Do you ever feel the weight of an invisible to-do list burdening your relationship? In this illuminating episode, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome Dr. Morgan Cutlip, psychologist and author of "A Better How: Couples Can Tackle the Mental Load for More Fun, Less Resentment, and Great Sex." Dr. Cutlip breaks down how the mental load—that seemingly endless list of tasks, responsibilities, and emotional calculations we carry—affects intimacy and connection in marriage.

Dr. Cutlip explains the three domains of tasks that make up the mental load (physical, mental, and emotional labor) and why women typically carry a disproportionate share in home and family life. She offers practical insights on how couples can better understand each other's needs when it comes to sex and connection, including the differences between spontaneous and responsive desire. The conversation reveals how scheduling intimacy, creating margin for emotional connection, and practicing appreciation can transform a relationship from resentment to joy.

Whether you're struggling with a relational rut or simply want to deepen your connection, this episode provides actionable steps for fighting for your marriage by tackling the mental load together. As Rebekah and Gabe honestly share from their own journey, you'll be encouraged that healing and growth are possible when we understand each other more deeply.

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Let's talk about sex! This week, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons break the silence around the intimate side of marriage that many couples struggle to discuss. They share how growing up with "just don't do it" messages left them confused on their wedding day, and how easy it is for couples to fall into viewing sex as either a transaction or obligation rather than the beautiful connection God designed.

Rebekah shares, "sex becomes loaded with pressure until it feels more comfortable to just avoid it completely." Gabe admits his own misconceptions: "I thought if I did the dishes, it would make you want to have sex with me—like you'd want to pay me back." Their candid admissions make way for practical wisdom about the differences in how men and women approach intimacy and why weekly connection correlates with the happiest marriages. This judgment-free conversation gives couples permission to start talking about expectations, barriers, and how to rediscover sex as something that should be amazing rather than a duty to endure.

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What does it take to maintain a thriving marriage while navigating career changes, raising children, and making major life decisions together? In this heartfelt conversation, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome their longtime friends Tim and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who open up about their 23-year marriage journey. With Tim's background as an ESPN analyst and high school football coach, and Elisabeth's experience in television, the couple shares how they've learned to champion each other's dreams while creating a strong family foundation.

The Hasselbecks discuss the delicate dance of supporting each other's callings through different seasons—from Tim's NFL career to Elisabeth's time on Survivor and in television. They reveal how parenting their three children has required flexibility, vulnerability, and creating a culture where "no topic is off limits." Tim and Elisabeth offer practical wisdom on building family unity through major transitions, balancing different parenting styles, and establishing the kind of trust that encourages children to turn toward their parents rather than away from them during challenging moments.

Whether you're navigating career shifts, raising teens, or simply wanting to strengthen your "fight for us," this conversation offers inspiring insights on becoming each other's biggest fan and creating a family culture where everyone feels seen, known, and deeply loved.

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Do you and your spouse find yourselves having the same arguments over and over? In this episode, Rebekah and Gabe unpack the communication mistakes that keep couples stuck in painful cycles of conflict. Seemingly small word choices like "you always" and "you never" can instantly trigger defensiveness, and why your tone often communicates more than your actual words.

They share vulnerable examples from their own marriage—from Gabe's direct "bottom line" style to Rebekah's emotional intensity—and how they've learned to replace judgment with curiosity. 

Understand why men rush to "fix" problems when women often just need to be heard, and why verbal affirmation is surprisingly powerful for both partners. You’ll learn the power of "notice and naming" something you admire about your spouse this week—a small shift that can create deeper connection.

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What happens when you discover the roots of your marriage conflicts go back to childhood? In this vulnerable conversation, Lady A's Hillary Scott and her husband Chris Tyrrell join Rebekah and Gabe to share how facing their origin stories transformed their relationship. 

Chris bravely discusses how addressing childhood wounds of loneliness helped Hillary see his intense reactions not as a "scary grizzly bear" but as a hurt teenager seeking connection.

Learn the importance of making time for reflection, naming emotions rather than recycling blame, and committing to "return" after conflict. This honest discussion shows how looking backward with curiosity rather than blame creates pathways to healing, bringing redemption to even the most difficult marriage moments.

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Why do we need to look back at our past to move forward in marriage? In this meaningful episode, Rebekah and Gabe explore how unresolved childhood experiences shape our marriage conflicts today. They share that the number one trigger in marital fights is actually tone—not words—because "we sense before we make sense" of what our spouse is saying. 

The Lyons vulnerably discuss how Gabe's counselor once told him he communicated "like an Excel spreadsheet"—all facts with no heart—revealing how childhood trauma had caused him to shut down emotionally.

Drawing from their book "The Fight For Us," they introduce Dr. Chip Dodd's eight primary feelings (hurt, loneliness, sadness, anger, fear, shame, guilt, and gladness) and explain how confessing these emotions transforms them from impairments into gifts. When loneliness is shared, it leads to intimacy; when fear is named, it builds faith. 

The episode closes with a beautiful blessing for couples willing to be vulnerable and trust each other, especially when it requires risk.

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How do successful couples work together without losing their connection? In this conversation, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome longtime friends Willie and Korie Robertson (Duck Dynasty) who share their 33-year journey from teenage sweethearts to partners in both marriage and business. They share how they've navigated their different strengths and personalities—from Willie's love of cooking to Korie's organizational skills—and how they've learned to battle through disagreements with respect.

You'll learn about honoring each other's unique gifts, abandoning rigid gender roles, and giving each other permission to change and navigate through different seasons of life. 

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Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same frustrating cycle with your spouse? In this episode, Rebekah and Gabe explore the four "dysfunctional dances" that couples fall into during conflict. They reveal that half of marriages operate in an intense dance (where both partners have strong opinions and high energy), while many others retreat into silence, anxiety, or avoidance.

Whether you're dealing with hurt that triggers stonewalling, anger that leads to shouting matches, fear that creates walking on eggshells, or guilt that keeps everything surface-level, this conversation helps identify your unique pattern. 

Hear personal experiences of how these unhealthy cycles keep couples emotionally disconnected and how naming your dance is the first step toward breaking free. You'll learn why summer is particularly challenging for marriages and how to reset your relationship before the most stressful seasons hit.

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Ever feel like your spouse is the villain in your marriage story? In this honest conversation, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons sit down with pastor Jonathan Pokluda ("JP") who challenges that narrative with a powerful truth: the real enemy isn't who you think it is. JP vulnerably shares how he and his wife Monica found themselves stuck in a dysfunctional dance after 21 years, and how a conversation with Gabe and Rebekah became "literally life-changing" for their marriage.

You'll learn how the enemy's favorite tactic is getting you to believe your spouse is "crazy" or the problem, while the path to healing comes through confession, prayer, and fighting for—not against—each other. Whether you're experiencing an intense, silent, avoidant, or anxious marriage, this conversation offers hope that you can overcome what divides and build a marriage that thrives.

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In this heartfelt season opener, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons introduce their new series "The Fight For Us" based on their upcoming book. After 28 years of marriage, they share why they're passionate about helping couples move from fighting against each other to fighting for their relationship. Drawing from their own struggles and healing journey, they explain how the Christian marriage covenant isn't just about staying together but thriving together. 

They preview upcoming conversations with guests including Hillary Scott and Chris Tyrell from Lady A, Willie and Korie Robertson, Dr. Morgan Cutlip, and more who will address topics like emotional connection, community support, and maintaining intimacy. This season offers practical tools for couples in any stage of marriage to discover deeper connection.

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