means to be feminine...if they had known!

My guest Angela’s husband was angry, controlling and distant and she was depressed and numb dreading the prospect of living the rest of her life in such an unfulfilling marriage. She decided to conduct an experiment and today her relaxed husband showers her with attention, gifts and help. She’s going to explain what she did to make that happen.

Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week. This goes to a common suggestion you hear to make sure you get treated well in a relationship and it just backfires like crazy.

Discover how to be happily married to a man with Narcissistic Personality Disorder...or one who is extremely self-absorbed without having to suck it up and suffer forever.

My guest Carol’s husband was diagnosed with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and anger issues. A marriage counselor told her to get a restraining order so she did, and they separated by court order. But she not only saved her marriage she made it safe and loving again. She’s sharing exactly how she did it.

You have heard the winner of this Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award repeated at least 1,000 times and it's the opposite of goo advice. You probably never thought about it, but you'll see why yourself as soon as I tell you.

How to talk about sex, keep it steamy and get what you want: 3 secret cheat phrases to uplevel your sex life.

My guest Christine’s husband slept in the spare bedroom, never initiated sex and rejected her often. She thought there was something very wrong with him. Even though their marriage was okay, she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life feeling starved for sex and wondered if she should outsource that part of the relationship. Instead she found a solution that brought back the passion and skyrocketed the intimacy and the laughter too. She’s going to tell us exactly what she did and how you can do the same thing.

Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which you hear absolutely everywhere and sounds truish at first, but it definitely is false. Hear all that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Here's what you can do if your husband is the controlling one in the relationship and it’s getting on your very last nerve. I'll show you how to stop a controlling husband.

My guest Morvana had recently escaped a destructive relationship and found the man of her dreams, but was puzzled when some of the same patterns from that previous relationship showed up in her new marriage, which seemed to be deteriorating into lots of fighting and cold wars. Had she picked the wrong man again? She made an unpleasant discovery about herself that broke open the whole mystery and started her on a journey to making her relationship safe, sweet and satisfying again. She’s going to share how she did that.

So many women have tried The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week and it failed to create more connection. I tried it too. Didn’t work. Let's not all make that mistake. Hear all that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Did you know there's a great aphrodisiac for men, and it's free and works fast? If you’re experiencing a chill in the bedroom or you’re in a sexless marriage, this episode is going to be incredibly valuable for you.

Julie’s husband had grown distant and taken up activities that didn’t involve her, so when he asked her for a divorce she knew he meant it. But instead of giving up on her marriage, Julie found a way to make it better than it was before. She’s going to tell us exactly how.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week award goes to a phrase that most people consider an absolute fact, but it never, ever, ever got me what I wanted in my marriage. At all. And I've never seen it work for my students either. I'll tell you all that and more on the Empowered WIfe Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Learn how to bring back that lovin' feeling even if your husband seems indifferent or even actively seems to dislike you. This is the proven method.

My guest Mari spent five lonely years in her third marriage fearing that she’d made yet another mistake. But she is no longer lonely in her marriage and instead feels like the center of her husband’s universe. She’s going to tell us how she turned her relationship around and made it fun and sweet again.

Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which you have heard so many times it seems like THE TRUTH, but actually doesn’t mean what most people think it means.

What is the Cure for the Selfish Husband? I'll show you three powerful ways to create a relationship where your guy--even a super selfish guy--becomes more giving, supportive and considerate. I am NOT exaggerating.

My guest Sonya was miserable, depressed and alone with her kids because her husband emotionally abandoned her and spent all his time playing poker instead of helping with the family. This went on for years...until she made a discovery, which she’s going to tell us about, that made her husband attentive, tender, and devoted to her happiness. She’s going to tell us what she did to have that breakthrough.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week goes to something that's the marital equivalent of trying to win the lottery without buying a ticket. All that on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Today on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle, you'll discover how to choose more intimacy in your relationship, and what you’re probably doing (without realizing it) that is killing your chances of that.

My guest Stephanie was devastated when her husband said he wanted a divorce even though she was pregnant with their fifth child. She didn’t know how or if she could save her marriage until she discovered something that helped her create a relationship that’s even better than it was before. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something you hear absolutely everywhere and most people think of as a fact, but it's a big, fat lie! You'll hear about that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

This is the how to get Your husband back episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle. There are 14 things you can do for the good of you both when you’re husband leaves you emotionally or physically--even though you may shock him (in a good way) and yourself!

My guest Fanny discovered her husband had been having an affair for 18 months. She was trapped because of their kids and finances, and because deep down she really wanted her marriage to work. She didn’t know how or if that could happen, until she discovered something that helped her create the marriage she’d always wanted. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is what so many people say to do if you catch your husband cheating, but is the best idea for you? Most likely not. You'll hear why not on this episode of The Empowered Wife with Laura Doyle.

Have you tried these Top 10 Ways to Control Your Husband? I have, and sadly, none of them work.

My guest Dien gave up her whole life in Canada to move to the UK with her new husband, but soon found out he was a hoarder and insomniac who had lied to her. So she took her 3-month-old baby, her passport and all the money she could get her hands on. But instead of leaving her marriage, her journey led her fixing her relationship and making it magical again. She’s going to describe exactly how she did that.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something that most women think you SHOULD do to be a good wife, but it actually backfires and makes you into an annoying toothache of a wife. You'll hear all that and more in this episode of The Empowered Wife with Laura Doyle.

There are 11 simple behaviors that men find irresistible in women, and not one of them has to do with hair, makeup or how you dress. None of them are manipulations. They won’t make you seem desperate. You won’t have to dumb down. In fact, they’ll help you be your best self—your real self. I'll share all 11 behaviors.

Then, my guest Marissa thought there was something seriously wrong with her husband because she was getting zero help with their baby. She started doing something that inspired her husband to take initiative with the baby and housework, and also shower her with presents and special treatment. She's going to tell us what she did.

And the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something you hear absolutely everywhere...but it actually makes things much, much worse. You'll hear all that and more on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Welcome to the Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle where it’s all about fixing your relationship without your man’s conscious effort so you feel desired, taken care of and special--even if your relationship feels completely hopeless.

Today I'm sharing about a secret that will help you skyrocket the Passion in Your Relationship, even if you’re in a sexless marriage.

My guest Kathy Murray has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, First for Women Magazine and her interview with the BBC went viral on several continents. She was in a sexless second marriage, stressed out over her stepchildren and heading for second divorce. But she made a decision that changed her life forever and now has a dreamy marriage to the same man. She is going to tell us exactly what she did to single-handedly turn her marriage around and make it passionate and gratifying again.

And the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week goes out to….Laura Doyle. Wait, is this a mistake?! Sadly no. It's my embarrassing mea culpa. You'll hear all about it on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

The Empowered Wife Podcast is all about fixing your relationship without your man's conscious effort even if it seems completely hopeless.

Guests share how they fixed their marriages to men with anger issues, narcissism, alcohol abuse, verbal abuse, midlife crisis, affairs, physical abuse and more using the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills.

Every show highlights the worst relationship advice of the week, reveals the very common mistakes that everybody seems to be making and shows you exactly what to do instead fo have a playful, passionate relationship--like over 15,000 women who have already transformed their relationships and become Empowered Wives.

