Better Relationships, Better Life

Whether in the workplace, or in your home space, navigating relationships can be overwhelming! No one wants to feel like they’re walking on eggshells, or hoping that the other will magically improve. Proper attention to insights, attitudes, & effective communication takes time, effort, and care- but it’s so worth it.

Welcome to the Better Relationships, Better Life podcast, with host Judy K. Herman, author of Beyond Messy Relationships. Judy is a relationship expert who knows how to bring increased awareness and more transparent communications in any type of relationship, whether at our 9-to-5 jobs, or our 24/7 lives. Join her every week as she interviews courageous, seasoned relationship experts who can help you bring these tools to your office and family life. 

When harnessing the power of relationships, you will introduce positive momentum in your organization, marriage, friendships, and mentorships. Find out how, every week on Better Relationships, Better Life.

Better Relationships, Better Life

53 Episodes Available
Episode 21

Episode 021: Changing the Stigma of Couples’ Therapy: The Gottman Method

40.62 min Sep 2, 2025

Dana McNeil
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 021: Changing the Stigma of Couples’ Therapy: The Gottman Method.
 
Dr. Dana McNeil is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder The Relationship Place. She is a certified Gottman therapist and trains others in the ...

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Dana McNeil

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 021: Changing the Stigma of Couples’ Therapy: The Gottman Method.

 

Dr. Dana McNeil is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder The Relationship Place. She is a certified Gottman therapist and trains others in the Gottman methodology. Dr. Dana contributes regularly to media publications such as Business Insider, MSN, Yahoo, Bustle, Parade, Oprah Living, Martha Stewart Living, Reader’s Digest, and AARP. Dr Dana is the resident relationship expert on the Cox Communications show “I Do.”

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

 

  • Why it’s important to break the stigma of counseling and change the face of couples therapy.

 

  • Conflict is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Yet, it’s necessary to learn ways to grow and move through it.

 

  • When couples discover problems, most wait an additional six years before seeing a therapist.

 

  • The Gottman method, an evidence-based therapy, provides tools to help couples become “masters” rather than “disasters.”

 

  • How to change attitudes from furious into curious.

 

Connect with Dr. Dana:

 

WEBSITE: https://danamcneil.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drdanamcneil/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DrDanaMcNeil

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-mcneil-shutt-77b44415

THE RELATIONSHIP PLACE WEBSITE: www.sdrelationshipplace.com

 

To connect with Judy:

 

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

 

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

 

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/

 

 

 

 

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Episode 20

Episode 020: Stop Fixing Your Marriage: Instead be a Change Agent

40.55 min Sep 2, 2025

Samantha Kaaua
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 020: Stop Fixing Your Marriage: Instead be a Change Agent
Samantha Kaaua is an author, speaker, licensed marriage therapist. She is the founder of The GEMMS, an international coaching and training company. The focus is helping...

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Samantha Kaaua

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 020: Stop Fixing Your Marriage: Instead be a Change Agent

Samantha Kaaua is an author, speaker, licensed marriage therapist. She is the founder of The GEMMS, an international coaching and training company. The focus is helping women to overcome their biggest blocks and unlock their greatest potential.

Samantha co-authored the book “Short Sweet & Sacred” which became an international #1 bestseller on Amazon. She is a leading expert on relationships and is on a mission to help restore trust and faith in the world!

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • How dark circumstances in relationships or health can lead to increased opportunities for growth.
  • The value of moving out of blame and into seeing the problem as a gift of awareness.
  • Why it’s crucial to learn life lessons for personal wholeness before exiting a marriage.
  • How relationships naturally seek stability. Your individual growth does affect the partner’s choices.
  • Change can positively affect the family system in one of two ways: transformed togetherness or natural completion.

 

Connect with Samantha and the GEMMS:

WEBSITE: https://www.thegemms.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegemmscoaching/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thegemmscoaching/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyE-vsX7aKH0Ln96nxiSc2Q

 

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

 

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

 

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/

 

 

 

 

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Episode 19

Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition

33.59 min Sep 2, 2025

Bob and Dorice Horenstein
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition
Bob and Dorice Horenstein have a strong partnership enhanced by their faith, traditions, and culture. Bob is the Director of Community Relations...

