By Christine Bongiovanni

This week I open up about a deeply personal experience—one that I believe is crucial to discuss openly and honestly. I shared a journey through dark moments, navigating the complexities of depression and suicide ideation while on medication, and the unexpected challenges of seeking support from loved ones. This episode is more than just a recountin…

This week I dive deep into the importance of building a supportive friendship community and how it can play a pivotal role in transforming your marriage. Join me as we explore why nurturing connections with others is essential for personal growth and marital harmony. Plus, I share insights from recent interviews with women like you who are navigati…

This week I delve into a concept that's been on my mind: the trigger cycle. This cycle—activated by something your spouse does—can lead to a reactive dance of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. But fear not! There's a way out of this cycle—one that leads to lasting peace in your marriage. Understanding the trigger cycle is the first step tow…

As we embark on another episode of the AwakenYou in Your Marriage podcast, I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that's both nuanced and pivotal: Intimacy Regulators. In Episode 166, titled "Navigating Intimacy: Understanding Distance and Intimacy Regulators," we'll explore the intricate dynamics at play when it comes to fostering closeness in relation…

In this week's episode, titled "Creating Space for Love: Practical Tips for Working on Your Marriage," we dive deep into the essential topic of prioritizing your relationship amidst life's busy demands. Whether you're struggling to find moments of connection amidst hectic schedules or seeking practical tips to strengthen your bond, this episode is …

I'm thrilled to announce the release of my latest episode of the AwakenYou in Your Marriage podcast: "Breaking the Chains: Unlearning Destructive Communication Patterns." In this episode, we delve deep into the transformative process of shedding old communication habits to pave the way for healthier, more fulfilling relationships. As we reflect on …

Welcome back, AwakenYou in Your Marriage listeners! In our latest episode (Ep 163), we dive into a transformative communication practice: the Speaker-Listener Technique. Last week, we explored how understanding our past can shape our present relationships, paving the way for effective communication. This week, we take it a step further. Discover ho…

This week on AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I embark on a profound journey into the depths of our familial past to uncover the hidden influences shaping our relationships today. Join me as we explore "The Ties that Bind: Exploring Family of Origin Conflict Styles in Your Marriage" in Episode 162. Families are the crucibles where our earliest notions o…

Ever wonder how things got more difficult when you thought they would get easier? In this week's episode, I dive into a topic that many of us grapple with but seldom discuss openly: the transition from thriving singlehood to the uncharted territory of marriage. In Episode 161: From Single to Married: Navigating Marriage After Successful Singlehood,…

I am thrilled to share with you our latest podcast episode featuring the incredibly inspiring Cassandra Bodzak. In this episode, Cassandra opens up about her personal journey from a place of uncertainty in her marriage to the empowered decision to embark on a courageous love conversation. During our conversation, we delve into Cassandra's experienc…

This week I'm talking about something that's been on my mind a lot lately, and it's a topic that I know resonates with many of us: household responsibilities in marriage. In this week's podcast episode 159: "Sharing the Load: Navigating Household Tasks in Your Marriage," I dive into a common theme that often arises in my coaching sessions and conve…

I hope this email finds you well and ready for some insightful conversation! Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my favorite coaches and mentors, Aimee Gianni, MS. Aimee is not only a Marriage & Family Therapist but also a Master Coach Instructor specializing in Love Relationships and my coach! In my latest podcast episode 158: Untangli…

I have a special treat this Valentine's Day week, a conversation about love with my husband Jeff, AND a bonus! After our conversation we will be talking about Valentine's Day and sharing some pretty awesome ideas of how to make it special. Are you ready to celebrate love this week with your spouse? As Valentine's Day approaches, I find myself refle…

As we delve deeper into the intricacies of intimacy within marriage, I'm excited to announce our upcoming AwakenYou in Your Marriage podcast episode, #156: Creating Safety and Trust: The Foundation of Intimacy in Marriage. In this episode, we'll explore the fundamental aspects of safety and trust within marriage and how they lay the groundwork for …

We're diving deep into nurturing intimacy in our marriages, and we're now on week 4 of our enlightening series. As we journey together, I've been moved by the responses I've received, particularly about the longing for intimacy in relationships. It's a shared desire: connection, belonging, and intimacy. However, nurturing intimacy starts by looking…

Welcome back to another week of transformative conversations on AwakenYou in Your Marriage! This week, we're continuing our exploration of nurturing marital intimacy with the captivating theme "Hearts Unveiled Part 3: Nurturing Marital Intimacy with Curiosity." In this episode, we delve into the power of curiosity, a key component highlighted by Br…

