Enneagram and Marriage10 Nov 2025

How Men Can Actually Open Up in Marriage with Couples Therapist Shane Birkel, Type 7

Communication in marriage breaks down when one partner can't open up - and often, it's the men who struggle most with vulnerability. In this practical, tool-filled conversation, Christa sits down with couples therapist Shane Birkel, a Type 7 and certified Relational Life Therapist who worked closely with Terry Real as his mentor. Shane is the host of Couples Therapy for Parents podcast and has been featured in Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, USA Today, and The New York Times. In this 7-7 pairing conversation, they do a deep dive into how men can actually open up in marriage and what their partners can do to help. Shane breaks down the speaker-listener technique - a research-backed communication tool that creates safety for hard conversations and helps men access and articulate their emotions. Learn why men shut down emotionally, how to explore patterns you may not even be aware of, and practical steps to help your husband (or yourself) begin to have more control of emotions and feel excited about the relationship again with the speaker-listener technique. Whether you're a man who knows you need to open up more or a partner exhausted from trying to connect, this episode delivers actionable marriage tips you can use tonight. Shane's RLT training and practical wisdom make this a must-listen for anyone who wants better communication in their marriage. Watch on YouTube! Find and follow Shane on his website here: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Listen to the Couples Therapist Couch pod w/Shane right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/mu/podcast/the-couples-therapist-couch/id1281853816 Follow Shane on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shanebirkel/?hl=en Follow Shane on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@shanebirkel?lang=en Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave Christa a podcast question anonymously by sending an MP4 recording to enneagramandmarriage@gmail.com. Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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