By analyzing 175 couples, researchers have identified the primary psychological pathway linking emotional intelligence to relationship satisfaction. The findings point to the critical role of extrinsic emotion regulation, specifically the act of valuing.

Discover why couples therapy may not be effective or safe in abusive relationships. Learn about the dangers and inadequacies highlighted by experts.

In this episode, Mardi Winder sits down with Dr. Becky Whetstone for an honest and down-to-earth chat about what really happens when a marriage is on the rocks. Dr. Becky Whetstone, who’s open about her own history of four marriages, shares her personal story, full of ups, downs, and real-life lessons. She explains how her own tough experiences pushed her to become a therapist dedicated to helping others through the messier moments of relationships and divorce. They talk about that crucial moment when someone in a marriage makes the call to stay or go, and how those first reactions can set the tone for everything that follows. Dr. Becky offers practical advice on how to figure out whether your marriage still has a chance, and she’s clear about the situations, like abuse or infidelity, when it’s time to walk away for good.  The conversation covers what happens emotionally when divorce starts looming, and the ways people can get stuck in “divorce fantasy” thinking. Throughout, both Mardi and Dr. Becky stress how important it is not to rush, but instead to make thoughtful decisions, especially for families with kids. Listeners get plenty of straightforward, compassionate tips for handling everything from those tricky first conversations to staying calm in the chaos. It’s a genuine look at the realities of divorce, filled with hope that even hard endings can be managed with care, honesty, and respect.  More about Mardi: Mardi Winder-Adams is a certified divorce transition and high-conflict divorce coach, with experience as a domestic violence client advocate and behavioral consultant for schools. She is a credentialed mediator with over 30 years of experience in helping people navigate conflict, manage the challenges of divorce, and focus on creating positive transitions, even at very stressful times in life. Mardi is the best-selling author of From I Do to I’m Done and The Other Side of Divorce. She speaks internationally on conflict resolution, divorce, communication, and developing emotional intelligence and resilience.  Connect with Mardi: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/ About the Guest Becky Whetstone, PhD, is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach specializing in marriage crisis counseling. Based in Arkansas, she developed Managed Separation (MS), an intervention guiding separated couples with purpose and timelines. Inspired by her own marriage crisis, Dr. Whetstone created tools to help couples navigate turmoil. A former journalist, she has authored the book, “I (Think) I Want Out”, aiming to reduce marital chaos and foster healthy relationships.  To connect with Dr. Becky: Website: https://marriagecrisismanager.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relationshipcrisismanager/ X: https://x.com/DoctorBecky

I had a bit of a moment over the weekend. They say that when you become a parent that a lot of your own childhood trauma gets brought up to the surface. Things that you think are normal for you and…

We often think that sex leads to intimacy, and while this can be true, it's more often the case that it's the other way around.