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We are in the midst of a tremendously challenging time–health, security and our very lives may be threatened by events over which we may have little or no control.  Finding a center of strength and serenity in the midst of chaos–finding the positive is a critical skill.  Alvean and Doug talk about how you can learn to find that core ability and use it to help yourself and those you love.  For a full transcript, click here: LL38-Staying Positive in a Negative World

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Fight or flight may be a strategy among animals but it is a poor way to try to solve interpersonal difficulties.  Alvean and Doug discuss the art of persuasion-the process that help you and your partner find the middle ground where win or lose becomes win and win.  To see a complete transcript of this episode click here:LL37-The Art of Persuasion

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Sometimes we are on broadcast when we should be on receive.  Learning to listen goes a long way in building strong and loving relationships but it does not come naturally.  We all need to learn to listen.  Alvean and Doug talk about how we can learn to be a good listener–and especially for men, how to stop being a problem solver and start becoming a source of emotional support. To read a full transcript, click here:LL36-Listening-Tune in or Tune out

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No matter how much we may love our children or our pets–there are times when they can become the focus of a relationship in a way that causes couples to divide rather than come together.  Alvean and Doug discuss the challenge of being good parents and good lovers–and offer some strategies for keeping boundaries in your life.  A complete transcript of the episode can be found here: LL35-When Kids or Pets are in the way

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Is it true?  Does faith play a part in keeping relationships strong or is that just folklore?  Alvean and Doug explore this question with some real life examples and personal experience.  For a complete transcript of the episode, click here:LL34-Couples That Pray Together

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After the first rush–the chemistry of love, feelings can dim–or be caught up in the business of living.  Sometimes stress or outside conditions –children, relatives, work–can get in the way.  How do you recapture the passion?  Alvean and Doug offer some insights into what drives our emotions and how to restore a sense of energy and excitement to your relationship.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here:LL33-How to Bring Passion Back?

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Among several issues that couples argue about–money figures prominently.  Sometimes one partner is a spender and the other a saver–while the source of money–who earned it and who spends it– can become a divisive issue.  In this episode Alvean and Doug talk about the challenge of keeping such issues from crowding out the emotional health of your relationship and offer some counsel on how to resolve your differences.  For a full transcript of the episode, click here:LL32-Why Do couples Quarrel About Money?

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Sometimes it’s innocent and other times a prelude to something more but whatever the intent, men and women flirt and do so whether they are in a committed relationship or not.  Is it harmless or hurtful? How can you tell the difference and how can you learn to enjoy attraction without stepping over the line.  Answers to these questions and more in this episode.  For a full transcript, click here:LL31-Why Men and Women Flirt

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A popular book put it that men are from Mars and Women from Venus suggesting they are worlds apart.  But that is an oversimplification of course. At the same time men and women do differ and not simply because of cultural or societal norms.  Alvean and Doug talk about the differences and how they can strengthen a relationship when properly understood and addressed.  Fr a full transcript, click here: LL30-How Men and Women Differ

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Money, power, politics, child rearing, control: the list of things which can divide couples is nearly endless.  Why does this happen and how can you avoid conflict without ceding principles?  Alvean and Doug talk about conflict resolution–the power of listening and the ways in which you can agree to disagree.  For a full transcript, click here: LL29-Why Do Couples Quarrel?