The Art of Relationships Podcast
Psychology & Relationships
About
Is it hard to maintain your relationships with everything else you have going on in your life? Chris Grace, Ph.D., and his wife, Alisa Grace, discuss how to build healthy relationships and marriages in The Art of Relationships Podcast. Listen to get practical insights on how to deal with everyday relationship issues, whether it's your roommate, your parents, a friend, or a significant other. The Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships exists to build and sustain healthy relationships and marriages in the church and broader culture by combining the timeless, cross-cultural wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research, insights and tools. Learn more at cmr.biola.edu.
Episodes
- Marriage Without Passion: The Psychology of Companionate Love
This episode discusses companionate love and how marriages can lose passion. It explores reasons for fading passion and offers practical methods to reignite it in relationships.
- The Psychology of Situationships
Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the psychology of situationships, defining them as relationships with emotional connection but lacking clear commitment. They explain how these relationships differ from casual hookups and traditional dating,…
- Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as Your Skills with Debra Fileta
In this episode, Debra Fileta joins Chris Grace to discuss the importance of strong people skills for healthy relationships. They explore how self-awareness, ownership, and intentional conversation can transform various relationships, offe…
- The Postgrad Trenches
In this episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast, Tatum Munivez and Rachel Pestana discuss the challenges and transitions of post-college life, offering insights on navigating uncertainty and maintaining relationships. They cover topics…
- What No One Told You About Sex
Chris and Alisa Grace, joined by Amanda Courvoisier, PsyD, discuss common misconceptions about sex, intimacy, and expectations in relationships. They explore the gap between cultural messages and healthy, biblical perspectives on sex, focu…
- Marriage Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard
This episode explores how marriage can become easier over time, covering communication, conflict resolution, and the impact of modern challenges like phone distraction and AI on relationships. It offers practical tools and insights for bui…
- How Forgiveness Heals What Trauma Breaks with Dr. Matt Williams
In this episode, Dr. Matt Williams joins Chris and Alisa Grace to discuss how forgiveness heals what trauma breaks, differentiating it from reconciliation. They explore the biblical, emotional, relational, and spiritual aspects of forgiven…
- How To Find Your People
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how to find meaningful, Christ-centered friendships in adulthood. They explore the biblical foundation for friendship, common barriers, and offer practical wisdom for building trust and intent…
- The Marriage Habit: 10 Simple Practices to Build a More Intentional, Thriving Relationship
Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how small, consistent habits can transform a marriage with Casey and Meygan Caston. They explore intentional daily practices from Castons' book "The Marriage Habit" that help couples build a stronger relations…
- How to Support a Friend Who is Hurting
Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how to support a friend who is hurting, covering various difficult situations. They emphasize being present, listening, validating experiences, and offering practical help, sharing personal stories and example…
- What Do We Tell the Kids About Santa?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how Christian parents can thoughtfully approach the topic of Santa Claus while keeping Christ at the center of Christmas. They explore the history and cultural role of Santa, research on child…
- Attachment Styles: How Your Childhood Shapes Your Relationships
This episode features Alisa Grace and Willa Williams discussing attachment styles. They explore how childhood caregiving environments form attachment styles and how these patterns appear in adult relationships, marriages, and one's walk wi…
- Teaching Kids Gratitude in a Me-First Culture
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore methods for teaching children gratitude amidst a culture of entitlement. They provide practical ideas for parents to encourage thankfulness in their kids.
- Making Marriage Easier with Arlene Pellicane
In this episode, Arlene Pellicane, author and host of The Happy Home Podcast, joins Alisa to discuss how couples can build habits for an easier and more joyful marriage. They explore biblical wisdom, research-based habits, and personal sto…
- What’s REALLY Haunting Your Marriage?
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast with Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discusses "marriage monsters" such as unspoken expectations, avoidance, contempt, and emotional disengagement. They offer insights on identifying and addressin…
- Finding Freedom That Heals Your Relationships
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast features Chris Grace, Dr. John-Paul Foster, and Dr. Matt Williams discussing their book "Finding Freedom in Jesus." They explore how understanding one's identity in Christ can transform rela…
- I Had Sex Before Marriage...
