We all want a relationship that’s more than just functional, we want one that’s truly fulfilling. On today’s episode, Forrest is joined by a wonderful therapist and author who focuses on giving people the tools they need to communicate, navigate hard times, and create deeper connections with other people: Elizabeth Earnshaw.
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They explore:
- How the pandemic impacted our relationships
- The Gottman approach
- The stages of a relationship
- Balancing differing needs for intimacy
- How to request, and give, repair.
They then close the episode with a fun game focused on debunking common relationship myths.
About our Guest: Elizabeth Earnshaw is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the founder of A Better Life Therapy, and the author of I Want This to Work. You might also know her as @lizlistens on Instagram, where she’s helped countless people transform their relationships.
Key Topics:
- 0:00: Introduction
- 1:45: Elizabeth’s background
- 5:30: How did the pandemic impact relationships?
- 7:30: Responding to stress in relationships
- 9:00: Co-regulation
- 11:15: Punishing others for our unpleasant emotions
- 13:45: The four stages of relationships
- 17:50: What to look for in a partner
- 20:10: The “Four Horsemen” of bad relationship communication
- 24:25: Key skills for navigating conflict together
- 27:00: How to request repair from your partner
- 34:10: Deciding if you should leave
- 37:45: Interdependence
- 41:30: Balancing differing needs for intimacy
- 46:30: The Instagram Meme Game: Common misconceptions about relationships
- 47:30: “Partners should share everything with each other”
- 50:30: “Your partner should be your ride or die”
- 52:15: “Never go to bed angry”
- 54:50: “My partner is my missing piece”
- 56:35: “If you can’t handle me on my worst day, you don’t deserve me on my best day”
- 1:02:05: Recap
