Live Your Best Marriage Podcast

Why Your Boundaries Aren’t Working with Nancy Pickard

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:01:00 +0000

You set a boundary, but nothing changes. Your spouse feels controlled. Your parents feel rejected. You feel guilty. So was it really a boundary?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa talks with relationship and boundary coach Nancy Pickard about what healthy boundaries actually look like inside marriage and extended family relationships.

Nancy explains one of the biggest misunderstandings about boundaries: a boundary is not primarily about controlling what another person does. It is about becoming clear on what you need, communicating it respectfully, and deciding what you will do if that boundary is not honored.

The conversation explores:

Why people-pleasing can eventually create resentment

The difference between a boundary, a request, an ultimatum, and control

Why you should not set a boundary you are unwilling to keep

How to communicate a boundary without attacking your spouse

Why “I feel X when you do Y. Would you be willing to do Z?” can completely change a difficult conversation

How husbands and wives can become a united front when setting boundaries with in-laws

Why cross-cultural couples can experience intense guilt when saying no to parents or older relatives

How financial help from parents can complicate marital boundaries

Why money from family often comes with expectations

How couples can respect their heritage without allowing previous generations to govern their marriage

Why vulnerability may be one of the hardest emotional mountains couples need to climb

And why healthy marriages are not free from conflict. They learn how to repair after conflict.

The United Front takeaway is simple: boundaries should protect the relationship, not punish people.

A husband and wife need to decide together what they will allow into their marriage, communicate those decisions as “we” instead of blaming one spouse, and remain respectful even when family members disagree.

Are culture, in-laws, family expectations, divided loyalty, or guilt making it difficult for you and your spouse to protect your marriage together?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where family or cultural pressure may be creating a gap, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Learn more about Nancy Pickard, her coaching, and her resources at:

https://nancypickardlifecoach.com

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Cold Open: The Nature of Boundaries
(00:00:17) - Meet Nancy Pickard
(00:00:54) - Why Boundaries Are Misunderstood
(00:01:30) - Nancy's Journey with People-Pleasing
(00:04:07) - What Is a Boundary?
(00:06:49) - Boundaries vs. Control
(00:08:19) - People-Pleasing as Manipulation
(00:10:47) - Protective vs. Containing Boundaries
(00:13:54) - Setting Boundaries with In-Laws
(00:18:12) - Guilt in Cross-Cultural Families
(00:21:08) - Money, Family, and Boundaries
(00:23:00) - Climbing Kilimanjaro: Facing Fear
(00:24:31) - Vulnerability in Marriage
(00:27:11) - Repairing After Conflict
(00:29:08) - How to Set Your First Boundary Tonight
(00:32:06) - Where to Find Nancy Pickard

You Say Family Comes First. Does Your Calendar Agree? with Travis Murray

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:23:06 +0000

Many men say their wife and children are the most important people in their lives. But when pressure hits, what does their family actually experience?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa talks with Travis Murray, host of Man in Progress: Forging Manhood, about the difference between the values men say they have and the values their everyday behavior reveals.

Travis shares openly about work pressure, panic attacks, people-pleasing, emotional defensiveness, and reaching a point where the life he was living no longer matched the husband and father he wanted to be.

The conversation explores why a wife’s concern can feel like an attack, how men can recognize what happens inside their body before defensiveness takes over, and why taking a short pause can help them return to difficult conversations instead of running from them.

They also discuss:

How inherited beliefs about manhood quietly shape marriage

Why men can treat their wives like the enemy when they actually feel overwhelmed

The difference between aspirational values and the values your behavior reveals

Why your calendar and spending show what you truly prioritize

How working hard and paying the bills can still leave your family feeling emotionally neglected

Why saying “I’m sorry” is only the beginning of repair

How follow-through and changed behavior complete an apology

Why boundaries matter when work begins competing with family

How Travis uses his SWORD framework to help men realign their lives with their values

What fathers are teaching their children about communication, apology, boundaries, and manhood

The United Front takeaway is simple: saying that your family comes first is not enough. Your spouse and children should be able to experience that priority in how you spend your time, make decisions, handle pressure, repair mistakes, and show up at home.

Your spouse is not the enemy. The pressure, old patterns, defensiveness, and divided priorities are the problems you need to face together.

Are work, family expectations, culture, divided loyalties, or repeated conflict making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it may be vulnerable to family and cultural pressure, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Listen to Travis Murray on Man in Progress: Forging Manhood and follow his work for more conversations about values, marriage, fatherhood, communication, and becoming the man your family can trust.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, work pressure, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Aspirational Values vs Shadow Values
(00:00:22) - Introducing Travis Murray
(00:00:49) - When Family Values Don't Match Reality
(00:03:55) - Panic Attacks and Living Someone Else's Life
(00:05:42) - Feeling Attacked vs Taking Accountability
(00:07:50) - Calming Down Before Responding
(00:11:25) - Evidence Your Family Really Sees
(00:13:03) - Putting Family on the Calendar
(00:14:07) - Leaving the People-Pleasing Job
(00:15:24) - Emotional Presence Over Just Providing
(00:16:40) - Reassessing Your Values and Making Change
(00:19:06) - Apology vs Real Repair
(00:22:49) - Boundaries and the SWORD Framework
(00:26:10) - Legacy and What Kids Will Remember
(00:28:07) - Health Effects of Living Aligned
(00:28:44) - Final Advice for Struggling Dads
(00:31:01) - Where to Follow Travis

When You Become the Father You Swore You’d Never Be with Mike Forrester

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:56:21 +0000

What happens when you become the husband or father you promised yourself you would never become?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa Shayo talks with men’s transformational coach Mike Forrester about generational patterns, anger, fear, shame, forgiveness, and what it takes for a man to become safer and more present with his wife and children.

Mike shares openly about recognizing his own father’s words and behaviors coming out of his mouth, even after promising himself he would parent differently. He explains how unresolved childhood pain can quietly shape a man’s marriage and fatherhood, why anger often becomes the only emotion some men know how to express, and how fragile pride can make correction feel like an attack.

The conversation explores how men can take responsibility without being trapped in shame, why explaining where a behavior came from is different from excusing it, and why lasting change has to begin with the man himself rather than waiting for his wife or children to change first.

They also discuss:

How childhood patterns repeat without us realizing it

Why children may begin managing a father’s anger instead of trusting him

How a wife can raise concerns when her husband is already carrying deep insecurity

Why rebuilding trust takes longer than simply saying “I’ve changed”

How forgiveness can free a man without pretending the past was acceptable

Why boundaries and forgiveness can exist together

How fathers can ask their children what has hurt them and actually listen

Why it is never too late to become a different husband, father, and eventually grandfather

The United Front takeaway is simple: your spouse and children are not your enemies. The pain you inherited does not have to become the pain you pass down.

