Ep. 18: Marriage Matters ft. The Thompsons.
WATCH:
LISTEN:
Chris & Patrice Thompson chat with us about navigating marriage. From their vision of success to disagreements to growing together, The Thompsons keep it real!
In this episode, we'll be diving deep into their motivations behind starting Marriage Matters, what it means to them personally, and the valuable lessons they've learned along the way as a married couple. We're excited to hear about their drive to share information and help others build strong, healthy relationships.So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the fascinating world of marriage.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
The start of Marriage Matters [2:32]
Patrice and Chris Thompson share their personal experiences with marriage and the challenges they faced early on
They found comfort in knowing that they were not alone in their struggles
They started Marriage Matters as a way to support other couples going through similar challenges
Their goal is to help couples build and maintain happy, healthy marriages
They emphasize the importance of creating a safe space for couples to come together and share their experiences and learn from one another
They believe that hearing from other couples who have gone through similar challenges can help to strengthen marriages
They hope to reduce the divorce rate by providing a supportive community and sharing valuable insights and advice.
What does success in marriage look like? [8:03]
Open communication and the ability to talk about anything, even difficult topics.
Being able to be oneself in a relationship and accepting and liking one's partner for who they are.
Financial issues can be a factor in failed marriages but do not necessarily define success in a marriage.
Willingness to not give up and to do whatever it takes to make it work.
Self-reflection is important in evaluating contributions to the relationship Open communication helps resolve conflicts and work through challenges.
Sincerity in efforts to maintain and strengthen the relationship is key.
Having safe spaces
Alignment in values
Communication is important [13:49]
Lack of communication can create distance and drive a wedge between partners
Holding onto feelings without communicating can lead to surface-level relationships
Vocalizing emotions and feeling safe in that space is crucial for successful communication
A safe space for communication includes no fear of having your words used against you
Being able to express emotions and work through them together is beautiful and crucial for a successful relationship
The haze of building a successful marriage [20:41]
Pride can be a major hurdle in building a successful marriage
Expectations of what a marriage should be can lead to difficulty in admitting fault or making changes
Prior experiences and upbringing can shape one's view of what a successful marriage looks like
Every relationship is unique and what works for one couple may not work for another
Flexibility and willingness to adjust the recipe of success is key
Communication and understanding each other's needs and desires is important in navigating a successful marriage.
Things they wish they’d known before marriage [41:22]
It's important to have respectful disagreements and follow-up conversations to get on the same page in a marriage.
It's okay to ask for help and delegate tasks in a marriage.
Continuing counseling, even after premarital counseling, can be helpful for checking in on the marriage.
It's important to learn how to hold space and have "me time" in a marriage.
Giving yourself permission to have "me time" can be difficult, but is important for investing in the relationship.
EPISODE QUOTES:
Success in marriage looks like a functioning and communicative relationship, if we're able to talk, communicate, no matter what the situation and feelings are going through that success to me.
- Chris Thompson
It's really just deciding every day to be there and to work through whatever it may be that you're working through at that moment and being sincere about it.
- Patrice Thompson
I think in marriage or any relationship it’s important that there's alignment in our values and we're bearing fruit in some kind of way.
- Shaté Hayes
If I had to pick one thing I wish I knew before getting married, it would be that you're not Superwoman.
- Patrice Thompson
CHECK IN WITH SCOTT AND SHATÉ:
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