Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Art of Relationships Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boundaries vs. Ultimatums with Willa Williams | 26 Mar 2025 | 00:32:06 | |
In this episode, Alisa Grace sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Willa Williams to unpack the often-confused concepts of boundaries and ultimatums. They explore the difference between making a request, setting a boundary, and issuing an ultimatum—highlighting how tone, intention, and personal responsibility can either build connection or create division in your relationships. Together, they provide practical tools and real-life examples to help you communicate needs in a healthy way, create emotional safety, and respond maturely when on the receiving end of a boundary. Whether you’re navigating conflict with a spouse, roommate, friend, or coworker, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement to help you grow in both courage and compassion.
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Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| The Parenting Trap: How Modern Culture Is Ruining Childhood with Tim Carney | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:47:33 | |
In this episode, Chris Grace sits down with Tim Carney, author of Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be. They dive into the challenges of modern parenting, discussing how cultural shifts, over-scheduling, and fear-based parenting have made raising kids more stressful than ever. Tim shares insights on how we can reclaim community-driven parenting, encourage independence in our children, and create a more family-friendly culture. Whether you're a parent navigating the pressures of modern parenting, a young adult thinking about starting a family, or someone interested in how culture shapes childhood, this episode offers practical insights and hopeful solutions for building stronger families and communities.
📖 Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be – Get the book here
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| Stalemates, Compassion, and Truth with Guests Sean McDowell & Tim Muehlhoff — pt. 2 | 13 Nov 2024 | 00:29:12 | |
In this episode, Chris Grace sits down with special guests Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff, co-authors of End the Stalemate, to tackle the challenge of navigating difficult conversations in a polarized world. Together, they share practical strategies like building relational capital, showing compassion, and knowing when and how to share truth. With personal stories and real-world examples, Chris, Sean, and Tim equip listeners to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue even on divisive topics. Whether you're working through tough discussions with family, friends, or colleagues, this episode offers tools to strengthen relationships while staying true to your convictions.
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Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| The Power of Perception Pt. II | 18 Mar 2020 | 00:25:27 | |
What makes a conversation turn sideways? Why do words have the ability to hold power over us? Believe it or not, our perceptions have a lot to do with it. In this episode, Tim and Chris dive deeper into how our perceptions of ourselves affect relationships. | |||
| The Power of Perception Pt. I | 04 Mar 2020 | 00:27:42 | |
Whether we like it or not, our reality is based on our perceptions. In this episode, Chris and Tim explore how perceptions shape our relationships and how to discern when they can help or hinder healthy connection with others. | |||
| What Makes a Good Relationship? | 19 Feb 2020 | 00:26:51 | |
We often focus on negative aspects to avoid when evaluating relationships. But what makes a good relationship? In this episode, Tim and Chris discuss a few indicators of healthy relationships.
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| Confronting Negative Biases | 05 Feb 2020 | 00:28:43 | |
Words matter, and unfortunately, negative words are often the ones that stick with us. Proverbs 18:21 says, "life and death are in the power of the tongue." In this episode, Chris and Tim explore negative biases, where they come from, how they impact relationships, and how to deal with them. | |||
| Cohabitation: Why not live together? | 22 Jan 2020 | 00:29:34 | |
Doesn’t it make sense to save money by living together before marriage? According to research, cohabitation actually has negative consequences on the longevity of the relationship. In this episode, we share fascinating insights on the differences between couples who are cohabitating and couples who are married. | |||
| The Top Three Types of Compatibility | 08 Jan 2020 | 00:33:38 | |
When we find someone who is compatible with us, we most likely find that person more attractive, develop greater intimacy and connection, and establish a solid friendship. It is clear that compatibility matters – so what are the types of compatibility that are most important to determining relational health and success? In this podcast, we explore three types of core compatibility and what they mean for our relationships. | |||
