Our families shape so much of who we are—our values, beliefs, and even the way we expect relationships to function. But when we get married, those ingrained expectations don’t always align with our spouse’s background. So, what does leaving and cleaving really mean in this context?

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.

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.

In today's blog, Amy Burgess discusses the years beyond motherhood, encouraging mothers to discover who they are and how they can find their purpose in every season of their lives.

Long-term friendships can be difficult to maintain over time but also have the potential to teach us so much. When those friends come from a different culture, those differences can draw you even closer when you explore them together. How do you do that? What should you be aware of?

In this week's podcast, CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace address the not-so-glamorous realities that can come with the holiday season and offer practical tips for how to center your family on each other and Christ this Christmas.

In this week's episode, Chris and Alisa Grace are joined by Biola colleagues and long-time friends Ken and Trudi Berding as they share their journey from being missionaries in the Middle East to housing and discipling multiple college students each year.

In this week's podcast, Dr. Anna Sinclair shares her inspiring journey of embracing her disability. Listen along as she offers a unique hope for how to live in light of our scars, whether they are seen or unseen, and the unexpected joy that comes along the way.

Did you know that some 21 million U.S. adults per year struggle with a mood disorder? A spouse or partner who was once approachable and easygoing can become irritable and unhappy, which can erode your connection. What should you do?

In part one of a two part podcast series, CMR Co-Directors Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace discuss the key role intimacy plays in friendship and offer five signs to look for to grow your friendships into rock solid relationships.