“You can bring the love back if you want it back.” - Carolyn Sharp

Midlife has a way of magnifying every crack in a marriage. Small arguments feel bigger, resentments grow heavier, and the spark can feel hard to find. Add shifting hormones, a heavier stress load, and zero tolerance for “just getting by,” and what once felt manageable might now feel unbearable. It’s tempting to believe the only answer is walking away.

Today, I’m joined by Carolyn Sharp, couples therapist, coach, and author of Fired Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. With over 30 years of experience, Carolyn shares why so many couples drift into disconnection in midlife, the biggest myths about reigniting intimacy, and why tending to your relationship is just as critical as tending to your health.

We talk about the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored, the under-functioning/over-functioning trap so many couples fall into, and how radical responsibility and curiosity can help you shift even long-standing patterns. You’ll also learn a simple but powerful exercise Carolyn uses with couples to rebuild trust, how humor and small conversations can act as “reset buttons” for your relationship, and why your physical health and emotional health are inseparable when it comes to intimacy and connection.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools, a fresh perspective, and a reminder that it’s not too late to reignite the spark if you’re willing to do the work.

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Your Takeaways

How shifting hormones and life roles in midlife strain relationships

Why you need to work on connection during major life transitions

The biggest myth about reigniting intimacy and the four-step process that busts it

Early signs of disconnection: living like roommates, no laughter, only talking about logistics

The underrated tools that rebuild trust (eye contact, true listening, and humor)

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Episode Resources

Carolyn Sharp's Website https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/

Episode 8 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1f27df3a53

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/8.

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Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

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