Susan Scott: She is a best‐selling author and leadership development architect. She has enabled top executives worldwide to engage in vibrant dialogue with one another, their employees, and their customers for two decades. With nearly 1 million books sold, Susan Scott makes it clear what gets discussed in a relationship and how it gets talked about determines whether a relationship will thrive, flat-line, or fail. Through courageous, passionate storytelling her new book provides an entertaining, relevant, and optimistic approach to relationship building that will connect couples at a deeper level. Fierce Conversations — Achieving Success at Work and in Life, One Conversation at a Time was published in 4 countries and, shortly thereafter, was listed in The Wall Street Journal and was one of USA TODAY’S top 40 business books of 2002. Her much anticipated second book — Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst “Best” Practices of Business Today hit The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times best-seller lists. Susan and her company are committed to large‐scale and individual transformation through the principles set forth in Susan’s books and her company’s customized corporate training programs. For 13 years, Susan ran think tanks for CEOs and designed and delivered training to peers working with CEOs in 18 countries.

Gina London: She is an award-winning former CNN correspondent and anchor who is now a renowned expert on the language of leadership. Based in Ireland, she coaches executives and elected officials on how to improve their engagement through deliberate communications. It's not a soft skill, it's a critical skill. Gina is a high-energy speaker, moderator, and emcee. She's a regular media analyst on national radio and TV and writes a regular column called the 51st State for the Sunday Independent, Ireland's largest circulation newspaper.

Highlights of the Episode:

There are conditions to love and it’s important to define them. The question you’re asking yourself (and then eventually with your partner) is “what conditions are necessary for us to both stay committed and happy in this relationship?”

Define these conditions for yourself, and then define them with your partner. Is monogamy a must? What are your deal breakers? What do you want for yourself and your relationship? What areas will you need to compromise?

Clarifying your conditions is how you can create a relationship that actually lasts and this conversation can even be energizing. When you align your goals and values, you start to believe in what you can achieve together and are able to have deeper conversations like this more often.

This conversation tends to bring couples closer together because it allows a depth of understanding that didn’t once exist. When your understanding is deepened, you pave the way for a long-term, healthy relationship that enriches over time.