In this episode, Russell explores the concept of reclaiming rest without guilt, focusing on the shared challenges and perceptions faced by men and women. He delves into the tension between societal expectations and personal need for rest, offering insights into overcoming the guilt associated with taking breaks and emphasizing rest as a form of trust and self-care. This conversation addresses the psychological and relational impacts of rest, providing practical guidance on how to balance work, life, and personal well-being.

In this episode of "Connected Through Change," we delve into the silent, tense moments of conflict that every couple knows too well. We explore how both men and women experience these standoffs, often in completely different ways, and how our individual responses can either widen the gap or bring us closer together.

For men, we challenge the notion that grace equals surrender. We invite you to drop your defensive rocks and become stewards of your relationship.

For women, we encourage you to lift the weight of unspoken words and speak your truth with courage.

Grace, as we'll discover, is not a feeling. It's a decision—a decision to prioritize connection over winning an argument.

Join us as we explore how to transform the kitchen counter standoff into an opportunity for deeper connection and understanding.

Key Takeaways:

- Understand how conflict often plays out silently through body language and unspoken words.

- Discover how men and women can experience the same moment of conflict differently.

- Learn how to shift from a mindset of winning arguments to prioritizing connection.

- Recognize the power of grace as a tool for managing conflict and connecting with your partner.

Intimacy Beyond Desire: Deepening Emotional Closeness in Midlife

In this episode of Connected Through Change, we explore a quieter, deeper kind of intimacy—the emotional closeness that often gets lost in midlife relationships. When desire changes, routines settle in, and stress accumulates, many couples find themselves together but not truly connected.

From the men’s perspective, emotional closeness can feel like a test they were never taught to take—leading to retreat, problem-solving mode, or silence. From the women’s perspective, carrying the emotional and mental load can create a wall of competence that unintentionally blocks true connection.

This episode reframes intimacy as presence and safety, not performance or fixing. You’ll learn why both partners protect themselves in different ways, how those protection strategies create distance, and what it takes to bridge the emotional canyon between you.

Couples Practice: The Witness & Exhale Exercise

Try this simple 10-minute practice together this week:

1. Sit facing each other with no distractions.
2. One partner names a single feeling (e.g., “lonely,” “heavy,” “quiet”)—no explanation.
3. The other partner simply reflects and listens without fixing or solving.
4. Switch roles.

This practice builds emotional safety, visibility, and connection—without pressure or performance.