A united front begins when we stop defending destructive patterns, take responsibility for what we are bringing into the home, and become the kind of husband and father our family can trust.

Are anger, family-of-origin patterns, culture, loyalty conflicts, or old wounds making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it may be vulnerable to family and cultural pressure, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Mike also offers a free anger assessment for men who want to better understand what may be underneath their anger:

https://whatsbehindyouranger.com

Listen to Mike’s Living Fearless Today podcast and follow his work for more help breaking generational patterns and becoming a more present husband and father.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, old family patterns, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introduction and the generational pattern
(00:00:22) - Meet Mike Forrester
(00:00:55) - Confronting inherited pain
(00:01:35) - Admitting you were wrong
(00:02:47) - Anger as the only allowed emotion
(00:03:55) - A father's painful confrontation story
(00:05:18) - Mike's honest confession about his parenting
(00:06:59) - Repeating the cycle despite good intentions
(00:08:11) - It's never too late to change
(00:09:17) - Change must start with yourself
(00:11:49) - Rebuilding trust takes time
(00:15:30) - Giving grace through the process
(00:16:02) - Explaining behavior vs taking responsibility
(00:18:02) - Letting go of past excuses
(00:20:25) - Wives raising concerns safely
(00:23:47) - Managing emotions in a relationship
(00:25:24) - Recognizing your pain hurting others
(00:27:00) - Taking responsibility versus deflecting
(00:29:24) - The role of forgiveness
(00:32:39) - Practical steps to start tonight
(00:36:01) - Resources and closing thoughts

Your Children Are Watching Your Marriage with Jennifer Bosma

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:49:00 +0000

What are your children learning about marriage, faith, forgiveness, and family simply by watching you and your spouse?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa Shayo and Whitney Shayo talk with Christian children’s author and Front Parking Spot podcast host Jennifer Bosma about the powerful example parents create inside their own homes.

Jennifer shares what she has learned through nearly four decades of marriage, raising three daughters, becoming a grandmother, teaching children, and helping Christian families pass their faith to the next generation.

The conversation explores how husbands and wives can remain a united front when they disagree about parenting, why parents should handle disagreements with each other instead of recruiting their children to take sides, and how small practices such as praying together, eating dinner together, putting down the phones, apologizing, forgiving, and simply having fun can shape the atmosphere of a home.

They also discuss:

Why children need present parents more than perfect parents

How husbands and wives can support each other’s parenting decisions

Why spouses should give each other the benefit of the doubt

How couples can grow spiritually together without one spouse constantly pressuring the other

Why apologizing to your spouse and children models Christian humility

What changes when your children become adults and begin building families of their own

Why marriage should look like something your children would actually want for themselves

And Jennifer’s surprisingly simple advice for strengthening your marriage this week: dance together and have fun

The United Front takeaway is simple: your children are not only listening to what you teach about faith, love, grace, and marriage. They are watching how you live those things with each other.

A united front does not mean Mom and Dad agree about everything. It means your children see two parents who communicate, repair, forgive, pray, have fun, and refuse to turn each other into the enemy.

Are culture, in-laws, divided loyalty, parenting expectations, or family pressure making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it may be vulnerable to family and cultural pressure, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Learn more about Jennifer Bosma and her Christian children’s books at:

https://jenniferbosma.com

You can also listen to the Front Parking Spot podcast and follow Front Parking Spot for more encouragement on faith, motherhood, and family.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, parenting, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Children Need Present Parents
(00:00:34) - Welcoming Jennifer Bosma
(00:01:39) - Becoming a United Front in Parenting
(00:03:11) - What Children Need Most Today
(00:05:52) - Navigating Different Parenting Styles
(00:10:01) - Husband as Spiritual Leader
(00:12:48) - Simple Faith Practices for Families
(00:16:01) - Overcoming Mom Guilt and Mistakes
(00:19:40) - Teaching Christian Values Through Children's Books
(00:23:46) - Lessons From 37 Years of Marriage
(00:28:33) - One Thing to Strengthen Your Marriage This Week
(00:31:15) - Where to Find Jennifer Bosma

What 3,000 Proposals Reveal About Lasting Love with Ash Fox

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:20:45 +0000

What can more than 3,000 marriage proposals teach us about knowing, choosing, and continuing to pursue the person we love?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa talks with Ash Fox, founder of Ash Fox Proposals and host of The Proposal Podcast, about what makes a proposal meaningful and what those same lessons can teach couples long after the wedding.

Ash shares how she unexpectedly helped create an entirely new proposal-planning industry, why the best proposal is not necessarily the biggest or most impressive one, and why truly knowing your partner matters more than copying something you saw online.

The conversation explores how personality, family expectations, religion, and culture shape proposals, why some people want a private moment while others love a public celebration, and how couples can honor family traditions without allowing everyone else to take over a moment that belongs to the couple.

They also discuss why important conversations about marriage should begin before the proposal, how family pressure can complicate engagement, and why couples should continue pursuing and learning each other years after saying “I do.”

One of Ash’s biggest lessons for married couples is simple: stay curious. Your spouse is still growing and changing. Continue asking questions, noticing what brings them joy, creating new experiences together, and bringing fresh energy into your own life.

The United Front takeaway is clear: knowing your spouse does not end when they say yes. Strong couples continue choosing, learning, and pursuing each other while deciding together how family, culture, faith, and outside expectations will fit into the marriage they are building.

Are culture, family expectations, in-laws, or divided loyalties making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it may be vulnerable to family and cultural pressure, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Learn more about Ash Fox and her proposal-planning work at:

https://ashfoxproposals.com

Follow Ash on Instagram at @ashfoxproposals and listen to The Proposal Podcast for more advice and conversations about proposals, engagement, and relationships.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introducing Ash Fox and Her Proposal Business
(00:01:17) - How Ash Got Started Planning Proposals
(00:09:39) - What Makes a Proposal Truly Meaningful
(00:17:03) - Honoring Family and Cultural Traditions
(00:21:49) - When to Discuss Cultural Differences Before Proposing
(00:29:31) - Reigniting Pursuit and Romance in Marriage
(00:34:53) - What People Misunderstand About Lasting Love
(00:38:29) - Where to Find Ash Fox

Is Being on the Same Team Killing Your Marriage? with Kristen and Roger Mansourian

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:22:00 +0000

Can a husband and wife be united without agreeing on everything or losing their individuality?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa talks with Kristen and Roger Mansourian about the difference between healthy teamwork and a marriage where one spouse feels pressured to surrender their preferences, emotions, or autonomy.

