The Turn Your Life Around Podcast

#085 From Full House to Full Hearts: Marriage Advice for Empty Nesters

YouTube Description: Welcome to another insightful episode of The Turn Your Life Around Podcast with your host, Sarah Coates, aka “The One80 Lady.” In today’s episode, part of our Love Actually Relationship Series, Sarah sits down with Phil Guistwite, LMFT, to talk about maintaining a strong marriage through the empty nest years. With over 53 years of marriage experience and decades as a licensed marriage and family therapist, Phil shares real-world advice on what it takes to nurture your relationship once the kids leave home. From preparing for the transition early, to grieving the loss of daily parenting, to rekindling romance and finding new adventures together, Phil offers practical tools and encouragement for couples facing this major life shift. Whether you’re approaching the empty nest stage, already there, or want to prepare for the future, this episode is packed with hope, humor, and hard-won wisdom. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome: Meet Phil Guistwite, LMFT 00:02:00 – 53 years of marriage: The early days and military life 00:05:00 – Why nurturing your marriage early is key 00:07:00 – The grief of becoming empty nesters 00:10:00 – How to frame the empty nest stage as an opportunity, not a loss 00:13:00 – Why shared and individual hobbies matter 00:17:00 – Building a life bigger than yourselves: Service, faith, and giving back 00:20:00 – Keep the bucket list alive: Why adventure matters at every age 00:23:00 – How parenting success (or failure) impacts marriage later 00:26:00 – Final encouragement: Invest in today for the marriage you want tomorrow Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more uplifting episodes on life, love, and turning things around! Follow Us: Website: www.one-eightycounseling.com Podcast Website: www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast Follow the Guest: (Phil Guistwite can be contacted through www.one-eightycounseling.com) #EmptyNestMarriage #MarriageAdvice #LoveActuallySeries #RelationshipGoals #LifeAfterKids #TurnYourLifeAroundPodcast #SarahCoates #TheOne80Lady #MarriageCounseling #FaithAndMarriage

#084 How to Stay Married When Life Gets Hard with Amy Werner

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of The Turn Your Life Around Podcast with your host, Sarah Coates, aka “The One80 Lady.” In this episode, part of our Love Actually Relationship Series, Sarah sits down with Amy Werner, certified parent coach and long-time behavioral health advocate, to discuss what it really takes to sustain a marriage through life’s hardest seasons. Amy and her husband have been married for 29 years, and in this candid conversation, Amy shares how they lived their vows through financial hardships, raising children, managing a child’s severe mental illness, and surviving a major health scare. She offers practical advice for staying committed, choosing your partner over convenience, and being intentional—especially when life gets messy. If you’re married, newly engaged, or simply curious about what it takes to make love last, you’ll find hope, honesty, and encouragement in this episode. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome back Amy Werner: Wife, Mom, Parent Coach 00:02:00 – Living your vows: Marriage through sickness, health, and hardships 00:05:00 – Surviving financial stress and raising young children 00:07:00 – Dividing power in marriage: Money and parenting 00:10:00 – Faith, politics, and values in marriage 00:12:00 – Chronic stress and parenting through mental illness 00:15:00 – Staying together even when life pulls you apart 00:18:00 – Dating your spouse and staying connected 00:22:00 – Walking through arguments: The 3-mile therapy walk 00:27:00 – Choosing to see what’s good in your marriage 00:30:00 – Emotional needs and the “scratch your back” dance 00:34:00 – Money, trust, and partnership in marriage 00:36:00 – Life after kids: Rediscovering each other as empty nesters 00:39:00 – Final thoughts: Evaluate what works for your marriage Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring episodes on life, relationships, and turning things around. Follow Us: Website: www.one-eightycounseling.com [http://www.one-eightycounseling.com] Podcast Website: www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com [http://www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast] Instagram: www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast] #MarriageAdvice #LoveActuallySeries #RelationshipGoals #MarriageStruggles #TurnYourLifeAroundPodcast #SarahCoates #TheOne80Lady #ChoosingLove #LivingYourVows

#083 The Soulmate Question and Other Marriage Truths You Need to Hear

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Turn Your Life Around Podcast with your host, Sarah Coates, aka “The One80 Lady.” In today’s conversation, Sarah welcomes back Olatunde Howard, LMFT, one of the most insightful relationship therapists in the Triangle area, for the third installment of the Love Actually Relationship Series. Together, they dive deep into what it takes to sustain a strong, faith-based marriage. From practical advice for newlyweds to handling differences in faith, Olatunde shares wisdom from his 23 years of marriage and professional counseling. They also explore the mysterious concept of soulmates, how to intentionally grow together spiritually, and why praying together is one of the most powerful things a couple can do. Whether you’re newly married, in a long-term relationship, or looking for encouragement, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and practical tools to strengthen your connection. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome: Love Actually Series Part 3 with Olatunde Howard 00:02:00 – Key advice for newlyweds: Daily connection matters 00:04:00 – Defining marriage: Most intimate relationship second only to God 00:07:00 – Focus on yourself first, not your spouse 00:09:00 – When faith perspectives change in marriage 00:11:00 – Living your faith without preaching it 00:14:00 – Raising kids with different faith backgrounds 00:18:00 – Strengthening faith together: Why praying together matters 00:20:00 – Why prayer can feel vulnerable for couples 00:23:00 – How to easily initiate prayer with your spouse 00:27:00 – Soulmates: Are they real? Olatunde’s surprising take 00:33:00 – God’s sovereignty and free will in love 00:37:00 – Olatunde’s real-life love story 00:40:00 – Final thoughts: Be intentional and trust the journey Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful conversations on faith, marriage, and living intentionally. Follow Us: Website: www.one-eightycounseling.com Podcast Website: www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast #FaithAndMarriage #ChristianMarriage #MarriageAdvice #RelationshipGoals #LoveActuallySeries #MarriageHelp #MarriageCounseling #TurnYourLifeAroundPodcast #SarahCoates #TheOne80Lady #OlatundeHoward

