Shows
Joyful LoveNavigating Different Communication Styles With Your PartnerCommunication with two different people who live all of life together can get tricky at times. Our decisions affect each other. And the way we talk to each other matters. Often we're married to someone who is opposite from us in communication styles. One can be an internal processor, where they need time and space on their own to think about decisions. And the other can be more external. The external processor needs to verbally express their thoughts and opinions. If we don't understand these different needs, it's easy to take offense at you...2023-09-0527 minJoyful LoveEp 95: Resilience in Love: Thriving With A Difficult Partner If you're married to a difficult partner, you don't have to live a life of frustration and confusion. There's a better way to approach your relationship that doesn't include suffering and discontentment. You may need to adjust your expectations or you may need to set some powerful boundaries. In today's episode you'll learn: * To own your decision to stay married or complete the relationship * To step into your power and love from your strengths. * To see and value your partner's perspective * To focus on what you can control...2023-08-2922 minJoyful LoveEp 94: 5 Tips To Become Best Friends With Your PartnerIn this episode, we delve into the essence of building a beautiful friendship with your partner. The best marriages are friends first. Even if you started off hot-n-heavy and forgot to build a deep friendship, it's never too late! With intention and an open heart, you can foster a connected friendship to be the foundation of a strong, healthy marriage. In this episode, you'll learn five skills that every good friendship needs and how to incorporate them into your relationship. It's time to cultivate a bond with your partner that goes b...2023-08-2232 minJoyful LoveBe Your Own BestieIt’s time to get a new bestie. Yourself! Just as we cultivate and cherish friendships with others, nurturing a positive relationship with oneself is equally important. We women need to do a better job of: 👉 Accepting ourselves, 👉 Having compassion on ourselves when we mess up 👉 And Having our own back in this one, beautiful life. When you treat yourself with the same kindness and support as you would a dear friend, you’ll navigate life's challenges with a deep trust that you’ve got what it takes - whatever life b...2023-08-1513 minJoyful LoveMarriage PerfectionismIt’s a beautiful thing to want to make your marriage better. It’s good to say, “There’s a better way to relate with each other than what we’ve been doing.” But trying to be perfect can hold you back from growth. Because perfectionism compares. It’s discouraging. It shames and blames. So how do we continue growing, while accepting that we are not perfect - and neither are our partners? How do we challenge ourselves to continue growing in love and also see the beauty in our imperfect selves? Tune in today a...2023-08-0823 minJoyful LoveLoving Through Listening and Responding, A Conversation With My HusbandAll humans want the same thing - to be HEARD and SEEN. And when a marriage begins to feel disconnected, you don’t have to look too deep to realize that one or both partners are not feeling heard and seen. Our relationships often begin this way - where we know that our partner is truly seeing our deepest beauty. They’re supportive of our heart's desires. And it’s a shared experience. Your spouse feels like you see and appreciate their good too. Damn, those early days feel good, don’t they? Listening...2023-08-0138 minJoyful LoveEp 90: Two Years Without Wine And Date NightsAre date nights a regular occurrence for you and your partner? If not, it’s time to prioritize it. But what would you even do - dinner and a movie? I LOVE dinner and a movie. But I also like to spice it up sometimes and think outside the box. In today’s episode, I share with you several ideas to take your dates to the next level and welcome in more joy and fun as a couple. I also share what it was like to stop drinking alcohol and to relearn how to r...2023-07-2519 minJoyful LoveEp 89: How To Have More FunHoly Moly! We need some fun in our lives! Sometimes life can get so busy and hectic that we forget to feed our soul's desire for freedom and fun. And that’s when life becomes boring and stagnant - even though you feel like you’re moving at lightning speed all day. When life stays the same and you feel bored, your brain tries to fix the problem by convincing you that false pleasures that are negative for you are actually fun … like overeating, over-drinking and over-spending. And for like 2 seconds, you do feel p...2023-07-1818 minJoyful LoveEp 88: How To Have Better Family VacationsIn this episode, I'll show you how to have a family vacation that is full of fun, connection, and peace as you create incredible memories with your family. And it starts with accepting that it doesn't have to be perfect! You'll learn why vacations are important and how to cultivate precisely what you need out of it. Can we be honest here? Vacations can be exhausting. Going on adventures and trying to relax with family doesn't always meet our expectations. Sometimes we can even feel more disconnected and wiped out after our time t...2023-07-1129 minJoyful LoveEp 87: When Your Sex Life Needs HelpEvery long-term committed couple will have issues to navigate in their sex life. It's important to know this. You are normal. Nothing is wrong with you if you feel like something is lacking in your sex life. The business of life, parenting, different goals, communication issues, and changing hormones can all affect a couple's passion. And most couples just try to figure it out on their own .... without much success. And a lackluster intimate life can lead to feelings of guilt, rejection, frustration, and even resentment. So today we'll explore the most important fi...2023-07-0420 minJoyful LoveEp 86: How To Manage Money When You Love Spending: With Financial Coach, Franchelle CaesarAre you a spender? You know if you are. The impulse buys online. The Amazon purchases so frequent that you have no clue what those 7 Amazon charges are in your credit card statement. And the coffee shop down the road? You might as well just give them your credit card to keep on file at this point. Every month you try to reign in the spending and you recommit, "Okay! That's It! This month is a SPENDING FREEZE!" And then 4 days in (if that long) you realize your budget is already getting pinched because of unp...2023-06-2043 minJoyful LoveEp: 85 How To Make Decisions When Your Desires Don’t AlignIn today’s Episode of Joyful Love, we delve into the topic of compromise in relationships and the importance of finding joy while making tough decisions. Both you and your partner have desires, dreams and opinions. And they matter - for you and your partner. Making compromises with a partner can be challenging, especially when desires differ greatly. But when you take the time to have solution-focused conversations, listen to each other and meet any fears and concerns with patience and compassion, you can have joy as you make