Kristen and Roger explain how couples can honor different decisions without turning disagreement into rejection. They also share what weddings and mortgages reveal about relationships, how hidden financial expectations damage trust, and why couples must discuss money before resentment begins growing.

The conversation also explores:

How couples become roommates instead of lovers

Why managing your spouse’s emotions can weaken the relationship

How unspoken expectations create resentment

Why financial secrecy can feel like betrayal

How cultural differences shape communication and money decisions

What polarity means in everyday marriage

How couples can preserve attraction, playfulness, and intimacy

Why structured money dates can make difficult conversations easier

The United Front takeaway is clear: unity does not require sameness. A strong marriage gives both spouses room to be honest, make responsible choices, and bring different strengths to the relationship while remaining loyal to the marriage they are building together.

Are money, family expectations, culture, in-laws, or repeated disagreements making you feel like you and your spouse are no longer on the same side?

Visit liveyourbestmarriage.com and take the free United Front Marriage Audit.

In about three minutes, you will discover where your marriage unity is strong, where it may be breaking down, and what your next step should be.

Start here:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com

Click “Take the Free United Front Audit.”

Learn more about Eight Money Dates at:

https://eightmoneydates.com

Listen to Kristen and Roger’s podcast, We Love Our Family, But Damn, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, money, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Redefining Same Team
(00:00:40) - Podcast Introduction
(00:01:13) - Meet Kristen and Roger Mansourian
(00:03:10) - The Wedding Invitation Story
(00:07:10) - Advice for Wives: Expect the Best
(00:08:26) - Lessons from the Wedding Industry
(00:10:48) - Cross-Cultural Money Expectations
(00:11:39) - What the Mortgage Process Reveals
(00:13:16) - When a Partner Hides Money
(00:14:53) - Hiding Finances: Their Own Story
(00:16:37) - Cultural Communication Styles
(00:17:30) - Managing a Partner's Emotions
(00:19:15) - When Husbands Manage Their Wives
(00:22:46) - Understanding Polarity
(00:24:50) - Warning Signs You're Losing Polarity
(00:26:41) - Is This Just Artificial Romance?
(00:28:31) - Introducing Eight Money Dates
(00:31:25) - A Breakthrough Money Date Story
(00:34:28) - One Conversation to Have This Week
(00:35:50) - Where to Find Kristen and Roger
(00:36:50) - Closing Thoughts

Stop Fighting About Money and Start Building Wealth Together with Michael Dillard

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:03:00 +0000

Why do couples keep fighting about money even when the real problem is deeper than the numbers?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa talks with Michael Dillard, retired U.S. diplomat, personal finance educator, author, and host of the SAVER Podcast, about how couples can stop attacking each other and start facing their financial problems together.

Michael explains how different money personalities influence spending, saving, investing, and giving. He also shares why couples need a shared financial system instead of allowing one spouse to control every decision.

The conversation explores:

How different money personalities create conflict

Why neither spouse’s financial perspective is automatically wrong

How cross-cultural couples can handle requests to support parents and extended family

Why family financial expectations should be discussed before and during marriage

How debt can delay a couple’s future

What couples should understand about life insurance, retirement accounts, and investing

How parents can begin teaching their children about money and generational wealth

Michael’s SAVER framework for creating a clearer financial plan

Practical first steps for couples living paycheck to paycheck

The United Front takeaway is simple: money decisions should not be made by one spouse and announced to the other. Couples build financial trust when they communicate honestly, understand what money means to each person, and make important decisions together.

Are money, family expectations, culture, in-laws, or divided loyalties making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it is vulnerable to family and cultural pressure, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Learn more about Michael Dillard, access the SAVER Vault, and find his free Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck Challenge at:

https://michaeldillard.org

You can also listen to the SAVER Podcast for more practical conversations about personal finance and generational wealth.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing money, culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introduction & Meet Michael Dillard
(00:01:03) - Why Couples Fight About Money
(00:02:14) - The Four Money Personalities
(00:04:29) - Culture, Family Obligations & Money
(00:08:10) - Introducing the SAVER Method
(00:08:33) - S - Secure Your Income (Life Insurance)
(00:10:26) - A - Allocate Your Investments
(00:12:34) - V - Vanquish High-Interest Debt
(00:13:14) - E - Empower Your Tax Savings
(00:14:34) - R - Reiterate Financial Literacy
(00:15:58) - Teaching Kids About Money
(00:18:32) - The Power of Compound Interest
(00:19:38) - Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle
(00:23:56) - It's Never Too Late to Start
(00:27:37) - Overcoming Financial Shame
(00:29:55) - Where to Find More Resources
(00:31:07) - Closing Thoughts & Recap

Why Money Fights Are Rarely About Money

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:16:40 +0000

When you and your spouse fight about money, are you really fighting about money?

The argument may begin with a purchase, an unexpected bill, debt, or a request from a family member. But underneath the numbers, couples are often wrestling with trust, safety, loyalty, fear, and whether they are truly making decisions together.

In this solo episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa shares a personal story from early in his marriage. When a family member needed help, he sent money without first discussing it with Whitney. He believed he was honoring his family. Whitney was not upset that he helped. She was hurt because a decision about their shared money was made without her.

The real wound was not the amount of money. It was that Pesa made a “we” decision as a “me.”

This episode explores:

Why a budget cannot repair a divided marriage

How money exposes trust, safety, and loyalty

Why helping extended family can become a major pressure point

How cross-cultural couples bring different beliefs about money into marriage

Why pausing to talk does not mean refusing to help

How couples can stop attacking each other and start facing the financial problem together

You will also receive one practical conversation to have before your next budget meeting:

What did money mean in the home where you grew up?

The United Front takeaway is simple. Family pressure wins when there is a gap between you and your spouse. A united front makes financial decisions together, even when the pressure comes from people you love.

Are money, family expectations, culture, in-laws, or divided loyalties making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it is vulnerable, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Have a story about money exposing a deeper issue in your marriage? Send a one to two-minute voice memo to:

feedback@liveyourbestmarriage.com

You may remain anonymous.

This episode also introduces an upcoming conversation with Michael Dillard, retired U.S. diplomat, personal finance educator, and host of the SAVER Podcast, about debt, family financial pressure, teaching children about money, and becoming a financial team.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Are You Really Fighting About Money?
(00:00:50) - Welcome & The United Front Quiz
(00:01:22) - The Quiet Arrangement
(00:02:23) - The Dinner Table Moment
(00:04:03) - The Epiphany: How Can We Decide This?
(00:05:45) - The Transformation
(00:05:54) - Share Your Story
(00:06:52) - The Core Idea: A Budget Won't Fix a Divided Marriage
(00:08:50) - One Step for This Week
(00:09:44) - Next Week's Guest Preview
(00:10:15) - Closing & Call to Action

Your Spouse Is Not the Enemy: How to Train as a United Front

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:22:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that you and your spouse can feel connected on Monday and like enemies by Thursday, even though nothing major happened?

In this solo episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa shares a real Saturday morning when exhaustion, household noise, and defensiveness turned a small comment into a much larger argument. The fight was not really about the noise. The deeper problem was that Pesa and Whitney had no shared plan for what to do when both of them were running on empty.

Many couples assume love should make marriage work automatically. But strong teams do not wait until the game is under pressure to decide how they will respond. They practice their plays in advance.

You will learn why repeated conflicts about exhaustion, family expectations, money requests, holidays, and in-laws are often predictable pressure points, not proof that your marriage is broken.

The United Front takeaway is simple: your spouse is not the enemy. The pressure is the enemy. A united front is not only a feeling. It is a skill built through preparation, repetition, and choosing to face the problem together.

Pesa also gives you one practical drill to use this week. Identify one moment that repeatedly goes wrong, agree on a response while nothing is wrong, and practice that one play together.

Are culture, in-laws, divided loyalty, or family pressure making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Take the free United Front Quiz at:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

In just a few minutes, you will discover where your marriage is strong, where it is vulnerable, and your next step toward becoming a true united front.

Have a story about a small argument that was really about something deeper? Send a one to two-minute voice memo to feedback@liveyourbestmarriage.com. You may remain anonymous.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - The Enemy in the Kitchen
(00:00:44) - Welcome to the Podcast
(00:01:12) - A Saturday Morning Fight
(00:03:09) - Training Like a Team
(00:04:09) - Share Your Story
(00:04:59) - The Belief to Challenge
(00:08:00) - The Real Opponent
(00:08:33) - This Week's Drill
(00:09:12) - Closing Thoughts

Are You Training for Marriage or Divorce? with Kameran Alareqi

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:02:00 +0000

Are You Training for Marriage or Divorce? with Kameran Alareqi

Podcast Description

Many couples love each other, but they keep practicing habits that divide them. They avoid difficult conversations, defend themselves, repeat the same arguments, and slowly begin operating as individuals instead of a team.

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa Shayo and Whitney Shayo talk with marriage coach Kameran Alareqi about why marriage requires training, practice, humility, and intentional repair.

Kameran explains how childhood conditioning shapes the way couples handle conflict, why repeated fights about money, chores, or parenting usually point to something deeper, and how couples can stop treating each other like the enemy.

The conversation also covers:

How inherited family patterns enter marriage

Why different perspectives can strengthen a couple

How cross-cultural couples can blend two backgrounds without allowing one culture to dominate

Why vulnerability and humility create deeper intimacy

How to use the five-finger apology

Why changed behavior is the real apology

How parents train their children for future relationships through the marriage they model

The United Front takeaway is simple: your marriage is a team. Every conflict is another opportunity to practice listening, responsibility, repair, and choosing each other again.

Are culture, in-laws, divided loyalties, family expectations, or repeated arguments making you feel like you are no longer on the same team?

Go to liveyourbestmarriage.com and take the free United Front Marriage Audit.

In about three minutes, you will discover where your marriage unity is strong, where it is breaking down, and what your next step should be. You will receive personalized results across five areas, including loyalty, boundaries, conflict patterns, and your shared game plan. (Live Your Best Marriage)

Start here:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com

Click “Take the Free United Front Audit.”

Learn more about Kameran at:

https://www.recognizingpotential.com

Follow her at @married.and.connected and listen to the Married and Connected podcast.

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing family pressure, cultural differences, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Cold Open / Highlights
(00:00:59) - Intro
(00:02:10) - Marriage as a Team: Why Most Couples Are Training for Divorce
(00:06:02) - Rewiring Conditioning: Breaking the Patterns You Were Raised With
(00:09:51) - The Root of Every Fight: What Couples Are Really Arguing About
(00:15:07) - Me vs. You vs. the Problem: How to Stop Fighting Each Other
(00:23:13) - Cross-Cultural Marriage: Merging Two Suitcases Into One Home
(00:35:16) - Coaching vs. Therapy: Practical Tools You Can Run Today
(00:42:28) - Where to Find Kameran & Outro

When Your Past Shows Up in Your Marriage with Dr. Gloria VanderHorst

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:34:15 +0000

Why can a small disagreement with your spouse suddenly feel much bigger than the moment itself?

In this episode of Live Your Best Marriage, Pesa Shayo talks with psychologist, author, and mentor Dr. Gloria VanderHorst about how childhood roles, family rules, culture, and old emotional wounds continue shaping marriage today.

They explore why couples repeat patterns without realizing it, how ideas about respect and family loyalty can create conflict in cross-cultural marriages, why some men struggle to express tenderness, and how spouses can examine their upbringing without attacking each other’s parents or culture.

Dr. Gloria also shares a simple practice couples can begin today: spend 15 minutes learning what your spouse has experienced during the past 24 hours. This daily check-in can rebuild friendship, reveal hidden resentment, and help couples reconnect before small problems grow.

The United Front takeaway is clear: your spouse is not the enemy. Instead of blaming each other, identify the pattern you inherited, face it together, and decide what belongs in the marriage you are building now.

Are childhood patterns, culture, in-laws, divided loyalties, or family expectations making it harder for you and your spouse to stay on the same side?

Visit liveyourbestmarriage.com and take the free United Front Marriage Audit.

In about three minutes, you will discover where your marriage unity is strong, where it may be breaking down, and the next step you can take to become a stronger united front.

Start here:

https://liveyourbestmarriage.com

Click “Take the Free United Front Audit.”

