The Family Podcast

Healthy communication in marriage is built on four essential pillars: a humble attitude, emotional honesty, relational perspective, and daily intentionality. Instead of striving for a perfect split, spouses must honestly share their emotional capacity and lovingly carry each other’s burdens. By grounding your conversations in biblical love and grace, you can transform difficult conflicts into opportunities for deeper connection and growth.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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We often hear that marriage is a 50/50 partnership, but this popular idea actually sets couples up for failure. In reality, healthy communication requires a shifting balance of grace and support. On any given day, you might only have 20 percent to give due to stress, illness, or exhaustion. A healthy attitude means communicating this reality honestly so your spouse can step up and carry the remaining 80 percent. This selfless approach mirrors the sacrificial love described in the famous "love chapter" of the Bible.

When we stop keeping score, we free ourselves to love our partner generously. This attitude changes how we speak and listen. Instead of demanding our own way, we seek to understand where our spouse is coming from. We learn to meet each other with grace rather than building up resentment over who is doing more.

True honesty involves more than just speaking the truth; it also requires knowing when to hold your tongue. If you find yourself emotionally "in the red," you are not in a healthy place to resolve a tough issue. In those tense moments, it is incredibly wise to honestly ask your partner for a brief timeout to cool down. This simple step prevents you from saying hurtful things in the heat of anger that you will later regret.

Taking a break is not the same as ignoring the problem or giving your spouse the silent treatment. Rather, it is a healthy pause designed to protect your relationship. You can say something like, "I really want to talk about this, but I am too overwhelmed right now. Can we take thirty minutes to cool down and try again?" This level of emotional honesty builds trust because it shows you value peace over winning.

When conflict arises, it is easy to slip into the role of a courtroom lawyer. You build a tight case, present evidence, and try to win the argument at all costs. However, you must remember that you are in a relationship, not a trial. If one of you loses an argument, both of you actually lose because your connection suffers.

Shifting your perspective helps you realize that the goal of communication is unity, not victory. You and your spouse are on the same team, fighting against the problem rather than fighting against each other. When you stop trying to "win" the fight, you can begin to listen with empathy. This shift in perspective transforms conflict from a destructive battle into a constructive conversation.

Trust is not built overnight; rather, you earn it through daily, intentional moments of connection. When you consistently show care, listen to the small things, and validate your partner, you earn the right to have much harder conversations later on. We must actively invest in our relationship during times of peace so that we have a strong foundation when storms arrive.

Conflict should not tear your relationship apart. Instead, healthy conflict should help you grow closer together as you navigate life's challenges. As we walk humbly with God, He gives us the grace to love our spouses with mercy and truth. This daily intentionality keeps our hearts soft toward one another and keeps our communication lines wide open.

By embracing these key building blocks for good communication, you can transform your relationship from a battleground into a safe haven. Remember that great communication is a lifelong journey of humility, honesty, and grace. As you seek to love your spouse the way Christ loves us, God will give you the strength to build a lasting, healthy connection.

The word submission often carries a lot of negative baggage in our culture. Many people hear it and immediately think of control, inferiority, or even abuse—but that’s not the picture the Bible gives us. In this episode, Tracy unpacks what biblical submission really means and how, when understood in the context of God’s design for marriage, it can be freeing, beautiful, and deeply honoring to God.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to full article on PursueGOD.org: What Does Culture Get Wrong About Biblical Submission?

Discovering that your kid is being bullied can break your heart and leave you feeling completely helpless. Fortunately, God provides clear wisdom on how to protect your child’s heart while navigating this crisis with grace and strength. By listening deeply, partnering with school administrators, and anchoring your child’s identity in Jesus, you can guide them through this painful season into a place of deep security and confidence.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to article on PursueGOD.org: What Do I Do If My Kid Is Being Bullied?

Managing your spouse’s mental illness requires deep patience, a willingness to learn, and active reliance on God’s daily grace. While navigating diagnoses like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, you can successfully support your partner by educating yourself on their specific condition, attending counseling, and establishing clear relational boundaries. Ultimately, honoring your marriage vows through these trials reflects Christ’s unconditional love, shaping your own character while offering hope and stability to your home.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to article on PursueGOD.org: How Do I Navigate My Spouse’s Mental Illness?

No one gets married planning to become glorified roommates, but without intentionality, it can happen more easily than we think. God designed marriage to be a powerful reflection of sacrificial, covenant love—not simply two people sharing a home. In this episode, Tracy shares practical ways to protect your marriage from drifting into roommate mode and how to reconnect if you’re already there.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to article on PursueGOD.org: Why Is the Roommate Spouse a Bad Idea?

BFF parenting is a terrible idea because it fundamentally compromises the structural boundaries children need to grow into healthy, mature adults. When you choose to step down from your role as a parent to become your child’s best friend, you abandon your God-given authority to guide, mentor, and discipline them. This role confusion usually leaves kids feeling unguided and insecure. While friendly warmth is essential, true biblical parenting requires structural leadership that prioritizes your child’s long-term character development over short-term popularity.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to article on PursueGOD.org: Why Is BFF Parenting a Bad Idea?

If you constantly demand reassurance, control the schedule, or feel panicked when your partner needs space, you might ask yourself, “Do I smother my spouse?” In a healthy marriage, smothering is an unhealthy, anxious reaction to your own internal insecurities, where you accidentally overwhelm your partner with your emotional needs. Thankfully, the Bible offers a better path by reminding us that our ultimate security is found in Jesus Christ, which frees us to love our spouses selflessly rather than using them to fix our own deep wounds.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Link to article: Why Do I Smother My Spouse?

Your children need God's Word to shape their life. In this episode, Tracy highlights three powerful Bible passages that can help shape your child's identity, confidence, and faith. Learn how Psalm 139, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and 2 Timothy 1:7 remind kids that they are uniquely created by God, made new in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with courage and purpose.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Visit: Life Verses for Parents (Series)

John Gottman is a renowned relationship expert who has studied many couples in his love lab. He boasts of his ability to predict with 91% accuracy those who stay married and those that end in divorce by observing how couples communicate and interact with one another.

A couple’s ability to communicate is obviously foundational to a healthy marriage. Gottman would say there are 4 communication styles that often lead to the end of marriage because of the damage it inflicts on couples.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Parenting teenagers can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with disrespect, irresponsibility, and dating questions. In this episode, Tracy unpacks practical, biblical wisdom for navigating these challenging years with confidence and grace. Learn how to build trust instead of escalating conflict, help your teen develop responsibility, and guide them toward wise, God-honoring choices in relationships.

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The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Links to articles on these topics on PursueGOD.org:

A Parent’s Guide for the Teen Years (Series)