Hillary and Jonathan Wildt each felt led to the idea of adoption even before they found each other. After they were married, done with grad school, and feeling ready for parenthood, they worked to prepare their house, their hearts, and their extended family for the realities of adoption. The process led them to welcoming three biological siblings as their children. Now two years into their parenthood journey, they share the challenges they face, including attachment issues and managing expectations, but also the joy of certainty that they were meant to be together.

In a story of love, loss, and letting go, Joy and Myah explore their experiences with adoption and their evolving relationship as mother and daughter. Joy candidly shares the rollercoaster ride of emotions through unexplained infertility and the new path to growing her family. Myah reflects on her complex feelings about her biological family and her quest for belonging. Together they express that every challenge has been worth it to bring them to where they are today.

Seven adopted siblings joined Jana’s family after she turned 16. This big life transition opened her heart and grew her compassion. But Jana also learned a lot about effects of adoption on the whole family system. Her own unaddressed needs and struggles led her to finding better tools and interventions to keep adoptive and foster families connected and healthy.

It’s Leap Day! Since February has an extra day this year, we present a bonus episode to review the movie Leap Year (2010) starring Amy Adams. David gets extra sappy as we follow this rom-com story set in Dublin, Ireland with a special quest of a Leap Day marriage proposal. We cover it all from Celtic traditions, to travel disasters and relational misunderstandings.

When Gabriela was inspired to volunteer, she never imagined herself serving behind bars. But when God prompted her heart, she ventured outside her comfort zone and into prison. Now, after 20 years of prison ministry, she shares her passion for responsibility, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and God’s love for all.

February 14, St. Valentine’s, is a day focused on the celebration of love. Shops are full of flowers, candy, cards, and heart-shaped everything. Restaurants roll out special menus and candlelight for romantic meals. What could possibly be bad about any of that? We don’t want to rain on anyone’s Valentine’s parade, but our feelings about the Hallmark holiday might surprise you.

It's a nearly impossible task for parents to stay on top of the ways their children are using technology. How do you limit screen time? What's the right age for a social media account? Why do YouTubers have so much influence? If all of this seems overwhelming, you're not alone. And it's not too late to try some new ways of navigating the question of kids & technology.

From nosy neighbors on the party line to cyberbullies on social media, technology always impacts the way we communicate and interact. We explore the ways advances in technology have fundamentally changed social dynamics, and shed light on some possible unintended consequences.

Does it really matter how we're born? In a topic that affects all humans, we discuss what makes a healthy birth and why it matters for women, their families, and the community. We share our own personal birth experiences and some factors that can promote a supportive, informed, and respectful birth for all.

Our guest Emöke Tapolyai tells the story of becoming an unexpectedly single parent. She candidly reveals the pain and loss she experienced after her divorce, and also tells us how she managed to stay out of the self-pity trap. Stay tuned to hear about how she healed and how she continues to thrive and flourish.

Instead of a relaxing lakeside vacation last summer, our family ran a grueling obstacle race as a team. Spoiler alert: we all survived! We also faced fears and experienced victories. It was an adventure that brought us together and made some lasting memories.

As a final wrap-up of the Marriage Stories Series, Tara and David review advice given in the couples' interviews, share some of their own personal stories, and count down their top ten lessons learned about lasting love.

The honeymoon glow was over quickly for Gary & Karolyn after their wedding. Alarmed at the conflict and differences that were magnified in their young marriage, they turned to God and found a new way to love each other well. Now, 61 years later, they devote their time and energy to teaching others what they've learned.

One marriage story episode was not long enough for our conversation with Rodica & Liviu about their perspectives on marriage, identity, roles, technology, and art. Listen in to hear more about how their careers impact their family life.

They started getting to know each other at clandestine Bible study meetings in communist times in Romania. Rodica and LIviu didn't take long to commit to each other on a snowy January day, and it didn't take long after that to discover that they couldn't be more different. An engineer and an artist, they still see things differently but have found freedom in releasing expectations and supporting one another's growth.

College might be an ordinary place for a couple to meet, but Zim & Jason have lived extraordinary lives. She’s from Nigeria, he’s from Honduras, they dated in India, and married in France. Now their new baby has passport, will travel too!

She’s from Canada, he’s from Ecuador, and they found each other in the USA. Emily & Ricky made it past an awkward start to a relationship characterized by intimacy and trust. They stay connected by celebrating all the little moments.

These 2 lovebirds are enjoying their empty nest! Vallari & Ruchir decided against arranged marriages, and found each other at a party in Chicago. They have been married nearly 30 years now and maintain their relationship with mutual respect, shared interests in art & architecture, and travel.

This couple met on the first day of orientation at Hope College in Michigan. Their friendship was fast and genuine. According to Cassie & Ethan, they were the last two to know there was something a little more going on. Now they are on countdown to their wedding day and they couldn’t be more excited to be building a future together.

When one of your first dates ends up in the emergency room, you know you might be in for an adventurous relationship! Joy & Amado's marriage has had challenges from the very beginning. They share some of those stories candidly in this episode with laughter and wisdom, and attribute their deep love for each other to faith and hard work.