The Growing Us Project

In this final episode of season three, Valerie and Chris discuss what life has been like in the pandemic. They share their thoughts on a great article by  Alain de Botton called " Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person" ( you can find the link below). Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments.Instagram:@growingusprojecthttps://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/opinion/sunday/why-you-will-marry-the-wrong-person.html

In this final episode with Lauren and Ellery they share their big news about moving in together. They are looking to the future with intentions of how to continue building a healthy foundation. They share how they are finding ways to allow for space when one or the other is feeling blah and how to negotiate the basic- household chores. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this final episode Madeline and Maxim share their perspectives on the coming months entering into Fall of 2020. They talk about their ongoing concerns and anxieties of what might be in store for social connection. We hear about the modelling of good communication and connection they have learned from their parents.I think they articulate beautifully the practice of building a strong foundation for relationships. They expand on the notion of a daily practice of connecting even when it’s challenging and when they don’t feel like it. Their relationship is first. There is an honesty, vulnerability and connection to themselves that allows them to thrive and strive. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this final episode, Nicole and Chris share what their current lives together look and feel like.  Chris’ social circle is expanding and is part of an art collective. They talk about their families' influence on how they see their relationship. We hear Nicole share her concerns about the ongoing pandemic affecting her final year at University and future goals. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode, Lauren and Ellery share what they have learned about family values and beliefs. They talk about growing up with divorced parents, what conflict looked like and how they have been intentional about working through friction. They share their mutual admiration and appreciation for their families. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode with Madeline and Maxim they share what they have have learned about relationship value and beliefs from their parents. They articulate how these values have informed them on creating a thriving and striving relationship. We have a great conversation about building trust in their relationship and what that looks like in action. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode Nicole and Chris update us on what life has been for them during the pandemic. We hear about their personal growth and their observations of what they have learned about couple growth during a two month break. Chris had an inspiring and unexpected  community connection with BLM movement. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode we welcome back Paige and Sean from Season 2. They share their updates of what it has been like living together. Also, how they have been  navigating  future  plans and goals that have been put on hold.  Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode you will meet Lauren and Ellery. They fell in love just before the start of the Pandemic and spent the first few months growing their relationship virtually. They have been very intentional about their future plans together. This includes creating a healthy foundation for their relationship. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode you will meet Madeline and Maxim. They share their love story and discoveries of building a healthy relationship. They are big adventurers and have accomplished some amazing feats on their bikes. You will hear their revelations of how a challenging experience strengthen their relationship.Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

In this episode you will meet Nicole and Chris. The share their evolving love story. Like many couples, the met online. They delve into the joys and challenges of living together. And how they are navigating personal needs with relationship needs. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject

Welcome to Season 3 of The Growing Us Project. It’s been an interesting time. I started recording in February of the Pandemic year ( 2020) and of course stopped once we had direction from our  Public Health Officer. It was wonderful to start again, sit with these lovely couples and hear about their journey’s. We will start with their love stories and then move into deeper conversations. You will also hear from Chris and I, as we continue to share our discoveries about our relationship, especially during this unprecedented time. Enjoy the stories. Stay safe and healthy and wash your hands and most of all, be kind and loving.The podcast wouldn’t be a podcast without the expertise and talent of Oliver Hollingshead. He is my producer, editor, and musician behind the original music for The Growing Us Project. Many thanks to Emma Powell, she keeps my social media presence alive and well. And we always have great conversations about all things millennial and GenZ.Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject 