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again. 

When I got married, I thought my husband would support me, kiss away my tears, listen to my problems, desire me, snuggle with me, and do everything he could toward our common goals. And he did—for a while. When he became distant, I felt bamboozled and just knew that something was wrong with him. I thought I would have to end it and find someone who COULD meet my needs, which was scary and dreadful. The longer we struggled and went to marriage counseling, the more hopeless I felt. I was working hard on the relationship, but I was doing all the wrong things. Turns out, I just needed to learn a few skills that contribute to a playful, passionate relationship where all my needs and desires are met because he naturally wants to make me happy, not because I’m begging him to meet my needs (yuck!). On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to deal with unmet needs in a relationship.

And, my guest Olivia was still a newlywed when her husband moved out suddenly, wouldn’t say why and wouldn’t come back. Then Olivia discovered the Intimacy Skills and dove right in. Today, her marriage is better than she ever thought it could be, even better than when they were dating. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If you're anything like me, you love hearing your man say you're beautiful and the best wife or you did a great job. If you’re not hearing those things, it’s only natural to crave some compliments. That’s just human. We all need to be seen, heard and understood, and compliments are part of that. Going without them is dreary and unsustainable, like trying to hold your breath. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why compliments are important in a relationship—and 3 ways to get more!

Also, my guest Rebecca felt that her husband was angry and emotionally unfaithful. But when she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills, she immediately got a positive response. Today, not only is her marriage romantic and adventurous, every relationship in her life has gotten better. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When you see your husband drinking too much, it’s very scary because you can’t help but wonder: Is this an addiction? Is he an alcoholic? If so, everybody knows that would come with a lifetime of suffering. Even if you’re not worried about that, just seeing him choose to get wasted instead of wanting to be with you hurts a lot. I remember how confused and hurt I was when I realized my husband would rather do a lot of things that seemed like a waste than spend time with me. I felt so unlovable and undesired, which was painful because I really wanted to feel loved and desired. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the 3-step cure if your husband would rather drink too much than be with you.

Plus, my guest Jessica was living with a scary level of hostility and violence in her marriage. But she found there was something she could do about it, and she did it. Today she feels loved, cherished, and adored, and her marriage is free from domestic violence. She’s married to the same man. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your man isn’t happy, of course you want to cheer him up so you’re not getting dragged down yourself, which is tiring. I thought I could make my husband happy by doing things for him that would’ve made me happy. I was doing a bunch of stuff I thought would make him happy that felt like a lot of work for me but was not working—at all—because he is so different from me. Sometimes it made him feel even worse, then we’d fight because he didn’t appreciate all I was doing. Let’s not both make that mistake. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 4 significant ways to make your husband happy.

Plus, with no intimacy or communication, my guest Tracy’s marriage felt on the brink of divorce. When she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she was surprised to find out that her husband just wanted to make her happy. Today she is married to the man she always hoped to be. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If your husband has a crush on another woman, it can make you feel terrible and not special. He committed to loving you and only you ’til death do us part, and now? He’s using an excited voice with the neighbor, going out of his way to help her, texting someone a lot more than usual, staying at work later with a female colleague, or staring at another woman. And that’s scary. It seems so wrong that he could feel that way, like a betrayal. Crushes can grow into something more. Even if nothing has happened, it’s not how you want him to feel about someone else. How can make him stop crushing on someone else and adore you instead? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 5 signs your husband has a crush on another woman and 5 questions to ask.

Plus, even though my guest Irena’s marriage was good, she felt disconnected, which had always bothered her. But things got a lot better when she made this discovery. She’s going to tell us how she made her marriage connected, intimate and authentic so you can do it too.

Being around Eeyore all the time is draining and discouraging. How are you supposed to enjoy life when your man is constantly making gloomy comments and throwing cold water on everything? You might wonder when he’s going to snap out of it or look for nutritional supplements for him or sleep aids or a therapist to help him cheer the heck up so you don’t have to be around his apathetic self. But none of that works, in my experience. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband is always negative, including 3 ways to change that.

Then, with all the blowups and cold wars, the temperature at Michelle’s house was getting colder and colder. When she experimented with just one cheat phrase, things got warmer fast. She kept going with the Intimacy Skills, and today her marriage is happy, playful, safe and loving.

It has such a chilling effect on intimacy you’re getting called names, especially rude ones that you wouldn’t even want to repeat. It’s so hurtful and scary. Everyone knows you shouldn’t put up with that if you have any self-respect. Verbal or emotional abuse is not okay. It also makes you feel really bad—unless you practice the Intimacy Skills and know about vulnerability. I know it sounds odd to even use the word “vulnerability” in the same sentence as “name-calling.” How can you be vulnerable when he has just attacked you like that? That sounds crazy, right? It did to me too at first. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing 3 decisive strategies for when your husband calls you names.

And, my guest Bre’s husband never wanted to spend time with her. Then she found out he was having an emotional affair with his ex. She wanted a divorce. But when she started to do some things differently, he changed without her even having to ask. Today they spend time together, and her marriage is fun and meaningful. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When you want a reset, you don’t like the track things are on… There’s too much conflict, tension or distance. Maybe you miss how passionate your relationship once was. Instead of having fun together, it feels like painful drudgery. Instead of being exhilarated together, you feel like awkward roommates. So how do you get back to the good times you once had? Is it even possible? Or was that just him being on his best behavior and now you’re seeing the real him? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing two effective ways to start over in a relationship.

Plus, my guest Noor felt so broken and depressed in her miserable marriage that she was making plans to leave her husband. But when she started a few new habits, their fights stopped within two weeks! Today she describes her marriage as happy, easy and funny. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

When your husband resents you, the tension is so uncomfortable, especially if he’s just scowling or hiding in his cave and being silent, ignoring you, neglecting you. It would be nice if he’d just come out with it and tell you he resents you and WHY. Then you’d know exactly where you stand instead of wondering what’s going to happen. You could make plans, defend yourself, or find a way to make him stop resenting you. You could look for the words to have him reevaluate, including that it’s not good for him to hold a grudge against his wife! The scowling, neglect, and silence are all pretty good signs that he resents you, right? But what if he’s not resentful at all? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you see these signs—and 3 common challenges that could be the real problem.

And, the tension was high for my guest Jane too. She was not controlling at all—she was just trying to help her husband! But that wasn’t going over well. Then she made a decision to do this one thing, which led to great peace and happiness in her marriage and in herself. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

It’s so devastating and hurtful if your husband leaves you because he’s unhappy. First, he loved you enough to marry you in front of God and everybody. Then he was so unhappy he left you? That’s not what he promised to do, and it feels like such a betrayal. Not only does it knock the wind out of you, he’s the very person you would turn to for comfort. Instead, you’re left to fend for yourself, which is incredibly scary and lonely. It could even make you feel unlovable and hopeless. But you can change the story, even now. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if your husband leaves you because he was unhappy.

