Episodes

[SUMMARY] Gift-giving during the holidays or special occasions can be a minefield, especially when it comes to significant others. This week, Ellen dives into a common mistake many partners make: giving a gift card without much thought—and how it can unintentionally hurt your relationship. She shares a real-life story from a client and offers practical, step-by-step advice on how to turn even a gift card into a meaningful experience that shows your partner how much you care. Part 1: Why Gift-...

[In this off-the-cuff episode, Ellen Dorian shares candid thoughts on handling frustrations and setbacks when things don’t go as planned. Using her own tech issues as an example, Ellen explores how to manage stress and prevent it from negatively impacting your relationships. She dives into three common problems and offers five actionable principles for maintaining emotional control and resilience during challenging times. Part 1: Understanding the Impact of Frustration How work frustratio...

In this episode, Ellen sits down with the dynamic Kylie Ryan, a performance coach specializing in helping entrepreneurs unlock their potential by tackling emotional and mental roadblocks. Together, they dive into a range of provocative topics, from emotional intelligence and societal conditioning to rage and relationships. This conversation is packed with insights on how to better understand and express emotions, fostering stronger connections in both personal and professional spheres. Part 1...

The holidays can be a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress—especially for couples. In this episode, Ellen shares why holiday conflicts happen, the hidden risks that can quietly undermine your relationship, and 5 practical strategies you can use to avoid fighting and stay connected with your partner during this busy season. Whether it’s money stress, family drama, or unmet expectations, you’ll walk away with tools to navigate the holidays with more peace and connection. Part 1: T...

Do you dread holiday gatherings, family drama, or other obligations that test your patience? What if these dreaded moments could actually strengthen your relationship? In this episode, we’re exploring the relationship challenges tied to obligations—those moments when you’d rather be anywhere else but are expected to show up. We discuss why honoring these commitments matters, how avoidance strategies harm your relationship, and ways to turn these dreaded events into opportunities for deeper co...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian challenges the traditional notion of work-life balance and the disadvantages of compartmentalization, advocating instead for work-life integration. She shares five key principles to help entrepreneurial men harmonize their business ambitions with personal relationships, ensuring a fulfilling life both at work and at home. Part 1: Rethinking Work-Life Balance Ellen critiques the outdated concept of work-life balance, highlighting its ineff...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian explores the critical topic of vitality for entrepreneurial men. She discusses the impact of vitality on relationships and business success, offering practical advice to enhance physical and mental health. Ellen shares a client's journey to reclaim vitality and provides actionable steps for listeners to improve their well-being. Part 1: Understanding Vitality Ellen introduces the concept of vitality, emphasizing its importance for physica...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian explores the challenges entrepreneurial men face in balancing business success with maintaining a passionate and fulfilling relationship. Ellen discusses the common pitfalls of trying to reignite intimacy and offers actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding love languages and aligning efforts with genuine motivations to foster deeper connections. Part 1: The "Trying Everything" Trap ...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian revisits a foundational discussion on why men choose to settle down and the motivations for staying committed in relationships, even when faced with challenges. Ellen introduces the concept of the "relationship drive matrix" to help listeners understand their relationship dynamics and offers a three-step strategy to address feelings of being unappreciated. Part 1: Introduction and Revisiting a Key Episode Ellen opens the episode by sharin...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian delves into the critical issue of stonewalling in relationships, particularly among entrepreneurial men. Ellen shares insights on how stonewalling can damage relationships and offers practical strategies to foster open communication and trust. Part 1: The Danger of Stonewalling in Your Relationship Ellen introduces the concept of stonewalling, drawing on John Gottman's research. She explains how stonewalling manifests in real-life relatio...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian reveals the one thing that determines your happiness in relationships. Further, she challenges her listeners to rethink their approach to romance. She introduces three key power moves one should master to make their partners feel loved. She offers practical advice on using these moves to strengthen their connection. Part 1: The Importance of Feeling Loved Ellen discusses the critical role of making your partner feel loved consistently. Sh...

