In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace sit down with James and Arlene Pellicane to explore how marriage can actually become easier—not harder—over time. Drawing from 27 years of marriage, ministry, parenting, and hard-won wisdom, they unpack what it looks like to build a relationship that thrives for the long haul.

They discuss practical tools for healthy communication (including how to address tone and conflict without defensiveness), what to do when you disagree on big decisions, the importance of servant leadership and mutual submission, and why taking fun seriously is essential for a strong marriage. They also tackle modern challenges like phone distraction, the “still face” phenomenon, and even how AI can subtly interfere with influence and connection in a relationship.

Whether you're married, dating, engaged, navigating roommate dynamics, parenting together, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers practical encouragement to help your relationships feel lighter, stronger, and more life-giving.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VPFJW5P_G0Q

Resources Mentioned:

Making Marriage Easier – Arlene Pellicane
A practical, encouraging guide filled with simple habits and mindset shifts that help couples move from surviving marriage to truly enjoying it.
https://arlenepellicane.com

Happy Home University Coaching – James Pellicane
Coaching resources for dads and husbands who want to grow in leadership, connection, and intentional family life.
https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching

Still Face Experiment (Dr. Edward Tronick)
A powerful research study demonstrating how quickly disconnection impacts relationships—and why attentiveness matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Jw0-LExyc

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 grounded in biblical truth.

Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the powerful and often misunderstood topic of forgiveness—and how it differs from reconciliation. Joined by Dr. Matt Williams, professor of New Testament at Biola University, they unpack the biblical, emotional, relational, and spiritual realities of forgiveness and why unforgiveness can become a significant barrier to healing and freedom.

They discuss common misconceptions about forgiveness, the impact of trauma and abuse, and why forgiving someone does not always mean reconciling with them. Dr. Williams shares stories from years of counseling students, explains how unforgiveness can become a spiritual foothold for the enemy, and offers a clear, Christ-centered definition of true biblical forgiveness. The conversation also explores the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual consequences of holding onto unforgiveness—and how releasing it leads to peace, restoration, and freedom in Christ.

Whether you’re navigating hurt with a spouse, family member, friend, coworker, or someone from your past, this episode offers practical wisdom and hope-filled guidance to help you move forward without minimizing the pain you’ve experienced.

Watch on YouTube:

Resources Mentioned:

• Finding Freedom in Jesus: The 21 Attributes of Your Identity in Christ – A book by Dr. Matt Williams and Dr. J.P. Foster that explores identity in Christ as a foundation for healing, forgiveness, and spiritual freedom. https://amzn.to/4ra83uF
• Forgiving and Reconciling: – A book by Dr. Everett Worthington that explains the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation and introduces the REACH model of forgiveness. https://amzn.to/4r63ql3
• Boundaries – A practical resource on establishing healthy boundaries, especially important in situations involving abuse, trauma, or unrepentant behavior. https://amzn.to/4ao8Kt3
• Forgiveness Resource - A practical guide outlining steps to seek and grant forgiveness, four signs you’ve truly forgiven, and three common ways to ruin an apology. https://assets.biola.edu/4396738754672012438/attachment/8cac27f799713c64b2e8014a834f283d/250390_-_CMR_-

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 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 why we were created for community and why finding meaningful, Christ-centered friendships in adulthood can feel so challenging. They discuss the biblical foundation for friendship, common barriers like unrealistic expectations, fear of vulnerability, life transitions, and past hurts, and what healthy, God-honoring friendships actually look like. Throughout the conversation, they offer practical wisdom on taking initiative, building trust over time, being mutual and intentional, and becoming the kind of friend you’re hoping to find. This episode will help you move beyond surface-level connections and begin cultivating life-giving community rooted in faith, character, and shared values.

Whether you’re navigating friendships with coworkers, church community members, fellow parents, classmates, or long-time friends, this episode offers thoughtful guidance to help you build deeper, more sustaining relationships.

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/L1E--5VSQJs

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’s longing for deeper connection or community.
• 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, faith-based guidance for everyday relationships. Learn more about their work at cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace sit down with Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage 365, to explore how small, consistent habits can radically transform a marriage. Drawing from their own near-divorce story and their new book, The Marriage Habit, they discuss how thriving marriages are built not on perfection or big breakthroughs, but on intentional daily practices rooted in curiosity, gratitude, humility, and grace.

