marital counseling

Several weeks ago I interviewed Sonia Dhaliwal for what I thought would be another Magical Marriage Success Story episode but as I edited this conversation I decided to highlight her cross-cultural marriage journey instead because it's that good!

You heard Sonia interview me on her podcast Weight Loss for Teacher Moms, where we talked about marriage and all of the things.

As we talked, her story of intercultural struggles inside of her marriage intrigued me so much that I invited her to join me on my AwakenYou in your marriage podcast.

In this week's episode, Sonia shares so many gems from her dating to proposal to marriage journey.

This episode will be helpful to you whether you are in the thick of close cross-cultural traditions or not because each of us carries our own family of origin stories.

Sonia's family of origin was a cross-cultural blend and she married into the same tradition with a husband from northern India.

You will not want to miss the story of her experience along with what she has learned along the way.

Sonia Dhaliwal is a weight loss coach for teacher moms. She helps teachers lose weight for the last time so they can feel comfortable in their own skin again. After many years of being a professional dieter, Sonia decided enough was enough with this battle. Going through preeclampsia during the end of my youngest child’s pregnancy was a wake-up call. She had been teaching elementary school for over 11 years and knew something had to change so she could get some answers. 

While concentrating on family during her maternity leave, Sonia decided to enroll in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to learn more about holistic health and what it means to eat in a way that doesn’t involve counting calories, points, or grams of fat. It changed her life in so many ways and one of the biggest was becoming a health coach. By losing over 55 lbs through the whole food eating approach, she decided this would be an eye-opener for the busy teacher moms out there who were just like her. She keeps it practical, simple, and doable because teacher mommas are busy. Slow and steady is her approach and it’s what keeps the weight off for the long term.

Website: Wild Heart Mommas

Weight Loss For Teacher Moms Podcast

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More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

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Can Johnita's marriage sustain the change and demands of this recovery?

There is nothing about you that isn't BOLD!

You are vibrant, energetic and up for all of the BOLD life has to offer.

Am I right about you?

I have seen so many of you take bold steps in your life, from stepping out of your comfort zone by enrolling in dance classes to ending your relationship with that glass or two of wine you have at the end of your day to "take the edge off."

I have a whole new meaning to the words "becoming bold," and to make it a bit more approachable, I broke it down into 3 significant phases.

In this week's episode, I share those 3 phases to discovering who you are and how to become bold enough to step out in faith to live that life,

AND how those steps will bring you closer to that marriage relationship you want.

I have discovered that true relationship vulnerability cannot occur until you know yourself intimately. You can never know who you want to be in your marriage until you do this work.

I am daring you to step into phase 1 of becoming bold this week with me and begin the process of opening the window into your soul? 

You will never regret that journey, the view there is magnificent! 

Episodes referenced in this episode:
Ep 65: How Past Trauma Could Be Affecting Your Marriage

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Register for my free monthly Marriage Masterclass, where every month I talk about different ways you can change your marriage without changing your partner. This month we will be talking about The Secret To Changing Your Marriage Without Changing Your Spouse: How To Resolve Conflict, register now! 

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening Your True You and being the partner who creates your best vision of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/66

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

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Many of us have stopped bringing up "touchy" topics with our partners because it creates conflict and unresolved anger, and it feels awful and gets us nowhere.⠀
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What if you discovered a different way to approach what is bothering you in your marriage, a way that would actually bring some discussion and understanding between the two of you? ⠀
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Would you be willing to try it?⠀
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You may think complaining is something you shouldn't be doing in your marriage, but the truth is that most of us are doing it all wrong. Instead of complaining, we are using criticism which will drive nails into the coffin of our marriage. ⠀
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This week on the podcast, I will help you discover which one you are using when you are conveying how you feel about your spouse or what they did or didn't do, and then help you self-correct in a way that strengthens the relationship. Listen in to find ways to open up the conversation instead of shutting it down.⠀

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/46

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

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When we feel annoyed or frustrated with our partner, how we express our feelings determines whether we can let go of the disappointment or stay stuck in it. The secret to moving forward while getting to know each other better is how you approach what is bothering you. If you find yourself continually frustrated with your partner, this week's episode will shine some light on how to start getting more of what you want. Learn how to better communicate what you want and have a better chance of getting it.

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/45

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

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How well do you know about your partner? Your answer indicates your relationship's emotional intelligence. If that truth makes you feel a bit queasy, I want you to settle into a deep breath. Most couples have a surface-level knowledge of their partner, and that "getting to know you" better phase often gets overlooked after the year pass on. Knowing your partner is the foundation of a solid marital relationship, and the good news is that it is never too late to bridge the gap; learn how on this week's episode.

AwakenYou Marital Magic Six-Week Course

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/37

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

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By the time most of my clients come to me, they have stopped dreaming about their future with their partner; they feel stuck in their marriage and their lives. The foundation of their marriage has crumbled, and the map they previously used to build their relationship no longer applies to their life. Now it is necessary to reformulate the new five foundations to develop their marital belief system and create a sustainable relationship that feels better than they ever imagined it could. In this week's episode, I share the five foundational pillars to building belief in the marriage you want to love.

