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Look... every couple struggles. You fight too much; you're bored; sex is either okay (or rare); maybe you're even considering divorce. OR... maybe your marriage is actually pretty good, but you want to go deeper. In this podcast, straight-talking marriage therapist Zach Brittle tackle the most common complaints virtually every marriage experience. Along the way, they reveal the science behind strong relationships and talk about what's really going on for couples. Topics include conflict, communication, compatibility, money, sex, in-laws, infidelity, time-management, future dreams, and more. If you want relief? A deeper connection? A new way forward...? Then you've got to find out what's REALLY going on in your marriage. That's what this podcast is about. You can learn more about Zach, and his alternatives to traditional therapy at marriagetherapyradio.com.

Marriage Therapy Radio

Brian and Kristen return after completing their homework: mapping their recurring conflict pattern step-by-step.

And something shifts.

Instead of focusing on who’s right, they begin identifying when the pattern starts, how it escalates, and where they might choose something different. They talk about having a “good week,” more laughter, and fewer misunderstandings—but Zach presses deeper: Was it luck, or was it intentional?

What unfolds is a layered conversation about stress, chronic pain, medication changes, PMS, defensiveness, and the powerful internal story Brian carries that says, “If there’s a problem, it must be me.” Zach helps them connect the dots between depression’s lies, physiological stress, and how quickly neutral requests can turn into personal threat.

The couple names their 10-step pattern openly—fight or flight, overthinking, mounting a defense, physical withdrawal—and begins experimenting with something new: interrupting the script before it reaches step six.

This episode isn’t about resolution. It’s about pattern awareness and learning how to redirect before old muscle memory takes over.

They close by identifying the next layer to explore in Episode 3: their over-functioner / under-functioner dynamic—and how it triggers deeper family-of-origin wounds.

Key Takeaways

 
A “good week” is often intentional, not accidental

 
Externalizing the problem (“us vs. the schedule”) strengthens the team

 
Physiological stress (sleep, pain, hormones, meds) directly impacts conflict

 
Depression distorts perception and reinforces “I’m the problem” narratives

 
Defensiveness often protects something deeply valuable

 
Mapping a conflict pattern creates space for choice

 
Interrupting the script—even once—builds momentum

 
Repair matters more than resolution

 
“Something new” is the antidote to “more of the same”

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Ep 412 Breaking the Script | Session 2 with Brian and Kristen

Zach begins a three-part series with Brian and Kristen, longtime MTR listeners who volunteered to work through their marriage challenges in real time.

Brian and Kristen have been together for more than two decades and credit Marriage Therapy Radio as a resource that helped them find language for patterns they felt—but couldn’t name. They describe how listening separately (not together) gave them neutral ground to reflect, build vocabulary, and bring conversations back into their marriage without escalating conflict.

The focus of this first session is a familiar cycle: Brian’s defensiveness, Kristen’s experience of being misunderstood, and the growing frustration around repair always landing on one partner. Zach helps them slow the pattern down, name the dynamics at play, and examine how early family modeling, parenting pressure, and long-term habits have shaped their responses to conflict.

Rather than trying to “fix” the marriage, this episode centers on clarity: understanding what actually happens when things go off the rails, differentiating between feeling attacked and being attacked, and identifying where each partner has agency. Zach reframes responsibility not as blame, but as freedom—emphasizing that each partner can choose how they show up regardless of the other’s behavior.

The episode closes with a concrete assignment: mapping their recurring argument step-by-step so they can externalize the pattern and begin changing it together in the next session.

Key Takeaways

 
Long marriages still require new skills as life circumstances change

 
Defensiveness often comes from perceived threat, not actual attack

 
Feeling misunderstood can be as painful as being criticized

 
Responsibility is most powerful when it’s chosen, not demanded

 
Repair patterns can unintentionally create resentment

 
Taking breaks during conflict can prevent escalation and shutdown

 
Naming the pattern creates options for change

 
Playfulness and lightness are essential for long-term connection

Why This Episode Matters

This episode offers a rare, transparent look at the beginning of relational work—not the polished outcome. Brian and Kristen model what it looks like to be curious, honest, and willing to be seen while still feeling stuck.

For listeners, this is an invitation to recognize familiar patterns in their own relationships and to remember: insight is the first step, not the finish line.

