Beyond I Do

May 13 · 43m

What happens after the honeymoon phase fades and real life shows up?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alena Crawley (Dr. Lena) to talk about the real work of marriage. We discuss conflict avoidance, gratitude, sacrifice, personal growth, purpose, and why love alone is not enough to sustain a long-term relationship.This conversation goes beyond surface-level relationship advice. We talk honestly about what it takes to build a marriage that lasts through changing seasons, shifting goals, stress, and everyday life.Some of the topics we cover:Why unresolved issues always come backThe danger of “back burner” conflictHow gratitude changes relationshipsWhy marriages feel heavier over timeGrowing together without losing yourselfWhy purpose matters in marriageThe difference between coaching and therapyWhat couples should discuss before getting marriedThis episode is full of practical wisdom, honest conversation, and reminders that healthy marriages are built intentionally.

Apr 28 · 38m

In this episode of Beyond I Do, Byron and Margaret sit down with Eric and Carissa, a couple who met in Hawaii, spent a week putting every card on the table, and never looked back. Six months in, they've driven across the country twice, co-founded a business, and are building something most couples take years to find.In this episode:How they met on the Big Island and decided to be radically honest from day oneWhy both did deep personal work before finding each otherThe Kaufman Drama Triangle and breaking patterns of external validationHow masculine and feminine energy shows up — and shifts — in their relationshipWhat three months on the road taught them about each otherWhy "how you start a relationship is how you continue it"Redefining relationship success beyond just staying togetherWhat if you stopped waiting to feel safe before showing up as yourself?

Apr 7 · 45m

Most couples think their problem is communication. It’s not.It’s how they approach decisions, conflict, and responsibility in the relationship.In this episode, we talk with G. Scott Graham about the “co-pilot” mindset—and why most couples are stuck negotiating, avoiding, or forcing outcomes instead of actually working together.We get into:Why negotiation isn’t the goal in marriageWhat “turbulence” looks like in real lifeWhy couples wait too long to have hard conversationsThe difference between love and commitmentThe patterns couples fall into (and how to break them)If your relationship feels off but you can’t quite explain why… this conversation will help you see it clearly.

Mar 18 · 57m

What if the secret to a strong marriage isn't avoiding the hard parts, but actually choosing which hard parts you're willing to live with?In this episode, Byron and Margaret sit down with Jason and Christie McMullen, a couple who have been married 26 years and have personally mentored over 100 couples through their church in the Tampa Bay area. What started as a ministry has turned into a movement, and they're bringing it all to the Beyond I Do table.They get into the gym analogy for marriage, why butterflies and bubbles aren't enough to sustain a relationship, and two communication tools that have genuinely changed how couples fight, "clear as kind" and "the story I'm telling myself." They also talk about the difference between men as waffles and women as spaghetti, why timing matters more than most couples realize, and the one rule they implemented in their marriage that eliminated a whole category of arguments.This one is practical, honest, and a little bit funny. You'll want to listen with your spouse.In this episode:Why love alone won't sustain your marriageThe gym analogy that reframes commitment"Clear as kind" — how to ask for what you actually needGolf vs. tennis conversations — and why it matters which one you're havingHow to maintain intimacy when life is moving fastThe 10 pm rule and why it worksWhat "friends of your marriage" are and why you need them

Mar 3 · 49m

Dr. Jackie Black has coached over a thousand couples, and she’s clear about one thing: emotional safety is the foundation of real connection. In this conversation, we get into how couples drift apart, how “fine” becomes normal, and why the smallest moments can quietly shut a partner down.We also talk about the difference between therapy and coaching, how to tell the truth without blowing things up, and practical ways to rebuild your “we” without forcing a big date night.In this episode, you’ll hear:Signs you and your partner may be driftingWhy presence matters more than you thinkThe 4 daily moments that keep couples connectedDr. Jackie’s win-win-win model (I win, you win, we win)Why she says compromise doesn’t belong in marriage—and what to do insteadConnect with Dr. Jackie Black:Website: drjackieblack.comInstagram: @DrJackieBlack

Feb 17 · 45m

Jay and Renee Linsom are back. Last time, you heard their love story, the long-distance start, the doubts from others, the wheelchair, the faith, and the commitment.This time? You hear the storm.Jay spent much of the past year in and out of the hospital with serious health challenges. They spent their anniversary together in a hospital room.Four years into marriage. And already tested.In this episode, they talk about:Living out “in sickness and in health” earlier than expectedStaying connected during hospital staysProtecting your marriage from outside voicesChoosing commitment when it would be easier to quitBuilding a foundation that doesn’t crack under pressureIf you've ever wondered what divorce-proofing really looks like… this is it.

Feb 11 · 34m

Make sure to check out Part 1!Sex is one of the most talked-about topics online. And one of the least talked about at home.In this episode, we sit down with Holly Eckelberger, founder of That Sex Educator and host of Meet Me at the Spot, for a real conversation about sex, intimacy, shame, and why so many adults are still confused about their own bodies.We talk about:Why most adults never got real sex educationHow porn became the default teacherWhy couples avoid talking to each other and ask the internet insteadHow gender roles, exhaustion, and resentment kill desireWhat healthy sexual communication actually looks likeHow parents can talk to kids without fear or shameWhy reproductive justice is a relationship issue tooThis episode is honest, funny, and uncomfortable in the best way.If you’ve ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone teach us this?”This conversation is for you.

Feb 11 · 35m

Sex is one of the most talked-about topics online. And one of the least talked about at home.In this episode, we sit down with Holly Eckelberger, founder of That Sex Educator and host of Meet Me at the Spot, for a real conversation about sex, intimacy, shame, and why so many adults are still confused about their own bodies.We talk about:Why most adults never got real sex educationHow porn became the default teacherWhy couples avoid talking to each other and ask the internet insteadHow gender roles, exhaustion, and resentment kill desireWhat healthy sexual communication actually looks likeHow parents can talk to kids without fear or shameWhy reproductive justice is a relationship issue tooThis episode is honest, funny, and uncomfortable in the best way.If you’ve ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone teach us this?” This conversation is for you.

Feb 3 · 23m

You’re not arguing. You’re not unhappy. You’re just not connected.That quiet drift? That’s complacency.In this episode, we break down 11 signs of complacency in a marriage—the kind that sneaks in when life gets busy, and effort slows down.We talk about: Letting yourself go Robotic “I love yous”No date nightsLoss of intimacyShallow communicationAvoiding hard conversationsNot planning a future togetherThen we flip it.You’ll hear 11 practical ways to reconnect, rebuild intention, and stop guessing your way through marriage.No fluff.No perfection. Just real talk, laughs, and tools that work.