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  • 121. Drop the Mask: Be Authentically You in Your Relationship

    121. Drop the Mask: Be Authentically You in Your Relationship
    Feb 19 2026
    Authenticity might just be the most exhausting thing you're not doing in your relationship. The Drapers dive deep into why we waste so much energy creating personas for others when genuine connection demands we show up as ourselves. Brad points out something fascinating: everyone sees a different version of your mask anyway, filtered through their own experiences, so why bother maintaining the facade?

    In their twelve-year marriage, the Drapers have learned this lesson firsthand. Early on, she followed his lead in fitness and other pursuits until her mother encouraged her to discover her own identity. (That maternal wisdom hit different.) Brad's approach became gentle invitations rather than pressure—whether it's journaling, fitness, or music preferences. Here's the thing about supporting your partner's authentic self: their full potential may look nothing like your vision for them, and that's exactly as it should be.

    What happens when you stop trying to change someone and start accepting them as they are? The Drapers explore everything from protein powder debates (yes, seriously) to communication styles that shift between business partners and spouses. Through slightly imperfect but deeply honest conversation, they reveal that curating your delivery isn't about changing yourself but ensuring your message lands as intended.

    Ready to drop the mask and discover what authentic partnership actually looks like?


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    22 Min.
  • 120. Keep Pedaling Together: Growth, Identity, and Supporting Each Other's Dreams

    120. Keep Pedaling Together: Growth, Identity, and Supporting Each Other's Dreams
    Feb 11 2026
    When your partner keeps growing and you're standing still, the relationship starts to feel off-balance. Brad and his co-host wrap up their mini-series on Napoleon Hill's relationship principles with a discussion about intellectual and spiritual companionship (while managing their teething daughter's brief nap window).

    They introduce their "bike analogy"—the idea that both partners must keep pedaling forward, both together and individually, to maintain momentum in their relationship. The couple emphasizes that codependency ultimately undermines partnerships. Brad continuously pursued growth across physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional domains while his wife initially resisted these changes.

    He never pressured her but set a loving example, allowing her to eventually follow suit years later.
    Through a candid moment about miscommunication when leaving crying children, they explore a challenging reality: mothers experience fight-or-flight responses to their children's cries, making it harder to step back. How can fathers better support mothers in taking that necessary space? The speakers stress that individual growth isn't selfish but necessary, requiring partners to sacrifice convenience and take turns prioritizing each other's pursuits.

    They acknowledge that meaningful growth cannot be forced—it must come from *personal choice*. Without intentional personal development from both partners, relationships deteriorate rather than thrive.

    Tune in for their final thoughts on Napoleon Hill's teachings and what partnership really requires.

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    22 Min.
  • 119. Managing Chaos and Affection: When Hunger and Hormones Test Your Marriage

    119. Managing Chaos and Affection: When Hunger and Hormones Test Your Marriage
    Feb 5 2026
    The Drapers return from their week away to share something that saved their relationship during a particularly rough afternoon. Three months into parenting three children, they're figuring out how to stay connected when life gets overwhelming (and it definitely does). Brad sticks to his daily to-do list religiously—his wife supports these commitments even when they conflict with her own preferences, which shows the mutual respect they've built as best friends and partners.

    Drawing from Napoleon Hill's teacher training manual, they explore affectionate response as a crucial ingredient for healthy relationships. But here's the thing: affectionate response isn't just about being nice. It's about thoughtful, intentional communication delivered from a place of genuine care, especially during difficult moments rather than defensive reactions.

    The real breakthrough came when she realized her emotional state was dragging everyone down. Brad, who usually stays calm, immediately mirrored her negativity. The culprit? Skipping carbohydrates caused afternoon irritability and fatigue—something fruit and rest quickly fixed. How often do we mistake hunger or hormones for deeper relationship problems?

    Instead of escalating their snappy exchange, they recognized the underlying causes. By choosing silence, removing themselves from the environment, and addressing basic needs like eating, they prevented a minor disagreement from snowballing into a major fight.

    Ready to learn their practical strategies for responding with affection instead of defensiveness? Tune in to hear how simple solutions can resolve what seems like deeper conflict.


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    23 Min.
  • 118. Intentional Effort: Prioritizing Your Relationship Through Self-Care and Daily Choices

    118. Intentional Effort: Prioritizing Your Relationship Through Self-Care and Daily Choices
    Jan 21 2026
    Why Your Parents' Relationship Might Be Sabotaging Your Marriage
    Here's something you probably haven't thought about lately: the patterns you witnessed growing up are quietly running your relationship right now. Brad and Michaela Draper dive into the uncomfortable truth about inherited relationship behaviors and why waiting for the "perfect time" to work on your marriage is basically just an excuse.

    Recording while caring for their newborn (because life doesn't pause for podcasts), the Drapers get real about physical attraction over time. Brad shares how he's actually more attracted to his wife now than years ago, pointing to his nearly-seventy-year-old parents as proof that attraction can deepen with age. The catch? It requires intentional effort—staying fit, showing up groomed, and consistently dating your spouse.

    They explore how bodies change through parenthood and aging, yet attraction doesn't have to diminish if you're both putting in the work. Brad even simplified his grooming routine to a shaved head and trimmed beard to save time while still making an effort. (Efficiency meets intentionality.)
    Through meaningful conversations about family backgrounds and seeking healthy relationship examples from books, movies, and mentors, you can rewire what's possible in your own partnership. Breaking negative cycles demands consistent action, not excuses.

