Building Healthy Relationships - The 4 Habits Podcast

Feel like you’re stuck—in your relationship, in your career, or just in life? This episode is your wake-up call. Dawn Smith joins Dr. Andrea & Jon for a powerful conversation about the things we avoid talking about… until everything’s on the line. Whether it’s conflict in your marriage or disconnection from your work, Dawn shares how to rewrite your story—without needing to blow everything up. Dawn is a neuroscience-based relationship and life coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Whole Life Solutions. She’s helped thousands of clients navigate relational crisis, career transitions, and emotional overload with small, sustainable shifts that lead to big change. In this episode, she unpacks:The real reason couples get stuck (and how to get unstuck)How brain science explains why we avoid hard conversationsWhy compromise often leads to resentment—not connectionThe overlap between relationship and career dissatisfactionWhat you can do today to shift from reactive to intentional livingWhether you’re in crisis mode or quietly coasting, this conversation is full of insight, strategy, and hope.⏱️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS (TIMESTAMPS) 00:00 – “Relationship disruptor” explained02:20 – Why we avoid the hard conversations04:00 – Career and relationship autopilot: the link06:15 – Why the “compromise model” creates resentment09:00 – Brain patterns that keep us stuck in fear or freeze12:00 – When to ask: is this fixable, or foundational?14:30 – Rebuilding trust and rebuilding purpose—step by step17:00 – Couples in crisis vs couples quietly drifting19:20 – The Gottman “magic ratio” and why it matters21:45 – Rituals that reconnect you (no big overhaul required)25:00 – Making real change in just 10 minutes a day27:30 – Career clarity: when a job no longer fits30:15 – Creating safety at home and work33:00 – Dawn’s #1 piece of advice for turning things around35:00 – Final thoughts on growth, connection, and change🔗 NEXT STEPS – For Guest Episode A) Take Action – Connect with Dawn Smith:– Website: WholeLifeSolutions.biz– Relationship Coaching: RelationshipCoachDawn.com– LinkedIn: Dawn Smith– Instagram:–– @wholelifesolutionscoaching–– @relationshipcoachdawn B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– 🎥 YouTube: @The4Habits– 🎧 Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– ✅ Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– 📘 Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– 📖 Get our book: https://the4habits.com/book#RelationshipAdvice #CareerTransitions #EmotionalSafety #SelfAwareness #ConflictResolution #NeuroscienceInLife #HealthyCommunication #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #HealthyRelationships #The4HabitsPod

Want better connections—in your marriage, at work, or with your kids? This is where it starts. In this episode, Dr. Anne Dranitsaris joins Andrea and Jon to explore the powerful link between emotional needs, personality, and relationship dynamics. A behavioral change therapist and leadership consultant with over four decades of experience, Anne shares how most of us unintentionally protect ourselves in ways that block the connection we crave. You’ll learn:  -  How your emotional needs drive your communication and behavior- Why we fall into “self-protective patterns”—and how to break free- How personality typing (MBTI, Striving Styles) can strengthen trust and emotionalsafety- Practical ways to become more relationally intelligent at home, at work, and in leadershipThis is more than just a conversation about communication—it’s a masterclass in showing up for others by truly understanding yourself first.⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Why the first step is knowing yourself02:20 – Self-protection: how it shows up without us realising05:30 – Emotional needs aren’t weaknesses—they’re guides09:15 – How unmet needs impact conflict, distance, and reactivity13:40 – Are you performing or connecting? The “imposter persona”17:50 – The Striving Styles model: a deeper layer beyond MBTI23:15 – Personality patterns and emotional safety in relationships29:00 – Leaders, partners, parents: this insight changes everything33:45 – Anne’s advice on becoming emotionally intelligent today38:30 – A better way forward: secure connection, without the masks🔗 NEXT STEPS – For Guest EpisodeA) Take Action – Connect with Dr. Anne Dranitsaris:– Website: www.annedranitsaris.com– LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annedranitsaris– YouTube: Dranitsaris-Hilliard Channel– Amazon Author Page: Anne Dranitsaris Books B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– 🎥 YouTube: @The4Habits– 🎧 Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– ✅ Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– 🧠 Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– 📘 Get our book: https://the4habits.com/book#EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #PersonalityTypes #StrivingStyles #EmotionalNeeds #SecureConnection #RelationshipGrowth #BreakThePattern #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalSafety #HealthyRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #RelationshipAdvice #PersonalGrowth #The4HabitsPod