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Bob and Dorice Horenstein

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition

Bob and Dorice Horenstein have a strong partnership enhanced by their faith, traditions, and culture. Bob is the Director of Community Relations of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Dorice is a relationship speaker and certified Positive Intelligence/Mental Fitness coach. She is the best-selling author to a multiple award-winning book Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly. Bob supports Dorice in her message that Positivity is an “inside out” practice. It instills calm, laser focus along with success and growth. Together, they have a daughter and two sons along with their beloved one-legged dog.

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

·     Ways in which family faith traditions can contribute to a strong foundation in doing life together in marriage.

·     The importance of establishing your own identity and nuances as a couple that’s distinct from the extended family culture.

·     How important it is to adapt to each other’s growth in order to enjoy a growing, sustainable and long-term marriage partnership.

·     Ways in which courageous steps into the unknown can be vibrantly life-giving transitions for your marriage.

 

Connect with Bob and Dorice:

 

DORICE’S WEBSITE: https://doricehorenstein.com/

DORICE’S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Doricemoments

DORICE’S FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Speakerdoricehorenstein

DORICE’S YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_5yAD2szClrg5yclXTCCA

DORICE’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doricehorenstein/

BOB’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-horenstein-91662646/

 

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

 

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

 

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/

 

 

 

 

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Episode 19

Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition

34.59 min Sep 2, 2025

Bob and Dorice Horenstein
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition
Bob and Dorice Horenstein have a strong partnership enhanced by their faith, traditions, and culture. Bob is the Director of Community Relations...

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Bob and Dorice Horenstein

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 019: Navigating Cross-Cultural Marraige: Faith, Culture, and Tradition

Bob and Dorice Horenstein have a strong partnership enhanced by their faith, traditions, and culture. Bob is the Director of Community Relations of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Dorice is a relationship speaker and certified Positive Intelligence/Mental Fitness coach. She is the best-selling author to a multiple award-winning book Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly. Bob supports Dorice in her message that Positivity is an “inside out” practice. It instills calm, laser focus along with success and growth. Together, they have a daughter and two sons along with their beloved one-legged dog.

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • Ways in which family faith traditions can contribute to a strong foundation in doing life together in marriage. 
  • The importance of establishing your own identity and nuances as a couple that’s distinct from the extended family culture. 
  • How important it is to adapt to each other’s growth in order to enjoy a growing, sustainable and long-term marriage partnership. 
  • Ways in which courageous steps into the unknown can be vibrantly life-giving transitions for your marriage.

Connect with Bob and Dorice:

DORICE’S WEBSITE: https://doricehorenstein.com/

DORICE’S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Doricemoments

DORICE’S FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Speakerdoricehorenstein

DORICE’S YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_5yAD2szClrg5yclXTCCA

DORICE’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doricehorenstein/

BOB’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-horenstein-91662646/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 18

Episode 018: The Seven Rings of Marital Happiness

41.46 min May 6, 2022

Jackie Bledsoe
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 018: The Seven Rings of Marital Happiness
Jackie Bledsoe is an author, podcast host, and speaker who’s reached over 100,000 couples with his bestselling book, The 7 Rings of Marriage. He helps couples build strong marria...

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Jackie Bledsoe

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 018: The Seven Rings of Marital Happiness

Jackie Bledsoe is an author, podcast host, and speaker who’s reached over 100,000 couples with his bestselling book, The 7 Rings of Marriage. He helps couples build strong marriages and families, so they can positively change their family tree. He’s also an entrepreneur who shares what he’s learned from starting a blog, writing a book, and turning it into a business. He and his wife, Stephana, are the founders of Happily Married Couples, a marriage training platform and community that helps couples connect and communicate while leading them through a powerful and proven marriage success path.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • You can have a happy marriage even if you’ve had challenging circumstances such as being young and pregnant. 
  • It’s important to seek out and be open to marriage mentors.
  • You can progress in your communication skills in order to build transparency. 
  • Happy marriage is not a static condition or a perfect marriage. Rather, it means that you’re blessed with life partnership.
  • The 7 Rings of Marriage help you identify and grow through various seasons and stages.
  • Writing can be a great mental health and wellness practice for your marriage.

