Zach talks with Sarah Rhoades and her boyfriend Grady, a young couple navigating the first year of their relationship. They share how a chance meeting at Grady’s backyard open mic, where he held a microphone for Sarah’s banjo, turned into an unexpected connection built on shared values, openness, and adventure.

Sarah and Grady reflect on blending friend groups, learning from divorced parents, and building a “tree trunk” foundation strong enough to handle differences in interests. They discuss the balance between independence and togetherness, the role of transparency, and their approach to the looming challenge of Sarah heading to college. With humor and thoughtfulness, they explore what it means to be intentional about connection, no matter your age.

Shared values beat shared hobbies: They connect on deeper principles and character rather than just liking the same activities.

Integration matters: Early on, they made intentional efforts to include each other in separate friend groups, creating a unified social circle.

Independence strengthens the unit: Inspired by Sarah’s grandparents, they value being able to live individual lives while staying connected as a couple.

Radical honesty as a reaction to secrecy: Grady’s experience with passive-aggressive family dynamics led him to favor openness and directness.

Parents notice the positive impact: Both sets of parents appreciate how the relationship brings out the best in them.

Facing change together: They’re preparing for the shift when Sarah leaves for college, focusing on communication and balance over fear.

Resisting cultural shortcuts: Despite living in a hookup culture, they see commitment as natural once you find the right person.

Sarah Rhoades
A recent high school graduate and musician, Sarah plays banjo and values independence, adventure, and intentional connection.

Grady
A high school senior who runs a backyard open mic, Grady brings openness, curiosity, and a commitment to honesty into the relationship.

Key TakeawaysGuest Info

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