I Wish You Could Hear This

Summary:  In this episode, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with author, counselor, and father-daughter relationship expert Michelle Watson Canfield to explore one of the most challenging seasons of parenting: connecting with adolescent daughters.  Many dads feel uncertain about how to respond when their daughters become more emotional, pull away, or seem resistant to their efforts. Michelle shares a powerful insight she has observed through years of counseling: many men would rather do nothing than risk doing it wrong—but when it comes to fathering daughters, stepping back often creates more distance.  Together, Shaunti, Jeff, and Michelle unpack why dads often feel sidelined during the teenage years, how mothers can become caught in the middle, and practical ways fathers can stay engaged even when conversations feel awkward or difficult.  You’ll learn:  Why many dads instinctively pull back—and why that can be harmful  How to stay calm and grounded when emotions run high  Practical ways to pursue your daughter with intention and consistency  Why your presence matters more than your perfection  How to build trust and connection during the adolescent years  If you've ever felt unsure how to connect with your daughter—or worried that you're getting it wrong—this conversation will equip and encourage you to keep showing up.  Because your daughter doesn't need a perfect dad. She needs an engaged one.  Links and Resources:  Website: drmichellewatson.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmichellewatson  Instagram: michellejwatson and thedadwhispererpodcast  Twitter: @mwatsonphd  LinkedIn: Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield  The Dad Whisperer Podcast: Apple Podcasts + Spotify  YouTube: @thedadwhisperer  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

SUMMARY: What happens when a marriage starts drifting apart — and one or both spouses wonder if it’s even possible to reconnect?  In this honest and hope-filled conversation, and sit down with author, speaker, and podcast host to talk about the quiet disconnection many couples experience and the practical ways healing can begin — even when things feel broken.   Drawing from Lindsey’s personal story and her new book Don’t Burn Down the House, this episode explores:  Why many marriages slowly drift into “roommate mode”   What often causes emotional disconnection beneath the surface   How resentment and hopelessness quietly build   Why change can begin even if only one spouse is willing   The small shifts that can create major transformation   How to prioritize your marriage without losing yourself   What rebuilding trust and connection really looks like   If you’ve ever felt discouraged, lonely, unseen, or unsure whether your marriage can recover, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope.  LINKS AND RESOURCES: Book: Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection: Maestas, Lindsey: 9780310369479: Amazon.com: Books  Website: HOME - Sparrows + Lily  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.