Laura talks about her new bucket list project, inspired by a client challenge, which leads to a broader conversation about dreaming big and setting personal goals. Zach reflects on a deeply personal experience with his daughter, showcasing the complexities of parent-child relationships and the healing power of patience and open communication. Together, Laura and Zach explore the dynamics of how personal growth and responsiveness to each other’s needs can significantly impact the quality and longevity of relationships. Throughout the episode, they encourage listeners to engage more deeply with their own relationships by taking practical steps and fostering open, honest communication. Episode Highlights: Turning Towards Your Partner’s Needs: They discuss how small, everyday choices to be attentive and responsive to your partner’s needs can strengthen your relationship. Even seemingly minor issues, like Laura’s hearing concerns, can grow into larger stressors if not addressed. The takeaway is the importance of consistently turning towards your partner's needs to maintain a strong connection. Mental Health as a Common Enemy: Zach and Laura highlight the value of viewing mental health challenges like anxiety or depression as "common enemies" in a relationship. By naming and acknowledging these issues, couples can unite against them, fostering a sense of teamwork and mutual support rather than letting the challenges divide them. Keeping Your Partner Engaged: Laura and Zach emphasize the importance of personal growth and maintaining hobbies and interests. They discuss how having passions outside the relationship can make you a more interesting partner and help keep the relationship dynamic and fulfilling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach introduces Laura, his "little sister," and Julie Ruediger, his friend, mentor, and "big sister”. They discuss how they met, what they’ve learned from each other, and the work they are doing together this fall. Episode Highlights: Sibling Dynamics and Family Reunions: Zach introduces Julie, who immediately fits into the sibling-like rapport he shares with Laura. The trio dives into stories about family reunions, sibling rivalries, and the lighthearted teasing that defines their relationships. Saying Goodbye to Summer: Zach reflects on dropping his daughter Abi off at the airport and the mixed emotions of enjoying a peaceful home while missing her presence. The conversation touches on the challenges and joys of parenting young adults ready to spread their wings. Julie’s Mentorship and Training with Zach: Julie shares her journey as a mentor at Terry Reals' Relational Life Institute, where she met Zach. They reminisce about their early training sessions, highlighting Zach's growth and talent as a teacher and therapist. Introduction to Relationship Boot Camps: Julie and Zach discuss the upcoming relationship boot camp they are co-facilitating in Philadelphia. They explain the boot camp's structure, purpose, and unique benefits, whether attending as a couple or an individual. The boot camp is designed to teach essential relationship skills in a condensed, intensive format, making therapeutic principles accessible and actionable. Understanding the Adaptive Child: The episode delves into the concept of the "adaptive child," a key idea in relational therapy that refers to the immature, reactive part of ourselves. Julie and Zach discuss how the boot camp helps participants recognize and manage this aspect of their personalities, enhancing personal growth and relationship satisfaction. Navigating Family Triggers: The conversation circles back to family dynamics, with Zach sharing a personal story about managing his temper during a summer visit with his daughter. Julie offers insights on how family relationships can often trigger our adaptive child and the importance of conscious, deliberate responses to these triggers. Resources mentioned in this episode: Relational Life Foundation (https://www.relationallifefoundation.org/) - This website provides information about various boot camps available throughout the year, particularly aimed at individuals who need financial aid or help to access these programs​. Relational Life (https://relationallife.com/) - Similar to the foundation's website, this site offers details on relationship boot camps, with sections dedicated to both couples and therapists. You can find a list of available boot camps and other resources for relationship improvement​. Terry Real (https://terryreal.com/) - Terry Real's website provides a comprehensive list of boot camps for both online and in-person formats, with sections tailored for couples and therapists. You can find schedules, locations, and registration details for various workshops across the country​. Marriage Therapy Radio (https://marriagetherapyradio.com) – Find the links to all the boot camps conducted by Zach Brittle, including both online and in-person sessions. Julie Rudiger (https://www.julierudiger.com/) - Julie Rudiger's website provides a way for people to reach out to her directly with any questions about the boot camps or other relationship resources. It also hosts information on her workshops and professional services​. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach reconnects with Laura after her 2+ week travels in Europe. She shares what she learned while away. Zach recounts his birthday celebration and some gifts he received that are prompting him to slow down. They go on to discuss the importance of changing the pace, and specifically slowing down, to create space for change in your life and in your relationship. Join MTR Patreon to get exclusive behind-the-scenes and exclusive content from Zach and Laura. https://www.patreon.com/MarriageTherapyRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach has an interesting encounter with Kim Kardashian. Laura starts modeling for Gap. They discuss their oral hygiene which oddly leads them into a really great discussion of how to get what you want from your kids and your partner.  Sponsor: Visit https://www.dameproducts.com/ and enter code MTR for 15% off products for pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura needs some alone time after a trip to Hawaii to, potentially illegally, spread ashes. Zach completes a marathon - counseling session. His corn dish was not the hit of the Iron Chef party.  They spend some time catching up and sharing what they are learning about themselves and their clients.  Sponsors: Go to https://greenchef.com/mtr135 and use code mtr135 to get $135 off across five boxes—and your first box ships free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura drops her kid off for the first day of school. Zach's kid got a piercing. They recap the fantasy draft.  They answer some listener questions.  Sponsors: Visit https://zoxdoc.com/mtr to find patient-reviewed doctors in your area.  Visit https://www.dameproducts.com/ and enter code MTR for 15% off products for pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura shares her candle and melatonin routine. Zach is treating his potential COVID with ginger ale.  