Choosing Us

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...

From Baby News to Building Better Relationships: A Journey of Growth and Accountability Exciting changes are on the horizon as the hosts announce they're expecting a baby girl, adding a new dynamic to their family of two energetic boys! This episode of Choosing Us takes listeners on an intimate journey through the complexities of family life and relationship building. The conversation weaves throu...

Money, Marriage, and Making It Work: A Journey of Financial Growth Discover how one couple transformed their relationship with money, going from just $100 in their account to building a thriving financial partnership. In this compelling episode of "Choosing Us," Brad and Michaela Draper candidly share their journey of navigating financial differences in marriage.  Learn how they overcame challenge...

The Power of Vulnerability and Communication in Relationships *Can saying "I'm fine" be damaging your relationship?* This eye-opening episode dives deep into the transformative power of genuine communication and emotional vulnerability between partners.  Discover how different parenting styles can coexist harmoniously when couples focus on their shared goals rather than their contrasting approache...

Ever wonder how to juggle family traditions without dropping your own marriage in the process? In this compelling episode of Choosing Us, Michaela and Brad dive deep into the delicate dance of managing family dynamics in marriage. Through a candid and sometimes humorous discussion, they share their personal journey of balancing extended family commitments while building their own traditions. A par...

Exciting News Alert: The Drapers Are Expecting! In this heartfelt episode, Brad and Michaela Draper share their joyful announcement of expecting a new addition to their family. Through candid conversation, they open up about the challenges of early pregnancy, with Michaela battling severe morning sickness while Brad steps up to manage additional responsibilities. The couple reflects deeply on the...

Dancing in the Rain: Finding Joy in Imperfect Relationships Ever wondered how successful couples navigate the messy reality of everyday life? Join the Drapers as they unveil their secret to building a thriving relationship - embracing imperfection with grace and humor. In this candid episode, Brad and Michaela tackle real-life challenges, from grocery shopping mishaps to conflicting Mother's Day e...

**Did you know that many women in long-term relationships have never experienced an orgasm?** This eye-opening episode of "Choosing Us" with the Drapers tackles the often-overlooked topic of female pleasure and sexual wellness in relationships. Michaela and Brad dive deep into: - The surprising statistics about women's orgasms - The importance of open communication about sexual needs - Understandi...

Love as a Daily Choice: Beyond Just Feelings Discover how spontaneous adventures and intentional choices can transform your relationship from mundane to magnificent! In this compelling episode of "Choosing Us," Brad and Michaela reveal how treating love as a daily commitment rather than just a feeling can prevent couples from becoming mere roommates. They share their personal experience of a 24-ho...

When Life Hits Hard: The Power of True Partnership Ever wondered what makes a relationship truly resilient? Dive into this heartfelt episode where Michaela and Brad unpack the essence of genuine partnership through their own experiences. When Michaela fell ill, Brad's seamless handling of everything from school runs to household chores became a powerful testament to real teamwork in action. The ep...