The Family Business with The Alessis: A Christian Parenting and Marriage Podcast

True or false? Marriage means more than just changing a last name - it means changing EVERYTHING.  Whether it's the bride and groom moving out for the first time, or the parents and siblings letting go of the past - everyone has to readjust to a new reality.   In this special conversation, Mary Alessi is joined by her youngest daughter, Gaby, for an honest and emotional discussion about one o...

Are Instagram preachers and TikTok theologians taking the place of pastors and slowly eroding what Christians believe?  In this episode, we pull back the curtain on influencer culture and its growing influence on faith communities—revealing how social media popularity often replaces substance and discernment in our spiritual lives. From recently saved celebrities trying to teach Biblical concepts...

In this honest and insightful episode, Steve and Mary Alessi continue the conversation on the challenges faced by churches, Christians, and families when influential pastors and worship leaders fall into scandal or public failure.  This time, we get even more personal as we evaluate the pastors and spiritual leaaders that share our same profession and faith - and then betrayed the trust of their f...

Is it possible that your worst day can become your greatest testimony?  And if so, how do you endure long enough to flip the script?  In this heart-felt "long-play" summer road-trip episode, Steve and Mary Alessi sit down with their son Chris Alessi to open up about the life-changing moment when Steve survived a near-fatal heart attack, and how they transformed a dark day of trauma into...

How do you respond when the people you trust step out of line?  In the Family Business, much of our work revolves around ministry, and several issues involving prominent worship leaders have become front page news in recent weeks. We're taking part of our summer road trip series to share our thoughts on these highly controversial topics so you can guide your family to respond the right way. ...

Summer's the time to buckle the family in for the classic road trip...and we've got all the hot topics you'll need to keep everyone happy!  Join Mary and Steve Alessi as they take you along for a candid car ride full of laughs, real opinions, and honest reflections. The Alessis riff on everything from the evolution of dress codes and the peculiar power of fashion trends to how publi...

Are your kids worried about being embarrassed publicly- and could that be a good thing?  In this conversation, Steve Alessi and his daughter Lauren dig into the reality of public humiliation and why facing mean words, awkward moments, and even a little embarrassment can actually build resilience in kids.  You'll hear some not-so-flattering stories —from cringey PE memories to viral Snapchat m...

There's nothing like the journey from dating - to love - to a marriage proposal - but there's a lot of stuff to handle before and after that pivotal "yes".  To sort out this very real struggle, Gaby Alessi, who is newly engaged to her fiance Christian, and her sister-in-law Richelle Alessi sit down for a candid conversation that every soon-to-be-married couple (and those who lo...

Does starting a family means giving up your dreams—or does it actually unlock a richer, more fulfilling life? Chris and Richelle Alessi open up about their own leap into parenthood, tackling the fears, cultural pressures, and surprising joys that come with having children. Using real-life stories—like trading dream vacations for unforgettable family moments—they weigh in on America’s declining bir...

Wishing that your kids spent less time glued to screens? There's an easy antidote - and it's as close as your backyard.  Step into a lively, all-guys conversation with Steve Alessi, his son Chris Alessi, and son-in-law Christopher Muiña as they swap stories about fatherhood, raising sons, and the pure chaos (and joy) that comes from letting kids get dirty, daring, and hands-on with natur...

It seems every news story you hear in the spring of 2025 starts with the terrible T word in it... "tariff."  The scary economic news might be hitting more than just your wallet - it's also possibly causing you stress and anxiety at home and work. In this empowering episode, Steve Alessi sits down with a friend of the Family Business - Roger Quesada, CEO of DNA At Work.  These two le...

In this "Best of TFB" flashback, we're going back in time to revisit one of our most memorable episodes: “Confessions of a Control Freak.”  This was one of our most honest, light-hearted, and revealing discussions about what it really means to be labeled a “control freak”—both at home and in business. And since we've welcomed so many new listeners over the years, you may have n...