They go on to discuss the characteristics of couples that are firing on all cylinders.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach is setting up an MTR fantasy football league. Laura continues her triathlon training.  They discuss how getting what you want out of the relationship can involve giving as much as you can.  Sponsor: Visit https://dameproducts.com and use code MTR for 15% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is getting a new puppy. Zach shares all of his orange knowledge.  Zach brings the topic of forgiveness. How we think about it, and how we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura got stranded in the middle of a lake. Zach is thirsty for that sweet blue check. They discuss a book that Laura has been reading in a book club and Zach's wife has been reading for work; Atomic Habits by James Clear. They tease out some key ways habit building can grow your relationship.  Sponsors: Visit https://zoxdoc.com/mtr to find patient-reviewed doctors in your area.  Visit https://dailyharvest.com/mtr for up to $40 off your first box.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura welcome Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge. They discuss how men can support each other to be better husbands, fathers, and leaders.  Sponsor: Visit https://www.dameproducts.com/ and enter code MTR for 15% off products for pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Visit https://Manscaped.com and get 20% off + Free Shipping with code MTR20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura call out some listeners who have responded recently. Laura is headed on ANOTHER vacation and has to coordinate kid care.  This leads them to discuss what to do when you and your partner want different things. What is the best way to navigate that difference without turning it into a conflict.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura welcome Shawn and Andrew from Couple Things Podcast https://www.couplethingspod.com to discuss conflict, repair, sex, and clothes.  It is a very fun, free-flowing conversation with a ton of insights for our most important relationships.  Sponsor:  Visit https://hiyahealth.com/MTR for 50% off your first order of pediatrician-approved superpowered chewable vitamins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura discuss making change, 2 dollar bills, the tooth fairy, and the struggle of using the bathroom in a one-piece outfit.  They go on to discuss the importance of good boundaries.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach shares his reaction to a dog jumping on his lap. Laura's son has a riddle for us all. Zach was a bit troubled totally disconnecting from work while on vacation.  They go on to field some listener questions.  Sponsors: Go to https://greenchef.com/mtr135 and use code mtr135 to get $135 off across five boxes—and your first box ships free! Visit https://www.dameproducts.com/ and enter code MTR for 15% off products for pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach is headed to the Jersey Shore. Laura is off on yet another vacation and learning to swim.  They go on to discuss the keys to good communication.  Sponsors: Visit https://hiyahealth.com/MTR for 50% off your first order of pediatrician-approved superpowered chewable vitamins. Visit https://meetfabric.com/mtr to apply for life insurance in 10 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is flying solo as Zach is away for the holiday. Laura welcomes Beth Wylie for her second visit to the podcast to discuss the need for men to step up and put in the work in their relationships. Check out Beth's new course: Love over Logistics https://www.bethwylietherapy.com/love-over-logistics Sponsor: Manscaped.com and get 20% off + Free Shipping with code MTR20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura spend a couple of minutes talking about me, their producer. They discuss how weird it is when folks they know listen to the podcast.  They go on to talk about how to be more connected after conflict by understanding your conflict map.  Sponsors: Visit https://www.dameproducts.com/ and enter code MTR for 15% off products for pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Visit hiyahealth.com/MTR for 50% off your first order of pediatrician-approved superpowered chewable vitamins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach is feeling a bit out of breath post-workout. Laura apparently has bigger shoulders than expected. She tells the story of when she bought her really hot bike.  They reflect on their interview with Terry Real from episode 219 and go on to discuss the importance of small wins in your relationship to set yourselves up for the bigger work.  Sponsor: https://meetfabric.com/mtr to apply for life insurance in 10 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach sits down for an interview with Dustin and Melissa Nickerson to discuss comedy, parenting, and marriage. Be sure to grab Dustin's latest book, How to Be Married (to Melissa), and catch him on his upcoming tour. Sponsor: Visit hiyahealth.com/MTR for 50% off your first order of pediatrician-approved superpowered chewable vitamins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura chat with Terry Real about his life's work and new book US: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. There are many great takeaways that can transform the way you relate with your partner. Sponsor: https://meetfabric.com/mtr to apply for life insurance in 10 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is juicing it up and packing up her van for a foreign trip. Zach is getting fired.  They discuss the importance of having a shared set of rules and boundaries in your relationship and how those rules have to change as the relationship changes.  Sponsor: Manscaped.com and get 20% off + Free Shipping with code MTR20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura on the health choices they are making for themselves which leads to a reflection from Zach on how partners can join and encourage one another on a health journey.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura debrief a recent conflict and how each of them handled it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Morgan Taylor joins Zach and Laura to discuss her work as a sex therapist. She talks about some of the different types of sex therapies/therapists and shares her leys to pleasure.  Download her audio Pleasure Keys Guided Meditation here: https://susanmorgantaylor.ck.page/8f8b0e42c6  You can learn more about her work at https://www.pathwaytopleasure.com/  Sponsor: Paired. Download the PAIRED app at https://www.paired.com/MTR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura sit down with psychotherapist and author Jessica Baum. They discuss her journey to becoming a mental health counselor and her new book Anxiously Attached. It's a valuable discussion for both therapists and anyone in relationships.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both Zach and Laura have been diving into some new books. Zach drops a dad joke.   