What does it take to stay together—not just through the good times, but through unimaginable grief? In this deeply moving episode, Michael and Robin open up about their 30-year journey of partnership, from early friendship and blended family life to the devastating loss of Michael’s daughter.

With raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, they share how they rebuilt trust, leaned into personal growth, and stayed connected even when everything around them was falling apart. Along the way, they offer powerful tools for communication, reflection, and healing that have helped them sustain intimacy over three decades.

Whether you're in a long-term relationship or navigating love after loss, this episode is a testament to what's possible when two people choose each other—over and over again.

00:00 – Intro: Love, Loss & Longevity
Welcome to the episode and a brief intro to Michael & Robin’s 30-year journey of partnership and healing.

02:11 – The Early Years: Friendship Before Romance
Michael and Robin share how their relationship began as colleagues and friends—and how the spark slowly turned to love.

05:45 – Becoming a Couple: Learning to Trust Again
Navigating early fears, family blending, and the pivotal moment Robin said “yes” to moving in.

09:30 – A Marriage Formed by Fire
They recall the early days of marriage, co-parenting challenges, and the emotional work required to stay committed.

14:12 – Tragedy Strikes: The Loss That Changed Everything
Michael and Robin open up about the devastating loss of Michael’s daughter and the grief that nearly tore them apart.

18:40 – Choosing to Stay: Healing in the Hardest Times
What it meant to stay together during grief—and how their marriage became a container for healing.

22:30 – Tools That Transformed Us: From Reactivity to Repair
The couple shares a favorite communication tool that helped them transform conflict into connection.

27:15 – Growing Up Together
How their individual personal growth work influenced their relationship—and how they learned to grow together.

30:40 – The Power of Perspective: Seeing Each Other Clearly
They discuss the gift of being truly seen by your partner, and the “long game” of intimacy.

35:20 – What Keeps the Spark Alive After 30 Years
Michael and Robin reflect on how they continue to nurture intimacy, play, and connection over the decades.

39:55 – Final Thoughts: Love as a Practice
Closing reflections on what love looks like now, and their hopes for other couples navigating love and loss.

How healthy is your relationship? Take the FREE Relationship Quiz and find out. https://couples.solutions/ Want to learn a couple of tools to upgrade your connection? Attend the two-hour Introduction to True Love. https://couples.solutions/intro/ Partner reluctant to participate? Transform your relationship on your own.

Social Handle: instagram.com/couples.solutions

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Episode Summary

In the first episode of the Toe Curling Spiritual Sex Series, the hosts dive deep into the role of emotions and vulnerability in sexual intimacy. They debunk common myths that both men and women have been told about suppressing emotions during sex and reveal how true sexual alchemy emerges when emotions are embraced rather than repressed. The conversation explores how the masculine can welcome the feminine’s full emotional expression, while the feminine learns to trust the masculine’s presence. Through personal stories and intimate experiences, they demonstrate how emotional honesty in lovemaking can lead to deeper intimacy, profound healing, and "life-activating orgasms." Listeners are encouraged to cultivate sexual alchemy by embracing the full spectrum of emotions, creating a space of surrender, pleasure, and connection in their relationships.

Chapters

(00:00:17)Introduction to the Toe Curling Spiritual Sex Series(00:01:28) Debunking the Lies AboutEmotions in Sexuality

(00:02:21) The Role of Emotions inSexual Alchemy

(00:03:12) Parenting, Distractions,and Intimacy

(00:04:08) The Feminine Experience:How Suppressing Emotions Kills Desire

(00:05:51) The Masculine Experience:The Pressure to Perform

(00:07:42) Why Avoiding EmotionsCreates Sexual Disconnect

(00:10:12) Embracing Vulnerability inSexuality

(00:12:52) The Masculine’s Role inHolding Space for Emotions

(00:15:19) The Body’s Wisdom: How theNervous System Reacts to Pressure

(00:17:00) Personal Story: HealingShame Through Sexual Connection

(00:20:04) The Shift from Performanceto Presence

(00:22:34) The Feminine’s Invitationto the Masculine

(00:25:06) How Feminine ExpressionGuides Deeper Intimacy

(00:30:08) The Masculine’s Invitationto the Feminine

(00:35:49) Practical Ways to BuildSexual Alchemy

(00:42:40) A Profound Sexual HealingExperience

(00:49:54) Expanding Passion Beyondthe Bedroom

(00:55:31) Closing Thoughts &Invitation to the Community

Online Community Link

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Email:

