Between the Walls

A listener wrote in with a dilemma a lot of couples quietly face — her boyfriend told her she'd need to give up drinking if they were going to get married. She doesn't think drinking is wrong. He's a church leader whose congregation doesn't condone it. And she loves him more than she loves alcohol. So what's the problem?

The problem is the reason behind the ask.

Jonathan and Jess unpack the difference between dying to self out of love and losing yourself out of pressure. They get into what it looks like to examine someone's character before accepting their convictions, what Paul says about the weaker conscience, and why his position in the church matters more than you'd think.

Plus — what do you do when your spouse's convictions change after you've already said I do?

This one's for anyone wondering where the line is between healthy compromise and quietly becoming a shell of yourself.

What happens when love isn't enough to hold a marriage together? In this episode, we sit down with our close friends Julie and Miguel Cepeda — married eight years, parents, and two of the most honest people we know — as they take us through the full arc of their relationship. From a Tinder match in 2016 and a year of no contact, to a long distance relationship built on a lie, to a marriage that nearly ended on a late night walk around the block.

Julie opens up about how her Type A personality and need for control slowly suffocated the marriage, and what it took for her to finally see her own role in their problems. Miguel shares what it felt like to carry a quiet identity crisis into a marriage he wasn't ready for, and the moment he finally pushed back.

This one goes deep. They talk about financial stress, a miscarriage, a near divorce, and what it actually looks like to rebuild — not just as a couple but as individuals who had to grow up inside their marriage.

If you've ever felt like you were carrying everything, or like your partner just doesn't get it, or if you've ever sat across from the person you love and wondered how you got here — this episode is for you.

We went to the Kendrick Lamar concert. And honestly? We probably shouldn't have been there.

In this episode, Jonathan and Jess get into one of those conversations that's equal parts conviction and self-check — what content are we actually letting in, and what is it doing to us? From the Sinners debate to secular music to binge-watching to those romance novels with dragons in them, we're talking through where the line is, why it's different for everyone, and why wisdom matters just as much as conviction.

No condemnation here. Just two people trying to figure it out — and inviting you into the conversation.

We're revisiting one of our very first conversations — submission — but this time with almost four years of marriage under our belts. Back when we first talked about this, we were barely a year and a half in. A lot has changed. A lot has also stayed the same.

In this episode, we get into what submission actually looks like in a real marriage, where it comes from in Scripture (hint: Ephesians 5 starts with mutual submission — men, that one's for you), and why the conversation is bigger than gender roles or who does the dishes. We also talk about the difference between personality and character, what it looks like to love your spouse when it's hard, and why gratitude might be the most underrated tool in a marriage.

Plus — a little gym saga, Jacquez being dramatic for attention, and a question about what you'd do if your nephew called you from a police station with a Snickers situation.

In this episode:

Between the Walls drops every Wednesday on YouTube and every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Find us on Instagram @betweenthewallspod and subscribe to our Substack for the extended, unfiltered version.

What actually causes marriages to fall apart?

Is it money? Communication? Intimacy? Or something deeper that most people miss?

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan’s parents—married 33 years and experienced marriage counselors—to talk about what they’ve seen in both thriving and struggling relationships. From real-life stories to hard-earned wisdom, this conversation gets honest about what builds a marriage… and what slowly tears it down.

We talk about:

The difference between intent and impact in conflict

Why assuming the worst can quietly destroy a relationship

The three biggest areas couples struggle in

What the first years of marriage really feel like

How to communicate without trying to “win”

And the small habits that keep love alive over time

Whether you’re dating, engaged, or married, this episode will challenge the way you see relationships and give you practical ways to grow.

New episodes every Wednesday

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Jess and Jonathan talk about a topic that doesn’t get discussed enough — backsliding.

What does it really look like to drift from God? Is it a sudden fall, or a slow fade? And how do you find your way back?

They share personal experiences and unpack:

The difference between struggling with sin and becoming comfortable in it

What it looks like to live a “double life” while still showing up to church

How community and accountability help prevent spiritual drift

Why some people walk away, while others feel pulled back to God

The hope found in God’s grace, even when we run

This episode is about the messy middle of faith — the tension between knowing the truth and not always living it, and the reminder that it’s never too late to come back.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Season 3 starts now.

After a long break (and a full kitchen reno), Jess & Jonathan are back—catching you up on what’s changed, what God’s been teaching them, and why they’re moving differently this year.

In this episode, they talk about:

What it’s like rebuilding rhythm after a long pause

The hard truth about fasting (and how it exposes what we really rely on)

Why “perfect” social media couples are under pressure—and what actually keeps a marriage healthy

Setting boundaries around pregnancy conversations while still holding on to hope

The danger of overly confident “prophecies” and why your trust has to stay on God, not people’s words

If you’ve ever felt stretched, disappointed, or tempted to perform your way through life—this one’s for you.

New episodes every Wednesday. Follow the show and connect with us on Instagram: @betweenthewallsPod

We’re back with a life update and answering some of the questions you all sent in! From navigating our fertility journey to talking about choosing your partner over Instagram, online dating, and everything in between—this episode is honest, unfiltered, and full of laughs. Whether you’re here for the wisdom or the wild takes, there’s something in this one for you.

In this episode, we tackle some thought-provoking questions sent in by our listeners! From navigating past attractions and identity, to balancing relationships and social media, we cover it all. Plus, don’t miss our Black Movie Draft at the beginning, where we pick our favorite films! Join us for a fun and real conversation about relationships, love, and everything in between.  

Dating can be confusing, but setting standards doesn’t have to be! In this episode, we dive into the big questions—Do looks really matter? What are the biggest red flags? How do you define your non-negotiables? Whether you’re single, dating, or just figuring it all out, we’re having an honest, faith-filled conversation on what truly matters in relationships.