The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee
The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee is a relationship advice show dedicated to healing marriages in crisis, rebuilding trust, and creating emotionally safe connections. Host Taralee Eddington, a certified coach and relationship expert, introduces her FOCUS Framework to help listeners move from chaos to calm. Episodes provide practical tools for improving communication, rebuilding emotional safety, and healing from past hurts. The podcast is faith- and values-aligned, releasing new episodes every Friday.
Episodes
Episode 78: When Divorce Feels Like the Solution | Stop Solving the Wrong Problem
When your spouse says, "I want a divorce," your first instinct may be to stop the divorce at all costs. You want to fix it, change their mind, get them into counseling, or prove that the marriage can still work. But what if you're trying to solve the wrong problem? In this episode of The Focused Podcast, Taralee Eddington explores what may actually be underneath your spouse's desire for divorce—an
Episode 77: Why Trying Harder Isn't Saving Your Marriage
If you've been doing everything you can to save your marriage but still feel like nothing is changing, this episode is for you. You may have tried giving your spouse space, communicating differently, taking on more responsibilities, being more affectionate, or even changing the way you show up in the relationship. But what happens when all that effort still doesn't create the response you're hopin
Episode 76: When Your Spouse Says They Need Space: What to Do First
What do you do when your spouse says, "I'm not happy anymore," "I need space," or "I don't know if I want this marriage"? Those words can send your brain into overdrive. Should you talk to them? Give them space? Apologize? Suggest counseling? Ask if there's someone else? Fight harder for the marriage? Back off completely? And underneath all of those questions is usually one terrifying thought: Wha
Episode 75: What Happens When You Stop Chasing Your Spouse?
What happens when you stop chasing your spouse—and they still don't come toward you? In this episode of the FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington explores what can happen when you step out of the pursuer-distancer pattern. If you've stopped sending the long texts, stopped initiating every conversation, and started giving your spouse space, you may find yourself facing a whole new fear: What if nothing
Episode 74: Stop Chasing Reassurance | From Pursuing Your Spouse to Partnering in Your Marriage
Have you ever found yourself checking your phone, rewriting a text, or trying to start another conversation because you're afraid your spouse is pulling away? Maybe you're working harder and harder to keep your marriage together, but the more you pursue connection, the more distant your spouse seems to become. In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Taralee Eddington explores the difference between
Episode 73: Stop Trying to Get Your Old Marriage Back | How to Build a New One
If your marriage is in crisis, you may find yourself thinking, "I just want my marriage back." You miss the friendship, the closeness, the warmth, and the life you once shared. But what if trying to get your old marriage back is actually keeping you stuck? In this episode of the Focus Podcast, Taralee Eddington explores why your spouse may not be rejecting a future with you—they may be afraid of r
Episode 72: You Don't Need Certainty | How to Stop Spiraling in Marriage Uncertainty
What do you do when your marriage feels uncertain—and you can't stop trying to figure out what every text, mood shift, or conversation means? In this episode of the FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington explores why uncertainty can send us into a cycle of checking, replaying conversations, asking for reassurance, and trying to predict what our spouse will do next. Your brain isn't failing you—it's doin
Episode 71: The Hidden Patterns Creating Distance in Your Marriage
What if the behavior you see as the problem in your marriage is actually a protection strategy? In this episode of The Focus Podcast with Taralee, we look beneath the surface of the criticism, anger, control, withdrawal, people-pleasing, over-explaining, and pursuit that can create so much conflict between couples. Taralee shares why we often protect ourselves from the very things we long for—conn
Episode 70: When You Can't Fix Your Marriage | A High Achiever's Guide to Uncertainty, Safety & Connection
You're successful, capable, and used to being the person who solves problems. But what happens when the one problem you desperately want to fix is your marriage? In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Taralee speaks directly to the high achiever who finds themselves overwhelmed when their spouse says, "I need space," "I'm not happy," or "I don't know if I want to stay married." When you're accustom
Episode 69: From Codependence to Interdependence in Marriage
Where does your responsibility end and your spouse's begin? Many couples swing between two unhealthy extremes—feeling responsible for their partner's emotions or emotionally distancing themselves in the name of "healthy boundaries." In this episode, Taralee explains why thriving marriages are built on interdependence: taking responsibility for your own emotional health while recognizing the impact
Episode 68: The 7 Types of Intimacy Every Marriage Needs | Why Connection Is More Than Sex