Plus, my guest Michelle and her husband were in separate bedrooms and having cold wars that lasted for months. The threat of divorce felt heavy in their house. Then Michelle did a few unconventional things and the fighting stopped. Now her husband is as passionate as when they first married. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When my marriage was really bad, I just wanted to force it to get better through sheer will. That’s why I made John go to marriage counseling! I was willing to put in hard work and perseverance, of course, because that’s what I figured it meant to “work on” your marriage. I mean, I’d always heard marriage is hard work. Hard work! I heard that a lot. Weirdly, it’s not hard work now; it’s easy and fun and light. But back then I was exhausted, frustrated, and impatient for it to change already! I just wanted to know where to apply the force because I felt like I had plenty of that. Now that I know and my husband can’t stop kissing me and is always bringing me tea and chasing me around the kitchen island, I just think you’ll want to get this information and write it down. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 ways to force your marriage to improve.

Then, my guest Ellen was devastated to find out her husband was involved with another woman. She felt so lost! But she decided to find herself again in a dignified way. She not only saved her marriage—she made it stronger than she could have imagined. She’ll tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your husband isn’t keeping his promises, like to love, honor and cherish you, or is drinking way too much or there’s another woman who’s too close or he’s just become a loser pants, then how are you supposed to respect him?

What if he’s abusive? What if he’s distant or absent? What if he’s walking away from the marriage? What if he conned you?

It’s painful enough to be in that situation without feeling like now you should somehow just suck it up and be a respectful saint to him. How is that even humanly possible? Especially if all you feel is disgust because of his narcissism, meanness to the kids, or cruising along while you do everything. It’s already more than you should be putting up with. 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how you’re supposed to respect a husband who hasn’t earned it. 

I’ll share the key action—despite my great reluctance and resistance—that made it easy to respect my husband, who now does all the things that impressed me when I first fell in love with him. 

Plus, my guest Yuki felt like the victim of her abusive husband. She was too ashamed to tell anyone. Then she found a way to interrupt the familiar pattern at her house, and today she has a very respectful marriage. It not only includes joking but she truly feels her husband’s love. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

If you’ve been struggling in your relationship for a while, you’re probably exhausted. I remember how hopeless and scared I felt when we’d been struggling for years and nothing was working to make it better. Not marriage counseling, not books about relationships, not working on communication—none of that worked for us. It’s such a disappointment to go from feeling like he’s an amazing person you’re excited to spend the rest of your life with, to wondering what happened to that guy and feeling lonely, neglected, and stupid for falling for him in the first place. Now that I’m back with that amazing guy I fell for, excited to get to spend every day with him again, here’s what I wish I had known. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 ways to rebuild a relationship and stop struggling.

Plus, my guest Sharon felt starved for love and intimacy. So she flipped her part of the script and said some things she’d never said before. Today her marriage is pure bliss, and she loves the passion and how meaningful it feels. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

I found myself doing all the housework not long after we were married because I thought it would be nice for him and I wanted to be a nice wife, plus I wanted a clean house, homemade meals, and neatly folded laundry. And I wanted those things done the right way. It wasn’t long before I was overwhelmed, exhausted and mighty resentful! I was doing everything while he just skated along and watched TV, like I was the mom and he was a little boy. So I decided he HAD to help and told him that. But he didn’t help. Looking back I can see why. But I didn’t know I was making these outrageous mistakes that were preventing him from doing chores. And I’m not the only one! I hear from students that they were making the same mistakes until they learned what to do. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 mistakes with splitting chores and how to get more help with housework. 

Plus, my guest Renee and her husband kept having big blow ups then cold wars then huge emotional hangovers over and over again. Renee took a long look at herself and saw some things she could improve. Today things are mostly peaceful, and he just wants to serve his wife and family. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

This was one of the great mysteries of my life, so I want to share this with as many women as possible. I don’t want anybody to suffer just because they don’t know about these mistakes. Because before I knew them, I suffered. Just a few years into our marriage, my husband John refused to do housework. When I tried to tell him to wash the dishes, he just turned up the TV to drown me out. I begged, demanded, and repeated myself. I signed us up for marriage counseling, but it didn’t help. He just didn’t care about helping me, which made me question the whole marriage. Then I discovered a phrase that made him do chores willingly. The first time I tried it, John offered to clean the kitchen. And he did. That was over 20 years ago, and he’s been cleaning it ever since. Thousands of my students have also used this cheat phrase with great success. But it won’t work if you make these common mistakes that almost cost me my marriage. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 5 alarming mistakes that make him tune you out.

Plus, my guest Jamese had zero romance at her house because her husband was always on the computer. And they were newlyweds! But then Jamese “got herself some business” and got off of her husband’s paper. Today, her marriage is fresh, loving, and fun! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

If you’re anything like I was, this isn’t the first year you’ve resolved to improve your relationship. I said it year after year because I was so stuck and didn’t know what to do to get my husband to pay attention to me, be more affectionate, and be more responsible. But this new year, your marriage can actually be different. And I don’t mean because you’re going to try harder, which never works but is very tiring (I’m tired just thinking about it). Or by going to counseling since many couples who get marriage counseling end up separated or divorced anyway. Or by being more giving and supportive to your man, even though I know you hear that everywhere.

Today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast is about the scary New Year’s resolution that will actually save your marriage.

I’ll share 3 things that changed everything at my house and will make your relationship vibrant and shiny this new year.

You’ll also get to hear a true first coaching session with Brittany, who is so courageous to let me share this call with you from back when her husband was bent on divorce.

Every month the Certified Relationship Coaches and I get together and tell true stories about our relationships because having lots of stories to share is an important part of being a great relationship coach. Some of the best stories, those most valuable to the person you’re coaching? They’re embarrassing. They’re not proud moments or good examples of how to be a model wife. More like horrible warnings of what NOT to do to have a healthy marriage. Those are the kinds of stories we tell at these meetings, which are exclusively for the certified coaches, no one else. 

Hearing that I am NOT the only person who has these self-inflicted embarrassing moments is so comforting, such a relief, and so entertaining, at least for me. So this week I got permission to share a coaches’ storytelling meeting with you, even though the stories were originally told in this sacred space of our coaches-only private call. The coaches decided to let you in on things you don’t hear women admitting to very often. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m letting you in on mistakes that were made, where you get to eavesdrop as relationship coaches confess!

When you’re going to trust someone with something as important as making your marriage last and thrive, it’s scary. You want to make sure it’s the right someone! Especially if you’re trying to navigate a crisis, like a separation, the threat of divorce, or an affair, which feels so vulnerable and private. There’s so much at stake, like your whole family’s happiness and future! You shouldn’t have to go through that alone, but you also need someone super safe who won’t judge you. That’s also true even if you’re just disappointed that your marriage isn’t what you thought it was going to be. Because your birthright as a woman is to feel desired, adored and cherished. If you’re not feeling that way, it’s so painful—I still remember. You’ll want a guide to help you see what’s in the way, what’s in your blindspot, what’s stopping you from having that. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to find a relationship coach and the top 3 things to look for.

Plus, my guest Crystal’s husband was set on getting divorced, then he moved out, which was heartbreaking. But even in her pain, Crystal decided to fight the good fight to save her marriage, and… it worked. Today her marriage is better than ever. She’s going to share how she fixed her broken marriage so you can do it too.

