Before you torch the whole thing, make sure you've actually had the conversations that matter—because walking away might feel good in the moment, but cleaning up the fallout? Not so fun.

In today's episode, I’m joined by the knowledgeable Dr. Becky Whetstone, a marriage and family therapist, columnist, and author with a deep-rooted passion for helping people navigate relationship challenges. Known as the "Marriage Crisis Manager," Becky combines decades of clinical experience with a tell-it-like-it-is style that resonates with real people in real pain. Her recent book, I Think I Want Out, offers a roadmap for couples facing the possibility of separation, helping them make wise, emotionally responsible decisions. A former journalist and self-described relationship obsessive, Becky uses humor, honesty, and education to guide clients through the messiness of love and commitment.

Throughout this episode, Dr. Becky explains how her painful personal divorce experience and lack of helpful therapeutic support ignited a lifelong mission to understand and fix broken relationship dynamics. Becky outlines key topics from her book, including the stages of marriage deterioration, the impact of unspoken resentments, and the importance of managing the nervous system in communication. She passionately advocates for couples to seek help early and challenges the cultural myths around "happily ever after." She also pushes for therapists to stay involved from crisis to resolution, whether that ends in reconciliation or respectful separation. Her approach is deeply empathetic, educational, and infused with tough love and humor.

Tune in to episode 204 of Joy Found Here as Dr. Becky Whetstone explores what happens when one partner wants out, how to navigate relationship crises, and the keys to better communication and healthier decisions in marriage.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A childhood obsession with relationships (3:26)
• From columnist to therapist (5:00)
• Why most couples get it wrong in crisis (8:42)
• Nervous systems, toxic shame, and felony words (9:20)
• How to diagnose a dying marriage (18:00)
• The most common marriage mistakes (and how to avoid them) (23:00)
• The journey to authorship (25:36)
• No, divorce isn’t the easy button (30:00)
• The therapist who stays through the storm (33:30)
• Navigating Male and Female Energies (36:17)
• The Importance of Communication in Relationships (43:00)
• Resources for Relationship Guidance (46:12)

Connect with Dr Becky Whetstone:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X
• YouTube
• Blog
• Get Becky’s book!

Let's Connect:

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