

Connect2
Focus on the Family Singapore
Welcome to the Connect2 marriage podcast by Focus on the Family Singapore!
Married life can be filled with twists and turns, especially with the day-to-day priorities, and stresses in life, including the times we run into conflict with our spouse.
No matter the state of your relationship today, we want to help your marriage thrive.
Join us as we figure out life and love together, and go deep into the conversations and questions (often unspoken) about the toughest topics on connection, intimacy and lifelong love.
While there are no perfect marriages, there is always room to grow to be the best spouse we can be. With practical tips, a whole lot of vulnerability and even a dose of humour, we hope that these episodes will provide hope and encouragement for your marriage.
Married life can be filled with twists and turns, especially with the day-to-day priorities, and stresses in life, including the times we run into conflict with our spouse.
No matter the state of your relationship today, we want to help your marriage thrive.
Join us as we figure out life and love together, and go deep into the conversations and questions (often unspoken) about the toughest topics on connection, intimacy and lifelong love.
While there are no perfect marriages, there is always room to grow to be the best spouse we can be. With practical tips, a whole lot of vulnerability and even a dose of humour, we hope that these episodes will provide hope and encouragement for your marriage.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 20, 2024 • 21min
New Parents: How to Support your Husband?
Verrill Choo, a couple coach and new father to baby Judah, shares his insights on supporting partners through the journey of parenthood. He emphasizes the importance of open communication, mutual trust, and vulnerability for lasting relationships. Verrill discusses how prioritizing personal well-being and recognizing each other's contributions can strengthen marriages during this transformative time. The conversation also highlights the need for gratitude and perspective, encouraging couples to view challenges as growth opportunities.

Nov 6, 2024 • 23min
New Parents: How to Support your Wife?
Charlene Chew, a couple coach at Covenant and Vows and first-time parent to Judah, shares her insights on supporting new wives during parenthood. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication between partners to navigate early parenting challenges effectively. The discussion covers how husbands can better understand their wives’ needs by addressing requests separately and fostering teamwork. Charlene also highlights the emotional journey of parenthood, encouraging couples to strengthen their bond through shared responsibilities.

Oct 16, 2024 • 22min
Counselling Feature: How do we Reconcile our Differences in Marriage?
Madelin Tay, a counsellor from Focus on the Family Singapore, dives into the complexities of navigating marital differences. She emphasizes that all couples have good intentions, but expressions can differ, making it crucial to find common ground. The discussion highlights how embracing these differences can lead to personal growth and strengthen relationships. Madelin shares practical strategies for improving communication, such as taking 'timeouts' during conflicts, showcasing that understanding and compromise are key to overcoming misunderstandings.

Oct 2, 2024 • 21min
Counselling Feature: On Infidelity, how do we Rebuild Trust?
In this insightful discussion, Kiat Yong, a seasoned counselor specializing in marriage and family therapy at Focus on the Family Singapore, shares his expertise on healing from infidelity. He emphasizes the critical role of motivation in recovery, detailing how couples can navigate their emotional turmoil. Kiat explains the importance of open communication and vulnerability in rebuilding trust, highlighting actionable steps for fostering connection and accountability. His insights pave a hopeful path toward establishing a 'new marriage' after betrayal.

Sep 18, 2024 • 18min
Found the One: Navigate Tough Conversations in Marriage.
“I think even just recognising within ourselves at the points that we are totally triggered and need to take a pause from this conversation...” – Grace Chua Navigating the ups and downs of marriage takes self-awareness, empathy, communication, and teamwork. It's no easy task, whether you're in your first year or have been married for years. Whether you're dating, thinking of marriage, or married for years, the insights from our three guests, Elvin & Esther Foong, founders of The Treasure Box Singapore, and Grace Ann Chua, founder of htht, will help you strengthen your bond and provide language for everyday struggles. Tune in to discover how to face love's challenges together! --A lifetime of love and romance requires intentional effort and attention. Yet in times of busyness and with overwhelming priorities to tend to, our marriages can often take a back seat. No matter the state of your relationship today, we want to help you, and your spouse thrive. Visit our website at www.family.org.sg/resources for articles and resources today.--If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Do note that if you are based in Singapore, one-time gifts above SGD$50 or monthly donations above SGD$10 are eligible for 250% tax-deductible benefits.