decisions together. List...2023-06-0630 minJoyful LoveEp 84: Five Questions To Create Massive Vision For Your MarriageIn today's episode, we will be discussing the importance of having a clear picture of what you want in your relationship and why it matters. Often, we focus too much on the negative aspects of our marriage, but by taking the time to dream up what we want and asking ourselves practical questions, we can begin to create a roadmap toward our ideal future. In today’s episode, you’ll learn five questions that are designed to help you envision the kind of partner you want to be, the partner you want, and the changes to m...2023-05-2336 minJoyful LoveEp 83: Create A Healthy Relationship With Genuine Acts Of KindnessLove is a feeling. It’s also a verb. I talk a lot about thoughts and feelings on this podcast. And while your thoughts are the root of your results, without actions your partner may not know you love them! And vice versa, of course. So in today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the importance of being an action taker in your own love life. Expressing love and affection through verbal and non-verbal gestures creates emotional connection. In this episode, you’ll learn five action skills you can begin pra...2023-05-0924 minJoyful LoveTop 4 Skills To Improve Your Relationship: A Conversation With My Client, Laurel BudinotIn today’s episode of Joyful Love, I have a treat for you! Laurel Budinot is a current client of mine. We’ve been working together for 5 months. She's been all in for the coaching experience and has created massive change in her life and marriage. She is uncovering her own wisdom and inner beauty more and more every day. In this episode, she shares the top 4 skills she’s learned while working with me and how coaching has helped her stay on track and create a life full of joy and purpose. You don...2023-04-2548 minJoyful LoveHow To Stop Feeling Irritated and Build Connection With More EaseIn today's episode, we are revisiting the workshop I taught at the beginning of April. You'll learn why you're feeling so irritated (Hint: it's not because your partner is just too annoying after all!) And you'll learn how to stop the irritation and see things from a new perspective. This isn't sticking your head in the sand and pretending that everything is okay .... nope we don't do that here. But we DO discover where our power is and take that power back! You are the only one responsible for your emotions - your...2023-04-1841 minJoyful LoveQuestions For ConnectionWe often want more connection and vulnerability in our relationship but we’re not sure where to begin. Great questions can open the door to feeling heard and seen - which is the deepest desire of every human! If you’re tired of asking “How was your day” without it resulting in good conversation, you need better questions! Listen to this episode of Joyful Love to learn powerful questions to build heart-to-heart connection with your partner. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2023-04-0428 minJoyful LoveThe Power of VulnerabilityIt can be scary to expose your true self and feelings to another person - especially when you want that person to like you - forever! So it's easy to avoid vulnerability in our most intimate relationships. However, if you want a connected, intimate marriage, it's important to build a culture of vulnerability in your home. In this episode, you'll learn four skills to feel and be seen and to create a safe place for your partner to open up and be seen too. 2023-03-2845 min
Teachers in AmericaDyslexia, Intervention, and the Read 180 User with Rachael Cunningham and Sarah FoxWe're dispelling dyslexia misconceptions with guests Rachael Cunningham and Sarah Fox, education leaders at the Charles Armstrong School.Hear how Rachael and Sarah have tailored their school's curriculum to meet the needs of learners with dyslexia. Together they'll share their expertise on dyslexia, including instructional strategies and research-based programs to support students with learning differences. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for Teachers in America, please em...2023-03-2337 minJoyful LoveThe Power Of PlanningYou can have goals in life - from simple things you’d like to accomplish around the house to big bodacious dreams! But if you don’t plan the path to your goals, they’ll take longer than they need to or they’ll never get out of your head and become a reality. I want you to achieve your goals. I want your heart's desires to be realized! That’s why today, we’re talking about The Power of Planning. I’m a recovering procrastinator and self-doubter, so I get the struggle of putting thin...2023-03-1429 minJoyful LoveHeal Your Relationship With Your Mother-In-LawToday, we’ll be talking about the ultimate boss battle: your relationship with your mom and/or your mother-in-law! It’s a topic that makes many people shiver! Managing our relationships with our mothers can be challenging, and if there’s tension between you and your mother-in-law, it can create rifts in your relationships with your partner. From passive-aggressive comments to overbearing love, I’ve seen it all in my coaching practice! So buckle up, because we're about to embark on a wild ride through the land of complex family dynamics! Listen on...2023-02-2841 minJoyful LoveHow To Stop Quitting On Your GoalsWe've all done it. Made a New Year's Resolution or set a goal and determined once and for all that you are going to achieve it! You were motivated - for a week. And then, you went right back to your old habits. So what gives? Why do you want this goal so badly, and yet give up on it over and over? Good news: There's nothing wrong with you. It's not that you're lazy or don't care enough. It's not that you just haven't tried hard enough. There's a part of...2023-02-1426 minJoyful LoveHow To Connect When Your Partner Isn't TryingAre you showing up, trying to be the best partner possible, and yet your spouse isn't meeting you in the middle? You probably feel like you're carrying all the weight in the relationship and wondering if they even want this marriage to work. Do you finally just throw in the towel and say, "I'm done"? Or do you give it another try? Only you know the best answer to that. And if you're not sure .... maybe it's time to stop trying to save the marriage ... and simply connect. But how? Throu...2023-02-0720 minJoyful LoveDon't Rush Your Relationship GoalsDo you feel pressure to meet your relationship goals fast? You want better communication, more intimacy, and you want to feel like a team. And you want it yesterday already! I get it. Once we know what we want and decide to go after it, we want to hurry up and see success. But what if your growth in certain areas is slow ... and as long as there is steady, consistent movement forward ... what if that's okay? Pressure for the perfect relationship now, can hinder your ability to connect on a deep level. And it al...2023-01-2413 minJoyful LoveEp 73: The Problem With The Five Love LanguagesHave you ever tried using the Five Love Languages to help your relationship and ended up disappointed, confused, and thinking