What actually strengthens a marriage and what damages it?

In previous episodes, I shared five things women do that strengthen their marriages, five things that weaken them, and the same for men. In this episode, I invited marriage and family therapist Emil Harker to respond.

Emil has over two decades of experience helping couples navigate conflict and build stronger relationships. I wanted to see how a professional therapist would react to my perspective: where he agreed, where he added nuance, and what insights he brought from years of working with couples.

This turned into a thoughtful and surprisingly fun conversation about the habits that help marriages thrive, the behaviors that slowly undermine them, and the small changes that can make a huge difference.

If you're married—or hope to be someday—this conversation will give you practical insights into how relationships actually work.

If you're new to this show, I focus on how belief and mindset shape our actions, which ultimately lead to success in every area of life—including marriage.

About Emil:

With a rich background of psychotherapy theory, and human development from his graduate studies at AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) accredited Utah State University, Emil Harker has been involved in helping people overcome obstacles and get the most out of life for almost 20 years.

Emil has worked in a variety of settings from the poverty stricken to the very wealthy and from addictions to life coaching. Emil understands the dynamics of change. A gifted therapist, dynamic presenter and clinical innovator, Emil is passionate about what he does.

Before graduating in 2000, Emil worked at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden Utah in the adult behavioral unit. Since graduating he has become a certified trainer in the “Boys Town” parenting model, a certified trainer from the Arbinger Institute. Emil is in private practice online and in Farmington, Utah. A talented presenter, Emil’s material is as entertaining as it is informative.

He is the author of the book “You Can Turn Conflict Into Closeness.” The principles and techniques in managing conflict productively are the same skills and techniques to deal with conflict in the workplace. He is frequent presenter and trainer, and a regular expert on KUTV Channel 2 Fresh Living Program, and life coach for NBA, NFL, and UFC professional athletes. Emil is passionate about what he does and you can't help but feel it!

Check out his website here: https://www.emilharker.com/

Subscribe for more conversations about mindset, growth, and real success.

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

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We’re taught that high-achieving habits mean we’re successful.

Early mornings. Late nights. Full calendars. Constant productivity.

But what if those habits are actually the reason things feel like they’re falling apart?

In this conversation with Registered Nurse and mindset coach Amanda Greening, we challenge the belief that achievement automatically equals success. We talk about why self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s foundational. When we neglect it, everything eventually cracks. When we prioritize it, we work better, think clearer, finish faster, and show up stronger in every area of life.

We also dive into a hard truth: sometimes we spend years climbing a ladder only to realize it was leaning against the wrong building. That’s not failure, it’s feedback. And it might be your invitation to pause, evaluate, and pivot.

If you're new here, this show is about how belief and mindset shape our actions, and how those actions lead to real success in every area of life.

If this conversation resonates, you can find Amanda’s work linked below.

And if you want more conversations that challenge the beliefs holding you back, make sure you’re subscribed.

About Amanda:

Your profession is what you do, not who you are. As a Utah-based Registered Nurse with 27 years of healthcare experience, Amanda Greening has seen firsthand the missing piece in traditional medicine: the space for true, whole-person healing. Today, she is bridging that clinical expertise with transformative mindset coaching to help women untangle their identity from their career.

Amanda works with women to uncover exactly where their professional habits betray their personal values. By bridging that gap, she helps them trade constant frustration for genuine inner peace, so they can finally embrace the present and reclaim the moments that matter most.

Currently expanding her impact through board certifications in Nurse Coaching and Health & Wellness Coaching (NC-BC and HWNC-BC), Amanda’s mission is simple: to move beyond the clinical and offer a service-first approach that integrates body, mind, and soul.

When she isn’t helping clients navigate life-level shifts, Amanda is practicing what she preaches—making memories in the mountains, traveling with her husband, or on a quest for the perfect cup of coffee.

Connect with her on Instagram @amanda24lee

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

What actually makes a marriage strong and lasting? In this episode, I’m talking directly to men about five simple but powerful things you can do to create a happier, more connected marriage.

A lot of people believe women are complicated or impossible to understand, but that’s usually not true. Most women want the same core things: emotional connection, appreciation, partnership, and to feel safe and valued by their husband. When those needs are consistently met, marriages tend to thrive.

In this episode, I talk about the everyday actions that make the biggest difference—helping with cooking and cleaning, encouraging your wife to have hobbies and friendships, expressing appreciation for what she does, listening when she vents instead of trying to fix everything, and showing affection regularly. These aren’t grand gestures. They’re small habits that build a strong relationship over time.

I also share several things that can quietly damage a marriage if you’re not careful, including ignoring your wife, criticizing her body, putting work or hobbies ahead of the relationship, and keeping secrets.

A happy marriage isn’t built on occasional big moments—it’s built on consistent daily effort. If you want a stronger relationship with your wife, these principles can make a huge difference.

If you’re new to the show, I focus on how belief and mindset impact our actions, which then lead to real success in all areas of life—including marriage.

Subscribe for more conversations about mindset, relationships, and building a life that actually works.

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

#marriageadvice #relationshipadvice #marriage #relationships #marriagetips

Most people want change, but very few are willing to do the hard things that actually create it.

In this episode, I sit down with fitness trainer, nutritionist, and life coach Sheena Olsen to talk about what real growth looks like when you stop chasing motivation and start choosing discipline instead. We dive into why starting as a beginner matters, how doing uncomfortable things brings out the best parts of us, and why confidence isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you earn through action.

