When Life Changes Who You Are | Chuck and Ashley Elliott
Marriage Rehab: Exposing Narcissistic & Emotional AbuseShow Notes
In this episode of Mad.In.Love, we are honored to host Chuck and Ashley Elliott, a couple whose life work has touched many hearts through their engaging content and impactful collaborations with platforms like YouVersion and RightNow Media. As a pastor and a licensed counselor, respectively, their journey is one of faith, resilience, and profound insights into relational success and navigating grief. Today, Chuck and Ashley open up about the inspiration behind their poignant book, 'I Used to Be___,' sharing personal stories of vulnerability, including their own experience with miscarriage, and the challenging path towards healing and trust in God amidst profound loss. They delve into the complexities of grief, addressing the deceptive nature of grief-induced lies, and offering solace through the power of God's Word. The discussion explores the concept of 'switch theory' as a tool for managing grief, alongside practical advice for those struggling to find their way after a loss. Ashley provides professional guidance on supporting grieving loved ones, while Chuck shares pastoral wisdom on moving forward with faith. Further, the Elliotts discuss the importance of vulnerability in healing, the impact of grief on intimate relationships, and the necessity of developing new skills to navigate loss. They emphasize the often-overlooked lasting effects of grief and provide listeners with strategies to recognize and address these impacts. If you're seeking a path through grief or looking to support someone in their journey, this episode offers invaluable insights and encouragement. Chuck and Ashley's final words of encouragement and information on how to connect with them and access their book promise to leave listeners with hope and practical steps for moving forward. Join us on Mad.In.Love for an episode that promises not just to inform but to transform your approach to grief and healing. Founded by Dr. David Hawkins, the Marriage Recovery Center is the leading authority on the treatment of narcissistic and emotional abuse. To schedule your in-person or video session, call our team at (206) 219-0145 or email [email protected] ***Please note that Mad.In.Love welcomes guests with diverse viewpoints. Their beliefs do not necessarily reflect our mission at the Marriage Recovery Center and the Emotional Abuse Institute, but we value open dialogue and exploration.***
More from Marriage Rehab: Exposing Narcissistic & Emotional Abuse
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Many couples enter counseling believing their biggest problem is communication. But what if communication problems are only a symptom of something deeper?
Why does your partner shut down, become defensive, or seem unable to engage emotionally when conflict arises?
If you've cycled through communication techniques and still land in the same fight, this episode explains why. Dr. David Hawkins and Dr. John Hudson return for Part 2 of their series on why communication is rarely the actual problem in a struggling marriage — it's usually the visible symptom of something deeper: emotional immaturity, power and control, manipulation, chronic invalidation, or emotional abuse.
What if the problem in your marriage isn't communication? In this episode of Marriage Rehab, Dr. David Hawkins and Dr. John Hudson challenge one of the most common assumptions in couples counseling: that better communication skills will fix your relationship. They unpack why communication is often merely a symptom of something deeper — emotional immaturity, power and control dynamics, and a lack of accountability — and why teaching listening and validation skills can actually cause more harm when emotional safety is lacking in the relationship. You'll learn how to tell the difference between a communication skills gap and a deeper pattern of emotional unsafety, why 'it takes two to tango' isn't always true, and what it means when a partner has stopped trying to be heard. This episode is for anyone who has tried every communication technique in the book and still feels unheard, unsafe, or stuck.