Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Welcome to the introduction of my next book, following Emotional Vampires: How to Protect Your Happiness from People Who Suck You Dry. The book you’re about to hear is currently being written, and I’d love your feedback on this intro. And for those waiting for the Emotional Vampires podcast series—good news—it’s coming to my podcast in late 2025. Thank you so much for listening and being part of this journey!

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Imagine applying sunscreen at the beach, getting distracted by fun and conversation, then forgetting to reapply – only to end the day with a painful burn. According to relationship Coach Daniel Ratner, this exact pattern explains why so many marriages fail despite starting with genuine love and commitment. In this revealing episode, we explore the concept of "Sunscreen Love" – the practice of continuously nurturing and pro...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Ever wondered if sharing everything with your spouse is actually strengthening your marriage—or slowly draining it? The concept of SLIM (Sometimes Less Is More) challenges our assumptions about what creates true intimacy in relationships. When we thoughtfully filter the external problems we bring home, especially those stemming from work stress or health challenges, we protect the sanctuary of our marriage from unnec...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Marriage is full of contradictions, but perhaps none more powerful than this: Sometimes you have to be wrong to be right. In a world obsessed with winning arguments and proving points, the most successful couples understand that peace trumps pride every time. This episode takes a deep dive into the psychology behind "happy wife, happy life" - not as a tired cliché, but as a profound relationship strategy that leads to mutu...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Discovering the "Never Leaving" phase of love could revolutionize your marriage. This summit of relational achievement is what separates the 25% of truly happy marriages from those that merely endure. Unlike climbing Mount Everest with its 14% fatality rate, the journey to a marriage where both partners can honestly say "I am never leaving" isn't about physical endurance—it's about emotional intelligence and consistent sma...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Why does divorce feel like a death? Because in many ways, it is—the death of a relationship, of shared dreams, and of a once-cherished connection. But discussing divorce shouldn't be taboo, especially when understanding its warning signs could help save marriages before they reach the breaking point. Marriage researcher John Gottman can predict divorce with 94% accuracy by looking for one critical emotion: contempt. When e...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Marriages that stand the test of time aren't built on fleeting passion or convenience—they're cultivated with an infinite mindset. Drawing inspiration from Simon Sinek's business philosophy, this eye-opening exploration reveals how the same principles that transformed Amazon into a global powerhouse can revolutionize your relationship. Discover ten powerful strategies that transform ordinary relationships into extraordinar...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Passion fades. Every couple knows it's true. That electric feeling you experienced when you first met your spouse gradually dimmed as years passed, replaced by comfort and routine. But what if rekindling that spark were possible through surprisingly simple techniques backed by both modern science and ancient wisdom? The "seven-year itch" isn't inevitable. When couples find their excitement waning, many make the devastating...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Ever wondered why some marriages flourish while others falter? The answer might be simpler than you think. Discover the transformative power of four fundamental principles that can revolutionize your relationship. Affection goes far beyond physical touch. When you speak affectionately to your spouse – keeping your voice gentle even during disagreements – you create a pattern that they naturally mirror back to you. Those su...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! The secret to a thriving marriage lies in four simple principles: attention, affection, appreciation, and awareness. These "Four A's" serve as a practical framework for couples seeking to strengthen their emotional bond and navigate the natural differences between men and women. Marriage thrives when we understand our differences. Women generally need to feel loved and cherished, while men crave respect above all else. Thi...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! The silent relationship killer might be lurking in your everyday conversations. That seemingly innocent comment about the dishes left unwashed or the forgotten errand isn't just a passing remark—it's potentially erasing the protective layer keeping your relationship safe from harm. Through my years of relationship coaching, I've discovered a powerful truth: criticism acts exactly like wiping sunscreen off someone at the be...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! What if everything you thought about love was missing one crucial element? When we walk down the aisle or commit to a partner, we're confident our love will last forever. In that moment, it feels effortless and natural—but therein lies the dangerous assumption. Love, as it turns out, functions remarkably like sunscreen at the beach. Apply it once, and you might feel protected, but forget to reapply throughout the day...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Have you ever considered what makes a poke bowl complete? It's not just the rice or the salmon alone—it's the harmonious combination of all ingredients working together. Much like this delicious dish, we humans are composed of three essential elements: body, ego, and soul. When these components work in balance, we experience true fulfillment. When they don't, we're left constantly chasing satisfaction that never quite arriv...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Facing uncertainty about whether to marry your current partner? This episode delivers the framework you need to make this life-altering decision with confidence and clarity. We dive deep into three powerful questions that cut through confusion and reveal whether your relationship has true "forever" potential. The journey begins with an honest look at physical attraction – not just surface-level appeal, but that deeper magn...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! What does marriage truly mean? Forget everything you've been taught about partnerships and teams - those analogies fall dangerously short. While business partners track contributions and sports teams disband after championships, a thriving marriage operates on entirely different principles. Ready to transform your relationship? Stop tallying contributions and measuring "fairness." When you treat your spouse as an extension...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Do you ask potential partners if they truly love themselves? This seemingly simple question could reveal everything you need to know about your romantic future. Coach Ratner explores the often-overlooked "research phase" of relationships – that crucial period between initial attraction and serious commitment where we discover who someone really is beneath the surface. Whether you're currently dating, in a relationship, or ...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Your ego is not your amigo, especially when it comes to relationships. This profound truth reveals itself in the cars we choose, the homes we occupy, the titles we pursue, and perhaps most importantly, the partners we select. Too often, we're drawn to someone not because they offer genuine connection, but because they enhance our image or status – think of wealthy older men with partners decades their junior, relationships ...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Ever wonder why some people seem to effortlessly find meaningful relationships while others remain stuck in an endless cycle of first dates? The answer might be hiding in plain sight—or rather, on the back of your metaphorical shirt. Coach Ratner introduces us to a powerful concept borrowed from Mike Zaney's "The Science of Dreams": we all wear shirts with writing on both sides. The front displays our strengths and positiv...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Forget everything you thought you knew about dating. While we often focus on what to say and how to present ourselves, the real secret to building meaningful connections lies in something far more fundamental: listening. The distinction between hearing and listening becomes crystal clear when you understand that one is passive while the other requires active engagement. For men especially, this means fighting the natural u...

Let me know your thoughts about the podcast. Thank you for listening! Have you ever passed up on a potential date because they weren't your "type"? That quick dismissal might have cost you a life-changing relationship. This eye-opening exploration reveals how our preconceived notions of an ideal partner often stand in the way of genuine connection. Ready to revolutionize your approach to dating? Stop limiting yourself with imaginary checklists and start opening doors to unexpected possibilit...