Episode 43
About this episode
In this episode of Resiliency The Podcast , Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver welcome Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld for a powerful conversation about resilience in our most intimate relationships.
Dr. Kronenfeld is a therapist, author, educator, and relationship expert whose work explores the intersection of emotional healing, relationship science, trust, grief, and personal transformation. Through his Couples by Intention framework, he helps individuals and couples move from reactive patterns into conscious choice, curiosity, and deeper connection.
We discuss what happens when relationships face rupture—through infidelity, infertility, identity shifts, grief, and unspoken pain—and how resilience can become a practice of intentionality, listening, and repair.
Dr. Kronenfeld also shares insights from his book Unspoken Loss: Men, Infidelity, and Disenfranchised Grief , helping us understand the grief that often goes unnamed, unsupported, or misunderstood.
What you will hear
- Why resilience begins with remembering we have a choice
- How curiosity can interrupt assumptions and emotional reactivity
- Why listening is one of the most important relationship skills
- What it means to rebuild trust after rupture
- The difference between forgiveness, trust, and security
- Disenfranchised grief and “shadow losses”
- Infidelity, infertility, shame, and unspoken grief
- How breath, yoga, and nervous system regulation support resilience
- Dr. Kronenfeld reminds us that resilience is not only personal, it can also be relational. It can live in the space between people, in the choice to listen, repair, rebuild, and begin again with intention.
About the guest
Dr. Kronenfeld is a certified sex therapist and sex therapy supervisor, licensed social worker, author, TEDx speaker, educator, and veteran. He has a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality, Master of Clinical Social Work, and Master of Organizational Communication.
Chapters
- Introduction to Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
- What resilience means to Elliott
- Curiosity as the opposite of assumption
- Why listening is a relationship skill
- What leadership teaches us about relationships
- Resilience inside intimate relationships
- Rebuilding trust after infidelity
- Why repair means building something new
- Understanding disenfranchised grief
- Shadow losses and unspoken grief
- Infertility, grief, and what often goes unsaid
- Intention, choice, and long-term relationships
- A powerful lesson from Elliott’s grandmother
- Breath, yoga, and nervous system regulation
- Rapid fire questions
- How to practice resilience in everyday moments
- Where to find Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
Mentioned in this episode
Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available.