In this episode, Alisa Grace and special guest Willa Williams, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discuss the “Top 6 Relationship Killers” that often hinder our closest connections. They explore common destructive habits, such as taking things personally, assuming the worst, and failing to show empathy, offering practical insights to help listeners build stronger, healthier relationships. Whether you're navigating friendships, family dynamics, or romantic partnerships, this episode provides valuable advice to transform your interactions.

Resources Mentioned:

1. The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller – Explores the principles of speaking truth in love, helping couples build deeper, more authentic relationships.
2. Gottman’s Four Horsemen – An overview of harmful behaviors in relationships, with tools for recognizing and replacing these behaviors. 

Connect with Us:

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

Join the Conversation:

• Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode.
• Leave a review on your preferred 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 dedicated to 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 rituals for connection—consistent, intentional actions that can help strengthen relationships over time. They discuss how recognizing and responding to bids for attention can prevent couples from drifting apart and highlight simple rituals such as saying goodbye, greeting each other, and spending intentional time together. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you reconnect with your loved ones, making your relationships more fulfilling and connected. Whether you're dealing with significant others, friends, children, or roommates, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

• 32 Questions to Spiritual Intimacy – A guide to fostering deeper spiritual connections with your partner through meaningful conversations.
• Date Night Activity: 32 Questions to Intimacy – An engaging activity for couples to build emotional and spiritual intimacy during date nights.
• 31 Questions to Intimacy for Families – A resource to help families connect on a deeper level.
• 30 Questions to Intimacy with Friends – A guide to deepening your friendships through intentional, meaningful conversations.
• Ronald Blue Trust – A biblically-centered wealth planning service that supports couples in financial unity. Visit ronblue.com for more or contact Colby Gilmore at [email protected].

Connect with Us:

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

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 cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore bids for attention—small interactions that can significantly impact the strength of a relationship. They discuss how recognizing and responding to these bids can prevent couples from drifting apart, drawing on research from Drs. John and Julie Gottman. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you stay connected with your partner, emphasizing the power of intentional time together. Whether you're navigating life with a significant other, friends, or even colleagues, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman – A guide to strengthening relationships through understanding key emotional and relational principles.
• Gottman Institute – Learn more about the research behind bids for attention and other relationship dynamics.
• Ronald Blue Trust – A biblically-centered wealth planning service that supports couples in financial unity. Visit ronblue.com for more or contact Colby Gilmore at [email protected]. 

Connect with Us:

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

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 cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how couples often run on fumes due to the demands of parenting, work, and life. They explore practical ways to prioritize marriage when time and energy are limited, offering insights rooted in Scripture and personal experiences. Drawing on Proverbs 3:9-10, they emphasize the importance of giving your spouse the ‘first fruits’ of your time and attention, even when life is chaotic. The Graces provide simple, everyday tips to stay connected and deepen your relationship, whether it’s through greeting your spouse first when coming home, sharing chores, or carving out time for date nights. Their advice is not only applicable to marriage but also to relationships with children, friends, and colleagues, helping listeners nurture stronger connections despite life’s busyness.

Connect with Us:

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

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 cmr.biola.edu.

In this week's episode, CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how personality impacts our relationships, and offer practical ways we can use personality tools to better understand ourselves and others. 

In this week's episode CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the role of intent in communication and offer practical ways to assess and adapt not only what we say but why we say it and the impact it has on our relationships. 

In today's Valentine's special, Chris and Alisa Grace are joined by ministry leaders and best-selling authors Bill and Pam Farrel to discuss their book, Red Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle, and uncover the T.I.M.E. needed to invest in marital intimacy. Listen along to hear what long-lasting intimacy looks like and how their acronym can best help you cultivate red hot monogamy. 

The answer may surprise you!

In this week's episode, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace are joined by marriage ministry leaders and best-selling authors Bill and Pam Farrel to discuss the importance of mentorship and the practical ways everyone can make a difference.

Resources from this week's podcast: 

• CMR Resources
• More from Bill and Pam 

In this week's podcast, CMR Co-Directors Chris and Alisa Grace teach listeners how to recognize and respond to others’ bids for connection and the relational damage it causes when we ignore them.

In this week's podcast, CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace address the not-so-glamorous realities that can come with the holiday season and offer practical tips for how to center your family on each other and Christ this Christmas.