Mark Ericksen
Co-Host of Passion Place
Hi, I'm Mark, and I'm thrilled to be your host on Passion Place. I've been married to my incredible wife for over 25 years, and together, we've been blessed with five wonderful daughters, including a set of twins. We've journeyed through significant health challenges and come out stronger, and our marriage remains the most important relationship in my life.
Professionally, I'm a tech guy—a computer programmer, to be exact. I've been podcasting for over six years, primarily focusing on tech podcasts up until now. With Passion Place, I'm channeling my experiences and passions into something deeply personal and transformative.
My goal with Passion Place is simple yet profound: to reduce divorce and failed relationships. I've seen too many people my age falling into what's been called the "gray divorce." I want to help others strengthen their relationships and connections before things get to that point.
I have a strong interest in personal development, which naturally led me to study and learn more about marriage relationships, communication, and connection. I'm always learning, and through this show and the Passion Place app, I want to share valuable insights and tools with you to help nurture and grow your relationship.
Thanks for joining me on this journey. Let's build stronger, more resilient relationships together!
Mark Ericksen has hosted six Episodes.
-
6: Intimacy, Needs, and Communication in Marriage
November 6th, 2024 | 36 mins 14 secs
communication, intimacy, mindfulness, needs, play
In this episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa venture into the multifaceted topic of sex within marriage, exploring its crucial role in fulfilling various psychological and relationship needs. They reveal how sex is a thread that connects emotional intimacy, communication, and personal growth in couples, weaving these elements into a strong relational fabric.
-
5: Trust, Commitment, and Love Maps in Marriage
October 30th, 2024 | 43 mins 52 secs
commitment, gottman, love maps, sexual intimacy, sound house, trust
In this episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa explore the Gottman Institute’s insightful concept of the Relationship Sound House, focusing on the crucial foundations of marital trust, commitment, and understanding your partner's inner world through love maps. By unraveling the intricacies of trust and commitment, they emphasize the importance of truly knowing your spouse's psychological needs, and how these aspects influence sexual intimacy and emotional connection within marriages.
-
4: Tools for Improving Communication
October 23rd, 2024 | 37 mins 46 secs
communication, emotions, feelings, needs, wheel
In this episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa explore the art of communication in relationships, spotlighting the power of feelings and needs wheels to enhance connection and understanding. They share insightful examples and practical tools to help couples articulate their emotions and needs more effectively.
-
3: Attachment Styles and Emotional Dynamics in Couples
October 16th, 2024 | 50 mins 19 secs
anxious, attachment styles, avoidant, disorganized, marriage, secure
In this episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa explore the transformative power of understanding attachment styles in relationships. They unravel the frustrating emotional dance between couples, providing insights into how these attachment tendencies shape communication, conflict resolution, and intimacy. With relatable stories and expert advice, they delve into the science behind love, highlighting the path from insecure to secure attachments.
-
2: Couples Counseling and Preventive Relationship Care
October 9th, 2024 | 44 mins
couples counseling, dentist, maintenance, prevention, questions to ask, therapists
In this episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa dive into the value of couples counseling, shedding light on its preventive benefits and debunking common stigmas. They share practical insights on how couples can proactively maintain their emotional and sexual intimacy, ensuring their relationship stays robust and healthy.
-
1: Navigating the Middle Married
September 26th, 2024 | 36 mins 18 secs
connection, counseling, couples, disillusionment, intimacy, marriage, middle married, therapy
In this inaugural episode of Passion Place, Mark and Lisa introduce the podcast and delve into the complexities of the "middle married" stage. Highlighting the common challenges and needs faced by couples in long-term relationships, they present insightful discussions on how to maintain a strong, connected partnership over time.