Good Conversations
A weekly newsletter encouraging couples to start talking like friends
Check back here for past conversation prompts.
Your Real Enemy in Conflict
Dr. Sue Johnson says the real enemy in conflict is not your spouse. It is the pattern you fall into together. Find the Bad Guy. The Protest Polka. Freeze and Flee. When we focus on being right instead of breaking the pattern, connection suffers. What pattern do you fall into and how can you change it? 💬💙
Politics and World Events
How do you manage the upset that many of us feel regarding politics and world events?
Are you ever concerned about the attitudes and behavior of your spouse?
How do you effectively address that concern?
Preoccupied
How do you keep track of what occupies your mind the most?
How do you manage to occupy your mind with the things that matter the most in your life, including your marriage?
The Best Thing for Your Marriage
How active and positive are you about your personal health and growth?
Replacing Reactions with Responses
Do you know the difference between a reaction and a response?
What are you doing to replace your reactions with responses?
Lessons from Storm Prep
How strong and resilient is your marriage?
What storms have you weathered well?
What positive factors today prepare you for potential storms?
Your Business/Pleasure Ratio
What would you say is the ratio between the business part of your relationship and the pleasure part?
Highlights & Hopes
2025 Highlights: Spend a few minutes by yourself listing what was special about the past year, for you personally, as well as for your relationship.
2026 Hopes: Likewise, now make a list of hopes you might have for the year ahead.
Creating Memories
What has been one of your favorite Christmas’ as an adult and what made it special?
How might you make this Christmas special?
Grumpy Already?
How well are you managing your Grumpiness Level?
Are you already stressed, disappointed or irritable about things happening this Christmas?
How will you support each other?
Honor Their Dreams
This week, let's focus on how we can support our partner's dreams. Read this week's newsletter for more inspiration.
Disappointment
How do you handle disappointment?
Name and describe a recent disappointment. Is it still festering?
Sports Connection
What do you and your partner love doing just for fun—no purpose, no pressure, just joy?
Time for Beauty?
How do you make time as a person and as a couple to see and enjoy the beauty of nature?