In this episode, counselors Tracy Johnson and Chris Bruno discuss the importance of understanding and discussing sex in a marital relationship. They focus on how past experiences, cultural influences, body image, and personal stories can shape perceptions of sex. They recommend open dialogue within a relationship on these aspects to nurture a sex-p…

Explore the importance of trust in marriage on this episode of Thrive Marriage Lab. Join Tracy Johnson and Chris Bruno as they delve into premarital conversations, building trust, and addressing betrayal in relationships. Discover valuable insights to strengthen the foundation of your marriage and navigate challenges with resilience. FREE 12 Months…

In this interactive talk, Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson, delve into the top conflicts in marriages, specifically focusing on the challenge of in-law relationships. They explore the often overlooked aspect of loyalty in marriages and discuss the importance of making intentional choices to prioritize the spouse over previous family loyalties. They al…

Discover the real reasons couples fight as Tracy Johnson, a story work coach, and Chris Bruno, a licensed professional counselor, explore the emotions and fears behind conflicts, especially as the wedding day approaches. Uncover the "why" behind relationship issues and learn valuable insights on improving marriage communication. FREE 12 Months of D…

In this podcast episode, we explore the significance of individual narratives in a relationship and the importance of understanding your partner's story. Our marriage counselors, Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson, share valuable insights on how these stories influence your connection and offer guidance for building a strong foundation before walking do…

In this episode, Chris Bruno delves into the dynamics of therapeutic separation in marriages. He discusses the cases where couples find success and rekindle their relationships and the situations where separation might not work. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connection Subscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates 👉How health…

In this episode of the Thrive Marriage Lab podcast, Chris Bruno delves into the crucial question of when and how to conclude a therapeutic separation in a marriage. Chris emphasizes the importance of having a clear, time-bound plan from the outset and outlines a six-month maximum duration guideline. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead…

In this episode, Chris Bruno discusses a surprising warning sign in marriages – the absence of conflicts. He highlights the importance of addressing ruptures in a relationship through the concept of rupture and repair. Chris emphasizes the value of therapeutic separation as a structured approach to addressing ruptures and facilitating repair for st…

In this episode of the Thrive Marriage Lab, Chris Bruno delves into the topic of therapeutic separation, particularly for Christian couples facing marital challenges. He explores whether therapeutic separation aligns with biblical principles and how it can be a hopeful and restorative process. Chris emphasizes the importance of taking a break to ca…

In this episode, Chris Bruno discusses the impact of children during a therapeutic separation. He emphasizes the importance of explaining the therapeutic separation to children, setting clear expectations, addressing their questions, and providing regular progress updates to alleviate their concerns and foster a sense of security. FREE 12 Months of…

In this podcast episode, we explore the essential elements of therapeutic separation, emphasizing the importance of mutual agreement between partners. We delve into the significance of a well-defined separation document that clarifies expectations, logistics, and a defined timeframe, ensuring it's therapeutic rather than just a separation. FREE 12 …

In this episode, we explore the concept of a "therapeutic separation" for couples facing challenges in their marriage. Chris Bruno highlights the key differences between a therapeutic separation and a regular separation. He emphasizes the importance of seeking professional guidance and the need to work towards healing the relationship rather than d…

Discover the 20/24 Rule for effective conflict resolution in Marriage on the Thrive Marriage Lab Podcast. Join Chris Bruno as he guides couples through cooling down, healing, and reconnecting after intense conflicts. Learn how the 20-minute rule can help you maintain a deep and lasting marriage connection, even in challenging times. FREE 12 Months …

In this podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing dynamics of marital communication and the four common postures that often emerge during conflicts in relationships. Chris Bruno enlightens us on the significance of recognizing these postures in our partners and ourselves to enhance understanding and improve communication in marriage. Discover h…

Discover the four levels of communication and conflict in relationships with Chris Bruno. Learn how to navigate differences, disagreements, hurt feelings, conflicts, and fights in your marriage. Explore valuable insights to improve communication and strengthen your relationship. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connection Subscr…

In this eye-opening episode, join Chris Bruno as he shares a real-life marriage counseling experience. Discover how communication issues often stem from deeper emotional stories and how exploring your narratives can enhance your marital connection. Tune in for valuable insights into the 'why' behind communication challenges in relationships. FREE 1…

In this episode, join Chris Bruno as he delves into the importance of curiosity in understanding the emotional unavailability of your partner. By exploring your spouse's past and showing empathy for their childhood experiences, you can foster a deeper connection and create a new narrative of emotional safety in your relationship. FREE 12 Months of …

Explore the essence of rebuilding relationships and emotional connection as Chris Bruno delves into the importance of risk, authenticity, and vulnerability in fostering intimacy. Discover how kindness can transform and heal emotional unavailability in this insightful episode from Thrive Marriage Lab. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lea…

In this episode, Chris Bruno delves into the challenging experience of emotional unavailability in relationships. He describes the feeling of trying to connect with a partner who seems distant and explains how this can erode the connection between couples. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connection Subscribe here: www.restory.l…

