In episode 104 of The Couples Expert Podcast Stuart’s guest is Marisa Cohen; an Assistant Psychology Professor St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York and the Director of Self Awareness and Bonding Lab. Her work centers on the science of relationships and gender differences. Today’s discussion will be about online dating and finding love online. Listen as Stuart and Marisa delve into this interesting topic.

What you’ll learn from today’s podcast:

• How can there be science in relationships? 5:17
• How online dating changes the process of courtship 6:42
• Why the research on successful couples varies 8:55
• How dating algorithms on dating sites help you find your match 10:30
• Some of Stuart’s dating experiences 13:12
• Technology helps us connect with people that we might not otherwise meet 15:48
• Are online first meetings more authentic than first person meetings?  19:04
• There’s an app (and a book)  for that 21:46
• Getting to forever 29:02

Being open and honest when completing your online profile will increase the chances of developing a relationship that will last. Don't misrepresent yourself.

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The following quote is taken from the book "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

After reading the inspiring words of Marianne Williamson above, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you accept who you are and love being YOU?

or

Do you change your behaviour, adjust your feelings to appease others or to feel validated by someone else?

Whether you like yourself or not, the fact remains there is no where you can go to avoid YOU from tagging along with you. So since you have to take YOU wherever you go, it makes sense to start loving and appreciating YOU for who YOU are.

In today's video I talk about about authenticity, and being authentic in your relationship with your partner.

Living an authentic life with your partner allows you the freedom to be yourself and means you can be secure in the knowledge that you don’t have to hide anything from them. They are going to love you and value you because of (and in spite of) your showing every side of yourself, every wrinkle and wart, and every broken part of you.

Plus the more you are authentic, the more confident you will become. The more you like yourself the more others will like you too, especially your partner.

A key foundational block of your relationship is honesty. Another is trust. How can you be truly honest with your partner if you are living a lie instead of being authentic and living an authentic life?

In episode 103 of The Couples Expert Podcast Stuart’s guest is Robina Meehan, an “Emotional Renovator”. Her specialty is connecting with women. She guides women as a facilitator to help them live a more authentic life.

We want to send a huge thank you to Jo Muirhead for referring Robina to the podcast. Stuart and Robina discuss how being who you truly are, is the path to happiness.

What you’ll learn from today’s podcast:

• What brought Robina to do this work [11:15]
• Change can come in an instant [13:00]
• Definition of rage [14:25]
• Where the passion for women came from  [21:20]
• Both partners need to be emotional [24:30]
• Many women live in their head not their heart [27:38]
• Sexuality and communicating your needs [29:40]
• Infidelity is not about sex [31:07]
• What people discover in doing work on themselves [33:00]
• The importance of listening [35:02]
• The power of journaling [35:57]
• You have to honor your own boundaries [40:00]

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In today's Three Minutes with Stuart talks about the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday and why it's another opportunity to show your partner how important they are to you.

A Brief History of St. Patrick's Day-

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17th. The celebration is to commemorate the death of St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, who was successful in converting the pagans of Ireland to Christians. What began as an Irish religious festival has become celebration all around the globe with many different festivities and parades. The shamrock and Leprechaun are symbols associated with St. Patrick's Day.

Some more interesting things about St. Patrick's Day:

Each year 5.5 million people visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and there are over 450 churces in the U.S. named after St. Patrick. Another interesting thing to note is whether you're Irish or not nearly 122 million Americans say they celebrate St. Patrick's day each year! That's 39% of the population of the entire country!

Common Ways People Celebrate St. Patrick's Day:

You probably have noticed that the color green is associated with the holiday and 83% of people who celebrate the holiday will wear something green. Some folks make a special dinner, attend a party, or decorate their homes with St. Patrick's Day decorations.

The title of today's video, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" is related to St. Patrick's Day too. It's a reference to the famous Blarney Stone found in Ireland. It is said that anyone who kisses the stone is blessed with being eloquent. So pucker up!

St. Patrick's day is really a fun holiday and couples should take the time to enjoy it, enjoy each other, and have some fun.

In Episode 102 of The Couples Expert Podcast is our Happy St. Patrick’s Day episode. We’re not always talking about weighty and somber issues. This week we’re going to have some fun and celebrate a uniquely American Irish holiday.

I love this St. Patty’s Day quote that says “A Best Friend is like a 4 leaf clover~ Hard to find and lucky to have” Unknown. How wonderful when your partner is your best friend. You are indeed lucky. You need to cultivate that friendship. There’s more to love than chemistry or physical attraction. Making a long-term relationship work requires your commitment to being a best friend to your partner every day.

What you’ll get from today’s podcast:

• Is your partner your best friend?  at 3:00
• Why you should celebrate together at 7:30
• Can St.Patrick’s Day add some fun to your love life? at 10:30
• Some St. Patrick’s day trivia  at 12:38
• Commit to connecting with loved ones 17:50

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In episode 101 of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart talks about a subject that impacts many families and relationships; prescription drug addiction. It’s not a pleasant issue, but one that Stuart feels very strongly about. He has helped many couples overcome and repair the damage to their relationships caused by addiction.  Stuart discusses this problem and some solutions.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

This quote applies to recovery, repairing your relationship (making amends in the 12 step program) , and getting through your day without using drugs. You have to do it as they say, “One day at a time” , but sometimes you have to do it one hour , one minute, and one moment at a time If you can get through this moment and the next , you will eventually have hours, days, weeks and months of success.

In today’s Podcast you’ll learn:

• It’s never too late to start over [5:45]
• Addiction to prescription is not different from any other addiction [7:08]
• How addiction begins [8:44]
• Behavior of an addict [12:15]
• Treatment is available [15:30]
• Partners need to stay involved [19:16]
• Chronic Pain Sufferers are at risk [21:23]

Stuart hosts a weekend couples workshop monthly called Two Days, Seven Conversations – based on Dr. Sue Johnson’s Book Hold Me Tight®.  Register now for March and April weekends.  These workshops always fill up fast. Click the link here to register for your spot in an upcoming weekend. http://www.thecouplesexpertscottsdale.com/hold-me-tight/

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In this three Minutes with Stuart video, Stuart talks about the last year and half experience being the host of The Couples Expert Podcast. He also shares plans for the future for the show, introduces Stuart's Daily Notes and more.

In the 100th episode of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart does something a little different for this milestone podcast. He has invited a guest from the listening community to interview him and share the broadcast.  

Stuart’s guest on the show is Virginia Curtis, an equine professional who works in equine- assisted psychotherapy and learning, and is also on the Board of Directors for Project Spirit Equine Rescue and Rehab, a horse rescue in southern Oregon.

What you’ll hear today: 

• How Stuart got started as a podcaster
• Where he sources his themes and topics
• Stuart’s favorite episodes from the past 100
• His most embarrassing moments
• High profile guests from past shows
• What motivates him every week to do this podcast (It might surprise you)

You Make the Difference

Stuart mentions Episodes 88 and 93 as recent shows that really stand out as important to him. He also did a series on infidelity that he feels is very important to his listeners.  

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