Let's Talk Marriage

Marriage by Design: Culture, Communication, and Choosing Each Other Every Day

What does it really take to build a marriage that lasts—especially in today’s world of blended families, competing cultures, and unspoken expectations?

In this powerful episode of Living a Life by Design, host Esther Graham sits down with her sister-friend and returning guest Alycia Huston for an honest, heartfelt conversation about marriage from a woman’s perspective. Together, they explore how culture, family systems, communication, and emotional intelligence shape the success—or struggle—of a marriage.

From navigating blended families and parenting differences to learning how to listen without defensiveness, this episode reveals why communication is one of the most critical foundations of any relationship. Alycia shares candid insights from her own marriage journey, including how counseling, ownership, and intentional tools helped save and strengthen her covenant.

The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Esther and John Graham’s Marriage by Design Retreat—a sacred, safe space created to enhance marriages at every stage. You’ll hear why retreats aren’t about fixing what’s broken, but about deepening connection, resetting communication, and choosing your spouse again—on purpose.

This episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, vulnerability, and practical takeaways for couples who want more joy, peace, and alignment in their marriage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why culture (family, regional, and belief systems) matters in marriage

• How blended families can thrive with intentional communication

• The difference between listening to respond vs. listening to understand

• Why marriage requires daily choice, not perfection

• How sacred, distraction-free spaces can transform relationships

• What it means to enhance your marriage—not just survive it

Whether you’ve been married for months or decades, this conversation will remind you that your marriage is worth the investment—and that love, when designed intentionally, can grow deeper with time.

✨ Marriage is a covenant. And every day, you get to choose. ✨