Marriage Therapy Radio

In this engaging discussion, Jodie Spears, an entrepreneur and cancer survivor, and Glenn Berkline, her business partner and husband, share their powerful journey through health challenges and entrepreneurship. They reveal how Jodie's breast cancer diagnosis became a shared adversary that strengthened their bond. The couple offers insights on caregiving and communication, exploring how externalizing problems can foster teamwork. They also delve into their work with Couples, Inc., helping other couples navigate the complexities of business and relationships.

Colette Jane Fehr, a couples therapist and author, and her husband Steve Fehr, a seasoned CPA, share their unique insights on marriage after diverse pasts. They candidly discuss the importance of therapy as an ongoing resource, revealing how they navigate differences in communication and emotional expression. Blending families with teens has its challenges, and they emphasize the value of timely apologies and growth through honest conversations. Their journey highlights the beauty of partnership, perseverance, and learning in the face of life's complexities.

Zach looks back on a standout year of conversations by revisiting some of the most meaningful, memorable, and instructive moments from past episodes.  Zach introduces each segment, offering context and reflection on why these moments matter and how they connect to the bigger picture of relational health. Across these clips, you’ll hear stories of intimacy rebuilt, grief held with humor, trust repaired, creativity sustained, and partnerships strengthened through intentional work. Whether you’re catching up, revisiting favorites, or discovering episodes you missed, this episode offers a thoughtful snapshot of what the show has been exploring all year: how real people do the real work of staying connected. Couples featured in this episode include: Susan & Tim Bratton — Episode 394https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-394 Kimberly Crossman & Tom Walsh — Episode 396https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-396 Karen Whitehouse & Helen McLaughlin — Episode 401https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-401 Tarah & EJ Kerwin — Episode 368https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-368 Baya Voce & Emmy Bush — Episode 374https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-374 Additional episodes mentioned by Zach: Victoria Shalet & Adam James — Episode 379https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-379 Brian & Toby — Episode 392https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-392 Billy & Melissa Hokacker — Episode 384https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-384 Jennifer & Andres — Episode 391https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-391 Zach’s Mom & Stepdad — Episode 383https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-383 Ira & Andrea — Multi-Episode Arc (Episodes 307–399)https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-397 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach sits down with Dana and Sean, a couple whose nearly 30-year relationship includes teenage pregnancy, early marriage, deep faith, repeated infidelity, and an extraordinary rebuilding process that reshaped their marriage from the ground up. Dana and Sean met as children at church, reconnected in high school, and married young after an unplanned pregnancy—long before either of them knew who they were or how marriage actually worked. Pressured by religious expectations and carrying unresolved childhood trauma, they entered marriage already fractured. What followed were years of struggle: emotional immaturity, financial stress, multiple affairs, and seasons where staying together felt impossible. Instead of walking away, they chose the slow, painful work of rebuilding. Sean entered therapy to understand himself before trying to understand his wife. Dana learned to confront her own patterns, pride, and expectations—anchoring herself in faith, presence, and radical honesty. Together, they rejected shallow answers and chose accountability, counseling, and humility. Now parents of four children (ages 26–16), Dana and Sean reflect on how faith became not a rulebook but a living presence—the “third strand” that sustained them when their marriage felt dead. They talk candidly about selfishness, stubborn hope, and why staying isn’t about endurance but about vision: building a marriage their children would actually want to emulate. This conversation is raw, grounded, and deeply hopeful—a reminder that resurrection is possible, even after years of damage. Key Takeaways Early marriage magnifies unhealed trauma – Getting married young without self-knowledge set them up for struggle from the start. Staying isn’t passive – Rebuilding required therapy, in-home separation, humility, and consistent effort from both partners. Self-work precedes relationship work – Sean learned that understanding himself was essential before he could truly love Dana. Faith as presence, not pressure – Their spirituality evolved from rigid rules to lived connection and daily surrender. Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end – While not prescribing staying, they show what repair can look like when both partners commit to real change. Love languages come from childhood – Sean gives gifts; Dana craves quality time—both rooted in how they were raised. Resurrection is real – A marriage can be “dead dead” and still come back stronger the second time around. Vision sustains commitment – They stayed not just for the kids, but to model a marriage worth choosing. Guest Info Dana is a marriage coach, speaker, and host of the podcast Rebuilding Us, where she shares honest conversations about infidelity, faith, and marriage repair. She is known for her commitment to authenticity and refusal to offer shallow advice. Website: https://danache.com/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrsdanache/?hl=en⁠ Sean is a firefighter who prefers life behind the scenes. His willingness to engage in therapy, self-reflection, and accountability played a central role in their rebuilding process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach sits down with Justin and Kylie Coulson, parents of six daughters and co-creators of the Happy Families movement. What unfolds is a deeply honest conversation about failure, repair, intention, and the long road toward building a family culture that actually feels good to live in. Justin shares a pivotal early-parenting moment that became the turning point of his life: a loss of control with one of their young children that forced him to confront who he was becoming as a father and husband. Kylie describes the clarity she felt in that moment—her love for Justin alongside her unwavering commitment to her children’s safety—and how that line in the sand changed everything. From there, the conversation traces Justin’s radical career pivot from radio to psychology, the years of study and sacrifice that followed, and the birth of the Happy Families philosophy. Together, Justin and Kylie unpack what “happy” actually means—not the absence of hardship, but the presence of connection, safety, and shared joy, especially around the family table. They share the simple but powerful structures they use to stay aligned: weekly check-ins, quarterly retreats, and a three-question framework that replaces blame with collaboration. Through stories of totalled cars, hard choices, and repaired moments, Justin and Kylie show how families are built—not through perfection, but through practised responses, accountability, and love that stays bigger than the mess. Key Takeaways We always get to choose our response – Circumstances don’t dictate behavior; intention does. People matter, things don’t – Safety, connection, and relationship always come before stuff. Happy families are built, not inherited – Skills like communication, repair, and emotional regulation are learnable. Hardship doesn’t cancel happiness – Joy is found in meaning, not ease. Repair builds trust – Conflict isn’t the enemy; unresolved conflict is. Structure creates safety – Regular check-ins and retreats help families stay aligned. Blame kills collaboration – Asking “How can we support each other?” changes everything. The table is the vision – A family that wants to be together is the real measure of success. Guest Info Justin & Kylie Coulson Justin Coulson is a parenting expert, author, psychologist, and founder of Happy Families (https://happyfamilies.com.au/). He hosts Australia’s most-downloaded parenting podcast, The Happy Families Podcast, and appears on national television. Kylie Coulson is his partner in parenting and purpose, bringing clarity, steadiness, and lived wisdom to their work together. They are parents of six daughters, grandparents to one (and counting), and passionate advocates for intentional family culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristan Seaford, a therapist and author, shares her journey of resilience after losing limbs to a catastrophic infection. Joined by her husband Brook, a pastor and devoted caregiver, they discuss the profound shifts in their marriage and parenting. Kristan reflects on the grief of returning to a home where her toddler no longer recognized her, while Brook talks about the challenges of stepping into a caregiving role. Together, they explore humor as a survival tool, the strength of community, and how their children emerged more empathetic through adversity.