you and your partner are just not compatible? Yup - welcome to the club. You’re not alone. It’s a beautiful idea that the more we understand our own love language and our partners - we can KNOW how to love better!Unfortunately, this concept has caused too much frustration and criticism in many relationships. This episode will shine a light on how to solve this problem. You’ll learn...2023-01-1728 minJoyful LoveTwo Must-Have Goals That Will Create Freedom In Your SoulIt's a brand new year! It's the time for intentions, self-reflection, and goal setting. And I'm here for it! But sometimes we can try to cram in so many goals around health, wealth, family life, and work that we forget that our soul has desires too. Our soul desires to connect, create, and contribute to the world around us. It's important that we don't brush these aside for the more pressing goals that we're driven to. So - grab a cup of tea or joe .... and listen on to discover 2 goals that will fill...2023-01-1039 minJoyful LoveRespect Your Nervous System During Difficult ConversationsIn today's episode, I share with you why you should embrace your Nervous System as your wise BFF! We've all been in difficult conversations where our body starts to react. We want to run, hide, scream, fight, or even freeze. Or maybe it's your partner that has a fight-or-flight response. What are you even arguing about at this point? Tomorrow you won’t remember. But right now? You feel like your entire world is crashing down. And you want to escape. Escape the room. Escape the conversation. Maybe even escape the relationship. If...2023-01-0336 minJoyful LoveEp 70: Being Open To Influence From Your PartnerIn today's episode of the Joyful Love Podcast, you'll hear Day 3 of The Connected Communication challenge. These skills will help you build connection and friendship with your life-long partner! You'll learn: 1. Why you shouldn't be a mind-reader. 2. How to be open to your partner's influence - even if you're independent and opinionated like me! And .... 3. Exactly how many problems to work on at a time! If you think your partner should know what you're thinking, if you're annoyed when your partner shares their opinion, or if your conversations turn into a "...2022-12-2935 minJoyful LoveGet Curious and Assume The Best To Create Deep ConnectionIn today's episode, I share Day 2 of The Connected Communication Challenge. You'll learn how assuming the best of your partner and a curious mind make your discussions easier. And as a BONUS, you'll learn why the brain wants to hold you back from growth and change and what to do about it! Enjoy today's episode with your partner and begin practicing these skills together! To sign up for a free consultation, go to https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/workwithme/2022-12-2033 minJoyful LoveHow Increasing Self Worth Makes Communication EasierIn our conversations with our loved ones, we can get real critical real quick. “If he’d just do things this way, he’d be better.” “If she’d act this way, I could love her easier.”And with each critical thought or remark, we hold ourselves back from deep connection between our soul and our partner's soul.But it doesn’t start (or stop) with our loved ones. We turn that criticism on ourselves every chance we can get. “If I’d stick to this habit, I’d be prettier.” Or, “Ugh, I’m so stupid...2022-12-1332 minJoyful LoveEp 67: How To Manage The Holidays Without OverwhelmThe Holidays are among us and it’s a beautiful time to give and receive. But what do we really want this month? Many of us want rest and recovery. We want to hunker down and sit by the fire reading books and sleeping in a little longer. We want the comforts of home and peace. We want long snuggles with our loved ones! However, with all the extras in our schedule, it can be a challenge to get that sweet hibernation time in! If all you want for Christmas is to slow down and res...2022-12-0620 minJoyful LoveDo This When Your Monkey Brain Is On Over-DriveThis week we continue the conversation about fear and love. How do we let love lead when fear is the overwhelming emotion? How do you calm the animal brain so you can relax and take action from love?The truth is fear rises in many situations - whether it’s actual danger, perceived danger, or even the fear of judgment. So you need a process to take you from fear to peace. From fear to calm. From fear to love.Listen to the full episode to find out 4 steps to take when your monkey brain fr...2022-11-2227 minJoyful LoveEp 65: Almost Empty Nesters and The Drive To ProtectIn today's episode, I get personal and record on the fly in my car. I feel like for the past 6 months our family life has been in constant change. So much newness and change and wonder. And with change can come fear. So what do we do with fear? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Or is there a balance to bring in .... with Love and Trust? Tune into today's episode for a raw, imperfect, driving-in-my-car recording to hear how I'm dealing with my 2 oldest kids moving out! Get full show notes and m...2022-11-0824 minJoyful LoveFeeling Apathetic In Your RelationshipAre you feeling numb about your relationship? Maybe you’re apathetic about creating a connection with your partner… maybe you’d rather be alone than have a date night. Most long-term couples feel a little apathy during different phases of their relationship.Sometimes our brain just wants to take a break because we’ve got a lot going on! And sometimes it chooses our relationship to take a break from. That’s when you start feeling distant, numb, and start questioning your choice to be in the relationship … These are All very...2022-10-1920 minJoyful LoveHow Perimenopause & Menopause Affect Moods & Relationships w/ Candy WrightLow energy, intense cravings, mood swings, waking up in the middle of the night - they’re all symptoms of hormones shifting! It can be enough to cause you to question everything in life! When you reach your 40’s and 50’s (and sometimes even earlier), you start to notice a difference in how you feel. Is there anything you can do about it? What does your body need? Can you protect yourself and your relationships during this time?Candy Wright is an expert coach in menopausal health. And for this episode, she shares mind-blowing (and re...2022-10-1140 minJoyful LoveResolving Conflict in Neurodivergent RelationshipsWhen one or more partners in a relationship are neurodivergent, it can add unique challenges to a marriage. Neurodiversity refers to a variation in how one’s neurology (their brain and nervous system) operate. It includes autism, ADHD, OCD, sensory processing difficulties, and other brain variations. This means your brain (or your partner's brain) processes the world differently than the majority of humans. This is not a problem in and of itself. Where the problem comes in is when you try to change each other instead of working to accept each oth...2022-10-0433 minJoyful LoveThe Benefit of Hiring A 1:1 CoachWe live in an information age. There are tons of books, classes, and programs that guide us with great advice - advice we try hard to listen to. But when your brain