
The Beyond I Do Podcast is where married couples come to stay connected, communicate better, and build lasting friendship. Hosted by Byron and Margaret—married 28 years and still best friends—we share real conversations about love, marriage, conflict, intimacy, parenting, and everything in between.
Whether you're newly married or decades in, we help you laugh more, fight less, and stay in love without losing yourself. Subscribe for honest talk, practical tools, and weekly episodes that help you divorce-proof your relationship.
Episodes
Latest Episode
August 25, 2026 · 47m
In this episode of The Beyond I Do Podcast, Byron & Margaret sit down with Jennifer Struffert, founder of Enduring Connections and Advocacy, a divorce coach, relationship coach, and co-parenting mediator who went through the same coaching training program they did. Jennifer gets real about the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict, why "how you show up" matters more than what your partner does, and the one question she asks clients who are stuck trying to decide whether to stay or go. She also opens up about her own divorce, what she wishes she'd known, and why coaching and therapy aren't an either/or. In this episode: The real difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict Why accountability (not blame) is the turning point in relationship coaching The question that helped Jennifer finally make her decision Why therapy and coaching work better together, not against each other How to co-parent through high conflict without losing the kids in the middle Three things every couple in conflict needs to hear Connect with Jennifer:
More Episodes
Aug 11 · 24m
In this episode, we break down the 5 C's every marriage needs more of — connection, conversation, compliments, collaboration, and care — and get real about two we've struggled with. Plus, two new segments debut: the Marriage-First Minute and What We're Reading, where we crack open our own book to talk about the season when a lack of communication almost cost them everything.This episode is based on an article posted here.
Jul 16 · 1h 3m
What happens after the kids grow up, careers settle down, and it's finally just the two of you again?For Shari and Terry Doherty, the answer is simple: they're falling in love all over again.In this conversation, they share what 31 years of marriage has taught them about friendship, forgiveness, conflict, parenting, and building a relationship that keeps getting better with time. They also talk about raising children who actually want to model their marriage, working together, handling disagreements without letting them define the relationship, and why they believe your best years can still be ahead.If you've ever wondered whether marriage can stay fun after decades together, this episode will leave you hopeful.What You'll HearWhy they believe life after 50 is their favorite seasonThe importance of liking your spouse—not just loving themTheir approach to conflict after three decades togetherWhy friendship is the foundation of a lasting marriageThe story behind their daughter's decision to share their anniversaryLessons they've passed on to their children about marriageHow gratitude changes everyday relationshipsLooking ahead to retirement, travel, and becoming grandparentsKey TakeawaysGreat marriages continue growing.Friendship makes difficult seasons easier.Small annoyances shouldn't overshadow a lifetime of good.Appreciation should be spoken out loud.Conflict doesn't have to threaten connection.Healthy marriages are built through daily choices, not perfect moments.
Jun 16 · 46m
Can you build a successful career without sacrificing your marriage?On this episode, we're joined by David "Kiwi" Kiwimagi, relationship coach and co-founder of Kiwi Coaching.David shares how he and his wife went from sleeping in separate rooms, feeling disconnected, and struggling to communicate, to building a thriving marriage and business together.We discuss:• Why busy couples often feel like roommates• The difference between coaching and counseling• How to identify your current season of life• Why date nights should be treated like million-dollar meetings• The surprising impact your marriage has on your children• Judging vs. accepting personalities• A simple 5-minute daily habit called "Couch Time"If life feels busy, overwhelming, or disconnected, this conversation offers practical tools you can start using today.
May 26 · 1h 5m
Some couples take years to figure things out. Jaylee and Chana knew quickly that what they had was different.In this episode, they share how they met, blended their families, handled conflict early in marriage, and built a relationship rooted in communication, trust, and intentionality.We also talk about:Dating and marrying later in lifeBlended family dynamicsLearning how your partner communicatesConflict without disrespectTrusting your instincts in relationshipsStep-parenting and partnershipWhy intentional connection mattersThis conversation was honest, funny, warm, and full of wisdom.If you’ve ever wondered whether healthy love still exists, this episode is for you.
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