The Art of Relationships Podcast
Is it hard to maintain your relationships with everything else you have going on in your life? Chris Grace, Ph.D., and his wife, Alisa Grace, discuss how to build healthy relationships and marriages in The Art of Relationships Podcast. Listen to get practical insights on how to deal with everyday relationship issues, whether it's your roommate, your parents, a friend, or a significant other. The Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships exists to build and sustain healthy relationships and marriages in the church and broader culture by combining the timeless, cross-cultural wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research, insights and tools. Learn more at cmr.biola.edu.
Episodes
221 episodes
What No One Told You About Sex
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace are joined by Amanda Courvoisier, PsyD, to explore what many people were never taught about sex, intimacy, and expectations in relationships. Amanda holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. from t...
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49:55
Marriage Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard
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 wh...
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55:26
How Forgiveness Heals What Trauma Breaks with Dr. Matt Williams
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 biblic...
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58:05
How To Find Your People
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 ...
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38:39
The Marriage Habit: 10 Simple Practices to Build a More Intentional, Thriving Relationship
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, Th...
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57:48
How to Support a Friend Who is Hurting
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 ...
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33:27
What Do We Tell the Kids About Santa?
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 deve...
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32:08
Attachment Styles: How Your Childhood Shapes Your Relationships
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 careg...
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53:44
Teaching Kids Gratitude in a Me-First Culture
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 se...
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49:07
Making Marriage Easier with Arlene Pellicane
In this episode, we explore how couples can build habits that make marriage easier—and even more joyful—for the long haul. Guest Arlene Pellicane, author, speaker, and host of The Happy Home Podcast, joins Alisa to share insights from ...
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1:08:40
What’s REALLY Haunting Your Marriage?
In this special Halloween-themed episode of The Art of Relationships, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace uncover the “marriage monsters” that quietly creep into relationships when we’re not paying attention. From unspoken expectations and avoid...
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53:41
Finding Freedom That Heals Your Relationships
In this episode, Chris Grace and guests explore what it truly means to find freedom and identity in Christ. Joined by Dr. John-Paul (J.P.) Foster and Dr. Matt Williams, they discuss insights from their new book, Finding Freedom in Jesus: 21...
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58:12
I Had Sex Before Marriage...
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the sensitive question many Christians wrestle with: If I had sex before marriage, am I forgiven? They discuss God’s design for sex, how He responds to sexual sin, and the emotional, spiri...
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43:18
Making Friends in College Is Harder Than I Expected—Now What?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the often-overlooked struggle of making friends in college. They discuss why college can feel more isolating than expected, the psychological and social hurdles that block new friendships, and the ...
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45:03
What Does a Christ-Centered Marriage Really Look Like?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace unpack what it really means to have a Christ-centered marriage. Beyond simply sharing a faith background, they explore the defining traits of a marriage where Jesus is truly at the center. Drawing from Scr...
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50:33
Dating 101: A Guide to Dating Well
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore what it really means to date well—approaching relationships with intentionality, emotional health, and biblical wisdom. They discuss the purpose of dating, the importance of aligning your faith, as...
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48:54
Why Do I Compare Myself to Everyone Else?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the all-too-common struggle of comparison—especially in the age of social media. They discuss why we compare ourselves to others, how comparison can become a trap that steals our joy, and when (if ...
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51:30
Healthy vs. Harmful Conflict: Understanding the Difference
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the crucial distinction between healthy and harmful conflict in relationships. They discuss common signs of unhealthy conflict—like harsh startups, criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and conte...
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45:15
Hustle Culture Lied to You
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the realities and myths of hustle culture.They discuss how hustle culture is often glamorized for its promises of success, wealth, and status—but at what cost? They weigh the pros, such as a...
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32:22
Gentle Parenting vs. Tough Love—Which One Actually Works?
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the parenting approaches of gentle parenting and tough love. They discuss the core principles, benefits, and potential pitfalls of each method—clarifying common misconceptions lik...
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47:17
Why Am I Always Exhausted? The Burnout No One Talks About
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the hidden cost of chronic busyness and emotional exhaustion—especially the kind that stems from doing too many “good” things. They discuss the symptoms of burnout, how it quietly erodes our most i...
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58:33
How to Have Hard Conversations Without Losing the Relationship
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore how to navigate difficult conversations without damaging your relationships. They discuss practical steps for preparing your heart, regulating your emotions, choosing the right time and setting, an...
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34:16
Should You Break Up? 13 Signs It’s Time to Walk Away
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore how to discern when it might be time to end a dating relationship. They discuss 13 red flags to look out for—ranging from spiritual misalignment and boundary issues to emotional unavailability and ...
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41:43
Where’s the Line? Setting Healthy Boundaries in Dating
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore how to set and maintain healthy boundaries in dating relationships. They discuss the importance of emotional, physical, and spiritual boundaries, how to talk about them early on, and what to...
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44:45