When your husband treats you like a roommate, it feels cold and lonely. You didn’t get married to have a roommate! You got married to enjoy each other’s company, to enjoy passion, and if you’re anything like me, to feel desired. So getting the roommate treatment is a bait-and-switch that can make you feel rejected and abandoned as a wife. It’s also embarrassing. At least it was for me, because I felt like it was proof that I wasn’t desirable, which I wasn’t, and that our marriage was falling apart, which it was. So I had lots of problems and no idea where to start because I had already tried the oft-repeated advice to share my deep concerns about his lack of affection, and let me tell you: That. Did. Not. Work. It did not make him pull me in for a kiss and whisk me away to the bedroom, which is what I secretly wanted. That was painful. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband treats you like a roommate.

Plus, my guest Deena’s marriage felt cold and distant, like roommates who were either fighting or having a cold war most of the time. The threat of divorce was hanging over them. Then Deena decided to do a few things differently and instead of roommates she says they feel like soulmates. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! 

Okay, I don’t have much to say about outlaws. I just love that joke, that the difference between outlaws and in-laws is that outlaws are wanted. That’s because in-laws can be annoying and get on your very last nerve! They might be nosy, overbearing, or passive-aggressive, but you can’t get rid of them, as much as you might like to sometimes. Or is that me I’m thinking of? Well, not anymore. Now I genuinely like all my in-laws. I used to find fault with them like it was buried treasure, but it turns out they’re a great bunch. Maybe your in-laws are not so great though, and it’s putting stress on your marriage. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to make his family members more tolerable.

Plus, my guest Jessica was sure the only way her marriage would get fixed was if her husband would finally open his eyes and start treating her better! But she did some experiments herself, and her prayers were answered in an unexpected way. Now he writes her love notes that make her heart sing. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

It feels really bad when the man who promised to love honor and cherish you sneers at you when you’re talking, takes sides with the kids, doesn’t bother to answer you when you’re saying something important, makes demands or criticizes you. It’s so hurtful and insulting. You start to feel like you’re always on guard to protect yourself, which is tiring too. How is it ever going to improve if he’s just getting ruder and more dismissive? It’s scary to think about spending the rest of your life with someone so disrespectful! We talk a lot about how to be respectful on this podcast, but what about how to get respect? Here’s a powerful way to break out of the cycle of feeling disrespected by your husband and create a new culture at your house. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking what to do when your husband doesn't respect you.

Plus, after big fights about parenting their blended family, Faith’s husband started confiding in a female “friend.” Faith decided to experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ even though her friends told her that wouldn’t work. Today she says her marriage is the best it’s EVER been and they are both so in love. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

First of all, I don’t even have kids to disrespect me, so this could be a really short podcast because what do I know?! Sure, I know what it’s like to be disrespected by exceedingly short people. It is so frustrating because I can just pick them up and drop them on the bed while they giggle relentlessly like bedtime is some big game instead of the end of my childcare shift, which can’t come fast enough. I am the person in charge of them, the boss, and everyone knows you have to respect your boss—everyone but kids, that is. Food has to be consumed, bodies washed, pajamas put on, teeth brushed, stories read and lights turned off. And kids don’t seem to respect my authority about these things. Nagging, begging, pleading, and even bribing don’t work very well. I can’t make them obedient, which is very stressful. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking what to do when your kids don’t respect you.

Plus, there was no joy or laughter in my guest Julia’s marriage, but there were plenty of arguments. Then she did a bunch of experiments and they worked! Today she feels a weight has been lifted and her marriage feels intimate and fun. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you suspect your man is just a little too emotionally intimate with another woman, it feels terrible. It’s threatening because emotional intimacy was a big part of how you two fell in love to begin with. It could signal that he’s falling for someone else, which is not right. You shouldn’t have to fear that some other woman is having the connection with him that you want or that she might have bigger plans for his future. But where’s the line on emotional cheating? If he were clearly over the line, you could use the law to confront him. Then he would have to admit he is cheating and he’d realize that’s not the man he wants to be. He’d keep his distance and blow her off, like he should, and go back to being emotionally intimate with you and only you. But what if it’s not over the line? What if he’s just being friendly and there’s nothing to worry about? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking exactly what emotional cheating is.

Plus, my guest Maxine was grouchy and resentful that her husband wouldn’t do things for her no matter how creatively she nagged him. But she made some changes, and today her marriage feels really good. She knows he just wants to make her happy and that she has the key. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  

What could be worse than knowing that your husband loves someone else when he should be devoted to you and only you? This should not be happening. It’s so wrong! And a terrible rejection to know he finds someone else so alluring that he’s willing to put everything he has with you at risk. I mean, is she younger than you? Prettier? What is it about her that’s worth making a fuss about? He is your husband and this is not part of the agreement you made. It’s so hurtful and disappointing when the time, attention and affection he’s giving her is taking away from what he should be giving you. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband is in love with someone else.

Plus, my guest Cindy’s husband was having an affair for three years, which she never thought would happen to her! Saving her marriage seemed completely hopeless because he wouldn’t end it. Then she started experimenting with the Intimacy Skills, and today she has the marriage she always wanted. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Going from feeling desired and sexy to getting rejected by your own husband is a terrible feeling. Is there something wrong with him? With you? Is it because you’re not as attractive as you used to be? Either way, it’s scary to think about a dreary future with little to no passion. You might wonder what you can even do about it if the problem is his lack of drive. Are you going to be on a starvation schedule in the bedroom or even involuntarily celibate when you’re still a sensuous being? That’s an awful life sentence to serve ’til death do us part. But fortunately, that doesn’t have to be your story. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what it means when your husband rejects you sexually—and what to do about it. I’ll share two ways you can turn this around and skyrocket the passion in your marriage. 

Plus, my guest Erin’s marriage was doing okay, so she was blindsided when her husband announced that he was moving out. There was another woman. But in just a few months of using the 6 Intimacy Skills™ and the Connection Framework, miracles happened in her marriage. Wait until you hear what she did! I think you’re going to want to do it too.

Not only will this phrase help make your marriage last a lifetime, it will also help your marriage stay shiny and amazing. Because it’s not just the words coming out of your mouth and your husband hearing them that make them powerful. Although that’s certainly part of it, and he will respond to you better. This phrase is also going to change your heart. It does double duty that way. That’s why I consider it the most powerful Intimacy Skill of all. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about a phrase to say every day for a long-lasting marriage. 

The intimacy at my guest Nicole’s house had grown COLD. She was doing everything yet not feeling appreciated. But six months ago something happened, a big something, and now her husband can’t stop taking her on romantic date nights. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

We’ve discovered four things that are pivotal for wives fixing their marriage. But one in particular helps you make quantum leaps in your marriage because it helps the 6 Intimacy Skills stick. It’s when I started practicing this piece that I got my miracle of feeling loved, desired, taken care of and special every day—more than ever over 20 years later. I’m excited to share how I got a breakthrough with being able to implement the Intimacy Skills myself when I was terrible at them! So you'll know the missing link if you’re struggling, like I was, to implement the Skills or wondering why you can’t remember to use them. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the Connection Framework and how you can pay it forward.

