At this Sunday Morning Café gathering, Dr. Tom Wagner and his wife, Dr. Lisa Moscoso, explore what it means to build whole-hearted relationships — whether married, single, or somewhere in between. Through personal stories, live audience dialogue, and music from featured artist Lynn O’Brien, they reflect on how intimacy grows through vulnerability, gratitude, honest repair, and spiritual grounding. Tom introduces the idea that close relationships are “people-growing machines,” inviting couples to slow down, tell the truth about old wounds, and make amends, while also encouraging those navigating singleness, busy seasons, or long-term distance to practice self-compassion and intentional connection. The evening closes with a contemplative breathing practice centered on the “breath inside the breath,” reminding participants that even in uncertainty, “I have everything I need in this moment right now.”

Key Takeaways

• Relationships grow us: Close relationships will surface old wounds. The question is not whether conflict happens — but whether we allow it to shape us toward deeper love.
• The wound you don’t transform, you transmit: Personal healing matters. Unexamined pain echoes into marriage, parenting, and friendship.
• Real apologies tell the truth: A genuine apology names the harm done — without justification or deflection — and, when needed, includes meaningful amends.
• Gratitude sustains connection: Daily “bursts of delight,” simple check-ins, and naming what you appreciate strengthen intimacy over time.
• Slow down conflict: Not every argument must be resolved in one night. Protect the bond, make contact, and return to hard conversations with care.
• Beauty checks in the storm: Even in seasons of exhaustion or grief, intentionally noticing small moments of beauty builds resilience.
• You can be whole — married or single: Romantic partnership is not required for a meaningful life, but authentic relationships of all kinds are essential.

Resources & Links

• Join us live for the 4/12 SMC Event “From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth: Perspectives on Extracting Meaning from Adversity” Featuring Happiness Expert, Author, and Professor Tim Bono, PhD: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
• SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations are dedicated to the cost associated with bringing SMC events to more people, more often.
• Lynn O’Brien – featured musician: https://lynnobrien.love/
• The Angel Band Project: https://www.angelbandproject.org/
• St. Louis Survivors Legal Support: https://www.slsls.org/

Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

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• Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
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