Marriage Therapy Radio

• Ep 394 Near Divorce to Sex-perts: How Susan and Tim Transformed Their Marriage

  Zach sits down with Susan and Tim Bratton, a couple who’ve been together for 35 years and built both a marriage and a business dedicated to helping others experience more fulfilling intimacy. Susan, an internationally recognized intimacy expert, and Tim, her husband and business partner, open up about how their marriage nearly ended before they discovered that great sex and great connection are learnable skills. They discuss their journey from obligation and misunderstanding to joy, exploration, and deep emotional safety. The Brattons talk about how they schedule what they call “erotic play dates,” why they prefer honesty over comfort, and how they use curiosity, compassion, and skill-building to keep passion alive after three decades together. This conversation challenges cultural assumptions about monogamy, sex, and communication, offering a look into what’s possible when a couple commits to lifelong learning. Not just about each other, but about love itself. Key Takeaways Intimacy is learnable – Susan and Tim discovered that sexual fulfillment is a skill that can be developed through education, communication, and practice. From duty to desire – Their first decade of marriage was marked by obligation and frustration until they learned how to reconnect through experimentation and pleasure. Erotic play dates – Scheduling intimacy takes pressure off “performance” and creates time for exploration and connection. Radical honesty builds safety – They credit transparency, even when uncomfortable, as the foundation of their long-term trust and growth. Know your relationship values – Understanding what each partner truly wants (for Tim: passion and fun; for Susan: safety and honesty) changed everything about how they relate. Sex evolves with skill – They emphasize that pleasure pathways are infinite—what worked last time may not work today, and that’s part of the adventure. Growth mindset saves marriages – When something wasn’t working, they didn’t give up—they learned, experimented, and grew together. Guest Info Susan and Tim BrattonSusan Bratton is an intimacy expert, author, and educator who’s helped millions of people transform their relationships and sex lives through her books and programs, including Relationship Magic. She publishes at BetterLover.com and teaches techniques for building trust, pleasure, and passion. Tim Bratton is her husband and business partner—the technical and operational lead behind their digital platforms and newsletter. Together, they run a team that supports their mission to make sexual wellness and education accessible, shame-free, and actionable for couples around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Ep 393 Marriage, Money, and Maui with Mike & Caroline Neubauer

  Zach talks with Mike and Caroline Neubauer, the husband-and-wife team behind Our Family Invests. From meeting on a Maui beach to building a life of real estate success, family adventure, and deep purpose, their story is equal parts romance, resilience, and intentional design. Mike, a former firefighter turned real estate investor, and Caroline, a realtor and hospitality professional, share how they built financial freedom through smart investing while keeping their marriage and family at the center. They discuss parenting their nine-year-old son, Nico, navigating caregiving for aging parents with dementia, and learning that true success means doing what you love, without sacrificing connection. Throughout the conversation, Mike and Caroline reflect on their evolution as a couple, from best friends to business partners to co-hosts of a podcast inspiring entrepreneurial families to thrive together. Key Takeaways A shared “why” fuels success - Their marriage and business are driven by a mutual vision: creating freedom and impact as a family. Communication is non-negotiable - They schedule time to talk, align on goals, and revisit priorities regularly through “coffee dates.” Boundaries bring balance - Clear work hours, shared calendars, and family rituals like Fun Fridays keep life joyful and grounded. Roles evolve, but the mission stays the same - Each knows their strengths: Mike leads investing, Caroline manages transactions, and they pivot as needed. Caregiving changes perspective - Supporting Caroline’s parents through dementia taught them patience, teamwork, and the value of living in the moment. Success without sacrifice - They refuse to chase money at the expense of harmony, choosing family and purpose first. Grace and growth go hand in hand - They remind couples that no one is “100% all the time,” and giving grace during hard seasons keeps love steady. Guest Info Mike & Caroline NeubauerFounders of Our Family Invests, Mike and Caroline are real estate investors, podcast hosts, and parents living on Maui. Through their show and community, they share insights on financial freedom, marriage, and raising a family rooted in values. Their podcast spotlights entrepreneurial couples who are redefining success without losing sight of what matters most. website - https://ourfamilyinvests.com/ instagram - https://www.instagram.com/OurFamilyInvests  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Ep 392 Parenting, Partnership, and Playing by Our Own Rules with Brian and Toby

  Zach talks with Brian and Toby, partners of 13 years, and dads of two daughters. They share openly about parenting, building a household on their own terms, and how their marriage has evolved through different phases, from dating in Manhattan to raising a family in Brooklyn. Brian and Toby talk about splitting household roles, setting expectations, and creating rules that bring freedom instead of friction. They also share how growing up gay shaped their ability to design a marriage without traditional templates, why openness and honesty fuel their intimacy, and how they balance parenting with maintaining fun and connection. Key Takeaways Parenting in phases – From toddlers to elementary-aged kids, parenting shifts from hands-on care to emotional presence, and Brian and Toby embrace each new stage. Custom rules reduce conflict – Alternating mornings, dividing domains like kitchen and bedtime, and setting an “11 a.m. rule” help keep household harmony. Gay marriage breaks the mold – Without pressure to follow traditional timelines, they built their relationship with more freedom and intentionality. From secrecy to openness – Their open marriage evolved from “don’t ask, don’t tell” to full transparency, deepening their trust and intimacy. Compersion in practice – They highlight how celebrating a partner’s happiness, whether in rest, personal pursuits, or relationships, can fuel closeness. Shared values of planning and fun – Their natural organization and commitment to joy give their family structure and spontaneity in equal measure. Guest Info BrianCo-host of the Dads and Daddies podcast. TobyExecutive producer and co-founder of an animation production studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Ep 391 Brewing Love and Business Across Borders with Jennifer and Andres

  Zach sits down with Jennifer and Andres, co-founders of Those Coffee People, to share the remarkable story of how travel, serendipity, and coffee brought them together. Jennifer, originally from Connecticut, and Andres, a Colombian with family roots in coffee farming, met in a hostel in Peru and quickly discovered they were better together. What started as a whirlwind travel romance became a shared mission: bridging cultures through specialty coffee. They talk about navigating cross-cultural challenges, balancing Jennifer’s impatience with Andres’ laid-back style, and learning how to turn conflict into connection. Their company, Those Coffee People, isn’t just about beans—it’s about creating bridges between Colombia’s coffee growers and global markets, while also building a marriage grounded in respect, humor, and shared vision. Key Takeaways The “one cup” theory is real – Jennifer insists every non-coffee drinker has one specialty cup that changes their mind about coffee. Love was brewed in travel – Their relationship began in Peru, where they jokingly staged a “first wedding” with a tinfoil ring. Cross-cultural marriage brings both gifts and challenges – Jennifer’s directness and impatience balance Andres’ laid-back, community-oriented approach. Writing helps repair – Andres often follows up arguments with written reflections and plans, which Jennifer appreciates. Business as a love story – Those Coffee People grew out of their passion for connecting cultures and building something they could do together. Vision for the future – Coffee is their “first child,” but they hope to grow their company, raise a family, and expand their impact in Colombia and beyond. Guest Info Jennifer & Andres: Co-founders of Those Coffee People, Jennifer and Andres export specialty Colombian coffee to roasters around the world. Based in Medellín, they combine Jennifer’s global business background with Andres’ family heritage in coffee to create bridges between farmers and international markets. Their story is as much about love and cultural exchange as it is about coffee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Ep 390 From Betrayal to Building True Intimacy with Matthew & Joanna Raabsmith

  Zach sits down with Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith, co-founders of the RaabSmith Team, to talk about their journey from betrayal and addiction to building a thriving marriage and coaching practice. They share candidly about Matthew’s struggles with sex addiction and pornography, Joanna’s experience of betrayal trauma, and the long process of stabilizing their relationship. What began as survival slowly transformed into something deeper, thanks to radical honesty, acceptance, and the development of their “Pyramid of Intimacy,” which helps couples rebuild step by step from honesty to safety, trust, vulnerability, and finally intimacy. Now leading a team of couples who help other couples, Matthew and Joanna demonstrate that it’s possible not only to recover, but to thrive—turning personal pain into a pathway for others. Key Takeaways Addiction doesn’t define the whole story - Matthew explains how accepting his past, rather than hiding it, became the turning point toward freedom and connection. Betrayal trauma is real - Joanna describes how deception and secrecy shattered her sense of safety, and why naming betrayal trauma was key to healing. Honesty is the foundation - Their “Pyramid of Intimacy” begins with honesty, because trust and connection can’t exist without it. Recovery takes time and practice - Small, consistent acts of honesty, even about little things, helped restore safety and rebuild intimacy. Second chances can be stronger - Their “second ‘I do’” is richer and more meaningful than the first, because it’s grounded in truth and intentionality. Purpose, passion, and play fuel intimacy - They emphasize that thriving couples cultivate not just survival, but shared joy and adventure. Guest Info Matthew and Joanna RaabSmithFounders of the RaabSmith Team, Matthew and Joanna are authors, speakers, and coaches specializing in betrayal recovery and intimacy building. Their book Building True Intimacy outlines their Pyramid of Intimacy framework. Together, they lead a team of couples who have walked through betrayal and now help others find honesty, healing, and deeper connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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