Plus, even though she knew she was a good wife, my guest Steph felt lonely and hopeless. She could feel her marriage slipping through her hands. Through that pain came an insight that set her in a new direction. Today her marriage feels loving, respectful and safe. She’s going to share what she did so you can do it too.

It’s so dreary to find out you're married to someone with bouts of exhaustion and depression interspersed with manic behavior. It feels like bait and switch. How are you ever going to have a great partnership when there are just those two extremes and nothing in the middle, no normal husband behavior? It’s scary because not only are you married to someone who can’t always be a good partner to you, it sucks up your time and energy trying to care for him. Instead of a playful, passionate marriage, you’re left with a stressful burden. Ugh! But it doesn’t have to be that way. You too can be a ridiculously happy wife, even if your husband is bonafide bipolar. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to fix a marriage to a husband who has bipolar disorder.

My guest Joanne was desperate to avoid the pain of another divorce at any cost but didn’t know where to start since the breakdown was mostly her husband’s fault. She had some unpleasant realizations and started to do a few things differently, and he responded beautifully. Today her marriage is calm, peaceful, and respectful on both sides. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

Part of why you decided to go all in and commit to your man is because he made you feel special. So when you see your husband checking out other women, it’s not only disappointing, it can be threatening. That’s not the agreement you had when he said you were the most wonderful, amazing woman in the world. It can make you angry if he’s looking at another woman in an obvious way. It can be embarrassing and make you feel insignificant. You shouldn’t have to feel that way with your man! So what gives? Why is it so difficult for a man to just be respectful and only look at you and not at other women? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why men look at other women. 

Plus, my guest Krystin was devastated when her husband moved out without even telling her. That’s when she found the Intimacy Skills and had an unexpected twist on her journey to becoming a ridiculously happy wife. She’ll tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you miss snuggling on the couch, dreaming about your future together, and spontaneous dance grooves in the hallway, it’s disappointing when that goes missing. Without love, there’s just work and chores and sleep. It’s lonely and sad when all the joy is sucked out of your marriage. But if you want to feel desired again, get pats on the butt just because, and see his face light up when you walk in, you can get it all back. You can have deep conversations and silly ones too. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’ll reveal 3 steps that will fix your relationship so that it’s loving instead of loveless.

Plus, even though my guest Margaret’s household was miserable and explosive, she was incredibly hurt when her husband moved out then said he wanted a divorce. But she made some changes and today she feels secure and happy with her best friend in their now peaceful home! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

This is the 200th episode of the Empowered Wife Podcast, so first of all, let’s have some confetti! Yay! It’s because of you listening to this podcast every week, many of you more than once, that it’s been so successful. So thank you for listening, for thinking marriage is important enough to learn about and work on, because it is, and for the glowing ratings and reviews, and for sharing the podcast with your friends and family! I’m so grateful. I want to celebrate with you that we’ve been together for all these years, working on making our marriages stronger, staying inspired, and changing the world by changing our own families, making them strong. 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re going to reveal 5 lessons from 200 empowered wife podcasts.

I’ll take you behind the curtain to introduce you to my podcast team and share their aha moments.

My guests today are two master relationship coaches and two husbands, one of them mine! They’ll talk about the top 5 lessons we’ve learned from doing 200 Empowered Wife Podcasts.

It's annoying when you’re trying to have a conversation and your man either clams up and gets cold or raises his voice or starts arguing with you. It seems mysterious why he’s so riled up. If only he’d relax so you could have a normal conversation! I used to be so confused about why my husband would look exasperated when I’d made an innocent comment. It turns out that, without meaning to or even realizing it, I was offending him. I didn’t think he should be offended! But now that I understand how, it’s not surprising he was reacting so badly. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re going to answer the question “Why is my husband so defensive?” I’ll share 3 embarrassing ways I unintentionally made my husband feel he had to protect himself from me.

My guest Rachel studied the 6 Intimacy Skills™ before her relationship even started but found that practicing them in theory was very different from practicing them in marriage. Here are the adjustments she made so she now says she’s married to the best husband in the world!

Lacking emotional and physical intimacy in my marriage was miserable. With no deep conversations, flirting, or laughing together, I felt rejected and neglected, NOT desired, which is something really important to me. What’s the point of even being married?! After the connection and playfulness we used to have, I knew what I was missing, which made it even worse! Thinking this is just what happens when you’ve been married a while didn’t stop me from wanting the intimacy back. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when there’s a lack of intimacy in your marriage.

Plus, my guest Joanne was heading for another divorce. When she changed her approach to her marriage, her husband seemed suspicious. But now she feels secure about the future of her peaceful marriage. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

The silent treatment can make you feel really bad and make you desperate to end the tension. It’s scary and takes up a lot of energy wondering how long it’s going to last, if it’s still on, and if there’s something you should be doing differently to fix it. It feels horribly rejecting when someone you love won’t speak to you, answer you, or look at you—like a punishment with no end to the sentence. So what can you do when you’re being shut out? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to handle the silent treatment with dignity.

Being pregnant is vulnerable. When you’re getting ready to welcome a baby, you want to feel secure about your future, to know that you’re loved and desired, that you’ll be protected and taken care of. So it’s an especially scary time to feel rejected. Pregnancy messes with your body so much that it can also feel like you’re not very attractive. Then if he’s less physically affectionate, you could assume it’s because you don’t look hot anymore in your maternity pants. Or someone might tell you that you just feel rejected because your hormones are making you crazy. So now you’re not just rejected, you're also unattractive and crazy!—and it’s all out of your control. But is that what’s really happening? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you’re feeling rejected by your husband during pregnancy.

Plus, Sue had a breakdown in her marriage even though she’s a well-loved relationship coach who has been practicing the Intimacy Skills for many years. She decided to get coaching herself and manifested some big desires, including making her marriage hot again in more ways than one. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

A coach recently shared with me that she decided to become a coach even though she didn’t love her husband because she wanted to be kinder. She was actually guarded against falling back in love. Then she spent a year becoming an expert on the 6 Intimacy Skills, practicing them at the highest level with her classmates. She surprised herself and did start to notice what a great man she had married decades ago. And she came to a coaches’ call recently to admit that, despite her best efforts to just leave him out of this, she was in love with her husband. So, if you don’t want to fall back in love with your husband, do not practice the 6 Intimacy Skills with a supportive community and structure or you’ll end up excited and happy to be with him. You’ll end up with a romance instead of a roommate and co-parent. He’ll seem sexy to you again. It’s crazy, I know! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to fall back in love with your husband.

Plus, my guest Julie wanted her husband to change, and he just wasn’t! With life throwing them some big curveballs, their connection was very strained. Then Julie started experimenting with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, and today her marriage is just what she wanted all along: a peaceful, fun and strong union.

It feels terrible when the guy who used to trip over himself trying to help you is now interested only in staring at his phone or staying at work all the time. What a disappointment. Especially when you have so much to do and so many responsibilities because you set out to be partners but now he isn’t doing much to contribute. Why isn’t he supporting you and what can you do about it? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 signs he’s not supportive. I’ll share what to do if he doesn’t listen to you, appreciate what you do, or do what you ask.

