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Posts by Alisa Grace

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Navigating Holiday Stress: Balancing Busyness, Expectations, and Joy

December 18, 2024 — Alisa Grace, Chris Grace

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore managing holiday stress, balancing busyness, expectations, and finding joy. They discuss practical tips for setting realistic expectations, planning ahead, navigating family dynamics, and staying emotionally connected during this busy season. With insights on how to prioritize relationships, manage stress, and align your heart with God's perspective, this episode provides helpful strategies for a more peaceful and meaningful holiday experience. Whether you're navigating relationships with family, friends, or significant others, you'll find valuable advice to improve your connections this holiday season.

Dealing with Grief and Loss During the Holidays with Guest Kevin Van Lant

December 11, 2024 — Kevin Van Lant, Chris Grace, Alisa Grace

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the topic of navigating grief and loss during the holidays. They are joined by Dr. Kevin Van Lant, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in pastoral care and counseling, who provides invaluable insights into the challenges of processing grief during a season traditionally associated with joy and togetherness. They discuss the importance of recognizing and sitting with the pain, offering practical ways to support both yourself and others during difficult times, and how faith plays a transformative role in the grieving process.

a family opening presents during Christmas

Your Family or Mine? 6 Keys to Planning the Holidays with In-Laws

December 4, 2024 — Alisa Grace

In this blog, Alisa Grace reflects on the challenges of navigating holidays as in-laws, particularly when sharing grown children and their spouses with other families. She emphasizes the importance of embracing a "new normal" by fostering open communication, empathy, and flexibility. Rather than clinging to specific dates, Alisa encourages focusing on meaningful connections and adapting traditions to fit everyone’s needs. Sharing her own experience, she notes that celebrating Thanksgiving on a different day allowed her family to prioritize quality time together, reinforcing that the heart of the holiday lies in the time spent, not the date itself.

Why Traditions Matter: A CMR Staff Roundtable

November 27, 2024 — Jane Locke, Chris Grace, Alisa Grace, Tatum Munivez

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore the importance of family traditions, especially during the holiday season. They discuss how traditions create bonding, foster a sense of belonging, and adapt over time as families grow and change. Joined by CMR staff members Jane Locke and Tatum Munivez, they share personal stories and offer practical insights into navigating traditions in the face of life changes like marriage, moving, or loss. Whether you're celebrating with your parents, kids, in-laws, or friends, this episode offers meaningful ways to build relationships and honor the deeper reasons for the season.

Top 6 Relationship Killers with Guest Willa Williams

October 30, 2024 — Willa Williams, Alisa Grace

In this episode, Alisa Grace and special guest Willa Williams, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discuss the “Top 6 Relationship Killers” that often hinder our closest connections. They explore common destructive habits, such as taking things personally, assuming the worst, and failing to show empathy, offering practical insights to help listeners build stronger, healthier relationships. Whether you're navigating friendships, family dynamics, or romantic partnerships, this episode provides valuable advice to transform your interactions.

Rituals That Matter: How Small Actions Foster Big Relationship Wins

October 23, 2024 — Alisa Grace, Chris Grace

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore rituals for connection—consistent, intentional actions that can help strengthen relationships over time. They discuss how recognizing and responding to bids for attention can prevent couples from drifting apart and highlight simple rituals such as saying goodbye, greeting each other, and spending intentional time together. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you reconnect with your loved ones, making your relationships more fulfilling and connected. Whether you're dealing with significant others, friends, children, or roommates, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships.

Small Moments, Big Impact: How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving

October 16, 2024 — Alisa Grace, Chris Grace

In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace explore bids for attention—small interactions that can significantly impact the strength of a relationship. They discuss how recognizing and responding to these bids can prevent couples from drifting apart, drawing on research from Drs. John and Julie Gottman. The Grace's provide practical insights and tips to help you stay connected with your partner, emphasizing the power of intentional time together. Whether you're navigating life with a significant other, friends, or even colleagues, this episode offers valuable advice to improve your relationships.

compliments can do so much more than just brighten someone's day

The Power of a Well-Timed Word

September 11, 2024 — Alisa Grace

Can one well-timed word change a life? In this week's video, Alisa Grace describes how God enables us to edify others and gives three easy steps to give a meaningful compliment.

First Fruits and Fumes

May 1, 2024 — Chris Grace, Alisa Grace

In this podcast, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace share practical tips for couples feeling overwhelmed by parenting and life demands. They suggest prioritizing your relationship with the Lord and each other, with actions like greeting your spouse first, scheduling regular date nights, and doing chores together. Together you can learn to nurture stronger relationships amidst busy schedules.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: What To Do With Personality Tools

March 25, 2024 — Alisa Grace, Chris Grace

In this week's episode, CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss how personality impacts our relationships, and offer practical ways we can use personality tools to better understand ourselves and others.

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