Most people hear the word intimacy and immediately think about sex—but that's only one part of a deeply connected marriage. In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Taralee Eddington explains the seven dimensions of intimacy that help couples build stronger, healthier relationships: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, experiential, spiritual, and sexual intimacy. Drawing on the work of Dr. Mat
Episode 67: The Loneliness of Marriage Crisis - How to Stop Carrying It Alone
Marriage crisis can be incredibly lonely. You may be sleeping beside your spouse, caring for your family, going to work, and appearing completely fine while privately wondering whether your marriage is going to survive. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee explores why isolation makes marriage crisis feel even more overwhelming and how to find emotional steadiness when you still do not kn
Episode 66: Your Spouse Is Still Distant - How to Know Your Marriage Is Actually Changing
What happens when you are doing everything you can to save your marriage, but your spouse still seems distant, guarded, or unsure? You may be giving them space, regulating your emotions, listening without defending, taking responsibility, and trying to create emotional safety. But when your spouse does not acknowledge your growth or respond the way you hoped, it is easy to wonder whether any of yo
Episode 65: Stop Guessing - Why Your Marriage Crisis Needs a Plan, Not More Panic
When your marriage is in crisis, it can feel like everything you do matters—and one wrong move could push your spouse even farther away. You may be replaying conversations, searching for answers, apologizing, trying to reconnect, giving space, and doing everything you can to save your marriage. But even with all that effort, your spouse may still seem guarded, distant, or uncertain. In this episod
Episode 64: Why Knowing Your Marriage Stage Isn't Enough to Save Your Marriage
You took the Marriage Crisis Stage Finder. You finally have language for what is happening in your marriage. Maybe you realized you are in disconnection, discovery, repair, separation, or rebuilding. But now what? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington explains why knowing your marriage crisis stage is powerful — but it is not the same as knowing how to move through it. Clarity ma
Episode 63: What Stage Is Your Marriage Crisis In? How to Stop Reacting and Start Rebuilding
When your marriage feels like it's falling apart, it's natural to want to know exactly what to do next. Should you give your spouse space? Should you apologize again? Should you ask for another conversation? Should you fight harder for the marriage? Should you back off? But the right next step depends on what stage your marriage crisis is actually in. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee
Episode 62: I'm Doing Everything Right. Why Doesn't My Spouse Believe Me Yet?
You've apologized. You've owned your patterns. You're showing up differently. You're staying calmer, trying harder, and doing the work. So why does your spouse still seem guarded? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, Taralee talks about one of the hardest parts of rebuilding trust in a marriage crisis: staying consistent when your spouse still doesn't believe you yet. You'll learn wh
Episode 61: When Your Spouse Wants Space - What They're Really Asking For
When your spouse says, "I need space," it can feel terrifying — like rejection, abandonment, or the beginning of the end. But space does not always mean your marriage is over. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I'm breaking down what your spouse may really be asking for when they ask for space, why your response matters so much, and how to handle it without chasing, collapsing, pun
Episode 60: The Reconnection Paradox- Why Your Attempts to Fix Your Marriage Keep Backfiring
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington explains what she calls The Reconnection Paradox — the painful reason why your attempts to fix your marriage may actually be making things worse. When a marriage is in crisis, most people try to reconnect by becoming more vulnerable, communicating more, or trying harder to prove they care. But if emotional safety has already disappeared, vuln
Episode 59: The Invisible Breaking Point - Why Your Marriage Crisis Didn't Start With the Fight
That fight that changed everything? It may not be where your marriage actually broke. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I'm talking about the invisible breaking points that often happen long before the big fight, the betrayal, the separation conversation, or the moment one spouse says, "I can't do this anymore." Most couples in crisis focus on the visible problem: the argument, th
Episode 58: How to Rebuild Trust When Your Spouse Doesn't Believe You've Changed
When your marriage is in crisis, it's natural to want your spouse to believe you've changed. You may be apologizing, reading the books, listening to podcasts, trying to stay calm, and doing everything you can to prove that you finally see things differently. But sometimes, your spouse doesn't need more proof. They need a different emotional experience of you over time. In this episode of The FOCUS
Episode 57: You Don't Need to Prove You've Changed
What happens when one spouse is trying to change, but the other spouse still doesn't feel safe enough to trust it? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we're talking about one of the most painful dynamics in a hurting marriage: the gap between someone trying to change and their spouse actually being able to experience that change as safe. One spouse may be saying, "I'm trying. I'm ch
