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Many military couples are impacted by the experience of traumatic events, and this can take a  toll on the relationship. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews trauma expert Karen Robinson on ways to heal from trauma while in a relationship. In this podcast episode, we discuss: Symptoms of trauma How trauma impacts relationships Ways couples can work on improving communication after trauma  And individual and relational healing after trauma  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

How do you communicate needs in a relationship? In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews mind-body coach Juliette Karaman on she teaches her coaching clients to communicate their needs in relationships.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The difference between relationship coaching and couples counseling The importance of communicating needs in a relationship How to communicate needs in a relationship Juliette's tips for military couples   Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Which business strategies can be helpful for relationships? In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews relationship coach, Dr. Robin Buckley on business strategies she teaches her relationship coaching clients.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The difference between relationship coaching and couples counseling How to pick a good coach Business and coaching strategies for relationships Dr. Buckley's tips for military couples   Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

How do military spouses have their own careers while being married to the military? In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews Dr. Elaina DaLomba on the findings from her research related to how military spouses navigated their careers.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: How military spouse careers are related to relationship satisfaction Challenges military spouses face in employment Ways military spouses have been creative to pursue their careers even with the challenges of military life The key takeaways from Dr. DaLomba's research on military spouse employment    Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Having a personal identity is important for your relationship but can also help you stay more grounded in the face of life stressors. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews  LaQuita Monely on how to have a personal identity in a marriage. In this podcast episode, we discuss: What is identity and why is it important? Challenges of identity as a military spouse. How having your own identity is related to marriage success. Tips for military couples and spouses to develop a sense of identity.    Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Everyone has overwhelming emotions from time to time that impact their relationships. Learning to deal with overwhelming emotions can be helpful in terms of being able to get your needs met, but also in being able to have better communication with your partner. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews Jackie Schuld on dealing with overwhelming emotions in a marriage. In this podcast episode, we discuss: Dealing with emotions in a marriage Why effectively dealing with emotions is especially important for military couples How Jackie Schuld teaches her clients to deal with overwhelming emotions Steps to identifying your needs beneath emotions:​ Tips for military couples dealing with overwhelming emotions   Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Very few people actually want advice when they are coming to you with a problem! In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews Lisa Ligouri on the benefits of sharing personal experiences versus problem solving or advice giving in personal relationships.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The difference between experience sharing and advice giving How experience sharing can lead to deeper connection and relationships Steps in successful experience sharing Ways military couples can use experience sharing   Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Does premarital counseling actually help? This is the twelfth and final episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky interviews Reverend Erica Callicutt on the benefits of premarital counseling.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Benefits of premarital couples counseling The process of premarital counseling  What to expect from working with a pastor versus a counselor for premarital counseling How to find a premarital counselor  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Are you creating the relationship habits you want for the long term? This is the eleventh episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky discusses healthy relationship habits worth developing.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The difference between a habit and a routine How to build a habit Healthy relationship habits worth building  Ways you can build up healthy relationship habits  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Which communication skills are important to learn right from the start? This is the tenth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the communication skills that every newly-wed couple should learn.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Active listening skills in relationships Finding and expressing empathy Negotiation and conflict resolution skills  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Are you and your partner a team even when you fight? This is the ninth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky discusses how to fight fair in relationships.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Qualities of dirty fighting in relationships.  Qualities of fair fighting in relationships.  Tips to fight fair in relationships.  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Do you and your partner know each other's emotional triggers? This is the eighth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky discusses how to navigate emotional triggers in relationships.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Understanding emotional triggers in relationships.  Types of emotional triggers in relationships.  Identifying your emotional triggers.  Communicating about emotional triggers in relationships.  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

What's your communication style? How about your partner? This is the seventh episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, marriage counselor Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the importance of identifying your communication stress style so you can improve your relationship communication.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The 5 Styles of Communication. How stress changes how we communicate.  Importance of identifying your communication stress style.  The importance of authentic, straightforward, and congruent communication.  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Who gets to decide in the relationship? This is the sixth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the importance of being on the same page with who gets to make the decision, when, and about what in relationships.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Power conflicts come from different opinions on who gets to make decisions.  5 options for making decisions in relationships.  Topics to decide on together about who gets to make decisions and when.  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

To combine finances or to not combine finances. This is the fifth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the importance of being on the same page with your couple finances.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Three ways of handling couple finances Decision making around money Being on the same page with budgeting Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Do you know your relationship values? Are they different than your partner's? Let's find out! This is the fourth episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the importance of knowing your relationship values and how to decide on relationship values together with your partner.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The importance of knowing personal values Deciding your relationship values with your partner How to use an ACT Matrix to figure out your values Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Want my #1 tip for marriage? This is the third episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage.   In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the importance of regular marriage check-in meetings and how to do them.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: The importance of marriage meetings How marriage meetings improve your communication Topics to include in your marriage meetings Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Elizabeth Polinsky is now offering premarital intensives where you can get all your premarital counseling done in one day!  One premarital intensive will be given away as part of a raffle. Enter the raffle at the Virginia Beach Wedding Expo (Nov. 2021) and the Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase (Jan. 2022). Both will be located at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

How do you know if you are compatible for marriage? This is the second episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage.   In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses tools and conversations to have to help you know if you are compatible for marriage.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Relationship assessments that can help you know your relationship strengths and weaknesses How creating a family tree can help you recognize and deal with generational patterns Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

How can you best prepare for marriage? This is the first episode of a series on Getting Ready for Marriage.   In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses the conversations to have before marriage.  In this podcast episode, we discuss: Why it is important to get on the same page before you are married The top conversations to have to start your marriage on the right foot How premarital couples counseling can help you with some of the difficult conversations Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  Download the Getting Ready for Marriage Checklist here.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here.