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In a perfect world your relationship with a loved one would grow stronger over time but life has a way of dealing challenges that can result in just the opposite; a feeling that there must be something else, something better just over the horizon.  That feeling can lead to the death of your relationship but it isn’t inevitable.  Learning to avoid the apathy and entropy that can overwhelm you or your partner is within your grasp, and Alvean and Doug talk about how you find the emotional and psychological center from which to begin.  There is so much more to come–and you can have it all.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL43-Is That All There Is?

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Conflict of any kind is a challenge to every relationship.  Without mediation we are hard wired to fight or to flee–and neither of these instinctual responses is a healthy way to strengthen your bond with those you love.  There are ways to avoid the trap of responding by reflex, and keeping your emotions from overwhelming you or your partner.  Alvean and Doug talk about how to practice the skills you’ll need to find your way through those tough moments keeping you both on the same page, working together, and not at cross purposes.  Learning to do this will result in a bond so strong it can withstand almost any challenge you will face together.  You can find a full transcript of this episode here: LL42-Fight or Flight

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It is probable that at some point in your relationship one of you will become seriously ill.  We don’t like to think about the prospect but especially in present times it is a reality we may have to face.  Navigating the future can be daunting when the one you love is challenged by sickness and you are suddenly in the role of caregiver–no longer lover, but companion, cheerleader or nurse.  Hopefully it will all end well, but the journey is often bumpy, full of turns and twists you cannot foresee or control.  Alvean and Doug talk about their own personal experiences with these challenges and offer their thoughts on how such moments can be opportunities to deepen your relationship and see your partner in new and powerful ways.  A complete transcript can be found here: LL41-In Sickness & in Health

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Growing older brings changes–whether it is the difference between your 20’s and 30’s or decades beyond.  How do you keep your relationship on solid ground through all of the changes you experience together?  Is it true that things get easier or the opposite?  When the chemistry is not what it was, life’s daily challenges increasingly get in the way, and so many things compete for your attention how can you ensure that you and your partner in life face things together and not apart?  Alvean and Doug discuss the strategies for maintaining a strong and vibrant relationship in the face of adversity and some of the joys of growing older together.  For a full transcript of the episode, click here: LL40-Growing Older