160: Building the 5 Habits of Hope For Stronger Relationships
Podcast Guest: Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
December 22nd, 2025
Listen to the Show:
In this Episode
In this episode of Stronger Marriage Connection, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife joins Dave Schramm and Liz Hale to explore how erotic intimacy in marriage grows from self-honesty, personal responsibility, and spiritual maturity. They discuss how cultural and religious messages shape sexuality, why obligation kills desire, how rigid gender roles limit connection, and what it truly means to build a sexually and emotionally intimate marriage. This conversation offers hope, clarity, and practical insight for couples navigating sexual struggles, desire differences, and long-term intimacy.
“The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Marriage Commission.”
Time Markers
00:03 – Intimacy, identity, spiritual growth
00:58 – Sex is culturally misunderstood
02:41 – Why she wrote the book
05:36 – Vulnerability of receiving joy
06:55 – Self-honesty builds intimacy
10:54 – Redefining eroticism as Eros
13:13 – Challenging rigid marriage roles
18:03 – Starting role-shift conversations
21:27 – First steps with sexual struggle
26:13 – Harmful “never say no” advice
30:51 – Healthy guidance for young men
34:23 – Why truth feels threatening
37:37 – Becoming more to love
39:32 – Where to find resources
40:27 – Key: self-honesty, responsibility
41:12 – Takeaway: don’t pathologize friction
Insights
Jennifer's
Struggle or disconnection doesn’t mean your marriage is broken or wrong. Often, friction is part of growth—an opportunity to learn, love better, and become stronger rather than something to pathologize or fear.
Liz’s
A strong relationship starts with believing you are lovable as you are and choosing partners who practice self-honesty. A major red flag is someone who never takes responsibility and always blames others.
Dave’s
Lasting change begins with self-honesty and personal responsibility, not blame or shame. Even when relationships feel stuck, there is real hope—growth is possible with awareness, courage, and the right resources.
About Jennifer
Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is an LDS relationship and sexuality coach with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She is the author of That We Might Have Joy: Desire, Divinity, and Intimate Love and the creator of six online courses that help individuals and couples create happier lives and stronger intimate relationships. She also hosts Room for Two, a popular sex and intimacy podcast, and is a regular guest on LDS-themed podcasts discussing relationships, faith, and sexuality.
Jennifer's Resources
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Facebook: StrongerMarriage.org
Instagram: @strongermarriagelife
TikTok: @strongermarriagelife
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU
Facebook Marriage Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Facebook Parenting Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642
Dr. Liz Hale: