The John Howard Show

Today's episode is all about how to improve communication with your significant other. One of the unfortunate effects of this pandemic is that too many people who were already feeling disconnected are now feeling even more isolated and disconnected than they did before. In this episode, I share an outline to help you clean up your communication with your significant other and talk about practical ways to make use of the skills that promote love and connection. I also discuss ways that you can make sure the communication in your relationship is healthy, functional, and productive -- and if it's not, you will know what to do to improve it after you listen to this episode. Listen in to find out what shapes communication, how to break bad communication habits, and ways to respond sensitively to your partner. "We need to understand the skills that promote love and connection." - John Howard, MA. If you'd like to check out our awesome online programs for couples, come visit us at www.johnhowardmft.com. And to support the show, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts. Thank You!

A bad night of sleep has the power to wear down your defenses and leave you physically and emotionally drained during the day. That's why, in this episode, you'll learn from my colleague Dr. Katie Strickland about the Biopsychosocial model, how to maintain a healthy sleep pattern, and how sleep affects your relationships. You'll learn how the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy style of therapy can treat sleep issues, how physical exercise aids mental health, and how to treat insomnia without medication. "We're really trying to improve overall mood and manage stress by learning how to become more attuned to our emotional experiences." - Katie Strickland If you'd like to check out our awesome online programs for couples, come visit us at www.johnhowardmft.com. And to support the show, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts. Thank You!

We reveal the big project we've been working on for the past 6 months. Tune in to learn powerful new tips that relate to our expanded mission! "We want you to feel more present in your mind, in your body, and with the people that matter the most to you." – John Howard. Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-60

Find out how therapy works and the ingredients you'll need to make it successful. Learn why therapy is both a science and an art. "Therapy generally is more productive and more successful if the therapist is available for a real relationship with you." – John Howard. Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-58

Tune in to learn what narcissism is, how to identify narcissistic traits & behaviors, and how to handle a narcisstic partner. "The typical narcissist presents like a jerk and therefore doesn't elicit much empathy from others. But to a trained mental health professional, narcissism looks like untreated trauma– like a call for help." – John Howard. Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-56

John Howard talks about the ten most common mental health issues that impact relationships, the unique challenges of each, and how to overcome them. "Sometimes, there's a legitimate reason why you don't feel safe and secure in a relationship, but very often we don't feel secure because of our baseline anxiety. And so, when you start to treat it, there are really wonderful things that can happen in a relationship." – John Howard. Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-54

John Howard talks to Ann Kelley and Sue Marriott, hosts of the Therapist Uncensored podcast. Tune in for an inside perspective on the hosts and their show. "When we feel threat or fear or feel like we're being attacked, we actually tribalize and polarize. What's interesting in our culture right now is I think that's being used against us." – Ann Kelley. Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-52.

John Howard and Lora Ferguson discuss a compassionate approach to parenting, Positive Discipline. Learn how to raise responsible kids with kindness! "It's healthy to discuss emotions in the family structure. It's healthy for the parents to share their own struggles. It gives kids a language and an opportunity to share their own emotions and allows them to see that adults are comfortable with their imperfection." – John Howard Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-50

Juliane Taylor-Shore and John Howard discuss how understanding your brain can lead to relationships that feel more safe, intimate and loving. "I'm not interested in helping people stop flipping their lids. I'm interested in helping them react to the moment they do (flip their lid) differently." – Juliane Taylor-Shore Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-48

Couples therapists Terry Real and John Howard discuss how the patriarchal power structure we live in is the primary seed of conflict in many relationships. "Falling in love is believing that this person is going to heal you or complete you. Real marriage comes the day you realize that they are exquisitely designed to stick the burning spear right into your eyeball." – Terry Real Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-46

Investing in relationship health is an ideal way to celebrate Valentine's Day. So enjoy these 4 tips to make your relationships more loving and fulfilling! "It's not fair to get annoyed that our partner wants to see growth from us. It's actually very appropriate for us to embrace that challenge for ourselves and to dedicate ourselves to growing as people around the feedback that our partners give us." – John Howard Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-44

Educator and author Diane Poole Heller and John Howard discuss ways to apply attachment theory in your relationships for more fulfillment and intimacy. "As people heal their original insecure attachment injuries or disorganized attachment, they have a lot more tools and a lot more possibility of being satisfied and fulfilled in their adult relationships." – Diane Poole Heller Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-42

Tune in to better understand racism, dynamics between the majority culture and minority populations, and how to work toward minimizing the toxic effects of systemic and institutional racism. "What's wrong with me wanting to maintain power? What's wrong with me wanting to maintain my status? Well, when it's in oppression of someone else, that's a problem." – Michael Cox Learn more about this episode of Ready Set Love at www.readysetlove.com/episode-40