The Love Spark Podcast

Hosts Tonya and Stevi Maveros wrap up their season on The 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work, discussing the book’s afterword and the power of small, consistent changes to improve relationships.
They break down Gottman’s “magic six hours” — simple daily and weekly rituals and explain how to adapt these practices for busy couples and parents.
The episode highlights the science behind the methods, offers practical tips for handling conflict and emotional physiology, and encourages intentionality and high standards in relationships. Plus a preview of upcoming mini-episodes and a new season about money!

Episode highlights include designing rituals, including a new sex initiation phrase, supporting each other’s roles, and revisiting life goals as Tonya and Stevi Maveros break down Principle 7 from Gottman’s The 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work: Creating Shared Meaning.
They walk through the workbook’s four pillars—rituals of connection, roles, goals, and values—use true/false prompts, and share personal examples and practical exercises couples can try at home.  and where to find workshops and coaching at milovespark.com.

In this episode of the Love Spark Podcast, Tonya and Stevi explain how surface topics mask deeper "dreams" and values, share clues to spot gridlock, and walk through Gottman’s steps: explore dreams, soothe, reach a temporary compromise (two-circle method), and express gratitude.
The hosts use sample scenarios and their own business-related gridlock to demonstrate practical tools for turning perpetual problems into manageable, growth-oriented conversations.

Hosts Tonya and Stevi Maveros discuss Chapter 10 of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, covering common solvable problems like digital distractions, in‑laws, money, housework, parenting, and sex.
They share personal examples, take quizzes from the workbook, and highlight practical solutions focused on teamwork, clear agreements, and maintaining connection and intimacy.

Hosts Tonya and Stevi Maveros unpack Chapter 9 of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (Principle 5: Solve Your Solvable Problems), guiding listeners through softened startups, repair attempts, signs of flooding, self-soothing, and compromise using workbook exercises and real examples (in‑laws, intimacy, and money).
They offer practical phrases, the Gottman repair checklist, and calming strategies to help couples de‑escalate conflict, communicate respectfully, and solve problems together.

Tonya and Stevi Maveros break down Chapter 8 of The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work, explaining the difference between solvable and perpetual marital conflicts, why 69% of issues are ongoing, and how gridlock leads to emotional disengagement.
The hosts use workbook scenarios and personal examples—covering topics like children, tidiness, money, ambition, and sex—to show how couples can talk constructively, avoid vilification, and make peace with persistent differences.

Tonya and Stevi discuss Principle Four from The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: letting your partner influence you. They explore why sharing power and accepting influence predicts happier, more stable relationships.
The episode mixes research and real-life examples with practical workbook activities — from everyday scenarios to the Gottman Island Survival Game — offering simple, actionable steps to foster mutual respect and better decision-making together.

In this episode of the Love Spark Podcast, hosts Tonya and Stevi explore Gottman’s Principle 3: turning toward each other instead of away, including the 5:1 “magic ratio” and how small daily bids build an emotional bank account that sustains romance.
They read from the book, share personal examples (hug rituals, shared chores, watching shows together), and guide listeners through exercises: listing appreciations, committing to one connection ritual, and practicing five-minute stress-reducing conversations with clear listening rules.
Practical, down-to-earth, and actionable, this episode helps couples notice and strengthen everyday moments of connection; visit milovespark.com to take the romance quiz, join the focus group, or apply to be a podcast guest.

It's easier than might think to strengthen your friendship which is the foundation to passion, intimacy, and good sex. With the day-to-day logistics, complaints, and stressors it's easy to take your partner for granted. In fact, it might be easy to look at the person sitting next to you breathing loudly, sneezing obnoxiously, and paying more attention to a screen than to you and think, "Ugh! Who the hell am I married to!" Here's the catch.. when you start noticing the things you like more than dislike it can change everything. Listen up to learn more and hear it in action!

Your partner's love map is more important and easier to learn than you might think. Follow along as Stevi and Tonya work through the next activity in Chapter 4 from The Seven Principles to Making Marriage Work. Listen and learn!