#082 Transforming Your Marriage with John Eklund

Welcome to Part 2 of the Love Actually Relationship Series on The Turn Your Life Around Podcast with your host, Sarah Coates, aka “The One80 Lady.” In this episode, Sarah sits down again with John Eklund, LCSW, founder of Recovery Alive and author of the book Recovering Marriage: Transforming Your Marriage Through the 12 Commitments. In this insightful, honest, and often hilarious conversation, John shares practical tools for building a stronger marriage using the principles of recovery. Together, he and Sarah discuss how couples can navigate issues like control, codependency, communication, forgiveness, and submission, all while growing closer through trust and vulnerability. Whether you’re just starting your marriage journey or have been in it for decades, this episode offers powerful guidance to help you transform your relationship. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome back: Love Actually Part 2 with John Eklund 00:02:00 – The inspiration behind Recovering Marriage 00:04:00 – Commitment 1: Love you, not control you 00:07:00 – Submission, autonomy, and respect in faith-based marriages 00:10:00 – LUV: Listen, Understand, Validate (a tool for connection) 00:13:00 – Why selfishness breaks down new marriages 00:16:00 – Unexpressed expectations = premeditated resentments 00:20:00 – The marriage makes the decisions: Finances & unity 00:28:00 – Real apologies and amends in relationships 00:30:00 – Cultivating mercy and believing the best in your spouse 00:33:00 – Group-based marriage work and community transformation 00:39:00 – How to join or start a Recovering Marriage group 00:42:00 – Marriage as legacy: What we model, we multiply Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful conversations on faith, recovery, and relationships. Follow Us: Website: www.one-eightycounseling.com [http://www.one-eightycounseling.com/] Podcast Website: www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com [http://www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast] Instagram: www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast] Follow the Guest: Website: www.recoveryalive.com [http://www.recoveryalive.com/] Book: Recovering Marriage: Transforming Your Marriage Through the 12 Commitments https://www.amazon.com/Recovering-Marriage-Transforming-through-Commitments/dp/B0DTP61SVR [https://www.amazon.com/Recovering-Marriage-Transforming-through-Commitments/dp/B0DTP61SVR] #MarriageHelp #RecoveringMarriage #LoveActuallySeries #FaithBasedMarriage #RelationshipAdvice #JohnEklund #RecoveryAlive #TurnYourLifeAroundPodcast #SarahCoates #TheOne80Lady

#081 Maintaining Lasting Love and Intimacy with Allison Ernest

YouTube Description: Welcome to The Turn Your Life Around Podcast with your host, Sarah Coates, aka “The One80 Lady.” This episode is part of our Love Actually Relationship Series, where we explore the keys to lasting love and intimacy. Today, we’re joined by Allison Ernest, MS, LMFT, CST, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist. With over a decade of experience, Allison helps individuals and couples strengthen their relationships, improve communication, and cultivate deeper intimacy. In this conversation, she shares practical strategies for building connection, navigating challenges, and maintaining intimacy in long-term relationships. Whether you’re in a new relationship or have been married for years, this episode offers valuable insights on protecting and nurturing love. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Meet Allison Ernest 00:02:00 - What makes love last? The foundations of a strong relationship 00:07:00 - Choosing connection over convenience: Why effort matters 00:12:00 - The different types of intimacy: Emotional, physical, intellectual & spiritual 00:18:00 - The intimacy jar: A simple strategy to strengthen your connection 00:25:00 - The role of sexual intimacy in relationships 00:30:00 - How to maintain intimacy with kids, careers, and life stressors 00:35:00 - The importance of setting boundaries in marriage 00:40:00 - Planning a “sex date” & prioritizing your relationship 00:45:00 - Repairing and reconnecting after relationship conflicts Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful conversations! Follow Us: Website: www.one-eightycounseling.com [http://www.one-eightycounseling.com/] Podcast Website: www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com [http://www.theturnyourlifearoundpodcast.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.youtube.com/@turnyourlifearoundpodcast] Instagram: www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/turnyourlifearoundpodcast] #MarriageTips #RelationshipAdvice #IntimacyMatters #SexTherapy #LoveActuallySeries #TurnYourLifeAroundPodcast #SarahCoates #TheOne80Lady