Stronger Marriage Connection

By: KSL Podcasts
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  • Summary

  • It's often said that marriage takes work. The Stronger Marriage Connection podcast wants to help because a happy marriage is worth the effort. USU Family Life Professor Dr. Dave Schramm and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Liz Hale talk with experts about the principles and practices that will enhance your commitment, compassion, and emotional connection.

    More than ever before, marriages face obstacles, from the busyness of work and daily hassles to disagreements and digital distractions. It's no wonder couples sometimes drift apart, growing resentful, lonely, and isolated.

    The Utah Marriage Commission invites you to listen and discover new ways to strengthen and protect your marriage connection today!
    2023 KSL Podcasts
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Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Success Psychology Relationships Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Shame and Healthy Sexuality | Natasha Helfer | #115

    Shame and Healthy Sexuality | Natasha Helfer | #115
    Jan 13 2025
    Today in this powerful episode, certified sex therapist Natasha Helfer joins Dave Schramm and Liz Hale to discuss the complex relationship between sexual health, faith, and cultural messages. Natasha sheds light on the damaging effects of sexual shame, the influence of purity culture, and the importance of open communication around intimacy. She offers actionable advice for parents, couples, and individuals to foster healthier sexual relationships, overcome shame, and approach intimacy with compassion and understanding. This conversation is filled with insights to help listeners navigate their sexual and relational well-being. About Natasha: The owner and founder of Symmetry Counseling. Natasha Helfer received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University. She also received her certifications as a sex therapist and sex therapist supervisor from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Natasha is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Kansas and Utah. She is also an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. Insights: Natasha: "...sexual shame is a public health crisis. It really is a crisis. And living here in Utah, we've got, you know, air crisis. You know, our air is kind of polluted, and we passed the thing about pornography being a crisis. I mean, you know, there's lots of ideas about what is a crisis, but I really, truly believe that sexual shame hits. So deep and can affect so many things, physical things, like vaginismus, like erections, like stomach issues, you know, like indigestion, like immune immunity systems. It can affect our emotional health. You know, if we have sexual shame, it can lead to depression, anxiety, it can lead to scrupulosity and OCD."Liz: "Those who have chosen to not have sex before marriage, or at least not in this relationship, they wanted to say that and to be really instructive of them to someone right, a professional or a parent or a friend an auntie, to say, let's talk about what you can expect. Let's talk about really giving yourself some time on that even, I think you said three to six months, maybe Natasha right to really get your bodies adjusted and how this is going to be, and ways to converse about your sexuality and your preferences. Don't expect that just to take off on that first night. There's a lot of disappointment, a lot of shame. I think that comes from that not being what you're what you think your partner wanted."Dave: "We talked a little bit about parenting and the approach the parents take, they have to be proactive and intentional, thoughtful about the messages. Because, Natasha, you talked about you can take, you know, one direction and induce more shame, or it can be a positive, uplifting experience for parents that they've got to be willing and you have to talk about this topic. So I think, yes, first, I think it starts with parents and when children are young, and then keeping it it's not a one and done conversation, keeping that conversation going. And yes, absolutely. Couples before marriage, got to be able to talk and then keep the conversation going afterwards. It can't be something that all sudden. It's just silent and we don't talk about afterwards, or that was uncomfortable, or what happened there, and it's now I'm embarrassed and the shame cycle, wow, we've got to be able to, just as a broader society be able to talk and share and be open and honest in our conversation." Links: https://www.natashahelfer.com/ https://symcounseling.com/ Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: Strongermarriage.org Podcast.stongermarriage.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Dr. Dave Schramm: http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com  This episode provides a compassionate and practical guide for anyone seeking to build healthier perspectives around sexuality, reduce shame, and improve intimacy in their relationships. Don't miss this deeply insightful discussion!
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    58 mins
  • Defining Gender Roles In Marriage | Dr. Daniel Carlson | #114

