Today I sit down with Carl and Heather Cartee, married 26 years and hosts of their own marriage podcast, for our first deep dive into marriage on Everything Made Beautiful. This conversation is for every couple - whether you're thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between.

Carl and Heather get real about the biggest challenge they see in marriages today: the epidemic of busyness that leaves couples drifting apart without even realizing it. They share the crucial distinction between marriage as contract versus covenant, and why understanding that difference can transform how you approach conflict and commitment.

This conversation tackles practical tools for reconnecting when you feel like roommates, including their wisdom to "act your way into a feeling instead of feeling your way into an action" and "be interested, not interesting" when drawing out your spouse. We dive into why regular maintenance matters more than crisis intervention and how their own seasons of struggle led them to normalize therapy and community support.

With four teenage boys at home, they offer insight into how their marriage has evolved through different seasons and why the things that initially drew them together also became sources of conflict. They share vulnerable stories about learning to use words as tools for connection rather than weapons, and how God has refined their strengths without diminishing what makes them unique.

Whether your marriage needs a tune-up or major repair, this conversation offers hope, practical steps, and the reminder that if you're not intentionally working on your marriage, you're naturally drifting apart. Their message is clear: don't ever be discouraged - God is fighting for your marriage.

Carl + Heather's Website: https://www.carlandheather.com/
Carl + Heather's Podcast: https://www.carlandheather.com/podcast
Carl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlcartee/
Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.cartee/