💥 What if the story you were handed… wasn’t the one you were meant to live?In this raw and transformative episode of The 4 Habits Podcast, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Dr. Liz DeBetta—an adoptee, writer, performer, and trauma-informed coach—to explore the untold emotional layers of adoption. Liz opens up about her decades-long struggle with identity, the silence surrounding her adoption, and the moment writing became her lifeline. Through her signature methodology, Migrating Toward Wholeness, she helps others reclaim their stories, process emotional trauma, and build healthier relationships from the inside out. This conversation is both a truth-telling and a call to healing.🕰️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 Welcome + Building relationships from the inside out01:15 Liz’s story: adoption, identity loss & silence05:57 “I hit a wall”—when the story stopped working09:45 Writing as a tool for trauma healing13:50 When no one looks like you: the grief of not belonging18:30 Why families stop talking about adoption22:40 Identity wounds and their impact on adult relationships28:45 Breaking patterns and rewriting the narrative34:10 Best relationship advice Liz ever received38:22 What Liz wants the next generation to know43:15 Final thoughts: You are not broken—just unspoken✅ Next Steps: A) Take Action – Connect with Dr. Liz DeBetta:– 🌐 Website: https://www.lizdebetta.com– 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/liz-debetta-ph-d-7b4ba953– 📸 TikTok: @dr.liz. debetta– 📘 Facebook: Dr. Liz DeBetta B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– 🎥 Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– 🎧 Listen on Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– 🧠 Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– 🎓 Join the Unlocking Team Performance Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– 📖 Get the Book: https://the4habits.com/book/#AdoptionAwareness #IdentityHealing #AdoptionJourney #AdultAdoptees #TraumaRecovery #HealthyRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #RelationshipAdvice #PersonalGrowth #The4HabitsPod

Divorce doesn’t end parenting—it transforms it. Are you doing it right?In this powerful episode of The 4 Habits Podcast, Dr. Andrea and Jon are joined by co-parenting and blended family expert Dr. Jann Blackstone. With decades of experience in family mediation and as founder of Bonus Families, Jann has helped thousands of parents navigate the emotional minefield of post divorce parenting—and raise thriving children in the process. Jann unpacks the biggest mistakes parents make after separation, introduces her practical CARE framework, and offers a complete reframe on “stepfamilies” through the lens of bonus families—a mindset that focuses on gain, not loss. If you’ve ever felt stuck in conflict with an ex, unsure how to blend families, or worried about the impact on your kids, this conversation is your roadmap to a more peaceful, child-focused path forward.📌 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS (Timestamps): 00:00 – Is your co-parenting hurting your kids?01:00 – Meet Dr. Jann Blackstone: Mediator. Mom. Bonus family pioneer.03:00 – The CARE framework: 4 habits for healthy co-parenting05:45 – The #1 mindset shift divorced parents need08:00 – Badmouthing explained—and why it’s more damaging than you think11:10 – Why being “right” isn’t worth your child’s peace14:25 – From reaction to intention: parenting as your best self17:55 – “You’re not my ex. You’re my co-parent now.”21:00 – Scripts to reduce conflict and foster empathy24:10 – Why the word “step” was never enough—and how “bonus” changed everything28:30 – Blending families starts with acceptance, not control34:15 – The legacy moment: How do you want your kids to remember this?🔗 NEXT STEPS A) Take Action – Connect with Dr. Jann Blackstone:– Website: www.bonusfamilies.com– LinkedIn: Dr. Jann Blackstone– Facebook: Bonus Families– Book: The Bonus Family Handbook – On Amazon: https://a.co/d/cjqKnbJ B) StayConnected for More Episodes:– Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– Listen on Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the Unlocking Performance & Profitability Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/#BonusFamily #CoParenting #DivorceDoneRight #HealthyRelationships #BlendedFamilies #The4Habits #The4HabitsPod

Can caregiving be joyful—even funny? In this episode of The 4 Habits Podcast, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Mark Steven Porro, award-winning author of A Cup of Tea on the Commode, to explore the emotional, humorous, and deeply human journey of parenting your parent. When Mark became the full-time caregiver for his 90-year-old mother, he had no roadmap—just love, instinct, and a healthy dose of humor. His story is one of resilience, role reversal, and redefining dignity—and it will leave you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even calling your own parents. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the “squeezed generation”, juggling careers, kids, and aging parents, and searching for a more compassionate path.Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 – Parenting your parents: Humour & dignity in caregiving02:00 – From son to caregiver: Mark’s unexpected journey05:40 – Hospice, love, and the comeback moment: Pumpkin pie saves the day10:15 – The mindset shift that changed everything14:30 – Finding beauty, joy, and laughter in the daily grind19:00 – Day of Beauty: Treating his mom like a queen23:00 – The toll—and gifts—of caregiving as a man28:00 – Why “Find the Joy” became Mark’s personal motto33:15 – Does wiping butts cause amnesia? (Yes, it’s a chapter!)36:30 – What this journey taught him about unconditional love40:00 – Reflections, resilience, and parenting with purpose45:00 – Why Mark believes it was his mom who saved himNext Steps: A) Take Action – Connect with Mark Steven Porro:– Website: https://acupofteaonthecommode.org– Book: A Cup of Tea on the Commode – Available on Amazon– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@acupofteaonthecommode B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The4Habits– Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0fWvVbnNNhh9jodRYGG1O1 C) Learn and Share:– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass:https://the4habits.com/topteams– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/ Let’s ignite change and make a difference! #Caregiving #ParentingYourParents #ElderCare#HumorAndHealing #UnconditionalLove #RelationshipsMatter #The4HabitsPod

💡 Can you really have success, wealth, and balance—all at once? In this episode of The 4 Habits Podcast, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Sean McMann, an ex-corporate leader turned “corporate hacker” who walked away from a high-flying career at the peak of his success. Sean reveals the hidden lies we’ve been told about work, success, and balance—and how to break free. 👉 Why the 40-hour workweek is outdated👉 The secret to working less and earning more👉 How to redefine success without sacrificing relationships If you’ve ever felt trapped in the grind, this episode is for you! Tune in for practical strategies on escaping the corporate jungle and building a life you love.Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Welcome Sean McMann: Escaping the corporate jungle02:30 – Why the 40-hour workweek is outdated06:15 – The biggest lies about success we’ve been told10:40 – How Sean worked fewer hours but earned more14:55 – Why most of us are consumers, not producers20:30 – The 30-Minute Mastery Rule for working smarter24:15 – AI & automation: How the future of work is changing29:00 – Breaking free from the work = self-worth trap34:45 – Sean’s top strategies for hacking your work-life balance40:10 – Final insights: Success isn’t about time—it’s about impactNext Steps A) Take Action – Connect with Sean McMann: 🌐 Website: https://www.seanmcmann.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmcmann📖 Get Sean’s book: Hacking the Corporate Jungle: How to Work Less, Make More, and Actually Like Your Life B) Stay Connected for more episodes: 🎥 Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits🎧 Listen on Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share: 📊 Take our FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com📚 Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams📩 Request a topic or guest: hello@the4habits.com📤 Share this episode with someone feeling stuck in their career! Let’s ignite change and make a difference!#SeanMcMann #TheBalanceHack #WorkSmarterNotHarder #HackingTheCorporateJungle #RedefineSuccess #WorkLifeBalance #CareerTransformation #ProductivityHacks #HealthyRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #RelationshipAdvice #PersonalGrowth #The4HabitsPod

In this episode, we dive deep into The TRUST Shortcut with TEDx speaker, author, and coach Patrick Galvin, the Chief Galvanizer of The Galvanizing Group. Patrick is known for helping high-performing teams and organizations strengthen connections and drive growth, and today, he’s here to share the key habits for building authentic trust in relationships—whether in business or personal life.We explore:✅ Why trust is often broken before it’s built—and how to reverse that✅ The biggest mistakes people make when trying to build trust✅ How to transform transactional relationships into transformational ones✅ The Four-Way Test—a simple yet powerful framework for trust-buildingIf you’re ready to unlock deeper connections and stronger relationships, this conversation is for you! 🎧 Tune in now!Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Patrick Galvin01:06 – Three time zones, one conversation: The power of technology02:16 – Patrick’s journey: From The Connector’s Way to The Trusted Way05:58 – The biggest mistakes people make when trying to build trust08:12 – Transactional vs. Transformational relationships—what’s the difference?10:44 – The Four-Way Test—how a 24-word principle canchange everything15:30 – Trust in leadership: How businesses succeed (or fail) based on trust22:40 – The role of authenticity in business and networking27:15 – Practical habits to build trust daily34:00 – Final thoughts: The most impactful trust-building habit to start todayNext Steps A) Take Action – Connect with Patrick Galvin:– Website: https://www.thegalvanizinggroup.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickgalvin– Books: https://www.thegalvanizinggroup.com/books B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– Listen on Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/ Let’s ignite change and make a difference!#PatrickGalvin #TrustShortcut #AuthenticConnections #RelationshipBuilding #TheConnectorWay #BusinessSuccess #Leadership #TrustMatters #NetworkingDoneRight #The4Habits #The4HabitsPod

Welcome back to The 4 Habits Podcast! In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Riana Milne, a globally recognized expert in Life, Love, and Relationship Trauma Recovery.Many high-achievers unknowingly carry the effects of childhood trauma into their adult lives—impacting relationships, careers, and overall success. Riana shares how unresolved trauma creates emotional triggers, sabotages love and leadership, and keeps us stuck in unhealthy cycles. Tune in to discover:– How childhood trauma affects confidence, relationships, and career growth.– The Top 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences that shape adult behaviours.– Steps to recognize, heal, and break free from limiting patterns. If you’ve ever felt held back without knowing why, this episode will give you the tools to create the success and relationships you deserve!Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 Welcome & introduction to Riana Milne02:15 How childhood trauma impacts adult success05:30 The 10 most common childhood traumas10:45 Signs of emotional triggers affecting love & leadership15:00 Why some people attract toxic relationships20:35 Strategies to break free from negative patterns28:50 How to build an emotionally healthy relationship35:00 Riana’s best relationship advice for professionals40:10 Final thoughts & where to connect with RianaNext Steps: A) Take Action – Connect with Riana Milne:– Website: https://RianaMilne.com– FREE Two eBooks on What is Emotionally Healthy Love & Toxic Relationship Warning Signs: https://dating.rianamilne.com/free-life-love-reports– Podcast: Lessons in Life & Love (Available on iTunes)– Books: Love Beyond Your Dreams & Live Beyond Your Dreams available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– Listen on Spotify: The 4 Habits Podcast C) Learn and Share:– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/ Let’s ignite change and make a difference!#ChildhoodTrauma #RianaMilne #HealingRelationships #ToxicRelationships #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #SelfAwareness #RelationshipRecovery #The4Habits #The4HabitsPod