Learn more about Dr. Gloria and her resources at:

https://www.drvanderhorst.com

Find her guided journal books at:

https://www.gloriasbooks.com

Live Your Best Marriage helps cross-cultural Christian couples stop fighting each other and start facing culture, in-laws, loyalty conflicts, family expectations, and boundaries as one united front.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - History In Marriage
(00:00:10) - Middle Child Triggers
(00:02:59) - Past Invades Present
(00:03:27) - Middle Child Triggers
(00:04:57) - Blame And Escalation
(00:06:13) - Why Men Hide Feelings
(00:07:38) - Strength Training Fallout
(00:10:18) - Curiosity Builds Intimacy
(00:10:55) - Car Talk Safe Space
(00:13:34) - Raising Kids To Speak
(00:15:30) - Ham Story Autopilot
(00:17:55) - Cross Cultural Awareness
(00:18:19) - 15 Minute Daily Check In
(00:20:22) - Reconnecting When Disconnected
(00:21:37) - Journaling For Insight
(00:22:14) - Why Couples Repeat Patterns
(00:22:51) - The 15 Minute Habit
(00:23:49) - Small Steps Build Change
(00:25:00) - Healing Without Blame
(00:27:03) - Culture And Family Norms
(00:29:58) - Speaking Up Breaks Walls
(00:32:01) - Men And Emotional Range
(00:34:02) - Honoring Family Boundaries
(00:35:55) - Acts Of Service Trap
(00:37:31) - Connection And Friendship
(00:38:27) - Resources And Wrap Up

When Your Mother and Your Wife Give You Two Different Answers, Who Do You Obey? (S2 E2)

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:25:38 +0000

When his mother says one thing and your wife says another, who wins? In this episode Pesa Shayo breaks down the loyalty order God built into marriage, why honoring your parents and obeying them are not the same thing, and how a couple decides together so family pressure has nowhere to land.

You will learn why "leave and cleave" is not cruel, where your mother's honored place actually sits in the line, and the first move to make as a united front this week.

Take the free United Front Quiz and see exactly where your marriage is exposed to family and cultural pressure: https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

Pesa Shayo helps cross-cultural Christian couples build a united front through in-laws, loyalty conflicts, and culture clashes. Learn more at:
https://liveyourbestmarriage.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) - 0:00 Introduction
(00:00:33) - The Real Problem
(00:04:26) - Honor vs. Obey
(00:07:19) - The Right Question
(00:10:12) - Lead With We

How to Create Positive Change at Home Without Waiting on Your Spouse

Pesa Shayo — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:54:18 +0000

This episode begins a new season of the Live Your Best Marriage Podcast, now hosted by Pesa Shayo and focused on helping cross-cultural Christian couples build a united front.

What if the change you're waiting for in your home starts with you?

In this episode, Pesa Shayo, author and co-founder of Live Your Best Marriage, unpacks why waiting for your spouse, your kids, or your circumstances to change first keeps families stuck, and how one person choosing to become the positive trigger can shift the entire atmosphere of a home.

You'll learn how to stop matching negative energy and start shaping your environment, why victim thinking quietly erodes a united front, and the practical first move to make this week.

Take the free United Front Quiz and see exactly where your marriage is exposed to family and cultural pressure: https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/quiz

Pesa Shayo helps cross-cultural Christian couples build a united front through in-laws, loyalty conflicts, and culture clashes. Learn more at:
https://liveyourbestmarriage.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introduction: The Tiny Trigger
(00:01:18) - Understanding Triggers in Marriage
(00:01:51) - The Realization: Becoming the Trigger
(00:02:58) - How Environment Shaped Me
(00:05:03) - What I Really Wanted
(00:09:23) - The Shift: Taking Control
(00:10:55) - Experimenting with Change
(00:12:29) - The Results and Challenges
(00:16:56) - Questions for You
(00:17:56) - Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Episode 86 Interracial Couples [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:14:17 +0000

Over the course of thirteen years, we’ve encountered a few situations - related to race - that I would say were just completely unfair and wrong. In the early years of our relationship, relatives on both sides did NOT approve of us being together. We stood our ground and made it clear that we would be together no matter what. However, those situations were still very difficult and emotionally hard for us a couple. In this episode we will be offering advice for ways that you, as a couple can stand up to the injustice of being judged because you’re an interracial couple. https://liveyourbestmarriage.com/fom

Episode 85 What To Do When Inlaws Interfere [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:54:08 +0000

What To Do When Inlaws Interfere If anyone knows how much it hurts when in-laws undermine and interfere, it’s me. There were times when I wished my husband would speak up and defend my status/authority as the wife, and especially, as the mom of our children. What do you do when a relative gives your child something that you never allow them to have? How do you react when your husband’s/wife’s side of the family behaves as though you don’t even exist? Unfortunately not all family members are respectful of boundaries, and even more unfortunate, not every spouse is adamant about keeping boundaries in place. We’ll be talking about ways to get the respect you deserve.

Episode 84 How To Better Communicate With Your Spouse [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:34:03 +0000

How To Better Communicate With Your Spouse When we exchange words with the person we love most, it can be challenging to know exactly how to react. Communication brings a whole new challenge: interpretation. How do you know the difference between verbal abuse and just being easily offended? In this episode we’ll share personal stories about challenges we face when communicating. Learn how you can benefit from reass

Episode 83 Invest In Your Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 23:20:42 +0000

Invest In Your Marriage Have you ever thought about your marriage as an investment? The more you put in, the more you get out. If your relationship is falling short of your expectations, we recommend spending more time and energy on it. Suggested reading: “One Life Solution” by Dr. Henry Cloud - http://amzn.to/2xoxr5S

Episode 82: Is Resistance Keeping You From A Great Marriage? [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 21:25:52 +0000

Is Resistance Keeping You From A Great Marriage? Have you ever wanted to accomplish something great, but it just never seems to happen? We definitely don’t think laziness is the problem...it’s resistance! Resistance holds back so many people from completing projects, and it also holds back a lot of couples from living the life they crave. In this episode, we’ll provide tips that we’ve learned on how to overcome resistance. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield http://amzn.to/2jKoDEc

Episode 81 What's Your Communication Style?

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:19:49 +0000

What's Your Communication Style? Many husbands and wives have completely different ways of expressing their thoughts and ideas. And that’s okay! It would be boring if we all had the exact same style of talking. However, in this episode, we’ll share some of the personal struggles we’ve gone through with communication and the differences in our cultures.

Episode 80 The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 19:55:54 +0000

The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side Here at Live Your Best Marriage, we usually talk about couples who go through the minor irritations of marriage, but what happens when one spouse has completely checked out? When the problem moves from contemplating divorce to actual divorce, we want you to know that there is hope for you, and there is help that you can get to navigate your way through the situation.

Episode 79 3 Reasons Why A WORK SPOUSE Is Total BS [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 02:06:53 +0000

The term “work spouse” has become more common recently, and the idea is absolutely repulsive.

Episode 78 Get To The Promised Land, Together.

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 22:37:35 +0000

Episode 78 Get To The Promised Land, Together. Do you ever feel like the arguments never end? When my husband tells me that he wants us to stop being petty and put our energy together for something positive, I’m reminded of a story in the bible. When Moses was leading people to the promised land, they all ended up wandering through the wilderness for 40 years. In this episode, we’ll talk about ways that you and your spouse can reach the “promised land” together.

