Why Unspoken Expectations Kill Intimacy
Mon Feb 02 2026
In this episode of Over 50 & Flourishing, I’m joined by dating and relationship coach Laurie Gerber, host of the Love at Any Age podcast and a longtime friend of the show, for a timely conversation about love, connection, and reclaiming Valentine’s Day at any stage of life.
Together, we unpack why Valentine’s Day can bring so much pressure and disappointment, how unspoken expectations quietly erode intimacy, and what it really takes to feel seen, heard, and cherished in relationships.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why Valentine’s Day triggers pressure, comparison, and resentment, and how to reclaim itHow unspoken expectations sabotage intimacy in long-term relationshipsThe power of listening (and why feeling heard changes everything)Why love doesn’t “just happen” and how to design it intentionallyHow to communicate desires without guilt, testing, or mind-readingPractical ways to create connection (whether you’re single or partnered)The types of dates that can reignite passion, play, and closeness at any ageWhy midlife is a powerful time to redefine romance on your own terms
For more on Laurie Gerber, follow her on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriegerberdatingcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriegerber_coach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriegerberYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauriegerbercoachListen to her podcast, Love At Any Age: https://lauriegerbercoach.podbean.com/Sign up for her FREE webinar ‘3 Secrets to Finding and Maintaining Healthy Love without Repeated Disappointments: https://www.lauriegerber.com/webinar
Thanks to my Sponsors:
Wildgrain: Visit Wildgrain.com/FLOURISHING or use promo code FLOURISHING at checkout for $30 off your first box and free croissants for lifeHoneylove: Save 20% off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/OVER50 #honeylovepodHers: If you want clearer insight into your health, go to ForHers.com and schedule your labs. Ritual: Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/OVER50Brodo: Head to Brodo.com/FLOURISHING for 20% off your first subscription order and use code FLOURISHING for an additional $10 off.Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/OVER or use code OVER at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Fora: Become a Fora advisor today at Foratravel.com/FLOURISHING
Keep in Touch:
Website: https://dominiquesachse.tv/Book: https://dominiquesachse.tv/book/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquesachse/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueSachse/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dominiquesachse?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesachsetv
Have a question for Dominique? Submit it here for a chance to have it answered on the show! https://forms.gle/MpTeWN1oKN8t18pm6
Interested in being featured as a guest? Please email courtney@dominiquesachse.tv
We want to make the podcast even better. Help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4
Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
Produced by Dear Media.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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In this episode of Over 50 & Flourishing, I’m joined by dating and relationship coach Laurie Gerber, host of the Love at Any Age podcast and a longtime friend of the show, for a timely conversation about love, connection, and reclaiming Valentine’s Day at any stage of life. Together, we unpack why Valentine’s Day can bring so much pressure and disappointment, how unspoken expectations quietly erode intimacy, and what it really takes to feel seen, heard, and cherished in relationships. In this episode, we discuss: Why Valentine’s Day triggers pressure, comparison, and resentment, and how to reclaim itHow unspoken expectations sabotage intimacy in long-term relationshipsThe power of listening (and why feeling heard changes everything)Why love doesn’t “just happen” and how to design it intentionallyHow to communicate desires without guilt, testing, or mind-readingPractical ways to create connection (whether you’re single or partnered)The types of dates that can reignite passion, play, and closeness at any ageWhy midlife is a powerful time to redefine romance on your own terms For more on Laurie Gerber, follow her on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriegerberdatingcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriegerber_coach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriegerberYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauriegerbercoachListen to her podcast, Love At Any Age: https://lauriegerbercoach.podbean.com/Sign up for her FREE webinar ‘3 Secrets to Finding and Maintaining Healthy Love without Repeated Disappointments: https://www.lauriegerber.com/webinar Thanks to my Sponsors: Wildgrain: Visit Wildgrain.com/FLOURISHING or use promo code FLOURISHING at checkout for $30 off your first box and free croissants for lifeHoneylove: Save 20% off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/OVER50 #honeylovepodHers: If you want clearer insight into your health, go to ForHers.com and schedule your labs. Ritual: Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/OVER50Brodo: Head to Brodo.com/FLOURISHING for 20% off your first subscription order and use code FLOURISHING for an additional $10 off.Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/OVER or use code OVER at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Fora: Become a Fora advisor today at Foratravel.com/FLOURISHING Keep in Touch: Website: https://dominiquesachse.tv/Book: https://dominiquesachse.tv/book/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquesachse/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueSachse/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dominiquesachse?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesachsetv Have a question for Dominique? Submit it here for a chance to have it answered on the show! https://forms.gle/MpTeWN1oKN8t18pm6 Interested in being featured as a guest? Please email courtney@dominiquesachse.tv We want to make the podcast even better. Help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.