If you've ever experienced verbal abuse, you know how devastating, demeaning and cruel it is. You know how destructive it is to your self-esteem. When that hurtful scenario keeps recurring, it seems the only sane thing to do is get away from that abusive person at least temporarily and possibly permanently. But when that person is your husband, someone you’ve built a life with—sworn to love, honor and respect—and have children with, it’s not so easy to tear apart your family. But you don’t want to live with ongoing verbal abuse either! Nobody should have to live with that.  What if you could reduce the blow-ups? What if they dwindled down to hardly ever? Or even none at all? I wouldn’t have believed that was possible if I hadn’t seen it in my own marriage. And now that I’ve also witnessed thousands of other women use the Connection Framework to create the same peaceful, even playful outcome in their marriages, I’m a believer. You don’t have to take my word for it—you can see for yourself by experimenting in your own relationship. Learn what victims of verbal abuse have done to create peace, connection, and playfulness in their relationships. Sometimes, such victims make one of two common mistakes that worsen the abuse. It’s shocking because I remember feeling so hopeless and helpless about this in my marriage, I was offended by the idea that I was making any mistakes besides having married the wrong person!  But I was making these two mistakes that were within my control to fix… 

Do you worry about your husband drinking too much—or, worse, driving after drinking and all the heartache that could cause? Then you’ve got to hear Amanda’s story.  She had already been struggling with her husband’s lies, stonewalling, depression, and alcoholism when he was arrested for driving under the influence. That’s what made her look for help and find a book that changed everything. Now he’s sober, and they talk, flirt, and snuggle like teenagers in love.  Learn how she used that crisis as a catalyst to build a stronger, more connected marriage.  How did she find hope, strength, and a way forward? And what do you need to know if you’re in a crisis, too? You’re about to find out!

Remember when he couldn’t keep his eyes—or hands—off you? If you’re missing that spark and want to feel truly desired again, this episode is for you. Learn how you can be ridiculously attractive to your husband in ways that go beyond looks. If, like me, you’ve found yourself feeling entirely resistible to your man, you know how painful that is. You might think that means it’s time to lose a few pounds or get a makeover.  When I couldn’t seduce my own husband, that’s what I thought too. But that had nothing to do with why I wasn’t attractive to him.  Now that I know how to magnetize him, I want every woman to know because this stuff really works to make you irresistible.  Like when I’m brushing crumbs off the kitchen counter and John says “Don’t move,” he gets out his phone to take my picture like I’m a supermodel he’s been married to for 35 years. What I learned has given me an unfair advantage.  Here’s how to make yourself a magnet too, sweatpants and bed hair included.

Ever hear the devastating words “I'm NEVER coming back” and feel your heart drop into your stomach? Vanessa did. She already felt unloved, then her husband left her. But even when it seemed all hope was lost, she was determined to get him back. So she didn’t just sit there in despair—she took action. Today the same husband is the man of her dreams. They fall asleep cuddling, and she’s confident that he loves her dearly and profoundly. Listen in to discover the surprising steps she took to turn things around and how you can bring hope back to your marriage too.

If you’re anything like I was, you know the frustration of getting so angry at your husband that it gets ugly and you end up with an emotional hangover. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Once you adopt these 3 practices, everything can change. This is the true confession of a former rageaholic who found a lasting cure. Here’s how to restore peace in your marriage and get your dignity back. For over a decade, managing my anger was impossible as far as I could tell. I picked on unlucky store clerks, bank tellers and customer service reps. But most of all, I raged at my husband, who suffered through my episodes by saying very little and escaping as soon as he could. The tremendous shame and remorse I felt afterward didn’t help me when the urge arose the next time. But I no longer feel that urge. I haven’t had a Godzilla episode in over 20 years. My clients and coaches also report that their anger subsided and they regained their dignity when they adopted these simple practices.