| How Can I Stay Invested In The Relationship? | 25 Dec 2019 | 00:25:57 | |
What counts as a date-night? How do I balance my relationship with the rest of life's demands? In this episode of the podcast, we continue the conversation with Dr. Bradford Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. He points to some research and advice on the benefit of making small investments in your marriage. As a father of nine children, he has learned quite a few lessons on this topic personally. | |||
| How Do I Recognize Spiritual Attack In My Marriage? | 11 Dec 2019 | 00:27:28 | |
In the majority of Western culture, the idea of spiritual warfare is not talked about often. In the context of marriage, most couples tend to under-emphasize spiritual warfare in their relationship rather than over-emphasizing it. Why is that? When you take a step back and look at our world, it is easy to see that something is wrong. It can feel that there is a war going on and we are caught in the cross-fire. In your relationship, how can you tell if there is a spiritual attack going on? Are there signs that are universal? | |||
| Contentment in an Age of Discontent | 27 Nov 2019 | 00:25:11 | |
In a world that says you have to have it all, how should we respond? More importantly, how do we develop an attitude of contentment? In this podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff explain how to foster contentment and joy in an age of discontent. | |||
| The Making Of Healthy Sexuality | 13 Nov 2019 | 00:27:39 | |
Friends with benefits, living together, cohabitation, and sexual freedom are all part of the culture we live in. As Christians who are called to live differently, what does healthy sexuality look like? In this episode of The Art of Relationships, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff discuss the ingredients that make up healthy sexuality. | |||
| End the Stalemate with Guests Sean McDowell & Tim Muehlhoff — pt. 1 | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:35:55 | |
In this episode, Chris Grace sits down with special guests Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff, co-authors of End the Stalemate, to explore the art of having difficult conversations in today's polarized world. They discuss how to navigate disagreements, the role of contempt in damaging relationships, and the importance of empathy and perspective-taking. Providing practical tips, they help listeners communicate more effectively and maintain healthy relationships, even when faced with differing opinions. Whether you're navigating tense discussions with family, friends, or colleagues, this episode offers valuable insights to improve your communication and foster understanding.
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Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| How Should We View Sexuality Today? | 30 Oct 2019 | 00:26:01 | |
Sex is talked about in a lot of different ways in our culture today and Christian culture is no exception. A biblical perspective of sex is unique and does not often get much attention. How should married couples think about sex? What are some of the things to be aware of in sex? In this podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff begin to unpack how important it can be to talk about sex in the context of marriage. | |||
| Is This Friendship Toxic? | 16 Oct 2019 | 00:27:16 | |
Friendships are supposed to be life-giving, but what happens when they are not? What can you look for in friendships that bring the opposite? In this podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff discuss how to identify and deal with toxic friendships. | |||
| Your Marriage Is On Display! | 02 Oct 2019 | 00:34:19 | |
When you haven't had a model for what a healthy relationship looks like, where do you turn? We talk with Mike and Stephanie Anderson as they describe their story. Growing up in a home without a solid model of marriage, Mike had doubts about marriage being worth investing in. Where he learned to appreciate marriage may surprise you! | |||
| Fear or Love: What Is Motivating You? | 18 Sep 2019 | 00:30:18 | |
When a person wants to change something about their life, how should they be motivated? Often, fear motivates a person to try to change their behavior or cover their actions so no one sees it. What would acceptance and love do for that person? In this podcast episode, we continue our conversation with Karrie Garcia the work she has done with addicts or those tempted with adultery or those caught in shame. | |||
| Is Marriage Worth Choosing? | 21 Aug 2019 | 00:28:37 | |
"If you're not fighting in a relationship, then someone's lying. Someone's not telling the truth because you're taking a passive stance...There is a huge difference between selflessness and passivity. A lot of times in the name of selflessness, we're just like 'Well, I'm not going to bring it up. I'm not going to say what I need. I'm not going to talk through this.' That's not selflessness, that's conflict avoiding." Today we continue the conversation with author Debra Fileta on how intentionally couples need to continually choose marriage rather than choosing to focus on personal happiness.