avoids the discomfort of change or is met with confusion, you don’t implement the great advice you've learned. This is normal. Don’t beat yourself up for one more day about it! You just need to learn how to use your brain (and your emotions) for you instead of against you. This is where coaching comes in. A coa...2022-09-2729 minJoyful LoveAsking The Right Questions For Relationship GrowthOn this episode of Joyful Love, I talk about asking the right questions to get better results in your life and relationships. Our brains want to focus on the negative, so it's natural to think there are problems where there are not. When we focus on the wrong issue, it distracts us from making the changes we do need to make. In this episode, I share how I thought my desire for alone time was a problem for enjoying married life. I thought there was something wrong with me because of my personality. So I fe...2022-09-1323 minJoyful LoveRaising Your Self-ConceptIf your personal self-concept is low it's going to show up in every area of life. Low self-concept can make you feel shame if others compliment you or do something nice for you. It can hold you back from genuine connection in your relationships. And it will prevent you from creating a life that you love living. So it's time to raise your self-concept. It's time to start believing that you are worthy of love, care, and a joy filled ife. In today's episode, you will gain wisdom from your future self and begi...2022-09-0624 minJoyful LoveWhen You're Married To An Alcoholic, With Deanna MarieWhen you’re married to an alcoholic or an addict, it adds a whole new dynamic to your relationship. It brings up frustration, exhaustion, and loneliness, as you try to figure out the next best steps.Should you stay? Or should you go? Sometimes the answer isn’t as black and white as we’d like it to be. That’s where Deanna Marie comes in. She’s a life coach for people who are married to alcoholics. Listen to today’s episode to hear her story of being married to an alcoholic. We discuss e...2022-08-2337 minJoyful LoveStop Waiting For Confidence, Create it NowIf you don’t have confidence, there’s no doubt that you’re holding yourself back from having the life and marriage you want. We often think confidence will come easy once we achieve our goals. We thing that when we’re more fit (or skinny, or curvy, or strong), then we’ll feel more confident. But if you wait for your goals to be achieved to embrace total love, appreciation, and trust in yourself … you could be waiting for a very, very long time. And even then, you’re still going to have a human brain th...2022-08-0915 minJoyful LoveHow To Improve Your Physical Health By Embracing Your EmotionsHave you ever made a commitment to make a serious change in your life and then given up on it after a day or two of struggle? Of course, you have. You’re a human being with a brain that doesn’t like change or anything uncomfortable. We've all been there - over and over again. So with any shift that you’re serious about making - whether it’s eating healthier, cutting back on alcohol, exercising, or even being more present with your family - your power is found in being willing to feel uncomfort...2022-07-2625 minJoyful LoveHow To Listen To Your Body And Increase EnergyIf you're a woman, you've been socialized to believe that the main reason for getting healthy is to look good in a bikini. You've also been told the lie that you have to be super thin to be healthy. This puts an enormous amount of pressure on us. Our self-confidence is often tied to our weight and dieting becomes something that takes up a lot of our thinking. It's exhausting. And we give up. In today's episode, I share with you how shifting your reason for getting healthy from 'looking good in a...2022-07-1322 minJoyful LoveWhen You Don't Feel Like YourselfMost of us have a seriously hard time loving and valuing ourselves if we don't feel productive. We tie our worth and lovability to how much we accomplish in a day, a week, a year. So in this episode, I invite you into my inner world this week while I'm recovering from Covid. I was on a forced rest - and my brain was having a fit! I didn't feel like myself. I questioned my worth. I even questioned if anything I ever did was any good - from parenting to coaching - my brain c...2022-07-0522 minJoyful LoveExpansive Growth For Year 2 Of Joyful LoveAs I move into year two of the Joyful Love Podcast, I’ll dive even deeper into some of the concepts I’ve just scratched the surface on so far. The truth is that our health, energy, and our ability to slow down affects everything we do in life. They affect our relationships and our well-being. They affect our nervous system and our mental health.Humans are made up of mind, body, and soul. And I don’t believe I can speak on one of these, without including the others. So this year, I’ll dive...2022-06-1422 minJoyful LoveChange Your Sex Story With Julie MerrillOn this episode of Joyful Love, I introduce you to my friend and colleague Julie Merrill. Julie is a Midlife Sexual Wellness Coach who brings all the juiciness to this episode!Julie’s own story takes her from being misdiagnosed as asexual to discovering sexual pleasure for herself. We discuss how our past can influence our current sex stories and how we view ourselves … and how to begin creating a better story moving forward. There’s something for every woman who is seeking to improve her sex life in this episode!Enjoy! 2022-06-0755 minJoyful LoveDrop Perfection and Ask For What You WantWhat do we want? Rest. When do we want it? Now. How do we get it? Well, it's simple, we have to stop thinking everything needs to be done before we're allowed to rest. We have to stop the deep-seeded belief that everything around us needs to be done better and/or perfect. And we need to stop people-pleasing those around us to the point of feeling resentful about it. In today's episode, I talk about some of the reasons why it's easier to do things by yourself, rather than ask...2022-05-3131 minJoyful LovePull Over The Car, A Lesson From My TeenOur emotions are here for a reason. They teach us. They give us important information. They shine a flashlight on what we need to change. And yet, they get brushed aside or buried so that we can quickly move on to the next important task. We tell ourselves, “I’m just being too sensitive.” Yet when we do this, we miss important lessons. We miss an opportunity to listen to our souls. So when my 16-year-old son shared a story with me of how he stopped to process an emotion, I knew I wanted...2022-05-2413 minJoyful LoveKick Out The Patriarchy and Create More TeamworkWomen bear the weight of having a family. From keeping the home running smoothly to planning holidays, choosing doctors, and keeping everyone healthy and whole - 90% of this responsibility falls on us. Patriarchal systems have set it up this way. It’s put men in power and women in the supporting role of that power. Although we’ve come a long way as women to overcome this - we’ve got a long way to go.But making men the enemy and disconnecting from our partners isn’t going to help.So...2022-05-1726 minJoyful LoveHow To Calm Your Nerves To Face Your FearsFace your fears! Step out of your comfort zone!If you’ve been in the self-help world for long, you’ve definitely heard these 2 phrases - over and over.And you’ve also been told to stop hustling and to let go of stress.As women, we want both. We want peace in our lives and we want the freedom to go after our big dreams and the courage to face our fears.So what gives? How can we do both? How can we step out of our comfort zone in a way th...2022-05-1025 minJoyful LoveIrritations vrs Deal-BreakersYou can spin in confusion for years about whether or not you’re just irritated with your partner, or if it’s time to end your relationship. If you’re constantly annoyed and irritated, it’s time to take your power back and start creating your own joy in life again. All those petty annoyances don’t have to take up your valuable brain space and they don’t have to stop you from creating a life and relationship that’s freakin’ amazing! But … What about the big stuff? What about the issues in your marriage that...2022-04-2634 min