Episode 56: Trying Harder Is Not the Same as Becoming Steadier
Men, this episode is for you. If you are a husband whose wife is pulling away, asking for space, or saying she doesn't know if she wants the marriage anymore, I want you to hear this clearly: You are not weak because this matters to you. You are not pathetic because you're scared. You are not less of a man because your marriage is hurting and you don't know what to do. In this episode of The FOCUS
Episode 55: Stop Waiting for Your Spouse to Go First
Are you waiting for your spouse to apologize, soften, communicate better, or finally choose the marriage before you allow yourself to show up differently? That waiting may feel fair — especially if you've been hurt — but it may also be keeping you stuck. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I'm talking about one of the most painful patterns I see in marriage crisis: both people waiti
Episode 54: Why Smart, Successful People Stay Stuck in Marriage Crisis
If you're successful in life but feel completely stuck in your marriage, this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk about why high-achieving people often struggle so much in marriage crisis. The same traits that help you succeed in business, leadership, and life can actually keep you stuck at home when your marriage is hurting. We talk about: - Why logic and effort alone don't fix emotional
Episode 53: Can One Person Actually Change the Marriage?
What happens when you feel like you're the only one trying to save your marriage? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I'm talking about the loneliness of carrying the emotional weight of the marriage by yourself and the question so many people quietly ask: Can one person actually change the marriage? We'll talk about: what it really means to be "the only one trying" how anxious effort can somet
Episode 52: The Pursue-Withdraw Cycle - Why You Keep Chasing and They Keep Pulling Away
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee talks about the painful relationship pattern so many couples get stuck in: the pursue-withdraw cycle. When one person reaches harder for connection and the other pulls further away, it can start to feel like everything in the marriage is getting worse. But what if the problem is not just your spouse's distance or your own urgency? What if the real issu
Episode 51: What to Do When Your Spouse Pulls Away
What do you do when it feels like your spouse is pulling away—and everything in you wants to fix it, talk about it, or chase the connection? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we're talking about what really happens when distance shows up in a marriage. That moment can feel terrifying. You may start overthinking, pursuing, over-explaining, or trying harder and harder to get your sp
Episode 50: The Lie That Is Costing You Your Marriage
What if the very story you keep telling yourself about your marriage is the thing keeping you stuck? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I'm talking about one of the biggest hidden reasons people stay trapped in painful, disconnected, or crisis-level marriages far longer than they need to: the story they keep believing. Maybe you've told yourself: "We're just in a rough season." "Th
Episode 49: Safety, Not Just Communication in Marriage
What if the real problem in your marriage is not communication… but safety? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I talk about something so many struggling couples miss: communication only works when the relationship feels safe enough to hold it. If your conversations keep turning into conflict, shutdown, defensiveness, pressure, or emotional overload, it may not mean you are saying t
Episode 48: Why Success at Work Doesn't Guarantee Connection at Home with Todd Christensen
What happens when you're successful in so many areas of life… but your marriage still feels hard? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I sit down with Todd Christensen for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, relationships, and what it really takes to create connection at home. We talk about why strong, driven, capable people can still feel stuck in their closest relat
Episode 47: What to Do When You've Tried Everything (and Nothing Works)
"I've already tried that." If you're exhausted from doing all the right things—books, podcasts, therapy, better communication, giving space, date nights—and nothing has changed… this episode is for you. In today's conversation, I'm going to help you see the difference between trying harder and trying differently—and why most couples don't actually "try everything"… they try the same thing in diffe
Episode 46:The Lie You Keep Telling Yourself About Your Marriage
You have a story you tell yourself every day about your marriage. And that story is keeping you stuck. "If they loved me, they would..." "I can't leave because..." "Once [blank] happens, then we'll be okay..." "They'll never change." These aren't truths. They're stories. And those stories are running your life. In this episode, I break down the most common lies people tell themselves in st
Episode 45: Stop Waiting for Your Partner to Change (The Oz Effect)
If you're stuck in a cycle of waiting… Waiting for them to change. Waiting for them to finally understand. Waiting for things to feel better… This episode is going to shift everything. Because the truth is—your peace, your clarity, and your next step in your marriage will never come from your partner changing. It comes from you taking your power back. In this episode, I teach what I call "The Oz E
