Echoes from Childhood

By Francine & Byron Pirola | October 17, 2025 |

Unpacking the hidden ways our earliest bonds influence love and trust in our adult relationships.  One of the most powerful topics in the SmartLoving Engaged course addresses formation in our family of origin. The family is where we first encounter love and learn to relate with others.   That’s why the Church calls the family “a…

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Defending our hearts

By Francine & Byron Pirola | January 24, 2025 |

Is defensiveness crippling your relationship? Do you feel regularly on edge, reactive and punchy? Read on for our process for managing defensiveness. Recently, Byron shared a new idea with Francine. Instead of encouragement, Francine responded with “when will you get time to do that?!” The conversation immediately terminated in gloomy withdrawal. Afterwards we unpacked the…

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