⁠⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠⁠

⁠relating@courtneywren.com⁠

Website

⁠⁠www.itsmikeelliott.com⁠⁠

Instagram

@MikeElliott.Relating

MINDFULMEDS MUSHROOM PRODUCTS

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THE SKIN DEEP CARDS

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Courtney goes into the journey of the "awakened woman" and the importance of the feminine energy in sacred relationship, including the need to work through anger and frustration to cultivate a fierce love that can initiate and call forth the masculine. She emphasizes the importance of the feminine developing a strong relationship with her inner masculine, as well as being willing to be fiercely loving and truthful with the outer masculine partner. The speaker also addresses common hang-ups for the feminine, such as spilling emotions without discernment and struggling to hold space for the masculine's vulnerability. She encourages the feminine to practice assuming their partner has wisdom they cannot see, and to be open to being initiated and grown by the masculine. Courtney invites listeners to explore these themes further through her upcoming women's community.

(00:00:17) Welcome & Introduction
(00:01:28) The Power of Community
(00:02:21) The Feminine Journey & Why It Matters
(00:03:11) From Anger to Fierce Love
(00:03:57) Strengthening Our Inner Masculine
(00:04:33) My Personal Relationship Journey
(00:06:23) The Power of Relational Mirrors
(00:07:32) Honoring the Feminine Blueprint
(00:10:14) Sacred Rage: Catalyst or Destruction?
(00:14:14) Fiercely Loving the Masculine
(00:18:17) Working with Emotion: Not Just Spilling
(00:24:27) The Masculine in Vulnerability
(00:35:38) The Inner Masculine: Our Foundation
(00:47:10) Dreaming with the Masculine
(01:02:02) Seeing the Masculine’s Wisdom
(01:04:56) Final Thoughts & Community Offerings

Online Community Link

https://www.sacredrelating.com/

Donation link 👇🙏🏼❤️🌏

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VWHABJWZ749X4

Email:

⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠

relating@courtneywren.com

Website

⁠www.itsmikeelliott.com⁠

Instagram

@MikeElliott.Relating

MINDFULMEDS MUSHROOM PRODUCTS

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THE SKIN DEEP CARDS

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The podcast discusses the importance of understanding and communicating one's needs in relationships. It covers different types of needs, how to effectively express them, and what to do when a partner is resistant to meeting those needs.

(00:00)Welcome to Together Podcast

(00:17)Exploring Sacred Relationships & Parenting

(01:15)The Skin Deep Card Game Experience

(01:58)Our Partnership with Skin Deep & Discount Code

(02:44)Introducing Our Online Community

(04:16)Success Stories from Our Community

(05:06)Today's Topic: Asking for What You Need

(06:06)Why Needs Are the Foundation of Relationships

(07:32)Client Stories: The Power of Clear Requests

(09:11)Teaching People How to Love You

(10:06)Understanding the Root of Unmet Needs

(12:52)Why Many of Us Struggle to Ask for Our Needs

(14:23)Two Types of Needs: Stabilizing vs. Thriving

(16:45)Helping Each Other Thrive in Relationships

(18:52)Three Categories of Needs: Personal, External & Relational

(22:14)Listening Inward: How to Identify Your Needs

(24:39)Asking for Your Needs in Relationships

(28:51)Why Expressing Needs is a Vulnerable Practice

(32:17)The Dance of Giving & Receiving Support

(40:06)The Feminine & Masculine Approach to Needs

(44:58)How to Make Requests Without Criticism

(51:49)What to Do When a Partner Resists Your Needs

(57:53)Balancing Acceptance & Expressing Needs

(1:05:06)The Key to Teaching Others How to Love You

(1:16:10)A Practical Exercise for Identifying Needs

(1:17:35)Final Thoughts & Community Invitation

The podcast emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for teaching the people in one's life how to love and support them, and the transformative potential of this practice in relationships.

Community Link

https://www.sacredrelating.com/

Donation link 👇🙏🏼❤️🌏

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Email:

⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠

relating@courtneywren.com

Website

⁠www.itsmikeelliott.com⁠

Instagram

@MikeElliott.Relating

MINDFULMEDS MUSHROOM PRODUCTS

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Overview: The podcast discusses the "shamanic death" that couples often experience in sacred relationships. The hosts, Mike and Courtney, share their personal journey through this process and the insights they gained. They emphasize the importance of committing to the relationship, having a clear vision, and being willing to go through the challenging parts to reach deeper levels of love and intimacy.

(0:00) Introduction and Gratitude
Welcoming listeners, gratitude for the community, and appreciation for sponsor Mindful Meds.

(1:16) Exclusive Offers and Community Invitation
Details on Mindful Meds promo code and introduction to the Together community for couples.

