Mindful Marriage and Family Podcast with Jake and Tamara Fackrell

Send us Fan MailAs we wrap up Season 2 of the podcast, we want to thank you for joining us on this journey. We are taking the summer off, but we are excited to announce that Season 3 will return next September. Next season we will focus on helping couples discover and build their own individualized love formula.In this final episode of the season, we share some of the family practices that strengthened our marriage and deepened our connection with our children. We talk about holding weekly family meetings that included a teaching moment, family business and planning, and a fun family activity. These simple gatherings became a powerful way to stay connected and intentional as a family.We also discuss the importance of spending one on one time with each child. Those individual moments became the secret sauce to stronger relationships and meaningful connection. We share how setting goals together as a family helped create unity and purpose in our home.You will also hear about our favorite tradition called runaway dates, spontaneous moments away together that helped us prioritize our marriage amidst the busyness of parenting. Marriage needs intentional time and attention. Do not let parenting consume every part of your relationship. Protect your time together and keep your marriage the focus.Also, we talk about doing “gotchas,” catching our kids in good acts and recognizing the positive things they were doing. Encouragement and praise helped create a more loving and supportive family culture.And then listen for our other secret sauce for connections!Thank you for being part of Season 2. We cannot wait to reconnect with you in Season 3 next September.Link Below for Tamara's Peer Pressure Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Making-Your-Own-Choices-Strategies/dp/B0DXD52L5Z/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1URP53PGTV9T1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vw2yvRpvDIJOcBrQmWTHLC6AOa4YZ9WALAJE7pSIuX8.4ZgCMQZuJWGXCloIisnz5DH1YdM_GCF5Qoaf7FRSCDg&dib_tag=se&keywords=peer+pressure+tamara+fackrell&qid=1778158181&sprefix=peer+pressure+tamara+fackrell%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-2

Send us Fan MailThis is the long awaited episode on intimacy. In this episode, we sit down with sexual intimacy expert Dr. Chelom Leavitt, a leading researcher on sexuality in marriage, to have an open and thoughtful conversation about strengthening physical and emotional connection between spouses. She shares practical, research-based insights on how couples can improve communication, deepen trust, and create a more fulfilling and lasting intimate relationship.Whether your marriage is thriving or in need of renewal, this episode offers meaningful guidance for maintaining a healthy and connected sexual relationship over time.Please note: This episode contains mature content. Next episode 26 is the last of season 2! Don't miss it.

Send us Fan MailWhat you say in your marriage matters more than you think. In this episode of Say That Thing: The Power of Positive Words in Marriage, we explore how the words you choose can either strengthen your relationship or slowly tear it down.Healthy marriages aren’t conflict-free—they’re built by couples who know how to navigate conflict with intention and care. You’ll learn why positive interactions carry more weight than you realize, how to separate your spouse from the problem, and why expressing appreciation out loud is essential to a thriving relationship. This episode is a powerful reminder that peacemaking isn’t passive—it’s a daily choice.If you’ve ever held back a kind word, assumed your partner “just knows,” or struggled to communicate during conflict, this conversation will give you simple, practical tools to transform the way you speak—and the way you love.Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do… is say that thing.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it actually take to move your marriage from good to great?In Episode 23, I share what changed everything for me. I didn’t always have a great marriage—but now I do, and I can honestly say I never want to go back. This episode is about the shift: the intentional choices, mindset changes, and daily actions that elevate a relationship beyond just “fine” or “functional.”If your marriage is good but you know it has the potential for more—more connection, more joy, more depth—this conversation will show you how to get there. Great marriages don’t happen by accident. They’re created on purpose.

Send us Fan MailFeeling stuck in the “marriage blahs”? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to stay that way. This episode is all about getting intentional with your relationship and rediscovering what truly works for you as a couple.We’ll explore how to break out of autopilot, identify your unique “marriage formula,” and make small, meaningful shifts that bring connection, energy, and purpose back into your relationship. Because a thriving marriage isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s built on understanding, intention, and choosing each other every day.If you’re ready to move from routine to renewed, this conversation will give you the insight and encouragement to start.

Send us Fan MailGet ready for your mind to be exploded! Link for VAK Chicago TestIn this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked reasons couples struggle to communicate: you and your spouse may be processing your non-verbals in completely different ways. Using the VAK framework—Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic—you’ll learn how each style shapes the way we listen, respond, and connect.This episode will help you recognize why your message isn’t landing the way you intended, how to identify your spouse’s communication style, and what simple shifts you can make to reduce friction and increase clarity. When you understand how your spouse sees, hears, and feels, you stop repeating the same arguments—and start building real connection.If you’ve ever felt unheard, misunderstood, or stuck in the same patterns, this episode will give you a practical lens to change how you communicate—and how you connect.

Send us Fan MailTake the PRAISED Romance Styles TEST here.Relationships are a lot more dynamic than we sometimes give them credit for. While many people are familiar with traditional love languages, newer insights—like those from Dr. Tamara Fackrell’s work, highlight a few additional ways people feel deeply connected, especially through shared experiences and meaningful communication.What makes this perspective so powerful is that it goes beyond just how we express love, it helps us understand how our partner receives it. And when we get that right, everything feels a little easier: communication flows better, connection deepens, and relationships become more fun and fulfilling.One simple way to remember these key expressions of love is through the acronym PRAISED:P – Presents: Thoughtful gifts that show you were thinking about them R – Recreation: Having fun together and creating shared memories A – Appreciation: Genuine words that make your partner feel seen and valued I – Intimacy: Physical and emotional closeness that builds trust S – Service: Doing things that make your partner’s life easier E – Exchange of Communication: Open, honest conversations that build understanding D – Devoted Time: Giving your full attention—no distractions, just connectionWhen you start to recognize which of these matter most to your partner, it becomes a lot easier to love them in a way that truly lands. And the best part? It doesn’t have to feel complicated—it can actually make your relationship feel more natural, more intentional, and a lot more fun.

Send us Fan MailTeenage years often bring conflict, emotional distance, and moments that leave parents wondering if they are doing anything right. In this episode, Jake Fackrell and Dr. Tamara A. Fackrell offer thoughtful guidance for parents navigating the ups and downs of raising teens. They explore how choosing the right battles, staying calm during conflict, and forgiving without waiting for an apology can change the entire dynamic of a home. Jake and Tamara emphasize the importance of increasing love during difficult behavior and building connection through small but meaningful habits like play, laughter, and six-second hugs that help teens feel secure. They also share why parents should never face these challenges alone and how leaning on family, friends, and professional guidance can provide strength and perspective. This episode is filled with encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed and a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult things seem, hope should never be lost.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore powerful principles for creating a strong, united family culture. Instead of parenting through control or constant persuasion, we discuss how shifting to a “family team” mindset can build trust, responsibility, and long-term cooperation in the home.We talk about how children thrive when they feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. When families operate as a team, every member understands that their actions impact the whole group, which naturally builds unity, belonging, and accountability.You will also learn why giving children choices within clear boundaries can be more effective than simply demanding behavior. Empowering kids to solve problems and make decisions helps them develop confidence, independence, and ownership of their actions.Another key theme in this episode is the power of time. The greatest gift parents can give their children is presence. We discuss the importance of one-on-one time with kids, meaningful family time, investing in your spouse, and even taking time for yourself so you can lead your family well.We also dive into the role of values and spiritual development in shaping strong families. Children learn far more from what parents model than what they say. Living values daily through love, service, and example leaves a lasting impact.Strong families are not built through perfection. They are built through teamwork, communication, consistent structure, and loving leadership.This episode will give you practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to build a home where every member feels valued, trusted, and connected.

Send us Fan MailThis episode explores how struggling marriages can begin to heal through small, intentional changes that rebuild trust and emotional safety. When relationships feel tense, distant, or stuck in negative patterns, improvement does not come from winning arguments — it comes from creating understanding, offering sincere apologies, and learning to communicate in ways that invite connection instead of defensiveness.We discuss practical shifts like taking ownership without excuses, reflecting your spouse’s feelings so they feel heard, and replacing pressure with emotional safety. These simple but powerful habits can soften conflict, rebuild closeness, and restore a sense of partnership.A struggling marriage does not mean a failed marriage. Healing begins when couples stop fighting each other and start working together to rebuild connection.

Send us Fan MailEvery marriage faces emotional moments — frustration, anger, hurt, stress, sadness, loneliness, and misunderstanding. But what if those emotions weren’t obstacles to connection, but invitations to understand each other more deeply?This podcast helps couples strengthen their relationship by learning how to regulate emotions using the Emotion Wheel. Instead of reacting in anger, shutting down, or escalating conflict, you’ll learn to recognize what you’re truly feeling and respond in ways that build safety, trust, and connection.Each episode explores practical tools couples can use to navigate emotional moments together:• Naming the emotion to reduce reactivity and defensiveness • Understanding emotion families (primary, secondary, and deeper feelings) • Identifying what is really underneath conflict • Recognizing the balancing or opposite emotion that restores connection • Choosing actions that create safety, empathy, and emotional closenessWhen couples learn to understand their emotional patterns, arguments become conversations, defensiveness becomes empathy, and distance becomes connection.Whether you’re navigating conflict, rebuilding trust, or simply wanting to deepen emotional intimacy, this podcast offers practical guidance to help you regulate emotions, communicate more clearly, and build a marriage rooted in understanding and love.

