In this episode, Chris Grace is joined by psychology student Patrick Flanigan to explore the power of biblical discipleship and why following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. Together, they unpack the difference between mentorship and discipleship and what it looks like to intentionally walk alongside someone in their faith.

They discuss why discipleship requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to be inconvenienced for others. They also explore how having someone further along in their faith can help us navigate doubt and hardship, why disciplers don’t need to have everything figured out, and how being fully known can open the door to deeper spiritual growth.

Whether you’re looking for someone to disciple you or wondering how God might use you to invest in someone else, this conversation offers practical encouragement to take the next step. Patrick and Chris challenge listeners to be proactive, embrace vulnerability, and pursue relationships where they can both learn from someone ahead of them and pour into someone coming behind them.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5LpW91-sFgA

Resources Mentioned:

• The Great Commission (Matthew 28) - Jesus’ call to His followers to go and make disciples, a reminder that discipleship is part of the calling of every Christian.
• Paul and Timothy - A biblical model of discipleship that demonstrates what it can look like to intentionally invest in someone’s faith and prepare them to disciple others.
• Matthew 25: The Sheep and the Goats - A passage that has shaped Patrick’s desire to remain willing to be inconvenienced in order to serve and invest in others.

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Host:

Chris Grace, Ph.D., is passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As co-director of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, he combines the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about his work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace sit down with licensed professional counselor and marriage ministry leader Dr. Genee Francis to explore marital drift—the slow, often unnoticed loss of connection that can happen even in strong, committed marriages. They discuss why couples begin to feel emotionally disconnected, how communication struggles can actually point to a deeper loss of intimacy, and how different seasons of life can gradually pull spouses apart.

Dr. Francis shares practical ways couples can begin reconnecting, from remembering what first brought them together and staying curious about who their spouse is today to creating simple rhythms of connection, expressing specific gratitude, and dreaming about their future together. They also discuss the importance of Christian community, counseling as healthy marriage maintenance, and re-anchoring your marriage in shared values and your relationship with Christ. Whether you've been married for a few years or a few decades, this episode offers encouragement and tangible steps to recognize drift early, rebuild intimacy, and intentionally protect your marriage.

Resources Mentioned:

• WinShape Marriage — Marriage retreats and resources for couples in every season, from premarital relationships to empty nesting: https://marriage.winshape.org/
• The Art (and Science) of Relationships — A seven-lesson course from the Center for Marriage and Relationships exploring emotional safety, conflict, forgiveness, gratitude, technology, and practical steps for building healthier relationships: https://learn.biola.edu/courses/the-art-and-science-of-relationships
• Center for Marriage and Relationships Resources — Explore Ask the Expert content, podcast episodes, video clips, marriage mentoring resources, and more: https://cmr.biola.edu/
• More on Genee Francis: https://marriage.winshape.org/staff/genee-francis/
  • WinShape Marriage Website
  • WinShape Marriage Instagram

Connect with Us:

• Website: https://cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:

Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at https://cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Rachel Pestana and Tatum Munivez share what they wish they had known before starting college. Drawing from their own experiences as recent graduates, they offer practical encouragement for navigating one of life's biggest transitions. From building meaningful friendships and navigating dating to handling homesickness, connecting with professors, choosing a major, and growing into adulthood, they provide honest advice to help students approach college with confidence and grace. Whether you're preparing to leave home, figuring out friendships, dating, academics, or your future career, this episode is packed with practical wisdom to help you thrive during your college years.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RL4pip8f3X4

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Relationship Advice Appointments – Receive confidential, biblical, and practical relationship guidance from the Center for Marriage and Relationships. Available in person or virtually. https://cmr.biola.edu/resources/relationship-advice
• Center for Marriage and Relationships Resources – Browse podcasts, blogs, articles, and relationship resources for every stage of life. https://cmr.biola.edu/

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with an incoming college student, parent, or friend who could benefit from these insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:
Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace answer some of the most common (and most honest) dating questions submitted by attendees at the Biola Couples Conference. From navigating physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries to figuring out compatibility, alone time, conflict, and preparing for marriage, they offer biblical wisdom and practical guidance for every stage of dating.

