The Science of Falling in Love – Phase Two: Building Trust

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Marti Witherow

The Science of Fidelity and Infidelity Series What Happens When the Passion Wears Off After the initial, most passionate phase of a relationship, the so-called “Limerence Cocktail” wears off, and lovers are faced with a crossroads in their connection. They begin to deliberate about … Continue reading →

The Science of Falling in Love – Phase One: Limerence

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Marti Witherow

The Science of Fidelity and Infidelity Series Molecules of Love: Are you the one? The initial phase of a romantic relationship is often characterized by infatuation. However, amidst the excitement, there is the embedded fear that the relationship might be … Continue reading →

The Four Horsemen of the Marital Apocalypse, Part Four: Stonewalling

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Caty Coffey

Contributors to Marital Apocalypse Series For the past year, Paul and Amy’s marriage has been on the rocks. Most of their conversations turn into arguments. They are so tuned-in to negativity that it takes very little to set either of them … Continue reading →

The Four Horsemen of the Marital Apocalypse, Part Three: Contempt

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Caty Coffey

Contributors to Marital Apocalypse Series Imagine that you’re married to a lazy, unambitious, boring idiot who kills your social life and generally creates more work for you (because he won’t get off his butt and do things. Any household thing, any parenting … Continue reading →

The Four Horsemen of the Marital Apocalypse, Part Two: Defensiveness

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Caty Coffey

Contributors to Marital Apocalypse Series Not all negatives are equally damaging in relationships. In his last post, Russ Schulte introduced us to the “Four Horseman of the Apocalypse” – four behaviors that researchers John and Julie Gottman determine to be … Continue reading →

The Four Horseman of the Marital Apocalypse, Part One: Criticism

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Russ Schulte

Contributors to Marital Apocalypse Series Introduction What ingredients make for an unsatisfying, dysfunctional relationship? Check out an overview by Marti Witherow as a helpful reference. In her post, she conveys a summary of some of the most identifiable contributors of dysfunction according to … Continue reading →

You can either be Right or be Married: Gridlock vs. Dialogue

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Marti Witherow

It has happened to all of us before. You saw a look in your partner’s eyes, felt a change of tone in their voice, or caught a quick glimpse of rolling eyes. You felt a sense of confusion and anger rise up … Continue reading →

Relationship Conflict Series: Part One

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Marti Witherow

How to Mess Up Your Marriage and Achieve Divorce in a Masterful Way What causes break-ups and divorce? Many books have been written about relationship deterioration, quoting ideas of what goes wrong when a relationship dies. You may have heard some … Continue reading →

House of Cards Falling: The Parallel Between Frank Underwood and Porn

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Russ Schulte

I have to make a confession, but you have to understand that it is a secret. So don’t tell anyone, okay? It is about one of my guilty pleasures. Here it goes…I watch the Netflix original series House of Cards. … Continue reading →

Do You Love Me?

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Caty Coffey

Have you ever had the same fight with your spouse over and over? I thought so. You know what it looks like, feels like, smells like. You could probably write a script for the way it’s going to go. … Continue reading →