In this episode, I sit down with Ali Ryan, a trauma-informed embodiment coach and clinical nurse hypnotist, to talk about something we don't discuss enough: friend breakups.

I just went through one myself, and even as a relationship coach, I needed support and guidance, so I was up at 1 am googling, what are the steps in Conscious Uncoupling? And they were SO HELPFUL!

I share some of my process in my conversation with Ali and was so delighted to hear her insights!

On this episode, we explore conscious uncoupling (not just for romantic relationships!), how to have what I call a "loving ending" that honors the past while acknowledging when something needs to end, and why we don't have to make someone right or wrong when a relationship evolves.

This conversation is for anyone navigating the end of a friendship and wanting to do it with grace, integrity, and love.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• What conscious uncoupling really means beyond the buzzword

• Why we need to normalize talking about friend breakups

• The five steps of conscious uncoupling and how they apply to friendships

• How to stay out of survival brain when a relationship needs to end

• Why our society conditions us to be unconscious in both coupling and uncoupling

• The power of allowing relationships to evolve without making anyone wrong
  
  

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie

• The Growth Gap - Free Workshop

• Ali's Instagram: @ali_ryan__

• Ali's Website: www.aliryancoaching.com

• Katherine Woodward Thomas (creator of Conscious Uncoupling framework)

In this milestone 200th episode, I sit down with licensed therapist and sex educator Tia Conway to talk about why pleasure actually matters, especially for those of us who've spent our whole lives prioritizing productivity over feeling good.

Tia shares her definition of pleasure, why it's not selfish or indulgent, and how giving yourself permission to enjoy your life transforms everything. We talk about the difference between aesthetic pleasure and embodied pleasure, why we resist good feelings, and how to create more joy without waiting for the perfect moment.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• Why pleasure isn't hedonism or laziness—it's essential for operating effectively

• The difference between aesthetic pleasure (looking good) and embodied pleasure (feeling good)

• How to bring pleasure to mundane tasks (yes, even grocery shopping)

• Why high-achievers resist pleasure and how to reclaim permission

• The connection between pleasure and reducing relational conflict

• Practical ways to increase pleasure capacity in your marriage

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Tia's Podcast: Pleasure and Peace Practice

• Connect with Tia on Instagram @pleasureandpeacewithtia

• Anonymous Question Box for Tia

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Growth Gap Workshop (Free)

• Marriage Mindset Makeover

• Private Coaching with Maggie

This week's episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast is something special. I'm joined by my emotional support Canadian (yes, really!) and fellow coach Crystal Thompson, and we're diving into a book that touched both our hearts: Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground by Mirabai Starr.

If you've ever wanted to feel more connected—spiritually, emotionally, relationally—but didn't quite know how, this conversation is for you. We talk about finding sacredness in everyday life, receiving love when it feels hard, and why awe and gratitude can change everything, especially in long-term relationships.

There's laughter. There's depth. There's even a moment that made me cry on the mic.

✨ Episode at a Glance

• Why the word mysticism can feel scary—and how to reclaim it

• What sacred ground actually looks like in everyday life

• How awe + gratitude fuel connection (and soften resentment)

• The neuroscience of wonder, and why it matters in marriage

• What Mirabai Starr, Richard Rohr, and Mary of Guadalupe have in common

• The real-life moment I almost deflected a miracle

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Ordinary Mysticism by Mirabai Starr

• Connect with Crystal on Instagram @crystalruthcoaching

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie