In this special holiday episode, Ellen Dorian reflects on the Spirit of Generosity, a concept she learned from her father and continues to embody in her coaching. Through heartfelt storytelling, she introduces the five aspects of generosity—emotional, relational, philosophical, action-oriented, and legacy-focused—and shares actionable ways to bring these into your relationships. This episode is a guide to creating deeper connections, fostering trust, and leaving a meaningful legacy for your loved ones.

Part 1: A Holiday Story About Generosity

1. Ellen shares a moving story about her father’s approach to Christmas and the lessons he imparted through the concept of Santa Claus as the embodiment of generosity.
2. She recounts her dad’s final gift to her, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, and how it symbolizes selflessness, love, and sacrifice in relationships.

Part 2: The Five Aspects of Generosity

1. Emotional Generosity: Giving time, attention, and love freely without expecting anything in return. Includes practical tips like using a “root cause analysis” approach to stay present during emotional conversations.
2. Relational Generosity: Paying attention to your partner’s needs and stepping in to share the mental load. Features the “By The Clock” exercise to anticipate and address tasks proactively.
3. Philosophical Generosity: Cultivating a mindset of abundance by focusing on gratitude and appreciation rather than scarcity or criticism.
4. Action-Oriented Generosity: Doing what you say you’ll do, being reliable, and supporting your partner when it matters most, even when it’s inconvenient.
5. Legacy of Generosity: Building a lasting impact through selflessness in relationships, modeled after her father’s example.

Part 3: Holiday Reflections

1. Ellen encourages listeners to embrace the Spirit of Generosity during the holiday season and to pass it forward in their own lives.
2. She reminds listeners that the greatest gift they can give their children is the example of a passionate and connected partnership.

1. Generosity is More Than Money. True generosity lies in how you give your time, attention, and care to those you love. It’s about showing up fully and selflessly in ways that matter most.
2. Emotional and Relational Generosity Build Connection.Trust and connection grow when you’re emotionally present and proactive in supporting your partner’s needs—whether by sharing the mental load or simply listening with focus and care.
3. Your Legacy Begins in Your Relationships.The most impactful legacy you leave isn’t material; it’s the example you set in your relationships. Cultivating a passionate and connected partnership shapes how your children and loved ones approach their own connections.

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In this heartfelt bonus episode of the Make More Love Podcast, Ellen Dorian addresses the complex emotions that can arise during the Christmas season, especially for those who feel isolated, disconnected, or out-of-step with the festivities. Drawing from personal experiences and real client stories, Ellen offers compassionate strategies for coping with holiday loneliness, respecting individual traditions, and rebuilding meaningful connections—both with ourselves and those we love.

Part 1: Navigating the Overwhelm and Outside Expectations

Ellen opens the episode by acknowledging the saturation and pressures of the Christmas season, emphasizing that not everyone celebrates—and for many, the unrelenting holiday messaging can feel isolating or invalidating. She shares her own childhood memories of cross-cultural celebrations and discusses how differing traditions, loss, and changes in family dynamics can leave people feeling invisible or alone.

Part 2: Reclaiming the Holidays Through Intention and Small Rituals

After describing her personal struggles with grief and holiday disconnect, Ellen outlines how she slowly rebuilt her relationship with the season by honoring her feelings, embracing gratitude and generosity, and establishing new, personally meaningful holiday rituals—like joining a caroling group, creating her own movie traditions, or starting small annual rituals just for herself.

Part 3: Connection, Grace, and Taking Action—For Yourself and Others

Ellen addresses the unique isolation that successful business owners and those in disconnected relationships may experience. She offers a powerful exercise: identifying and fulfilling a childhood wish for yourself (and possibly your partner) to foster reconnection and healing. The episode closes with an appeal for listeners to reach out to those who might be alone, and a reminder that support is available—both through community (like Andy Grant’s virtual hangout) and professional crisis lines.

