Episodes

  • #17 Mistletoe Marriage!

    #17 Mistletoe Marriage!
    Dec 10 2025
    Join Abe and Elaine this Christmas as we give mistletoe a deeper meaning than just holiday décor.

    Historically, mistletoe stayed green when everything around it died back in winter, which made it a symbol of hope, renewal, and connection. Over time it became a reminder to pause, soften, share a kiss, and come close.

    This year we’re practicing mistletoe moments! ❤️ Tiny Pauses throughout the season where we stop long enough to really see each other.

    Not long talks.
    Not perfectly curated dates.
    Just intentional connection that quietly says:

    💚 You matter
    💚 I still choose you
    💚 I see you
    💚 I’m here

    Some moments will be sugar …soft compliments, gratitude pauses, a quiet hold by the glow of the tree, a prayer before bed.

    Some moments will be spice…..a sprig hung over the bed, a slow kiss, playful flirtation, a little warmth that reminds us we’re not just teammates but lovers too.

    Because marriage isn’t only strengthened by huge gestures, it flourishes in the gentle, repeated moments of closeness.

    This season, let mistletoe prompt you to slow down, kiss, laugh, pray, flirt, breathe, and come close again.❤️🎄
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    18 mins
  • # 16 What Does Marriage Even Mean? Gottman Principle #7-Shared Meaning

    # 16 What Does Marriage Even Mean? Gottman Principle #7-Shared Meaning
    Nov 7 2025
    Join Abe and Elaine as they dive into Gottman’s final principle for making marriage work: Shared Meaning. This episode explores what your marriage stands for ….beyond chores, communication, or conflict.

    They’ll talk about how every couple needs to define the philosophy of their marriage:
    • What do we value?
    • What traditions matter to us?
    • How do we see parenting, politics, faith, or family roles?
    • What are the small daily rituals that make us “us”?

    From tiny moments like Sunday morning routines to the big beliefs that guide your life, shared meaning is what turns a relationship into a legacy.

    Tune in as Abe and Elaine unpack how couples can discover, define, and intentionally build their shared story…together.
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    36 mins
  • #15 HERE WE GO AGAIN!! Gottman Principle #6: Overcoming Gridlock

    #15 HERE WE GO AGAIN!! Gottman Principle #6: Overcoming Gridlock
    Aug 11 2025
    💙❤️Tired of having the SAME fight over and over again?? Tune in as Abe and Elaine discuss gridlock issues. This episode covers:
    🎯 Why 69% of conflicts in marriage are perpetual
    🎯 How to uncover the dreams hiding under the drama
    🎯 The 4 Gottman steps to get unstuck (without selling your soul to the thermostat war)
    🎯 A real-life example from one couple

    Whether it’s in-laws, money, chores, or Christmas plans, you can move from stuck to connected and compromise… even if you never totally agree.

    🎧 Listen now and find out how to turn “we’ll never agree” into “we actually understand each other.”
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    25 mins
  • #14 ARE YOU THERE FOR ME? Emotional Responsiveness in Marriage

    #14 ARE YOU THERE FOR ME? Emotional Responsiveness in Marriage
    Feb 26 2025
    Join Abe and Elaine as they discuss emotional responsiveness in marriage. Sue Johnson, founder of EFT, found in her research that behind the tears in all marital conflict is the question we all yearn to know. ARE YOU THERE FOR ME? (A.R.E) Essentially we are all asking are you A- accessible, R- responsive, and E- engaged in this marriage or relationship? Of course Elaine and Abe put some fun spins on this. Join them for some laughs on the difference of men and women too.

    Go to instagram.com/marriage.isajoke and dm Elaine your email if you want the handout mentioned.

    Video mentioned called “It’s Not About the Nail”https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg
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    39 mins
  • #13 Solving Conflict! Gottman Principle #5

    #13 Solving Conflict! Gottman Principle #5
    Nov 12 2024
    Join Abe and Elaine as they discuss Gottman’s Principle #5 called “Solving Your Solvable Problems.” Conflict in marriage is inevitable! Thriving couples still have conflict. The Gottman research team has found that couples tend to have both Solvable and Gridlock problems. In this episode, Abe and Elaine go over the Gottman’s top tips of how to solve these solvable problems. Elaine and Abe are honest about how they too struggle with some dynamics in their own conflict. Stay tuned for our next episode where they go over how to get through the gridlock problems in principle #6!
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    32 mins
  • #12 Baby Mouse Tears: How Crying Actually Helps Marriage!

    #12 Baby Mouse Tears: How Crying Actually Helps Marriage!
    Jun 13 2024
    Join Abe and Elaine as they discuss an interesting (but a little weird ) study about tears. 😢😢How crying becomes a natural way to slow down the intensity and anger in marital conflict. Link to check out the study: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sniffing-womens-tears-makes-men-less-aggressive/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sniffing-womens-tears-makes-men-less-aggressive/)
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    26 mins
  • #11 You Can’t Control Me! Gottman Principle #4

    #11 You Can’t Control Me! Gottman Principle #4
    Mar 9 2024
    Join Abe and Elaine as they discuss this awesome principle from the Gottman research! We never want to control each other in marriage. This creates a parent- child like relationship. However, our feelings and thoughts should INFLUENCE our partner’s decisions. Warning for Wives: Sadly, to Elaine’s chagrin …this episode led to Abe’s visions of buying a motorcycle!
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    33 mins
  • #10 Naughty or Nice? Taking Care of Your Marriage at the Holidays!

    #10 Naughty or Nice? Taking Care of Your Marriage at the Holidays!
    Dec 19 2023
    Are you guilty of making the holidays all about your kids?? Don’t forget to celebrate your marriage and get a little Naughty or Nice! This short but sweet episode will get you into the mood of making sure your marriage gets the attention it deserves this Christmas. Watch out for that naughty Santa!
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    22 mins