John O’Leary welcomes relationship coach Sharon Pope on the Live Inspired Podcast to share practical tips to help us strengthen the connections in our lives.
Sharon Pope is a relationship coach who has helped countless couples find clarity and confidence in their relationships. After navigating her own journey through heartbreak, self-discovery, and lasting love, she now guides others to build relationships rooted in trust, communication, and joy.
Today, Sharon shares how to rekindle intimacy and fun in long-term relationships, how to bridge the divide when couples feel disconnected, and how taking radical self-responsibility can transform not just relationships, but life itself. She opens up about her own story, from growing up in a home where emotions weren’t always expressed to leaving a marriage that no longer served her, and the lessons that shaped her path forward.
My friends, Sharon’s wisdom will challenge you to look inward, embrace curiosity, and take ownership of the love you want to experience. Whether you’re searching for clarity in a relationship or simply want to strengthen the connections in your life, you’ll walk away from this episode feeling empowered, hopeful, and ready to take the next step.
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SHOW NOTES:
- Professionally, Sharon helps women in midlife who are struggling in what feels like a lonely or disconnected marriage get the confidence and the clarity that they need to either fix the struggles in their marriage or move forward without regret.
- “I knew they loved me. I knew they loved each other. But we weren’t expressive with that love.” Most of Sharon’s childhood was stable yet emotionally reserved which played a crucial role in shaping her adult relationships and professional path.
- For almost 20 years, Sharon worked in marketing and banking until her passion for understanding love and relationships that ultimately led her to become a life coach.
- “My version of safe was not getting hurt emotionally.”
- After her divorce, Sharon realized true fulfillment comes from within. By embracing radical self-responsibility, she shifted from seeking the perfect partner to becoming the person she wanted to be.
- “What you don’t heal from a previous relationship, you’ll carry into the next one.”
- “If you don’t love to hang out with yourself, why would anyone else?”
- Sharon’s renewed perspective on relationships led her to meet her husband, Derrick. By embracing openness and authenticity, she built a partnership rooted in mutual respect and genuine connection.
- Trust, fun, and consistent effort are key to keeping love vibrant. For couples struggling with intimacy, Sharon emphasizes balancing both the safe, predictable aspects and the adventurous, desire-driven elements of relationships.
- Prioritizing the family is important, and yet the couple is the foundation. To keep the relationship strong, partners must intentionally nurture their connection, independent of family responsibilities.
- Financial differences come from personal beliefs, not absolute truths. Approach conversations with curiosity, seeking to understand your partner’s perspective rather than proving who is right.
- Until death do us part: Marriage, like anything valuable, needs attention to thrive. Success isn’t just longevity—happiness and growth matter too. True fulfillment comes when both partners nurture each other’s growth, even through challenges.
- Learn more about Sharon Pope here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with happiness and gratitude expert Shawn Achor. Shawn reminds us that it’s in the darkest times that we need optimism, gratitude and social connection the most. After 12 years of earning dozens of distinguished teaching awards at Harvard University, Shawn became a New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, delivered a TEDx with over 19 million views and has worked with over 30 Fortune 100 companies. This conversation will give you the tools to approach today, tomorrow and every day going forward with gratitude, optimism and happiness. Listen to Shawn Achor on ep. 408 now.
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SHARON POPE'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Weist. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Creativity. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. Nothing. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. My mom. She passed away a year and a half ago, but she struggled with Alzheimer's for about 10 years. That wasn't a time to be asking lots of questions about their past. I'd want to know who she was as a woman before she became a mother and a wife. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Become love and you will never have a shortage of it in your life. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Darling girl, you are in control of very, very little, and here's what's great about that: It's going to turn out better than you ever expected. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. She showed up, and she loved.