Episode 77 Ideas For Date night [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:56:11 +0000

Ideas For Date night Honestly, date night deserves a lot of the credit for saving our marriage. When times were rough, it was nice to have this as an activity to look forward to. In this episode, we’ll talk about different ways to spice up your date night.

Episode 76 Leading Separate Lives

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 23:25:44 +0000

Episode 76 Leading Separate Lives One of the most devastating situations for a marriage to face, is when husband and wife live separate lives. When your attention is focused on something or someone outside the home, your marriage loses the precious energy it needs in order to thrive. Proximity, as well as intimate conversations with someone at work, divert your focus away from the one person who truly matters. In this episode, we’ll talk about ways to implement more shared activities with your spouse.

Episode 75 The Secret To Success [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 00:21:25 +0000

Episode 75 The Secret To Success [Audio] Ahh, the freedom which comes from realizing that the secret to success is, there’s no secret. We wait for the perfect solution, and it never comes. We search for the perfect spouse...and frankly they don’t exist. Also in this episode, we talk about how truly wonderful it is to feel grateful. Find out how awesome this can be for your marriage.

Episode 74 Working With Your Spouse [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 14:39:00 +0000

Working with your spouse can be very rewarding in some of the most amazing ways. Through the ups and downs and frustrations, any couple can achieve results you’ve never dreamed of. Pesa and Whitney were viewed as the couple who would never be able to stay together. Now, 13 years later, we’re here to encourage all couples to stay hopeful - greatness is ahead of you.

Episode 73: Encouraging Bible Verses For Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:05:35 +0000

Encouraging Bible Verses For Marriage In this uplifting episode, we hope that you enjoy the bible verses we share and become inspired. Encouraging bible verses for marriage is our way to let those who may be struggling right now, that it will get better.

Episode 72: Signs You Need To Visit A Marriage Counselor [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 23:45:28 +0000

Signs You Need To Visit A Marriage Counselor If you feel as though your marriage is struggling, then it probably is. If you and your spouse are talking less, or even keeping secrets, it’s a good indication the two of you need help from a neutral third party. Whatever the problem may be, we hope that signs you need to visit a marriage counselor will encourage you to seek help.

Episode 71 6 Ways To Avoid Arguments In A Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 23:20:47 +0000

6 Ways To Avoid Arguments In A Marriage As a sneak peek to our latest free ebook, “21 Ways to Stop an Argument Before it Starts”, we’ll go over 6 ways to avoid an argument in this episode.

Episode 70: Be Sold On Your Spouse Once Again [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 17:27:58 +0000

Be Sold On Your Spouse Once Again Deciding no matter what to be sold on your spouse means that there isn’t anything they’ll do to make you file for divorce. In this episode we’ll talk about how easy life becomes when you eliminate the option to leave.

Episode 69 4 Action Steps To A Better Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:03:12 +0000

4 Action Steps To A Better Marriage What does date night, more sex, texting, and working on a project together have in common? Improving your marriage. 4 action steps to a better marriage will help you discover how simple it can be to have a better relationship.

Episode 68: What To Consider Before Having An Affair [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 21:00:26 +0000

What To Consider Before Having An Affair If you’re marriage is struggling and you feel as though you’ve reached the point of no return, we’d like to discourage looking to have needs met elsewhere. Things are not always what they seem, and the temptations we face are not as glamorous as they seem. In this episode, we’ll discuss what to consider before having an affair.

Episode 67: 7 Ways To Affair - Proof Your Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 19:48:12 +0000

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Marriage, Stop an affair We have been together for 13 years, and by the grace of God, managed to avoid infidelity. In this episode, we’ll talk about seven things we put into practice in order to stay close to one another.

Episode 66 5 Communication Tools To Save Your Marriage [Audio]

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 18:56:17 +0000

5 Communication Tools To Save Your Marriage In this episode, we’ll share five of the communication tips which have helped our marriage the most. We’ve known about these techniques for a while, but it has taken us a few years to mature enough to the point of being able to implement. #WednesdayWisdom

Episode 65: Top 5 Parenting Habits For Raising Happy Kids

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:20:13 +0000

Top 5 Parenting Habits For Raising Happy Kids. As stay at home parents to four children, we love it when people share their parenting tips! So, in this episode, we share five of our favorites! We hope that some of the ideas will be helpful, and also inspire you to create your own favorite habits.

Episode 64 Love Is The Way

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:08:12 +0000

Love Is The Way. What do you do, when you feel as though you’ve tried everything? In this episode, we’ll explore one of the best options that we learned from experience.

Episode 63: How To Have A Positive Attitude In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:31:09 +0000

How To Have A Positive Attitude In Marriage. If having a great attitude can make life more enjoyable, then what about keeping a great attitude towards your marriage? In this episode, we’ll talk about practical steps you can take, start and implement today - so that you can experience the joy of a long happy marriage.

Episode 62: How To Keep A Relationship New

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:04:54 +0000

#HowToKeepARelationshipNew As a hot trend on Twitter, we’ll discuss ways to keep your marriage new, and why it matters to make this such a priority. Why do break-ups happen? Usually it’s because the new wore off, and if “new” is the most desirable stage in a relationship, let’s make it happen!

Episode 61: Keep Blessing

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:46:16 +0000

To bless someone, simply means to show favor. Always find ways to show favor to the one person who means the most to you. The needs of your spouse should always be put ahead of the wants of relatives and friends. Even when your partner doesn’t reciprocate...just keep blessing

Episode 60: How To Live Your Best Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:46:41 +0000

When we say ‘live your best marriage’, we cannot emphasize enough the fact that it is indeed yours. It’s best to avoid trying to keep up with someone else’s marriage. What works for others may not work well for your household.

Episode 59 Being The Strong Father Your Children Need

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:04:53 +0000

Father’s Day was yesterday, and in this episode, Pesa is going to share some amazing advice with us on how to be a great dad. Raising strong kids starts with being a strong parent. #FathersDay

Episode 58: Stand Beside Me

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 22:55:51 +0000

Whose side are you on? At all times, whatever the situation may be, let your spouse know that you will stand by them no matter what. It is easier to reach for the stars when you know that the one you love is in your corner supporting you.

Episode 57: Three Things To Do When Your Marriage Is In Trouble

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:53:31 +0000

When your marriage is in trouble and you’re desperate to save it, taking action is a must. In this episode, we’ll discuss three things you can do when you want to keep the precious bond you have.

Episode 56: Commitment Is Freedom

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:34:31 +0000

Seeking freedom in all the wrong places only leads to bondage. Learn about the amazing freedom which comes from the beauty that commitment has to offer.

[Bonus] Episode Forgiveness

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:39:55 +0000

[Bonus] Episode Forgiveness by Pesa and Whitney Shayo

Episode 55: Adjusting To The UnExpected

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 21:59:50 +0000

During the engagement, and when the marriage is still new, we usually don’t anticipate the frustrations which come from everyday life. No one is perfect, and disappointments will occur, so how do you react when reality sets in?

Episode 54: Kick Doubt To The Curb

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:27:26 +0000

Whether you’re married, or not - doubt is something we all struggle with. In this episode, we’ll discuss different ideas for being able to overcome uncertainty.

Episode 53: Out Of The Storm

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 21:12:23 +0000

Imagine what it will look like when you come out of the storm. When your relationship is restored, beauty comes from the bond which was strengthened.

Episode 52: Boiling Point

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 31 May 2017 15:32:14 +0000

When you reach the point of giving up, it looks as though there’s no hope. I’ve been there, and I’ll share what helped me continue building the relationship I have with my husband.

Episode 51: Three Ways To Overcome Resentment

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 29 May 2017 18:27:49 +0000

After so many years of resentment building up, the bitterness becomes overwhelming. Learn three of the tips you can practice in order to overcome resentment.

Episode 50: Can Facebook Be As Harmful As Porn.

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 26 May 2017 16:43:02 +0000

Many of us don’t question whether or not Facebook has a negative impact on our marriage. When our newsfeed is filled with images of opposite sex friends (shirtless gym pictures of guys, endless selfies of ladies in revealing clothing/bathing suits, etc.) it does NOT bring us closer to the person we married. Period.

Episode 49: Redemption

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 22 May 2017 15:23:14 +0000

Last weekend, Pesa and I fought, but we’ve moved forward. When a couple can disagree, or go through a tough situation, and come out of it without carrying a grudge, they make redemption a major part of their marriage.

Episode 48: Three Ways To Connect One Day At A Time

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 18 May 2017 03:14:57 +0000

We haven’t seen an overnight fix for marriage, yet. In this episode we’ll talk about three ways to connect and build a stronger bond one day at a time, so that you and your spouse will experience amazing results.

Episode 47: Say Goodbye To Doubt

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 15 May 2017 15:22:54 +0000

Questioning the intentions of your spouse creates a habit of assuming the worst. Learn the reasons why it is so vital to think positively about the things your spouse says and does - it could save your marriage.

Episode 46: A Lasting Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Sat, 13 May 2017 01:33:30 +0000

People often ask us how they can know for sure, whether or not their marriage will last. In this episode we’ll discuss a few of the most helpful ways to ensure a long lasting, and happy marriage.

Episode 45: Three Simple Tips To A Happier Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 09 May 2017 14:54:14 +0000

Pesa and I have enjoyed 13 happy years together and in this episode, we share three of the techniques we’ve used to keep our marriage strong.

Episode 44: 5 Signs of an Emotional Affair

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 05 May 2017 22:05:53 +0000

Learn the 5 signs that an emotional affair is starting.

Episode 43: Same Tiger Different Stripes

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:51:02 +0000

Many of the fights that couples have, are the same ones over and over. Situations may seem to be unique, but the underlying cause of the problem is not different.

Episode 42: Attack the Problem Not the Person

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 02 May 2017 02:47:30 +0000

Focusing on blame is the natural inclination when our spouse says or does the wrong thing. However, we can learn to view the problem as something separate from their character, and attack it as a couple.

Episode 41: United Front

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 21:48:43 +0000

When couples don’t show unity, it doesn’t take long for others to assume the marriage isn’t strong. Learn how to safeguard your relationship by setting clear boundaries.

Episode 40: The 3 A's Of Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 19:24:28 +0000

Attitude, Affirmation, and Attunement. Learn how to make the most of these three things and improve your marriage exponentially.

Episode 39 : How To Buid Emotional Generosity

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:27:11 +0000

One way to ensure a happy marriage is being generous towards one another. Learn the many ways to be emotionally generous and see how much it impacts you and your spouse.

Episode 38: You Are Only As Strong As Your Weakest Link

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:23:31 +0000

When one spouse is less passionate about something that truly matters to their partner, success in that area will be reach a ceiling. Learn ways to bridge the gap and go further - as a couple.

[Rebroadcast ] Episode 31 : Difficult In Laws - Easter Prep

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:32:03 +0000

Learn how to handle and overcome intimidation, whether it’s at a family reunion, or even in a business setting.

Episode 37: The Ultimate Communication Episode

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 13:08:34 +0000

We are super excited to say that this is truly the greatest communication episode yet. Learn ways to respond to conflict without conflict.

Episode 36: How To Show Tolerance

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:13:42 +0000

There is a need for tolerance in the world, and also in marriage. Imagine how nice it is to be treated the way you like to be treated. Let’s give that same courtesy to the person we married.

Episode 35: Unwillingness To Forgive

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 18:31:14 +0000

Not having the ability to reconcile is a major cause of divorce. Is redemption a part of your marriage? In this episode, we’ll talk about ways to pause and look at the big picture, so that an unwillingness to forgive does not come between you and your spouse.

Episode 34: Ways To Show Respect To Your Spouse

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:35:24 +0000

Listen to your partner when they talk, and like the things that they like. Sounds easy right? Listening intently and respecting them enough to actually see their point of view takes work. We’ll discuss ways to show interest in your spouse and let them know they are respected.

Episode 33: Is Technology Breaking Up Your Marriage?

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 14:15:49 +0000

Does it bother you when your partner reads and sends texts while you’re in the middle of a sentence? Learn ways to prevent others from crossing those invisible boundaries when technology interferes with your relationship.

Episode 32: How To Show Appreciation

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 17:09:28 +0000

The need to be recognized and appreciated is the greatest of the human needs. Learn how to meet the deepest human need, the craving to be appreciated.

Episode 31 Difficult In Laws - Easter Prep

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 14:33:36 +0000

Learn how to handle and overcome intimidation, whether it’s at a family reunion, or even in a business setting.

Episode 30 Are You Trying To Change Your Spouse.

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 14:25:07 +0000

It’s nice to feel accepted for who you already are, especially by the one person who matters most. Learn the difference between encouraging your spouse to grow, and pushing them to change according to what your standards are.

Episode 29: 4 Steps To End Criticism In Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 15:53:43 +0000

Understanding the difference between a complaint and a criticism, can mean the difference between a happy marriage, or one filled with resentment.

Episode 28 Three Musts For Stay At Home Parents

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 19:52:14 +0000

After a tough battle against postpartum depression, it would be an understatement for us to say that stay at home parents need time to care for themselves, so that they will have enough energy to continue giving care.