They go on to discuss the small breaches of trust that destroy relationships and what you can do about it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach is flying solo this week. He sits down with Dan & Kay Ockey, Co-Founders of Centsei. They share what it took for them to get on the same financial page early in their marriage and what lead them to develop Centsei.  Learn more about Centsei at https://www.centseifinance.com/mtr/ and if you sign up MTR gets a little kickback. It's a win-win.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is upping her mindfulness game. Zach is seeing how different clients draw out different aspects of himself which leads to a great conversation about which roles they each like playing as therapists. Laura fields a listener question regarding sex drives and frequency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is not looking forward to meeting and greeting. Zach shows off his auctioneering skills.  They go on to discuss some great tactics to get to better conversations in your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura fell down the stairs and hurt her foot. Zach doesn't want to talk about Will Smith. Or does he.   Laura says "yes" to her husband but then immediately regrets it ,so she asks him for what she wants and needs. It leads to a great conversation about how to partner in what you each need.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is feeling a bit homesick for a place that is no longer her home because she longs to relax into the feeling of being known. Zach recounts, word for word, exactly how he would become best friends with Richard Sherman.    They go on to discuss the important and often difficult transition of mid-life and the empty nest.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura finished up some sex school so it hitting the road again. Zach cut off all his hair to look less like the father of his youth.    They go on to discuss the importance of finding solutions to the solvable problems in your relationship.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura sit down with writer, artist, and speaker, Austin Kleon. They discuss the intersection of art and relationship.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach goes on a rant about Instagram that leads to some solid marriage advice. Laura is saying yes to some of her husband's dreams. They talk about the importance of having intentional conversations about the state of your union.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura discuss their latest "streaks". Not surprisingly, Laura's is a little more sexy than Zach's.  Laura asks how to deal with unmet expectations in your relationship. Should you lower your standards? Should they step up to the plate? Is there a middle way?  Join the community at https://www.patreon.com/marriagetherapyradio  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura each return from vacations in Mexico with their families. They discuss their different approaches to these vacations and how knowing what you want on the outset helps set the stage for achieving what you desire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura interview Kimberly Beam Holmes, CEO of Marriage Helper.    Find all the resources she mentioned at marriagehelper.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura's pretty tired. Zach is tired of his daughter. They open up the mailbag to answer some listener questions. Zach would love your feedback on these quick 3 questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura have a wonderful conversation with Heather Havrilesky about her new book, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach shows off his singing voice. Laura is relinquishing control as she plans a family getaway.  They go on to discuss a number of ways to reframe your approach and reaction to your partner for greater intimacy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is hoping to learn to swim this year. Zach brings back his dad jokes.  Laura brings the topic of Polyvaga Theory as a way to identify how we feel in a moment, giving us another tool to improve the way we relate to our partner.  Help us celebrate 200 episodes by giving us a rating and review on your podcasting app of choice. Also, please share us with a friend to spread the love.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Laura connect with Zach's first clinical supervisor and his wife, Steve & Lisa Call. They discuss the Call's unique approach to inviting couples into a reconnected intimacy through the means of their individual stories.  You can learn more about the Calls and their work at https://www.thereconnectinstitute.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach's hair is apparently looking good. Laura shows her lack of knowledge of the Marvel Universe. Zach is getting into meditation. They both share some insights they have recently received from clients.  They go on to discuss consent, but probably not in the way you are thinking.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura had a hard Christmas. Zach is leaning into virtual reality. They discuss the fun new games they have been playing lately.    Zach shares how dying repeatedly in his new VR game has taught him some valuable tools for how to engage in conflict and relational failure. He and Laura then share some New Year practices and values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this final episode of 2021 Laura interviews leading researcher in asexuality Anthony Bogaert, Ph.D.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach's family is all together for the summer. Laura is getting up to speed with her mountain biking.  They invite listeners to support the podcast by joining Patreon. Come for the perks, stay because you support building stronger relationships.  Laura asks when complaining is too much or too little in a relationship. It leads to some great discussion on emotional bank accounts and some tips and tricks to make complaining work within your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura has been looking back at what a good last few months she has had. Zach has whittled down his social media list to two.    They discuss 5ish ways you can ruin your holidays. There are some great cautionary tales as well as some insight into how to prepare and be proactive in your relationship around the holidays.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura is out with a migraine so Zach flies solo to interview his long-time friend Stephen James. Stephen shares some great nuggets of wisdom on both marriage and parenting.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both back from separate trips to Disneyland, Laura is getting ready for her 75 Hard challenge. Zach is pacing it with a 45 Medium.    They discuss the transformative power we all possess to reframe our conversations by attributing positive motivations to our partner's words and actions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices