Tag: Listening

• How to Validate Your Spouse in the Conflicts of Marriage

  

  Have you ever desperately wanted your spouse to validate your feelings but have been left feeling unheard, judged, or simply misunderstood instead? That’s because . . . Validation is a skill that’s so very elusive to many of us. In fact, it’s often left unexplained and definitely not often modeled in our families, churches, and/or…

  BethSteffaniak

  January 24, 2021

  Communication, Conversation, Empathy, Listening Skills, Marriage, Validation

  Communication, Connection, Empathy, Listening, Validate

• Video of Wives Confessing Bad Habits in Marriage

  

  I’m excited to be back with another video chronicling the confessions of several wives on one or two bad habits they bring into their marriages. These are all from friends of mine who share openly about their flaws, along with a few that are laugh-out-loud funny! I hope you’ll stick around to watch this 5 minute…

  BethSteffaniak

  October 14, 2017

  About Me, Attitude, Authenticity, Bad Habits, Blaming, Communication, Confession, Control, Criticism, Discouragement, Marriage, Marriage Mistakes, Mess Makers, Messy Mr. and Mrs. Videos, Negative Self-Talk, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Video

  Assuming, Bad Habits, Control, Criticism, Habits, Listening, Negative Focus, Pickiness

• 4 Ways Listening Draws My Mate to Me

  

  My husband and I did not enter marriage as great listeners or with amazingly refined listening skills. We were young and really not all that aware of how important listening was to our marriage. I would go on in those early days of marriage to get my Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, where…

  BethSteffaniak

  September 23, 2017

  Acceptance, Anger, Bonding, Comfort, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Empathy, Encouragement, Listening Skills, Openness, Perspective, Positive Focus, Respect, Support, Togetherness, Validation

  Bond, Closeness, Communication, Conflict, Empathy, Listening, Perspective, Respect, Togetherness

• How ‘Stranger Things’ is like the ‘Fine Art’ of Listening (& Linkup)

  

  My husband and I have been watching the Netflix series “Stranger Things” lately, and I see a metaphor in that show that perfectly illustrates the “Fine Art” of listening. What is it? Well, let me lay some groundwork before I reveal that answer. There’s no hiding the fact that my husband and I have had some…

  BethSteffaniak

  September 19, 2017

  Alienation, Anger, Attitude, Back to School Series, Choices, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Emotions, Empathy, Encouragement, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Listening Skills, Marriage, Openness, Positive Focus, Self-sacrifice, Validation, Withdrawal

  Anger, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Empathy, Listening, Questions, Validation

• Getting Your Spouse to Open Up – Part Two (Video)

  

  Today I’m talking about the second half of the process that will encourage your spouse to open up and engage with you in conversation. I feel like this should be a process that is built brick by brick—keeping each brick in place as the foundation of trust in your marriage is built, perhaps for the…

  BethSteffaniak

  December 4, 2016

  Acceptance, Accountability, Affirmation, Alienation, Amends, Apologies, Attitude, Avoidance, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Confession, Conflict, Confrontation, Conversation, Discouragement, Emotions, Encouragement, Engagement, Listening Skills, Marriage, Openness, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Questioning Marriage Videos, Realistic Expectations, Self-Reflection, Validation, Video, Vulnerability

  Accountability, Affirmation, Communication, Conversation, Listening, Listening Skills, Openness, Prayer, Vulnerability

• Discussing Sticky Issues with Your Mate Without Getting Stuck

  

  If you’re like me, you’ve often let your mouth fly wide open to reveal the manipulative and prideful intentions behind an effort “to discuss” a sticky issue. Ugh! You’re thinking that your words will bring clarity and understanding for your mate (cue the sound of angels singing from heaven). But all you really offered your…

  BethSteffaniak

  September 13, 2016

  Anger, Attitude, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Communication, Conflict, Emotions, False Beliefs, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Humility, Lessons Learned in Marriage, Listening Skills, Negative Self-Talk, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Pride, Responsibility, Spiritual Practices, Vulnerability

  Arguing, Communication, Conflict, Discuss, Humility, Listening, Prayer

• 8 Things to Avoid When Your Husband Opens Up And Linkup

  

  Today we’re continuing to focus on the answers that I gleaned from my “Men and Openness” survey, in an effort to address some of the hindrances that are present in attempts to communicate between a husband and wife, as well as to point out what encourages better communication. Today I want to focus on the…

  BethSteffaniak

  December 1, 2015

  Acceptance, Attitude, Avoidance, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Comfort, Communication, Confessional Culture, Control, Differences, Gender Differences, Grace, Listening Skills, Men and Openness Series, Nagging, Negotiation, Realistic Expectations, Respect, Support, Validation, Vulnerability, Wedded Wednesday

  Acceptance, Active Listening, Communication, Control, Listening, Openness, Respect

• Picking Hubby’s Brain on Openness

  Today I’m excited to kick-off a new video series called, “Picking Hubby’s Brain” where I will be exploring what my man thinks on topics that are a mystery to many of us women and wives—in particular to me! 😉 Today’s topic for exploration is on “Men and Openness.”  There’s so much wisdom and clarity on this…

  BethSteffaniak

  November 15, 2015

  Acceptance, Anger, Authenticity, Blaming, Christ-Centered, Comfort, Communication, Confessional Culture, Conflict, Emotions, Empathy, Encouragement, Gender Differences, Listening Skills, Love, Men and Openness Series, Positive Focus, Prayer, Safety, Self-sacrifice, Support, Validation, Video, Vulnerability

  Active Listening, Communication, Empathy, Listening, Men and Openness, Video, Vulnerability