Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2724: Alysha Jeney explores the stigma around being labeled “too needy” in relationships, showing how fear of rejection often leads people to suppress their true needs. She emphasizes that wanting reassurance and security is natural, and the key lies in expressing these needs vulnerably and responsibly, creating space for deeper connection rather than conflict. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.modernlovecounseling.com/too-needy/ Quotes to ponder: “You have the right to feel secure in your relationship, and believe it or not, we have to work together in order to achieve mutual security!” “You will always be perceived as ‘too needy’ or too much if you choose to not express your fears and needs in a calm, vulnerable way.” “This version of requesting your needs is not ‘too needy;’ they are normal and healthy.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2723: Danielle Dowling highlights how craving alone time in a relationship doesn’t mean something is wrong, it can actually be a sign of balance and self-care. She shares five subtle indicators that space might be needed, from bickering over small things to losing touch with your passions, and encourages open communication to keep individuality and connection thriving. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://introvertdear.com/news/signs-alone-time-relationship/ Quotes to ponder: "Don’t let what you love to do slip because of time spent with who you love." "If you no longer feel like yourself, but rather, like one-half of a partnership, then you likely need some time alone." "Distance actually can make both your and your partner’s hearts grow fonder when that space is created with intention and communication." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2722: Dr. Diana Kirschner explores the growing trend of couples living together before marriage, highlighting surprising research on break-up rates, divorce, and the hidden emotional toll, especially for women. She emphasizes that lasting success in cohabitation depends less on convenience and more on a deep level of commitment, communication, and willingness to work through inevitable challenges. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://lovein90days.com/living-together-before-marriage/ Quotes to ponder: "About 53% of all first marriages were preceded by living together." "Most current studies show that if a person has lived with multiple partners, she/he will likely end up in a break-up or divorce." "A couple that is living together has to be more willing to work on the inevitable differences, disappointments, and setbacks that inevitably occur." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2721: Melissa Josue offers a thoughtful lens on relationship insecurity, encouraging readers to explore the deeper emotions behind jealousy or discomfort when remnants of a partner’s past remain in the present. Instead of assuming lingering attachments, she emphasizes the importance of communication, self-awareness, and asking for reassurance to foster emotional clarity and trust. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://melissathelovecoach.com/my-boyfriend-still-has-his-ex-wifes-stuff/ Quotes to ponder: "He assured me he wasn’t keeping it out of sentiment or pining for the past." "You have beliefs about these objects in his house and about what those objects mean. Are those beliefs TRUE?" "If you’re feeling insecure, it’s ok to ask for reassurance." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2720: Nicholas Kraft captures a moving dialogue between Denis Waitley and Patty Aubery, showing how gratitude, resilience, and perspective shape a fulfilling life. Their exchange offers powerful reminders that even in difficult times, we can choose growth, connection, and joy. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://livehappy.com/when-denis-met-patty/ Quotes to ponder: "Gratitude is the beginning of greatness." "You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond." "Happiness is not a destination; it’s a way of traveling." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2719: Evan Marc Katz shares a revealing coaching experience with a man who blames women for his dating struggles, highlighting the deeper truth that real change begins within. His story serves as a mirror, urging us to question where in our own lives we might be playing the victim instead of taking ownership and adapting for better results. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.evanmarckatz.com/blog/dating-tips-advice/why-certain-men-will-never-do-well-with-women-and-what-you-can-learn-from-them Quotes to ponder: “I hate to tell you, my friend, but the problem isn’t with all the women in Seattle. The ONLY thing we can do is change how YOU’RE approaching dating.” “What I’m telling you, James, is that you’re the common denominator in your life.” “Your job isn’t to CHANGE men. It’s to become the kind of woman who UNDERSTANDS men, ATTRACTS men, KEEPS men happy, and CHOOSES good men.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2718: Kristena Eden explains how different parenting styles shape children’s emotional strength, confidence, and ability to thrive. She emphasizes the importance of building an authoritative approach rooted in warmth, guidance, and respect, while also encouraging parents to understand their children’s unique needs and abilities to create a nurturing environment for growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://corelivingessentials.com/how-to-talk-so-your-kids-will-listen-and-listen-when-your-kids-talk/ Quotes to ponder: "Showing them respect is the best way to teach them to respect others." "The biggest way to increase trust is to avoid being critical, but if there is a concern, discuss it and work together for solutions." "If their needs are fulfilled they are a lot happier and a lot less rebellious." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2717: Kristena Eden explores how shifting our focus from control to connection can transform the way children respond to us. Drawing from a teacher’s raw memoir of classroom struggles, she illustrates how authoritarian approaches often backfire, while attentive listening and trust-building open the door to cooperation, self-belief, and stronger relationships. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://corelivingessentials.com/how-to-talk-so-your-kids-will-listen-and-listen-when-your-kids-talk/ Quotes to ponder: “Time and time again I had been told, ‘Those students are worthless and disrespectful children.’” “My ideal classroom, a pleasant place for learning, had become a war zone.” “They lash out or they turn so far in that they are very hard to reach. They lose their identity and their belief in themselves.