The Marriage Life Coach Podcast

How to Receive Love in Your Marriage: The Nervous System Skill You Were Never Taught with Dr. Shideh Shafie

March 16, 2026·1h 3m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Today we're talking about something that might sound really simple, but is actually one of the most revolutionary acts you can practice in your marriage and your life—receiving. Not just accepting or tolerating, but actually receiving love, help, pleasure, appreciation, and support. How do we actually receive the things we long for? This is something I've noticed in my work with smart, strategic women who are deeply committed to their marriages—the ones who've mastered achievement in every other area but find themselves craving connection they don't quite know how to let in. We've been culturally trained to give, to over-give, to anticipate everyone else's needs before our own. And then we find ourselves craving connection, but not feeling fully equipped to let it in. As I was preparing for this episode, I thought about: What if the marriage you want is actually the marriage you're allowing yourself to receive? That is a question I have never asked myself before and I think it is worth pondering.  In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Dr. Shideh Shafie. She is a board-certified emergency physician and a high-performance coach who helps leaders live and lead without breaking. Today, she's here to talk about why receiving is actually a nervous system skill. It's not a personality trait. It's a skill we can build. We're exploring why receiving is a practice you can build and how this practice can transform not just your marriage, but your entire life. Here is the scoop on what's included - ✨ Episode at a Glance Why receiving is a nervous system skill you can build (not a personality trait) What happens in your body when you try to receive and why it feels uncomfortable The "deflect and diminish" pattern women do automatically  How to practice "toning the muscle" of receiving  The simple phrase that changes everything: "Thank you, I receive that"  Why you need to receive from yourself first before you can receive from others  How to become conscious of what you actually want to receive (not what you're told to want)  Why your partner can't play every role in the movie of your life  The difference between disappointment and something being wrong  How grief is actually the natural progression of love Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The Questions for Couples Journal Private Coaching with Maggie Free Workshop: The Growth Gap Marriage Mindset Makeover Follow Dr. Shideh on Instagram: @shideh.shafie Visit Dr. Shideh's website: www.shidehshafie.com

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