Marriage Therapy Radio

Zach connects with listeners Paul and Symone during a road trip break near Austin. Speaking candidly from the front seat of their car, they reflect on their blended family, the nuances of a 20-year age gap, and the emotional work of learning to love each other's children. As Paul and Symone navigate the complexities of second marriages, they share how gardening becomes their safe zone, how compass...

Zach sits down with Anna Rahe , fascia expert and founder of Genius of Flexibility , and her husband Daniel for an honest, layered conversation about what it looks like to “raise the grade” in a long-term partnership. As Anna and Daniel explore the habits they’re unlearning—and the ones they’re trying to reinforce—they reflect on the small ways they grade their relationship, how conflict becomes a...

Zach sits down with couple Victoria Shalet and Adam James for a thoughtful and honest conversation about navigating the complexities of partnership. Drawing from their experiences in psychotherapy and performance, they unpack how their personal and professional worlds inform the way they connect, communicate, and occasionally clash. Through light banter and open reflection, they explore moments of...

Zach is joined again by clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry for a direct and thoughtful exploration of how language shapes conflict in relationships. Together, they dissect common but often misused terms like “narcissist,” “gaslighting,” and “codependent,” highlighting the real harm that can come from assigning labels without clear definitions or clinical backing. Shannon brings c...

Zach continues his conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry for a vulnerable and intellectually engaging conversation that blends personal storytelling, relationship science, and unexpected insight. Shannon opens up about how her own relationship defied her expectations, thanks to what she learned from psychologist Tai Tashiro’s research on the three personality traits that lead t...

Zach sits down with  Dr. Shannon Curry —clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and founder of the Curry Psychology Group—for a nuanced discussion about what happens when couples “team up” against their therapist in session. Drawing on her forensic background and deep clinical insight, Shannon explores the subtle dynamics of triangulation, conflict avoidance, and the emotional strategies people...

Previously available only to our Patreon supporters , this special episode of So I Married a Relationship Expert is now being released to the full Marriage Therapy Radio audience. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Zach interviews his longtime co-host, Laura Heck, and her husband, Ryan Heck, to explore what it’s really like to be married to a relationship expert. You’ll hear honest reflect...

Zach sits down with Baya Voce and Emmy Bush to talk about  falling in love hard and fast, hitting a wall after the wedding, and what it takes to rebuild a relationship rooted in honesty, health, and play.  The couple, known for their wildly creative wedding (think Burning Man meets RuPaul meets adult summer camp), dive deep into what really happened once the party ended. They speak candidly about...

Zach is joined by Darren and LaVerna Wilk to explore the journey of maintaining a thriving marriage through the transitions of parenting, fostering, and embracing the empty nest phase. With over 35 years of marriage and five daughters, they share insights on shifting from parenting to partnership, cultivating friendship, and keeping their relationship adventurous. They discuss planning intentional...

In this concluding episode of the guest-host series, Desirae Ysasi and Zach dive into the art of reparenting, integration, and communication in relationships. They explore what it means to revisit your childhood self while also allowing your younger self to guide you through present challenges. Desirae opens up about the overwhelm of parenting through work stress , sharing how her daughter’s recen...

Zach and  Desirae Ysasi  pick up where they left off—diving deep into the intersections of  race, identity, privilege, and emotional intimacy  in relationships and therapy spaces. What unfolds is a profoundly honest and vulnerable conversation about  belonging , the emotional labor of marginalized people, and what it means to truly listen and connect across differences. Desirae shares how her live...

Zach welcomes  Desirae Ysasi  for her first appearance as a guest co-host—and what unfolds is a warm, insightful, and occasionally awkward conversation about  parenting, marriage, culture, and therapist life . From Desirae’s daughter offering podcast advice (“don’t be weird”) to Zach’s reflections on parenting adult children, the two therapists pull back the curtain on their real lives. They explo...

Zach sits down with Krystal and Dedric Polite , real estate entrepreneurs, parents, and partners who built their marriage and business with vision, honesty, and hustle. Known for their HGTV show and business Be Polite Properties, the Polites take listeners behind the scenes of their relationship — from their first date (which felt more like an interview) to their evolving partnership as co-parents...

