With U Podcast

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 parenth...

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...

Family ties get twisty when another enters the family. Much has been said about the effects and needs of adopted kids and parents, but what about the rest of the family? 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 unaddres...

It’s Leap Day! Since February has an extra day this year, we present a bonus episode: a review of the movie Leap Year (2010) starring Amy Adams. Guess which of your hosts will get extra sappy and which will get practical as we follow this rom-com story set in Dublin, Ireland. On a quest for a Leap Day marriage proposal we will cover it all from Celtic traditions, to travel disasters and relational...

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. — Gabriela Kabatova lives in Prague, Czech Republic. Gabriela served as a member...

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. --- produced by Zach...

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. --- We&#3...

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. -- We'd love to hear from you! Send feedback or topic suggestions to withupodcast@gmail.com. -- produced by Zach Van D...

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. --- We'd love to hear your birth story! Email us at withupodcast@gmail.com --- For...

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. --- Emöke Tapolyai is a clinical pastoral counselor and executive coach. She received h...

How many burpees can a person do in one day? We found out! Last summer instead of enjoying a relaxing lakeside vacation, our family ran a grueling obstacle race together. Spoiler alert: we all survived! We also faced fears and scored some victories. It was an adventure that made lasting memories -- mostly good ones. --- For more race photos & fun facts, visit our website With U Podcast. --- Sp...

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. -- We'd love to hear what you thought of the Marriage Stories. Which one was most memorable for you? What tips did you learn that you want to apply to your relationship? E...

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. -- Gary & Karolyn Chapman will celebrate 62 years of marriage this...

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. -- Liviu & Rodica Mocan reside in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania. They have 3 adult children (+ spouses) and 4 grandchildren. Rodica is a professor of digital m...

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...

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! -- Jeremiah 33:20-22 “This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then wi...

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. -- Listen to Ricky’s proposal song here. Wedding song: Broken Together by Casting Crowns Emily & Ricky are both marriage & family therapists with The Jour...

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. -- See Vallari's landscape architecture work at Eco Scapes, Inc. -- We'd love your feedbac...

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. -- Find Cassie on Instagram: @cassiehogle Find Ethan on Insta...

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.  -- produced by Zach Van Dyke

Newlyweds Lauren & Jacob moved pretty quickly from the friend zone to planning a wedding. Despite Lauren’s anti-marriage stance and Jacob’s short deadline before he moved away, these two found the spark and made a lifetime commitment to each other. They’ve been married just a few months now, and share how important premarital counseling was to them. -- See wedding photo and the top things Laur...

Paige & Steven became friends through Key Club in college, and soon couldn’t imagine life without each other. They live near Athens, Georgia, have been married 26 years, and have 2 teenage sons. They believe that love is an everyday choice, and they like to find a good balance of doing things together while also giving each other space. -- Paige is an independent sales director with Mary Kay....

Chaka & Moses: high school sweethearts, now married for 17 years with 2 kids. They both point to clear, direct, and open communication as key to a strong and thriving relationship.  Learn a little bit more about Chaka & Moses on the With U Podcast website. --  produced by Zach Van Dyke

Is there one person out there waiting to complete you? Whether it’s soulmate, a significant other, or a spouse, many people are looking for a lifetime love. We explore our thoughts about love & marriage, and we share our list of important qualities to look for when finding your One. This conversation kicks off a new season of interviews with married couples telling their stories. —- This episo...

In-law relationships are universally challenging. Marriage is never as simple as joining two people together -- a whole host of family members, expectations, learned behaviors, customs, and inside jokes come along for the ride! It's no wonder people struggle with the weight of dividing loyalty between family of origin and new spouse. We'll talk about why combining family systems is like living in...