Is defining-the-relationship (DTR) only important in a romantic context? Or can it be advantageous for our friendships too? What if your friend is more accurately defined as an acquaintance or something entirely different? In today's episode, Callie and David explore this subject exploring the reasons why categorizing our relationships can prove critical for your wellbeing and others, as well as how to understand which category the people in your life fall into.--------------------------...
Jan 14, 2022•52 min
In this first episode of the new year, we're joined by Chris Trondsen as he so vulnerably opens up to share his story of living with severe OCD for over a decade, recovering from it, and now helping others navigate their mental health as a therapist and advocate for OCD awareness and education. We learn how the quality of our mental health has a direct impact on the quality of our relationships and why conversations like these need to be had for everyone's benefit. If you might have a mental ...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, we bring on marriage blogger and award-winning author, Sheila Wray Gregoire to draw back the curtain, revealing the problematic and toxic teachings about sex taught to us growing up and throughout life, especially in church. Based on her book, The Great Sex Rescue, she shares how a groundbreaking in-depth survey of 22,000 Christian women reveals that generations of women have grown up with books and messages about sex that make them feel dirty, used, or invisible,...
Dec 31, 2021•51 min
For some of us, the holidays are an opportunity for quality time with close family and friends yet for many, the holidays and interactions thereof trigger mixed and often negative emotions; anxiety, anger, fear, sadness, grief, or loss. In this episode, Callie and David take time to acknowledge the difficulties of the holiday season and share 3 ways to help navigate difficult yet often necessary interactions. ALSO, listen till the end to receive a special CHristmas gift from both o...
Dec 24, 2021•35 min
Expressing love through sexual intimacy is a special way to be vulnerable and affectionate in a romantic relationship; however, it's not always the most intimate way to express love. If a relationship feels disconnected despite a healthy sex life, there are actually several other ways to experience intimacy. In today's episode, Mary Jo Rapini presents these other forms of intimacy, sharing from her wealth of experience as a psychotherapist, specializing in sex therapy and intimacy. Join us as...
Dec 17, 2021•53 min
We live in a globalized and connected world yet many of us struggle to reach outside of our own cultural bubbles and form real relationships that move beyond stereotypes and lead to understanding, healing, and solidarity across cultural lines. Even in shared multi-ethnic spaces like churches, schools, and workplaces where we may feel diverse, we must remember that multiethnicity does not equate to multiculturalism. In this episode, Michelle Ami Reyes takes us on a journey on how to look close...
Dec 10, 2021•59 min
In today's episode, we're joined by the wise Kelly Needham as she reminds us that we're called to more than halfhearted friendships and lukewarm connections. Sharing principles and personal stories detailed in her book, Friend-ish, we take an honest and closer look at what the tenor of Scripture says about the gift of friendship and what this practically means for us. Join us as we explore:Healthy vs unhealthy attachment in friendshipsThe first step to making friends in a new place/stag...
Dec 03, 2021•57 min
The psychologist, Dan Allender once wrote "if we don’t tell our stories, our stories will tell us. Our stories impact us either unconsciously or consciously. It’s up to us to decide whether we’ll be passive recipients or active agents in the shaping of our lives.” In this episode, we have none other than the king of chai & storytelling, @crossculturechristian, Kevin Wilson, to help us learn how we can explore, own, and honor our individual stories. As he shares reflections on his st...
Nov 26, 2021•58 min
In this episode, David now interviews Callie about her journey with sex. She reflects on her range of sources for sex education — from Planned Parenthood to married friends — and the value she's gained from each. Callie also shares how she navigated her insecurities regarding David's sexual history, as well as dealing with the guilt and shame of crossing boundaries in their relationship (and how to see it in its proper context). Not only is there much more, there's also plenty of jokes. You k...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr
In this episode, Callie interviews David about his journey with sex. Beginning from childhood, he shares up through their current relationship as a married couple. Reflecting on experiences, emotions, and beliefs, David's story shows how we can't ignore our sexual past, present, and future. Vulnerability, honesty, and especially compassion are all necessary for healing and growth — especially in the realm of sex. --------------------------------We're eager to hear your though...