In this podcast episode, Chris Bruno explores the underlying stories and traumas that contribute to emotional unavailability in relationships. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity as a means to better understand and bridge the gap between partners, shedding light on the origins of emotional unavailability and its impact on adult relationships.…

Explore the roots of emotional unavailability and its impact on your relationships in this episode with licensed professional counselor Chris Bruno. Learn how past experiences shape your emotional responses and how to navigate healing for a deeper, more connected partnership. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connection Subscribe…

In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between tragedy and trauma. Tragedy, often unavoidable, represents external challenges we face in life, while trauma, the internal response to a lack of kindness during tragic moments, can shape our beliefs about ourselves and the world. Discover how introducing kindness into your relationships ca…

Learn more about ReStory at www.restory.life. Listen to our webinar on Remnants of Purity Culture at www.restory.life/webinars. Learn more about Sheila at www.baremarriage.com.By Lisa Russell, Sheila Gray Gregoire, Beth Bruno

Learn more about ReStory at www.restory.life. Listen to our webinar on Remnants of Purity Culture at www.restory.life/webinars. Learn more about Zachary Wagner and his new book, Non-Toxic Masculinity at https://www.zacharycwagner.com/By Michael Krommendyk, Zachary Wagner, Beth Bruno

In Part 4 of Storied Parenting, Chris and Beth give 3 "steps" to respond well when your adult children come to you with feelings and memories of your failure. Beth also shares an exciting adventure she is leading into the stories of women past. Learn more about Storied Parenting and the Bruno's approach: Fierce & Lovely Fierce & Lovely Mini-Courses…

In Part 3 of Storied Parenting, Chris and Beth Bruno talk about the ways our own sexuality stories show up in parenting and ways to be prepared and intentional to do things differently. Learn more about Storied Parenting and the Bruno's approach: Fierce & Lovely Fierce & Lovely Mini-Courses Fierce & Lovely Podcast Restoration Project Sex 101 Christ…

In Part 2 of Storied Parenting, Chris and Beth Bruno talk about their paradigm of parenting that shifts everything from how we handle correction with 4-year olds to how we encourage 14-year olds. Our children are stories to be discovered. Our role as parents is to awaken in them the story they were meant to write. Learn more about Storied Parenting…

In Part 1 of Storied Parenting, Chris and Beth Bruno talk about the 5 stages of a story journey that moms and dads find themselves in. How do you know which stage you're in and how do you advance to the final, desired stage? Learn more about Storied Parenting and the Bruno's approach: Fierce & Lovely Fierce & Lovely Mini-Courses Restoration Project…

We all crave the delight of another's face because we were designed for it. In Numbers 6, this is God's face shining upon us. We all know the blessing from Numbers 6: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." But do you know the psychology embedded in the blessing? Listen in as Chris and Beth unpack the genius template for neurobiology encoded in these …

In psychology, we call it grounding. In Numbers 6, God offers this concept as "peace or shalom". We all know the blessing from Numbers 6: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." But do you know the psychology embedded in the blessing? Listen in as Chris and Beth unpack the genius template for neurobiology encoded in these verses. Part 3 of 4. Find us …

In psychology, we call it containment. In Numbers 6, God offers this necessary emotional regulation using the word, "kept". We all know the blessing from Numbers 6: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." But do you know the psychology embedded in the blessing? Listen in as Chris and Beth unpack the genius template for neurobiology encoded in these ve…

We all know the blessing from Numbers 6: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." But do you know the psychology embedded in the blessing? Listen in as Chris and Beth unpack the genius template for neurobiology encoded in these verses. Find us at www.restory.life Learn More about ReStory® HERE.By Chris and Beth Bruno

We were made to receive comfort, but most of us did not receive all that we needed. How do we know if this is us and what does that look like in our adult lives? How do we move forward in healthy ways if this is our story? Find us at www.restory.life Learn More about ReStory® HERE.By Chris and Beth Bruno

We all tell a version of how we met and fell in love, but how do we tell the rest? Learn how to identify the themes in your marriage so that you come to better know who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple for when things get hard. Learn more about Thrive Marriage HERE.By Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson

Sometimes we're asked to tell stories of our childhood and we can't. We assume we don't have any memories, yet we sense that much of our present reality was shaped by things that happened to us. Why is that? Why do we FEEL something that makes no sense according to our "memory"? Chris and Beth Bruno discuss the difference between explicit and impli…

If you are coming to understand parts of your story, but feel unsafe sharing with your spouse, what do you do? How can you begin to create safe spaces and set up safety for yourself? Listen in to hear some specific things to do and say, as well as a warning: if you are in an unsafe marriage, please seek help HERE. Download the free pdf, "Prompts fo…

We experience trauma as a fire or as a drought. The one is far more visible and its ripple effect far more noticeable. But the other is equally harmful. How do we identify those in our lives and what do we do to come alive again? Find us at www.restory.life Learn More about ReStory® HERE.By Chris and Beth Bruno