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Ep 411 We’ve Had This Fight Before | Session 1 with Brian and Kristen

Zach sits down with Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365, to talk about how a marriage that nearly collapsed in year three became the foundation for a global relationship resource.

Both Casey and Meygan grew up surrounded by divorce, affairs, and unresolved conflict. Determined not to repeat their parents’ patterns, they entered marriage with optimism—but no tools. By year three, resentment, blame, and emotional shutdown had taken over, and Meygan found herself convinced she had made the biggest mistake of her life.

What changed everything wasn’t mutual effort at first—it was personal responsibility. After starting therapy alone, Meygan learned boundaries, emotional regulation, and how to take ownership of her part of the dance. Thirteen months later, her changed posture toward conflict forced a shift in the relationship dynamic, and Casey began doing his own work.

Together, they share how changing one partner changes the entire system; why marriage is not about solo dancing; and how resentment—not communication—is usually the real problem couples face. Zach weaves in his own frameworks around adulthood, repair, and the “dance” of relationship, while Casey and Meygan offer practical insight from years of coaching couples in crisis.

The conversation also explores forgiveness, curiosity, intentional choice, cultural myths about love, and why healthy marriages are built through habits—not hope.

Key Takeaways

 
You’re not stuck – Changing yourself changes the relationship system.

 
Marriage is a team sport – Two people dancing separately isn’t partnership.

 
Resentment breaks communication – Most “communication problems” are really unresolved hurt.

 
Repair requires ownership – A real apology validates pain and invites rebuilding trust.

 
Acceptance matters – Forgiveness doesn’t have to be instant, but honesty does.

 
Curiosity beats defensiveness – Looking inward is the first step toward growth.

 
Feelings fluctuate; choices endure – Love is sustained through intentional action.

 
Differences aren’t the enemy – Harmony comes from resolving dissonance, not eliminating it.

Guest Info

Casey & Meygan Caston

Casey and Meygan are the founders of Marriage365, a relationship coaching platform dedicated to helping couples build intentional, resilient marriages. Drawing from their own near-divorce story and years of coaching experience, they offer practical tools, habits, and frameworks for repair, communication, and connection.

 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marriage365/

New Book

The Marriage Habit — releasing February 3, 2026A practical, habit-based framework for couples who want clarity on how to build a strong marriage—not just why it matters.

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Ep 410 Make a Better You, Make a Better Marriage with Meygan and Casey Caston

Zach sits down with David and Lisa, long-time partners and leaders in the escape room world, to explore what thousands of hours of collaborative problem-solving have taught them about communication, conflict, and teamwork.

They talk about why escape rooms reward kindness over brilliance, why “being right” is a losing strategy, and how the habits that help teams escape under pressure are the same ones that help couples thrive in real life. From debriefing mistakes without blame to celebrating small wins—even when you lose—this conversation offers a surprisingly practical framework for building resilient, collaborative relationships.

Key Takeaways

 
Escape rooms reward communication and kindness, not intelligence or dominance

 
The fastest way to lose—both in games and relationships—is trying to win alone

 
Healthy teams normalize double-checking, feedback, and shared responsibility

 
Conflict works best when it happens after the pressure, not during it

 
Strong partnerships focus on learning from mistakes, not litigating them

 
Celebrating small wins matters—even when the overall outcome isn’t perfect

 
Mutual respect and curiosity are foundational to long-term collaboration

Guest Info

David & LisaPartners in life and business, David and Lisa are leading voices in the escape room community. They have played more than 1,300 escape rooms worldwide, built a global community of players, and help people experience collaborative play through reviews, tours, and industry leadership.

They are the team behind Room Escape Artist, a trusted resource for discovering high-quality escape rooms around the world, and they also run curated escape room tours that bring players together across cities and countries.

 
Website: https://roomescapeartist.com

 
Email: contact@roomescapeartist.com

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Ep 409 No One Wins Alone: Lessons in Partnership from Escape Room Experts David and Lisa Spira

Zach sits down with Courtney and Nathan Boyer, a couple married for over twenty years, parenting three kids, and living overseas on a U.S. military base in Germany.

Courtney and Nathan share the story of a major turning point in their marriage—when Courtney asked to open the relationship after years of suppressing her needs, identity, and desire. Raised in a strict religious culture, Courtney explains how she spent much of her marriage prioritizing her husband’s career and her role as a mother, slowly becoming resentful and disconnected from herself. Nathan, a military physician, reflects on how his drive for achievement and constant “next step” mindset left him unaware of how much was being lost along the way.

The couple walks through the six-month conversation that followed Courtney’s request—marked by resistance, fear, patience, and an honest willingness to walk away if they couldn’t find a way forward together. Nathan shares what it was like to realize he is deeply monogamous at his core, while Courtney names polyamory as an essential part of her identity rather than a lifestyle choice.

They also talk candidly about shame, public backlash, parenting through non-traditional choices, and the surprising ways opening the relationship strengthened their emotional and sexual connection. Throughout the conversation, Zach highlights the importance of long-form conversations, adult responsibility, and the courage it takes to renegotiate a marriage rather than quietly disappear inside it.

This episode is a nuanced, human look at love, consent, identity, and what it means to grow without abandoning one another.

Key Takeaways

 
Long-term marriages go through distinct cycles tied to life stages, not just emotions

 
Suppressing needs often leads to resentment, not stability

 
Identity shifts don’t happen overnight—they require long conversations

 
Consent includes the real option to walk away

 
Monogamy and polyamory can coexist in one marriage with clarity and care

 
Erotic energy and trust can grow through expansion, not just exclusivity

 
Adult relationships require ongoing renegotiation, not silent endurance

Guest Info

Courtney Boyer

Relationship coach, author, and creator behind The Monopoly Couple. Courtney writes and speaks about identity, desire, religious conditioning, and non-traditional relationships.

 
Website: https://www.courtneyboyercoaching.com/

 
Book: Opened (launching February 17)https://www.courtneyboyercoaching.com/store/p/opened

 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonopolycouple/

Nathan Boyer

Military physician and longtime partner to Courtney. 
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Ep 408 When Desire Changes the Marriage with Courtney and Nathan Boyer

Zach sits down with Glenn and Jodie, a married couple whose relationship has been shaped by cancer, caregiving, entrepreneurship, and a shared commitment to facing life side-by-side.

Their story includes an early breast cancer diagnosis shortly after getting engaged, multiple recurrences over the years, and a present-day reality of living with cancer as a chronic condition. Through it all, Glenn and Jodie describe how the illness became something external to their marriage—an adversary they face together rather than a wedge between them.

They talk openly about caregiving, helplessness, perspective, and how repeated medical crises stripped away the impulse to sweat small things. Glenn reflects on learning how to show up when he couldn’t “fix” anything, while Jodie shares how being cared for reshaped her understanding of partnership and trust.

The conversation also explores the everyday friction of working together—different wiring, different priorities, and Glenn’s self-identified ADD—along with Zach’s reframing of conditions like cancer and ADHD as things couples must externalize rather than personalize.

They close by sharing the work they now do together through their businesses and podcast, Couples, Inc., where they help couples who run businesses navigate boundaries, roles, and relationship health.

This episode is a grounded, hopeful look at what it means to fight the right thing—and to stay on the same team over the long haul.

Key Takeaways

 
Externalize the problem – Cancer, ADHD, and other conditions aren’t your partner; they’re what you face together.

 
Caregiving is connection – Showing up consistently matters more than having solutions.

 
Perspective changes priorities – Repeated health crises reduced conflict around “small stuff.”

 
Different wiring isn’t disrespect – Productivity styles and attention differences require collaboration, not blame.

 
Mindset precedes tactics – Tools only work when used without resentment or superiority.

 
Play the long game – Healthy relationships focus on reducing the same pain points year over year.

 
Being on the same team is intentional – Unity doesn’t happen automatically; it’s practiced.

Guest Info

Glenn & Jodie Glenn and Jodie are married partners in life and business. They co-own Living Pink Communications, a marketing firm inspired by Jodie’s ongoing experience with breast cancer, and host the Couples, Inc. podcast, which supports couples who run businesses together.

Website: https://livingpinkcommunications.com/

Podcast: https://couplesincpodcast.com

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Ep 407 Fighting the Right Enemy with Glenn and Jodie

Zach sits down with couples therapist and author Colette Jane Fehr and her husband Steve Fehr for a candid conversation about second marriage, difference, repair, and what therapy really does—and doesn’t—solve.