Episode 44: The Hidden Force Quietly Destroying Your Marriage (Facts vs. Stories)
If your marriage feels fragile right now… this episode is for you. Maybe communication feels tense. Maybe there's distance. Maybe you're walking on eggshells, afraid of saying the wrong thing and making everything worse. In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—forces that quietly destroys connection in relationships: the stories we tell ourselves. It's not a
Episode 43:Facts vs. Stories - When Your Marriage Feels Like It Might Be Over
Facts vs. Stories: When Your Marriage Feels Like It Might Be Over If your spouse has left… If you're separated… If you've heard the words, "I don't know if I want this marriage anymore"… This episode is for you. When a marriage reaches a breaking point, your brain goes into survival mode. Fear starts writing the ending. Pain turns into certainty. And everything feels final. In this episode of The
Episode 42: Before It Falls Apart- The Early Signs of Emotional Disconnection (with Dr. Lee Baucom)
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I sit down with marriage expert Dr. Lee Baucom to talk about something so many couples experience — emotional disconnection — often long before a relationship reaches a breaking point. We explore the subtle warning signs that a marriage is drifting into crisis, why couples don't notice them until it feels "too late," and what actually helps rebuil
Episode 41:The Most Empowering Shift You Can Make in Your Marriage- Own Your Thoughts
What if the most painful part of your marriage isn't what your spouse is doing… but what you're making it mean? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, we're diving into the O in the FOCUS Framework: Own Your Thoughts — and this may be the most powerful shift you can make in your relationship. You'll learn why: · Your spouse doesn't actually cause your feelings · The meaning you assign
Episode 40: How to Stop Spiraling - Separating Facts from Stories
If you've ever found yourself spiraling after a short text, a quiet dinner, or a simple sigh — this episode is for you. In this week's episode of The FOCUS Podcast, we're breaking down one of the biggest hidden causes of conflict in relationships: the stories we tell ourselves. Most of the pain in your marriage doesn't come from what your spouse actually did… It comes from what your brain made it
Episode 39: Why January Feels So Heavy for Your Marriage (And What Actually Helps)
January has a reputation for being "Divorce Month" — but the real story isn't about statistics. It's about what couples are feeling when the holiday noise fades and the emotional weight finally sets in. In this episode, Taralee breaks down why so many relationships feel like they're falling apart in January, what's actually happening beneath the surface, and why emotional clarity without a framewo
Episode 38: New Year, New Focus- Break the Patterns in Your Relationship
Welcome to a brand new year (2026) and a brand new season of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee—where "what you focus on expands." This episode is for you if 2025 didn't go the way you hoped… and you're ready to stop repeating the same patterns with a new calendar. In today's kickoff, we're talking about why goals don't stick (hint: it's not motivation—it's your practiced patterns), and the simple fra
Episode 37: Season 1 Finale - What 2025 Taught Me About Real Change
This is the final episode of 2025 — and the Season 1 finale of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee. In this episode, I'm wrapping up the patterns I saw again and again this year, sharing a simple end-of-year reset (no perfect journaling required), and giving you a Season 2 blueprint for 2026. We're talking about the 3 things that actually create change in real relationships: Clarity — separating f
Episode 36: From Duty to Desire - True Intimacy with Dan Purcell
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I'm joined by Dan Purcell, creator of Get Your Marriage On, for a deep, honest, and faith-friendly conversation about intimacy in Christian marriages—far beyond just "improving your sex life." We talk about what real intimacy actually is: two imperfect humans learning to be emotionally and physically vulnerable, willing to truly be themselves with
Episode 35: No Accountability for the Space (with Dr. Lee Baucom)
When nobody owns the in-between—the tone after work, quick repairs, the simple "what's on tonight?"—everything in a marriage feels heavier. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lee Baucom (author/coach, Save The Marriage System) to talk about shared accountability, conflict vs. contention, and tiny, visible habits that make evenings calmer and connection stronger. If you're feeling like roommates, s
Episode 34: Resentment From Past Conflicts
Resentment doesn't usually show up as one big blow-up—it shows up as all the unrepaired little moments that keep sneaking into today's conversation. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington (Marriage Crisis Coach + creator of the FOCUS Framework) breaks down "Resentment from Past Conflicts" in a simple, human, doable way—no lectures, no "communication perfection," just clear tools t
Episode 33: The Ease of Seeing the Negative - Rewiring Your Marriage for What's Working
Ever feel like one annoying comment from your spouse cancels out ten kind ones? Or like compliments bounce off, but critiques stick for hours? In this week's episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee Eddington (Marriage Crisis Coach + creator of the FOCUS Framework™) walks you through Connection Killer #4 in the 7 Connection Killers series: The Ease of Seeing the Negative—and how to gently retrain you
