Choosing Us

Starting the year with chaos and hardship, the Drapers discovered something counterintuitive: real happiness isn't waiting at the end of some perfect journey. Their 2025 has been exceptionally challenging, yet they've found profound fulfillment by choosing joy even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Through years of intentional practice (over a decade, actually), Brad and Michaela have learned...

Relationship Maintenance During Life's Demanding Seasons When a new baby arrives, even the strongest relationships face challenges that test established connection routines. The Drapers are experiencing this firsthand with their baby girl, navigating sleep deprivation and a reversed day-night cycle while their weekly date nights sit temporarily on pause. (It's the reality most new parents know too...

New Parents, Old Wisdom When their sons reminded them about the Christmas tree, the Drapers realized something profound: their children's priorities matter just as much as their own. With a newborn in the house and three older kids running around (plus one struggling middle-child dog), life has become beautifully chaotic. They're now completing only about seventy-five percent of their daily to-do...

In this episode, Brad and Michaela discuss the impact and power of having gratitude. Being the week of Thanksgiving, they felt it was imperative to discuss having love and gratitude within the home and in your relationship. Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you! Listen in! Thank you for listening to this episode of Choosi...

Honestly, the most powerful thing about this episode might be what happens when two exhausted people choose to show up for each other anyway. The Drapers are navigating the final days before their baby arrives while simultaneously restarting their business after fourteen months—and they're pulling back the curtain on what intimacy actually looks like when life gets messy. Here's what might surpris...

What does it really mean to love someone? The Drapers flip the script on romance by arguing that love isn't a feeling you fall into—it's an active verb demanding consistent effort. Through a bicycle analogy, they explain how relationships need constant pedaling (continuous work and intentional energy) or they'll inevitably coast to a stop. While many couples believe they've "fallen out of love," t...

What if the secret to a strong marriage isn't being inseparable, but learning when to stand on your own? The Drapers dive deep into the delicate balance between independence and interdependence in marriage, sharing raw insights from their 11-year journey together. Starting as a 19-year-old wife who waited by the door for her husband's return, Michaela reveals how her early codependency nearly dest...

Discover how busy parents can prioritize their relationship without leaving home in this intimate episode recorded from the Drapers' living room. At 34 weeks pregnant with their third child, Michaela and her husband share their approach to maintaining connection during life's busiest seasons. Instead of a traditional babymoon, they opted for a local staycation while their boys stayed with grandpar...

Ever wonder why your kids seem to ignore your threats but listen to other parents? Brad reveals the eye-opening moment when his six-year-old's friend rolled his eyes at empty parental warnings—but immediately complied when warned that Brad actually follows through. In this candid episode of Choosing Us, Michaela and Brad get real about the messy reality of parenting as a team. From navigating brut...

What if the secret to relationship happiness isn't finding the perfect partner, but choosing gratitude for the one you have? After a year of weekly episodes, The Drapers open up about the exhaustion of showing up consistently while delivering their most important message yet. They tackle the dangerous illusion of social media's highlight reels—those rented cars, staged luxury shots, and curated pe...

Racing Against Thunderstorms: How Small Broken Promises Destroy Big Relationships What if the key to unshakeable confidence isn't a new car or wardrobe, but simply keeping promises to yourself? The Drapers dive deep into "The Four Agreements" concept of being impeccable with your word, revealing how seemingly minor broken commitments—like skipping chores or showing up late—systematically erode tru...

What happens when life throws you into survival mode just weeks before your third child arrives? The Drapers open up about their current chaotic season with Michaela on bed rest at 30 weeks pregnant and Brad overwhelmed with juggling everything solo. While admitting they're barely completing 75% of their daily tasks, they've discovered the power of "heavenly winks" - those unexpected beautiful mom...

What happens when a couple builds their relationship through three powerful pillars while expecting their next baby? Michaela and Brad Draper share their blueprint for unbreakable bonds from their cozy setup—complete with contractions and bed rest humor. The Drapers reveal their relationship formula: working together builds a relationship, adding service creates friendship, and incorporating play...