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2716: Shawna Scafe explores how romantic comedies shape our expectations of love, often leaving us disappointed when reality doesn’t match the script. She highlights the importance of moving beyond fairytale ideals and instead cultivating relationships rooted in authenticity, effort, and genuine connection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://simpleonpurpose.ca/how-romcoms-ruin-our-relationships/ Quotes to ponder: "Romcoms are basically the coles notes of the whole messy process of building a relationship." "We make a mental checklist of how our life should look, and then we use it against our actual life." "The happiest relationships are the ones where we don’t rely on each other for our happiness but we add to each other’s happiness." Episode references: The Conscious Parent: https://www.amazon.com/Conscious-Parent-Transforming-Ourselves-Empowering/dp/1897238452 Hold Me Tight: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/031611300X The Happiness Project: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Aristotle-Generally-Satisfying/dp/006158326X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2715: Kyle Benson highlights three subtle yet destructive betrayals, emotional cheating, conditional love, and emotional withdrawal, that often go unrecognized in committed relationships. By exploring how everyday disloyalties erode trust and intimacy, he offers couples practical steps to rebuild connection and commitment before deeper damage takes hold. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/3-betrayals-ruin-relationships-arent-infidelity/ Quotes to ponder: "Anything that violates a committed relationship’s contract of mutual trust, respect, and protection can be disastrous." "Couples that unconditionally love each other live by the motto, 'baby, when you hurt, the world stops and I listen.'" "Emotional withdrawal sets in when bids are ignored." Episode references: What Makes Love Last?: https://www.amazon.com/What-Makes-Love-Last-Betrayal/dp/1451608489 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2714: Dr. Allison Niebes-Davis shares how shifting from blame-filled “you statements” to empowering “I statements” can transform communication and reduce defensiveness in relationships. By owning our emotions and reframing difficult conversations, we create space for healthier dialogue, deeper connection, and greater understanding in both personal and professional settings. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drallisonanswers.com/relationships/the-communication-strategy-that-can-change-your-relationships/ Quotes to ponder: "I statements provide an opportunity to talk about our emotional experience in a healthy way, reducing blame and finger pointing, warding off defensiveness and escalation." "I statements take ownership of the way we feel and acknowledge our experience as OUR experience, nothing more, nothing less." "Even if you just place the words 'I feel' in front of whatever you were originally going to say, that can diffuse the tension enough to make some headway." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2713: Susan Chanderbhan explores two crucial aspects of emotional well-being: recognizing the often-hidden signs of emotional abuse in relationships and offering meaningful support to loved ones struggling with mental health challenges. Her insights remind us that abuse doesn’t always leave visible scars and that true support comes from listening, educating ourselves, and encouraging professional help when needed. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chandpsych.com/blog/is-your-relationship-emotionally-abusive-6-sure-signs & https://www.chandpsych.com/blog/mental-healthcare-supporting-your-loved-one Quotes to ponder: "Physical wounds heal, but emotional scars can last for years." "Extreme jealousy or possessiveness is another form of emotional abuse." "Educating yourself, listening, and encouraging your loved one to get help are key elements to helping them through their struggles." Episode references: National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2712: Michael Smith warns how unchecked college costs and easy credit can derail young adults before they start, then lays out practical ways parents can prepare kids early to make smarter, lower-cost education choices. You’ll hear strategies for building money skills, comparing true ROI of schools and majors, and pursuing scholarships and alternative paths that keep opportunity high and debt low. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2012/06/08/i-dont-want-my-kids-to-be-crushed-by-student-loans-do-you/ Quotes to ponder: "It’s becoming increasingly common for me to see people who are paying more each month in student loan payments than they are for rent." "Is there a benefit for paying $60,000 per year that you can’t get by paying $5,000 - $10,000?" "One of the best gifts you can give your children is to help them avoid a lifetime of debt after graduation." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2711: Cari Dugan reflects on the deep meaning of marriage vows as she recounts her journey with Michael through financial struggles, sickness, and seasons of growth. Her story illustrates how love becomes more tangible in hardship and how true commitment is forged by choosing to serve and support each other in both the beautiful and the difficult moments of life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ericalayne.co/marriage-diaries-weight-vows/ Quotes to ponder: "We had nothing but we had each other. I still look back at that time in our life as a time when life was beautiful." "I always knew Michael loved me but it was during that time that his love was made concrete. I could visibly see it. I could feel it in a way that I couldn’t before." "I think it was then that I learned that it is possible to still love even when we are on the brink of ourselves." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2710: A calm and intentional evening routine can transform mornings from chaotic to smooth. Cara Harvey shares practical strategies for prepping ahead, like setting out clothes, packing bags, and planning time blocks, while also reminding moms to carve out time for personal growth, self-care, and reflection. Her approach balances household organization with mental well-being, helping moms end the day with peace and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/evening-routine-stay-at-home-moms/ Quotes to ponder: "Prepping for tomorrow really allows you to start your day with ease because you have things done and know what to expect." "I like to close out my day with time for me and, as a stay at home mom, it’s very important you do the same." "By ending your day for you, you’ll go to bed with less anxiety, more peace and feeling jazzed about the next day." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices