Marriage Therapy Radio

• Ep 388 Minding My P’s and Q’s

  Zach takes the mic by himself to reflect on pets, parenting, politics, passion, and the practice of relationships. Using his playful “P’s and Q’s” framework, he explores everything from why he doesn’t have the “pet gene” to how parenting young adults is harder and more rewarding than raising little kids. Zach also shares candid thoughts on politics, relational responsibility, and the role of men in advocating for the marginalized. He digs into the meaning of sex, asking the often-overlooked question, “What’s it for?”, and discusses polyamory with new nuance. Along the way, he highlights the importance of practice in relationships, celebrating small wins, and even weaving play into partnership. This episode blends personal storytelling, professional insight, and a call for listener connection, inviting the audience to support the podcast, ask questions, and keep showing up relationally at home and beyond. Key Takeaways Pets & Posts: Zach reflects on not being a “pet person” and his writing project, Stuff I Write. Parenting Young Adults: Letting kids launch is harder than raising them, but seeing them grow into people is profoundly rewarding. Politics & Patriarchy: The current system isn’t relational. Zach urges listeners to focus on how they show up at home and in community, especially men. Purpose of Sex: Asking “what’s it for?” reframes sex as fun, passion, or connection rather than obligation or pressure. Polyamory & Possibility: While not for him, Zach explores polyamory as an expression of expansive love and intentionality. Practice & Play: Relationships get stronger through practice, celebrating small successes, and through playful traditions like Iron Chef dinners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  --------  

  36:00

  --------

  36:00
• Ep 389 Blind Spots and Second Chances with Matthew Fray and Jen

  Zach sits down with writer and relationship coach Matthew Fray https://matthewfray.com/, author of "This Is How Your Marriage Ends", and his partner, Jen. Together, they share the story of how their friendship over bourbon turned into a deeper relationship, shaped by lessons learned from past marriages and the blind spots that can quietly erode trust. Matt opens up about how regret from his first marriage fuels his vigilance against repeating old patterns, while Jen explains why she trusted him enough to take a second chance on love. Their candid reflections on ADHD, planning differences, and emotional expression highlight how self-awareness, humility, and accountability create space for a resilient partnership. Zach guides the conversation toward practical insights—why blind spots matter, how humility differs from humiliation, and how relational “paper cuts” can accumulate if couples ignore them. The episode offers a powerful reminder that love after divorce isn’t just possible—it can be stronger when both partners commit to learning and growth. Key Takeaways Blind spots are the silent killers – Most people aren’t malicious in relationships, but their unexamined habits can unintentionally harm trust. Humility protects intimacy – Owning your limitations (like ADHD or defensiveness) allows space for growth without shame. Grace and patience matter – Jen emphasizes that knowing Matt’s challenges means choosing him with them, not in spite of them. Reciprocity in needs – Emotional connection for her and physical intimacy for him form a circle of mutual investment. Coldness vs. stoicism – Jen reflects on how upbringing shaped her emotional availability, and how she works on showing warmth more consistently. Shared values anchor them – A “writer’s brain,” moral compass, and mutual respect form the foundation for long-term confidence in the relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  --------  

  42:39

  --------

  42:39
• Ep 387 Building an Extraordinary Family Life with Greg and Rachel Denning

  Zach sits down with Greg and Rachel Denning, parents of seven, world travelers, authors, and coaches who have built a marriage around adventure and intentional living. They share how their story began with adoption, grew through unexpected pregnancies, and expanded into a lifestyle of global travel and immersion experiences for their kids. From living on a shoestring in Nicaragua with six children to now leading retreats, writing books, and running The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast, Greg and Rachel open up about the lessons they’ve learned through risk, resilience, and imagination. With candor and humor, they reflect on the importance of listening, navigating differences in intimacy, and approaching both marriage and travel as a hero’s journey, one that transforms you with every challenge and every chapter. Key Takeaways Adventure as a family philosophy – Travel and immersion became their way to educate, bond, and expand imagination. Cycles and chapters – They’ve lived their marriage in 1–3 year “chapters” of babies, moves, and big shifts, embracing change as part of the design. Rock bottom became a turning point – Running out of money in Nicaragua forced them to commit fully to creating their own path forward. Focus creates reality – Greg learned that “where the head goes, the body follows”, what you focus on is what you feel and create. Listening transforms intimacy – Rachel taught Greg how to listen without fixing, which became a cornerstone of their connection. Balancing needs in sex and love – Rachel reframed physical intimacy as a reciprocal need, equal to emotional connection, deepening their bond. Marriage as a hero’s journey – Just like travel, marriage is an adventure through unknowns, challenges, and transformation. Guest Info Greg DenningCoach, author of The Formidable Family Man, and co-host of The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast, Greg helps men step into their roles as protectors, providers, and present partners. His coaching and writing distill the principles that guided his own transformation. Rachel DenningCo-host of The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast, Rachel is a writer, speaker, and mother of seven who brings wisdom on adventure, family design, and emotional growth. Her candid stories and practical tools empower women to embrace both courage and connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  --------  