They discuss how to distinguish healthy attraction from lust, why intentional boundaries matter, how to recover after crossing those boundaries, the role of prayer and spiritual intimacy in dating, finding shared hobbies, addressing relationship concerns, and overcoming fear surrounding physical intimacy before marriage. Along the way, they share personal stories from their own relationship and practical advice for building healthy patterns that last.

Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or mentoring someone in a relationship, this episode offers thoughtful insights to help you pursue relationships that honor God and foster lasting intimacy.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZFClUEIRSSk

Resources Mentioned:

• Sheet Music by Dr. Kevin Leman – A practical Christian guide to sexual intimacy designed for engaged and newly married couples. Chris and Alisa recommend reading the first few chapters before marriage and the remaining chapters afterward.
• Free Relationship Advice – Biola Center for Marriage & Relationships – Receive confidential, biblical, and practical relationship guidance from the CMR team: https://cmr.biola.edu/resources/relationship-advice
• CMR Relationship Resources – Explore articles, podcasts, and practical tools on dating, marriage, and healthy relationships: https://cmr.biola.edu/

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who is navigating dating or engagement and could benefit from these relationship insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and relationship resources from the Center for Marriage & Relationships: http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:
Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage & Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace continue their conversation with Tony and Lymari Navarro as they share the powerful second half of their story of healing after infidelity. This episode explores what it actually takes to rebuild trust, restore intimacy, and create a stronger marriage through God's grace.

Tony and Lymari discuss the importance of laying a new foundation rooted in Scripture, embracing the "messy middle" of recovery, finding the right support, celebrating small victories, and choosing perseverance when healing feels slow. They also share practical encouragement for couples navigating broken trust, reminding listeners that restoration isn't about returning to what once was—it's about allowing God to build something entirely new.

Whether you're walking through betrayal, supporting a friend in crisis, strengthening your own marriage, or simply wanting to build healthier relationships, this episode offers biblical wisdom and practical hope for the journey.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3AOwkiFfIDA

Resources Mentioned

• From Ruin to Renewal: Tony and Lymari Navarro share their personal story of rebuilding their marriage after infidelity while discovering God's power to restore what was broken. https://shop.familylife.com/product/from-ruin-to-renewal/
• Weekend to Remember® Marriage Getaway: The marriage conference that became a turning point in Tony and Lymari's restoration journey, providing biblical tools and practical guidance for building a healthy marriage. https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/
• Home with the Navarros: Marriage coaching, speaking information, resources, and encouragement from Tony and Lymari Navarro. https://www.tonyandlymarinavarro.com/
• Tony & Lymari Navarro on Instagram: Follow their ongoing ministry, marriage encouragement, and family life content. https://www.instagram.com/tonyandlymarinavarro

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who needs hope that healing and restoration are possible.
• Sign up for weekly relationship resources and encouragement from the Center for Marriage and Relationships: http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts

Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace sit down with marriage coaches, speakers, and authors Tony and Lymari Navarro to hear the first part of their powerful story of betrayal, broken trust, and the beginning of restoration. Tony and Lymari share how their relationship began, their journey to faith, and the challenges they faced as young believers trying to build a marriage without healthy models or examples.

As their family grew, unresolved wounds, unhealthy communication patterns, and emotional distance created cracks beneath the surface of their marriage. When Lymari received a phone call revealing Tony's infidelity, everything came crashing down. Together, they candidly discuss the devastating impact of betrayal, the role of wise counsel during a crisis, the tension between justice and grace, and how God met them in the midst of their deepest pain.

Whether you're walking through betrayal, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to build a stronger marriage, this episode offers honest encouragement and biblical wisdom about forgiveness, grace, and the first steps toward healing.

Watch on YouTube:

Resources Mentioned:

From Ruin to Renewal – Tony and Lymari Navarro's story of rebuilding their marriage after infidelity and discovering God's power to restore what was broken.
https://shop.familylife.com/product/from-ruin-to-renewal/

Home with the Navarros – Marriage resources, coaching, speaking information, and encouragement from Tony and Lymari Navarro.
https://www.tonyandlymarinavarro.com/

Tony & Lymari Navarro on Instagram – Follow their ongoing ministry, marriage encouragement, and family life content.
https://www.instagram.com/tonyandlymarinavarro

Connect with Us:

Website: cmr.biola.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show.

