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Parenthood and maintaining a healthy relationship are ambitious endeavors. Being fully aware, you armed yourself with all the latest books, articles, podcasts, and resources, committed to being present and strong for your family. Yet, despite embracing every piece of advice and strategy in your search for reassurance, there are times you find yourself wondering why the harmony, connection, and closeness you envisioned seem out of reach. If this rings true, let me tell you: it’s not you! It’s what they didn’t tell you. The parenting guidance and strategies we read online lack depth. They hardly ever address the transition into parenthood and the profound impact this has on our identity, partnerships, and ability to show up as the parent we wish to be for our children. But guess what? We’re about to turn that around. Hi there, I’m Markella Kaplani. A clinical-counseling psychologist, a parenthood and relationship Coach, a matrescence coach and facilitator, a former special educator, and a parent myself. In my 15+ years in counseling and coaching, I know this to be true: once a parent is truly supported, not only through being given techniques to overcome parenting challenges, but on a personal and relational level, then the entire family can thrive. So, welcome to the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast! Here, we learn to grow individually, normalizing and validating the processes of matrescence and patrescence (i.e. struggling with identity, mom guilt, dad guilt, postpartum rage, work-life balance, etc). We also grow together by unraveling how parenthood affects marriage and what stands in the way of following the actionable parenting strategies that we know are helpful. So, if you’re feeling ready, let me hold your hand while we tackle intriguing, yet difficult topics, with compassion and curiosity. Interested to know more? - Reach out via email at info@markellakaplani.com with your questions, and - Visit www.markellakaplani.com to access FREE resources and check out ways to work with me personally. Let’s do this! --- 🔎 Is Parenthood Making or Breaking Your Relationship? FIND OUT NOW! https://www.markellakaplani.com/couplesquiz 🖥 Reconcile the ’old’ identity with the ’new’ Grab your FREE Matrescence Mini-Course https://www.markellakaplani.com/videoseries 👥 Join our Circle: www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/ 🤝 Would you like a more personalized touch? I can offer Parenthood and Relationship Coaching. info@markellakaplani.com www.markellakaplani.com Book an introductory session to explore our chemistry and whether I am the right fit for you: http://tidycal.com/markellakaplani/intro-session
Episodes
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Why do couples who love each other still drift apart after having children?
Why do the very efforts meant to show love often miss the mark?
In this heart-opening conversation, Marriage & Family Therapist Lodovica Guidarelli joins us to unpack why emotional disconnection happens even in committed marriages, and how love languages, unspoken expectations, co-leadership, and even undiagnosed neurodivergence can quietly erode intimacy.
We don’t just blame “communication issues.”
We get honest about what really pulls couples apart, and more importantly, how they can find each other again.
If you're feeling unseen, unappreciated, or stuck in endless loops of misunderstanding, this episode will help you feel understood and offer a compassionate roadmap back to connection.
Today we uncover:
🔍 Why emotional distance grows after parenthood
💬 How love languages can be misinterpreted
🧠 The hidden impact of neurodivergence in marriage
❤️ Why co-leading (not just supporting) matters
Stop assigning painful meanings to relationship struggles.
There's a different, and more hopeful, way to understand and repair.
✨ Tune in for powerful insights that could change the way you see your partner... and yourself.
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Who is Lodovica Guidarelli?
Lodovica Guidarelli is an Italian-American Marriage and Family Therapist, married, and mother of two. She works with couples, individuals, and parents, both online and in person, in the state of California. In her work, she integrates somatic and trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and Narrative Therapy.
You can find her at:
- www.lodovicaguidarelli.com
- lodovicaguidarellimft@gmail.com
- via text at 858-255-0895
And don’t forget to mention the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast and get your 50% discount for your first session, should you decide to work with Lodovica!
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Full Transcript HERE.
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Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
📢 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
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Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
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