Episode 27: How To Achieve Family Balance; What Works For Your Household

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:48:03 +0000

Not that other things aren’t important, but your partner and children are more important. Getting advice from friends and relatives who have little understanding of the path you wish to take in life, can be detrimental to your marriage. Get tips for making sure that your decisions are a good fit for your family.

Episode 26: Don't Label Me!! Emotional Maturity In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:16:25 +0000

Being able to differentiate your partner from a problem they have caused, is huge. In this episode, we exchange ideas regarding ways that help us play fair, so that we can respond instead of react.

Episode 25: How To Deal With Disappointment In Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:43:14 +0000

How To Deal With Disappointment In Your Marriage. When expectations are left unmet, it doesn’t take long for bitterness to start making its unpleasant appearance. Learn how to view disappointment from a different perspective.

Episode 24: Positivity In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 17:18:04 +0000

Positivity In Marriage; At times, we forget how important it is to keep a positive attitude and that we made a commitment to bring out the best in one another. So, when negativity and pessimism take over the way a spouse views life, their marriage trajectory can go downhill, fast. Learn how to make forgiveness and love the center of your relationship and work to prevent a cynical outlook.

Episode 23 How To Share Decision Making In Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:40:33 +0000

Keeping unity front and center as you make decisions will help you avoid the isolation that comes as a result of one person feeling left out.

Episode 22: How To Stay Happy In Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 14:27:04 +0000

In today's Podcast Pesa and Whitney Shayo will share how mindfulness and being present are huge for achieving happiness with your spouse. Learn tips that you can practice right along with your partner to move from having your mind full to being mindful.

Episode 21 : How Your Strengths Can Derail Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 17:51:05 +0000

The positive traits your spouse has - even the ones you find most attractive - can have a downside. Learn how to identify what your strengths and weaknesses are, as well as how to take advantage of them in ways that will benefit your marriage.

Episode 20: How To Stop An Argument Before It Starts

Pesa Shayo — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 02:23:23 +0000

When couples disagree, it doesn’t take long for things to get heated. However, it is possible for both people to be correct about the same topic at the same time. Learn two tips you can use to have a discussion without anger and frustration taking over the conversation.

Episode 19: Intimacy Explained

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:12:06 +0000

Episode 19: Intimacy Explained

Episode 18: What Path Is Your Marriage On? Part 2

Pesa Shayo — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 02:04:57 +0000

What Path is Your Marriage on? Part 2

Episode 17: What Path Is Your Marriage On?

Pesa Shayo — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 00:54:25 +0000

What Path is Your Marriage On?

Episode 16: Forgiveness Is Better Than Regret

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:48:36 +0000

Forgiveness Is Better Than Regret

Episode 15: Three Reasons Communication Isn't Your Problem

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:35:55 +0000

Three Reasons Communication Isn't Your Problem

Episode 14: Tips To Keep Your Marriage Strong

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:33:04 +0000

Tips To Keep Your Marriage Strong

Episode 13: Is It Possible To Live Happily Ever After?

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:31:28 +0000

Is It Possible To Live Happily Ever After?

Episode 12: Be Crazy For Your Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:28:32 +0000

Be Crazy For Your Marriage Show Notes Episode 12 Be Crazy for Your Marriage The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts http://amzn.to/2l6NIbb Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs http://amzn.to/2kG1CjY

Episode 11: Which Parenting Style Do You Use? Attachment VS Babywise Parenting.

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:27:17 +0000

Attachment VS Babywise Parenting.

Episode 10: How To Do More With Less - Time Saving Tips

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:25:01 +0000

Episode 10: How To Do More With Less - Time Saving Tips by Pesa and Whitney Shayo

Episode 9: How To Reduce Conflict In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:21:17 +0000

Episode 9: How To Reduce Conflict In Marriage by Pesa and Whitney Shayo

Episode 8: Three Simple Tips To A Happier Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 22:18:14 +0000

Three Simple Tips to a Happier Marriage.

Episode 7: How To Have An Awesome Marriage, Is It Possible To Have Balance In Life

Pesa Shayo — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:05:57 +0000

To have an awesome marriage it's important to remember that you are both on the same team, when working together. Does the bible say that men are superior to women? We have several bible verses that answer this question. Is it possible to achieve balance in your life? We try to shed some light on this issue.

Episode 6: How To Strengthen Your Marriage, Conflict Resolution, 3 Tips To Avoiding Resentment

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:48:29 +0000

In this episode of the Live your best marriage podcast, we will have tips on how to strengthen your marriage, conflict resolution and the have 3 tips to help reduce resentment in your marriage.

Episode 5: Pornography, Exhaustion, Leave,cleave, Weave, Don't Use The D Word

Pesa Shayo — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 10:59:45 +0000

Two major threats to marriage are pornography and exhaustion. In this episode, we will talk about how to fireproof your marriage from these two things. Also the concept of leaving, cleaving and weaving as it relates to marriage. Finally, we will discuss the use of the word DIVORCE during family conflicts.

Episode 4: Dr Gottmann, Keep Your Marriage Strong

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 19:10:32 +0000

Shout out to our big supporters on twitter, In this episode we talk about Dr Gottman research on predicting divorce using the 4 horsemen! The realization that it does not take more energy to get a great marriage vs a mediocre one, it just depends where you direct your energy. Also we talk about our family's fall pictures and how it was a funny disaster. Finally Whitney talks about Mom's day out and the benefits it can have for moms with toddlers.

Episode 3: Marriage Tips, HomeSchooling Tips, Parenting Advice

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 20:21:39 +0000

In today's episode, of Live Your Best Marriage Podcast by Pesa and Whitney Shayo will be discussing homeschooling, raising kids, bedtime and waking up horror stories, their marriage and how to have an awesome marriage while having a house full of kids.

Episode 2: Setting boundaries in Marriage and SmartPhones

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 16:56:51 +0000

In this episode, we will explore setting boundaries on your marriage and in the use of smartphones, snooping in marriage, how to keep your marriage strong. There is a BONUS near the end on how we get to keep the sizzle in our marriage. Keep in contact @PesaShayo and @WhitneyShayo

Episode 1: How We Avoided Divorce

Pesa Shayo — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 22:42:14 +0000

In this episode Pesa and Whitney (married for 11 years) talk about how they avoided a divorce during a difficult season which lasted a year. Also they take your questions from Twitter. LiveYourBestMarriage.com

Snooping In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:22:28 +0000

Three things that you can do if there is “snooping” in your marriage.

Isolation In Marriage

Pesa Shayo — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 19:07:17 +0000

Isolation In Marriage