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/30

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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I still remember the day, driving out of the parking lot seeing my daughter looking out her dorm room window; the memory still brings me to tears. Days laying in her bed wondering how I would ever move forward don't seem that long ago. Looking back, I now see the grief I carried in my heart but had no idea what it was or how to deal with it. Eventually, I moved forward, but the process was painful, oh how I could have used Allie Hill Coaching to help me through that time. If you feel the effects of your children leaving the nest wondering what is next, then listen to this week's interview where Allie shares how to go from empty nest to happy nest.

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/29

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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If you and your partner aren't spending healthy time apart, then this episode is for you. If you want to spend time apart but are feeling guilty about it or, if you don't think it's healthy to spend time apart, please listen. The key to developing a vibrant relationship that will stand the test of time is developing a sense of self which can best happen when you spend time with yourself. I am exploring the excellence of this beautiful gift and letting go of the guilt I have burdened myself with around this desire; explore with me!

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/26

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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If you feel like your marital relationship has been in shutdown longer than the COVID shutdown we have experienced, this week's episode is for you. I talk about how we get to shutdown in our marriage and how we get to where we dream of being, which for most of us, is alive. Listen in to discover how you get there, that you're not alone and how to get back on track.

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Show webpage: www.christinebongiovanni.com/22

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Download my free Love Affirmations Mini-Course to help you to start thinking and feeling in a way that feels more like love.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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So you think you're ready to be a husband? In this episode, we talk with Reverend Dr. Fletcher Lawson, Jr and get his advice on how a young man should prepare to be a good husband. We also get his advice for couples who have been recently married. We discuss things such as sex before marriage, ways to know you've met the right person to marry, finances in marriage, when to seek counseling, prayer in marriage, and we discuss raising sons and the responsibility of the father. If you have feedback to this episode or suggestions to make our podcast better, send us an email at thegroomsroompodcast@gmail.com.

Reverend Dr. Fletcher Lawson, Jr is the 30 year pastor at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Parrish, Florida. Prior to being appointed pastor in 1990, he served for years as a deacon then minister under the late great pastor Rev. Hicks from Lake Wales, Florida. Dr. Lawson is the husband of one wife, Mrs. Mazie Lawson, in which they've been married for 49 years. Dr. Lawson is the proud father of one son. He is a Air Force Veteran, former IBM worker, multi-skilled handyman, builder, leader, visionary, and a prolific preacher.

If God wanted us not to keep in touch with the opposite sex after marriage, He would have created a separate world for married couples. But since that is not the case we must learn to live together irrespective of our marital status.

We need to go out and hang out with our girlfriends and our husbands need some sanity from the chatters of the wife and children –they need to switch gears and so do women.

Men/husbands need to keep their ego pumped by their fellow men.  Women need to be lifted, built and encouraged by fellow sisters.

However, when it comes to associating with the opposite sex, there will be some limits; flirting will be cut to the minimum possible – this applies to both married couple and vice versa. The couple should avoid any encouragements to flirt in the same way as singles do.  This is a sign of commitment to the spouse and a the same time demanding the respect and treatment that comes with the new status.

If a spouse cannot control the flirts that are going on around him/her, the best way is to not participate in the exchanges, maybe between colleagues or other single friends.

It is important to remind your friends and colleagues that you have graduated to another level of flirting and sex talk: with your spouse exclusively; that you now get or give a VVIP treatment from one lover, your spouse.

Note: This does not mean that you stop talking to the opposite sex, working with them or even teaming up for business purposes; Your integrity will dictate the extent to which you can associate with the opposite sex. Again it is important to teach your spouse to trust you even in the company of other members of the opposite sex.

How do you do that? By being honest with your spouse all the time. Half-truths create a fertile ground for mistrust and strife.

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https://guruhellen.com/books/takes-two-to-tango-how-to-enjoy-lifelong-marriage

After being married for over ten years, you find out that the children you called your own blood, are not really your flesh and blood. How do you deal with a cheating spouse who also lies to you?

One of the worse scars a marriage can experience is infidelity. Spouses may feel violated and disrespected. However, a couple willing to keep their relationship thriving can survive any form of hurt and pain, if properly addressed and dealt with.   Are there exceptions to this principle?

What is your thought on sex toys? Why would you need another toy when your spouse is the best toy you will ever have? I think you don't need extras when you and your spouse have a lot to learn from each other.

Be yourself, respect them and avoid conflicts with them. That is all you have to do.
Avoid going over the top to impress them as this will eventually drain you.

After marrying my spouse I started having doubts as to whether I made the right choice. Is it normal to doubt your choices even when you are totally head-over-heels in love? 

Are all marriages made in heaven? If they are, then why do some marriages fail?
Let's explore this question for a moment...

There is always something to learn in life: even during Covid lockdown. Most of the lessons we learn inside the four walls of our homes. I have  learned my lessons from my family and their extended communities:
Patience with self and others
Love defined in a very new way
Understanding that everyone is as challenged as you are.
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1. Focus on yourself
2. Schedule your day
3. Share your skills with your children and with family
4. remember that project you never completed? Do it now
5. Device fun activities for the whole family
6. Grooming time is now
7. reach out to the elderly in the neighbourhood.