Expanding Hearts

Movies and TV talk about real love, meaningful relationships but what exactly does that look like? We know that the model held up to us is an ideal, probably not what we have experienced.  In this episode Alvean and Doug offer some thoughts on how to know whether your experience is in fact real love. A full transcript is offered here:LL04

Can the act of loving expand our capacity to love?  In this episode, Alvean and Doug discuss what we really experience when we fully and unselfishly give our hearts away to another.  A full transcript is available here: LL03

Consciously or otherwise most of us choose models for living, for parenting, in our relationships and work.  Who you choose says a great deal about your values and moral compass, but also defines the version of yourself you wish to show the world.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about how we model ourselves on others and why.  A full transcript can be found here: LL02

Hear how Alvean and Doug –a seemingly unlikelly pair found each other and began their partnership in LoveLife. LL01-

One of the more difficult personalities to navigate is the passive aggressive partner.  At best they are nondisclosive leaving one with more questions than answers as to what they are thinking or behaving.  At worst they can sabotage a relationship or leave their partner whipsawed by emotional swings that seemingly come out of thin air but actually betray hidden emotions and disguised reactions.  In the episode, Alvean and Doug take on this difficult subject and offer suggestions for how best to recognize and handle passive aggressive behavior. For a full transcript, click here: 68-The Passive-Aggressive Partner

Perhaps no invention of the 21st century has had a more profound impact on relationships than social media.  Part of the challenge is that it tends to place relationships under a microscope for all the world to see while heightening the emotional stakes greatly.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug try to bring a reality check for listeners who find themselves in the midst of a unfolding drama that perhaps they did not bargain for.  For a full transcript, click here: 64-Relationships and Social Media

Somer see it as a blessing while others may be fearful or feel unprepared.  Parenthood is in some ways the last of the unskilled occupations, one we are seldom prepared for but children are both more resilient and forgiving of our inevitable mistakes as long as we keep love at the forefront of all that we do.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug help listeners find that path.  For a full transcript, click here: 65-Parenthood

It is a big step and it can lead to a stronger and more durable realtionship or reveal fundamental issues.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug discuss the pitfalls and blessings of living together as a step in the progression of a loving relationship. Fora a complete transcript, click here: 63-Moving In Together

Do you show your love with physical affections, acts of service, gifts or in some other ways?  These are different languages by which we express our love for another. There are no better or worse, right or wrong ways, but knowing how you and your mate express your feelings can be of enormous help in assuring you are communicating your feelings clearly.  Alvean and Doug offer a primer on the love languages and how they affect relationships.  For a full transcript, click here: 66-The Love Languages

Do you find yourself complicit in helping your loved ones engage in or continue to do things which you know are not in their best interests?  If so, you may be an enabler.  We may feel trapped into this behavior, or find that our desire to please takes us down a path where we are harming more than helping.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug help listeners recognize the signs and discuss the ways in which one can help without hurting a loved one.  For a full transcript, click here: 67-Are you an Enabler?