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Most couples dream of a “happily ever after,” but what happens when real life doesn’t match the fairy tale? In this episode of The Marriage Game Plan Podcast, George and Tondra Gregory—NFL chaplains, marriage coaches, and USA Today bestselling authors—pull back the curtain on the early years of their marriage, when unmet expectations, clashing personalities, and life’s pressures threatened to pull them apart.

With honesty and humor, they share the three big challenges they faced:

1. Power Struggle – Who’s leading, who’s following, and how to stop competing with each other
2. Clashing Communication Styles – Why it felt like they were speaking two different languages
3. Two Different Fears, Two Different Focuses – How their personal insecurities created division instead of unity

They also reveal:

• The dangerous myths about marriage they believed starting out
• How stress, busyness, and unspoken expectations erode connection
• The turning point that helped them reframe their vision for marriage
• Practical steps to align dreams with reality and build a stronger bond

If your relationship feels far from the fairy tale—or you want to protect it from the drift—this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and a game plan to write a better love story together.

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