Summary: 

What are young couples really wondering about as they step into engagement and marriage?

In this special and deeply personal episode, Shaunti and Jeff sit down with their daughter Morgen and her fiancé Ben—just weeks before their wedding—to talk candidly about readiness, trust, faith, conflict, finances, sex, and what it really means to commit for life.

Drawing from both lived experience and decades of research, this conversation blends heart, humor, and practical wisdom for engaged couples—and for parents walking alongside them.

Resources:

The Secrets of Sex and Marriage

The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

 

Summary:&nbsp;
What are young couples really wondering about as they step into engagement and marriage?
In this special and deeply personal episode, Shaunti and Jeff sit down with their daughter Morgen and her fianc&eacute; Ben&mdash;just weeks before their wedding&mdash;to talk candidly about readiness, trust, faith, conflict, finances, sex, and what it really means to commit for life.
Drawing from both lived experience and decades of research, this conversation blends heart, humor, and practical wisdom for engaged couples&mdash;and for parents walking alongside them.
Resources:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Sex-Marriage-Surprises-Difference/dp/0764239554/?tag=shaunticom-20">The Secrets of Sex and Marriage</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprising-Secrets-Highly-Happy-Marriages/dp/1601421214/?tag=shaunticom-20">The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages</a>
&nbsp;

Relationship tripwires. Mental health puzzles. Confusing work dynamics. You’re not the only one scratching your head. But now you have a secret decoder ring! Each episode of I Wish You Could Hear This is packed with proven, simple, and surprising secrets that help you thrive in life, faith, and relationships. Researchers Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn have spent decades interviewing and surveying more than 40,000 people to identify the little things that make a big difference in our lives. They’re Harvard-educated, Christian authors and speakers who also happen to be happily married, analytically minded, and a whole lot of fun! Join them and their guests for real stories, real help, and real hope.

I Wish You Could Hear This

Relationship tripwires. Mental health puzzles. Confusing work dynamics. You&rsquo;re not the only one scratching your head. But now you have a secret decoder ring! Each episode of I Wish You Could Hear This is packed with proven, simple, and surprising secrets that help you thrive in life, faith, and relationships. Researchers Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn have spent decades interviewing and surveying more than 40,000 people to identify the little things that make a big difference in our lives. They&rsquo;re Harvard-educated, Christian authors and speakers who also happen to be happily married, analytically minded, and a whole lot of fun! Join them and their guests for real stories, real help, and real hope.

Being Engaged! A Personal Chat with Our Daughter and Future Son-In-Law

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/08d63092-f5e5-4868-93e1-b3f301068507/transcript

Summary: In this powerful episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with author, speaker, and ministry leader Willow Weston to explore what it means to truly heal from hurt instead of hiding from it. Together, they unpack how unresolved pain can surface in anxiety, broken relationships, unforgiveness, and emotional exhaustion—and why healing begins when we stop running from our wounds and bring them honestly before God.  

Willow shares her personal story, the heart behind her ministry Collide, and insights from her new book about embracing pain as part of the pathway to restoration and deeper connection. This conversation offers encouragement for anyone carrying hidden hurt, walking through disappointment, or longing to experience emotional and spiritual healing. 

You’ll hear: 
Why unprocessed pain often “comes out sideways”  
How honesty and vulnerability open the door to healing  
The role faith and community play in restoration  
Encouragement for those feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted  
Hope for healing not only for ourselves, but also for the people we love  

If you’ve ever wondered whether real healing is possible, this episode is a reminder that God meets us in our pain—and that hope and restoration are closer than we think. 

Links and Resources: 

Book: Collide 

Website: https://wecollide.net/staff/willow-weston/ 

Summary:&nbsp;In this powerful episode of&nbsp;I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with author, speaker, and ministry leader Willow Weston to explore what it means to truly heal from hurt instead of hiding from it. Together, they unpack how unresolved pain can surface in anxiety, broken relationships, unforgiveness, and emotional exhaustion&mdash;and why healing begins when we stop running from our wounds and bring them honestly before God.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Willow shares her personal story, the heart behind her ministry&nbsp;Collide, and insights from her new book about embracing pain as part of the pathway to restoration and deeper connection.&nbsp;This conversation offers encouragement for anyone carrying hidden hurt, walking through disappointment, or longing to experience emotional and spiritual healing.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll&nbsp;hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Why unprocessed pain often &ldquo;comes out sideways&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>How honesty and vulnerability open the door to healing&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>The role faith and community play in restoration&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Encouragement for those feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hope for healing not only for ourselves, but also for the people we love&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
If&nbsp;you&rsquo;ve&nbsp;ever wondered whether real healing is possible, this episode is a reminder that God meets us in our pain&mdash;and that hope and restoration are closer than we think.&nbsp;
Links and Resources:&nbsp;
Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Collide-Running-Into-Healing-Hands/dp/B0FD7PQ768">Collide</a>&nbsp;
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://wecollide.net/staff/willow-weston/">https://wecollide.net/staff/willow-weston/</a>&nbsp;

Tired of Carrying Hidden Hurt? Finding Healing, with Willow Weston - Episode 42

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ec11c44a-0cba-4c44-a172-b44f00311de7/transcript

SUMMARY:  

In this episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra Fileta for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us don’t realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others. 

Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we impact the people we love. Whether you’re dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper connection. 

If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should—or how to become a healthier version of yourself—this conversation is for you. 

LINKS AND RESOURCES: 

Book: People Skills: Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as Your Skills 

Website: Debra Fileta | Best Selling Author, Speaker, Psychotherapist, and Podcaster! 

The Kindness Challenge 

SUMMARY:&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this episode of&nbsp;I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff&nbsp;Feldhahn&nbsp;sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra&nbsp;Fileta&nbsp;for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others.&nbsp;
Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we&nbsp;impact&nbsp;the people we love. Whether&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper&nbsp;connection.&nbsp;
If&nbsp;you&rsquo;ve&nbsp;ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should&mdash;or how to become a healthier version of yourself&mdash;this conversation is for you.&nbsp;
LINKS AND RESOURCES:&nbsp;
Book:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/People-Skills-Your-Relationships-Strong/dp/0736991093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SLUSIAQB44FD&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yfy5rKekwjjp08z8kUlToTMOjuiJUaHrZQwtvkQHVMxFCiAzaSxgIVvdleys4Ffh5NHhH6vQwHMHesUoguORtQ81Fda0fLDNc9qG2131JMm9wpMFcNmYvxbYqhZ5hL7aQDbZInuW-BluG6zw0VLigiox7O3HVBskeNuszTtMpLIY3z7c-RRuLN_Mj7UVK4j4.p5V4OBJyP_qwC4Y4qlmiQKNtr9XnXrRsudsjofAsJEI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=people+skills+debra+fileta&amp;qid=1775834764&amp;sprefix=People+Skills%2Caps%2C962&amp;sr=8-1">People Skills: Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as Your Skills</a>&nbsp;
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://debrafileta.com/">Debra Fileta | Best Selling Author, Speaker, Psychotherapist, and Podcaster!</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kindness-Challenge-Thirty-Improve-Relationship/dp/1601421222/?tag=shaunticom-20">The Kindness Challenge&nbsp;</a>

The Blind Spots Hurting Your Relationships, with Debra Fileta: Episode 41 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b3abb188-3ae1-4fc8-b925-b43600f98fde/transcript

Summary: 

In Part 2 of this important conversation on the modern dating recession, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn continue unpacking new research from the Institute for Family Studies on why so many marriage-minded singles are struggling to date—and what can actually help. With 70% of surveyed singles saying they want meaningful relationships but aren’t dating, the challenge is real—but not hopeless. 

Shaunti and Jeff revisit the key barriers discussed in Part 1 and dive into additional reasons dating feels harder today, from fear and discouragement to unclear expectations and social disconnection. Most importantly, they offer practical, research-based encouragement for singles who desire marriage, as well as parents and loved ones who want to support them. 

If you or someone you care about feels stuck in today’s dating landscape, this episode offers fresh insight, empathy, and a hopeful path forward toward genuine connection. 

Resources: 

Report on “The Dating Recession”. https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/state-of-our-unions-2026-the-dating-recession  

IFS article about young men. See point 2 for “Most unmarried young men want to marry”  

https://ifstudies.org/blog/young-men-are-not-checked-out-their-hopes-are-being-frustrated  

For Women Only link. 

For Men Only link 

 

Summary:&nbsp;
In Part 2 of this important conversation on the modern dating recession, Shaunti and Jeff&nbsp;Feldhahn&nbsp;continue unpacking new research from the Institute for Family Studies on why so many marriage-minded singles are struggling to date&mdash;and what can&nbsp;actually help. With 70% of surveyed singles saying they want meaningful relationships but&nbsp;aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;dating, the challenge is real&mdash;but not hopeless.&nbsp;
Shaunti and Jeff revisit the key barriers discussed in Part 1 and dive into&nbsp;additional&nbsp;reasons dating feels harder today, from fear and discouragement to unclear expectations and social disconnection. Most importantly, they offer practical, research-based encouragement for singles who&nbsp;desire&nbsp;marriage, as well as parents and loved ones who want to support them.&nbsp;
If you or someone you care about feels stuck in today&rsquo;s dating landscape, this episode offers fresh insight, empathy, and a hopeful path forward toward genuine connection.&nbsp;
Resources: 
Report on &ldquo;The Dating Recession&rdquo;. <a href="https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/state-of-our-unions-2026-the-dating-recession">https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/state-of-our-unions-2026-the-dating-recession</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
IFS article about young men. See point 2 for &ldquo;Most unmarried young men want to marry&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://ifstudies.org/blog/young-men-are-not-checked-out-their-hopes-are-being-frustrated">https://ifstudies.org/blog/young-men-are-not-checked-out-their-hopes-are-being-frustrated</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Women-Only-Revised-Updated-About/dp/1601424442/?tag=shaunticom-20">For Women Only link</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-Only-Revised-Updated-Straightforward/dp/1601424450/?tag=shaunticom-20">For Men Only link</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

How Young People Can Handle Ghosting, Disappointment, and Other Barriers to Dating – Episode 40

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/0e88295d-6b25-48f7-a561-b4330025ef9c/transcript

Being Engaged! A Personal Chat with Our Daughter and Future Son-In-Law

In 1 playlist(s)

I Wish You Could Hear This

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips