Understanding Men, Women & Stress: John Gray on Relationships, Care, and Self-Care

In this powerful and insightful episode, Andy Baker, behaviour specialist, author, and trainer, is joined by John Gray — the legendary author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, one of the most influential relationship books of all time. Together, they unpack how gender, stress, hormones, and communication interact in modern relationships — especially for people who care for others every day. From understanding emotional needs and managing burnout to learning how men and women can better support one another, this episode offers life-changing insights for caregivers, teachers, and parents who want healthier relationships, stronger self-care, and deeper human connection. John shares tools from his upcoming book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus – For Women Only: Be Happy With or Without a Man, exploring how finding balance, appreciation, and authenticity can transform both romantic and caregiving relationships. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK The Able to Care podcast is proudly sponsored by Order your card today 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 🌐 John Gray’s Official Website – MarsVenus.com 📘 Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus – Amazon UK 📕 Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: For Women Only – Be Happy With or Without a Man (New Release) 🎥 John Gray on YouTube 📱 Facebook: Mars.Venus.John.Gray 📸 Instagram: @johngraymarsvenus_official 🧘 Transcendental Meditation Foundation 📗 Andy’s book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge 💡 Three Key Messages: Men and women process stress differently — and that’s okay. Men thrive when solving problems; women thrive when feeling heard and supported. Recognising this difference builds connection, not conflict. Caregivers often give too much — without receiving enough. Dr. Gray explains how over-giving, especially for women, depletes emotional energy and hormones. Learning to receive love, rest, and help is vital self-care. Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s hormonal balance. Whether through meditation, social bonding, or quiet time, learning what restores your energy helps you care for others without burning out. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK 00:46 – Meet Dr. John Gray – author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus 02:00 – Why his work still resonates decades later 03:30 – Understanding gender differences in communication 05:00 – How hormones influence emotions and stress responses 09:00 – The importance of polarity and attraction in relationships 12:00 – Caregivers, codependency, and burnout 15:00 – How women can balance giving and receiving energy 20:00 – The power of asking for help effectively 25:00 – Self-care for caregivers: “You time,” “We time,” and “Me time” 31:00 – Meditation and journaling for emotional regulation 38:00 – Why men need challenge and women need connection 45:00 – How to truly listen — and when not to offer solutions 53:00 – The secret to being happy with or without a partner 58:00 – Finding purpose, spirituality, and meaning in service 01:00:00 – Dr. Gray’s parting message: “When you’re unhappy, you’re often looking in the wrong direction.” 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: If you’re a parent, teacher, or carer, you’ve probably found yourself exhausted from giving to everyone else. This episode helps you: Understand why relationships feel harder when you’re under stress Reframe communication through empathy, hormones, and mindset Recognise when you’re giving too much — and how to restore balance Apply timeless Mars & Venus principles to modern caregiving and family life Dr. Gray’s advice bridges psychology, biology, and compassion, offering a roadmap to healthier connection — with others, and with yourself. 📲 Connect with Dr. John Gray: 🌐 Website: www.marsvenus.com 🎥 YouTube: John Gray – Mars Venus 📸 Instagram: @johngraymarsvenus_official 👍 Facebook: Mars.Venus.John.Gray 🕙 Watch Live: Facebook Live Show – Thursdays 10am PST 📲 Follow Able Training & Able to Care 🎧 Podcast Home: able-training.co.uk/podcast 🔗 LinkedIn: Able Training 📸 Instagram: @abletraining 🟦 Facebook: Able Training 🎥 YouTube: Able Training YouTube