The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are four destructive communication patterns — criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling — identified by Dr. John Gottman as the most reliable predictors of relationship breakdown. Recognizing them is the first step toward...
Couples stay connected during summer by protecting small, intentional rituals — a meaningful goodbye in the morning, a weekly date, a stress-reducing check-in — even when routines loosen and schedules shift. Summer can quietly erode the habits that keep...
How Do Couples Write Their Relationship’s Story Together? Couples build a stronger sense of direction by intentionally reflecting on their shared story — where they’ve been, what they’ve built, and what they want their life together to become....
A guest post by Eric Walters Couples build shared meaning by intentionally talking through their goals, roles, rituals, and symbols — the things that shape what a relationship is actually about. In my last post, I introduced shared meaning as the foundation...
The Conversations Most Couples Have Too Late Couples build a stronger foundation when they talk openly about money, family, career, values, intimacy, and conflict styles — ideally before stress forces the issue. These are conversations most couples mean to have...
Every so often, I hand the pen to someone who knows this work — and our marriage — from the inside. My husband Eric has spent years studying what makes relationships thrive, and his doctoral research on shared meaning has genuinely shaped the way I think about couples...
