This episode marks an incredible milestone—the 500th episode of the Empowered Relationship Podcast. To celebrate, Dr. Jessica Higgins and her husband, Reid Peterson, sit down for a heartfelt and revealing conversation about what it really takes to cultivate a truly empowered partnership.

If you've ever wondered why, despite your best intentions, emotional honesty and vulnerability can feel so risky—or why differences and conflict so often create distance instead of closeness—you're not alone. The path to authentic connection is filled with challenges that test even the strongest relationships.

In this special episode, Jessica and Reid open up about the principles and practices that have helped them build a foundation of trust, love, and growth throughout their years together. They share personal stories, practical strategies, and honest reflections on navigating tough conversations, supporting each other's emotional needs, and finding clarity in uncertain times.

Whether you're learning to handle conflict, embrace vulnerability, or co-create a meaningful vision for your life together, you'll discover insights and tools to transform relationship challenges into opportunities for deeper connection and lasting love.

04:58 Building safety and trust through honesty in partnership.

09:15 Jessica shares how vulnerability early in dating deepened their intimacy.

11:47 How honest conversations help reduce shame and strengthen connection.

14:11 How different personalities shape communication in relationships.

19:52 Strategies to navigate conflict with calm and empathy.

35:51 Building clarity, connection, and purpose through joint visioning.

44:08 Strengthening relationships through further exploration and resources.

• Practice speaking honestly about your core feelings, emotions, and needs—even when it feels risky or uncomfortable.

• Pause during moments of tension to take a few deep breaths, center yourself, and check in with what you're feeling before responding.

• When conflict arises, communicate the need for space calmly and agree on a time to revisit the discussion to avoid sweeping issues under the rug.

• Seek reassurance or a quick check-in from your partner during periods of disconnection to help reduce anxiety and foster trust.

• Cultivate attuned listening—focus on truly understanding what your partner is expressing beyond the words, and ask clarifying questions when needed.

• Name whether you're seeking comfort or solutions in conversations, so your partner knows how best to support you.

• Regularly engage in shared visioning exercises together to clarify mutual values and dreams, and support each other in the process—even when values differ.

• Download and use the "12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love" guide to gain clarity and practical strategies for your relationship.

12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free relationship guide) (pdf)

Relational Health Assessment (quiz)

Have you ever faced a family crisis only to realize that financial instability adds an overwhelming weight to an already heavy moment? Or maybe you've felt isolated as the "first" in your family to reach new professional heights, only to discover no one handed you a playbook for building true generational wealth. Financial challenges don't just shake our wallets—they can ripple through our relationships, legacies, and even our sense of security and belonging.

In this episode, listeners are invited to think beyond individual wealth and step into a bold new perspective: managing your family like a thriving enterprise. You'll discover why taking the role of "Family CEO" is not only possible but essential if you want to break cycles of financial insecurity and create a blueprint for lasting abundance. Through candid conversation and practical examples, this episode explores how intentional leadership, open communication, and collaborative vision-setting can empower you and those you love to build a family legacy that lasts.

LaVaisha Davis is a wealth manager and advisor at Ell Wess Advisors, a firm offering family office solutions to founders, executives, and investors. She specializes in wealth-building, legacy planning, and asset protection—empowering clients to build financial independence and generational wealth. With a no-nonsense yet engaging style, she breaks down complex strategies like becoming your own bank. Her mission: to show people their family is their first enterprise—and should be managed like a business to build lasting wealth.

05:42 Lavisha Davis recalls how family tragedy became a turning point for financial awareness.

08:53 How pain and loss inspired leadership and deeper financial responsibility.

12:03 What it means to be the family CEO: Mindset and misconceptions.

14:49 The challenges and opportunities of being the first financial trailblazer.

17:24 Crafting a shared family vision and values around wealth.

20:57 Running the family like a corporation: Structure, roles, and the family bank.

29:42 Understanding the risks and the need for transparency.

31:33 The cost of poor planning including inheritance, probate, and lost wealth.

37:13 Turning family strengths and structure into lasting wealth.

42:30 How to get started: Practical support and CEO training resources.

• Clarify your wealth vision by choosing whether to focus on personal financial security or building generational wealth.

• Adopt the Family CEO mindset and lead your household with intentional financial goals and strategies.

• Establish a family bank to manage shared resources as if you were running a business account.

• Have open money conversations to build trust, clarify roles, and reinforce shared commitments.

• Identify and leverage family strengths by assigning financial roles that align with each person's skills.

• Provide financial education for yourself and your family to make informed decisions and prepare future generations.

• Create a governance system with clear values, rules, and processes for collective decision-making.

• Take consistent action by turning plans into progress through small but steady financial steps.

Income to Wealth Masterclass (webinar registration link)

Websites: lavaishadavis.com

Facebook: facebook.com/lavaisha.davis

Instagram: instagram.com/lavaishadavis

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lavaisha-davis-27094b208