053: How to Regulate a Dysregulated Nervous System with Michelle Cantrell
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Release Date: 08/05/2024
68: How the Stories We Tell Ourselves Can Make or Break Our Relationship with Lindsey Carnick
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
We all tell ourselves stories — about our partners, our relationships, and even about who we are. But what happens when those stories start to hurt our connection instead of helping it? In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Carnick to talk about something that shapes every relationship — the stories we tell ourselves. As humans, we are meaning-making creatures. Our brains are constantly trying to connect dots, fill in blanks, and make sense of what’s happening around us — especially in our closest relationships. But sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves aren’t accurate, and...
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67: Married to an Entrepreneur? 5 Relationship Survival Hacks You Need Now with Heather Jones
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Being married to an entrepreneur, especially within the unique context of military life, comes with a distinct set of challenges and rewards. How do you balance supporting your partner's dream while pursuing your own? What happens when household roles need to shift, and how do you navigate the difficult conversations about finances, time, and personal identity? In this episode "Married to an Entrepreneur? 5 Relationship Survival Hacks You Need to Know", Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky sits down with Heather Jones, a life coach for military spouse entrepreneurs, to have an honest conversation about the...
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66: How To Deal With Sibling Rivalry With Parenting Coach DJ Stutz
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Sibling rivalry is one of the most common challenges parents face, but did you know it can also be an opportunity for growth? In this episode, parenting coach DJ Stutz shares practical strategies on how to deal with sibling rivalry while fostering lifelong skills in your children. From creating weekly family meetings to teaching negotiation through playful roleplay, DJ explains how small, intentional actions can transform sibling conflict into valuable lessons in communication, boundaries, and empathy. She also reveals why giving children ownership over certain belongings, offering...
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065: Secrets to a Successful Marriage with Veteran and Military Spouse Tina Erwin
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
What if the secret to a successful marriage wasn’t about being perfect… but about learning to love each other through the mess, the distance, and the fear? If you're a military spouse or in any kind of long-distance or high-stress relationship, you know it’s not always easy. The deployments, the uncertainties, the constant adapting. And yet, somehow, we still long for connection, for belonging, for a love that lasts. In this episode, I sit down with Tina Erwin, a retired Naval Commander, Navy wife, and mother, who’s been married for over 50 years. Through real stories and raw...
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064: How to sleep better with anxiety with Savannah Hipes
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to settle for sleepless, anxious nights. In this episode, we’re talking about exactly how to sleep better with anxiety, especially when stress, trauma, or PTSD are in the picture. Dr. Elizabeth is joined by Savannah Hipes, LCSW, DBSM, a sleep and anxiety specialist who works with high-achieving, sleep-deprived professionals to help them finally get the rest they’ve been missing. Together, they explore why anxiety impacts sleep, how it affects relationships, and what you can do, starting tonight to get real,...
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063: Understanding and Overcoming the Freeze Response in Relationships with Lauren Dry
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
In this episode of the Communicate and Connect Podcast, Liz talks with relationship coach Lauren Dry about the freeze response and how it shows up in communication, connection, and conflict. The freeze response is one of the most misunderstood nervous system reactions, especially in relationships. It can look like emotional shutdown, disconnection, or indifference but it’s actually a survival mechanism. Lauren explains why the freeze response happens, how it affects both partners, and what you can do to move from disconnection to reconnection. In this episode, you’ll learn: What...
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062: How to deal with different parenting styles with Adam Angel
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to this episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, where we tackle the ever-relevant topic of how to deal with different parenting styles. In today's conversation, host Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky is joined by Adam Angel, a specialist in supporting new dads and an advocate for thoughtful, collaborative parenting approaches. This episode is particularly significant for military families, who often face unique challenges and transitions. Adam begins by sharing his personal journey into fatherhood during the pandemic, which led to his development of a supportive group for new dads....
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061: How to improve intimacy in a relationship with Chloe Mascord
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
In this episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, host Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky welcomes intimacy expert Chloe Mascord to the show, where they dive deep into the intricacies of nurturing intimacy within relationships, with a special focus on the unique dynamics faced by military couples. Chloe, renowned for her expertise in the field, discusses the common challenges and misconceptions surrounding intimacy, emphasizing the crucial distinction between intimacy and sex and the need for emotional closeness for a fulfilling intimate life. Throughout the episode, Chloe offers a wealth of...
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060: How to make your relationship STRONG with Kristal Desantis
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to Episode 060 of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have an enlightening conversation with the incredible Kristal Desantis, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Austin, Texas. In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked dynamics of men in relationships and the societal expectations that shape their roles and behaviors. Kristal shares her insights on the shifting roles of men, particularly the challenge of being valued for performance over personhood. We'll unpack the powerful metaphor of "lipstick on a...
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059: Military Spouse Relocation - Navigating leaving friends and home behind with Leigh Conant
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to Episode 59 of the Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a deeply insightful conversation lined up with our special guest, Leigh Conant, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the military community. In this episode, we dive into the emotional and logistical complexities of military spouse relocation. Leigh shares her personal experience moving from a well-established community in New Orleans to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, detailing the mix of excitement and profound grief that comes with leaving friends...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 53 of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we are diving into the fascinating world of nervous system regulation with our esteemed guest, Michelle Cantrell. Michelle is a licensed professional clinical counselor and founder of the Center for Growth and Connection, specializing in emotionally focused therapy and EMDR.
In this episode, Michelle shares powerful insights on how to recognize and manage a dysregulated nervous system, highlighting the impact it has on our relationships and emotional well-being. We'll explore techniques like EMDR’s resourcing, physical activities for completing the stress response cycle, and the importance of self-regulation and co-regulation in emotional experiences with partners.
Michelle and I discuss practical tools, including the RULER acronym for emotional intelligence, the benefits of creative expression, and the role of art therapy in achieving emotional balance. Plus, we'll uncover the surprising power of breath work, positive social interactions, and even crying as methods to soothe and connect.
Join us as we unravel the complexities of emotional regulation, offering you effective strategies to bring calm and connection into your relationships. Don't forget to check out Michelle's practice at centerforgrowthandconnection.com and take our ARE quiz based on the brief accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement scale for further insights. Let's get started!
>>>Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.
- Access the ARE: Are You There for Me? Relationship Quiz to help you understand the quality and security of your relationship
- Read the show notes for this episode here.