This episode highlights the warning signs you should consider if you're contemplating engagement but still harboring some lingering doubts. You may be astonished by how many individuals ignore their reservations and dive into an unhealthy marriage with the wrong partner, only to end up in a challenging situation.If the following list raises concerns for you, remember that there’s positive news waiting at the end of this episode.In the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy’s famous, "You might be a redneck if..." phrase, let me introduce: Premarital warnings: You could be on the verge of making a mistake if... Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

John and Jane Doe are experiencing a lack of intimacy in their marriage—it's essentially a sexless union—where they might only connect physically about 6-10 times a year. At first glance, it seems there’s no clear reason for the absence of sex in their relationship. Jane is beginning to think that they may have grown apart or are possibly falling out of love. Meanwhile, John suspects that she might be interested in someone else since she certainly doesn’t seem to be interested in him. However, the reality is that neither of these assumptions, nor any other potential explanations, are accurate. The truth is right in front of them: they have lost their emotional bond. — Perhaps due to unresolved conflicts. — Maybe because they are too preoccupied with other aspects of life. — But the most probable reason they feel more like roommates than a married couple is that they have neglected to nurture their emotional connection, and one of the most obvious signs of this neglect is in their bedroom.

It is tragic and frustrating when poor communication hurts an otherwise good relationship — and it happens more times than one might think. Common errors in thinking are made, leading to couples feeling distant and communicating less or ineffectively.

It is usually simple slip-ups such as, making assumptions about something the other person said, did, or thought—that were never clarified. When questions aren’t asked and clarification isn't sought, people begin to avoid talking things through in order to just “keep the peace!”

Consequently, more mistakes take place causing the distant feeling to grow stronger. I don’t know how many times I have listened to couples explain the details of their “major blowup” only to find it was essentially about nothing of any real substance.

Good communication skills can often eliminate a great deal of heartache in relationships. If you are struggling in this area, consider the following suggestions for promoting good communication between you and the one you love.

Investing in the bond you share with the love of your life can take many forms. Remember, no two couples are exactly alike, so don't try to duplicate another couple’s experience—especially if it's something you've seen in a romantic comedy or in a romance novel.

You, your spouse, and your relationship are all unique. As a result, the more you understand their needs, goals, values and what validates them the better your relationship is likely to become. To help accomplish this I would like for you to consider multiple ingredients found in a healthy relationship and how important it is to work to make them a part of your relationship.

People often feel a connection with others for a variety of reasons. This connection can be based on shared experiences whether positive or negative. Our first bonds are with our family of origin—mom, dad, siblings—and extend to other close relatives. Soldiers who have been in combat together have one type of bond. People who grew up together or went to school together or played on the same sports team have other types of bonds they share. For some, these bonds are easier to understand and perpetuate than that of the bond shared between two people in a marriage. Maybe it is because the intensity of the emotional relationship in the early stages, when romance is new and intense, does not remain the same over time.

Initially, in a romantic relationship, some people almost fall over themselves in an attempt to show their love and feelings for the other. They are preoccupied with the other person. They can tell another all about them. Every like or dislike of the other person is mentally catalogued. They are bent on expressing their affection and devotion to the person and enjoy the same in return. It comes so natural. It feels effortless. Then, with the passing of time, something happens. They begin to notice the intensity of the feelings are diminished—not gone—just not the same. They become accustomed to one another. Before long, they are taking the other for granted in little ways and not as concerned as before about pleasing the other. It is at this point some mistakenly think they have “fallen out of love” or the other person has changed, or their love is dying. In reality, it is more likely that their emotional connection is fading.

Couples need shared experiences, shared dreams, and more, but the foundation for the relationship is an emotional connection or bond. Fundamentally, an emotional connection is a union between two people based on feelings of love each share for and with the other as they experience the good and the bad things of life together. If we lose that connection, we lose the emotional support and feelings of acceptance that the most intimate of all relationships have to offer. We cease to think in terms of “we” or “us” and think only in terms of “me” and “mine.” This in itself will begin to cause a fracture in the relationship bond.

To prevent this fracture or the breaking of this important bond consider the following suggestions for building, maintaining, and nurturing your emotional connection with the one you love.

Some individuals take pride in being perfectionists, while others feel frustrated because their perfectionism has led to stress and disappointment. Whether you embrace your perfectionist tendencies, feel troubled by them, or are uncertain about your perfectionism, it's important to recognize that it can be a double-edged sword. Many people experience a love-hate relationship with this trait in themselves.

I often have conversations with men who feel frustrated with themselves for continuing to view pornography, despite the negative impact it has on them and their relationships with their spouses or girlfriends. They all seem to wonder why they persist in behaviors they genuinely wish to avoid. The answer isn't always straightforward, as everyone is unique.

However, pornography expert Patrick Carnes has pinpointed several key motivators for pornography use that can often shed light on the struggles men face with this issue. Understanding our motivations or what drives us to act in certain ways is crucial. In my view, it's essential to tackle the root of the problem rather than just addressing the symptoms. This is what we aim to start exploring in this episode.

Do you ever get the feeling that you and your spouse or partner are merely living together as roommates? Do you find that the only times you really talk to each other is when you're disagreeing or just sharing information about household chores? Do you long for the days when you could have regular conversations without arguing or just dividing up tasks that need to be done?Many individuals who find themselves in this kind of relationship dynamic feel as though they've lost the ability to communicate or that their communication skills have deteriorated.