Whether you're continents apart or just living on different schedules, long-distance love can bring its own struggles and strengths to a relationship. In this episode, we share personal stories from our own seasons of separation, surviving on handwritten letters that took weeks to arrive. We explore the value of intentional communication, the risk of growing too used to separate rhythms, and the often-overlooked challenge of reintegration after time apart. Whether you're currently navigating distance or just want to strengthen connection from wherever you are, this conversation offers honest reflections and hopeful takeaways for every couple.

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The excerpt from “Long Distance” (1941) was produced by Audio Productions and AT&T Licensed under Creative Commons

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Produced by Zach Van Dyke

Where do you go to gather? This week we're diving into the idea of “third places”—those everyday gathering spots that create space for connection, conversation, and community.

We start by reflecting on where we used to hang out as kids (baseball fields or malls, anyone?), then explore the sociological roots of the term coined by Ray Oldenburg. Third places—like libraries, parks, and coffee shops—are neutral, welcoming, and unstructured, offering room to just be with others. They're not just nice-to-haves; they're vital for emotional health, belonging, and the social glue that holds communities together.

We share stories of some of our favorite third spaces—from stroller walks in the mall to thermal baths in Hungary—and ask why these spaces seem to be disappearing... and why we need them more than ever.

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"Third Places, True Citizen Spaces" in the UNESCO Courier, 22 March 2023

Finlay J, Esposito M, Kim MH, Gomez-Lopez I, Clarke P. Closure of 'third places'? Exploring potential consequences for collective health and wellbeing. Health Place. 2019 Nov;60:102225. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102225. Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31622919; PMCID: PMC6934089.

Sones M, Holden M, Kestens Y, King AC, Rennie M, Winters M. (Dis)connected by design? Using participatory citizen science to uncover environmental determinants of social connectedness for youth in under-resourced neighbourhoods. BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 11;24(1):3104. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20597-4. PMID: 39529084; PMCID: PMC11552136.

In this episode, we explore why real, face-to-face conversation feels harder than ever — and why it still matters so much. We reflect on the dying art of meaningful dialogue, and share why David’s teenage prank phone calls might have actually helped him practice tools for conversation. Whether you’re looking to connect more deeply or just get past awkward small talk, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical tips to help you engage with others in a more curious, connected, and balanced way.

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We'd love a conversation with you! Find us on Instagram at @withuprojects or email us at withupodcast@gmail.com.

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Produced by Zach Van Dyke

Parenting doesn’t stop when our children become adults — it just changes, sometimes in ways no one prepares us for. In this episode we are joined by longtime friends Adi and Ema Ban, who share both personal experience and professional insight from their work in marriage and family ministry in Romania. Together, they explore the tender and often challenging transition from raising children to releasing them — navigating shifting roles, unspoken expectations, cultural nuances, and the deep desire to stay connected while giving space. We reflect together on what it means to parent with open hands and open hearts, and how to keep growing as a couple through every season of family life.

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Adrian (Adi) and Ema Ban have been married for 30 years and are parents to 3 sons: Andy (married to Ema), Eduard, and Thomas (engaged to Ellie). They are marriage counselors living in Oradea, Romania, with over 22 years of experience counseling and mentoring couples. Adi and Ema are Wheaton College alumni and authors of the book I Want to Get Married (Scriptum, 2011) along with David and Claudia Arp. Sufletul Familiei (The Soul of the Family) is their most recent initiative. The podcast, which they co-host, is meant to encourage and mentor families.

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Tune into more of what David and Tara are working on at www.withuprojects.com

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Produced by Zach Van Dyke

Whether hospital candy striping, cub scout camping, youth sport coaching, or 5K fundraising, our vision for volunteering is about building community, character, and connection. In this conversation, we share our earliest (and most memorable) volunteer moments, how service shaped our marriage, and why we keep saying yes to unpaid work. Whether it’s for a one-time event or a long-term commitment, we believe showing up and sharing your skills is always worth it.---

* here's a great way to volunteer today: take a moment to rate & review the podcast! :)

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produced by Zach Van Dyke

Most people are pretty serious about sleep, and yet we’re often just not getting enough. If solid, uninterrupted sleep is so vital for our body’s health and repair and our brain’s optimal functioning, it’s also an important foundation for healthy relationships. This week we discuss the pros and cons of new trending ways to get more zzz’s, including mouth taping and the “sleep divorce.” We also walk through our own family bedtime routines that led to peaceful slumber.

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produced by Zach Van Dyke

In this laugh-out-loud episode, we take a lighthearted dive into the little things that get under our skin. From expensive greeting cards to 4-way stops, from audible breathing to ducks in Jeeps—no bugaboo is off limits. But it’s not all rants and eye-rolls. We also share some thoughts on how to handle pet peeves without letting them pile up or mess with your relationships. Because sometimes, the most annoying things are just reminders to laugh, breathe, and let the small stuff stay small.

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Produced Zach Van Dyke

If we can’t force forgiveness, how do we take the first step? In this episode we talk about why forgiving someone who wronged us is undeniably good for our own health. We examine some common misunderstandings about forgiveness, and debunk the idea that to forgive means to forget or accept the hurt. Through a true and remarkable story of a woman who forgave unimaginable offenses, we learn about the supernatural power of forgiveness that leads to true freedom.

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The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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Produced by Zach Van Dyke