Chris and Alisa Grace explore the question of forgiveness for Christians who had sex before marriage. They discuss God's design for sex, His response to sexual sin, and the possibility of emotional, spiritual, and relational healing, offer…
- Making Friends in College Is Harder Than I Expected—Now What?
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast features Chris and Alisa Grace discussing the difficulties of making friends in college, covering psychological and social obstacles and offering solutions to overcome loneliness. They provi…
- What Does a Christ-Centered Marriage Really Look Like?
Chris and Alisa Grace explore the defining traits of a Christ-centered marriage. They discuss key differences between valuing Christ and truly centering your relationship on Him, as well as practical habits that help couples reflect the lo…
- Dating 101: A Guide to Dating Well
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast explores dating with intentionality, emotional health, and biblical wisdom. Topics include aligning faith, assessing red and green flags, and the role of spiritual discernment and emotional…
- Why Do I Compare Myself to Everyone Else?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the reasons behind comparing oneself to others, the negative effects of comparison, and how to overcome it. They provide advice on improving self-perception and relational health, drawing from…
- Healthy vs. Harmful Conflict: Understanding the Difference
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast distinguishes between healthy and harmful conflict, offering strategies to de-escalate tension, communicate effectively, and foster emotional connection. It covers topics like recognizing em…
- Hustle Culture Lied to You
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the realities and myths of hustle culture, discussing its promises of success versus its toll on emotional, physical, and relational health. They provide practical insights and tips to reframe…
- Gentle Parenting vs. Tough Love—Which One Actually Works?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss gentle parenting and tough love approaches. They explore the core principles, benefits, and potential pitfalls of each method, clarifying common misconceptions and offering insights to help pa…
- Why Am I Always Exhausted? The Burnout No One Talks About
This episode explores the hidden costs of chronic busyness and emotional exhaustion, discussing burnout symptoms and its effect on relationships. It also offers insights on how to recover from burnout and rediscover joy and connection.
- How to Have Hard Conversations Without Losing the Relationship
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast explores how to navigate difficult conversations in relationships. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss preparing, regulating emotions, choosing timing, and using the “affirmation sandwich” method…
- Should You Break Up? 13 Signs It’s Time to Walk Away
Chris and Alisa Grace explore when to end a dating relationship. They discuss 13 red flags such as spiritual misalignment, boundary issues, emotional unavailability, and unresolved conflict, offering advice for navigating relationships.
- Where’s the Line? Setting Healthy Boundaries in Dating
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast features Chris and Alisa Grace discussing how to set and maintain healthy boundaries in dating relationships. They cover emotional, physical, and spiritual boundaries, offering advice on com…
- Roommate HORROR Stories!
Chris and Alisa Grace explore various college roommate experiences, from conflicts to boundary issues. They provide insights and tips for managing difficult living situations and improving relationships with roommates, friends, or spouses.
- Boundaries vs. Ultimatums with Willa Williams
In this episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast, Alisa Grace and Willa Williams discuss the differences between boundaries and ultimatums. They provide practical tools and real-life examples to help listeners communicate needs and resp…
- The Parenting Trap: How Modern Culture Is Ruining Childhood with Tim Carney
In this episode, Chris Grace and Tim Carney discuss the challenges of modern parenting, exploring how cultural shifts, over-scheduling, and fear-based parenting impact raising children. They offer insights on community-driven parenting and…
- What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Engaged with Tatum Munivez
In this episode, Chris Grace and guest co-host Tatum Munivez explore key questions to ask before getting engaged. They discuss essential relationship considerations, including compatibility, handling conflict, and emotional safety, offerin…
- Love Languages: How to Show Love to Every Person in Your Life This Valentine’s Day
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast features Chris and Alisa Grace discussing the five love languages and their application in various relationships. They offer practical advice on identifying and speaking love languages to fo…
- When You Don't Know Who You Are Anymore with Guests Arianna Molloy and Tim Muehlhoff
Chris Grace, Arianna Molloy, and Tim Muehlhoff discuss navigating identity, calling, and work-life balance within relationships. The conversation covers understanding work as a calling, avoiding burnout, setting boundaries, and finding res…
- Sexpectations in Marriage with Guests Shaunti Feldhahn & Brian Goins
Chris and Alisa Grace with Shaunti Feldhahn and Brian Goins explore marital intimacy and communication. They discuss initiating and receptive desire, and ways couples can foster understanding.