If you suspect your husband is a narcissist or he’s been diagnosed as one, you’ve gotta wonder if there’s any hope for him to change. Can you protect your self-worth and make your marriage thrive? My guest today shares the strategies that worked to change her narcissistic husband without him even realizing it. After enduring verbal abuse and stonewalling, Jade was ready to announce divorce. Then she learned the 6 Intimacy Skills™ and discovered that the biggest challenge in her marriage wasn’t at all what she thought it was. Today, the same man makes her laugh, their children are happier, and the intimacy has gone from zero to hero. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, she’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

Is nothing you do ever good enough? If he makes you feel bad about yourself by criticizing what you say, how you cook, what you wear, or how much you get done, it can be hard on your self-esteem. It’s also exhausting to defend yourself all the time. No matter how hard things seem right now, you can teach him how to treat you with a lot more tenderness and love.  Learn these 2 essential ways to get him to stop being so critical and to truly see your value.

Wish your husband would just communicate with the kids the right way so there’s no conflict and everyone’s happy?  Maybe you’ve tried to guide him but it’s just not working. If you want more influence over how he interacts with the children, today’s case study is full of wisdom bombs you won’t want to miss. My guest Juveriya’s marriage had lost its spark and felt exhausting. It was hard to respect her husband. Today they’re back to laughing a lot and feeling connected again after this one important discovery…

Ever wonder how you would do as a certified relationship coach? Do you think you have what it takes to make your own marriage amazing while you’re helping other women fix theirs?  Learn what it’s like being a coach and expert on the 6 Intimacy Skills™ as Catherine lays out the 4 steps she took to Relationship Coach Certification. Plus, I have exciting news about The Empowered Wife Podcast!  Lots of you have asked how you can listen to case studies on a specific marriage topic, and we heard you. From now on, every guest interview like this one will have its own podcast episode with its own title to match the topic, so you can search for it easily on lauradoyle.org. If you want to hear how to fix your marriage to a narcissist or a man with neurodiversity, or with a blended family or addiction, an affair or separation, or a sexless marriage, you can go to https://lauradoyle.org/podcast-search/ and find new interview episodes by title. I’ll also continue to share my experience and my best tips on how to practice the 6 Intimacy Skills™ to fix your marriage without his conscious effort in separate episodes so you can still search for those topics, too. 

Learn life-changing ways to start feeling taken care of instead of lonely and exhausted. Because it’s too tiring to be the one who does everything, from taking care of kids to housework to earning money to paying bills and managing social plans. Especially if you’ve asked your man to help and it just feels like pulling teeth! Or if he does things and you have to redo them because they aren’t done right. It’s so unfair. Who wouldn’t be resentful when you’re doing so much more of the work? I was. VERY resentful. Even the things that he did, I had to remind him to do them, which was a heavy mental load. I told him he needed to step up and do more. That got me wall-to-wall hostility, but not more help with housework. So today, I’m revealing two secrets to stop doing all the work in marriage. Plus, I have exciting news about The Empowered Wife Podcast!  Lots of you have asked how you can listen to case studies on a specific marriage topic, and we heard you. From now on, every guest interview will have its own podcast episode with its own title to match the topic, so you can search for it easily on lauradoyle.org. If you want to hear how to fix your marriage to a narcissist or a man with neurodiversity, or with a blended family or addiction, an affair or separation, or a sexless marriage, you can go to lauradoyle.org/podcasts and find new interview episodes by title. I’ll also continue to share my experience and my best tips on how to practice the 6 Intimacy Skills™ to fix your marriage without his conscious effort in separate episodes so you can still search for those topics, too. Starting with this one…  

It’s natural to feel scared or jealous at times, but what are you supposed to do when your jealousy feels justified? It’s so painful to worry about being cheated on, and devastating to have it happen to you. It makes you feel like a fool no matter what you do. But I’m here to tell you that you have more power than you probably realize to create a marriage where cheating is just not a concern. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing why husbands cheat and how to prevent it.  Plus, my guest Sabrina felt unwanted, unappreciated and unseen in her marriage, which was lacking intimacy. But then she discovered her power and what was contributing to their problems. Today she and her husband are so close and intimate in every way. She feels cherished, wanted, respected and so loved! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  

