Episodios

  • Discernment Counseling: Should You Work On It, or Call It Quits?
    Mar 31 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/aRN7sDmcjfU.

    What is Discernment Counseling? And how might it help you?

    In this episode, Judy and I talk about situations in which Discernment Counseling is appropriate, and ways that my approach is consistent with its goals.

    You can find more information about Discernment Counseling at https://brucechalmer.com/discernment-counseling-a-different-way-to-decide-what-to-do/.

    Our newly redesigned website is at https://ctin7.com. Let us know what you think!

    Information about the video course I mention in the episode is at https:// brucechalmer.com/courses.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Judy’s book is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #couplestherapyinsevenwords #ctin7 #stability #intimacy #ThePassionParadox #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    32 m
  • Narcissism and Couples Therapy: An Interview with James Christensen
    Mar 24 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/h3McIE-iuIM.

    The term “narcissist” has become something of a slur these days, and our guest in today’s episode, couples therapist James Christensen, recognizes this phenomenon. He doesn’t use the term much in working with couples, but his own experience of recognizing those tendencies in himself has helped him in his work.

    We also discuss how the work of the late Dr. David Schnarch—who was also a big influence on my (Bruce’s) way of thinking about couples work—has guided James.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Bruce’s self-paced video course, The Passion Paradox: When You Feel Miles Apart and Still Love Each Other, is now available! Check out the free introductory lesson. And use the coupon code “ctin7” for 20% off! Information at https:// brucechalmer.com/the-passion-paradox-course.

    Our sponsor is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #CouplesTherapyInSevenWords #ctin7 #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    39 m
  • Can a Couple Survive Political Differences?
    Mar 10 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/-nl4dO3qCpk.

    In an era of political polarization, how can couples survive when they belong to different political tribes? Is it even possible? Well.. Judy and I talk about the possibilities and pitfalls.

    The GMA segment we refer to is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwo8--6n0XY.

    Our newly redesigned website is at https://ctin7.com. Let us know what you think!

    Information about the video course I mention in the episode is at https:// brucechalmer.com/courses.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Judy’s book is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #couplestherapyinsevenwords #ctin7 #stability #intimacy #ThePassionParadox #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    32 m
  • Reclaiming Your Body and Desire: An Interview with Laura Jurgens
    Mar 3 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/6pp6GZAgptY.

    How can a couple cope when one partner wants sex more often than the other? Is this inevitable in long-term relationships? Does it have to involve conflict, pressure, rejection, and pain? Our guest in this episode, Laura Jurgens, is an expert on desire discrepancy in couples and how to work through it.

    Laura’s website is https://laurajurgens.com/libido.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Bruce’s self-paced video course, The Passion Paradox: When You Feel Miles Apart and Still Love Each Other, is now available! Check out the free introductory lesson. And use the coupon code “ctin7” for 20% off! Information at https:// brucechalmer.com/the-passion-paradox-course.

    Our sponsor is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #CouplesTherapyInSevenWords #ctin7 #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    52 m
  • Love, Sex, AI, and Faith
    Feb 25 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/JaYYg5luP_E.

    Why are people having less sex than they used to? What role does AI play in this tendency? Have we evolved to just want sex, or are we actually looking for the deep bond of love? Judy and I talk about these issues, and try to end on a hopeful note (you be the judge!).

    Our newly redesigned website is at https://ctin7.com. Let us know what you think!

    Information about the video course I mention in the episode is at https:// brucechalmer.com/courses.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Judy’s book is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #couplestherapyinsevenwords #ctin7 #stability #intimacy #ThePassionParadox #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    47 m
  • Life in Transition: An Interview with Art & Tonya Blanchford
    Feb 17 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/iw0zfpvcwTU.

    How can a couple navigate difficult, often painful transitions at different stages of life, and emerge stronger than before? Our guests in this episode, Art and Tonya Blanchford, tell us how they’ve done it, and continue to do so.

    Art’s website is https://artblanchford.com. Tonya’s website for her soon to be open café is https://coastalteacafe.com.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message.

    Bruce’s self-paced video course, The Passion Paradox: When You Feel Miles Apart and Still Love Each Other, is now available! Check out the free introductory lesson. And use the coupon code “ctin7” for 20% off! Information at https:// brucechalmer.com.

    Our sponsor is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #CouplesTherapyInSevenWords #ctin7 #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    48 m
  • When Couples Therapy is Basically Useless…and When It Helps
    Feb 10 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/BdRj4uZJuys.

    Is couples therapy always a good idea? (Turns out, no!) When might it hurt, and when might it help? And how can you make the best use of couples therapy if you decide you want to do it?

    In this episode, Judy and I talk about those topics. The name of the person we mentioned who talked to us about compassionate divorce is Sarene Arias—check out our interview with her at our website, https://ctin7.com.

    Information about the video course I mention in the episode is at https://tppcourse.brucechalmer.com.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message. And you can also sign up for Dr. Chalmer’s newsletter right from our homepage.

    Judy’s book is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #couplestherapyinsevenwords #ctin7 #stability #intimacy #ThePassionParadox #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander

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    41 m
  • The Passion Paradox and Radical Moderation
    Feb 3 2026

    For the video of this episode, go to https://youtu.be/TmH4h0QPNB0.

    In this episode, Judy and I talk about Lauren Hall’s concept of Radical Moderation, and why I find the parallels between her ideas and my ideas about couples work so exciting.

    Our podcast interview with Lauren is at https://youtu.be/ftqRVeBptqs.

    Lauren Halls’ Substack, The Radical Moderate’s Guide to Life, is at https://substack.com/@radicalmoderatesguide.

    Information about the video course I mention in the episode is at https://tppcourse.brucechalmer.com.

    Do you have ideas for topics or guests for our podcast? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message. And you can also sign up for Dr. Chalmer’s newsletter right from our homepage.

    Judy’s book is The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber. Find out more at https://lariazylber.com.

    #couplestherapyinsevenwords #ctin7 #stability #intimacy #ThePassionParadox #DrBruceChalmer #JudyAlexander #RadicalModeration #LaurenHall

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    32 m