Episode 14: Elle dives deep into the often-overlooked middle years of marriage with couples coach Natalie Clay. They explore the hidden treasures and challenges of long-term partnerships, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to truly grow together.

Are you feeling more like roommates than soulmates? Struggling with communication or emotional self-reliance? This episode can be your lifeline.

Natalie shares powerful insights on:

• The importance of emotional self-reliance (without losing connection)

• Transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth

• Embracing vulnerability as the key to deeper intimacy

It's time to rewrite the narrative of the "boring" middle years. Let's discover how this phase can be the most transformative and rewarding chapter of your love story.

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations about relationships, personal growth, and the journey of becoming.

💬 Comment below: What's been your biggest challenge (or unexpected joy) in the middle years of your relationship?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: Middle years of marriage discussion

5:12 Emotional self-reliance in relationships

10:12 Dealing with insecurities in marriage

20:24 Why couples feel like roommates

25:05 Physical intimacy and mismatched desire

36:29 Parenting differences in marriage

42:42 Radical acceptance in relationships

49:41 Navigating different parenting approaches

55:41 The role of mystery in marriage

57:05 Hidden strengths of middle years

1:02:15 Lightning round: Marriage advice

Show Links:

Natalie Clay Coaching

Couples Coaching with Natalie Clay podcast

@Natalieclaycoaching on Instagram

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle

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Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠

Apple: 

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p4aFo3SlBSNWNpUzhiNkt⁠

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About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

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