Episode 32: Turn Toward- The Choice That Saves Marriages
In this powerful episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we're talking honestly about something tender and heavy: what really happens when couples stop turning toward each other—and why it matters long before lawyers or papers ever get involved. Taralee breaks down: The real financial and emotional cost of divorce—for you, your spouse, your kids, and your extended family The sobering marria
Episode 31: Our Preference for Novelty in Marriage
Does your marriage feel more… normal than magical these days? If you've ever thought, "We lost the spark," "We're basically roommates," or "Is this all there is?"—this episode is for you. In Part 3 of my 7 Connection Killers series (inspired by Dr. Matt Townsend's work), we're talking about our preference for novelty—how our brains are wired to chase what's new and exciting, and how that can quiet
Episode 30: Misguided Expectations - How Unrealistic Standards Quietly Divide Marriages
In this week's episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I'm joined by my husband, Jason, for a real and unfiltered conversation about misguided expectations in marriage — the kind that slowly create distance without us even realizing it. After 27 years together, we've learned that most disconnection doesn't come from big betrayals — it comes from the small, unspoken assumptions we make about how love should
Episode 29: Addicted to Distraction: Reconnecting in a World That Pulls Us Apart
In this heartfelt conversation with my longtime friend Liz Allen, we dive into one of the biggest connection killers in marriage and family life—distraction. From the quiet moments that drift apart to the scrolling that steals our presence, we explore how busyness, avoidance, and emotional overload slowly erode closeness—and how to rebuild it one mindful choice at a time. You'll hear: 💛 The differ
Episode 28: Rebuilding Trust & Intimacy After Disconnection with Andrea Dindinger
When conflict keeps looping and trust feels fragile, what does it really take to reconnect? In this week's episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, Marriage Crisis Coach Taralee Eddington sits down with Andrea Dindinger, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and somatic healing expert, to talk about: ✨ Why emotional safety—not communication—is the foundation of intimacy ✨ How "loop" arguments act
Episode 27: How to Start Saving Your Marriage When You're the Only One Trying
You love your spouse. You want your marriage to work. But lately, it feels like you're the only one still fighting for it. You've read the books, tried to stay calm, suggested counseling—but your spouse seems distant, disengaged, or maybe even done. If that's where you are right now, take a breath. You are not powerless, and this doesn't have to be the end. In this episode, Taralee shares how to b
Episode 26: Raising Resilient Teens with Coach Laura Ollinger
This week, Taralee sits down with Laura Ollinger—Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach, speaker, and host of The Positively Healthy Mom podcast. Laura shares how her background (Master's in Health & Wellness Education, National Board–Certified coach, Elite Neuroencoding Specialist) led her to help teens and parents lower stress, build self-worth, and communicate with more empathy. Together we dig into:
Episode 25: Rising Above the Sidelines with Eileen Noyes
In this powerful episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I sit down with author, speaker, and podcast host Eileen Noyes. Eileen is a former NFL wife, a mom in a blended family of 15, and the founder of Lady Bellator—a movement empowering women to rise up and embrace their God-given identity. We dive deep into: Recognizing and healing emotional blind spots in marriage and family life How to stay connected t
Episode 24: Can Love Be Calculated? with Zoey Charif
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee sits down with Zoey Charif, author of Love Can in Fact Be Calculated. Zoey shares her groundbreaking framework that combines psychology, self-worth, and analytics to predict the health of relationships. From identifying your "self score" to understanding why admiration is essential for long-term love, Zoey explains how numbers and mindset intersect to
Episode 23: Helping Teens Thrive: Parenting, Connection & SchoolPulse with Iuri Melo
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee welcomes Iuri Melo—licensed therapist, bestselling author, and co-founder of SchoolPulse, the nation's only proactive, text-based mental health support system for students. Iuri shares his journey from therapist and author to building a platform that now reaches thousands of teens with encouragement, psychology tools, and live professional support righ
Episode 22: Speak With Courage, Intention, and Appreciation
In this episode of Peaceful Heart Journey, Taralee shares three simple but powerful shifts that can transform the way you communicate with your partner. So often we wait for confidence before we speak up—but true confidence in relationships actually comes after courage. When you choose to be vulnerable, speak with intention, and practice daily appreciation, you create the foundation for trust, int
Episode 21: The Confidence Process No One Talks About