Nov 12, 2021•47 min
Food. It's something we all have in common, the world over must eat to live. Yet our food choices, habits, and preferences often tell a deeper and more complex story. In this episode, Dr. Margaret Nagib, a clinical psychologist specializing in treating eating disorders, takes us on a journey to understand how to assess our relationship with food and why it's crucial to do so for our well-being and the well-being of loved ones around us. Essentially, if you eat food, then this episode is...
Nov 05, 2021•41 min
Quality friendships are a necessity for our well being yet it is no secret that friendships can be one of the most difficult areas to navigate as adults. This episode marks the beginning of a journey to discover how we can build and maintain thriving adult friendships. Before learning what comprises healthy adult friendships, we thought it wise to first address common misconceptions we have about them. Join us as we unpack 6 myths about adult friendships and how confronting these myths h...
Oct 29, 2021•49 min
What do you do when it seems like everybody else is getting their breakthrough but you’re not? What is one important thing you're currently waiting on for life to get better? Join our conversation with Dr. Heather Thompson Day, author of "It's Not Your Turn", as she shares what we can do to shape ourselves while waiting, so we are ready when it's our turn. So much wisdom for every single situation of life in this episode! If you enjoy it, please share the love with a friend and check out Dr. ...
Oct 22, 2021•50 min
Welcome to season 2 of the podcast! We missed you!In this episode, we introduce the exciting themes to look forward to this season and interview each other about our struggles, growth and supporting each other as a couple over the past year. We hope you'll be inspired to have similar conversations in your own relationships, romantic or not, as well as resonate with some of our reflections!--------------------------------We're eager to hear your thoughts on the podcast! Got any questions, topi...
Oct 15, 2021•42 min
On this final episode of this (50-episode) season, we share our proposal story. Every proposal story is unique and beautiful and we're honored to share some of the hurdles crossed and milestones attained that led us to engagement, including:Why we "delayed" our engagement plans because of familyA secret to the perfect proposalWhy David's proposal plans were shut downHow Callie almost busted the proposal set-up and who saved the day--------------------------------We're eager to hear your thoug...
Jun 18, 2021•45 min
We can't believe it's almost been a year since we launched the podcast! We've been privileged to have a total of 15 guests interview with us and I (David) wanted to share with you the top 10 lessons that I've learned from them in this first solo episode!If you're new to the podcast, this is a great episode to help guide you on what episodes you might be interested in. And if you've been part of this community for a while, we're super curious to know what top lessons you've learned from our gu...
Jun 11, 2021•30 min
In this episode, we're finally addressing heartbreak, a topic frequently requested over private emails and messages. Whether from a mutual break-up, betrayal, rejection, or something else, heartbreak in romantic relationships happens and it hurts a lot. Why does it hurt so bad and how can we move on and heal? Join us as we share a few of our personal heartbreak experiences as well as tried-and-true advice to help you or a friend on the path towards healing.--------------------------------We'r...
Jun 04, 2021•51 min
In this episode, we're honored to have Shirin Peykar, LMFT sit down with us to talk about identifying and dealing with a narcissist, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. Deriving from her 10 years of experience helping survivors of narcissistic abuse, as well as her own past experience, having been married to a narcissist, we learned so much from this conversation and trust you will too. Join us as we discuss:What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and are all narcis...
May 28, 2021•54 min
Decades of studies, by the Gottman Institute, reveal that the #1 killer of relationships is rejecting a loved one's appeals for connection. In today's episode, we dive deep into how we at times, knowingly or unknowingly, find ourselves doing so by:1) discrediting their needs,2) discrediting their autonomy, and 3) discrediting their characterMore importantly, how can we respond more lovingly to appeals for connection, even if we feel threatened or attacked by them? Because oftentimes, we...