1. Holiday loneliness is real, whether you celebrate or not, and your feelings are valid.
2. Small, intentional changes—like creating a new tradition or reaching out to someone else—can slowly restore a sense of joy and belonging.
3. Giving yourself (and your partner) a “lost” gift from childhood can be a surprisingly meaningful way to reconnect with the spirit of the season.
4. You are not alone—resources, supportive communities, and professional help are available if the season feels overwhelming.

Share your own strategies for making the holidays more meaningful with Ellen Dorian by email or in the P3 Insider’s Community. If you’re struggling, consider booking a free Relationship Reset Call for personalized support, or take the Relationship Dynamics Scorecard at MakeMoreLove.show/quiz for immediate insights.

Your presence truly is your gift. No matter your circumstances this season, remember that you matter and that reaching out (for support or to offer it) can make a world of difference. Ellen Dorian encourages everyone to take small steps toward building connection, meaning, and, ultimately, more love.

Ellen invites listeners to share their thoughts, either in the P3 Insider's Community or directly with her via email. Or, for one-on-one brainstorming on a specific situation, listeners can set up a time on Ellen's Calendar for a free Relationship Reset Call.

For immediate insights, take the Relationship Dynamics Scorecard: A fast free quiz to pinpoint...

The holiday season can transform what should be magical moments into stressful, pressure-filled events—especially for high-performing men balancing relationships, business demands, and personal fulfillment. In this insightful solo episode, host Ellen Dorian shares the practical "GGG Principles"—Gratitude, Generosity, and Grace—as anchors to help couples thrive and deepen connection through the holidays (and beyond).

Part 1: The Reality of Holiday Expectations

Ellen explores how holidays often shift from childlike excitement to a time burdened with overwhelming expectations, emotional baggage, and pressure to deliver for loved ones—particularly if the relationship is already strained.

Part 2: The GGG Principles for Relationship Success:

Gratitude: Move beyond obligatory platitudes. Ellen suggests a personal practice focused on recognizing what you genuinely value about your partner. She provides thoughtful questions to guide listeners through recognizing meaningful attributes and experiences, and encourages using this awareness to foster connection and reduce reactivity.

Generosity: True generosity isn’t about sacrifice or guilt, but about giving from surplus—whether that's time, money, energy, skills, or flexibility. Practical examples are shared on how to proactively support your partner and lighten their holiday load, without resentment.

Grace: The antidote to perfectionism. Ellen shares how practicing patience, compassion, and forgiveness—even when mistakes happen—can transform your relationship dynamic and foster lasting trust.

Part 3: Applying GGG Principles

Listeners are encouraged to develop gratitude statements, create weekly generosity plans, and let go of rigid expectations. These steps provide real relief and renewed intimacy, keeping stress in check and making space for true human connection.

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Try the grounding gratitude exercise and observe how it shifts your perspective.
• Make a generosity plan: Choose two stress points and match them to the partner with the right surplus.
• Practice grace by forgiving imperfections and celebrating best intentions.

1. The real win with gratitude comes from genuinely feeling it, not just saying it—let actions follow heartfelt awareness.
2. Generosity works best when you give what you have in abundance, not from scarcity, to avoid burnout and build goodwill.
3. Grace lets go of perfection and nurtures authentic connection; no one gets it right all the time, and accepting this opens the door to real intimacy.

Ellen encourages listeners to take the Relationship Dynamics Scorecard: A free, quick quiz to pinpoint relationship strengths and stressors (find it at MakeMoreLove.show/quiz).

Whenever you are ready, you can reach out for deeper support: Free Relationship Reset calls, workshops, private coaching, and an Insider Facebook community for ongoing connection and resources. Links are below.

You don’t need to create a perfect holiday—just show up with presence, forethought, and a little grace. Small shifts in mindset and action can profoundly change your holiday experience and your relationship.

Next week, Ellen Dorian will be back with a bonus episode addressing holiday stress when Christmas isn’t your thing. Until then, take care of each other!

Ellen invites listeners to share their thoughts, either in the P3 Insider's Community or directly with her via email. Or, for one on one brainstorming on a specific situation, listeners can set up a time on Ellen's Calendar for a free