When Life Hits Hard: How Couples Rebuild Connection Through Challenges with Lana Manikowski

Relationship Reset: Reignite, Reconnect, Rebuild

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In this heartfelt episode, Katie sits down with Lana Manikowski to explore a universal truth: life will throw challenges your way — and those challenges can test your relationship. Lana shares her deeply personal journey through infertility, how it impacted her marriage, and what she and her husband did to reconnect and rebuild their bond.

Katie and Lana also reflect on the parallels between infertility grief and other types of loss — including Katie’s own experience of losing her mother — and offer practical tools for couples navigating grief, life changes, or unexpected hardships.

If you're going through a tough season — whether it's infertility, loss, career upheaval, or something else — this conversation is here to help you and your partner lean in, reconnect, and create a future together.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
✅ The power of mutual decision-making in difficult seasons
✅ How shame, guilt, and unspoken emotions can quietly erode connection
✅ The importance of checking in on your partner’s grief, even when you’re consumed with your own
✅ Why maintaining individual identity and friendships strengthens your relationship
✅ How setting shared goals and dreaming together can reignite hope and closeness

Lana’s Key Message: Your story isn’t over — it’s just beginning.

Resources & Mentions:
📖 So Now What? — Lana’s bestselling book
🎧 So Now What? Podcast

Homework from Lana: At the end of the episode, Lana gives you a simple but powerful way to start reconnecting with your partner today — so be sure to listen through to the end!

Relationship Game Plan Call

Free Conversation Starter Cards for Couples

Couples Goal Setting Workbook
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