  41:47

  --------

  41:47
• Ep 386 Sobriety, Support, and a Stronger Us | with Casey and Mike Davidson

  Zach talks with Casey and Mike about their journey from young professionals in Washington, D.C., to building a life together in Seattle. Along the way, they share how floating homes, career shifts, parenting two kids, and Casey’s sobriety journey shaped their marriage. Casey opens up about her decades-long relationship with alcohol, the turning points that led her to become a sober coach and podcast host, and how her choice changed not only her own life but the dynamic of her marriage. Mike reflects on what it meant to support her while maintaining his own relationship with drinking, and together they show how honesty, evolution, and mutual respect allow a couple to grow stronger, even when the path takes unexpected turns. Key Takeaways Sobriety reshapes relationships: Casey’s choice to stop drinking created more peace, presence, and honesty at home. Support without judgment: Mike respected Casey’s journey without imposing his own agenda, allowing space for growth. Evolution is part of marriage: Both acknowledge that partners change over time, and embracing that evolution is key to a long-term connection. New rhythms bring deeper peace: The shift from late nights with wine to quieter, intentional time together restored balance and joy. Self-advocacy matters: Casey learned to prioritize her own needs through retreats, friendships, and self-care, which strengthened the partnership. Guest Info Casey Davidson Casey is a sober coach and host of the Hello Someday Podcast, where she helps women reevaluate their relationship with alcohol and discover the freedom and joy of an alcohol-free life. Her coaching practice and programs focus on empowering women, especially busy professionals and moms, to make sustainable changes with compassion and practical tools. Mike Davidson Mike is a longtime educator and coach, currently serving as a middle school principal and varsity coach. His steady perspective and quiet support provided balance as Casey moved through her sobriety journey, while he continues to focus on teaching, mentoring, and family life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  --------  

  49:55

  --------

  49:55
• Ep 385 Young Loves, Strong Roots

  Zach talks with Sarah Rhoades and her boyfriend Grady, a young couple navigating the first year of their relationship. They share how a chance meeting at Grady’s backyard open mic, where he held a microphone for Sarah’s banjo, turned into an unexpected connection built on shared values, openness, and adventure. Sarah and Grady reflect on blending friend groups, learning from divorced parents, and building a “tree trunk” foundation strong enough to handle differences in interests. They discuss the balance between independence and togetherness, the role of transparency, and their approach to the looming challenge of Sarah heading to college. With humor and thoughtfulness, they explore what it means to be intentional about connection, no matter your age. Shared values beat shared hobbies: They connect on deeper principles and character rather than just liking the same activities. Integration matters: Early on, they made intentional efforts to include each other in separate friend groups, creating a unified social circle. Independence strengthens the unit: Inspired by Sarah’s grandparents, they value being able to live individual lives while staying connected as a couple. Radical honesty as a reaction to secrecy: Grady’s experience with passive-aggressive family dynamics led him to favor openness and directness. Parents notice the positive impact: Both sets of parents appreciate how the relationship brings out the best in them. Facing change together: They’re preparing for the shift when Sarah leaves for college, focusing on communication and balance over fear. Resisting cultural shortcuts: Despite living in a hookup culture, they see commitment as natural once you find the right person. Sarah RhoadesA recent high school graduate and musician, Sarah plays banjo and values independence, adventure, and intentional connection. GradyA high school senior who runs a backyard open mic, Grady brings openness, curiosity, and a commitment to honesty into the relationship. Key TakeawaysGuest Info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  --------  

  38:18

  --------

  38:18

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Marriage Therapy Radio

Marriage Therapy Radio: Podcasts in Family