As we dive into AwakenYou in Your Marriage episode 153: Nurturing Marital Intimacy through Vulnerability, I'm thrilled to share a piece of my personal journey with you. This year is all about vulnerability (my word of the year), and I'm excited to be on this open, honest, and transformative ride with each of you. On a creative note, my book project…

I hope this message finds you well and thriving as we embrace the possibilities of a brand new year! I wanted to share something truly special with you – the latest episode of the "AwakenYou in Your Marriage" podcast is out, and it's a deep dive into the theme of growth and transformation. In this episode, I open up about my personal journey over t…

I hope this message finds you well as we step into 2024 filled with opportunities for growth and connection. I'm excited to share a sneak peek of my upcoming podcast episode 151: "Hearts Unveiled: Nurturing Marital Intimacy," where we'll explore the key components to create deeper intimacy in your marriage. In this episode, you will learn: Differen…

As we step into the day after, I wanted to share some insights on navigating the aftermath of the holiday hustle in Ep 150, "Navigating the Aftermath: Unpacking Post Holiday Emotions." In this episode, we'll dive into: Embracing the Letdown: Explore how embracing the post-holiday letdown can guide you through to the other side, creating a more fulf…

Is holiday harmony even possible?!? As we find ourselves amidst the joyful chaos of the holiday season, I wanted to reach out and share something special from the heart. In the latest episode of the AwakenYou in Your Marriage podcast, we embark on a journey through the intricacies of family gatherings, expectations, and the art of building deeper i…

Dive into the heart of our marriage! In this special episode, Jeff and I bare it all, sharing intimate details about our conflict journey. Tune in to discover: Our family of origin stories and their impact on our conflict styles. The motivation behind revamping our conflict resolution process. Personal strategies we've employed to navigate our indi…

📚 In "Unleashing Your Marriage's Hidden Potential," I dive into Adam Grant's latest book, "Hidden Potential." This impactful read isn't just about personal growth—it's filled with real-life stories that inspired me to share its wisdom with you. Tune in to discover how the principles from the book can elevate your marriage, helping you dream bigger …

You don't gain Yoda status after one round, Jedi Master status comes from committing to your goal and never giving up. You don't transform your marital conflict dynamic by simply hoping things will change, and YOU are where the change begins! Are you ready to dive into the third and final part of our Conflict to Connection series? Well, get ready b…

It's time to activate your inner Jane Marple and crack the code! Get ready for another transformative journey on the AwakenYou in Your Marriage Podcast! In Episode 143, we're diving into Part 2 of our Conflict to Connection series: Decoding Conflict: Unraveling the Why. What You'll Learn: Last week, we explored recognizing recurring conflicts in yo…

This week on the AwakenYou in Your Marriage Podcast, I’m diving into the heart of relationships with the first part of our three-part series: "Conflict to Connection." EP 144: Conflict to Connection Part 1: Recognizing Conflict & Creating Space for Understanding What you will discover: ✅ Why conflict is the most common topic in coaching ✅ Understan…

Discover the powerful link between personal health and marital vitality in my latest AwakenYou in Your Marriage episode 143: Becoming Fit + Vibrant: A Path to a Healthier Marriage with Tanja Shaw! Join me for a heart-to-heart with Tanja Shaw, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Kinesiologist, and Mindset Coach. She's on a mission to hel…

Are you ready to explore a whole new perspective on the masculine and feminine energies within you? In AwakenYou in Your Marriage Episode 142: Your Feminine Transformation: Embodying True Self Part 1, we dive into the incredible world of your feminine transformation. This isn't about swinging between masculine and feminine, it's about the full spec…

This week I’m wrapping up an insightful series on behaviors that can slowly corrode your marriage. Over the past few weeks, we've delved into selfishness, pride, control, and resentment. This week I unravel the topic of laziness in marriage. Laziness, in this context, isn't just about lacking motivation. It's often a symptom of something deeper. We…

Me, me, it's all about ME! And that's when things start to become a bit distant in our marriage. If you're wondering if selfishness has overtaken your marriage, this episode is for you. Are you ready to embrace the 'We' before 'Me' mindset in your marriage? Taking care of yourself is not selfish, but inflexibility, constantly correcting or ignoring…

Pride, it’s a tricky emotion because, in the right context, it's healthy. Feeling proud of your accomplishments or efforts is wonderful. But, unhealthy pride can act as a barrier to intimacy and connection. This week on the AwakenYou in Your Marriage podcast I am exploring: 1️⃣ What pride is 2️⃣ Identifying its characteristics 3️⃣ Delve into why pr…

This may be part of the solution if your marriage has lost that loving feeling; if left unresolved, it might eventually destroy your marriage. The good news I have for you is that when you start to understand this marriage murderer, you can stop it and start building a stronger, more intimate bond with your spouse! I'm talking about resentment, and…