In this episode, Valerie and Emma discuss " We Do" by Stan Tatkin. This is one of Valerie's favourite relationship books. It lays out the road map for building a thriving and striving relationship. They start their conversation with a Pandemic check in and the effects of on each other's lives.Enjoy.A few thoughts from Valerie when reading relationship books:1. Have a pen or pencil handy to make notes on the pages.2. Read with your partner and discuss ideas and concepts. What resonants and what doesn't. 3. Take time, put down and revisit . 4. Take what you need, find your nuggets that are helpful in your relationship in the moment. Revisit in the future. Do the concepts still apply? What have you learned? What works now? 5. Re-read if the book was meaningful. You might find something new that might be helpfulLove to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this bonus episode with Jenny and Jeff, we hear some exciting news. They share how they have become aligned on an important couple milestone. Also, updates on careers and thoughts about future hopes and dreams. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this bonus episode, we welcome back Alyssa and Jackson. They share their story of moving into their newly built home that they have created together from the ground up.  Alyssa articulates the challenges of commuting to a job that she doesn't feel enthused about and her attempts at finding new work. The talk about their insights of this next phase of their relationship. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this bonus book episode, Emma and Valerie discuss their perspective and thoughts on the popular relationship book, Love Languages by Gary Chapman. They delve into the concept of love languages. Also, what worked and what didn't work for them. A few thoughts from Valerie when reading relationship books:1. Have a pen or pencil handy to make notes on the pages.2. Read with your partner and discuss ideas and concepts. What resonants and what doesn't. 3. Take time, put down and revisit . 4. Take what you need, find your nuggets that are helpful in your relationship in the moment. Revisit in the future. Do the concepts still apply? What have you learned? What works now? 5. Re-read if the book was meaningful. You might find something new that might be helpful.Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this final episode with Sydney and Kevin they share some very exciting news.  They talk about their ongoing growth with extended family relationships and healthy boundaries. They share some of their strategies of how to stayed committed to one another. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this final episode Paige and Sean delve deeper into future plans with one another. They talk about potential areas of friction and their styles of dealing with conflict. They have lots of exciting adventures planned. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode, Valerie and Chris talk about a potential danger zone for couples, when complacency shows up in committed relationships. It’s in the everyday interactions that are often the stress test of healthy committed relationships. They reflect on the tools that they have employed in their marriage to combat these challenges. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In  this final episode with Sean and Levi they dive into a difficult transition that is universal for couples. How do you reconcile decisions about career opportunities and your relationship? They talk about their ending with grace and appreciation for everything they have learned about being in a relationship with one another. It is a courageous conversation. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode Paige and Sean share a big decision and transition in their relationship. They explore the possibilities of how they will navigate this next opportunity with one another. We will hear their plans for the upcoming holidays with each other's families, it's a first for both of them. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode my love and I talk about recurring themes that emerged in our first few years of marriage. Sprinkled throughout our conversation are wisdom notes and our marriage truths, like how we fill the emotional bank account in our marriage. We share how we have learned to navigate conflict and make repair through conversation. We talk about the difference between pseudo listening and the willingness to listen. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode, Sean and Levi reflect on the power of appreciation of one another. They share how they have been building trust and emotional safety with one another. They also explore the challenges of being vulnerable. They are intentional in their relationship work and realize that everything they are doing is preparing them for a significant change ahead. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode Sydney and Kevin describe a pivotal moment after their wedding with family members. They share how they have created boundaries in unhealthy relationships. Also, how they have made a conscious effort to challenge family beliefs and values that don’t fit with their couple growth. They talk about their financial education as a couple and what messages from childhood experiences have affected financial decision making. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode you will meet Paige and Sean. They met online and have been together for a year. A first date of mishaps and lots of laughter have set them on a course of building friendship and love.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode you will be hearing a conversation between me and my sweetie, Chris. You will hear us talk about our first year of marriage, honeymoon and the themes that we saw emerging. Some wisdom notes, some marriage truths and a little love morsel.  Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode you will meet Sean and Levi. They met online and when they met in person they felt an immediate connection. They describe it as a  “meant to be with this person feeling”. Levi needed to reconcile the intense feelings he had for Sean. It’s his first relationship with a man. You will hear them talk about their journey and how they have discovered their love language. Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In the first episode of Season two you will meet Sydney and Kevin. They met in high school and have been in a committed relationship for 9 years. They recently married and share their observations of what the differences have been between living together and being married.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.  Love to hear your comments. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Do you wondered what other couple’s experiences are with communication, expectations about their relationship, family dynamics and the effects on their relationship?  Do you want questions that you and your partner can ask each other to get closer and create a stronger foundation?Welcome to Season Two of The Growing Us Project. In this season you will meet 3 new couples at different stages of their relationship.  I'm thrilled to welcome back 2 couples from Season One and share their updates. There will be reflective rearview episodes with me and my beloved Chris.Each episode will end with a Love Morsel, questions to help you delve deeper in your relationship with your partner.Love to hear your comments.Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this final episode, Courtney and Jake talk about navigating the obstacles and layers of conflict specifically in sharing a living space. They talk about over held values and the toll on self and relationship. They dig deeper in a discussion on the effects of family of origin value and beliefs. Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

