Joni Parthemer | Bringing Baby Home | #123
03/10/25 • 45 min
Be sure to watch this and every episode of the Stronger Marriage Connection Podcast on YouTube:
Today on this episode of Stronger Marriage Connection, Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave
Schramm talk with Joni Parthemer, an expert in childbirth education and Director of the Bringing Baby Home program at the Gottman Institute. They discuss the challenges new parents face, how relationship dynamics shift after childbirth, and practical tools to maintain a strong partnership. Joni shares the science behind relationship satisfaction, emotional attunement, and co-parenting strategies that help couples navigate early parenthood successfully. This conversation also highlights the importance of postpartum support, grandparent involvement, and how families can create a shared legacy. Packed with expert insights and actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for expecting and new parents!
About Joni:
Joni Parthemer holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction/Learning Styles degree and is both a Master Trainer and Education Director for the Bringing Baby Home Program. She also holds certification as a Childbirth Educator and International Childbirth Association Approved Trainer.
Joni is a faculty member at Simkin Center for Allied Birth Professions at Bastyr University as well as a Specialist in the Birth and Family Education Department at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
Joni serves as an educator, trainer and consultant for a variety of educational and organizational programs. She serves families and those who support them with engaging authenticity and wit. She is an award-wining, internationally recognized speaker and facilitator who infuses her decades of experience with her charismatic and energetic style.
Joni has developed, published, and implemented, a variety of training materials for educators interested in providing support and growth programs for families and communities. She is married and the mother of two children.
Insights:
- Joni: "A child's well-being is deeply influenced by the health of their family environment. The best gift parents can give their children is a strong, healthy relationship—whether married, divorced, or co-parenting. Parents serve as role models for future relationships, shaping how their children connect with others. By maintaining friendship, managing conflict with respect, and creating shared meaning through family rituals, couples can build a supportive and nurturing "family fish tank" that fosters lasting emotional security."
- Liz: "The CPR approach—Consistency, Predictability, and Responsiveness—is not just valuable for parenting but also strengthens all relationships, including marriage and friendship. By being reliable, steady, and attentive, we create trust and connection in our most important relationships."
- Dave: "Education is key to growth. With so many resources available today, we have endless opportunities to learn and improve as partners, parents, and individuals."
Joni's Links & Resources:
https://jptrainsandspeaks.com/
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Strongermarriage.org
Podcast.stongermarriage.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/
Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Dr. Liz Hale:
http://www.drlizhale.com
This episode is filled with invaluable insights on how to transition smoothly into parenthood while keeping your relationship strong. Tune in and discover practical tools to support your growing family!
Be sure to watch this and every episode of the Stronger Marriage Connection Podcast on YouTube:
Today on this episode of Stronger Marriage Connection, Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave
Schramm talk with Joni Parthemer, an expert in childbirth education and Director of the Bringing Baby Home program at the Gottman Institute. They discuss the challenges new parents face, how relationship dynamics shift after childbirth, and practical tools to maintain a strong partnership. Joni shares the science behind relationship satisfaction, emotional attunement, and co-parenting strategies that help couples navigate early parenthood successfully. This conversation also highlights the importance of postpartum support, grandparent involvement, and how families can create a shared legacy. Packed with expert insights and actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for expecting and new parents!
About Joni:
Joni Parthemer holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction/Learning Styles degree and is both a Master Trainer and Education Director for the Bringing Baby Home Program. She also holds certification as a Childbirth Educator and International Childbirth Association Approved Trainer.
Joni is a faculty member at Simkin Center for Allied Birth Professions at Bastyr University as well as a Specialist in the Birth and Family Education Department at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
Joni serves as an educator, trainer and consultant for a variety of educational and organizational programs. She serves families and those who support them with engaging authenticity and wit. She is an award-wining, internationally recognized speaker and facilitator who infuses her decades of experience with her charismatic and energetic style.
Joni has developed, published, and implemented, a variety of training materials for educators interested in providing support and growth programs for families and communities. She is married and the mother of two children.