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.

Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships!
http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:

Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the do’s and don’ts of breaking up well. They discuss how to end a relationship with honesty, kindness, and maturity, while avoiding common mistakes like ghosting, giving false hope, or staying in unhealthy contact after the breakup. They also share practical guidance for navigating the emotional aftermath, processing grief, and seeking God's wisdom throughout the process.

Whether you're considering a breakup, recovering from one, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical tools to help you move forward in a healthy way.

Want advice on your breakup? We can help! cmr.biola.edu/resources/relationship-advice

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gs6MUpHp8bs

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on your platform to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:

Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the psychology behind whirlwind romances: relationships that move quickly with intense passion and early commitment, but often lack deep emotional intimacy. They discuss Robert Sternberg’s triangular theory of love, highlighting how passion and commitment can create the illusion of a strong relationship when intimacy hasn’t had time to develop. 

They unpack key signs of a whirlwind romance, like instant chemistry, rapid emotional closeness, constant communication, and early talk of a future together. The episode also dives into the role of brain chemistry (dopamine and oxytocin) that can make these relationships feel deeper than they actually are. Chris and Alisa offer practical wisdom on why intensity doesn’t equal intimacy, the risks of moving too fast, and how to slow things down by setting boundaries, building friendship, and developing a solid foundation over time. 

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/-4R0GWVsk0M

Resources Mentioned:

• Triangular Theory of Love – Framework by Robert Sternberg explaining love through intimacy, passion, and commitment. 

Connect with Us:

•  Website: cmr.biola.edu
•  Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
•  Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
•  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

•  Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
•  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to help others discover the show.
•  Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
•  Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:
Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore what happens when marriages lose passion and shift into what psychologists call companionate love. They discuss the difference between intimacy, commitment, and passion using Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love, why many couples begin to feel more like roommates over time, and the common reasons passion fades—like busyness, lack of curiosity, and taking one another for granted. They also share practical ways to reignite passion, including small behavioral changes, intentional date nights, asking meaningful questions, understanding your spouse’s love language, and creating space for rest and connection. Whether you're dealing with marriage, dating relationships, or long-term commitment, this episode offers practical insights to help you reconnect, rebuild intimacy, and restore passion in your relationship.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jaeq_yvYkJI

Resources Mentioned:

•  The Triangular Theory of Love (Robert Sternberg) – A psychological framework explaining love through intimacy, passion, and commitment. 
•  Going Deeper Together: Spiritual Armor Required – A course designed to help couples recognize spiritual challenges and strengthen their relationship. http://t.ly/iTL9
•  The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman) – A tool to help couples understand how they give and receive love. https://amzn.to/4t5pInf

Connect with Us:

•  Website: cmr.biola.edu
•  Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
•  Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr
•  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr

Join the Conversation:

•  Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
•  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to help others discover the show.
•  Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
•  Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:
Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the psychology of situationships—relationships marked by emotional connection and romantic involvement but lacking clear commitment or definition. They discuss how situationships differ from casual hookups and traditional dating, using Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love to explain how intimacy and passion without commitment can lead to confusion and instability. They also unpack common signs of situationships, why they’ve become more common in modern dating, and the emotional toll they can take.

Throughout the conversation, Chris and Alisa provide practical insights on how to recognize if you’re in a situationship, how to pursue clarity through healthy communication, and why intentionality and commitment are essential for Christ-centered relationships. Whether you're navigating dating, friendships, or trying to discern the direction of a relationship, this episode offers wisdom to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Watch on YouYube: https://youtu.be/tx9VKtvsjW0

Resources Mentioned:

• Triangular Theory of Love (Robert Sternberg) – A psychological framework describing love through three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Connect with Us:

• Website: cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: instagram.com/biolacmr

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on your platform to help others discover the show.
• Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights.
• Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv

About the Hosts:

Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.