Relationship Do's and Don'ts

Relationships are not meant to stay the same — they are meant to grow, evolve, and deepen as we do.

In this powerful episode of Living a Life by Design, host Dr. Esther Graham is joined by transformational leadership and relationship coach Charcee Starks for an honest, soul-centered conversation on relationship do’s and don’ts — and what it truly takes to stay connected through life’s inevitable changes.

Together, they explore why so many couples feel disconnected even when they love each other, and how unspoken identity shifts, grief, growth, and unmet expectations can quietly create emotional distance. You’ll hear why there is no “going back” to who you used to be — and why the real work of intimacy begins with meeting each other as you are today.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why naming what has changed is one of the most overlooked relationship “do’s”

• The danger of performing closeness instead of creating emotional safety

• How grief, loss, and personal growth reshape identity — and relationships

• Shifting communication from reactive to relational awareness

• Sharing your internal truth sooner, without blame or defensiveness

• Why healing is built through patience, grace, and daily honesty, not grand gestures

• How personal development and spiritual alignment strengthen marriage and family

• Why dedicated spaces like marriage retreats accelerate healing in ways everyday life cannot

This conversation is both deeply practical and spiritually grounded, reminding us that relationships thrive when both people are willing to do the work — individually and together.

If you’re navigating change, longing for deeper connection, or committed to building a relationship rooted in growth, faith, and emotional safety, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

✨ Grab your journal, lean in, and be reminded:
You don’t grow apart by changing — you grow apart by not talking about it.