The Art of Relationships Podcast
The 7-Year Drift: How to Protect Your Marriage Before It's Too Late
In this episode, Chris and Alisa Grace sit down with licensed professional counselor and marriage ministry leader Dr. Genee Francis to explore marital drift—the slow, often unnoticed loss of connection that can happen even in strong, committed marriages. They discuss why couples begin to feel emotionally disconnected, how communication struggles can actually point to a deeper loss of intimacy, and how different seasons of life can gradually pull spouses apart. Dr. Francis shares practical ways couples can begin reconnecting, from remembering what first brought them together and staying curious about who their spouse is today to creating simple rhythms of connection, expressing specific gratitude, and dreaming about their future together. They also discuss the importance of Christian community, counseling as healthy marriage maintenance, and re-anchoring your marriage in shared values and your relationship with Christ. Whether you've been married for a few years or a few decades, this episode offers encouragement and tangible steps to recognize drift early, rebuild intimacy, and intentionally protect your marriage. Resources Mentioned: WinShape Marriage — Marriage retreats and resources for couples in every season, from premarital relationships to empty nesting: https://marriage.winshape.org/ The Art (and Science) of Relationships — A seven-lesson course from the Center for Marriage and Relationships exploring emotional safety, conflict, forgiveness, gratitude, technology, and practical steps for building healthier relationships: https://learn.biola.edu/courses/the-art-and-science-of-relationships Center for Marriage and Relationships Resources — Explore Ask the Expert content, podcast episodes, video clips, marriage mentoring resources, and more: https://cmr.biola.edu/ More on Genee Francis: https://marriage.winshape.org/staff/genee-francis/ WinShape Marriage Website WinShape Marriage Instagram Connect with Us: Website: https://cmr.biola.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biolacmr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biolacmr YouTube: www.youtube.com/@biola-cmr Join the Conversation: Subscribe to The Art of Relationships Podcast to never miss an episode. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the show. Share this episode with someone who could benefit from these relationship insights. Sign up for weekly updates and resources from the Center for Marriage and Relationships! http://eepurl.com/bgsuQv About the Hosts: Chris Grace, Ph.D., and Alisa Grace are passionate about helping people build and sustain healthy relationships. As leaders of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, they combine the wisdom of Scripture with scholarly research to offer practical advice and insights. Learn more about their work at https://cmr.biola.edu .