Plus, my guest Jill was so unhappy that she left her 30-year marriage twice. There were lots of arguments, and her husband made her feel guilty when she spent money. But when he introduced her to the audiobook The Empowered Wife, she decided to experiment. Today they have a closeness they’ve never had. She’ll tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when you find yourself thinking, “Hey, my husband and I have nothing to talk about.” Because nothing feels lonelier than being married and just eating together in silence or living under the same roof but never having the deep conversations you’re craving. I’ll share 3 doable ways you can both become great conversationalists so you get those deep talks.

My guest Diane’s relationship lacked connection. She felt like she and her husband barely knew each other. Having conversations was like pulling teeth, and there was barely any physical intimacy. When she started some new practices though, in just a few weeks things became different at her house. Her husband pulled her close at night and the resentment dissipated. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It feels so rejecting when you find out your guy doesn’t love you back, like you’ve been let down in the worst way when you least expected it. Your head races with terrible thoughts about how this could have happened, whether it’s hopeless, and what it means for your future, which can seem so dark. Does it mean you’re not lovable? I have proof it does not. And if what you want is for him to respond like you’re an irresistible magnet so you feel desired, let’s bust some myths that could hurt your relationship. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when he doesn't love you back. 

Even after all the fighting in my guest Julia’s blended family, when her husband decided to move away it was a terrible wake-up call. She started practicing the 6 Intimacy Skills™, and a year later he still wasn’t coming back. But today her marriage is so connected and strong, she knows they’re soulmates. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you are trying to practice the 6 Intimacy Skills™ in your relationship and it feels like they’re not working or you can’t remember to do them or you’re not sure how to do them in your situation, that’s so frustrating and discouraging! You are not the only one. On this podcast, I interview women who have had success transforming their marriages because I want to talk about what’s possible for you and your marriage so you feel inspired and hopeful. My guests share how they did it so that you can try the same things. But I get that even when you know what the 6 Intimacy Skills are, it can still be tricky to implement them by yourself.

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to transform your marriage with the 6 Intimacy Skills™.

Plus, my guest Laura was frustrated with her husband’s video gaming and how late he came home. She was also struggling with postpartum depression and overwhelm as a mom. She felt so lonely and unsupported. But today she feels confident as both a wife and mother, her family thriving in a way she couldn’t have imagined. She’s going to describe how she changed practically everything in her life so you can do it too.

It feels really bad when your husband doesn’t care about your needs, even when you tell him over and over. But what if it’s not that he doesn’t care but that you haven’t been well trained on how to communicate your needs in your relationship, just like I wasn’t? I was a communications major in college, so I thought I was really good at communicating. I knew what I needed and wasn’t afraid to say it. But it turns out I was confused about several things. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to communicate your needs in a relationship. I’ll share 4 common mistakes that could be stopping him from meeting your needs.

Plus, my guest Mary and her husband were living like roommates and co-parents, which she figured was just the way life is, full of ups and downs. So she was surprised to learn that she could turn things around by herself, but she dug into the 6 Intimacy Skills™ and found that a happy marriage is 100% possible and an absolute pleasure. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Men are highly motivated to make their wives happy. Notice I didn’t say “some men” or “most men” but just “men.” That’s because in my research where I asked thousands of men how important it is that their wife is happy, they ALL said the same thing. That it’s the most important thing, everything, it’s of utmost importance, or in the UK, they said it’s imperative. In other words, they all wanted to feel like their wife’s hero. You might even think, like I thought, that your man is one of those rare men who doesn’t have a hero instinct. A lot of our students thought that too, but I’m happy to say we were all wrong. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to trigger a man's hero instinct. I’ll share 5 ways to trigger his hero gene—and how you could be unwittingly sabotaging his opportunities to be your hero.

My guest Jamiee Lee slapped her husband, and then, she found out he was cheating. It’s not a stretch to say they hated each other. Then she read the book The Empowered Wife and from the minute she tried the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she knew they were working. Today, she says her husband just wants to be her hero, and her marriage is 100 times better. She’s going to tell us how she triggered his hero gene so you can do it too.

It’s terrible to feel like you can’t trust the man you married, whether you don’t trust him to be faithful, to take care of the kids, or to be responsible with money. It just feels bad. You don’t feel heard because if he cared, he would listen to your concerns and try to support you by doing the things you want him to do so that you could trust him. That’s depressing because if you can’t get him to straighten up, it’s pretty hopeless that you’d ever be able to trust him, especially if he keeps letting you down and reinforcing that he doesn’t deserve your trust. How’s that ever going to improve? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you don’t trust your husband. 

My guest Kelsie didn’t trust her husband, and their arguments sometimes lasted for weeks. She worried they were just one argument from divorce, something she didn’t want to go through a third time. But when she did two specific things differently on the verge of an argument, everything changed. Today she is so grateful to be married to an honorable and faithful man that she can’t stop smiling. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to live with an addict. My guest Karyn was devastated by her husband’s addictions to porn, alcohol, drugs and gambling. When she tried to address those issues, he responded with rage. She realized that wasn’t working and learned a whole new approach to communicating her needs, and today she feels beyond blessed to laugh and enjoy her time with the amazing man she married. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I was the perfect wife. Right up until I actually got married. That’s when it all went kablooey. 

I worked so hard as a wife that I gave myself at least a nine out of ten. But I wasn’t scoring so high on the wife scale with John. That’s because I was actually an overbearing, prickly porcupine wife who thought she knew better than him about everything.

My criteria of what made me good wife material and his criteria were not the same. At all. 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to actually be a good wife.

I’ll share the one skill that will boost your good wife score dramatically.

Plus, my guest Kaydee’s cold, distant husband wanted to separate. She felt hopeless because he wasn’t willing to work on the relationship. Then, to her horror, she discovered she hadn’t been the good wife she wanted to be, and she started some new practices. Today her marriage is cheerful, connected and intimate. Also, he can’t do enough home projects for her. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

There’s no worse feeling than discovering your worst fear has come true and that the man you promised to love, honor and cherish has done the unspeakable. It’s crushing. If most people knew what he did, they would tell you “He doesn’t deserve you.” Which feels validating because what he did was low and wrong, and you don’t deserve that. But no one else can decide for you what’s best for you. Women whose husbands have betrayed them keep showing up on our campus and blowing my mind by fixing their marriages. And I don’t mean just keeping them together, mind you, but really making their marriages amazing and shiny again, sometimes shinier than they’d ever been! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband betrays you.

Plus, my guest Isabel was seven months pregnant when she discovered her husband’s affair. She was so hurt, lonely, and depressed, she even had suicidal ideation.  Even when she went all in on the 6 Intimacy Skills™, he was confused and skeptical. But today her marriage is peaceful, joyful, and better than it has ever been. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

My guest Robyn was doing life by herself, lonely and disconnected from her emotionally unavailable husband. But then she did something that made her stop crying and made the arguments stop. Today she feels cherished and is her husband’s “chooky” again. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the secrets of magnetizing an emotionally unavailable husband.

For years, my guest Tilly’s husband threatened her with divorce. They argued constantly and she was living in fear. Then she started doing some experiments, and the results were so positive that she says she has no fear because her marriage is now peaceful and strong. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about what to do if your husband blames you for everything.

