The Heart of the Matter: Recent Episodes
Unity Online Radio
Unfortunately, over half of marriages end in divorce. Rather than become another unhappy statistic, there is an alternative. We can learn to create healthy relationships not just by happenstance but by learning the skills to keep our relationships healthy, loving and fun. On each episode of The Heart of the Matter, Rev. George will be joined by his co-hosts Tom and Joyce DeVoge, relationship specialists, taking calls and exploring ways to keep relationships alive, fresh and loving.
The ideas and opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect the teachings of Unity. Unity respects a wide range of spiritual thoughts and beliefs, as reflected in the diverse range of subjects presented on Unity Online Radio.
We're supposed to mature with age. In the arena of relationships, we may not know what emotional maturity looks like. We'll give examples of both mature and immature behaviors.
Relationships in the workplace can cross boundaries that place your primary relationship in jeopardy. We'll talk about the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Stress is prevalent just about everywhere in our fast-paced society. We'll discuss ways to chill out so that you can warm up your primary relationship.
Relationships are friendlier and more intimate when both people follow the same rules. This program discusses 10 rules that friends need to be mindful of.
Jealousy is a painful and destructive force in an intimate relationship. We discuss the dynamics of a triangle, how to recognize the presence of jealousy, and how to undo it.
Meaningful events in a relationship need to be marked by a celebration. This program addresses practical tips for savoring special occasions.
A well-tendered relationship involves both work and play. For the relationship to thrive and nurture the couple, these activities need to be in balance.
Bonding is a biological need, necessary for good health, for children and adults. It is the only biological need that requires the cooperation of another person.
Sometimes in an intimate relationship, we want our own way. When this happens, our actions may tend to restrict the behavior of our partner to think, act or feel like we do. These behaviors are power tactics and are felt by our partners as dirty fighting.
Responsible complaining is an important skill for successful friendship. Complaining should involve criticism, blaming or attacking. Good listening skills are required for processing our partner's complaints.
One major difference between happy and unhappy couples is the ability to resolve conflict effectively with respect. Most of us learned only unfair and dirty tactics for arguing and fighting to settle differences. Negotiation is a step-by-step alternative to unfair tactics.
When anger is aroused, many of us feel a pull toward immature expression of this emotion. We offer practical methods for safe and mature management of this potentially destructive emotion.
Appreciation is the atomic structure of affection. When we express our appreciation, we enjoy the benefits of feeling and sending gratitude.
Most of us want rewarding, satisfying relationships, those that are mutually pleasurable. A deeper understanding of the element of friendship can guide us toward this goal.
The fun is over; the bills are due. This is a likely time to feel sad--unless you take charge of January.
So often we think that if our partner does their part in being responsible in our relationship, then we'll do ours. This program stresses the importance of doing our part to support the relationship, no matter wgat our partner is contributing or not contributing.
All of us want to feel close and connected to our partner, but how do we do that? This program covers six important behaviors to avoid that undermine intimacy. In addition, we discuss six types of behavior that promoted couples feeling close and connected.
We tend to think of the holidays as fun and pleasant events. But why are they so stressful? This program covers the challenges of the holiday season and how to effectively deal with them.
In conjunction with the Golden Rule, this rule guides us to better meet our partner's needs.
A wide variety of health issues have been linked to affection. We explore this rich and informative research.
There are concrete steps one can take to rebuild trust and affect after a betrayal and we'll be exploring those possibilities.
Intimacy is a process, not a destination. We recommend daily rituals and tools to sustain connection.
To maintain a healthy relationship, both people have to play by the same set of rules. We'll offer 10 rules that work.
A discussion of the qualities to look for in deciding who will likely make a good friend and who will not.
The English language is limited to one term for love. We will discuss different kinds of loving relationships.
The parenting relationship is a complex and special one that requires the parent to assume a dominant and loving attitude.
Listen in for a communication task for relieving stresses external to our relationships.
We are emotional beings. Understanding our emotions and how to recognize and control them is necessary in keeping love alive.
Individuals in relationships can develop resentments and grudges that can last long periods of time. Intimacy cannot be restored until the grudges are released. We’ll talk about ways to release, let go, and get back to the love.
We’re supposed to mature with age. In the arena of relationships, we may not know what emotional maturity looks like. We’ll give examples of both mature and immature emotional behaviors.
Men and women approach intimacy in different ways. What appeals to a man may not appeal to a woman. We’ll discuss the common differences and how to address them.
Stress is prevalent just about everywhere in our fast-paced society. We’ll discuss ways to chill out so that you can warm up your primary relationship.
How we feel about ourselves affects how successful we’ll be in our primary relationship. We provide tips for improving self-esteem so that your relationship isn’t hampered by a history of self-criticism.
The pain of betrayal is often the most difficult relationship challenges to heal. We’ll talk about the steps necessary for healing and renewed trust.