Joyful LoveThe Healing Power Of HumorThe personal benefits of welcoming more humor into your life are enormous. Laughter has been shown to light up the brain's neurons, increase pleasure, and decrease overall stress. And when you bring more laughter and light-heartedness into your relationship it benefits every aspect of your marriage. Laughter is the healing balm that you and your partner need!So it’s time to bring some good ol’ belly laughing back to your relationship. In today’s episode, I talk about why every marriage needs a dose of humor. You’ll learn 4 tips to start...2022-04-1920 minJoyful LoveHow To Create Pleasure In Your RelationshipSo many women want more intimacy and pleasure in their relationship. They want to be able to enjoy connection - emotional and physical with their partner. It can feel like so much is in the way of that. With our own busy lives and our partner's busy lives, raising kids, and dealing with the emotional weight of keeping things running smoothly, is there space for pleasure?Is there time for joy?Is there time for connection and intimacy?I believe there is. I believe having more pleasure in your relationship, starts in...2022-04-1221 minJoyful LoveLet's Dance, Mama! With Jo RyanMothering is the hardest job in the world. At least it was for me. Building my own business is a piece of cake when it compares to the exhaustion and sheer desperation I felt at times with loving my 3 kids so intensely.And because mothering can be difficult, it’s normal to want a break from it all. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and question yourself constantly.And unfortunately, it’s normal for women to lose their joy during different phases of mothering. And no, this does not mean we’re not g...2022-04-0534 minJoyful LoveHow To Get Sh*t Done When You’re Not MotivatedHave you ever wanted to make a change in your life so bad that you thought about it nearly non-stop? Yet that’s as far as you get … The dream never left your mind - for long anyway. Because you’re waiting for the motivation to get started. So you continue to wish you were already at the goal. The effort to get there just seems like too much. But wait! Finally, motivation hits! And for a full week (if you’re lucky) you’re inspired to take action. You take big action. You’re exc...2022-03-2923 minJoyful LoveRekindle Your Marriage, Day 5In today's episode, you'll hear Day 5 of The Rekindle Your Marriage Workshop. You’ll hear the importance of investing in two of your most important assets: Your mind and your marriage. Studies have shown the best use of one's time and money is in their own emotional wellness and relationships. Your mind and marriage are more important than any material items or experience you could buy ... because the latter ... is temporary. But your Mind and your Relationships are not. If you're a married woman ... and especially a married woman with kids, you are not us...2022-03-2225 minJoyful LoveRekindle Your Marriage, Day 4Many couples don’t always see eye to eye. This can lead to arguing, criticizing, and blaming, which can be detrimental to a healthy relationship. What if you don't have to agree to have a great relationship, though?What if your differences are for your good? What if you can be on the same team ... with totally different abilities and opinions?You can! But most married couples, over time, use their differences against themselves. They begin to treat each other as enemies. On the Day 4 Replay, you'll le...2022-03-1528 minJoyful LoveRekindle Your Marriage, Day 3In Day 3 of The Rekindle Your Marriage Workshop, you will learn to take ownership back over your own emotions, actions, and reactions, and ultimately the results in your life. In today's episode, you learn: That you are equals in this relationship. You have a choice (complete autonomy) over whether to be in this relationship or not. How your thoughts create your feelings. How to use Thought Work to solve any problem in your life. How Gratitude is a power move. Your emotions in life depend on practicing high-quality t...2022-03-0834 minJoyful LoveRekindle Your Marriage, Day 2In today’s episode, you'll learn the ground rules for a healthy marriage. When you approach your relationship with the foundation that you are both worthy of total and complete love, you create safety in your marriage. ✅ Safety to get curious about your differences. ✅ Safety to connect and be vulnerable with each other.✅ Safety to have different opinions without criticism. ✅ Safety to let your guard down and have a passionate love life!How have you been withholding love from yourself? And where can you lean into giving yourself the love and acceptance...2022-03-0220 min
Joyful LoveRekindle Your Marriage, Day 1Every couple reaches a point in their marriage where change needs to be embraced. Most of us don't want to leave our marriages, but we are fully aware that things need to change in order to feel fully alive and happy in our relationships. If this resonates with you, it's time to rekindle the love and connection you once felt. And it's time to learn simple, yet effective skills that will increase your communication, teamwork, and passion. In today's episode you will begin to learn these simple shifts and how to implement them in yo...2022-02-2231 min
Joyful LoveLet's Talk About Will Smith's MemoirWill is the memoir of actor and musician Will Smith. The memoir provides a glimpse into Will’s life from his days as a child all the way through his struggles in marriage.Cris and I recently listened to the audio version together.There were so many insights on what it takes to have a healthy relationship that we decided to chat about it on the podcast today! Tune in to hear why I think Mr. Smith just wrote the best marriage book of the year! What you’ll learn in this episode: Wh...2022-02-1527 min