A roll of the eye, an uncomfortable laugh or a deep sigh might be all more subtle flavors of control, yet they are still ways to diminish what someone else says or thinks. This week, I am taking a look at a topic that might hit a bit close to home for some of us (take a listen to see how close to my home it actually hit) - Ep 137: The Losing Battle…

It’s not uncommon for us to be a bit unsure of who we are as an individual. Remember Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride? We grow up being told who we are and wonder who we are to question those opinions. Based on the surrounding culture, we become who we think we need to be to be good employees, moms, dads, friends, and family members. We may even attr…

A marriage caught in a tangled web 🕸️ of outside influences is not a marriage where open, honest intimacy can grow. In this week's episode of AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I am diving into the world of Triangulation: Going Outside of the Marriage. Join me as we unravel this complex dynamic and explore its impact on our marriages. From understanding w…

Do you ever feel like you and your partner speak two different languages? I see it happen all of the time while in a session listening to couples talk, but rarely do the individuals themselves see the discrepancy because they are making pure sense in their minds. This week on AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I am digging into a different type of languag…

When was the last time you blew bubbles with your spouse? I'm not sure I ever have, but I may need to add it to my FUN list - which you will learn about on this week's AwakenYou in Your Marriage episode. This week, I'm tackling a challenge many face: the sensation of being stuck in a mundane marriage. I've had my journey with fun, one that led me b…

This week's episode of AwakenYou in Your Marriage we're diving into the realm of marital doubts—a topic that might feel unsettling, but must be addressed if you want to find certainty. Even in the most connected relationships, doubts can creep in. But fear not, because these doubts don't mean your happiness is a mirage. Let's break down the myth th…

As we bid farewell to the summer season (ok, not according to the calendar but for those of you preparing to send kids back to school, it definitely feels like summer is quickly coming to an end) and embrace the magic of transitioning days, it's a perfect moment to reflect and refocus on what truly matters in our relationships. In this week's Awake…

Are you ready to dive into the heart of conflict and discover what's really driving those disagreements with your partner? Join me in this powerful episode as we delve into the profound impact of underlying fears in our relationships. Have you ever wondered why certain conflicts keep resurfacing in your marriage? In this episode, we explore the tru…

Those expectations tend to kick us in the bee-hind waiting for them to happen, and that is precisely why I choose to hold them loosely and grab on tightly to my dreams. This week on the podcast, I'm diving deep into the delicate dance of "Navigating Expectations and Dreams in Your Marriage." If you've ever wondered how expectations can shape your m…

Are you ready to let go of that hardened, get it done, drama (and stress) filled life and open up to letting the fun, cheery light version of you come out and play? This week on the podcast I am chatting with licensed clinical social worker and master coach Pam Howard, host of the Less Drama More Mama podcast, and we start scratching the surface of…

I know there's something you want to talk about with your spouse but haven't, or when you have, it hasn't gone well. This is for you! You know that communication is the foundation of a strong and healthy marriage, but discussing sensitive topics can sometimes be challenging. Well, I'm here to help you navigate those tricky conversations with grace …

Have you recently felt verbally attacked by your spouse? It happens, but the chances of finding a resolution are slim when we respond with defensiveness. If you pay attention for just one day, you might discover you're feeling attacked more than a few times. • Your co-worker asks if you're doing ok, that you don't seem yourself. • Your adult child …

These energy leaks won't show up on your energy bill, but they will slowly drain energy away from creating the marriage you desire. When it comes to energy leaks in your home, most of you will do your best to block them to save on the monthly expense. But what about your energy leaks? How are you wasting energy that is getting you the opposite of w…

Could it be that you may have relinquished a bit of your true self in your quest for closeness with your spouse? Many of us have perceived very early on in our life that certain parts of us are unacceptable, so to survive, we compromised our true selves to receive the love we needed to feel acceptable. It's part of our primal need to help us surviv…

This week is all about a fun exercise I created to help you cultivate fondness for what you and your spouse have created in your marriage. Fondness and admiration are part of the foundation of a strong marriage, and it's built and strengthened over the span of your time together, yet for many couples, this part of the marital foundation starts to c…

What have you believed to be normal in your marriage? How does this "normal" sit with you? There are so many misconceptions and societal expectations about marriage, and I want to explore these notions this week. Too often, we find ourselves stuck in our marriages because things aren't going as "normal." We limit our individuality, hinder our perso…

You could totally believe that being married to the same person over time will lead to boredom in the bedroom. How empowering does THAT belief feel? Here are some words we could exchange for unempowered: blocked, limited, prevented, stopped, constrained... It's NO WONDER so many couples are unhappy with their sex life! Of course, there is always mo…