Do you have true companions in your life?  And let’s back up for a minute -- how do you define a true companion anyways?   Is your wife a true companion?  Returning to the show, my friend Dr. Kelly Flanagan and I are going to talk about how to build true companionship with the people who are most important to us.  Before Kelly joined the Front Row Dads brotherhood, I knew him as a speaker, elite-level coach, and badass author of the book Loveable, which our guys raved about. In his new book, True Companions: A Book for Everyone About the Relationships That See Us Through, Kelly shows us what happens when we quit sabotaging intimacy by demanding unconditional love. Show Highlights The only perspective that can keep us focused on our true companions Why loneliness is the shadow side of your uniqueness The uncomfortableness of being alone The value of the Enneagram The process of building belonging Why lying and secrecy is a form of withdrawing from a relationship How to shift from defensiveness to empathy and compassion The 4 main words for love How we often use unconditional love to say “Lay off me!” The 5-session study guide to help you and your partner make the most of Dr. Kelly’s new book PS: If you like this episode and you’d like a FREE copy of Kelly’s book, True Companion, simply write an honest review of this podcast on iTunes, take a screenshot, and send it to jon@frontrowdads.com along with your address. I love to read your feedback, and I want to know what was of value to you! Big Questions Asked What is a true companion?  How do we live with our true-self and our false-self? How does loneliness enrich companionship?  How can we repurpose defensiveness to grow our relationships, instead of tearing them apart?  Why do we lie to try to protect people?  Why is it so hard to be okay with being wrong? Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/260 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them. We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally. Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you’re ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review