• How to Grow Together - The How-To's
    Nov 6 2021

    Last episode we walked through how couples develop alongside how they are both developing as adults. This week we talk about how to grow within your relationship. First, you both get your own feelings and secondly, seeing how your partner may trigger you as a moment to learn something about yourself.

    Here is the quote I shared in the episode:
    "If you are willing at look at another person’s behavior toward you as a reflection of the state of their relationship with themselves rather than a statement about your value as a person, then you will, over a period of time cease to react at all” -Yogi Bhajan

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio. Per last episode, I'll also be sharing the couples development cycle with you once you sign up.

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    19 mins
  • How to Grow Together - Couples Development Cycles
    Oct 27 2021

    This week we start a new series - Relationships as People Growing Machines. The first episode in this series is walking through the couples development cycle developed by The Couples Institute and looking at how this combines with Kegan's theory of adult development. All of this leads to understanding how the best relationships are people growing machines. The next episode will then explain how to help your relationship to be a people growing machine.

    Here is the link to the Medium article on Kegan's Theory of Adult Development.

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio. Per today's episode, I'll also be sharing the couples development cycle with you once you sign up.

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    17 mins
  • Diagram of an Argument - The Instructions
    Oct 20 2021

    Now we look at the instructions - not how to put together the argument but how to break it down so you can understand it - you both create this pattern or cycle of argument together. That means you can stop it together and communicate in a new way. Today's episodes offer the instructions for how to take this step and actually communicate - listen and hear each other in order to connect.

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    19 mins
  • Diagram of an Argument - The Diagram
    Oct 13 2021

    The Diagram is typically called the negative cycle, pattern, or dance. This is an important step to better understand how you can find connection in your relationship again. Because when you're often in arguments and experiencing ruptures in trust and connection, it's through understanding the diagram of the argument and changing that pattern that you can find connection again. Next week we go over the Instructions - how to sidestep the negative cycle or typical argument and find connection again.

    We are now publishing episodes on Wednesdays - so, expect a new episode every Wednesday throughout this season.

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    15 mins
  • Diagram of an Argument - The Materials
    Oct 2 2021

    What makes up the materials in an argument? It's the two of you. First, it's based on adult attachment and how that works on you both in your relationship. Next, it's the tender spots, old hurts or baggage you both carry into the relationship. These often trigger the argument and can be right out of your knowing. Next week, we get into the actual diagram of an argument and how it happens between the two of you and we end with the instructions - how to sidestep or avoid the argument.

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    13 mins
  • Diagram of an Argument - Overview of the Elements
    Sep 25 2021

    This first episode of the season is an overview of the elements of an argument. First is the materials needed - which is the two of you. Then, the actual diagram - what does an argument look like and what is happening for both of you. Finally, the instructions - what are the ways you can both reduce / avoid arguments.

    I’m your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I bring experience from a long-term marriage - I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    To get my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    14 mins
  • Divorce Proof Series - Turn Towards Your Relationship
    Jun 27 2021

    Today's podcast continues the Divorce Proof Your Marriage series. Turning Towards Your Relationship seems so obvious. But, when stonewalling creeps into your relationship - it can be more intuitive to turn away. This is why we are discussing turning towards how-to's this week and as always, I share explanations, examples and exercises!

    This episode also ends Season 1 - Marriage Breakdown will be back in the Fall. Look for a preview of the upcoming series in August, 2021!

    Please note: none of these friendship tenets apply if there is domestic violence. Please go to www.thehotline.org for resources on domestic violence.

    I'm your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    Helping you on the path to strengthening the friendship in your marriage is my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio. To get this and more, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    13 mins
  • Divorce Proof Series - Assume Positive Intent
    Jun 19 2021

    Today's podcast continues the Divorce Proof Your Marriage series. As we continue to learn more about how to strengthen the friendship aspects of your marriage, I discuss how Assume Positive Intent is an antidote to Defensiveness. As always, I share explanations, examples and exercises!

    Please note: none of these friendship tenets apply if there is domestic violence. Please go to www.thehotline.org for resources on domestic violence.

    I'm your host Tami Zak, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Relationship Coach. Not only do I bring my training and experience as a therapist and coach to the podcast, I have been married to my partner for over 25 years. All of this informs the advice and knowledge I am sharing with you.

    Helping you on the path to strengthening the friendship in your marriage is my 25 Ways to Increase Your Relationship’s Magic Positive Ratio. To get this and more, sign up at https://tami.ck.page/25magicratio.

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    17 mins