Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting

3089: 3 Principles to Keep Love Alive by Tamsen Firestone of Psych Alive on Strong Partnerships

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ [https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join] Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com [https://oldpodcast.com/]. Episode 3089: Tamsen Firestone explains how lasting romance depends on actively giving and receiving affection, preserving each partner’s individuality, and resisting the critical inner voice that discourages vulnerability. Her insights offer practical ways to deepen intimacy, protect emotional connection, and bring renewed warmth to a long-term relationship. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.psychalive.org/3-principles-keep-love-alive/ [https://www.psychalive.org/3-principles-keep-love-alive/] Quotes to ponder: “Much of the advice that suggests taking action to foster romance is effective because it encourages the act of loving rather than the state of being in love.” “When you understand your partner in this deeply empathic manner, you are aware of what you have in common, but you also recognize and value your differences.” “No matter what your critical inner voice says, ignore it and continue to be loving and affectionate.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

3088: Weight Gain, Cravings, and Hunger - Oh, My! How to Trust Your Body During Pregnancy by Crystal Karges on Maternal Wellness

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ [https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join] Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com [https://oldpodcast.com/]. Episode 3088: Crystal Karges explores how intuitive eating can help expectant mothers navigate changing appetites, food aversions, intense cravings, and anxiety around the scale. Her compassionate guidance encourages listeners to honor physical cues, seek support, and cultivate a peaceful relationship with food throughout the journey into motherhood. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.crystalkarges.com/blog/weight-gain-cravings-and-hunger-oh-my-how-to-trust-your-body-during-pregnancy [https://www.crystalkarges.com/blog/weight-gain-cravings-and-hunger-oh-my-how-to-trust-your-body-during-pregnancy] Quotes to ponder: “The most beautiful thing that was reinforced to me during each of my pregnancies was that my body was always right all along and knew exactly what I needed to grow each of our precious babies.” “If you quiet the external noise long enough, you can find that your body does know exactly what you are needing - whether it is an extra snack before bedtime, a power-nap midday, or avoiding a certain food that just doesn’t seem appealing.” “What’s most important during your pregnancy is not how much weight you've gained or what the number on the scale says but rather, that you are solidifying a healthy relationship with food and your body.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

3087: Men Don’t Like the Word No, So Why Say It? by Evan Marc Katz on Dating Communication

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ [https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join] Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com [https://oldpodcast.com/]. Episode 3087: Evan Marc Katz explores how being easygoing can reduce unnecessary conflict and create more room for connection, compromise, and mutual respect in a relationship. His advice helps listeners distinguish between healthy boundaries and rigid preferences while showing why choosing cooperation on small matters can make important needs more likely to be heard. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.evanmarckatz.com/blog/understanding-men/men-dont-like-the-word-no-so-why-say-it [https://www.evanmarckatz.com/blog/understanding-men/men-dont-like-the-word-no-so-why-say-it] Quotes to ponder: “Being easy doesn’t require anything more than the desire to spend time, have fun, and eliminate any unnecessary friction in your relationship.” “When you’re easygoing, you have a lot less conflict in your life. Things that bother other people don’t bother you as much. And when something is really important to you, you’re almost always going to get your way.” “He wants to be with you, but he also wants to be himself. His whole world can’t revolve around conforming to your rules.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

3086: 6 Ways to Raise Kinder Kids by Chris Libby with Live Happy on Family Values

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ [https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join] Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com [https://oldpodcast.com/]. Episode 3086: Chris Libby shares six practical ways parents can nurture kindness, responsibility, gratitude, and self-control in their children. Drawing on psychologist Thomas Lickona’s guidance, the article offers actionable strategies for building a positive family culture, strengthening communication, setting healthy limits, and helping children become thoughtful, resilient people. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://livehappy.com/relationships/6-ways-to-raise-kinder-kids/ [https://livehappy.com/relationships/6-ways-to-raise-kinder-kids/] Quotes to ponder: “Meaningful conversation enriches family life, builds relationships and gives you a vehicle to transmit your deepest values.” “Take the small stuff seriously.” “Gratitude is feeling and expressing thanks for the benefits we receive. Why does it matter? Because it makes us feel better, and counting your blessings is the secret of a happy life.” Episode references: Victoria Dunckley: https://drdunckley.com/ [https://drdunckley.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

3085: The Bedtime Challenge by Adina Soclof of Parenting Simply on Bedtime Routines

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ [https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join] Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com [https://oldpodcast.com/]. Episode 3085: Adina Soclof reframes a lengthy bedtime routine as normal for a large family and shows how realistic expectations can reduce frustration and yelling. Her collaborative problem-solving approach helps parents set firm limits, address each child’s needs, and create a calmer routine that the whole family can support. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://parentingsimply.com/the-bedtime-challenge/ [https://parentingsimply.com/the-bedtime-challenge/] Quotes to ponder: “At 9pm, no matter what everyone needs to settle down, its about that time that I get really tired and need to start getting ready for bed myself.” “Be ready for lots of complaints, it is helpful if you write all of them down.” “It does take some time for everyone to get used to new routines and they most probably will test you to see if you will stand firm behind the limits and new rules that you are trying to implement.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]