Connect with Jackie:

WEBSITE: http://jackiebledsoe.com/

WEBSITE: https://happilymarriedcouples.com/

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/JackieBledsoeJr/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBledsoeJr/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jackiebledsoejr/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiebledsoejr/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 16

Episode 017: Insider Tips About Couples Counseling

49.29 min May 2, 2022

Shane Birkel
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 017: Insider Tips About Couples Counseling
As a Certified Relational Life Therapist, Shane Birkel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He hosts a weekly podcast called the Couples Therapist Couch which is all about the p...

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Shane Birkel

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 017: Insider Tips About Couples Counseling

As a Certified Relational Life Therapist, Shane Birkel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He hosts a weekly podcast called the Couples Therapist Couch which is all about the practice of Couples Therapy. He has also created the Couples Therapist Inner Circle which is a membership that provides community, education, and personal support for Couples Therapists. He regularly creates videos about relationships for his followers on TikTok and Instagram.

 

Listen to this insightful episode of Better Relationships, Better Life, where Shane gives us insider tips about couples counseling.

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • Any relationship issue has to do with something that’s going on inside yourself.
  • Conflict doesn’t indicate failure. Rather it can help you confront your own fear and self-doubt. 
  • It’s important to get clarity about what you want. And be willing to be open & curious to the therapy process. 
  • Timing is important when establishing good boundaries in your relationship.
  • There’s values and differences between couples and individual therapy. 
  • Since things do get stirred up and it is hard work, therapy is also life-changing which makes your life and relationship better. 

Connect with Shane:

WEBSITE: https://shanebirkel.com/

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Shane-Birkel-Counseling-1438476286394931/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 16

Episode 016: Journey Beyond Divorce

43.94 min Sep 2, 2025

Karen McMahon
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 016: Journey Beyond Divorce
Karen McMahon is a Certified Relationship and Divorce Coach and Founder of Journey Beyond Divorce.  She began divorce coaching in 2010 after recognizing that the pain of her divorce led her on a tra...

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Karen McMahon

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 016: Journey Beyond Divorce

Karen McMahon is a Certified Relationship and Divorce Coach and Founder of Journey Beyond Divorce.  She began divorce coaching in 2010 after recognizing that the pain of her divorce led her on a transformational journey into an incredible new life. Karen leads a national team of divorce coaches in supporting men and women around the world to become calm, clear and confident as they navigate divorce.  Karen is the host of the acclaimed Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, co-author of ‘Stepping out of Chaos: Turning Pain to Possibility” and creator of JBD’s exclusive 12 Step Divorce Recovery Program. 

 

Listen to this insightful episode of Better Relationships, Better Life, where Karen:

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • Tips on staying courageous through the long, difficult, emotionally trying process of getting a divorce
  • The financial implications of getting divorced, and the new, exciting business opportunities that may await you after separating from your spouse
  • How the growth and positive transformation can be worth the messiness of separation
  • Mentally moving past the societal stigmas of divorce
  • Living a fulfilling post-divorce life, full of growth and transformation

Connect with Karen:

WEBSITE: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmcmahon/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/journeybeyonddivorce

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/journey_beyond_divorce/

PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-beyond-divorce-podcast/id1261400624

12 STEP DIVORCE RECOVERY PROGRAM: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/12StepRecoveryProgram

FREE RAPID CALL RELIEF: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/rapid-relief-call

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 15

Episode 015: Embracing Change for Lasting Connection

43.32 min Sep 2, 2025

Chris and Shelly Chamberlin
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 015: Embracing Change for Lasting Connection
Married for 32 years, Christopher and Shelly Chamberlin were college sweethearts! They are owners/operators of Chamberlin Real Estate and LionHeart Transformative Coach...