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, we talk about what it truly means to become a Marriage Ambassador.Marriage is not something you casually maintain. It is something you fight for. You protect it. You save it. You cherish it. You try everything before you let it slip away. We believe in fighting for your marriage with courage, humility, and commitment.But it doesn’t stop there.Once you build something strong, healthy, and loving — don’t hide it. A thriving marriage is not meant to be kept quiet. It’s meant to inspire. It’s meant to teach. It’s meant to lift other couples who may be struggling or simply don’t know what healthy looks like.In this episode, we challenge you to: • Fight for your marriage when it’s hard • Learn and master the fundamentals of connection, communication, and commitment • Be bold enough to model what healthy love looks like • Teach others the principles that changed your relationshipYour marriage can be a lighthouse. Your story can give hope. Your habits can influence the next generation.You’ve got this. And someone else might need what you’ve learned.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we share 15 practical ways to create “Heart Burst” moments in your marriage — the moments that make you feel deeply connected, loved, and alive together.We walk couples through a simple but powerful exercise: looking back over the past year and identifying the patterns that brought the most joy, connection, laughter, intimacy, and meaning. Instead of leaving your relationship growth to chance, we show you how to intentionally repeat and recycle the things that worked — and build them into the year ahead.A thriving marriage doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning. It takes spontaneity. It takes reflection. And it takes two people willing to be mindful.If you want a marriage that feels intentional instead of reactive — this episode will give you the framework to build it.

Send us Fan MailMarriage doesn’t change in grand gestures. It changes in small, intentional moments.Happify Your Marriage is where connection becomes a daily practice and small habits create real relationship miracles. Each idea gives you practical tools, guided journaling moments, and the signature Ten Minute Miracle — a simple, powerful way to reconnect even when life feels busy, heavy, or disconnected.Backed by the longest study on happiness from Harvard, we know one truth: strong relationships are the greatest predictor of a happy life. This podcast episode helps you build that kind of marriage — one small moment at a time.Because love doesn’t need more time.It needs more intention.

Send us Fan MailDr. Tamara Fackrell and Jake Fackrell dive into the 8 essentials for creating joy in marriage. Love isn’t a one-time promise—it’s a daily decision. Small things matter, and small gestures done consistently can transform your relationship. Communicate with curiosity. Choose not to take offense, even when something feels offensive, and protect your connection with a healthy neutral zone. Keep the romance alive, stay intentional, and step into this upcoming season with a plan for joy.This is the conclusion of Season 1!Join us on January 29, 2026 for 12 more episode in Season 2!

Send us Fan MailDr. Tamara Fackrell and her husband Jake break down one of the biggest insights from years of working with couples:Most people in struggling marriages are trying—but they’re aiming at the wrong targets.In this episode, they introduce The Bullseye Marriage Board, a simple system that helps couples figure out:    •    What actually matters to your spouse    •    What actions hit the bullseye    •    What things you’re doing that don’t even land on the boardTamara shares how many people in divorce court weren’t failing from lack of effort—they were just working hard at the wrong things.Jake and Tamara teach you how to:✔️ Develop your personal Bullseye BoardIdentify the specific actions, habits, gestures, and experiences that make your spouse feel most loved.✔️ Take a “Vacation From Your Problems”A mindset reset: step back, breathe, and create space for connection and clarity.✔️ Flood Your Marriage With FunWhy fun matters more than you realize—and how a playful marriage becomes a resilient marriage.✔️ Communicate What You Actually LikeHow to clearly express what hits your bullseye and ask your spouse for what works.By the end of the episode, listeners will have a practical tool to stop wasting effort and start aiming with precision—so marriage becomes easier, happier, and more deeply connected.

Send us Fan MailEvery couple has the same question: How can I make my spouse happy in my marriage? Believe it or not, your wife is not as complicated as you think! Today we dig into the heart-level needs that often go unspoken. We talk about why women crave appreciation and love , why men long for respect and peace, and how both can create a marriage full of affection, fun, passion, and partnership. This is a  practical, honest, and hope-filled episode that will help you understand each other better- and love and respect each other deeper.