- Breaking the Chains of Pornography with Guest Nick Stumbo
Chris and Alisa Grace, with guest Nick Stumbo, discuss the challenges and impacts of pornography in relationships and personal lives. They explore the mental, relational, and spiritual implications and discuss paths to healing and restorat…
- Navigating Holiday Stress: Balancing Busyness, Expectations, and Joy
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore managing holiday stress, balancing busyness, expectations, and finding joy. They discuss practical tips for setting realistic expectations, planning ahead, navigating family dynamics, and stay…
- Dealing with Grief and Loss During the Holidays with Guest Kevin Van Lant
Chris and Alisa Grace explore coping with grief and loss during the holidays, joined by Dr. Kevin Van Lant. They discuss acknowledging pain, supporting yourself and others, and the role of faith in the grieving process.
- Why Traditions Matter: A CMR Staff Roundtable
Chris and Alisa Grace, joined by CMR staff, discuss the importance of family traditions, their role in bonding and belonging, and how they adapt through life changes. They share personal stories and offer practical insights for navigating…
- Stalemates, Compassion, and Truth with Guests Sean McDowell & Tim Muehlhoff — pt. 2
In this episode, Chris Grace, Sean McDowell, and Tim Muehlhoff discuss strategies for navigating difficult conversations in a polarized world. They cover building relational capital, showing compassion, and understanding when and how to sh…
- End the Stalemate with Guests Sean McDowell & Tim Muehlhoff — pt. 1
This episode features Chris Grace, Sean McDowell, and Tim Muehlhoff discussing how to have difficult conversations in a polarized world. They explore navigating disagreements, the impact of contempt, and the importance of empathy for healt…
- Top 6 Relationship Killers with Guest Willa Williams
In this episode, Alisa Grace and guest Willa Williams, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discuss common destructive habits in relationships, such as taking things personally, assuming the worst, and failing to show empathy. They of…
- Rituals That Matter: How Small Actions Foster Big Relationship Wins
Chris and Alisa Grace explore how consistent, intentional actions can strengthen relationships. They discuss recognizing and responding to bids for attention and highlight simple rituals to foster connection with loved ones.
- Small Moments, Big Impact: How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore bids for attention and their impact on relationship strength, referencing research from Drs. John and Julie Gottman. They offer practical insights to help listeners stay connected with their p…
- First Fruits and Fumes
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how couples often run on fumes due to the demands of parenting, work, and life. They explore practical ways to prioritize marriage when time and energy are limited, drawing on Scripture and pe…
- The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: What To Do With Personality Tools
Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the impact of personality on relationships and offer practical ways to utilize personality tools for self-understanding and understanding others.
- Does Intent Matter?
In this episode, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the importance of intent in communication and its effects on relationships. They explore practical approaches to assess and adapt communication for better relational outcomes.
- Red Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle with Bill and Pam Farrel
Bill and Pam Farrel join Chris and Alisa Grace to discuss their book, "Red Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle." They explore the T.I.M.E. acronym related to marital intimacy and cultivating lasting monogamy.
- Do You Have What It Takes To Make A Difference?
This episode of The Art of Relationships Podcast features Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace with Bill and Pam Farrel. They discuss mentorship and practical ways to make a difference.
- What's a Bid for Connection and Why You Need to Know
Chris and Alisa Grace discuss bids for connection, how to recognize and respond to them, and the relational damage caused by ignoring them. This episode explores the importance of acknowledging these bids in relationships.