We've all been there…that moment in a conversation where your heart starts pounding, your voice gets a little louder, and suddenly you're saying things you know you'll regret the second they leave your lips. It's a heavy, lonely feeling when a simple disagreement turns into a "communication crossfire". If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you're not alone. These moments are often less about the bill that didn't get paid and more about a defensive cycle that pulls us away from the person we love most.

In today's episode, I'm sharing one powerful, simple phrase that acts as an anchor to help you hit pause, lower the emotional temperature, and move back toward the same team

What You'll Learn:

• When Conversations Go Off the Rails
• The Physiology of a Fight: Why We Lose Control
• The Power of a Shared Goal
• De-escalation in Action: A Practical Example
• Building Muscle Memory for Connection
• Moving from "Enemy" to "Teammate"

>>> 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.

Have you ever felt like you had to put on your "brave face" even when everything inside was crumbling? Many of us in the military community wear our resilience like a badge of honor, but sometimes that badge can start to feel quite heavy. You might notice that while everyone else is praising your strength, you're actually feeling more disconnected and alone than ever.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Barnhill, military family reporter and the 2025 Navy Spouse of the Year, to talk about her new book, The Military Stories You've Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear. We explore how the word "resilience" has morphed from a clinical term into a cultural expectation that can sometimes leave us feeling gaslit or dismissed .

What You'll Learn:

• The Origin and Evolution of "Resilience"
• The "Performance" of Strength
• The Impact on the "Home Front
• How the Narrative Affects Your Relationship
• Moving Toward Authentic Connection
• The Hidden Reality of "Presenting" Resiliently
• The Role of Nonprofits and Community Systems
• A New Perspective on "Dependents"
• The Truth About Systemic Gaps
• Why There's "Always More to the Story"

>>>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.

Arguments don't have to damage your relationship. In fact, how we navigate those moments of friction can actually become a bridge to deeper intimacy. In this episode of the Communicate and Connect Podcast, I'm sharing some "mini-tips" on the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict and why building emotional safety matters so much more than winning an argument.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Arguments Don't Have to Damage Relationships
• Healthy vs. Unhealthy Conflict: Recognizing the Patterns
• The Impact of Criticism and Name-Calling
• Understanding Defensiveness and Dismissiveness
• Why We Avoid Money, Sex, and Kids
• Skill 1: Using I-Statements for Vulnerability
• My Personal Story: A Lesson in Loud Restaurants
• Skill 2: The Importance of Taking a Strategic Break
• Skill 3: Why Repair Attempts Build Confidence
• Building Long-Term Emotional Safety

>>>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.