It's heartbreaking to feel distant from your man when you long for the closeness you once shared. Without that spark, there’s a lonely ache, even when you’re together, leaving you wondering if you'll ever feel desired again. You may have heard that respect is like oxygen for men, but why should you have to do all the work? What if you don’t respect him? That’s exactly how I felt. But what made me decide to be bound to him for life if he was such a loser pants? Wouldn’t that make me a loser pants too? No! So that led me to think about what I had been drawn to, how wise and generous he once was, how talented and sweet, how musically talented and adventurous and handsome. And he’s still that same guy. When I remembered all that, I felt grateful instead of resentful and contemptuous. (Turns out, gratitude is a much happier feeling.) But how do you get there if you’re not feeling it? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing 3 secrets for restoring the intimacy in your marriage.  Plus, my guest Mina was suffering through cold wars every weekend and worried about her man’s lies. But when she dedicated herself to trying some new skills, she was able to create peace in her home. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  

Have you ever wondered how our relationship coaches help women transform their marriages without their husbands even knowing? Today, I’m taking you behind the curtain to hear an actual coaching call. If you haven’t experienced coaching from a Certified Laura Doyle Relationship Coach, you might think, “Is there any real difference between relationship coaching and counseling? Aren’t they pretty much the same?”  This is where I get very animated because, oh no it’s not the same! But instead of telling you about all the ways relationship coaching is more effective and enjoyable, we got special permission to play this actual session for you so you can hear for yourself why our approach is so transformative. It’s something mind-blowing, and maybe even jarring, that I want every woman to experience. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m letting you eavesdrop on a real coaching call.

How do you know if your marriage is successful? You sure know when it’s not because it’s stressful and exhausting. At least that’s how it was at my house. We were fighting and having cold wars without talking for days. It was too embarrassing to tell anyone. I was always trying to fix it. The only choices I saw were changing him or getting divorced. The problems were all him—he wasn’t very affectionate or attentive, even though I told him to be. But the harder I tried to fix it, the worse it got. I was stuck, until I got these 5 keys to a successful marriage. Now I get to hear how beautiful and wonderful I am, and get lots of affection and attention from my husband. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about the top five keys to a successful marriage. Plus, do you ever wonder what the husband thought about his wife practicing the 6 Intimacy Skills™ in their marriage? Today you’ll find out because my guest Eran tells us his side of the story as part of our Man Panel series. Hear the male perspective on what makes men attracted to their wives and want to be her hero. 

Imagine being able to attract your husband like you did in the beginning, without having to do anything special. Where he’s looking for you because he just can’t wait to be with you, and is always pulling you close. If that stops, it can make you feel unattractive or even ugly, which feels terrible. But I’ve got great news: Attracting your husband effortlessly is not about how you look. Feeling desired and adored is completely possible. If you cultivate these three traits, it’s not just possible—it’s inevitable that you will attract him, without having to beg or feel desperate. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 traits to attract your husband effortlessly. Also, do you ever wonder what the husband thought about his wife practicing the 6 Intimacy Skills™ in their marriage? Today you’re going to find out because my guest Ferrin tells us his side of the story as part of our Man Panel series. Get ready to hear the male perspective on what makes men attracted to their wives and want to be her hero.

I have a confession about the 6 Intimacy Skills™ I’m always talking about. At first, 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. And that’s NOT how *I* was raised. Or if I expressed my gratitude for something my husband should do anyway, that would turn me into a Stepford Wife robot. Good thing I was so desperate or I probably never would have tried the 6 Intimacy Skills. Once I did, I saw things so differently. Yes, the Skills were counterintuitive but also compelling. I got excited about how I felt when I experimented with them. I didn’t think that was going to happen, but then I actually *tried* them. Which wasn’t easy to do all by my lonesome. Fortunately, there’s now a whole community of like-minded women, and we have something exciting brewing! I’ll tell you all about it on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, where I’m talking about the 5-Day Adored Wife Challenge. And the Man Panel continues! My guest Tim is the husband of a podcast guest and relationship coach. I’ll get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the 6 Intimacy Skills and the Connection Framework. Get ready to hear the male perspective on what makes men attracted to their wives and want to be her hero.

