Stress is unavoidable. Between the state of the world, work demands, parenting, and the pressure to keep everything running, most couples are carrying more than they realize. The problem isn't stress itself, it's how easily it spills into your marriage. When stress goes unmanaged, it shows up as tension, miscommunication, defensiveness, and feeling like you're constantly behind or letting each other down. And suddenly, the relationship that should feel like support starts to feel like another source of pressure.

In this episode, we talk about how stress moves through your life and into your relationship—and what to do before it quietly erodes connection. You'll learn how to create more margin, emotional awareness, and intentional connection so stress doesn't run your interactions or your home. Because when your marriage is supported, everything else in life—parenting, work, and decision-making—becomes lighter and more sustainable.

If you want to protect your relationship from getting pushed to the bottom of the list, join our 30-Day "Prioritizing Us" Couples Challenge⭐️. It's designed to help couples stay connected and proactive during busy, stressful seasons through small daily actions that strengthen your foundation. Start the next round for Valentines Day at mycoupleschallenge.com 👈

Relationship Resources:

See our top resources from guides, challenges, in-person events, and coaching here - meetthefreemans.com/links

So many couples are trying to fix intimacy by focusing on communication tools, date nights, or changing their partner's behavior—yet still feel disconnected. In this episode, we sit down with relationship educator and behavioral scientist Stefanos Sifandos to talk about why intimacy can't truly deepen without inner healing first.

Stefanos shares his own journey and breaks down a powerful framework from his new book, Tuned In and Turned On, explaining how unresolved shame, avoidance, and nervous-system patterns quietly block emotional and physical closeness. We explore why romantic relationships are often the place where our deepest wounds surface—and why they're also one of the greatest opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation.

Together, we walk through the three phases Stefanos teaches—inner healing, relational healing, and sacred union—and what each one looks like in real life. This conversation is especially meaningful for couples who love each other, want more intimacy, and sense that something deeper is being asked of them—personally and relationally.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why intimacy can't be repaired without personal responsibility and inner work

• How shame, avoidance, and self-protection show up in long-term relationships

• What relational healing actually looks like beyond "better communication"

• How inner healing opens the door to deeper connection, intimacy, and spiritual alignment

If you've ever felt stuck between wanting closeness and feeling shut down—or wondered why intimacy feels harder than it used to—this episode will help you understand what's really going on and where to begin.

Listen in and let this conversation challenge the way you think about intimacy, healing, and growth in your relationship.

Then order Tuned In and Turned On now and get $380 worth of bonuses – how to have better sex & intimacy masterclass, breathwork and meditation course, practical wisdom ebook, and reverse interview with Stefanos🎉

Resentment is one of those words people hesitate to claim because it sounds heavy, harsh, even a little scary. But the truth is, resentment doesn't usually start with big blowups or dramatic moments. It builds quietly. You can still function well, take care of the kids, show up to work, even go on vacation… and yet something underneath gets triggered.

It comes out in sharper arguments than expected, old issues resurfacing, an undertone of irritation, or a growing emotional distance you can't quite put your finger on. In this episode, we talk about why resentment is far more common than most couples realize. And how even well-meaning partners accidentally allow it to grow.

Resentment is also preventable, and even resolvable if it's already there—but not by ignoring it, minimizing it, or hoping time will smooth things over. It requires honest conversations, real repair, and meaningful change.

This is a deep topic, and listening alone won't fix it, but it can give you clarity, language, and awareness so you can start addressing what's been building beneath the surface. As you listen, we highly recommend taking the next step with support:

👉 Whether that's joining us for our upcoming in-person Arizona Couples Workshop, Feb 22nd, 2026 or exploring our most trusted resources. You can find all of those, including workshop details, at MeetTheFreemans.com/links. ✅