The Power of Believing the Best in Your Spouse  

What are the happiest couples doing differently than the rest of us? 

On this week’s podcast, Jeff and I take a look at perhaps the single-most important secret we’ve learned from the happiest couples in our research. It’s giving your spouse the benefit of the doubt—even when we’re legitimately hurt. 

Because we all get hurt, right?  

When we do, a typical pattern might look like this: One spouse says something that hurts the other (which I might* have done to Jeff the day we were supposed to tape this episode—and trust me when I tell you our hot coffee turned into iced coffee real quick) and then the wounded spouse says, “Ouch. They knew how that would make me feel and they said it anyway.” 

The happiest couples manage to flip that script. We’ll unpack how this works on the podcast this week, but it’s all about building a habit of realizing that (in the vast majority of marriages) your spouse really does care about you and would never want to hurt you.  

(And because we’ve promised to keep it real, we’ll tell you how we thawed the frosty chill in our own home, too.

You won’t want to miss it. This single secret can revolutionize your marriage. 

Episode 3 details:  

 Episode 3: The Power of Believing the Best in Your Spouse 

 Release Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025  

 Duration: 30 minutes   

 Summary: Shaunti and Jeff explore the secrets behind the happiest marriages, focusing on the importance of believing the best of your spouse’s intentions, even during conflicts. They share insights from their research, personal experiences, and practical applications to help couples navigate challenges and enhance their relationships. The conversation emphasizes the significance of communication, understanding, and the power of good intentions in fostering a loving and supportive marriage. 

 Resources & Links Mentioned:   

The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages 

Speaking Agent: Nicole Owens [email protected]  

More info about having Shaunti and Jeff speak HERE 

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Practical help for Real Life

Our brand new podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This  is live now with episode 3! Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.  

 On I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.   

 You’ll take away specific steps that help you today.  

 You’ll hear not only from us but from fellow authors and friends (so you hear the good behind-the-scenes stuff!), marriage and relationship experts, everyday people, ministry leaders, and other researchers. (We promise to keep that last one fun and fascinating, not boring!)   

If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].

On our podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.  You’ll take away specific steps that help you today. Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.

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