Welcome back to The 4 Habits Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Kathy Rushing, a seasoned Marriage & Family Counsellor and relationship coach who specializes in helping entrepreneurial couples navigate the challenges of love and business.With over 30 years of experience and more than 40 years of marriage to a serial entrepreneur, Kathy knows firsthand what it takes to balance ambition with connection. Through her Lodestar Relationship Coaching and Committed: The Entrepreneur Marriage podcast, she guides couples to stay aligned while chasing big dreams. 💡 Can you work AND live together without driving each other crazy? In this episode, we uncover:✔️ The real challenges of being married to an entrepreneur✔️ How to avoid resentment when one partner is “all-in” on a business✔️ Kathy’s must-have relationship rhythms to keep love strong✔️ How to set boundaries between work and personal life If you and/or your partner are entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you succeed in both business and love! 🎧 Listen now and learn how to build a thriving marriage while growing a business.Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Kathy Rushing02:05 - The Entrepreneur’s Marriage: Is it Possible to Have Both?05:45 - The #1 Challenge for Entrepreneur Couples & How to Solve It09:30 - “The Business is a Mistress” – How to Avoid This Common Pitfall12:50 - The 30-Minute Power Connect: A Simple Tool for Staying Aligned18:15 - The Importance of Setting Boundaries Between Work& Love23:40 - Keeping the Fun & Friendship Alive in Your Relationship29:55 - The 6 Types of Intimacy & Why They Matter for Entrepreneurs35:10 - Kathy’s Best Advice for Couples Who Work & Live TogetherNext Steps: A) Take Action – Connect with Kathy Rushing:– Website: https://www.kathyrushing.com– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-rushing/– Podcast: Committed: The Entrepreneur Marriagehttps://www.kathyrushing.com/podcast B) Stay Connected for more episodes:– Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– Listen on Spotify: The 4 HabitsPodcast  C) Learn and Share:– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/ 💬 Let’s ignite change and make a difference!#EntrepreneurMarriage #KathyRushing #WorkLifeBalance #LoveAndBusiness #HealthyRelationships #The4Habits #MarriageSuccess #EntrepreneursInLove #Boundaries #RelationshipGoals

Ever had someone say they’ll do something… and then they don’t? Maybe it’s a boss who promises to have your back but never follows through, or a partner who commits to being more present but nothing changes. That sinking doubt is the first sign of trust breaking down—and if left unchecked, it spirals fast. In this episode, Dr. Andrea & Jon unpack the #1 silent trust killer: Inconsistency—which often stems from assumptions instead of asking. When expectations go unspoken and unchecked, trust erodes one small fiber at a time—at work, at home, and in life.🔹 Why assumptions create trust gaps🔹 4 early warning signs of trust breakdown🔹 How to rebuild trust before it’s lost completely Tune in to discover how to catch assumptions before they turn into inconsistency and keep your Emotional Bank Accounts in the green.Because trust isn’t just about big betrayals—it’s built (or broken) in the small moments. 💡 Want to transform your relationships?Take our FREE Relationship Skills Quiz and discover practica ways to build trust and connection: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com. ⏳ Episode Highlights (Timestamps):00:00 – Intro: The trust breakdown scenario we all recognize05:00 – The #1 Trust-Killer: Assumptions & Inconsistency12:30 – Real-life examples of trust gaps at work & home15:00 – 4 Early Warning Signs of Trust Breakdown (Doubt, Distance, Defensiveness, Disengagement)25:30 – How to stop assumptions & build trust instead35:00 – Final thoughts: The key to rebuilding trust & taking action today🚀 Next Steps: A) Take Action: – Discover The 4 Habits book: https://the4habits.com/book/– Take our FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass: https://the4habits.com/topteams B) Stay Connected: – Watch on YouTube: @The4Habits– Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fWvVbnNNhh9jodRYGG1O1?si=620bf735328f48a1&nd=1&dlsi=e4d7e3fd728e4c30 C) Learn and Share: – Request a topic or guest: hello@the4habits.com– Share this episode with someone navigating trust challenges! Let’s ignite change and make a difference! #Trust #RelationshipsMatter #Communication #TrustBuilding#Leadership #HealthyRelationships #Podcast #The4Habits #The4HabitsPod