Joyful LoveThe Importance of AppreciationIt’s been said that the deepest need in humans is to feel appreciated. And if we tie that to our relationships, I’d agree. One of the most important things to cultivate in your relationship is a habit of appreciation for each other.Appreciation lets us know that we are valued, validated, and seen. And it feels amazing.If appreciation is missing in a relationship, the heartache is felt and distance begins. Thankfully, a lack of appreciation doesn’t mean the relationship is doomed. With intention and understanding, you can relearn how to...2022-02-0124 min
Joyful LoveResponsibility ExhaustionIt’s not uncommon for women to feel like they're the ones responsible for holding it all together. From the home to the kids. From work to making sure everyone gets fed. And the thousands of little (and big) things in between. Most women would say, “If I don’t make sure it gets done, it doesn’t get done.” We manage it all. Sometimes well … and sometimes, not so well. Because to juggle it all gets exhausting. If you’re used to taking on all the responsibility and you feel like there’s n...2022-01-2527 minJoyful LoveSurvival ModeWhen you’re in survival mode as a couple, so much can feel hopeless.Now, I’m not just talking about hustle mode, where you never allow yourself to stop being busy. No, I’m talking about the kind of survival where you feel like something terrible is going to happen if you close your eyes for a minute … if you allow yourself to rest.A traumatic event (or the threat of a traumatic event) can take us there real quick. And your entire body responds. In today’s episode, I’m not going to...2022-01-1828 min
Joyful LoveRelationship ExpectationsSome relationship experts will tell you to expect less in your relationship. The reasoning is that if you don’t expect much, then you’ll be less disappointed. There are certain things we expect that can create disconnection in marriage. If we are constantly trying to change our partner so that they can somehow fulfill our happiness, those expectations will lead to frustration and bitterness. But, I don’t believe this tells the full story. There are certain things we want to expect from our relationships. I believe a healthy marriage should include love, respect, and kindn...2022-01-1135 min
A Need To Read#142 How technology and social media use impacts our health Dr Rachael KentDr. Rachael Kent is a lecturer and researcher at Kings College London. Specifically, Dr. Kent’s research focuses on how digital technology influences everyday mental and physical health. Below are some timestamps for this conversation that may prove to be one of the most important I have had so far. I am growing more and more concerned with how technology influences our lives and it was a pleasure to chat about this with an expert.
All you need for Rachael is on her website: https://www.drdigitalhealth.co.uk
Time Stamps
2022-01-111h 23
Joyful LoveNew Year DesiresThere are a few ways of thinking about the New Year. One, that it's just another week to keep planning and growing - just like any other week. Or two, you can get excited about reaching for new goals and dive into the excitement of new beginnings. Or maybe you're someone stuck in the middle - not sure how you want to approach the new year. Wherever you're at right now, know that you're all good... right where you're at! There are no right or wrong ways to approach the year. ...2022-01-0424 min
Joyful LoveTake A Radical BreakIf you’ve been following me for a while, you may know that I like to give myself a break. Meditation, intentional breathing, napping … anything that keeps my nervous system balanced. And I’m working towards even more downtime in my schedule. It feels a bit radical, I admit. But I’m on a mission to include rest as regularly, daily, weekly, and extended yearly moments of hibernation. I recorded this episode the week before Christmas when there are more things to do than normal. We tend to feel the hustle extra this time of year. And...2021-12-2120 min
Joyful LoveDecide To Be All InIn this episode, I’m excited to give you Day 1 of the Rekindle Your Marriage Workshop. I offered this 5 Day workshop inside the Facebook Group last week and it helped a ton of women light a flame in their marriage again. We covered everything from making the powerful decision to be all in - to teamwork and taking ownership for how you show up. We also learned the two most important ground rules for having a connected, joyful marriage.This is the place to start if you’re ready to improve your relationship this w...2021-12-1426 min
Joyful LoveLiving In THIS Present MomentLiving in this present moment is critical for a joy-filled life and marriage. We know this. Instead of living our lives now, we spend the present moment worrying about the future and regretting the past. We regret not preparing better. We criticize ourselves for not being as ‘good’ as other families. We judge our own experiences and wish things were different. We criticize our partners, we judge our parents, and we beat ourselves up too. We are wasting our time and energy trying to control things we can’t. But here’s t...2021-12-0713 min
Joyful LoveMoney and Marriage: A Conversation With Money Coach, Paige PritchardDisagreements about money put out the spark in many marriages. About one-third of married adults say that money is a big source of conflict in their relationships. From paying bills, trying to balance things fairly (whatever that means), saving, budgeting, and making more money, these problems can be the end of a relationship if not dealt with. However, money is just like any other issue we disagree about. You have two people, with two human brains. Those brains have unique experiences, stories, and thousands of individual thoughts about money. Your money story goes back to ch...2021-11-3054 min
Joyful LoveHow To Process Difficult EmotionsAs we become more familiar with Thought Work, we realize that our feelings are caused by the thoughts we think. This is a powerful realization for most people. And it makes people want to change their thinking immediately. “Oh, this thought is making me feel bad! I need to choose a better thought!” Now, this may work occasionally, but it’s not really that simple. We must first start with awareness. Bringing attention to the feeling itself and then to the thought causing it. If we brush past the emotion too quickly and ignore it just to get to a b...2021-11-2323 min
Joyful LoveSurviving Holiday Get-TogethersThis time of year can be pretty special for most of us. It’s a time to be grateful and reflect on the beauty of family. And it can also be challenging. Family get-togethers are not always sunshine and rainbows. In fact, they rarely are! With so many different opinions and personalities, what should be a time to come together and spread joy, can end in tense arguments across the dinner table, past wounds being re-opened, and difficult conversations that lead nowhere. So how do we navigate the holidays with in-laws and extended family? How do we...2021-11-1623 min
Joyful LoveA Discussion On Abuse: Netflix’s MAIDCris and I just finished binge-watching MAID on Netflix. It's a show based on the book by Stephanie Land. MAID follows one woman's story of leaving an abusive relationship. In today's episode, Cris joins me as we open a dialogue about abuse. We talk about our experiences of abuse as children and how we're healing together. How do you make that first step to seek help if you're in an abusive relationship? How do you heal as a married couple from past abuse and trauma? Join us as we scratch the...2021-11-0938 min