We've all been told that confidence is the key to success—but what if everything we believe about it is backwards? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the real process of building confidence, and spoiler alert: confidence is not the starting point—it's the finish line. I also introduce the transformative 4 C's Framework—Courage, Commitment, Consistency, and Confidence—
Episode 20: Aligned Love - Building Relationships That Truly Fit with Sara-Ann Rosen
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, I sit down with Sara-Ann Rosen, dating and relationship coach and creator of the Aligned Love System. Together, we explore how self-worth, emotional awareness, and body-based intuition can transform the way we date and build lasting relationships. Sara-Ann shares her four-part Aligned Love System—Reveal, Rewire, Regulate, and Rebuild—and how these
Episode 19: Turning Rock Bottom into Breakthroughs with Bryan Power
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I'm joined by relationship coach Bryan Power, who shares his powerful story of rebuilding his marriage using Integrated Attachment Theory (IAT). Bryan opens up about the struggles, breakdowns, and ultimate healing that transformed his relationship after separation. We dive into: What Integrated Attachment Theory is and how it helps us heal old wounds The 6 co
Episode 18: Finding Flow & Fighting Distraction with Steven Puri of The Sukha Company
In this inspiring and energizing episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee sits down with Steven Puri—Hollywood veteran turned tech founder—to explore what it really takes to focus, find flow, and protect your time in a world designed to steal it. Steven's career has been anything but ordinary. As an Executive Vice President at DreamWorks and Fox, he worked on major motion pictures like Die Hard, The
Episode 17: How to Make College Planning Less Stressful - with Lee Norwood of College Sharks
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee sits down with Lee Norwood, founder of College Sharks, to unpack the emotional and logistical challenges families face when preparing teens for college. Lee shares how her virtual platform simplifies the college application journey with clear, bite-sized resources that reduce stress for both students and parents. They dive into everything from choosing
Episode 16: Chicken Fried Women with Melissa Radke
🎙 Episode 16 – Chicken Fried Women with Melissa Radke In this special episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I'm joined by the one and only Melissa Radke — bestselling author, speaker, podcast host, and queen of telling it like it is with heart and humor. We talk about her brand-new book, Chicken Fried Women, and the unforgettable, real-life women who shaped her into who she is today. Trust me… you're goi
Episode 15: We Are Wired for Connection - The Truth About Why Relationships Matter So Much
In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast, Taralee explores the real reason relationships can feel so hard—especially with the people we love most. Are we really too busy to connect? Or are we using busyness to avoid the discomfort of disconnection? Drawing on insights from Mel Robbins, Brené Brown, and her own coaching practice, Taralee breaks down the four biggest roadblocks that get in the way of me
Episode 14: Why Connection Changes Everything- A Conversation with Todd Sarner
Episode 14 – Why Connection Changes Everything: A Conversation with Todd Sarner What if the most effective parenting strategy isn't a strategy at all—but a relationship? In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Taralee sits down with parenting coach and psychotherapist Todd Sarner, founder of Transformative Parenting and former faculty member at the Neufeld Institute, for a conversation that every
Episode 13: What You Focus On Expands- 5 Mindset Shifts to Help You Reconnect with Your Teen
Have you ever thought, "I just want my child back…" or found yourself in constant conflict, unsure how to repair the relationship? In this powerful episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I'm sharing 5 mindset shifts from my signature FOCUS Framework™ that can help you start rebuilding trust and connection with your teen—starting today. These are the same shifts that changed my relationship with my daughter
Episode 12: Summer Transitions: Guiding Your Teen with Calm & Confidence
🎙 Episode 12 – Summer Transitions: Guiding Your Teen with Calm & Confidence Summer break sounds dreamy—no early alarms, no lunch-packing chaos, no school pressure. But for many families, that sudden shift in structure can bring unexpected stress. Teens and young adults may seem unmotivated, disconnected, or emotionally on edge. And as a parent, it's easy to feel confused or even helpless. In this
Episode 11 — More in Control, Less in Control: The Paradox That Sets You Free
🎙️ Episode 11 — More in Control, Less in Control: The Paradox That Sets You Free What if one of the most powerful truths you could embrace… is a paradox? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we explore a life-changing mindset shift: 👉 You are more in control than you've ever believed. 👉 And you have less control than you think. It sounds contradictory, but learning to live in this te
Episode 10: Talking with My Son About the Teen Years and Beyond
In this special episode, I sit down with someone who knows my parenting better than anyone else — my 18-year-old son, Tyler. We talk honestly and playfully about the teenage years, what worked, what didn't, and what helped him feel safe, seen, and supported. He shares candid insights every parent needs to hear — from the hardest parts of being a teen to the ways parents can actually build trust (e
Episode 9: What If Anxiety Is Trying to Help You?