Sep 4, 2024 • 21min
Is This the One? Heartfelt Insights on Love, Dating, and Marriage.
Grace Ann Chua, a certified dating coach and founder of HTHT.co, explores the multifaceted world of love and relationships. She emphasizes that dating is a journey of self-discovery, revealing insights about identifying personal values and non-negotiables. Alongside Elvin and Esther Foong, she discusses the importance of communication, navigating red flags, and the challenges of differing values. The trio shares valuable tips for sustaining joy in relationships and the significance of resilience in marriage.

Aug 14, 2024 • 27min
The First Year of Marriage: Managing Finances and Chores for a Harmonious Home
Explore the journey of newlyweds as they tackle the challenges of finances and household chores. Discover how vulnerability and open communication can transform tasks into acts of love. Learn about setting healthy boundaries with in-laws while nurturing your marriage. Delve into the significance of emotional connections through gratitude and intentionality. With creative solutions and personal stories, the hosts highlight the importance of teamwork for a harmonious home.

Jul 31, 2024 • 24min
The First Year of Marriage: What We Wish We Knew?
"If you value your marriage, you will need to often make sacrifices not to put your individual identity above the collective identity (of the family)." - Ernest Sim What does it take for two individual lives to come together as one unit in the beautiful union of marriage? How do two differing persons with their unique personalities, preferences and style work synergistically together to create a sum larger than its parts? Tune in to hear from Ernest and Elyna Sim as they discuss candidly how they adapted to life as one family unit during their first year of marriage! --A thriving marriage does not just happen. It takes love and effort to keep the romance alive. This September, surprise your spouse with a date where you get to discover new things about each other and deepen your connection over specially curated experiences. Seats are limited! Register Now at www.family.org.sg/BestDateEver! --If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Do note that if you are based in Singapore, one-time gifts above SGD$50 or monthly donations above SGD$10 are eligible for 250% tax-deductible benefits.

Jul 17, 2024 • 20min
Financial Harmony in Marriage: How to Sustain?
“Why do we make the money we make? What's the vision around the money itself? … how can we make sure that we execute that vision?” – Ng Choon Jin Our family backgrounds influence our views on money and its role in our lives. This inevitably affects how a married couple manages and uses money, often leading to conflicts. How can we develop a clear and healthy vision for our finances in marriage, and how do we start that conversation with our spouse? Joining us for this episode is Choon Jin, an ex-accountant turned money coach. Tune in to find out about the remaining 4 money types that describe our relationship with money, and find out which type best describes you.--Best Date Ever is a date event that will surely bring out your playful sides with fun and engaging activities, alongside various opportunities for you and your spouse to deepen your connection over specially crafted experiences. Discover new things about each other, bond over great food and conversations, and look forward to a great time together! It's time to re-connect & re-ignite the romance in your marriage at Best Date Ever with your forever date this September! Register Now at www.family.org.sg/BestDateEver! --If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Do note that if you are based in Singapore, one-time gifts above SGD$50 or monthly donations above SGD$10 are eligible for 250% tax-deductible benefits.

Jul 3, 2024 • 19min
Financial Harmony in Marriage: How to get Started?
“Money, while so fundamental, is nothing more than an enabler... never let the money decision lead your life - always let the life decision lead first, and then the money will be enabling you to do what you need to do”. - Choon Jin Money can often become a major issue in marriage. Joining us for this episode is Choon Jin, an ex-accountant turned money coach. Tune in to find out about the 4 money types that describe our relationship with money and find out which type best describes you.--Have you been wanting to take your spouse on a date but haven't found the time to plan something meaningful?At Best Date Ever, reconnect with your spouse over a delightful meal, fun activities and meaningful conversations in a cosy setting. Look forward to an intimate and engaging experience designed exclusively for married couples to enjoy together!Regularly dating your spouse nurtures and strengthens your relationship for the long haul. Register your interest at www.family.org.sg/BestDateEver!--If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Do note that if you are based in Singapore, one-time gifts above SGD$50 or monthly donations above SGD$10 are eligible for 250% tax-deductible benefits.