Hi, you are listening to Small Things Often from the Gottman Institute, where we talk you through research-based tips to help improve your relationships in five minutes or less.

It's a brand new season. And if you're new here, it'll be easy to jump right in, because it doesn't matter where you are, who you are,

who your partner is, or what your home life is like. You have the power to transform your

relationships. You just need to be intentional and think small with your words and actions. It adds up

and makes a big difference when you do it often.

Hence the name of this podcast, small things often.

You can think small in any situation.

This season, you'll hear all different scenarios play out,

like how you can turn towards your partner as caregivers,

whether you're a new parent or taking care of someone you love,

or how you can create a shared vision about money and talk through touchy subjects. Because conflicts about money

and who left what dirty dish in the sink are usually about something totally different than what

you think you're disagreeing about. But it's not all about problem solving. A small thing can be how

intentional you are about making time for your relationship and your efforts to make it better,

so your connection to your partner becomes or stays strong. Like taking time to listen to this

podcast. Or maybe you and your partner are intentional about sincerely listening

to each other. That means no phones, no distractions. Just truly listening without forming

responses in your head while they're still talking. You ask follow-up questions and hear each other

out, but also know when to call a time out and walk away.

Or maybe you make date nights a priority.

It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

It could mean a pizza in your favorite movie.

...