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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 Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Have you ever sat next to your partner, not angry, not even distant on purpose, and still felt miles apart?
This episode is for couples who love each other deeply… but no longer feel it.
We go beyond the usual communication advice and explore how emotional intimacy is often blocked not by a lack of love but by a nervous system that no longer feels safe.
If you’re parenting, stretched thin, or just too exhausted for deep talks, you’ll discover why co-regulation, somatic cues, and body-based safety matter more than ever in your relationship.
We unpack the hidden impact of nervous system dysregulation on emotional connection, and I’ll guide you through 3 simple but powerful invitations to begin reconnecting without needing long conversations, date nights, or perfect words.
This is intimacy from the inside out.
Today we explore:
- 🔍 Why you feel emotionally distant even when nothing’s “wrong”
- 💬 What happens when your nervous systems stop syncing
- 🧠 How emotional safety rewires intimacy more than communication skills
- ❤️ The quiet, somatic ways to reconnect without talking
💌 Don’t forget The Sunday Reconnect: This week’s loveletter includes one insight, one tool, and one three-minute reset to help you feel closer to yourself and to the people you love. You can sign up at markellakaplani.com/newsletter
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Past Episodes on Improving Communication in Couples
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How does parenthood affect marriage: Are parenting challenges to blame for relationship issues? | Ep. 2
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Communication skills for couples: Navigating parenthood and parenting together | Ep. 9
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Resentment in Marriage: How Parenthood Brings up Old Wounds and How to Heal | Ep. 31
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Wondering How to Rekindle a Relationship After Children? 3 Stages… | Ep. 34
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The 4 Types of Connection & Ways to Rekindle the Romance with Dr. Adam Dorsay | Ep. 37
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Signs of Drifting Apart in a Relationship: 6-Step Framework to Bridge the Emotional Distance in Parenthood | Ep. 40
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Love Language Not Working Anymore? How Parenthood, Stress, and Identity Shifts Change Emotional Needs in Marriage and Long-Term Relationships | Ep. 52
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Unhappy Marriage After Baby? Rebuilding Emotional Closeness in Parenthood Using Love Languages | Ep. 54
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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 Couples’ Immersive Program
📩 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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