Episode Details

Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book, Relationship Skills, and the four seasons every marriage passes through. Healthy marriages aren't found — they're built.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Christian marriages struggle from a lack of skill, not a lack of love
• The difference between a difficult, dysfunctional, and toxic relationship — and when to get professional help
• The four seasons of marriage: spring, summer, fall, and winter
• Why the goal of Christian marriage isn't just longevity — it's transformation
• How to change old patterns by starting with what you bring to the table
• The 90-second hack for building emotional intimacy in marriage
• How to apologize to your spouse in 3 steps: own it, validate, and share your plan for change
• Why marriage repair after conflict can make you stronger — and why there's hope even in winter

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Relationship Skills by Debra Fileta — Debra's newest book on the four seasons of relationships
• People Skills by Debra Fileta — a great relationship-skills book for homeschool families
• Relationship Skills Quiz — free quiz to find which skills your relationship needs in this season
• Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast
• Debra Fileta Counselors Network — faith-forward, clinically trained counselors
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community

About our guest:

Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the best