In this vulnerable and powerful episode, Zach is joined by  Tarah and EJ Kerwin , a married therapist duo and co-founders of  Relationship Renovation , a counseling center and podcast dedicated to helping couples reconnect and rebuild. With honesty, warmth, and even some tears, Tarah and EJ take us behind the scenes of their own marriage— from honeymoon bliss to total overwhelm , from avoidance an...

Zach is joined by  Dr. Brenna and Edmund Squires , a Florida-based couple navigating the complexities of marriage, faith, and long-term infertility. Married for nine years, Brenna—a psychologist and wellness consultant—and Edmund—a military veteran—share how their relationship has been shaped by both deep love and hard-fought resilience. Their conversation explores the emotional toll of  unexplain...

Zach and Annie dive deep into  the art of transition, emotional pacing, and connection in long-term relationships . With their signature mix of warmth, honesty, and thoughtful reflection, they explore how couples can move from emotional distance to reconnection—without overwhelming each other. The episode kicks off with banter about TikToks and volleyball, then shifts into  the heart of the matter...

Zach and Annie continue their deep dive into the complexities of relationships, trauma, and identity . After their last conversation, Annie had some lingering thoughts—so they reconvene to expand on the "divine setup" in marriage , the role of trauma in shaping our sense of self , and the ways we either grow or get stuck in our relational patterns . Annie shares powerful insights on why we choose...

Zach reconnects with one of his oldest friends, Annie , for an intimate and reflective conversation about friendship, marriage, personal growth, and recovery . Having known each other since summer camp in 1992 , Zach and Annie have shared decades of milestones—from witnessing each other's weddings to navigating major life transitions. Their conversation spans everything from early expectations of...

Zach sits down with  Kyle and Ariel , a married couple who have been together for over 12 years and now run a business together,  Couplepreneur , where they coach entrepreneurial couples on growing their businesses without sacrificing their relationships. From meeting as  middle school sweethearts  to reconnecting later in life, their story is one of personal growth, ambition, and learning how to...

Zach sits down with Robin and Hector , a couple one year into their relationship , to explore the joys, challenges, and growth that come with navigating love in its early stages. Unlike many expert-driven episodes, this one offers a fresh, unfiltered look at a real couple figuring things out in real-time. Robin and Hector share how they met, how their past relationships shaped them, and what they’...

Zach sits down with  Christa and Wes Hardin , founders of the  Enneagram and Marriage  platform https://www.enneagramandmarriage.com/ . Christa, a seasoned relationship coach with a Master's in Clinical Psychology, has spent nearly two decades helping couples build stronger connections. Alongside her husband Wes, a physician assistant in family practice, they explore how the  Enneagram  has transf...

In this special Boat Night episode of Marriage Therapy Radio , Zach brings listeners into an intimate, long-standing tradition—conversations between close friends about relationships, personal growth, and the realities of marriage. Joined by longtime friends Sean and Greg , the three discuss the importance of having deep, open friendships where men can talk candidly about their relationships, stru...

Stepping into his new role as the solo host, setting the tone for a fresh era of the podcast Zach reflects on what’s ahead, expressing gratitude for listener support and outlining the exciting changes coming to the show. Zach is joined by  Dr. Stormy Hill and Teri Citterman https://loveandpickleball.net/ , co-authors of  In a Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other https:...

In this episode of So I Married a Relationship Expert , Zach and Laura sit down with renowned sex educator and author Dr. Emily Nagoski and her husband, Richard Stephens, to discuss how Emily’s expertise in sexuality and relationships intersects with their personal lives. Emily, known for her groundbreaking books Come As You Are  and Burnout , introduces her latest work, Come Together , which focu...

Zach and Laura interview Terry and Belinda Berman-Real, diving deep into their personal relationship dynamics and the lessons learned through years of couples therapy and individual healing. The conversation touches on themes of sobriety, trauma, recovery, and the power of relational healing. Zach starts by sharing his journey through recovery and how it has influenced his marriage, while Belinda...