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| What Should Dating Look Like? | 07 Aug 2019 | 00:31:17 | |
First dates, love notes, romance, there are so many different approaches to how it should be done. Christians are often told to avoid the hookup culture that is so common today, but beyond that, what should they do? | |||
| Are You Partnering With The Holy Spirit? | 24 Jul 2019 | 00:34:07 | |
"We're talking about gritty, person to person intimacy of two people who know each other better than anyone else on the planet, and they still remain committed and in love with one another." Dennis Rainey had a vision to help equip engaged and newly married couples around him. He felt the need struggling relationships had for tools and felt God call him to help mentor them. Fast forward 40 years and FamilyLife Conferences have reached hundreds of thousands of couples who want to set a strong foundation for their relationship. We got to talk about how marriage is changing and struggles that many couples find themselves in. | |||
| What Are Your Emotions Saying To You? | 10 Jul 2019 | 00:29:30 | |
“It's an important distinction to make, that the parts of us are not bad. Just like you have arms and legs, parts of your soul aren't bad. You want them, and they can work for you. The problem is if they become extreme, or if they take you over and you're not being led by the Holy Spirit.” | |||
| Are You Listening? Your Emotions Are Talking | 26 Jun 2019 | 00:29:50 | |
Anger, shame, sadness, envy, criticism. When you feel these emotions build up inside you, what is your gut instinct? What if those emotions are trying to tell you something about what is important to you? What if they are coming from a place that needs your attention? On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Kim Miller, MTh, LMFT, and author of Boundaries For Your Soul. She explains that our emotions can tell us a lot about ourselves...if we will just listen! | |||
| CMR's Freeway Series: Angels v. Dodgers Pt.2 | 12 Jun 2019 | 00:34:30 | |
"So, if my son has a bad game am I just going to go throttle on him and lay on more after the game. That's not what he needs to hear. He kind of needs to hear the 'I love you no matter what.' That's important to show like 'I love you when you do well' and 'I love you when you do bad' because my love is not indicative of your results. That is really important for a child to hear that. Like, 'I love you no matter what, okay?' | |||
| Top 6 Relationship Killers with Guest Willa Williams | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:49:36 | |
In this episode, Alisa Grace and special guest Willa Williams, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discuss the “Top 6 Relationship Killers” that often hinder our closest connections. They explore common destructive habits, such as taking things personally, assuming the worst, and failing to show empathy, offering practical insights to help listeners build stronger, healthier relationships. Whether you're navigating friendships, family dynamics, or romantic partnerships, this episode provides valuable advice to transform your interactions. Resources Mentioned:
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About the Hosts: Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are dedicated to helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| CMR's Freeway Series: Angels vs. Dodgers Pt. I | 29 May 2019 | 00:31:04 | |
When you think "baseball", does your mind show you images of the World Series, home runs, hot dogs, loaded bases, and mascots? What about the personal side of a baseball team? Where do they get emotional and spiritual support? In today's podcast, the LA Dodgers chaplain Brandon Cash and LA Angels chaplain Jack Grogger take us inside the innings as we kickstart our new Freeway Series! | |||
| What Happens When Life Goes Sideways? | 15 May 2019 | 00:32:28 | |
"We want to fix it. We do want to provide answers. There's a fear when we hear somebody start to question God and we feel like we've got to fix that for them right away..." We continue the conversation with Dr. Ed Uszynski in this podcast episode. After a car accident that severely injured his leg, as well as the death of a close friend and the loss of a friend's grandson, Ed reflects with us on what he needs most in the dark moments following a tragedy. | |||
| Marriage Just Isn't The Same Anymore | 01 May 2019 | 00:31:50 | |
"Marriage has fallen on hard times in our culture. It doesn't get held up as something admirable and something that gets handed down to the next generation. So I feel like people are more and more on their own trying to figure it out for themselves." In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff talk with Dr. Ed Uszynski, contributing author to Athletes in Action and speaker for FamilyLife. Marriage is changing and more people start marriage without the tools to succeed. How is that showing up in those relationships? Listen to hear this discussion! | |||
| Listener Questions Answered Pt. 6 | 17 Apr 2019 | 00:28:05 | |
"We want to connect with a marriage counselor, but there aren't any near us?" "My friend is making some bad decisions! What do I do?" What do you think? How would you respond to these? These are just some of the questions we get to answer on today's podcast. These situations are ones that listeners have submitted to us and we love taking time to answer them. Listen as Dr. Grace and Dr. Muehlhoff share their thoughts on these situations and others. | |||
| What Good Is Social Media, Anyway? | 03 Apr 2019 | 00:25:45 | |
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn. The list can go on and on. Social media sites can be found just about anywhere you look. So often we talk about the negative impacts social media can have on relationships but rarely do we flesh out what those are. And even more rarely do we ever consider benefits that social media can bring to our relationships. How has social media impacted your relationships? | |||
| How Do I Balance Marriage With The Rest Of My Life? | 20 Mar 2019 | 00:27:34 | |
"We see our marriage as kind of a tag-team. During certain times, I could be there for him and take a lot of slack. And then he was very happy to tag-team me, to help with when I went to school." In this podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff continue their conversation with Mandy Catto on the strain placed on marriage when one person takes on extra responsibilities like graduate school or changing careers and how things like spiritual formation can be vital to your relationship. | |||
| Is It Okay To Propose On The First Date? | 06 Mar 2019 | 00:26:39 | |
"So we had our first date shortly after that camp. I proposed to him during that first date. So there you go...I do remember he dropped his fork back into his plate at that particular moment. So we didn't really talk about it again." Please allow us to introduce you to Mandy Catto. She will be a more regular voice here on the Art of Relationships podcast, as you will hear. In this podcast, we talk about how she met and married her husband, her journey from Scotland to Southern California, her thoughts on American dating culture, and the American church compared to the Scottish church. | |||
| Does It Really Matter How You Say it? | 20 Feb 2019 | 00:30:13 | |
"I grew up watching my parents argue, and I just made a note to self when I got married, we wouldn't have any conflict. We're just not doing it..."