Sheena shares how stepping in to cover a fitness class unexpectedly changed the direction of her life, and why exercise is about far more than how we look. We talk about movement as a tool for confidence, self-acceptance, and mental clarity, and how exercise activates the brain in powerful ways that support learning, focus, and emotional regulation.

We also explore daily practices that sound simple but are transformative when done consistently, including meditation, gratitude, and learning to respond instead of react. Especially when life feels hard. If you’re struggling, feeling stuck, or waiting to feel “ready” before you start, this conversation will remind you why hope matters and why choosing growth changes everything.

About Sheena Olsen:

Sheena is the founder of Strength Unleashed and helps women build resilient bodies, disciplined habits, and confident minds, without chasing perfection. Her philosophy is rooted in consistency over motivation, ownership over excuses, and progress over perfection.

If this episode resonates, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs encouragement to start.

Check out Sheena here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strengthunleashedwithsheena/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strengthunleashedwithsheena/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DgTtK8xhz/

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

Today happens to be my 15th wedding anniversary, so I wanted to share something I’ve been fascinated by for as long as I can remember: what actually makes marriages happy and strong. Over the years I’ve read the books, taken the classes, and paid close attention to the marriages around me. One thing has become very clear—women often have far more influence over the tone and happiness of their marriage than they realize.

In this episode, I share five simple things women can do that tend to strengthen a marriage, along with five common habits that quietly damage connection over time. None of this requires perfection, and of course marriage only works when both people participate. But small shifts in appreciation, respect, warmth, and everyday behavior can have a surprisingly powerful impact on the health of a relationship.

If you want a happier, more peaceful marriage, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can start applying immediately.

If you're new to this show, I focus on how belief and mindset impact our actions, which then lead to real success—in all areas of life.

Subscribe for more conversations about mindset, growth, relationships, and building a life you truly want.

#marriageadvice #relationshipadvice #happymarriage #marriagetips #relationships

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

Most people think the food industry is about recipes. But great food fails every day. Not because it isn’t good, but because of mindset and business mistakes hardly anyone talks about.

In this episode, Omar Dominguez and I dive into what really makes or breaks food businesses, from restaurants to food trucks and beyond. We talk about why so many food entrepreneurs struggle, the warning signs most owners miss, and the mindset shifts that separate businesses that survive from those that quietly disappear.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a food business, or if you’re already in one and feeling stuck, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about success, passion, and growth.

This episode isn’t about hype or shortcuts. It’s about real-world decisions, resilience, and aligning mindset with action so effort actually leads somewhere.

Check out Omar here:

www.TikTok.com/omardominguezg

www.omardominguezconsulting.com

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

We talk a lot about mindset, growth, and success, but far less about the deeper healing required to sustain any of it.

In this episode, I’m joined by Daxton Johnson, a licensed mental health therapist, youth pastor, and author, to explore how unresolved trauma quietly shapes behavior, self-sabotage, relationships, and long-term goals. Daxton works professionally with individuals and families through Living Waters Counseling and brings both clinical insight and lived experience to this conversation.

We discuss:

How trauma shows up in everyday patterns and decision-making

The connection between mindset and genuine healing

Why men often carry trauma differently — and why it goes unaddressed

The emotional toll of long-term infertility and how it reshapes identity and hope

What actually helps people begin changing patterns that no longer serve them

This is a grounded, compassionate conversation about healing, resilience, and growth — not in theory, but in real life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure why certain patterns keep repeating, this episode offers clarity without shame.

Check out Daxton here:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/daxtonj_?igsh=MWU4c3B5NHBha2VnNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AiQUtXiK2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Redemption Hill Church:

https://rhutah.church/

A Fresh Dose of Hope book:

https://a.co/d/29UAbXw

Psychology Today profile:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/daxton-johnson-murray-ut/1113342

Living Waters Counseling Office website:

https://www.livingwaterscounselingllc.com/

Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry:

https://revitalizingpsychiatry.com/service-providers-utah/

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html

If you’re someone who thinks deeply before acting—someone who analyzes, processes, and tries to make smart decisions—you may have been taught that clarity has to come before movement.

In this episode, we unpack why so many capable, intelligent people feel stuck waiting for certainty, confidence, or the “right” plan before they take action, and why that belief often works against them.

This isn’t an episode about rushing, grinding, or forcing yourself to act against your nature. It’s about understanding the mindset underneath the need for clarity, how overthinking creates a false sense of control, and why confidence is usually built through movement, not before it.

You’ll learn:

• Why clarity is often a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite
• How perfectionism and “readiness” turn into procrastination
• The thinking trap highly capable people fall into
• How to act with intention and grace, without abandoning your analytical strengths

If you’ve been frustrated with your progress, questioning your timing, or feeling stalled despite knowing you’re capable of more, this conversation is for you.

Thanks for being here, and if you want more episodes focused on belief, mindset, and building success in a way that fits how you’re wired, consider subscribing.

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea, visit her website: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/welcome.html

Interested in receiving Killer Subject Lines: How to Grab Subscribers’ Attention and Get Your Emails Opened for free? Join The Andrea Pearson Show newsletter list: https://www.theandreapearsonshow.com/p/killer-subject-lines.html