Top Blogs and Podcasts from 2025

Before we plant both feet into a new year, I always appreciate taking a minute to look back on all that God has done. Friends, 2025 was a year for the books! Our daughter got engaged, we launched a new book (When Hurting People Come to Church) and a podcast (I Wish You Could Hear This!), and I finished work I’ve been quietly doing on a Ph.D. from Regent University. I don’t know what I’ll do with all my reclaimed hours. (My staff tells me I should probably sleep!)

In 2025, we also wrapped up the research for our next book, due out in 2027. I am busy writing now … quantifying the daily, doable habits that have helped others find hope, so that thousands of readers can cultivate habits of hope even in this fractured, broken world.

For today, here’s a look back at last year’s top content. Marriage and parenting help was in high demand, and so was dealing with difficult situations and people. (I promise I wrote the newlyweds series before my daughter got engaged. Oh, how fun it must be to have marriage researchers for parents!)

New this year, we also linked to five top episodes of our new podcast. If you haven’t checked out the I Wish You Could Hear This! podcast yet, tune in to hear the kinds of proven insights you’ve come to expect from Jeff and me—as well as hand-picked guests who share perspectives and personal stories that will help you in life and relationships.

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025

1. Our Daughter Said Yes!!!
2. Lessons from the LA Fires on Persevering through Pain
3. 5 Quick Steps to Calm a Stressed-Out Child
4. Why Can’t My Husband Seem to Take Criticism (and Why Does He Shut Down?)
5. 8 False Expectations Newlyweds Should Avoid, Part 1 (See also Part 2)
6. Father’s Fatherhood Goes Viral: Dave Barnes Ponders the Laboratory Called Home
7. What I’m Loving Lately Summer 2025
8. How to Deal with Difficult People
9. Welcome to Our Podcast – and our Crazy, Unscripted Story!
10. Try the Next-Day Rule Hack for a Happier Marriage

Top 5 Podcasts of 2025

1. One of You Wants More Sex? Here’s What’s Going on.
2. The Impact of ‘No Contact’ on Families
3. When Hurting People Come to Church BOOK RELEASE with Dr. Jim Sells
4. How Brokenness, Addiction, & Authenticity Launched a Thriving Ministry, with Nate Graybill
5. A Boy Mom Cracks the Code on Male Behavior, with Jenilee Samuel

It’s a content-saturated world we live in. So, take some time this week to catch up on the kind of content that won’t feed your fears, but rather will offer proven and doable steps for starting 2026 in truly happy and healthy ways.

We love being connected with you, and we’re so honored when you like, share, tag, and forward our content. Thanks for being with us on the journey.

-Shaunti

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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