Colette and Steve met later in life after very different first marriages and divorces. She’s an emotionally expressive, extroverted therapist from New York; he’s a reserved, analytical CPA from Kentucky. On paper, they couldn’t be more different—but from their first night talking for hours at a diner, something clicked.

They talk openly about blending families with four teenage daughters, the strain that season put on their marriage, and how therapy became not a last resort but an ongoing resource. Steve reflects on learning—slowly—to speak up before resentment builds, while Colette names her own pattern of over-explaining and chasing understanding when she feels disconnected.

The conversation explores how repair actually works in real marriages: who apologizes first, why pauses matter, how shame gets in the way, and why growth is measured in years—not moments. They also share what they’re navigating now: demanding careers, a major book launch, and the need to reinvest in their relationship after a season of borrowing against it.

This episode is an honest look at what long-term partnership looks like when both people stay willing to learn, practice, and keep showing up—imperfectly.

Key Takeaways

 
Therapy isn’t a referee – Real change happens when each person does their own work, not when someone “wins.”

 
Quiet creates distance – Avoiding small conversations leads to resentment and emotional shutdown.

 
Pausing prevents damage – Taking space can be protective when emotions run hot.

 
Repair matters more than perfection – Apologies don’t require total agreement—just ownership.

 
Different nervous systems need different timing – One partner may need space while the other seeks immediate connection.

 
Growth is gradual – Being better than five years ago counts—and so does staying open to future growth.

 
Relationships require reinvestment – Work seasons drain connection unless time and intention are restored.

Guest Info

Colette Jane Fehr Couples therapist, speaker, podcast host, and author of The Cost of Quiet, releasing February 2026 https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book. Colette specializes in helping individuals and couples break patterns of avoidance and learn self-connected communication.

Website: https://www.colettejanefehr.com

Steve Fehr CPA and finance professional with over 30 years of experience. Steve brings a grounded, analytical perspective to conversations about communication, emotional labor, and long-term partnership.

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Ep 406 What Therapy Actually Gave Us with Colette and Steve Fehr

Zach looks back on a standout year of conversations by revisiting some of the most meaningful, memorable, and instructive moments from past episodes.

 Zach introduces each segment, offering context and reflection on why these moments matter and how they connect to the bigger picture of relational health. Across these clips, you’ll hear stories of intimacy rebuilt, grief held with humor, trust repaired, creativity sustained, and partnerships strengthened through intentional work.

Whether you’re catching up, revisiting favorites, or discovering episodes you missed, this episode offers a thoughtful snapshot of what the show has been exploring all year: how real people do the real work of staying connected.

Couples featured in this episode include:

 
Susan & Tim Bratton — Episode 394https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-394

 
Kimberly Crossman & Tom Walsh — Episode 396https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-396

 
Karen Whitehouse & Helen McLaughlin — Episode 401https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-401

 
Tarah & EJ Kerwin — Episode 368https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-368

 
Baya Voce & Emmy Bush — Episode 374https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-374

Additional episodes mentioned by Zach:

 
Victoria Shalet & Adam James — Episode 379https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-379

 
Brian & Toby — Episode 392https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-392

 
Billy & Melissa Hokacker — Episode 384https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-384

 
Jennifer & Andres — Episode 391https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-391

 
Zach’s Mom & Stepdad — Episode 383https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-383

 
Ira & Andrea — Multi-Episode Arc (Episodes 307–399)https://marriagetherapyradio.com/ep-397

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Ep 405 Lessons, Laughter, Tears, and Growth | The Year in Review

Zach sits down with Dana and Sean, a couple whose nearly 30-year relationship includes teenage pregnancy, early marriage, deep faith, repeated infidelity, and an extraordinary rebuilding process that reshaped their marriage from the ground up.

Dana and Sean met as children at church, reconnected in high school, and married young after an unplanned pregnancy—long before either of them knew who they were or how marriage actually worked. Pressured by religious expectations and carrying unresolved childhood trauma, they entered marriage already fractured. What followed were years of struggle: emotional immaturity, financial stress, multiple affairs, and seasons where staying together felt impossible.

Instead of walking away, they chose the slow, painful work of rebuilding. Sean entered therapy to understand himself before trying to understand his wife. Dana learned to confront her own patterns, pride, and expectations—anchoring herself in faith, presence, and radical honesty. Together, they rejected shallow answers and chose accountability, counseling, and humility.