 In this final episode Valerie and Chris will talk about their feverish engagement. Chris's telling of story falls a little flat for Valerie. They reflect on what how to expand the story to express their love for one another . Another glimpse in the rear view mirror of their relationship.  Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this final episode , Alyssa and Jackson revisit their amazing house project and are nearing completion. They share their challenges with transitions, especially for Alyssa now that she has completed her undergraduate degree. Significant endings and beginnings. Enjoy.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this final episode, Jenny and Jeff delve into their journey as a couple. They reflect on challenges in navigating family trauma and successes. We hear about "the hooks"of family patterns and their strategies for creating new healthy ways of connecting and communicating.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode Valerie and Chris talk about the decision to move in together and their discovery of the importance of how we make decisions. It is a short and sweet conversation with Valerie and Chris glimpsing back in the rear view mirror of their  beginnings.Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

In this episode Courtney and Jake talk about what qualities are important in their relationship. Our conversation goes a little deeper on family influence, differences of past relationships. They open up about what they have discovered about conflict, working through conflict and managing anxiety. Courtney talks about her being open and aware of dismantling the old brick wall of safety (from getting hurt by others) to make room for vulnerability and trust. Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Alyssa and Jackson are set to skip town, to move to the home that Jackson is building for them. How does a move this big move effect their relationship? In this conversation Alyssa and Jackson discuss their role-model relationships and discover what it means when decisions are being made together. Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Jenny and Jeff discuss the checklist of adulthood and the pressure to do or not do certain things, including marriage. Be it opinions of loved ones, friends, or strangers, Valerie delves into the story that we tell ourselves and how our Family of Origin impacts our present relationships Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Valerie and Chris’s love story began at work. Over the course of one summer their journey took them across Canada, the only thing tying them together; a scrap of paper with a phone number written on it to be kept safe. It’s a story of near misses, fateful connections, and a hint of magic.Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Courtney and Jake’s relationship; a beginning, an ending, and another beginning. Despite obstacles that kept them apart, these two have come together to rebuild what was broken. They are in the midst of planning to move in together. Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

Alyssa and Jackson met online; a year and a half later they are building a house while working on the foundation of their relationship. They have come together at a point of transition in both of their lives, we hear from them as they navigate the challenges of growing together.Instagram:@growingusprojectwebsite:www.ourmarriagementor.com

Jenny and Jeff’s romance began poolside. Nearly eight years later, we hear from them as their story has evolved; from their beginning, career changes, family stories, and the challenges they have faced and overcome. Now in the midst of planning their wedding, these two join Valerie Watt in conversation in the first episode of season one.Listen for this episode's Love Morsel. It is a question that will help you go deeper in your relationship.   Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/

I’m Valerie Watt and you are listening to The Growing Us Project. In this episode you will hear a short and sweet conversation with my beloved Chris. You will hear us talk about the hopes and intention behind The Growing Us Project. You will hear me call it The Us Project, but really it is about “Growing Us”, and how we can do that through good communication. Get in touch on Instagram:@growingusproject Website:https://www.ourmarriagementor.com/