Brave Love Great Sex – Couples Therapy Podcast

Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, our hosts interviewed couples therapist and author of the upcoming book 'The Cost of Quiet', Colette Fehr. Colette shares her wisdom and years of experience with us on the true cost of conflict avoidance in a relationship. She defines avoidant behavior as actions that prevent connection from yourself or your partner. Colette bravely shares with us how the end of her first marriage led her to examine her own conflict avoidance and conditioning that quiet and keeping the peace was best but ultimately a silent relationship killer. In her book, Colette shares the ABCs every couple needs to practice: Acting in the face of fear, Be vulnerable and Communicate assertively. If these aren't skills you possess or are sometimes hard to come by, she reminds us that they can be strengthened through practice and repetition. The more we do something we are afraid of the less scary it feels! Visit her website www.colettejanefehr.com to pre-order a copy and for more free resources on ways to improve communication with your love! Lovers be brave! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the new year, the podcast gets a new name! Brave Love Great Sex! The same great content, the same great hosts! We're aligning the podcast with our new book that will be out in 2026 from Penguin Random House. Pre order it today. Check out this episode's sponsors (and help the pod!): RexMD.com/foreplay -- Discrete, convenient support for ED. Shipped directly to you. Use the link for up to 95% off your first order. Uberlube.com -- Laurie's all time favorite personal lubricant. If you haven't tried it yet, it's a new year! Use the code 'BRAVELOVE' to get 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We invite you into a thoughtful reflection about what is happening in YOUR sex life. Bring your spirit of curiosity and stay with us in the discovery mode as our “client” played by the brave volunteer - George - answers this first set of questions. Pull back the curtain and hear what Laurie thinks about his answers as a sex therapist. Think about these beginning questions, (not easy questions) like… What would you want your partner to know about you sexually? Laurie reflects on how important vulnerability is when communication with your lover the deeper aspects of these questions. Our patient acknowledges his anxiety and how most of the time he communicates in frustration with his partner instead of coming from his heart’s longing. We ask: What is going on in your sex life now? Can you describe the problems? When did things change between you or when did the problems start? What have you tried to resolve these issues. Do you and your partner have desire for each other? What turns you on the most? When do you feel most erotic with your partner? What are your 3 most important expectations in bed? We gratefully acknowledge the work of EFT founder Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT Supervisor Mike Moran in the development of this sexual questionnaire as well as the work of Dr. Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D for pioneering the understanding of the integration of the sexual cycle into the couple emotional cycle in emotionally focused therapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are focusing on tending to the 'Ghost of Christmas Present' so the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' can reap the relational benefits! Join our experts, Dr. Laurie and George Faller, hosts of the newly branded Brave Love, Great Sex podcast for this fun episode on resolution and renewal. Our hosts use an example of their role play couple, Joey and Maria to illustrate just what it looks like when the negative cycle is cooled off and they have a better way to move forward. In this stage repair is easily initiated and partners can move forward from conflict in a more positive way. George and Laurie share some active ways couples can continue to strengthen connection and intimacy at this time. This looks like identifying triggers, planning time to connect during busy periods, sharing small moments like morning coffees or kisses goodbye, being explicit with appreciation. We hold out for couples stuck in negative cycles that this place of connection does exist! As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to consider what relationship resolutions to set and how to renew and refresh as you step into 2026.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the average Joe and average Jane so different in their approach to sex and the ways and timing of arousal, what can a couple do to close the arousal gap? Join sex therapist and author Dr. Laurie Watson and couples therapist George Faller as they talk about how to negotiate the differences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices