I Wish You Could Hear This

Summary:
Boys and men are struggling—but this isn't a reason to lose hope. In this episode, Shaunti and Jeff unpack what's happening in today's culture, why so many boys and young men are falling behind, and the simple, powerful ways each of us can make a difference. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, mentor, teacher, or friend, you'll come away with practical encouragement and renewed hope for the boys and men you love.
Resources and Links:
Nancy Pearcy “The Toxic War on Masculinity”
https://a.co/d/05CJjqrE
Hannah Rosin, The End of Men essay in The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/07/the-end-of-men/308135/
“If We Were Ants” short film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX23DMyzvHE
Pew Research -Public Views on Men and Masculinity
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/10/17/public-views-on-men-and-masculinity/
APA Guidelines on practice with boys and men
https://www.apa.org/about/policy/boys-men-practice-guidelines.pdf
Data tables:
Reading scores of 4th, 8th and 12th grade students – see Figure 5, 6, 7
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cnb/reading-performance
College enrollment of men v women
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/pdf/2024/cpb_508c.pdf
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_303.10.asp
Bureau of Labor Statistics about men and women in the workforce:
https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-labor-force-participation-rate.htm
Mortality data:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db456.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX23DMyzvHE
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Summary:
In this episode, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with author, counselor, and father-daughter relationship expert Michelle Watson Canfield to explore one of the most challenging seasons of parenting: connecting with adolescent daughters.
Many dads feel uncertain about how to respond when their daughters become more emotional, pull away, or seem resistant to their efforts. Michelle shares a powerful insight she has observed through years of counseling: many men would rather do nothing than risk doing it wrong—but when it comes to fathering daughters, stepping back often creates more distance.
Together, Shaunti, Jeff, and Michelle unpack why dads often feel sidelined during the teenage years, how mothers can become caught in the middle, and practical ways fathers can stay engaged even when conversations feel awkward or difficult.
You’ll learn:
Why many dads instinctively pull back—and why that can be harmful
How to stay calm and grounded when emotions run high
Practical ways to pursue your daughter with intention and consistency
Why your presence matters more than your perfection
How to build trust and connection during the adolescent years
If you've ever felt unsure how to connect with your daughter—or worried that you're getting it wrong—this conversation will equip and encourage you to keep showing up.
Because your daughter doesn't need a perfect dad. She needs an engaged one.
Links and Resources:
Website: drmichellewatson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmichellewatson
Instagram: michellejwatson and thedadwhispererpodcast
Twitter: @mwatsonphd
LinkedIn: Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield
The Dad Whisperer Podcast: Apple Podcasts + Spotify
YouTube: @thedadwhisperer
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SUMMARY: What happens when a marriage starts drifting apart — and one or both spouses wonder if it’s even possible to reconnect?
In this honest and hope-filled conversation, and sit down with author, speaker, and podcast host to talk about the quiet disconnection many couples experience and the practical ways healing can begin — even when things feel broken.
Drawing from Lindsey’s personal story and her new book Don’t Burn Down the House, this episode explores:
Why many marriages slowly drift into “roommate mode”
What often causes emotional disconnection beneath the surface
How resentment and hopelessness quietly build
Why change can begin even if only one spouse is willing
The small shifts that can create major transformation
How to prioritize your marriage without losing yourself
What rebuilding trust and connection really looks like
If you’ve ever felt discouraged, lonely, unseen, or unsure whether your marriage can recover, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope.
LINKS AND RESOURCES: Book: Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection: Maestas, Lindsey: 9780310369479: Amazon.com: Books
Website: HOME - Sparrows + Lily
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Summary: In this powerful episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with author, speaker, and ministry leader Willow Weston to explore what it means to truly heal from hurt instead of hiding from it. Together, they unpack how unresolved pain can surface in anxiety, broken relationships, unforgiveness, and emotional exhaustion—and why healing begins when we stop running from our wounds and bring them honestly before God.
Willow shares her personal story, the heart behind her ministry Collide, and insights from her new book about embracing pain as part of the pathway to restoration and deeper connection. This conversation offers encouragement for anyone carrying hidden hurt, walking through disappointment, or longing to experience emotional and spiritual healing.
You’ll hear:
Why unprocessed pain often “comes out sideways”
How honesty and vulnerability open the door to healing
The role faith and community play in restoration
Encouragement for those feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted
Hope for healing not only for ourselves, but also for the people we love
If you’ve ever wondered whether real healing is possible, this episode is a reminder that God meets us in our pain—and that hope and restoration are closer than we think.
Links and Resources:
Book: Collide
Website: https://wecollide.net/staff/willow-weston/
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SUMMARY:
In this episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra Fileta for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us don’t realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others.
Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we impact the people we love. Whether you’re dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper connection.
If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should—or how to become a healthier version of yourself—this conversation is for you.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Book: People Skills: Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as Your Skills
Website: Debra Fileta | Best Selling Author, Speaker, Psychotherapist, and Podcaster!
The Kindness Challenge
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