May 21, 2021•35 min
In this episode, we're honored to sit with pastor, therapist-in-training, and author, Edsel Cadet, as he opens up and shares about:his journey integrating mental health into his spirituality and how you can toowhy it's not enough for you or your partner to "love the Lord"why he co-authored the book, "Still Thirsty" on healing & sexual fulfillment, and how we can change conversations on sex in churchhis love story and unique take on how to know if the person you're dating is "t...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min
You've probably seen at least one of those cringeworthy "Top Marriage Proposal Rejections" videos and like us, you may, or may not, be wondering "How did they not see this coming?!". In today's episode, we talk about why we believe pre-engagement counseling is much more important than pre-marital counseling (though both are important!) coupled with the need for more open, honest, and regular conversations about marriage long before the proposal, especially if marriage is the end goal. Join us...
May 07, 2021•54 min
In this episode, we talk about a complicated emotion common to all of us: guilt. As moral beings, guilt signals to us of a wrong course taken so we can redirect our steps in the right path. However, more often than not guilt is used as a form of manipulation (the guilt trip), and is too frequently a destructive primary driver of our behavior. We realized that how you handle guilt can either lead you to life and happiness or lead you away from it. Join as we address:What is the guilt trip and ...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Studies show that social rejection activates the same pain pathways in the brain as physical pain. This might help explain the hurtful experience of being ghosted: when someone terminates a relationship by ending communication abruptly and without explanation. A recurring phenomenon in the internet age, join us as we dig in to understand:What is ghosting and why it differs from silent treatment/stonewalling?Why it hurts so much?What are common reasons people ghost and how can we avoid g...
Apr 22, 2021•44 min
In this episode, we take a walk down memory lane to reflect on why we made a decision not to say "I Love You" to each other until we were engaged, after 3 years of dating. We want to emphasize that this wasn't a rule but a choice we made. Join us as we recall the conversation we had that led to the decision, our reasoning behind it, how it impacted our relationship, and the "accidental" time David splurted the 3 magical words. --------------------------------We're eager to hear your thou...
Apr 15, 2021•37 min
In today's episode, we delve into why all lasting and meaningful relationships in life are founded on trust, however, in pursuit of this ideal, we found ourselves trusting too little and/or trusting too much. Join us as we share our personal "trust issues" as well as:Reasons why we trust too little or too muchWhy love doesn't always equate to trust Why it's easier to break trust than to build it4 proven ways to test if someone trustworthy and to build trust in your relationships---------...
Apr 09, 2021•54 min
In today's episode, we celebrate the holiday by focusing on the relationship that transcends all other relationships that we usually talk about on this podcast. How do we practically frame and approach our relationship with God in the context of our core human relationships, especially our romantic ones? We explore this as well as share 7 guiding principles to help you and a loved one(s) spend meaningful, enjoyable, and consistent time with God together.--------------------------------We're e...
Apr 02, 2021•48 min
In this episode, we talk about a little-understood trait that is found in 15-20% of people, including Callie. Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are essentially people that experience the world in high definition. However, HSPs have often been misinterpreted and mistaken for having certain disorders or illnesses. Join us as we recount our shocking discovery that Callie was an HSP as well as:Why her HSP trait explains why Callie requires more sleep, finds good or bad change upsetting, and experien...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, we're joined by Jacent Wamala, a licensed marriage, and family therapist (LMFT) and money mindset coach, as she shares the critical intersection between money and relationships. Having paid off over $90,000 of debt in under two years while dating and now married, she provides some valuable gems on how to get our money mindset right first as individuals before doing so in our relationships. Join us as we also discuss the following:What to do when therapy doesn't workWhy is mon...
Mar 19, 2021•48 min
In this episode, we decided to celebrate, our dog, Everest's one-year anniversary as a new family member by sharing 3 crucial life lessons having her has taught us. We hope that you'll be able to apply these lessons to yourself as well as your relationships. Even if you're not an animal person (fun fact: Callie actually isn't one!), we believe you'll find this episode valuable. Enjoy!--------------------------------We're eager to hear your thoughts on the podcast! Got any questions, top...
Mar 12, 2021•39 min
This is the final episode in our 5 part series on Dating Essentials — 5 foundational principles for meaningful and fulfilling dating relationships.In our final episode of the series, we’re honored to bring back Sebastien Braxton to discuss the role and significance of boundaries, particularly physical boundaries, during dating. We also address frequently asked questions surrounding this topic, including:If you love your partner and are committed to them, what's the big deal regarding limiting...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min