In this episode, we explore the intriguing world of romance novels and how they can inspire new romantic approaches in real-life relationships. Discover the hidden secrets of romantic heroes and learn how to integrate these insights to enhance your relationship and boost your sex life. Part 1: The Cultural Impact of Romance Novels - Romance novels are a $1.5 billion industry with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. - They offer a unique perspective on relationships, providing insights...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian introduces the Bonfire Framework, a method designed to help entrepreneurial men enhance their relationships through small, intentional actions. Ellen discusses the common challenges couples face and offers practical steps to build and maintain a strong, intimate connection with their partners. Part 1: Common Relationship Issues and The Bonfire Framework - Ellen shares the dramatic impact of small changes that she experienced at the Medite...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian shares her transformative experience at the Mediterranean Keto Wellness Retreat in Greece. Ellen discusses the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and how these insights can be applied to improving relationships. Key takeaways include the importance of small changes, trusting the process, and finding a supportive community. Ellen also offers practical advice and resources for listeners looking to enhance their relationships and ov...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian shares insights on the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs. She then shares her most popular social media post ever, "Sleep Naked," and explores its physical and emotional benefits. Ellen offers practical tips for incorporating this practice to enhance intimacy and connection with your partner. Tune in for actionable advice on balancing a successful business with a fulfilling personal life. Part 1: Ellen Shares Her Vacation Plans - ...

In this episode of "Make More Love," host Ellen Dorian explores the concept of time compatibility and its impact on relationships. Ellen introduces the idea of "time sense," which includes time orientation, time perception, and time utilization. She explains how mismatched time sense between partners can lead to friction and offers practical strategies to align them. These include using shared calendars, setting mutually agreed stopping times, and maintaining open communication about schedule ch...

In this episode, Ellen Dorian explores the importance of creating clear agreements in relationships, similar to those in business. She explains that while business agreements are formal and explicit, relationship agreements often remain unspoken, leading to misunderstandings. Ellen categorizes agreements into four types: explicit, implicit, unwritten, and assumptive, and discusses how each can impact a relationship. She also provides practical advice on how to create and maintain these agreement...

In this revisited episode, host Ellen Dorian expands upon the earlier exploration of the Relationship Drive Matrix. She introduces an in-depth three-part model that examines the formation and dissolution of relationships, the behaviors that impact these processes, and provides practical strategies for navigating these intricate dynamics. Special Thanks: Simon Bowen, founder of the Models Method, and his wife Joanne for their inspirational partnership and generous sharing of knowledge. Part 1: ...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Make More Love, Host Ellen Dorian explores the critical topic of overcoming communication barriers in relationships. Men often face accusations of stonewalling and passive-aggressive behavior, which can undermine emotional intimacy and connection. Ellen dives into the reasons behind these behaviors, offers strategies to address them, and emphasizes the importance of effective, direct communication to foster healthier and more passionate relationships. Part 1: Underst...

In this episode of "Make More Love," we explore the various states of relationship health through the lens of the DIVCON scale, inspired by the DEFCON levels used by the United States Army. Ellen Dorian breaks down each level, from DIVCON 5 (stable and normal) to DIVCON 1 (almost the point of no return), and provides practical tips and strategies for each stage. Whether your relationship needs a bit of excitement or a full reset, this episode will help you understand where you stand and how to m...

In this episode, Ellen Dorian continues her conversation with mindset and business coach Justin Wiseman. Justin shares his journey from working in a family-owned pizza shop to becoming a successful coach, highlighting the importance of mindset over business strategies. They discuss societal pressures on men to be providers and how these expectations can lead to personal and professional challenges. The episode offers insights into redefining success, embracing authenticity, and the transformativ...

Host Ellen Dorian welcomes her first guest, Justin Wiseman, from Australia. Justin is a multifaceted individual – a business owner, coach, father, and lover – who has successfully navigated the demanding worlds of entrepreneurship and personal relationships. In this conversation, Justin candidly shares his transformative journey from being a high-performance athlete to overcoming addiction and ultimately building successful businesses with his wife. Listeners will hear about the challenges Justi...

In this episode of "Make More Love," Ellen starts with a personal story about the importance of health screenings, tying it into the broader theme of Living the Good Life. Part 1: Examples of Modern Masculinity Ellen uses the TV show "Ted Lasso" as a lens to discuss modern masculinity, highlighting characters who embody vulnerability, empathy, and personal growth. The show serves as a backdrop to explore characters' personal growth, relationships, and struggles. Part 2: Relating Show Themes to...

In this episode, Ellen delves into the dangerous myths of manhood that are undermining relationships, set against the backdrop of three pivotal societal trends reshaping expectations of men. Part 1: Redefining Adulthood We discuss the American Psychological Association's extension of adolescence to age 25 and its implications for young men's responsibilities and societal expectations. We also explore how historical and modern mentoring practices can aid in navigating adulthood. Part 2: Parenti...