The Voyage Cast: Real Talk on Marriage, Mental Health, & Emotional Growth

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Knowing how you feel is one thing. Knowing what to do with those feelings? That’s emotional intelligence—and it can make or break your relationship.

In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker explores why emotional intelligence (EQ) is essential for relational health—and why so many of us were never taught how to use it.

You’ll discover:

• How low EQ shows up in marriage as blame, defensiveness, and emotional shutdown
• How to build emotional awareness without shame or self-criticism
• Why empathy, regulation, and honest expression are critical to connection
• Simple tools to shift from emotional chaos to relational clarity

Think of this as the emotional skills class you should’ve had in school—but for grown-up relationships.

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What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

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Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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We all say we want the truth—but do we really? In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker unpacks the emotional and relational cost of avoiding honesty. Whether it’s pretending everything’s fine, avoiding conflict, or withholding your real thoughts to “keep the peace,” comfortable lies slowly fracture connection. You’ll learn how to spot self-protective patterns, how to approach honesty without cruelty, and why facing hard truths is often the most loving move you can make. This one’s for the people who smile and nod while their insides scream “no.”

For the Full Article “Comfortable Lies vs Hard Truths” click here. 

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What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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Not all lies are loud.

In marriage, it’s often the quiet, everyday phrases—“I’m fine,” “It doesn’t bother me,” “I’m over it”—that do the most long-term damage.

In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker explores how small, self-protective lies quietly erode emotional intimacy and relational trust. These aren’t betrayals you read about in books—they’re the slow drips that wear down even strong connections.

With candid insight and a powerful satirical segment inspired by C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Eddie breaks down:

• The hidden cost of emotional dishonesty in marriage
• How hyper-individualism and unforgiveness distort intimacy
• Why the illusion of “endless options” sabotages commitment
• How to build truth-based relationships that actually last

This episode blends humor, theology, and practical advice, offering a call to action for couples who want more than survival in marriage—they want restoration.

Because real love doesn’t lie—it leans in.

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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Behind every family is a story—and sometimes, a secret. In this special interview episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker sits down with the author of The Housekeeper’s Secret to unpack a deeply personal narrative of family trauma, silence, and redemption. Together, they explore how generational pain gets passed down, how forgiveness reshapes identity, and what it takes to interrupt cycles of emotional hurt. This conversation blends storytelling and therapeutic insight, inviting listeners to reflect on their own pasts and consider what it means to reclaim truth, healing, and hope in the face of legacy.

Whether you’ve struggled with your own family history or simply love a powerful redemption arc, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to sit with the uncomfortable—and discover what freedom might be waiting on the other side.

Get the book from Amazon

Sandras Website: https://www.sandraschnakenburg.com/book

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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What happens when we try to control everything—including how we love, protect, or isolate ourselves? In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker reflects on the subtle but costly drift toward self-worship—what happens when we place ourselves at the center of every decision, emotion, and relationship. Through honest insight and a grounded conversation, he explores how the pursuit of autonomy and emotional self-sufficiency can quietly destroy intimacy, limit growth, and leave us lonelier than ever. If you’ve ever been praised for being “strong” while quietly falling apart, this episode is for you.

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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Blame feels good—for a moment. But over time, it chips away at trust, prevents growth, and creates emotional distance in even the closest relationships.

In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker breaks down the hidden cost of blame and how it becomes a defensive reflex that shields us from vulnerability but isolates us from connection.

We explore:

• Why blame is so emotionally seductive
• How it shows up in marriages, parenting, and communication
• What blame is actually protecting (spoiler: it’s not your relationship)
• How to move from accusation to ownership—and from disconnection to repair

If you’re tired of the same arguments, miscommunication, or emotional shutdowns in your relationships, this episode offers a roadmap out of blame and back toward healing.

Because real connection starts where finger-pointing stops.

To read the original article "Marital Blame Game: A Detrimental Dance" by Eddie Eccker MS, LMFT Click HERE

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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We throw the word “love” around a lot—but not all love is created equal. In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker walks through The Four Loves as outlined by C.S. Lewis: affection, friendship, eros, and charity. With both depth and practical insight, this episode explores how each love shows up in our lives—and what happens when we confuse them. Whether you’re trying to understand your marriage, navigate a friendship, or make sense of a relational disconnect, this conversation offers clarity, challenge, and a framework that could change how you love for good.

Get the Book: CS Lewis “The Four Loves” 

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

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In this episode of The Voyage Cast, co-creator and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Matt Johnson unpacks the concept of “love tests”—those subtle, often subconscious ways we test the people closest to us. Whether it’s expecting a partner to “just know” what we need or withholding connection to see if they’ll chase us, these patterns often lead to misunderstanding and emotional distance. Through thoughtful insight and practical examples, Matt explores how love tests develop, how to recognize them, and how to replace them with vulnerability, clear communication, and real connection. This episode is a guide to building trust without guesswork—and loving without conditions.

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

Send us Fan Mail

Not all marriage advice is helpful—some of it can actually make things worse. In this episode of The Voyage Cast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Eddie Eccker unpacks some of the most common misconceptions about what makes a relationship thrive. From unrealistic expectations to oversimplified clichés, Eddie shares what couples really need when the road gets rough: presence, communication, and mutual support. Whether you’re navigating a tough season or simply looking to strengthen your connection, this episode offers honest insight and practical tools to help you grow together, not apart.

If you want to read the original blog click here 

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

What does it take to keep becoming? Eddie Eccker wrestles with that question on The Voyage Cast through interviews, topical discussions, and teachings on emotional health, marriage and family, faith, and the habits and stories that shape a life.

Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagescounselingco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573649534384
X: https://twitter.com/thevoyagecast
Website: https://thevoyagecast.com
Eddie Eccker: https://www.eddieeccker.com
Voyages Counseling: https://www.voyagescounseling.com