Relationships in the workplace can cross boundaries that place your primary relationship in jeopardy. We’ll talk about the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Relationship triangles and jealousy—it is easy to get caught in triangulation with members of the opposite sex. This episode explores warning signs and suggests ways to maintain your integrity and your relationship.
Join Rev. George today for a discussion on jealousy in relationships and how to deal with it.
We can learn to create healthy relationships not just by happenstance but by learning the skills to keep our relationships healthy, loving and fun. Join Rev. George on The Heart of the Matter this week to explore communication tools and how to read one another.
Join in for today’s discussion on the three-part brain and what it means in terms of relationships.
Tune in for today’s discussion with Rev. George Whitton on healthy relationships and creating bonds and developing closeness.
Join in today’s discussion on creating healthy relationships: achieving resolution through the art of negotiating.
Tune in for today’s discussion on essential communication skills for healthy relationships.
Differences attract us in the beginning of a relationship but they can become sources of conflict after commitment and marriage. This show explores how we can successfully handle our differences.
Anger is part of the human experience. However, feelings of love and friendship depend on gentleness. We cannot afford to be very angry very often.
The Five G’s—Gentleness, Generosity, Graciousness, Gratitude, and Goodwill—are essential attitudes and forms of conduct that support the caring part of a friendship.
Join Rev. George Whitton and guests Rev. Suzanne and Matt Carter for a discussion on ways to keep relationships alive, fresh, and loving.
This program focuses on using appreciation to assist in solidifying the foundation of our love and friendship of another.
This often neglected part of the relationship can be used to make a relationship seem more warmer, safer, and inviting.
Trust is the foundation of committed relationship. What can you do to rebuild it if the foundation cracks? Join host George Whitton to find out ways to repair and heal.
In conjunction with the Golden Rule, this rule guides us to better meet our partner’s needs.
Rev. George welcomes Loving What Is expert Rev. Martha Creek. They will discuss how using the Loving What Is technique can be used to strengthen relationships.
Intimacy is a process, not a destination. We recommend daily rituals and tools to sustain connection.
A discussion of the qualities to look for in deciding who will likely make a good friend and who will not.
The parenting relationship is a complex and special one that requires the parent to assume a dominant and loving attitude.
Description and demonstration of a communication tool for relieving stresses external to the relationship.
Not all of our inheritance is physical or material. Some of our inheritance from family concerns patterns and styles of relating to our intimate partners. We'll discuss how our social inheritance affects us.
We can be unaware that we're holding a grudge with our partner. This discussion will focus on becoming aware of a grudge and how to move toward forgiveness.
Life often presents us with challenging personalities. Most of us can appreciate help in identifying and dealing with these individuals.
What does it mean to be emotionally mature? This program will explore ways to demonstrate emotional maturity and how we can manifest this state of effective healthy consciousness.
We often are under the illusion that what we want in our intimate relationship is the same thing our partner wants. We’ll explore the healthy differences that exist between the sexes and how to use them to our advantage.
We are often disappointed when we look to and insist others to give us what we need. We’ll talk about numerous ways to take care of ourselves under conditions of stress.
Our nature is one of love. Yet we get into states of consciousness that work against our nature. We’ll explore how we avoid intimacy and how we can get back to the love.
Learn the 10 rules for creating a healthy and supportive friendship. To maintain a healthy relationship, both people have to play by the same rules. We’ll offer 10 rules that work.
Adequate self-esteem is an essential ingredient in having and maintaining a healthy intimate relationship. We’ll talk about how to create and maintain a fit self-image.
Rituals play important roles in committed relationships. Developing meaningful celebration rituals deepens our experience of friendship and pleasure.
Healthy relationships have a balance between work time and play time. We’ll elaborate on essential differences between work and play and their unique contributions to our relationships.
Our brains consist of three independent parts working together. Knowledge of these parts is useful in becoming more competent in our relationships.
A basic element of intimacy is being close and feeling comfortable with your partner. This means learning how to be a source of physical pleasure for you partner.
Two positive gifts to the process of ironing out differences in a friendly way are listening and responsible complaining. We will describe safe and effective ways to perform each of these skills.
As we have noted, friendship depends upon being gentle. We simply cannot afford to be very angry with each other very often. Nonetheless, anger is a natural part of any close relationship and occurs with some frequency. The key is to manage the anger.
While differences attract us in the beginning of a close relationship, they can become sources of conflict after prolonged contact. Other sources of conflict stem from differences in gender, family histories, temperament, personality traits and brain biology. Join us to learn more.
We will discuss the five G's--the fundamental attitudes which are important to promote affection and friendship.
We'll be discussing love languages and caring behaviors. There are many ways to express the love we feel for one another. We'll be discussing how to keep love vibrant through what we say and what we do.
The atomic structure of love and friendship identifies the words and deeds as being appreciated. Velcro, describing how the appreciator feels inside about the words and deeds.
We’ll be sharing techniques to keep your relationships healthy, loving, and fun. Dr. Tom and Joyce DeVoge, relationship experts, will join the discussion and give us ideas that will help you create loving friendships.