“Relationships”

Dear CMR,

Why do people automatically assign people to zones like the “friend zone”?  Why do we sometimes change the zones we put them in?

Signed, A Podcast Fan

Words matter, and unfortunately, negative words are often the ones that stick with us. Proverbs 18:21 says, "life and death are in the power of the tongue." In this episode, Chris and Tim explore negative biases, where they come from, how they impact relationships, and how to deal with them.

Dear CMR,

Do you think it is possible for two people to stay friends after a romantic relationship has ended between them? If so, what does a healthy friendship look like? 

Signed, B.

What counts as a date-night? How do I balance my relationship with the rest of life's demands? In this episode of the podcast, we continue the conversation with Dr. Bradford Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. He points to some research and advice on the benefit of making small investments in your marriage. As a father of nine children, he has learned quite a few lessons on this topic personally.

Dear CMR,

I am single and want to start getting to know more people, if you know what I mean. How can I let people know I'm available without coming across as desperate for a date?

Signed,

Single and Ready to Mingle

Dear CMR,

I am in friendships that I am worried might be manipulative. What are some ways that I can recognize manipulation within friendships or relationships?

Signed, 

Curious and Questioning

This year was record-breaking for the Center for Marriage and Relationships. We are incredibly grateful for the support of people like you to help fund our efforts. Would you consider making a year-end gift to help us reach our goal of $220,000?

According to leading marriage researcher John Gottman, there are seven qualities of a happy marriage. In this video, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace explain these seven traits and their roles within relationships.