Episode Description:What starts with downloading a simple emotion wheel? For Annemiek Vernhout, it sparked a complete transformation—in her marriage, her parenting, and ultimately led her to bring Connection Codes to an entire country.In this powerful conversation recorded in the Netherlands, Annemiek shares her vulnerable journey from feeling emotionally disconnected and stuck in her head to becoming a Connection Codes coach who hosted a groundbreaking event that impacted 70 people in one day.In this episode, you'll discover:- Why recognizing emotions (not just feeling them) changes everything in relationships- The common mistake parents make when responding differently than their spouse—and what to do instead- How fear almost stopped Annemiek from asking for what she needed most- Why "a new way of living" feels weird at first (and why that's completely normal)- The difference between processing emotions through journaling versus using the Core Emotion Wheel- How to help your kids recognize emotions without forcing them to "do the wheel"- What happens when you lead with emotion instead of logistics in difficult conversations- Why anger isn't your enemy—it's the fuel that helps you accomplish hard things- The micro moments that matter: Thursday night dinners vs. the macro vision of city-wide changeKey Topics: emotional intelligence, emotional processing, marriage communication, parenting with emotional awareness, overcoming fear, vulnerability in relationships, connection in marriage, emotional regulation, mental health tools, leadership development, taking risks, processing emotions, family dynamics, emotional literacyThis episode is for you if:- You feel more in your head than your heart- Your marriage is "fine" but you want deeper connection- You're tired of only talking about logistics with your spouse- You want your kids to be emotionally intelligent- You have a fear of asking for help or sharing your needs- You sense there's a better way to live but don't know where to startResources Mentioned:- Get the Core Emotion Wheel: www.connectioncodes.co/podcast- Book a Connection Codes Coach: https://connectioncodes.co/coaches- Foundations Masterclass: www.connectioncodes.co/foundations- Visit www.connectioncodes.nl to connect with AnnemiekAbout Annemiek Vernhout:Annemiek is a Connection Codes coach based in the Netherlands. Married to Bastiaan for 14 years with a 12-year-old son Nathan, she discovered Connection Codes through a Facebook message two years ago. This summer, she became a certified coach and recently hosted Connection Codes' first major event in the Netherlands, impacting 70 people in one day. She has a heart for teaching and bringing emotional connection tools to her community and beyond.

What happens when you've spent a lifetime being silent—and suddenly, you can't do it anymore?

In this powerful conversation, Connection Codes coach Laurel Simpson shares the moment that changed everything: a walk with her husband John where she realized she had to rebel against the silence that was suffocating her marriage and her mental health.

After years of caretaking her mom through Alzheimer's, living in chronic dysregulation, and navigating her husband's anger while drowning in her own fear, Laurel reached a breaking point. The phrase that haunted her since childhood—"shut up, shut down, shut off"—was no longer sustainable.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The moment Laurel decided to rebel against emotional silence and what gave her the courage to finally speak up
• Why anger was shutting her down and how she learned to navigate it in her marriage
• The phrase that changed everything: "I have fear in sharing this, but..." and how it transformed her relationship with John
• How to do "one brave thing every day" and why it's more powerful than you think
• Why Connection Codes training isn't just for coaches—it's for anyone who wants to become a better human
• The difference between eliminating fear and processing through fear to take brave action
• How to recognize when you're living in chronic dysregulation and what to do about it
• Why we're not designed to suffer in silence—and how to get back to your authentic voice

For couples navigating crisis, individuals feeling voiceless in their relationships, or anyone who's been told to "shut up" their entire life—this episode is for you.

Laurel demonstrates the Core Emotion Wheel and shares her current experience with grief, transition, and the ongoing work of staying connected to herself and others.

Keywords: emotional health, mental health podcast, marriage communication, breaking emotional silence, chronic dysregulation, processing emotions, finding your voice, relationship healing, emotional safety, nervous system regulation, marriage after trauma, caregiver burnout, emotional processing, healthy relationships, leadership through vulnerability

Resources mentioned:

• Connection Codes Foundations Course
• School of Connection (8-week program starting September 30th)
• Connection Codes Coaching Cohort

Ready to get started?

• Get the Core Emotion Wheel: www.connectioncodes.co/podcast
• Book a Connection Codes coach: https://connectioncodes.co/coaches
• Find Laurel Simpson on the Connection Codes website under "All Coaches" (https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches)

What happens when a simple email about work scripts triggers a complete relationship nosedive? In this raw, unfiltered episode, we witness Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill work through an actual conflict from the day before—and discover how identity loss was at the root of their disconnect.

This isn't theory. This is real marriage work happening in real-time.

You'll discover:

• Why the first 60 seconds of conflict can determine your entire day
• How "being the workhorse" or "the fixer" can destroy emotional connection
• The difference between acknowledging pain vs. trying to fix it (and why one creates intimacy while the other creates distance)
• Why logistics never matter (and what actually does)
• How to identify when you've tuned out fear to maintain your identity
• The surprising reason why saying "you don't have to do it all" can strip someone of their identity
• Real tools for repair when you've already spiraled into disconnection

Key Timestamps:

• 3:12 - The conflict begins: How a missed acknowledgment triggered everything
• 18:05 - Identifying the first unprocessed emotion (the make-or-break moment)
• 26:10 - The workhorse identity: Why "getting things done" becomes self-destructive
• 39:02 - The validation breakthrough: What acknowledgment actually does
• 47:08 - Walking through the Core Emotion Wheel together

This episode is essential for:

• Couples who keep having the "same fight" in different packaging
• Leaders carrying identity roles that no longer serve them
• Anyone who's been called "the strong one" and wonders why they feel so exhausted
• Parents navigating empty nest transitions or career changes
• Anyone who feels unseen in their closest relationships

Resources Mentioned:

Download the Core Emotion Wheel: www.connectioncodes.co/podcast

Work with a certified Connection Codes coach: https://connectioncodes.co/coaches

Explore the School of Connection for deep-dive marriage transformation

Topics: marriage conflict resolution, emotional health in relationships, identity crisis in marriage, emotional processing, leadership and emotional intelligence, relationship repair, overcoming disconnection, mental health in marriage, core emotions, validation in relationships