If you've ever felt the frustration and loneliness of trying to communicate with a partner who just shuts down, you're not alone. If your man won’t say a word to you or only talks about logistics or the kids, it’s devastating and scary. I remember feeling panicked when that used to happen at my house because I felt so abandoned. The only way to stop the terror, I thought, was to insist that he talk to me, which seemed to make him dig in even more. It was awful and I felt pathetic. Other people said just ignore him until he calms down, but I’m not a patient person and that never worked for me. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to deal with a stonewalling husband. These three tips will help you navigate those stressful moments with more dignity and to create a home where there’s so much emotional safety that stonewalling becomes a distant memory.  Plus, my guest Jessee is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and 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 6 Intimacy Skills™ and the Connection Framework. Get ready to hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero.

Having the topic of separation on the table is scary and painful. Even if you’re the one who wants to separate, it means you’ve been suffering and struggling, probably for a long time. That’s no way to live. Which is why separation is on the table to begin with! When you have a headache, you just want it to stop. Likewise, when you’re in a marriage that hurts every day, you just want the pain to stop. Separation promises to give you that relief. Plus, it seems a lot less final than divorce. If, on the other hand, you don’t want to separate, this can be a really terrifying topic. Either way, on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 questions to ask before you separate. Plus, my guest Caroline wondered why her husband was so angry. Her marriage felt heavy with the threat of divorce. But as she experimented with the Intimacy Skills she started to feel like a princess. Her husband adores her now and divorce is off the table. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

Everybody has feelings, but as women, we have emotional brilliance. Maybe your feelings are overwhelming or you think that you’re too emotional or too sensitive and you want to figure out a way to not be so easily hurt. But I don’t know of a way to not feel what you feel. Even if I did, I wouldn’t recommend it. I see being sensitive as a gift. Now that I know how to connect with my feelings, they’re not a burden. They are the key ingredient for so many tender and connecting moments in my relationships. They tell me when I’m enjoying myself, when I want to make a change, and how to care for myself. And yes, when I’m hurt, disappointed or lonely. I know what I want because I connect with my feelings. I know myself because I tune into how I feel. And that helps me make myself happy, even if I start out miserable. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about three ways to connect with your feelings. Plus, my guest Theresia’s marriage felt lonely whenever she got her husband’s silent treatment, which sometimes lasted for weeks! He seemed to be getting angrier and angrier. Then she had some insights on how to talk to him. Now, she feels close and playful with her husband, who doesn’t seem so angry anymore. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

Normally, I’m allergic to focusing on what is wrong, but today we’re making an exception. We’ll focus on whether something is wrong because that may be where you are right now, if you’re anything like I was. It’s a nagging, anxious feeling. Is something wrong? You’ve tried asking what’s up, but if he doesn’t offer any explanation or just says he’s stressed or tired, your mind could wander down a dark alley. Maybe your heart is telling you there’s more to marriage than just being roommates, just getting by without laughter, passion and plans for the future. You’re right—there is definitely more to marriage than just existing, without feeling loved, which is depressing and demoralizing. That’s not okay. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to figure out whether something is wrong with your marriage. I’ll share 3 ways to know and what to do about it.  Plus, my guest Heidi’s husband had shut down and moved out. But then she said something that made him soften, which felt like a miracle. Now he tells her he loves her every day and their relationship is better than ever. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It’s annoying when your husband complains. It sucks the fun out of everything, makes you feel unappreciated, and can definitely lead to resentment (if you’re a mere mortal woman like me). What I’m going to share with you is going to sound counterintuitive. What I’ll invite you to try when your husband complains too much is not a regular power that most women have. No. These are superpowers that some wives have developed for strengthening their families. You can too. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband complains too much. I'll share 2 ways to change that. Also, my guest Mary felt very alone and scared that her husband would leave or cheat on her, especially when he brought up divorce during a fight! She decided to experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills, but her husband was skeptical and sometimes it backfired completely. Then he started flirting and seeking her out more, and now the passion has skyrocketed. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If you’re thinking that your husband doesn’t care about your desires and that’s why he doesn’t get inspired when he hears them, that’s so hurtful and unloving. It's also very lonely, like you’re invisible. That's how I felt when I thought that John didn’t care what I wanted. That’s what a lot of students thought too. But we were wrong. It turns out, we just weren’t expressing desires. We thought we were, but we weren’t. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about four reasons your desires aren't inspiring and how to fix that in a hurry. Plus, my guest Marian couldn’t stop raging at her husband, who told her he wasn’t happy anymore. She discovered this podcast and started implementing the Intimacy Skills, and today he tells her he loves her all the time. She’s going to tell us how she went from depressed and anxious to content and calm so you can do it too!