Send us Fan MailFinances are one of the top reasons couples drift apart—but they don’t have to be. In this episode, we dive into the ten financial must-dos every couple needs to strengthen their marriage and secure their future. Mindful marriages talk openly about money. They don’t hide, ignore, or pretend not to understand where the income and debts stand—they face it together.Learn how to build CRaZY Cash habits that can solve big money problems, reduce stress, and create financial unity. Because when you master your money as a couple, you don’t just protect your finances—you protect your marriage.For generous giving join us on a humanitarian trip through RainHumanitarianor Donate for a Dominican Wedding at Change the World Foundation

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Tamara Fackrell and Jake Fackrell dive into how to handle conflict without hurting connection. Learn what it means to stay in your lane, communicate with respect, and to never text fight. Discover how fighting fair can actually strengthen your marriage, deepen trust, and bring you closer together — even when you disagree. Learn to say what you mean without being mean.

Send us Fan MailJoin Dr. Tamara Fackrell and Jake Fackrell as they help you design a marriage that feels closer and more connected. You'll learn ten practical ways to deepen connection. Together, we'll explore how to build your love map, create meaningful rituals, express gratitude, and embrace the power of a simple six-second kiss. Don't miss this episode of Closer by Design.For more ideas with emotional closeness checkout MindfulMarriage.Love!60 Ways to Create Emotional Closeness

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Tamara Fackrell and Jake share the “secret sauce” behind their strongest seasons of connection: a simple, repeatable marital retreat. Borrowing the best parts of business off-sites, they walk through how getting away for 1–2 nights creates space to dream, reconnect, and work on your relationship—not just in it.You’ll learn their 10–2 method (ten affirmations to two growth items) that keeps feedback gentle and loving, why the 5:1 positivity ratio matters, and their FREE framework that makes retreats Fun, Romantic, Exciting, and Effective. They also unpack how to build a shared vision (purpose, mission, values/pillars), set meaningful goals (think bucket lists and OKRs), review wins from the last quarter, and weave in lots of play and sexual intimacy—because joy fuels change.What you’ll take awayA step-by-step retreat rhythm you can copy this weekendThe 10–2 conversation that keeps hard topics safeHow to craft family pillars (your culture) and a motivating missionPractical cadence ideas (birthdays, anniversary, plus one more each year)Resources mentioned: free worksheets and tools at mindfulmarriage.love. Make it a date: plan your first (or next) retreat and taste the secret sauce for yourselves.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we take on what feels impossible—how to solve the unsolvable problems in your marriage. You’ll learn how bridge building can turn conflict into connection and transform a relationship that’s good into one that’s truly great. Discover the mindset and tools that helped our own marriage rise from good to great, and how they can do the same for you.

Send us Fan MailJoin Dr. Tamara Fackrell, a seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience, as she dives deep into the eight common causes of divorce. Some of the causes might surprise you! Dr. Fackrell breaks down these key factors and provides insightful advice on how to avoid them. Whether you're newly married, in a long-term marriage, or navigating a challenging phase, understanding these causes is the first step toward building a healthier, more resilient marriage. Tune in for tips, expert legal perspectives, and strategies to strengthen your relationship and protect it from the pitfalls that lead to divorce. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive into four powerful and healthy ways to solve problems. So often, miscommunication happens not because of the issue itself, but because we’re using the wrong method to work through it. Sometimes the solution is as simple as knowing whether to “solve” or to “share.”Dr. Fackrell also introduces a practical technique designed she has developed to help emotion-driven people connect more effectively with logic-driven people. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood—or struggled to bridge that gap—this episode is for you. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants better communication and stronger relationships.

Send us Fan MailCommunication can either strengthen a marriage or slowly pull it apart. In this episode, we unpack the six common communication styles. We'll explain how each style shows up in everyday conversations, what strengths and challenges they bring, and how couples can bridge the gap when they communicate differently. You'll come away with practical insights on recognizing your own patterns, better understanding your spouse, and creating healthier, more effective dialogue in your relationship.

Send us Fan MailIn our very first episode, Dr. Tamara Fackrell, J.D., Ph.D and her husband Jake Fackrell M.B.A. dive into the core practices that make marriages strong, healthy, and lasting. Drawing on over two decades of experience working with over 4,000 divorcing couples, we explore what helps relationships to thrive. Blending real-life stories, practical tools, and researched backed insights, we'll walk through simple habits that can make the difference between drifting apart and growing together.Whether you're newly married, years into your relationship, or preparing for marriage, this episode will give you clear foundation for building a resilient, loving partnership.