Today we're talking about something so simple yet so powerful: turning into your partner’s bids for connection and communication. You know those moments—when your partner shares a random story, sends you a meme, or even gives you a quick hug in passing? These are all little bids for attention and connection, and responding to them is key. Sometimes we get so caught up in our busy routines that we forget to really acknowledge those moments out loud. But when we do, it strengthens our bond and shows our partner we truly see and value them.

It's all about being kindful and aware. Once we recognize the ways our partner naturally tries to connect, we can respond more effortlessly. Whether it’s a small comment about something happening in the moment or sharing an accomplishment, each time we tune in and respond, we’re building a stronger, more mindful connection. So next time your partner shares something—no matter how small—take a moment to really acknowledge it. Trust me, they'll feel seen, loved, and more connected to you!

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

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In part two of our expectations deep dive, we’re circling back to how expectations can either make or break a relationship. First up, the red flags of unrealistic or uncommunicated expectations: things can spiral into conflict, create a “me vs. you” vibe, lead to disappointment, and even devalue the hard work your partner’s already putting in. Ouch!

But it’s not all doom and gloom! There are some green flags that come with aligned expectations: think teamwork, better understanding of your relationship’s growth, more moments of kindness, mutual respect, and even a boost in honesty and vulnerability. Sounds pretty great, right?

Now, back to that expectations activity from part one. The final step? Find where your expectations overlap. Do you have 10 shared goals? If not, no worries—figure out what you want to add to the list to get there. Ten is a totally doable number! And if you need more—like, say, all 20 expectations—go for it! You can always tweak them as you go along.

Happy aligning, and remember, relationships are a marathon, not a sprint!

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

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If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

On today’s episode, we dive into the tricky terrain of expectations in relationships. You know, those little things that can make or break the entire vibe. It turns out, mismatched or unrealistic expectations—whether about our partners or about how we think a relationship should be—can really shake the foundation and leave us feeling disappointed or even resentful.

But don't worry, there’s a bright side! By rephrasing those expectations in a kind and mindful way, we can actually spark something healthier and more fulfilling. One small but powerful change? Ditch the “never” and “always.” Instead, try framing things with, “It’s important to me that we…” This small shift can make a world of difference!

Now, for a fun activity to try with your partner: each of you should jot down 5 to 10 expectations you have for your relationship. Yes, actually write them out—no shortcuts! Once you’ve got your lists, trade and read them out loud to each other. Trust us, seeing it in black and white is key for the magic to happen.

Stay tuned for part two where we’ll take these lists to the next level!

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Today, we're tackling the age-old question: counselling or coaching for relationships? Counselling delves into the past, while coaching, like at Sparked Forever, focuses on building skills for the future. If you're working on personal goals, go solo, but for relationship issues, it's best to bring your partner along. Going solo can lead to separate ideas and a tug-of-war dynamic. Remember, fixing a relationship requires both partners. Ready to move forward together? Investing in your relationship fosters mutual growth and interdependence.

Do you need help with relationship-building blocks? Reach out! https://sparkedforever.com/

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Welcome back! Last time, we delved into the importance of understanding our centers in relationships. Today, we're building on that by exploring how our centers influence communication by breaking down the difference between perspective-taking and understanding our centers in relationships.

Perspective-taking is about seeing things from another's viewpoint, influenced by mood and context. Meanwhile, our centers guide our decisions consistently, regardless of mood. We naturally invest our time and energy into our center focus, assuming others should prioritize the same. But recognizing our center and aligning it with our partner's reveals how it shapes our choices, fostering compassion. Shifting the focus to shared values creates a solid foundation for decision-making, avoiding conflicts over priorities.

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Have you ever struggled with communication issues? Turns out, it might run deeper than you think. Let's talk about identity. We all center ourselves around something, whether it's family, work, or personal goals. But what happens when our centers clash with those close to us?

Think about it: if your center is family, but your partner's is work, there's bound to be some friction, right? Understanding each other's centers can be a game-changer in how we communicate and relate. So, next time you're in a disagreement, consider what's at the core of it all.



About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

We're diving into why the word "we" is a game-changer in relationships.

Using "we" when you're telling stories or tackling problems as a couple is like hitting the relationship jackpot. It makes you feel like a team, and that's a big deal.

Research backs it up: Couples who naturally throw around "we" tend to have happier, healthier relationships. They're more satisfied, stick together longer, and even report feeling better physically and mentally. Want to practice? Try fun stuff like building Lego together, telling stories where you're both the heroes, or playing word games as a team.

So, next time you're talking or working through stuff with your partner, toss in a "we" and see the magic happen!

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, we delve into part 2 of Partnering Not Parenting and how the parenting dynamic can impact communication between partners. Often, messages intended to be kind can be misinterpreted as nagging or criticism due to the ingrained roles of"controlling parent" and "petulant teenager." This dynamic can lead to a lack of affection, leaving emotional cups empty and draining energy. The solution? Start by acknowledging the imbalance with your partner and express a desire to shift towards a more equal partnership. Practice using a "kindful lens" in communication, and rebuild trust through vulnerability and recognizing moments of trust and letting go. It's about fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both partners to thrive.

About the Host:

Meet Crystal, your relationship and social health coach. Crystal is the founder of Sparked Forever Relationship & Singles coaching. She started her journey supporting the neurodiverse community in navigating this, sometimes frustrating, neurotypical social world. Lessons and inspiration from her earlier work drives Crystal’s passion for bringing couples and singles together through acceptance, understanding and big picture thinking to grow vibrant relationships. Crystal understands that the foundation for our social health and well-being starts with making connections to others. When Crystal is not working with couples, she loves to be out on adventures with her partner and bonus kids or spending time connecting with friends over good food and fun music.

Links:

https://sparkedforever.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkedforever/

https://www.instagram.com/sparkitsocial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sparked_forever

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.