(2:16) Today's Episode Overview
Introducing the topic: shamanic death in relationships and what to expect in this episode.

(3:04) What is a Shamanic Death in Relationship?
Exploring the concept of relational death and its transformative potential.

(4:04) Personal Growth through Relationship Challenges
Sharing personal experiences of relational transformation and reaching new levels of love.

(5:44) The Arc of Sacred Relationship
Explaining the cycles of love, challenge, and renewal in sacred partnerships.

(7:32) Breaking Through Emotional Blockages
Discussing the shedding of old patterns and the mystical nature of relational alchemy.

(9:14) Tools for Sacred Relationship Growth
The importance of clear vision, commitment, and learning tools for moving through challenges.

(11:34) Navigating Common Relational Pitfalls
How couples cope with shadow work and avoid authenticity traps in long-term relationships.

(13:17) The Role of Shadow Work in Love
Deep dive into embracing each other's shadows and growing through them.

(15:31) Intensified Shamanic Death Experiences
Discussing unique challenges faced due to a shared commitment to sacred relationship work.

(18:27) Examples of Triggering and Growth Moments
Real-life examples of how deep-seated patterns and shadows were navigated as a couple.

(23:11) The Turning Point: Trust and Commitment
How mutual trust and choosing love helped move through a breaking point in the relationship.

(30:33) The Role of Mentors and Support Systems
The value of external support and community in navigating relational challenges.

(36:44) Reflections on the Alchemical Journey
Insights from a transformative year of growth, fulfillment, and facing shadows together.

(43:56) Co-Regulating and Reconnecting
Rebuilding intimacy through a ceremony of silence, prayer, and emotional release.

(50:28) Becoming Allies in Love
Learning to read each other's needs and becoming allies in the dance of relationship.

(56:00) Embracing the Cycles of Sacred Relationship
Acknowledging the inevitability of future challenges and preparing with learned tools.

(1:05:54) Gratitude and Closing Thoughts
Gratitude for the community, sponsors, and an invitation to join the Together community.

Community Link

⁠https://www.sacredrelating.com/⁠

Donation link 👇🙏🏼❤️🌏

⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VWHABJWZ749X4⁠

Email:

⁠⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠⁠

⁠relating@courtneywren.com⁠

Website

⁠⁠www.itsmikeelliott.com⁠⁠

Instagram

@MikeElliott.Relating

MINDFULMEDS MUSHROOM PRODUCTS

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THE SKIN DEEP CARDS

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In this solo cast Mike goes through what an uninitiated man looks like and what an initiated man looks like and what it is important for men to be a part of this process. If you are a man who is feeling frustrated and confused with why your relationships don't seem to last or you find yourself feeling lots of shame this is for you. If you are a woman wanting to understand men more this is also for you.

To JOIN our online community for couples

Community Link

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Donation link 👇🙏🏼❤️🌏

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Email:

⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠

relating@courtneywren.com

Website

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Instagram

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We interview Miriam Martineau mother, therapeutic counselor, parenting coach, with a focus on Parenting as a Spiritual practice and child development. Miriam beautifully lays out the imperfect practice of conscious parenting, the presence it requires, allowing our children to see our vulnerability and the importance of parenting from our truer essence. We also dive in to how the parent’s relationship shapes children’s development and ways for parents to navigate together.

Miriam is a mother, therapeutic counselor, parenting coach, writer, speaker, and researcher. She holds an M.A. in Psychology from the University of Zurich, with specialization in Youth and Child Psychology, and has been working in private practice as an integral therapeutic counselor since 1995. Through her writing, workshops, speaking engagements, counselling for individuals and couples, as well as parent coaching and online parenting courses, she helps clients discover and express their evolving potential – in themselves, their relationships, and the world. Miriam is also vice-president of Next Step Integral, an international organization that brings an integral perspective to ecology, education, parenting and community. She is also co-founder and operations director of SANE, bringing thirty years of community-building experience to the team, and specializing in coherence-building methodologies and practices that encourage collectives to achieve higher service capacity.

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Social Media Handles:

https://www.facebook.com/miriam.martineau / https://www.instagram.com/miriammasonmartineau/

Email:

miriam@nextstepintegral.ca

Website:

www.miriammartineau.com

Important Links you want shared:

www.integralparenting.com

Community Link

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Donation link 👇🙏🏼❤️🌏

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Email:

⁠transform@itsmikeelliott.com⁠

relating@courtneywren.com

Website

⁠www.itsmikeelliott.com⁠

Instagram

@MikeElliott.Relating