Malika Amandi is a national speaker and coach based in Massachusetts. In 2017, she founded The Center for Women's Voice, where she teaches women how to communicate effectively and authentically without apologizing or overanalyzing.

Drawing from her own experiences in the entertainment industry and as a professional development facilitator for the military, Malika brings a unique perspective that is both approachable and practical for any woman who wants to be heard.

Since launching The Center for Women's Voice, Malika has led hundreds of coaching sessions, and facilitated workshops with women across a spectrum of career stages and fields including the entertainment industry, Silicon valley, the nonprofit sector, and academia.

If you’ve ever been disappointed when your partner misses the mark on what you need or how you wish to be loved, you’re invited to this juicy conversation with Malika Amandi. Together, we talk about how to create more intimacy in our relationships through direct and honest communication skills, including asking for help (!) and for what you need.

In this episode you’ll get:

• A full spectrum definition of what it means to develop a relationship with yourself, why that’s important and different tools to create it
• Why it’s a myth that the perfect person will be able to anticipate our needs and what we need to do about it
• An easy-to-remember, 4-Step process for identifying our needs in any given situation
• The gaps that even strong, independent women have in their communication skills and how to fill them
• A healthy way to shift our perception around conflict so that we can build the muscle of bringing up and having difficult conversations

Catch Malika’s gift to you:

Guided Reflection Meditation Go inward and find clarity with this powerful audio meditation bit.ly/CWVreflection

Lauren’s interest in relationship skills began when her parents divorced after almost 20 years of marriage. Seeking to understand better patterns for her own future legacy, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from TCU.

She currently serves as Vice President of Strategy and Communications at The Center for Relationship Education (CRE) in Denver, CO. CRE makes relationship skills training available to a variety of audiences by bringing social initiatives to key communities and empowering facilitators with evidence-based curricula.

Lauren is co-author Relationship Essentials, Skills to Feel Heard, Fight Fair, and Set Boundaries in All Areas of Life, and of the REAL Essentials curricula suite. Additionally, Lauren's authored the book, In Their Shoes, a resource dedicated to helping parents better understand and connect with children of divorce.

Lauren’s vocational speaking experience spans over 15 years, teaching a variety of relationship skills to teens, adults and corporate teams. She recognizes relationships are one of life’s most important assets and energizes a room to prioritize the people in their lives.

She and her husband, Josh, love adventures with their three children. All Colorado natives, they are avid skiers, outdoor enthusiasts and Broncos’ fans.

We often believe that once we find the “right” person, it will be smooth sailing towards the lasting, loving romantic partnership we desire. Unfortunately, that’s only a partial truth. Tune in today to hear me chat with Lauren Reitsema, who dispels the myth of the “perfect person” and shows us what it truly takes to create connected relationships.

In this episode you’ll get:

• Why finding the “right” person is only a fraction of what it takes to create lasting love
• The double edge sword of magical thinking in love attraction and relationships
• Key insights into how couple’s grow lasting, intimate relationships
• Three specific tools drawn from Lauren’s unique Relationship Essentials toolbox
• An acronym to help us measure our boundaries

Catch Lauren’s gift to you:

Electronic personality profile This quick quiz provides a memorable and practical way to explore and remember your personality wiring to help you better understand yourself and others. personalityanimal.com

Sandy Weiner is the Chief Love Officer at Last First Date. She's an internationally known TEDx speaker, dating and relationship coach for women over 40, course creator and retreat leader.

She’s also the author of 'Becoming a Woman of Value, How to Thrive in Life and Love', and the host of two podcasts, Last First Date Radio and The Woman of Value Podcast.

She’s the proud mom of three highly creative adults, and the grandmother of three delicious grandkids. Sandy believes it's never too late to go on your last first date!

Really like this person but not ready for sex? Today’s convo with Sandy Weiner gives you the tools to create courageous and vulnerable conversations. How to express what you want and what you need without being demanding, or creating ultimatums.

In this episode you’ll get:

• Four Communication Archetypes to better understand your communication style
• The difference between how men and women process information
• How to be truly heard and your needs respected
• How we can be better listeners
• Simple phrases to adopt immediately to create more connection with your words

Catch Sandy’s gift to you:

8 Steps for Having a Tough Conversation This powerful framework will empower you to have challenging conversations with less fear and more connection. https://lastfirstdate.com/8-steps-for-having-a-tough-conversation-3/#sthash.hfyZjKU7.dpbs