The Pilot’s Wife - Long-Term Relationship Tips With Amy McLaren

#18 Is There One Right Person For Me?

Has your spouse ever kept doing something that annoys you, even though they know it annoys you? To the point where you're so over it, you wonder if they're the right person for you after all?

In this episode Amy takes tips from an Iceberg to describe what might really be going on, and provides some tips to save you on both energy and bad feelings!

#17 An Old Married Couple's Guide to Dating (by an Old Married Couple)

If you're almost 14 years' married with two kids does that make you an old married couple? Amy's husband Josh would say "Affirm" (pilot speak) but essentially, yes she thinks that qualifies them for the role of dating guide for other "old married couples".

This episode contains some background context including sibling fights, spa pools, and changing peoples' jobs on them, before Amy comes to the point she is trying to make, which is "Never Take Love for Granted". Followed by a bunch of the best date ideas Amy has selected both from prior experience and as a result of some research she has been doing to plan for their 14th anniversary coming up soon. On a shoestring budget of course, reflecting the income prospects of a covid-ousted pilot and small-business starter-upper.

#16 Husbands Are Naturally Good At This

If you've ever watched a boy play something where they win, or achieve the outcome they intended, you'll notice their response almost sounds like bragging... Husbands are naturally good at confidence, and it serves a few important purposes.

Wives who are aware of this and want the outcomes it can produce, might want to make sure to encourage their husbands in every opportunity to do something they are good at. And agree with them when they say "Yes! I'm the man!"

#15 Wives Are Naturally Good At This

When it comes to making a relationship harmonious without being a doormat, wives are by nature, very good at this. However if females get stuck in 'doing' mode, we don't have time to get into 'being' mode, being GOOD at relationships, which is where we are at our best, and where we are the experts as opposed to the males in the house.

When relationships are faltering in the household, we as females are the experts in figuring it out. By nature, we are good at forming close bonds and connections. This episode will hopefully encourage the women listeners to rediscover this natural talent underneath all the chores and responsibilities. It will also hopefully help the males to help their females rediscover this, as it will benefit everyone in the house.

Listen on for a happy life with a happy wife!

#14 Big Plans: How to Get Your Mojo Back

There was once this evil king... with an even more evil mother... and there was a sister who had a good husband, who made a big plan.

Have you ever been part of a big plan and been so invigorated, so excited, and felt so in tune with everyone else who was in on the big plan?

Amy tells a story or two in this episode to illustrate how making a big plan with your spouse can bring back your mojo, and how the agreement that results brings unity. And really, how your agreement makes you super powerful together!

A Fast Comeback From A Stupid Mistake

Have you ever done something really stupid, that you know is bad, to do with your relationship? Maybe you've said some really nasty things because you were stressed, or ignored them when they needed you, or even worse?

In this episode Amy describes some awful behaviour she was guilty of and how she figured out a fast comeback, involving something as easy as - turning back around!

#12 Hacking Some Things That Don't Change

If you've never done a personality test before, or it's been a long time since, this episode is for you. Not only is there value in knowing what type of personality you tend towards, it's also very helpful to understand your partner's type as well. The two reasons are 1. understanding goes a long way and 2. once you know what you are dealing with, you can hack each personality type. Amy goes into the detail on how to hack each of the four types outlined in this episode.

Keeping bad secrets for someone else - would you do it?

If you knew someone was doing something terrible with someone else's spouse, would you tell? What if someone told you they thought a married person was acting inappropriately around you - would you dismiss it?

Join Amy in her half-serious, half hilarious exploration of these questions after experiencing both of these stories recently.

#10 There's a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in Each of Us

When we find ourselves reacting to life's challenges in unsavoury ways that we're not proud of, one way of looking at it is that there's another personality trying to come out and take over. We can name and describe this personality, then compartmentalise the reaction in order to manage it better. Put it in a box, put a label on it and defeat it because you have a box around it! Or that's the logic, thinks Amy, as she gives it a go herself, with humourous results.

#9 Infidelity and The Brain

In this episode, hear Amy's take on the role of the brain in the development of a decision to be unfaithful. Understand why the total cleverness of the brain can get us into trouble sometimes, learn how it creates solutions for us, and get some advice on how to combat its shortcuts to protect your relationship.

Warning: this revelation of how the brain can contribute to bad decisions could change the way you think about villains forever!