Joyful LoveHow To Make Love FunLove is not a burden. It is not something that should feel exhausting. Loving someone else doesn’t have to leave us feeling like a martyr by the end of every night. So why are so many women feeling this way about their marriage? It’s time for a shake-up! It’s time to flip the script on Love and start seeing it for what it is - a whole lot of fun!Yes, there are times when Love requires us to dig deep and see what we’re made of. It requires strength and intention. But what...2021-11-0230 minJoyful LoveThe Love You Need NowWithout love, we will suffer. It’s a basic human need. But what does that mean? We all want a partner who shows up for us, cares for us, and loves us in their own special, unique way. We deserve that. However, if we are not loving ourselves and caring for our own mind and body on our own terms, our mental, emotional, and physical health will suffer. So even when our partners care and love for us a ton - it can not replace the love we need to give ourselves. It is...2021-10-2625 minJoyful LoveChallenging RelationshipsWhen two people decide to live together as a unit, there are often times when the relationship gets challenging. Maybe it’s been challenging since the beginning or maybe a difficult circumstance in your life sent you into a downward spiral of fighting, arguing or avoiding each other. Either way, there are things you can do to care for yourself and your relationship while rebuilding trust and connection again. Listen to today’s episode to find out what to stop doing and what to start doing to end the challenge in your love life. Get full show notes and m...2021-10-1957 min
Joyful LoveFeeling Content Now, Not LaterCan you feel contentment before your life is where you want it to be? How about in your relationship? Your health? Your finances? Is it possible to reach for big goals in these areas, yet feel the peace and joy you’re longing for before you get there? Yes. And not only is it possible, it’s the fastest way to get to your goals. Listen to episode 21 to hear why cultivating contentment before you reach your goals is the only way to achieve them. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com...2021-10-1228 min
Joyful LoveForgiving Yourself As Part Of Your JourneyOne of the hardest parts of being human is forgiving yourself for past mistakes. It’s a process to own up to what you did wrong, move out of shame and into wisdom. However, most of us stay in the muck of guilt and shame way too long. And that guilt and shame does nothing for us. It hinders us from connecting with our loved ones and it stops us from personal growth. In today’s episode, you will learn a 4 step process to practice self-forgiveness. We’ve all messed up. Every one of us. And grace and forgiveness are pa...2021-10-0517 min
Joyful LoveParenting Children With Autism: An Interview With Becky FryIn this episode of Joyful Love, I am joined by my friend and colleage, Becky Fry. Becky is a Certified Life Coach for moms of kids with autism. In her work, she helps moms stop feeling so overwhelmed by the unique challenges they face, raising their children. We discuss how Becky learned to embrace her parenting journey and how parenting a child with autism affects her world. Join us to hear more. Show notes, transcripts, and links here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-09-2838 minJoyful LoveThe Discomfort of Human GrowthCommitting to change and growth will inevitably bring uncomfortable feelings. But we tend to avoid discomfort in our human experience. So we give up on our goals over and over.... because growth is uncomfortable AF! And then we beat ourselves up and heap piles of judgment on ourselves for … being human. We all do it. But there’s a better way. What if we started getting comfortable with discomfort? What if we embraced it instead of running from it? This is the way to finally accomplish those big goals. Listen on to hear how. ...2021-09-2117 minJoyful LoveThe Power of Private Coaching For RelationshipsHow can 1:1 coaching can help a relationship? Don’t both people need to be all in to heal a relationship? How can you make progress if just one person does the work? You’re tired of being the only one to make an effort! I hear you and I get it. In this episode, we’ll cover the Power of coaching for one in a relationship. Sometimes, you just need a party of ONE. Listen on to hear why. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-09-1418 min
Joyful LoveGratitude Changes EverythingWhen we face challenging times, it’s natural to sink into despair. However, in this episode I challenge you to pause during those most challenging times and find just a few minutes to be in the present moment. Gratitude not only gives you a small break from the worry and stress, it changes your brain chemistry to feel more joy. We could all use a bit more of that! Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-09-0712 minJoyful Love15: My Morning RoutineSetting myself up for success first thing in the morning has been a total game-changer for me and my relationships. Knowing that every morning I get to wake up and do what I want to feed my soul and care for my body and mind helps me enter the day with gratitude and peace. Join me in today’s episode and learn my top four suggestions for a healthy morning routine.Get full show notes and more information here:https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-08-3126 minJoyful Love14: Communicate Better, Part 2Difficult discussions can be the death of a good relationship. But with a little mind-management and emotional ownership, you can start to bring life back into your relationship even during those hard conversations. Good communication can be an opportunity to understand your partner even more. Listen on to hear 5 steps to communicate better even when the discussion gets tricky!Get full show notes and more information here:https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-08-2432 minJoyful LoveCommunicate Better, Part 1Communication is an art. And to get better at any art, you have to practice. However, it’s helpful if you understand some helpful tips and have the tools necessary to practice. In today’s episode, you’ll learn about your different communication styles. Are you an internal processor or an external processor? What about your partner? Let’s find out and learn to work with your differences instead of against them!Get full show notes and more information here:https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-08-1726 min
Joyful LoveBoundariesIn today’s episode, I explain what a boundary is and how we’ve been looking at them all wrong! I tell you how to create boundaries in a way that is actually helpful! Join me as I show you how to set boundaries in a way that honors your own emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.Get full show notes and more information here:https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/category/podcast/2021-08-1032 min
Joyful LoveHow To Bring Intimacy Back To Your RelationshipToday’s podcast is all about sex and intimacy! In this episode I share The Confident Marriage Workshop: Day 3 with you. You’ll learn the top three needs for you to bring intimacy back consistently to your relationship. From feeling like there’s not enough time, to feeling constantly overwhelmed, to not communicating… intimacy is often the first thing to go in a long-term relationship. However, with some simple tools, an open heart, and a bit of consistency, you can change that! Listen now to learn more.Get full show notes and more information here:https://www.rachaelc...2021-08-0353 min
Joyful LoveEp. 10: The Stories We Tell Ourselves: A Conversation With My HusbandIn this episode, I talk to Cris Cunningham (Love of my life) about the stories we create. The truth is that we are magnificent beings, and the more we realize it and change the stories we tell ourselves, the more our beauty shines forth. Join us in this conversation of loving ourselves, loving each other, and loving the strangers on our journeys. 2021-07-2731 min
Joyful LoveEp. 09: You Can Have A Happy Marriage Even When … Let’s be honest here. Sometimes our partners can irritate us to no end. The way they load the dishwasher. Their unique routines. The way they chew, talk, don’t talk, comb their hair, the job they choose, or any other number of things. Now they weren’t so irritating in the beginning. Heck, we might have even liked these unique differences about them. However, over time, we start finding them annoying and irritating. And our brains offer us thoughts like, “If he would change, I would be happier.” Or even, “The way they are – is holding me back in life...2021-07-2020 minJoyful LoveEp. 08: The Confident MarriageDo you doubt yourself and your partner on the regular? Is your confidence in your ability as a couple to communicate and make it through hard times non-existent? Do you wonder if you’ll ever have a sex life that’s fulfilling again? Today we’ll talk about why Marriage Confidence matters. And you’ll gain insight on how to create your own marriage confidence. Yes, the power is in your hands. You can bring back confidence. You just need the right tools! 2021-07-1327 minJoyful LoveEp. 07: People Pleasing Vs. Unconditional LoveThere’s a big difference between People-Pleasing and Unconditional Love. Love includes kindness towards others, of course, but how do we make sure our kindness is authentic and not just trying to please other people? In today’s episode, you’ll learn 3 simple questions to make sure you’re considering yourself when you do things for others.2021-07-0622 min
Joyful LoveEp. 06: Mind Shifts For Loving Your Really Weird PartnerToday we’re gonna talk about those strange things your partner does that are just a little bit embarrassing! Maybe they’ve always been weird or maybe they get more strange as the years go by. Regardless … you’re noticing it! And it’s messing with your ability to enjoy your relationship fully! But let’s be clear … we’re all a little bit weird. And maybe it’s time to embrace that! Learn how you can start doing that in today’s episode. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/podcast 2021-06-2919 min
Joyful LoveEp. 05: How To Make Connection Super EasyIf there’s one thing in a long-term relationship that we don’t want, it’s disconnection. Feeling like you’re constantly miscommunicating and missing the essence of your partner can lead to feeling lonely, irritated, and misunderstood. In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to rebuild that heart to heart connection that you’re craving again. You’ll walk away with tools you can implement tonight! Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/podcast2021-06-2223 min
Joyful LoveEp. 04: Why You Can Stop Trying To Be A Good WifeOur brains have a funny way of telling us we’re not good enough. In today’s episode, I talk about why thinking we need to be better and do better is holding us back. What if you’re already good enough? What if you’re already 100% lovable exactly as you are? If you felt your own worthiness deep in your bones right now, how would that change things? If you’re a little bit scared to stop criticizing yourself (and your partner!), this episode is for you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunn...2021-06-2221 min
Joyful LoveEp. 03: Thirty Second Celebrations For A Lifetime Of JoyIn today’s episode we smash the belief that we only need to celebrate big events like anniversaries and birthdays. Nope … the way to really have a fun and joyful marriage is to celebrate the little things often. Join me and learn how to celebrate even the hard things in life. Life is worth celebrating. And if you have a life partner … it’s worth celebrating it with them. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/podcast2021-06-2216 min
Joyful LoveEp. 02: Create Vision For Your Relationship And Own ItToday we’re talking about creating a vision for your life and your marriage. When we first got married, many of us had huge dreams and goals. Our future vision was spectacular! But after a while … when some of those dreams came true and when some of them got pushed aside for ‘more important’ things, we lost our spunk in life and our married life became … well … boring. We stopped dreaming and began just doing what it took to get through the day. This episode will help you to start thinking like a person with hope for your relationship...2021-06-2218 min
Joyful LoveEp. 01: How To Bring Joy Back To Your Marriage TodayIn this episode, we're talking about how to bring more Joy to your life and marriage by understanding how the mind works. We’ll talk about how the fairy tale stories got it all wrong and that it’s actually not your partner's job to make you happy. We’ll learn to let go of the marriage rules and expectations that keep us stuck and instead open our minds and hearts to a more joyful way of loving our partners and ourselves. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com/podcast2021-06-2222 minJoyful LoveEp 00: Introducing Joyful Love, A Marriage PodcastAre you feeling stuck in a cycle of resentment and frustration in your marriage? Are you ready to bring Joy and connection back? If so, The Joyful Love Podcast is for you! Listen to Episode Zero and then hit that subscribe button so you can be the first to know when a new episode releases! Learn more at https://www.rachaelcunningham.com2021-06-1201 min
Things I Wish I’d Known with Rachael Welford37 Sovel Cunningham - Family Trauma, The Truth
***Listener discretion advised if the topic of family violence is a trigger***
This week I am speaking with Sovel Cunningham about owning your truth, moving out of your outdated stories and finding your voice. Sovel is a poet, a speaker, and an author of Marshalled In Ranks, who uses the spoken and written word in order to help people remove their masks and find their truth.
We discuss bringing awareness to and removing family patterns and the trauma which is left from abuse. Sovel's story is moving and will inspire you to find and follow your truth.
You can find out...2020-09-151h 03