    Ready to audit your relationship habits and prioritize what truly matters?
    Tune in for practical wisdom on building lasting connection through daily choices.

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    22 Min.
  • 117. Keep Your Word: The Four Agreements and Staying Committed When It's Hard

    117. Keep Your Word: The Four Agreements and Staying Committed When It's Hard
    Jan 14 2026
    When your spouse says "just a minute" and returns thirty minutes later, does that count as a lie or just a miscommunication?

    The Drapers tackle this exact scenario in their latest conversation about Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements and how they apply to marriage. Being impeccable with your word isn't just about grand promises (it's also about those small daily commitments like callbacks and time estimates). They share how Brad's showerhead repair spiraled from "a minute" to much longer due to tangled Teflon tape, creating frustration not from the delay itself but from unmet expectations.

    The real breakthrough? Recognizing that miscommunication stems from different perspectives rather than intentional deception. Michaela explains how she addressed the pattern constructively instead of staying irritated, while Brad learned that good intentions don't erase impact. Throughout, they emphasize that reception matters more than delivery in intimate relationships—both parties need validation, not just justifications.

    From juggling podcast production with a newborn to navigating everyday conflicts, the Drapers demonstrate that doing difficult things strengthens relationships. They stress approaching disagreements as collaborative problem-solving opportunities rather than blame games, proving that perseverance and tactful communication matter even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

    Tune in to hear how these ancient principles transform modern marriage dynamics.


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    22 Min.
  • 116. Building Stronger Families Through Shared Struggle: The Masogi Tradition

    116. Building Stronger Families Through Shared Struggle: The Masogi Tradition
    Jan 7 2026
    When the Drapers started planning their first Masogi, a year-defining difficult activity completed during winter's slack season, Brad was shocked to learn he'd be tackling it as a team. What began as nighttime 35-mile endurance walks evolved into marathon-distance family events where even their newborn joined in a stroller. (Michaela and their children have consistently surprised Brad during final stretches to remind him he's not alone.)

    The tradition now includes a sunset-to-sunrise walk lasting 15 hours, rotating locations annually. Instead of focusing purely on distance, the Drapers emphasize the mental toughness required to endure such difficulty together. They plan to invite their children around age eight or nine, teaching them that struggle builds confidence and resilience. A former SEAL Team 6 member's family completing the event together proved how shared hardship strengthens family bonds.

    Why do typical holiday customs rarely create the same lasting impact as purposeful challenges?
    As Aristotle taught, self-control requires self-knowledge. By consistently improving yourself and maintaining high standards, your spouse and children naturally aspire to do the same. Personal growth becomes a collective endeavor when you lead by example in fitness, nutrition, spirituality, or other areas.

    Tune in to discover how the Drapers navigate parenting three young children while building these core family memories through shared perseverance.

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    22 Min.
  • 115. From Big Dreams to Daily Actions: How Couples Can Achieve Goals Together

    115. From Big Dreams to Daily Actions: How Couples Can Achieve Goals Together
    Dec 31 2025
    When it comes to New Year's resolutions, most people abandon them within days.
    The Drapers tackle why this happens and what actually works instead (spoiler: it's not just writing a wish list). Breaking goals into daily actionable steps matters far more than grand January declarations, they explain. Supporting your partner's goals means understanding exactly what those goals are and the specific steps they're taking to achieve them.

    Here's a concrete example: helping with grocery selections aligned with fitness objectives. That's real partnership. They also discuss how they avoid keeping trigger foods like Oreos at home to prevent self-sabotage. Without clear long-term targets—whether one-year, three-year, or ten-year goals—effort becomes meaningless. Having a written plan enables you to pivot strategically when life changes, rather than reacting chaotically.

    What are you trading what you want most for in this moment? The Drapers stress removing negative influences, whether unhelpful people, toxic environments, or undermining habits. They share their own tradition: setting goals together over gelato, discussing how to support each other across fitness, finances, spiritual, and emotional well-being. True happiness comes from prioritizing experiences with family over accumulating possessions.

    Ready to start the year aligned with your partner?


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    24 Min.
  • 114. Choosing Presence Over Presents: Making the Holidays Matter

    114. Choosing Presence Over Presents: Making the Holidays Matter
    Dec 24 2025
    When a newborn forces you to slow down, something unexpected happens. The Drapers discovered that stripping away the holiday chaos revealed what Christmas was really about all along (and it wasn't the endless shopping lists or packed schedules). After years of financial stress during the season, they're now celebrating simply with their family, choosing to skip the Santa promotion entirely and focus on Christ-centered values instead.

    Here's the question that changed everything for them:Are you directing your energy toward what truly matters this holiday season, or just toward what's expected?

    Their six-year-old remains playfully skeptical about their Santa explanation, but the Drapers recently experienced genuine magic while embodying Santa at a children's party. They're learning that kids don't remember the expensive gifts—those are forgotten quickly—but they remember simple traditions like Michaela's cinnamon rolls and childhood wassail rituals. Through shared experiences and quality time, these small moments become core memories.

    The tension many fathers face is real: providing materially versus being emotionally available. But children who grow up without parental presence won't suddenly value time with their parents later, regardless of available resources then. Simple activities like living room picnics, board games, or park dates create lasting impressions that elaborate trips never could.

    Listen to discover how choosing presence over presents transforms relationships.

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    21 Min.