Insights:
- Joni: "A child's well-being is deeply influenced by the health of their family environment. The best gift parents can give their children is a strong, healthy relationship—whether married, divorced, or co-parenting. Parents serve as role models for future relationships, shaping how their children connect with others. By maintaining friendship, managing conflict with respect, and creating shared meaning through family rituals, couples can build a supportive and nurturing "family fish tank" that fosters lasting emotional security."
- Liz: "The CPR approach—Consistency, Predictability, and Responsiveness—is not just valuable for parenting but also strengthens all relationships, including marriage and friendship. By being reliable, steady, and attentive, we create trust and connection in our most important relationships."
- Dave: "Education is key to growth. With so many resources available today, we have endless opportunities to learn and improve as partners, parents, and individuals."
Joni's Links & Resources:
https://jptrainsandspeaks.com/
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Strongermarriage.org
Podcast.stongermarriage.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/
Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Dr. Liz Hale:
http://www.drlizhale.com
This episode is filled with invaluable insights on how to transition smoothly into parenthood while keeping your relationship strong. Tune in and discover practical tools to support your growing family!
Previous Episode
Why Marriage is So Important | Dr. Brad Wilcox | #122
Besure to watch this and every episode on YouTube:
Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm talk with Dr. Brad Wilcox, sociology professor and Director of the National Marriage Project, about why marriage matters more than ever. They discuss its key benefits—emotional support, financial stability, child well-being, and community strength—while addressing challenges like cohabitation, communication struggles, and shifting cultural attitudes. This episode offers practical insights and hope for building strong, lasting marriages.
About Dr. Wilcox:
W. Bradford Wilcox is a Freedom Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He researches marriage, fatherhood, and the impact of strong families on society.
The author of Get Married (HarperCollins, 2024), Wilcox has coauthored six books and written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and National Review. His research has been featured in major media outlets, and he consults with companies like Nestlé and Procter & Gamble on marriage and fertility trends.
A Jefferson Scholar at UVA (‘92), he earned his Ph.D. from Princeton and held research fellowships at Princeton, Yale, and Brookings before joining the University of Virginia.
Insights:
Brad: “Appreciate the unique strengths you and your spouse bring to your marriage. Instead of striving for a perfect 50/50 split, cultivate gratitude for each other's distinct gifts and express it regularly.”
Liz: “Skip cohabitation—say yes to marriage and staying committed.”
Dave: “Relationships have struggles, but intentionality matters. Slow down, respond instead of reacting, and focus on hope. Stick to foundational principles, whether learned or newly embraced, to build a strong, lasting marriage.”
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Strongermarriage.org
Podcast.stongermarriage.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/
Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Dr. Liz Hale:
http://www.drlizhale.com
Next Episode
Hidden Toll: How Conflict & Divorce Impact Children | Jenet Erickson | #124
Dr. Liz and Dr. Dave welcome Dr. Janet Erickson to discuss the profound impact of marriage on children and families, exploring how parental relationships shape child development and identity formation.
• Strong marriages create a sense of wholeness, identity, and belonging for children
• Research consistently shows divorce has significant impacts on children of all ages
• Children of divorce often face existential questions about their identity and place
• Adult children of divorce can overcome challenges by witnessing healthy marriage models
• A "good enough" marriage is worth fighting for, though abusive relationships warrant separation
• Marriage involves a journey from "loving without knowing" to "being seen, known, and loved"
• Maintaining family rituals provides stability during transitions
• Personal growth and self-awareness are crucial for healthy relationships
• Happiness ultimately comes from deep connection with others
"We are relational beings and relationships are worth it, and this is the essence of life. Happiness is love full stop, and our ability to love and to be in loving relationships is worth the growth. It will take growth. It's going to take change in all of us, but that's what we're born for. It's what we desire more than anything."
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Strongermarriage.org
Podcast.stongermarriage.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/
Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Dr. Liz Hale:
http://www.drlizhale.com
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