Throughout the conversation, they unpack several of the ten habits from the book, including the weekly marriage business meeting, scheduling sex, the 60-second blessing, and the power of unsolicited apologies. The discussion highlights how habits reduce conflict, create emotional safety, deepen intimacy, and help couples resist “the drift” that so often happens over time. Listeners will gain practical, research-informed tools they can apply immediately—whether their spouse is fully on board or not.

Whether you’re navigating marriage, preparing for marriage, parenting, or even managing roommates and family relationships, this episode offers hope-filled, actionable insights to help you build a more intentional and connected relationship.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fz5lRp7iPc8

Resources Mentioned:

• The Marriage Habit – Casey and Meygan Caston outline 10 simple, research-based habits to help couples move from drifting to thriving. https://amzn.to/4qS18pi
• 365 Connecting Questions for Couples – A practical tool designed to build emotional intimacy through intentional, curiosity-driven conversation. https://amzn.to/49iwBLq
• Marriage 365 App – A digital resource offering videos, courses, and tools to help couples strengthen their relationship.
  www.marriage365.com/app
  
  

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 how to support a friend who is hurting—whether they’re grieving a loss, facing illness, walking through heartbreak, or feeling overwhelmed by life’s pressures. They discuss the importance of being present, listening without trying to fix the problem, validating a friend’s experience, and offering practical help in meaningful ways. Throughout the conversation, they share personal stories and real-life examples that highlight what helps—and what can unintentionally hurt—when someone is in pain.

This episode provides practical insights and relational tools to help you show up with empathy, compassion, and wisdom, offering real support rather than clichés or quick fixes. Whether you’re navigating relationships with friends, family members, roommates, or others in your life, this conversation will help you care for people well during difficult seasons.

Connect with Us:

• Website: https://cmr.biola.edu
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/biolacmr
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/biolacmr
• YouTube: https://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 relational insight. Learn more about their work at https://cmr.biola.edu

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore how Christian parents can thoughtfully approach the topic of Santa Claus while keeping Christ at the center of Christmas. They discuss the history and cultural role of Santa, research on child development and imagination, concerns about honesty and trust, and several practical approaches Christian families take. They also offer guidance for building Christ-centered traditions that nurture wonder, generosity, and spiritual formation in children.

Whether you're navigating this question with toddlers, teens, grandchildren, or extended family, this episode provides wisdom, reassurance, and practical rhythms to keep Christmas meaningful and Christ-focused.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rxxoxeDb4sw

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, Alisa Grace sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Willa Williams to unpack how your family of origin shapes the way you love, connect, and relate today. Together, they explore how childhood caregiving environments form your attachment style—secure, avoider, pleaser, or vacillator—and how those patterns often surface in adult relationships, marriages, and even your walk with God.

They break down how misinterpretations happen, why couples get stuck in pursue–withdraw cycles, and what to do when your emotional reactions today are rooted in yesterday’s wounds. Most importantly, Willa offers practical tools for growth, healing, and developing a more secure attachment—whether you grew up in a healthy home or a deeply broken one.

Whether you're navigating marriage, dating, friendships, or family relationships, this conversation will give you hope, language, and a roadmap to healthier connection.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yW2OLLXVJdM

Resources Mentioned:

• How We Love — Milan & Kay Yerkovich: A foundational book on adult attachment styles and how childhood wounds shape marriage and communication. https://howwelove.com/shop/how-we-love-book/
• How We Love Attachment Style Quiz: A free online assessment to help you identify your attachment style and start meaningful conversations with loved ones. https://howwelove.com/love-style-quiz/
  
  

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 how to teach kids genuine gratitude in a culture that constantly feeds entitlement. They talk about why “me-first” messaging (from social media, advertising, and peer groups) shapes the way kids see themselves, their stuff, and even God’s grace—and how parents can gently push back. Along the way, they share practical ideas like modeling gratitude in everyday frustrations, using dinnertime questions to help kids notice God’s goodness, shifting from “I have to” to “I get to,” and helping kids process disappointment (like missing out on Disneyland) without shaming their feelings. You’ll also hear creative practices—from gratitude walls and journals to serving the less fortunate and writing thank-you notes—that slowly form thankful hearts instead of entitled ones.

Whether you’re parenting preschoolers, navigating the teen years, co-parenting, grandparenting, or investing in kids as a teacher, coach, or mentor, this episode offers hopeful, realistic tools to cultivate gratitude in the next generation—and in your own heart.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W2Dzkdfquwo

Resources Mentioned:

• Going Deeper Together: Spiritual Armor Required – A five-lesson course that helps couples recognize the enemy’s tactics and stand strong together with practical, biblical tools. http://t.ly/iTL9

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.