The bigger question may be: How do you respect your husband when he doesn’t seem to deserve it? That was a tough one for me! Knowing I SHOULD be respectful has never been that motivating to me. I don’t wanna! What if he’s messing up? Shouldn’t I let him know that? That is one option. But being disrespectful feels dirty and hairy. It leaves me with an emotional hangover after I’ve interrupted or dismissed him or run over him like a steamroller. Blech! I don’t like it. I married John because I respected him so much. I can decide to remember why I felt that way. When I do, he responds to me the way he did when he wooed me, tender and romantic, sweet and chivalrous. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 proven ways to respect your husband. Plus, my guest Valerie was tired of feeling like roommates. But when she started using the Intimacy Skills, her man responded with more smiles, hugs and kisses. Today they enjoy lots of togetherness. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!  

It’s so idyllic and nostalgic to think about the past, when marriages lasted. The idea of stay-at-home mothers getting dolled up and making things from scratch is so pretty. I follow a woman on TikTok who bakes bread from scratch and lives in the French countryside with two adorable little boys, which seems so nourishing and wholesome. Fortunately, what made my marriage better was not becoming more domestic, as I seem to have very little domestic inclination. When I was doing the most domestic stuff, my marriage was struggling, so that wasn’t the answer. What is? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about whether trad wives have better marriages and a few things that will strengthen yours. Plus, my guest Sarah was devastated when her defiant, disrespectful teenage daughter moved out and wanted nothing to do with her. Sarah knew about the 6 Intimacy Skills™ from a Laura Doyle coach friend. When she vulnerably reached out to the coach for help, it wasn’t to save her marriage, which had ended already. It was to save her connection to her daughter. Today she’s thankful they have the relationship she always dreamed of. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I still remember feeling “What a mistake. He’s such a Loser McLosey Pants. What was I thinking?! I could have done so much better. If only I hadn’t done that, I’d be so much happier.” I was suffering. Why try to save your marriage when you don’t even like the guy? It’s very demotivating. You may have good reasons for not liking him. Maybe he’s abusive or neglectful or has abandoned you. He’s caused you a lot of pain. I’m in no position to tell you to just suck it up and start liking him again because I couldn’t do it either. But what I can speak to is how to avoid the embarrassment of divorce and how most of the things I didn’t like about my husband that were causing me to suffer were of my own doing. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when you don't like your husband and three surprising solutions that will actually make him a lot more appealing. Plus, my guest Kim and her husband were getting divorced. It was decided and she didn’t see that changing. But Kim then her husband called off the divorce and said she is the love of his life. They barely even argue. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

It's depressing when you long to hear your man tell you how beautiful you are and how crazy he is about you and he just…doesn’t. It’s frustrating if you just want him to fix the screen door, move the patio furniture or put the crib in the attic and he just…won’t. Or if you really love snuggling and want to feel physically desired but that’s not happening, it hurts! So what can you do if he’s just not the type of guy to give you that, and never has been? Tigers don’t change their stripes, right? Or do they? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband doesn’t speak your love language—and two ways to change that. Plus, my guest Kristi was heartbroken after her husband’s infidelity and him telling her he didn’t love her anymore. Her marriage felt dead! But today they have a deeper connection than ever, and he is always doing things to make her happy. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When I got married, no one had taught me that there are five gifts of femininity that I get to enjoy as my birthright and that my relationship depends on for success. If no one ever taught you either, here they are. I’ll share how you can start enjoying your superpowers of being a woman! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about the five gifts of femininity, your birthright as a woman.  Plus, my guest Annie and her husband were fighting a lot, and she felt so disrespected. But from the first time she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she got a better response. While they still have their ups and downs, now her husband apologizes to her and her marriage is so rewarding. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It’s so discouraging when your husband is diagnosed with something like ADD, OCD, narcissism, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or Dissociative Disorder. Having hitched your wagon to someone with a disorder or deficit can feel like a life sentence of misery. It’s very distressing. Even if you don’t have a formal diagnosis, maybe you’ve done some reading about what you observe in him and you have strong suspicions. While it’s hard to find this out after you’re married, it’s also intriguing because having a diagnosis holds out the promise that he could improve with some kind of treatment, like medicine or therapy. At least that’s how I felt when my husband got his diagnosis, but it all went wrong from there. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do instead when your husband’s disorder is ruining your marriage. Plus, my guest Katherine’s husband waited until the kids were teens when he said he wanted to separate, which left her feeling abandoned and scared. But that was then. Today he seeks her out, says she’s beautiful and that he is so lucky to have her as his wife. How did Katherine make such a dramatic change in her marriage? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too.

Especially if physical intimacy has dried up and he’s not interested in you, the rejection hurts and makes you feel pathetic. You’re competing with a two-dimensional woman and losing. It’s only logical that it’s the porn that’s stealing the passion. And you can’t control that. So what are your options? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband is addicted to porn. I’ll share the #1 way to heal. Plus, my guest Melissa struggled with feeling emotionally abused, and there were lots of fights about money. After she implemented all of the Intimacy Skills step by step, she feels like she’s had a whole-life makeover, including in her marriage, which is safe, peaceful and exciting now. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It's such a lonely, scary feeling when your man’s affection dries up. Especially if there was a time when he couldn’t keep his hands off of you or he was always stealing kisses and putting his arm around you. I remember being so confused and worried that I wasn’t attractive anymore. I thought it was because I was older and out of shape, but that had nothing to do with it, I found out. I’m even older now, and all that easy loving is back and better than ever—like when we were falling in love. Now I know that I had gotten ugly, but not physically like I thought. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about two ways to deal with a partner who is not affectionate. Plus, my guest Jacquelyn  was so tired of her husband’s porn and substance addictions, him sleeping on the couch and their sexless marriage. Then she made a decision to better herself, which was really hard at first. But today those addictions are no longer an issue, her marriage is amazing, and she feels adored and happier than she’s ever been. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

If your husband speaks to you disrespectfully, it feels really hurtful and embarrassing, especially if anyone else hears it, even if it’s just your kids. It’s not the role modeling you want them to have. If he’s yelling, swearing, calling you names, or telling you you’re crazy, stupid, or worse, you shouldn’t have to live with feeling demeaned like that by the guy who’s supposed to love and protect you. It’s stressful and bad for your self-esteem. So let’s get you back to feeling safe and adored when he talks to you. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 3 simple fixes if your husband speaks to you disrespectfully. Plus, my guest Dr. K and her husband were separated on different continents. Since she was the breadwinner and they had a lot of disagreements about parenting, there wasn’t much left to hold on to. But then Dr. K had some insights and changed how she showed up with him. Today her marriage is peaceful and she has a tender husband who takes on responsibilities for their family like never before. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

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 Raquel was still a newlywed when her husband moved out suddenly, wouldn’t say why and wouldn’t come back. Then Raquel 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.