My guest Anne was separated for over two years, and her husband started seeing another woman. When Anne started with the Intimacy Skills, he responded very negatively. But today their marriage is passionate, loving, romantic, fun, goofy, supportive and better than ever. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too!

Looking for a good marriage support group is so smart because we humans are social creatures who tend to do what we see others doing. If someone you know is getting divorced, that puts pressure on your relationship. But if you’re spending time with people who are not only staying married but also talking about how they’re improving their marriages, even if they’re facing big challenges, that strengthens your marriage. How do you find such a group? Because when you’re struggling in your marriage, the last thing you want is to end up in the wrong place, wasting time and energy. If you’re anything like I was when my marriage was falling apart, you’re already feeling fragile and worried. You don’t have the energy to waste. You just need relief from the pain and stress ASAP. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m going to tell you how to find the best marriage support group. 

Plus, my guest Anna and her husband struggled through alcoholism and emotional and physical abuse. Here’s the one thing she found out that made their constant fighting stop! 

If you’re trying to fathom how you could ever rebuild the trust in your marriage, it means you’ve had it broken in a big way. That’s so painful and scary because it seems permanent! If he let you down, you may feel like you’d be a sucker to trust him again. Whether he lied, cheated or spent money recklessly, it’s completely natural to feel like vigilance, not trust, would be the smarter route. 

Or, if you feel responsible for breaking your husband’s trust, you might also be struggling with how to get that back, which is scary and can fill you with regret.

Wanting to rebuild trust is like saying you want to be the woman who expects the best from your husband and who gives him her best too. The good news is that you can be her again, and your husband can be the man who deserves your trust. Or vice versa.

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 secrets to restoring the trust in both directions.

Plus, my guest Grace took an online quiz and realized she was a victim of domestic violence. She followed what the books, counselors and social workers told her to do, which was to separate. But she didn’t want to end her marriage, so she did something radical and simple but surprisingly effective to fix her marriage. Her husband still doesn’t know what she did, but she’s going to tell us so you can do it too.

If you and I have been hanging out together for a while on this podcast, then you already know how I feel now about marriage canceling, I mean marriage counseling. So don’t even get me started! Who even approved this topic for the podcast anyway? But there is one very specific kind of marriage counseling that I believe can help, which I’ll tell you about. If you’re wondering whether marriage counseling is worth it, it means you’re looking for some relief and maybe some validation that you were abandoned, duped, or abused, like I did. I dragged my husband to counseling so that the counselor could fix him and I could finally be happy. Of course, that’s not how you get the outcome you’re wanting. And that’s the real reason you go to marriage counseling, for the outcome. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about whether marriage counseling is worth it.

Then, my guest Teresa was so exhausted from doing everything in her marriage that she became resentful and bitter toward her husband, who never seemed happy. She was committed to her relationship but felt like the only one who was struggling. Then she made a few pivotal changes, and her husband started to look at her differently. Today, the resentment is gone; instead, she feels loved and cherished. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I’m on a mission to end world divorce and know that you’re with me! Now imagine how great it will be when the social norm is that couples stay together. I don’t mean they suck it up and stay together in separate rooms for the kids. No, I mean they stay together because there’s a culture that when you’re going through a rough time, feeling lonely, discouraged, or unloved, there is also a stand for you that the two of you will make it through that rough time and get to the good times. Toward that end, on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast today’s hot topic is the Ending World Divorce Update. 

My guests today are eight women who once struggled in their marriages but used the Six Intimacy Skills™ and the Connection Framework not only to make their marriages shiny but also to become highly admired relationship coaches who now help other women fix their marriages! They have cooked up something special for you, which I can’t wait to share with you! You’re also going to hear their inspiring stories.

Being married to an angry man is scary because it’s unpredictable. It’s only natural to make like a turtle and retreat into your shell because it can really hurt to get the brunt of his anger. Your brain works overtime thinking of ways to protect yourself, which is exhausting and stressful. It can also make you feel like you need to figure out how to keep him from getting angry. Or that you need to be a buffer between him and the kids. Or that you need to just get out! That’s what I used to think too, but it turns out I was making some mistakes that actually made the problem worse, not better. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the mistakes lots of well-meaning wives have made being married to an angry man. Here’s what to do instead so you can make your home feel peaceful, calm and safe.  

Then, my guest Rachel and her husband were getting divorced after 18 crazy years. She couldn’t forgive him for his affairs and drug and alcohol issues. Then Rachel decided to read something that opened her eyes. The first time she tried the Intimacy Skills, it didn’t work at all, but today her marriage is everything she ever wanted. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When you’re struggling in your marriage because you’re getting hurt, neglected or criticized, it’s so discouraging and draining. Maybe your husband has a big character defect that you don’t see ever changing, so it doesn’t seem possible to become a ridiculously happy wife. If you’ve been practicing the Six Intimacy Skills™ and they’re just not working, you might feel like your situation is hopeless. Or maybe the Skills have improved some things, but there are still things you don’t like but feel you just have to accept, even though it’s depressing to imagine living the rest of your life that way. I’m not interested in having you suck it up and just accept that some part of your marriage is miserable. I’m not giving up until you get the marriage you dreamed you would have when you were a little girl, even if you think you weren’t a very realistic little girl. Even if the problems in your marriage seem unfixable. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about YOUR journey to becoming a ridiculously happy wife.

My guest Anna and her husband fought a LOT. Things even got broken sometimes and she got called nasty names and threatened with divorce. When she started using the Six Intimacy Skills, he was suspicious and sarcastic. But today they have a beautiful marriage, the best it’s ever been. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too.

If only getting married made your finances as cinchy as economists make it sound. Sharing the rent or mortgage, grocery bills and utilities saves so much money, there should be less financial strain on you both, not more. Study after study shows that married couples are at the top of the financial heap for net worth and earning. But somehow money is also one of the top subjects couples fight about. It sure was for my husband and me in the bad old days. Fighting about money was not conducive to intimacy or to our prosperity either. Thankfully, I finally learned what I’m about to share with you, and we haven’t had a fight about money in years. Not only do we have more peace around finances and more intimacy, we also have more prosperity. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to handle the finances in marriage.

Plus, my guest Dianna was pretty sure her marriage was hopeless because her husband had moved out, but she decided to go all in with the Intimacy Skills. Wait until you hear what she did to fix her marriage! She shares those details so you can do it too.

Getting married and expecting it to look a certain way then getting let down when it’s not is so discouraging. It can even put your marriage at risk. These are the top 3 expectations I had in my marriage that STILL come up for me sometimes and for many of our students too. So see if you also identify with having these unrealistic expectations. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 unrealistic expectations in marriage.

Plus, my guest April, a star of the 5-Day Adored Wife Challenge, and her husband were both sober when they met. Then she found out he was hanging out at a local bar during the day, which caused a lot of fighting. But today she is so grateful for all the ways he makes her life wonderful. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your husband is saying it’s over or he’s more interested in someone else, that’s terrifying and painful. It’s tempting to believe that it’s not up to you whether your marriage will last. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the top 5 signs your marriage won't last. I’ll share the REAL question to ask if your marriage seems hopeless. 

