The divorce rate these days stands at between 40 and 50 percent for first marriages. It goes up with each subsequent marriage.
The good news is that those numbers are improving and one of the main reasons is couples are getting better educated on relationships. That’s what I do. I educate couples on what makes a good, strong, healthy and resilient relationship.
Meet Jim
Hi, my name is Jim Phelan, and I am a couple’s counselor.
Several years ago I discovered the research on what makes marriages succeed or fail. It opened my eyes to how to help couples build a more resilient relationship.
I know firsthand what it’s like to go through a divorce and this is why I speak to married couples. My goal is to teach couples how to build a resilient relationship so that they stay together in a happy and healthy relationship. When I am not speaking you can find me counseling or coaching couples.
I look forward to connecting and being a part of your next event so that together we can lower the divorce rate.
Jim's Talks
Lowering the Divorce Rate One Talk at a Time
Resentful or Resilient: What Kind of Relationship do you Want?
There’s a quiet kind of pain that builds in a relationship—not from shouting, but from silence. Not from betrayal, but from disconnection.
It starts with small moments: a partner not listening, a need brushed aside, a hard day met with indifference. Nothing dramatic. Nothing headline-worthy.
But over time, those moments stack up. And what once felt like love starts to feel like loneliness.
That’s the path of resentment. It’s not loud—it’s slow, subtle, and corrosive.
But there’s another path.
It’s not easier, but it’s worth it. It’s the path of resilience. Where pain becomes an invitation to grow. Where conflict sparks understanding. Where two people choose, again and again, to turn toward each other.
Today, I want to walk with you down both paths—to help you recognize the warning signs of resentment, and discover the tools to build resilience.
Because when the hard seasons come—and they will come—the real question is this:
Resentful or resilient—what kind of relationship do you want?
Love That Lasts: Keys to Building a Resilient Relationship
What makes love last in a world of constant change, high stress, and growing demands? In this engaging and insightful talk, Jim explores the foundational elements that create strong, lasting partnerships—even in the face of adversity. Drawing on research-backed principles and real-life stories, you'll discover practical tools to deepen connection, improve communication, and build emotional resilience in your relationship. Whether you're a couple navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship, parenting, or just everyday life, this talk will equip you with the keys to not just survive—but thrive—together.
Key Takeaways:
✅ The 3 core pillars every resilient relationship is built on
✅ How to communicate through conflict without damaging connection
✅ Daily habits that build trust, intimacy, and emotional safety
✅ How to support each other through stress, setbacks, and growth
✅ Proven strategies from relationship science (including the Gottman Method) you can apply immediately
The Communication Code: How to Fight Fair Without Destroying Your Relationship
There’s a moment in almost every relationship when a line gets crossed.
Not with a shout—but with a sentence.
Not with betrayal—but with a tone.
One partner says something sharp—maybe out of fear, maybe out of exhaustion—and suddenly, the room feels colder. Trust feels thinner. And the distance between two people who love each other grows wide…fast.
That’s the power of conflict gone wrong.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The couples who last—the ones who grow stronger over time—aren’t the ones who never fight.
They’re the ones who learn how to fight well.
They know how to say hard things with soft hearts. They know when to pause, when to repair, and how to protect their bond even when they disagree.
This talk is about learning that skill—what I call The Communication Code.
It’s the key to transforming conflict into connection.
To protecting love in the heat of an argument.
And to ensuring that when you fight—because you will—it brings you closer, not apart.
Because the real danger in a relationship isn’t conflict.
It’s when we stop feeling safe to tell the truth.
What People are Saying About Jim
Lowering the Divorce Rate One Talk at a Time
"Jim transformed our marriage. He gives practical advice that we implemented right away to make positive changes in our relationship."
Lauren
"He's a good speaker with an easy going style."
Edward
"Very informative talk." Useful information presented in an easy to understand way."
Holly
Let's Connect
I look forward to connecting and being a part of your next event so that together we can lower the divorce rate.
708-568-1479