Now parents of four children (ages 26–16), Dana and Sean reflect on how faith became not a rulebook but a living presence—the “third strand” that sustained them when their marriage felt dead. They talk candidly about selfishness, stubborn hope, and why staying isn’t about endurance but about vision: building a marriage their children would actually want to emulate.

This conversation is raw, grounded, and deeply hopeful—a reminder that resurrection is possible, even after years of damage.

Key Takeaways

 
Early marriage magnifies unhealed trauma – Getting married young without self-knowledge set them up for struggle from the start.

 
Staying isn’t passive – Rebuilding required therapy, in-home separation, humility, and consistent effort from both partners.

 
Self-work precedes relationship work – Sean learned that understanding himself was essential before he could truly love Dana.

 
Faith as presence, not pressure – Their spirituality evolved from rigid rules to lived connection and daily surrender.

 
Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end – While not prescribing staying, they show what repair can look like when both partners commit to real change.

 
Love languages come from childhood – Sean gives gifts; Dana craves quality time—both rooted in how they were raised.

 
Resurrection is real – A marriage can be “dead dead” and still come back stronger the second time around.

 
Vision sustains commitment – They stayed not just for the kids, but to model a marriage worth choosing.

Guest Info

Dana is a marriage coach, speaker, and host of the podcast Rebuilding Us, where she shares honest conversations about infidelity, faith, and marriage repair. She is known for her commitment to authenticity and refusal to offer shallow advice.

Website: https://danache.com/ 

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrsdanache/?hl=en⁠

Sean is a firefighter who prefers life behind the scenes. His willingness to engage in therapy, self-reflection, and accountability played a central role in their rebuilding process.

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Ep 404 Staying When It Would’ve Been Easier to Leave with Dana and Sean

Zach sits down with Justin and Kylie Coulson, parents of six daughters and co-creators of the Happy Families movement. What unfolds is a deeply honest conversation about failure, repair, intention, and the long road toward building a family culture that actually feels good to live in.

Justin shares a pivotal early-parenting moment that became the turning point of his life: a loss of control with one of their young children that forced him to confront who he was becoming as a father and husband. Kylie describes the clarity she felt in that moment—her love for Justin alongside her unwavering commitment to her children’s safety—and how that line in the sand changed everything.

From there, the conversation traces Justin’s radical career pivot from radio to psychology, the years of study and sacrifice that followed, and the birth of the Happy Families philosophy. Together, Justin and Kylie unpack what “happy” actually means—not the absence of hardship, but the presence of connection, safety, and shared joy, especially around the family table.

They share the simple but powerful structures they use to stay aligned: weekly check-ins, quarterly retreats, and a three-question framework that replaces blame with collaboration. Through stories of totalled cars, hard choices, and repaired moments, Justin and Kylie show how families are built—not through perfection, but through practised responses, accountability, and love that stays bigger than the mess.

Key Takeaways

 
We always get to choose our response – Circumstances don’t dictate behavior; intention does.

 
People matter, things don’t – Safety, connection, and relationship always come before stuff.

 
Happy families are built, not inherited – Skills like communication, repair, and emotional regulation are learnable.

 
Hardship doesn’t cancel happiness – Joy is found in meaning, not ease.

 
Repair builds trust – Conflict isn’t the enemy; unresolved conflict is.

 
Structure creates safety – Regular check-ins and retreats help families stay aligned.

 
Blame kills collaboration – Asking “How can we support each other?” changes everything.

 
The table is the vision – A family that wants to be together is the real measure of success.

Guest Info

Justin & Kylie Coulson

Justin Coulson is a parenting expert, author, psychologist, and founder of Happy Families (https://happyfamilies.com.au/). He hosts Australia’s most-downloaded parenting podcast, The Happy Families Podcast, and appears on national television. Kylie Coulson is his partner in parenting and purpose, bringing clarity, steadiness, and lived wisdom to their work together.

They are parents of six daughters, grandparents to one (and counting), and passionate advocates for intentional family culture.

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Ep 403 People Matter, Things Don’t with Justin and Kylie Coulson

Laura is all done up for the podcast, which doesn't translate great in an audio format. She is also purging her house and running 30 miles. Zach, meanwhile, pulled a muscle walking a couple of miles. 

They go on to discuss the importance of having a shared understanding of house rules for your relationship.
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Ep 275 House Rules

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