My guest Laura was ready to leave her marriage of two years because of all the fighting and the cold wars. Then she had what she calls “just a little insight,” which changed everything. Today she has a lighthearted marriage full of laughter and fun. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

When you discover that your husband watches porn, it can feel really bad, disrespectful even. Here you’re his only partner in the bedroom, but he’s watching other women do nasty things on his phone. It’s so disappointing, and so revolting. It can also make you feel pretty unspecial knowing that your husband watches an endless parade of strange women on the Internet. You wonder if he’s even a decent, moral person. Maybe he’s addicted. And if he’s watching porn but not having physical intimacy with you, then it can feel like porn is stealing something precious from you. Maybe you’ve told him to stop, only to find he does it in secret. That might strike terror into your heart. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why he watches porn.

Plus, my guest Erin was incredibly lonely but couldn’t get her husband’s time, attention or consideration. She lost all respect for him. Then she made some changes, and today he kisses her before leaving the house, tells her he loves her and wrote her a special card for their anniversary. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When there’s no passion in your marriage, it’s a huge disappointment because that’s a big part of the allure of marriage. You vowed to love in sickness and in health partly because you felt so irresistible when he made bedroom eyes or swept you into his arms and told you how beautiful you are. But when that stopped, it made you wonder if you were not attractive anymore, which feels terrible! Or maybe you thought that this is just what marriage is like—it starts out exciting then the passion just evaporates. You were hoping yours would be different but it’s not, which is so depressing. Fortunately, those are very likely NOT the reasons there’s no passion in your marriage, based on my experience helping thousands of women skyrocket the passion in their marriages. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the top 3 reasons there's no passion in your marriage.

Plus, my guest Ameerah felt unwanted and stuck in her marriage. No matter what she did, she was never good enough for her husband. She tried the Intimacy Skills, but things didn’t improve much. Then she did something that changed the course of her relationship and her life, and today she feels just how much her husband wants her to be happy. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

I first taught the Six Intimacy Skills™ to women in my living room. When there were too many of us to fit in the room, I started offering workshops at hotel meeting rooms, community centers, conference centers, churches, and a mosque a few times, across the U.S. Women often traveled a long way just to be at these in-person events. I taught lots of workshops, but there were always more women who wanted to come and I realized I couldn’t do it all myself. I needed to train coaches to teach those workshops too. Today there are well over 100 coaches who lead Empowered Wife Workshops all over the world, both online and in person. So they are spreading that magic a lot faster and farther than I ever could. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about The Empowered Wife Workshop.

Plus, my guest Lainy was co-living with her husband, who slept on the couch in the basement while she focused on their kids. But when he confessed he had made a “mistake,” her blood ran cold. Then she made a mind-blowing discovery, and today her marriage feels light and her kids have their dad back. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Physical abuse is one of the scariest things you can experience. If you’re not safe with your own husband, then when are you ever safe? Everyone who knows you and loves you may get scared too and say you have to get out of that relationship. Then it seems pretty hopeless and even foolish to try to fix a marriage after there’s been hitting, kicking, shaking or choking. That’s what I thought too. But I got schooled! I got schooled by women who have lived through domestic violence and fixed their relationships. Women who had restraining orders against their husbands, women who had to go to the hospital for injuries after fighting with their husbands. They didn’t want to be victims or be divorced, and somehow they found a way to fix their marriages and make them safe. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about whether a relationship can be saved after domestic violence.

My guest Queenie was so tired of her husband constantly interrupting, correcting and criticizing her. Then a huge fight turned physical, so she took the baby and left. But she decided to do some experiments, and today they are back together and she says her marriage is unbelievably amazing. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Last week my guest Suzette mentioned she had come across my blog on what your husband really wants for Valentine’s Day and experimented with those suggestions and they worked! I asked her to go into detail about what it said, and neither of us could remember. Since it’s the week before Valentine’s Day, I got inspired to share this here again because it is probably not what you think. Your husband doesn’t want flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Red socks or silk boxers or even a six-pack of his favorite beer won’t be as romantic to him as getting what he really wants from you. And I don’t mean sex, although he likely wants that too. But there are three things he wants even more. Giving them to him will make February 14th loving and dreamy for you both. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, you’ll learn the astonishing truth about what he really wants for Valentine’s Day.

Plus, my guest Jodie was tired of the constant arguing. She and her husband were downright mean to each other at times, which she knew was affecting their children. But she got her hands on a book that changed her outlook on their issues, and today she says she feels renewed and like she and her husband are in love again. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When I first interviewed happily married women on their secrets, they said these crazy things that made no sense to me. But I was desperate enough to try what they said, and that’s when I got my miracle. My husband showed up like the man who had wooed me, the one I’d fallen in love with. And he’s been showing up that same way ever since. So their crazy ideas were actually the things that worked to make marriage playful and passionate. Who knew that women with actual happy marriages would know what actually works, right? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about step-by-step instructions on fixing your marriage—and some exciting news!

Plus, my guest Suzette kept having explosive arguments with her cold, distant husband. She was so lonely. But she made some very specific changes and today her marriage is fun, easy and full of cuddles and playfulness. Even friends and family members have commented on the miracle in her family. Her husband tells his friends to have their wives listen to this podcast. She’s going to explain exactly how she did it.

Brian is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and Laura Doyle certified relationship coach. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the Six Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Brian was incredibly open and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he shared!

But first, here’s a shout-out to his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to talk openly about their marriage on this very popular podcast. Thank you, Ann, for bravely sharing your husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift. 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife (part 3).

Dwight is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and coach trainee. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the Six Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Dwight was incredibly open and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he shared!

But first, here’s a shout-out to his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to talk openly about their marriage on this very popular podcast! So brave? Thank you, Ruthie, for fearlessly sharing your husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift. 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife (part 2).

My guest, Samuel, is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and coach trainee. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the Six Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Samuel was incredibly open and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he shared! But before we get to that, imagine being his wife, who invited him onto the show on my behalf to talk openly about their marriage, knowing there have been millions of downloads! Can you imagine the courage that must take? So I want to give a big shout-out to Samuel’s wife, Sage, for fearlessly sharing her husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife.

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, then you have heard a thing or two about The Six Intimacy Skills™. Well, I have a confession. When I first heard about the Skills, I thought they sounded stupid. I remember thinking, “I am NOT going to do THAAAAT!” I thought they were old-fashioned and just plain yucky. I thought if I apologized for being disrespectful, that would be a step back for all womankind. Good thing I was desperate enough to try the Intimacy Skills because then I saw things so differently through my new perspectacles, not to mention my husband responded so much better. These days, I’m always scheming ways to create opportunities for every woman to try them out, just as an experiment. Just in case they might work for her too. That’s why we started the 5-Day Adored Wife challenge. At the last one, I was impressed to see so many of you grabbing the training with both hands and sharing your incredible results. I could just feel the momentum everyone was getting from all of us doing the same thing at the same time. I was so inspired, it’s one of my favorite things! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to become an adored wife in the 5-Day Challenge.

Plus, my guest Siya wasn’t sure whether to stay with her unfaithful husband, but today she says she’s full of happiness and serenity, and her marriage is like a dream space. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.