Karen Whitehouse and Helen McLaughlin, the comedic duo behind the viral podcast Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding?, share their journey from a wedding mystery to a joyful comedic mission. They discuss transforming trauma into humor, tackling infertility, and their move from Amsterdam to the tranquil Cotswolds. The couple explores how detective work parallels relationship dynamics, emphasizing curiosity and effective communication. With a mix of heart and laughter, they reveal their personal growth and practical relationship tips, all while spreading joy to listeners.

Reflecting on eight years of learning from couples, Zach shares insights on relationship growth. He highlights the importance of being a grownup and doing what your partner enjoys. The episode introduces the miracle question, a technique to visualize success in relationships. Personal anecdotes about risk-taking and sobriety add depth, reminding listeners that progress comes from small, consistent efforts. With practical advice for holidays and everyday interactions, it's a heartfelt call for continuous improvement in love.

In a heartfelt session, a couple navigates the challenges of parenting neurodivergent children, uncovering how it tests their relationship. As they explore the difference between respect and compassion, emotional vulnerabilities surface, revealing fears of love slipping away due to past trauma. Amidst exhaustion, they find solace in mindfulness practices and the idea of creating an inner garden of resilience. The conversation culminates in a commitment to ten intentional days of small choices, fostering safety and connection.

In a deep exploration of personal struggles, a couple uncovers childhood traumas that shape their present. The wife confronts anxiety linked to hormonal shifts and shares her journey as a late-diagnosed autistic individual. Meanwhile, the husband reflects on the love and support he gained during his own early challenges. The conversation shifts to reparenting, emphasizing self-care and mutual responsibility in healing. A two-part secret to a healthy marriage is revealed, reminding listeners to prioritize empathy and connection.