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| Before Things Go From Bad To Worse | 06 Feb 2019 | 00:28:58 | |
Breaking up over twitter? Telling them something really important in a text? Does it really make a difference how you do it? Most of us would share a resounding yes, but how what are the rules? In this podcast episode, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff share thoughts about the way you communicate having a huge impact on the message that the person hears you sharing. | |||
| When CMR Meets The NFL Pt. II | 23 Jan 2019 | 00:28:03 | |
What happens when she says "I don't love you anymore?" In today's podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff continue the conversation with former Detroit Lions chaplain, Dave Wilson. When his wife shared that with him on the night of their tenth anniversary, they had to reevaluate their relationship and where they were headed. How did they go from this place to now leading marriage ministries? Listen and find out! | |||
| Rituals That Matter: How Small Actions Foster Big Relationship Wins | 23 Oct 2024 | 00:41:50 | |
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore rituals for connection—consistent, intentional actions that can help strengthen relationships over time. They discuss how recognizing and responding to bids for attention can prevent couples from drifting apart and highlight simple rituals such as saying goodbye, greeting each other, and spending intentional time together. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you reconnect with your loved ones, making your relationships more fulfilling and connected. Whether you're dealing with significant others, friends, children, or roommates, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships. Resources Mentioned:
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Join the Conversation:
About the Hosts: Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| When CMR Meets the NFL Pt. I | 09 Jan 2019 | 00:22:42 | |
"At one point I sat down with God to pray that I would die so that I could get out of my marriage to my wife." In this podcast, former NFL Chaplain for the Detroit Lions Dave Wilson sits down with Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff to share his story. Dave is currently one of the lead pastors of Kensington Church in Troy, Michigan. He walks us through how his marriage has grown from its rocky start. How did he grow from that low point to now leading marriage conferences around the country? Take a listen! | |||
| Building A Marriage While Building The Fairly OddParents Pt. II | 19 Dec 2018 | 00:39:29 | |
When life changes bring uncertainty and fear into your relationship, what do you do? What about when your job is threatened? Or your spouse has a chronic illness? For Nickelodeon producer and animator Butch Hartman and his wife Juliann, that is exactly what happened in their marriage. Five different times the Fairly OddParents was threatened to be canceled. Juliann struggled with depression for eight years. Listen to what they learned about fear and commitment to their relationship through the hard times. | |||
| Building A Marriage While Building The Fairly OddParents Pt.I | 05 Dec 2018 | 00:26:28 | |
Does the name Butch Hartman sound familiar? What about the FairlyOdd Parents? In this episode of our podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff talk with Butch Hartman, the creator, producer, and lead animator of The FairlyOdd Parents, an animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon for over 20 years! He and his wife Juliann share the story of how they met, how they got started in the entertainment world, and how they had to learn to fight for their marriage in the midst of the demands of their careers. | |||
| How And Why Should I Pray For My Marriage? | 21 Nov 2018 | 00:27:50 | |
Revisiting the topic of spiritual warfare, we focus on prayer being a powerful tool to fight for your marriage. Focusing specifically on the Lord's Prayer, we break down each piece and talk through the authority it gives to believers and to marriage relationships. What does it mean that we are called to pray to "our Father?" What does it mean to keep His name holy? | |||
| What It's All About: Relationship Advice with In-N-Out CEO | 07 Nov 2018 | 00:39:49 | |
In-N-Out is a recognized name in the U.S. and is associated with delicious hamburgers and iconic palm trees. In this podcast episode, In-N-Out owner and operator Lynsi Snyder shares some of the wisdom she has learned over the years about prioritizing family over work and finding support in the difficult times in your marriage. With a company valued at $1.3 billion, she has had to learn these lessons in a very unique environment yet shares them with a clarity that anyone in relationships can connect with. | |||
| A Spiritual Battle-Plan For Marriage | 24 Oct 2018 | 00:26:52 | |
This is the third episode in our series on spiritual warfare in marriage. There is a spiritual component to any relationship and marriage is no exception. Once we start to recognize the signs of spiritual attack, what can be done to fight for the marriage? What can be done to guard the relationship? Listen to this episode and find out these practical tips! | |||
| Listener Questions Answered pt.5 | 12 Sep 2018 | 00:27:48 | |
Casual dating. Gratitude. Doubts about your dating relationship. These are some of the many topics that listeners are submitting to us. On this episode of the podcast, we explore some of these topics and answer questions that come up often when considering healthy relationships. Take a listen! | |||
| Question and Answer with the National Marriage Project | 29 Aug 2018 | 00:24:46 | |
In this episode of the podcast, we continue the conversation with Dr. Bradford Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project at University of Virginia and contributing scholar to Institute for Family Studies. He points to some research on how important fathers are to their children, how playtime builds a connection with parents from their children, and how faith is passed down from parent to child. | |||
| Living Together: Is It Really That Bad? | 01 Aug 2018 | 00:26:15 | |
From some of the research, children who are born to cohabiting parents are 90% more likely to see their mom and dad break up by the time they turn 12. The data is painting a picture of cohabitation that isn't talked about. What do you think about these statistics? | |||
| Are They Affected By The Divorce, Really? | 18 Jul 2018 | 00:27:36 | |
When a divorce takes place, does it really affect the people around you? Are the children in the family really affected? In this podcast, Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff continue their discussion on divorce and some of the ways that a divorce affects more than just the couple involved. If Christians believe that marriage is a covenant, this life-long commitment, how should those marriages look different? | |||
| Small Moments, Big Impact: How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving | 16 Oct 2024 | 00:41:05 | |
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore bids for attention—small interactions that can significantly impact the strength of a relationship. They discuss how recognizing and responding to these bids can prevent couples from drifting apart, drawing on research from Drs. John and Julie Gottman. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you stay connected with your partner, emphasizing the power of intentional time together. Whether you're navigating life with a significant other, friends, or even colleagues, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships. Resources Mentioned:
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Join the Conversation:
About the Hosts: Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu. | |||
| Is It Really "Till Death Do You Part?" | 04 Jul 2018 | 00:29:25 | |
When you get married, is it really till death do you part? When a marriage starts to go sideways and divorce starts to become a topic of conversation, what do you do? From a Christian perspective, there are very specific instructions on how this can play out. That is the topic of this podcast episode! Join Dr. Chris Grace and Dr. Tim Muehlhoff as they share their thoughts and some research on this topic of divorce. | |||
| The Do's And Don'ts Of A Breakup | 20 Jun 2018 | 00:28:09 | |
A break up can be a tough thing to go through. A lot of pain and healing ensues, even if the break up is handled well. What are some of the common ways that a break up is not handled well? Does the person leave the door open for a future relationship out of compassion? What about a person who does not clearly communicate that the relationship is over and just "disappears?" These issues and more are the topics of this podcast episode! Have you ever experienced these before? | |||
| Pornography: Will You Ever Trust Them Again? | 06 Jun 2018 | 00:29:28 | |
If a person in your life has opened up to an addiction to pornography, it can be devastating. When they begin to make the climb back, how do they go about rebuilding the trust of the people close to them? This is the topic of this podcast episode. Dr. Tim Muehlhoff and Dr. Chris Grace explore some ways that they can regain your trust and ways that you can learn to give them that trust. | |||