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Chris and Shelly Chamberlin

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 015: Embracing Change for Lasting Connection

Married for 32 years, Christopher and Shelly Chamberlin were college sweethearts! They are owners/operators of Chamberlin Real Estate and LionHeart Transformative Coaching. When they are not busy facilitating transformative breakthroughs or brokering real estate dreams, they enjoy world travel and outdoor adventures through the four seasons of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Christopher and Shelly parented two sons, (now adults). They have one grandson and a miniature dachshund named Cooper. Both are lifelong students of mindset and transformation in pursuit of the highest levels of experience, growth, and contribution. 

Listen to this insightful episode of Better Relationships, Better Life, where Chris and Shelly unpack ways they are Embracing Change for Lasting Connection:

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • How going back to your core values can ground you together when experiencing times of drifting apart. 
  • The value of expanding and attracting growth in yourself and in your spouse.
  • Accepting each other’s differences while learning to adapt to changes
  • Why it’s important to ask each other why are we married? Acknowledging that you have choices can reinforce your commitment to each other. 

Connect with Chris and Shelly:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ChamberlinRealEstate/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/chamberlinrealestate/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 14

Episode 014: No Blame, No Shame

34.57 min Apr 11, 2022

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 014: No Blame, No Shame
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder of The Marriage Restoration Project, where couples find new hope & create a happier, deeper connection in 2 d...

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Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 014: No Blame, No Shame

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder of The Marriage Restoration Project, where couples find new hope & create a happier, deeper connection in 2 days with his “No Blame, No Shame” couples therapy & workshops. Rabbi Slatkin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, a Rabbi, and a father of 5. He is an advanced Clinician in Imago Therapy and Getting the Love You Want ™ Workshop Presenter.  

 

Listen to this insightful episode of Better Relationships, Better Life, full of relationship and parenting advice:

 

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

  • How Rabbi Shlomo and his wife Rivka turned their experience with Imago therapy into the foundational guide for the Marriage Restoration Project
  • Why connection and a feeling of safety are key to open and honest communication in a relationship
  • Where Rabbi Shlomo thinks people who feel like Imago therapy hasn’t worked for them should start looking
  • Ways in which the different stages of parenting can impact a relationship over time
  • What to do if one partner is doing more work on the relationship than the other 

Connect with Shlomo, Rivka, and the Marriage Restoration Project:

WEBSITE: https://themarriagerestorationproject.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/themarriagerestorationproject/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/shlomoslatkin

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marriagerestorationproject/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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Episode 13

Episode 013: Groundbreaking Science to Heal Emotional Abuse

51.18 min Apr 4, 2022

Doug Noll
Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman
Episode 013: Groundbreaking Science to Heal Emotional Abuse
Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA left a successful career as a trial lawyer to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an a...

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Doug Noll

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman

Episode 013: Groundbreaking Science to Heal Emotional Abuse

Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA left a successful career as a trial lawyer to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, trainer, and a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts to training life inmates to become peacemakers and mediators in maximum-security prisons.  

 

Listen to this insightful episode of Better Relationships, Better Life:

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

● How disregarding a child’s feelings is emotional abuse.

● Supporting evidence in the Kaiser ACE Study measures the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences 

● Most people haven’t developed ways to distinguish & express emotions from their family of origins. 

● Why it’s important to know the difference between affect and emotions

● We can learn techniques to calm intense anger in another person.

● All domestic violence is related to alexithymia (inability to describe, express & distinguish emotions)

For resources and a free e-book related to this podcast go to: 

https://dougnoll.com/podcast/judyhermanpodcast/

Connect with Doug:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougnoll/

Relationship Stress Quiz – https://www.judycounselor.com

Complimentary Clarity Call – https://JudyKHerman.as.me/Complimenta…

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ 

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