Celebrating 100 Episodes of Love, Growth, and Connection From uncertain beginnings to impactful conversations that span the globe, the Drapers mark their 100th episode with raw honesty about their podcasting journey. Discover how this power couple transformed production challenges into opportunities for deeper connection, both with each other and their growing audience. Their candid reflections re...

Finding Purpose Through Prison Programs and Personal Growth Discover how a simple volunteer opportunity transformed into a life-changing mission as Michaela and Brad Draper share their remarkable journey of developing a communications program for incarcerated women. In this powerful episode, the couple reveals how they crafted a 50-course curriculum despite limited resources, proving that impactfu...

The Power of Words: Transforming Relationships Through Positive Language Discover how the simple act of choosing our words carefully can revolutionize our relationships and shape our children's self-perception. In this compelling episode of "Choosing Us," Brad and Michaela Draper dive deep into the transformative power of positive language in family dynamics. The Drapers share personal insights ab...

Unlocking the Taboo: A Candid Conversation About Sex and Hormones in Relationships Dive into a refreshingly honest discussion about one of the most challenging aspects of relationships - sexual intimacy and hormone health. Michaela and Brad Draper break down the barriers surrounding libido differences between partners, challenging the notion that low sexual desire is just "normal," especially for...

What Really Matters in Communication: Intent vs Impact Ever wondered why your well-intended messages sometimes miss the mark? This enlightening episode of Choosing Us dives deep into the fascinating disconnect between what we mean and how our words are received. The Drapers masterfully explore how our past experiences shape our perceptions and impact our relationships today. Through personal stori...

Ever wondered why your partner's way of loading the dishwasher drives you crazy? The Drapers dive deep into the fascinating world of relationship priorities and household dynamics! In this enlightening episode of "Choosing Us," hosts Michaela and Brad Draper celebrate Michaela's birthday month while tackling the universal challenge of managing different priorities in relationships. Through their p...

From Hesitant to Hero: A Husband's Journey into Nursery Design Discover how one couple's journey of preparing for their new baby becomes a testament to partnership and growth. When Brad steps out of his comfort zone to tackle nursery renovations - from painting to wallpapering - what emerges is more than just a beautiful room; it's a story of love, compromise, and shared vision. The episode dives...

Living in the Present: Finding Joy Amidst Life's Challenges Discover how embracing the present moment can transform your relationship and mental well-being. In this powerful episode of "Choosing Us," the Drapers dive deep into the delicate balance between supporting a partner through difficult times and maintaining personal boundaries. Through their experiences, including volunteering at Utah Stat...

Parenting with Purpose: Letting Kids Learn Life's Lessons Discover why letting your children face challenges head-on might be the best gift you can give them! In this enlightening episode, we explore the delicate balance between protection and independence in modern parenting. Through personal stories and practical insights, our hosts share their approach to raising resilient children, including a...

Unlocking the Power of Words in Relationships In this compelling episode of "Choosing Us," Michaela and Brad Draper dive into the life-changing principles of the "Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz, focusing on the crucial concept of being impeccable with your word. Their candid discussions reveal the transformative impact clear communication and integrity can have on relationships. With humor and vu...

Can being selfish actually strengthen your relationship? In this enlightening episode of Choosing Us, Brad and Michaela Draper dive deep into the counterintuitive wisdom of prioritizing self-care within partnerships.  The couple shares their personal journey of navigating conflicting needs - from Brad's essential morning workouts to Michaela's desire for extra sleep. Through candid stories and pra...

Learning to Receive: A Journey Through Love, Growth, and Summer Chaos Ever wondered why accepting help or compliments feels so challenging? The Drapers dive deep into the art of receiving gracefully, sparked by their experiences during a challenging pregnancy and the chaos of summer parenting.  In this heartfelt episode, Michaela and Brad share their personal transformation from being reluctant re...