If there was a test that measured your selfishness ...what would your score be?  Most people don't detect their own selfish actions until it's too late - and in a marriage, that can be a death sentence leading to pain and heartbreak.  To help you build a healthier relationship, Steve and Mary Alessi get brutally honest about attraction, selfishness, and those hidden habits that quietly s...

Tired of trying to get your kids off their phones and back into reality?  Maybe the answer isn't just taking away our children's devices.  Are our children's obsessions with their devices actually a sign of dysfunction or lackluster engagement at home?  In this powerful episode, Steve and Mary Alessi share some interesting perspectives on how to re-shape your approach toward technol...

Struggling with miscommunication in your marriage? Wishing that you could work more closely with your spouse and create harmony in your home?  In this honest and insightful episode, Chris and Richelle Alessi dive into building a stronger, more aligned relationship by focusing on teamwork and communication. By embracing the concept of being a team, they discuss the power of meeting on the "sam...

Is the first year of marriage really the hardest?  And if so, what can a couple do to avoid letting a beautiful newlywed season turn into a rollercoaster of disappointments and unmet expectations?  Join Steve and Mary Alessi as they dive into the realities newlyweds face when managing expectations post-wedding. Through personal and relatable examples the Alessis share throughout this episode, you&...

Do you always find yourself in the middle of family conflicts, trying to keep the peace?  If so, you might be filling a role that no one asked you to fill - and it might be causing more harm than good.  In this super transparent episode, Steve and Mary Alessi get real about the role of the peacemaker in the family, and discuss whether its a role that comes with it's own set of problems. You&a...

Is it possible to be TOO focused on your kids?  Navigating the journey of parenthood can be challenging, especially when your instinct is to make your children the center of your universe. In this episode, Christopher and Stephanie Muiña dive into this thought-provoking topic, so you can find balance by placing faith and values at the center of your family life. You'll hear the Muiñas share t...

There's one thing we all know about family and marriage - it can get complicated.  The response to our Season 3 "Leave and Cleave" episode ( S3 E19 ) has been incredible. We noticed that many of our listeners left comments and shared their real-life issues and concerns about their marriages, dealing with parents and in-laws, and navigating the struggles that come with leaving and cl...

Are you and your spouse struggling to break unhealthy attachments to your parents? Is your marriage feeling the strain because someone is not respecting boundaries?  If so, you're not alone. Our episode from Season 3 on leaving and cleaving as married couples has been one of our most popular ever - it's gotten nearly 10,000 views on YouTube alone! That's why we wanted to bring it ba...

What would you do if you had to fight for your life and your country, while you were starting your life with your spouse?  This isn't a movie plot. It's the real story of a marriage forged in the middle of a war.  Hilla and Arik Nehamkin are a Miami couple who started their relationship just before the attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Both of them have spent years living in Israel....

Are you struggling to keep your marriage relationship fresh and healthy despite life's constant challenges? In this powerful episode, Steve and Mary Alessi share a conversation with long-time friends David and Mory Martinez. Drawing on over 70 years of combined experience as married couples, they tackle subjects like embracing change, aligning personal goals, and the delicate balance between...

Are you concerned about immigration challenges facing your loved ones? In this powerful and timely episode, we welcome Abe Cardenas, from the Cardenas Law Firm, as we dig into the realities and misconceptions about the raging debate over immigration laws and undocumented immigrants.  By shedding light on the rules and procedures often clouded by misinformation and fear-mongering, Abe demystifies t...

Are there certain topics in your marriage that you're scared to discuss? Does it feel like you're risking a potential blow-up if you even bring it up? In this episode, Steve and Mary Alessi share insights into these "No-Go Zones," offering strategies to approach sensitive issues confidently. They discuss the importance of honest communication and personal responsibility in stre...

Note to parents: this podcast contains frank and candid discussions about marriage and intimacy. Please listen and consider whether this material is age appropriate for your young children before sharing.  Are you currently doing things that could cause your marriage to be DOA?  Unfortunately, marriages end every day because of habits and behaviors that led to an untimely death of the relationship...