    Defining Gender Roles In Marriage | Dr. Daniel Carlson | #114
    Jan 6 2025
    Dr. Daniel Carlson joins Dave and Liz to discuss the division of household labor and its impact on marital satisfaction. From managing the mental load to ensuring fairness, Dr. Carlson shares research-backed strategies for balancing responsibilities at home. They explore the effects of the pandemic on gender roles, the importance of communication, and how couples can navigate household responsibilities to strengthen their relationships. This episode offers practical tips and insights for couples at all life stages, helping them foster mutual support and appreciation in their partnership. #marriageadvice #householdchores #genderroles This engaging episode highlights the importance of communication, fairness, and shared responsibility, offering actionable strategies to build stronger and more equitable relationships. Tune in for valuable insights and expert advice. About Dan Carlson is an associate professor of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Contemporary Families. He is a public scholar whose research has appeared in numerous television, print, and radio media outlets. Generally, his scholarship examines the causes and consequences of the Second Demographic Transition in U.S. society with a particular focus on the gendered division of labor. Currently, he is conducting an NSF-funded study examining long-term shifts in U.S. parents' divisions of labor since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with parents' well-being. Insights Daniel - "Don't sleep on the division of labor. You know, it may not be fun to talk about, it may not be sexy to talk about, but it's important to have these conversations with your partner about what you and they envision the load to be in your family. Who's going to do what you know, if you don't talk about it, you run the risk, potentially, of having somebody who has very different idea about these things, and that can potentially be problematic, so have that conversation, and, you know, make sure that the approach on the same page well, but when it comes to who's going to do what."Liz - "Instead of work life, balance, work life, justice, I kind of liked that a lot. I was just looking at the definition of justice as a concern for justice, peace and genuine respect for people, which I love. And I guess it goes back to the communication of even just acknowledging that I'm not going to be home much this week before six o'clock, Honey, can we talk about how that's going to go and just what you're going to need from me most, and what I'm going to need from you most? Can we? Can I pick your brain? Can we have that discussion? I think that's just so lovely, because it really is not going to be that that balance. I think some weeks are just going to be very off balance because of life."Dave - "It's got me thinking that you we really can divide responsibilities without dividing the relationship, if you will. It's and sometimes it's the give and take." Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: Strongermarriage.org Podcast.stongermarriage.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Dr. Dave Schramm: http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com 
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    40 mins
  • Men Matter: Husbands Need Support Too | Leslie Doares | #113

    Men Matter: Husbands Need Support Too | Leslie Doares | #113
    Dec 30 2024
    In this episode, Lesli Doares joins Dave and Liz to discuss the Hero Husband Project and practical ways husbands can strengthen their marriages. From building emotional safety and communication skills to creating a marriage blueprint, Lesli offers actionable advice for nurturing connection and fostering mutual respect. With over 20 years of experience, Lesli empowers husbands to step into their roles as partners and grow their relationships with intention. Whether it’s addressing common mistakes or implementing small, impactful changes, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their marital bond. #menmatter #mentalhealthmatters #menandmarriage #marriageaadvice About Lesli Doares brings over twenty years of experience working with individuals and couples as acoach and therapist. Combined with her personal experience in an almost 40-year relationshipwith her husband, she has created a paradigm shift in marriage so it can become a space where both partners feel respected and included. Lesli is well known for her direct but compassionate approach – gentle, but total honesty iswhat you’ll get. Her commitment to her marriage and children led her to crisscross the country a couple of times until the L. A. girl settled down in the South. She brings this fusion of cultures to both her business and her life. She is also the author of Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage: How to Create Your Happily Ever After with More Intention, Less Work and Being a Hero Husband: How to Make Your Wife (and You) Happy. Insights Lesli - "Relationships are only natural up to a point, and then they need some skills. You actually need to know how to work through these things. Because everybody you know, love is something that needs to be attended to. You need to feed it. You need to make sure that it's you know, because it can ebb and flow, and if we want to keep it going, we actually have to focus on it. And if we just leave relationships to chance, they're not going to work very well."Liz - "There's just not enough support for men. So, Leslie, I'm so glad that it's you. I love this whole idea of the hero husband, because it's true, they want to be heroes, and we want them to be our heroes. So certain things we as women need to do and need to stop doing. And, to make room for him to show up as a husband. And I love your thought for husbands about the physical and emotional safety for women. If they could really focus on that, gosh, we'll respond favorably."Dave - "I think there's some things as husbands that we can do better, more of, less of. I think one of those for me is to listen past the edge of the voice or the tone, and I think beneath the problem is pain. So looking for the pain beneath the problem the pain point is there fear? Is there frustration? Is there an unmet need, perhaps that's beneath all that. So, listen past that, instead of reacting and trying to get defensive. Listen to what's really hurting, what is underneath all of that, and how can I respond to that, instead of respond to the maybe the edge or the tone of the voice?" Links https://www.theherohusbandproject.com/ https://foundationscoachingnc.com/ Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: Strongermarriage.org Podcast.stongermarriage.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Dr. Dave Schramm: http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com 
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    46 mins

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