Episode 9: What If Anxiety Is Trying to Help You? Anxiety doesn't mean you're broken - it means your brain is trying to protect you. But what if the way it's doing that is outdated, overreactive, or just plain confusing? In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we explore a whole new way of understanding anxiety—as a signal, not a stop sign. Join me as I break down: 💛 Why anxiety shows u
Episode 8: When Your Teen Is Anxious and You Don't Know What to Do
What do you do when your teen is anxious and you feel helpless? In this heartfelt episode of The FOCUS Podcast, I sit down with my husband for a real and vulnerable conversation about parenting through anxiety. We talk honestly about what it's like to watch your teen struggle and not know how to help, and the mistakes we've made along the way. We share: What anxiety actually looks like in teens
Episode 7: The Power of Emotional Safety: How to Create a Safe Space for Your Teen (and Yourself)
Do your conversations with your teen often end in silence…or explosions? You're not alone—and there's a powerful reason why. In this episode of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we explore what emotional safety really means, why it matters so deeply for your relationship with your teen, and how you can begin creating it in everyday interactions. Taralee breaks down the neuroscience behind your teen'
Episode 6: You're Not Broken—You're Just Human
Ever feel like something is wrong with you because you're overwhelmed, emotional, or just plain exhausted in your relationships? This episode is a breath of fresh air. I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really means to be human—and why your struggles don't mean you're failing. You'll hear heartfelt stories from clients, get practical mindset tools, and learn: Why "life is 50/50" can free yo
Episode 5 – Unshakable Self-Worth: The Foundation for Better Relationships
Episode 5 – Unshakable Self-Worth: The Foundation for Better Relationships Do you feel like you're doing everything you can in your relationships—but it's still not enough? Maybe you're exhausted from trying to keep the peace, please others, or finally be seen. In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Taralee shares the truth that transformed her life—and the lives of countless coaching clients. Yo
Episode 4: Own Your Thoughts: The Secret to Staying Calm When Your Teen Isn't
In Episode 4 of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, we unpack step two of the FOCUS Model: Own Your Thoughts—a powerful shift that can radically change how you parent, even in the heat of the moment. You'll discover how your thoughts—not your teen's behavior—create your emotional experience. Taralee shares relatable coaching stories, practical mindset shifts, and simple reflection tools to help you mo
Episode 3: Parenting the Moment(and the Aftermath)with FOCUS
Ever wish you had a reset button after a heated moment with your teen? Or a roadmap for navigating tough conversations without losing your cool? In this powerful episode, Taralee introduces two game-changing versions of her signature FOCUS framework: ✨ Reflective FOCUS — for those moments after the fact, when guilt or confusion creeps in. ✨ Real-Time FOCUS — to guide you through challenging conver
Episode 2: The FOCUS Framework – A Roadmap to Reconnection and Mental Wellness
If you've ever felt like your teen or young adult is shutting down emotionally, and you don't know how to reach them, this episode is for you. In this heartfelt solo episode, parent coach Taralee shares her powerful FOCUS Framework: five key shifts that help parents reconnect with their struggling child, especially when anxiety, depression, or distance has taken hold. From understanding emotional
Episode 1: What You Focus on Expands
In this first episode of The Focus Podcast with Taralee, I share the personal story behind my coaching practice, Peaceful Heart Journey, and introduce a powerful truth that has transformed how I work with parents: ✨ What you focus on expands. If you've been feeling disconnected from your teen, overwhelmed by the silence or daily struggles, this episode is your starting point for creating meaning
