Why Marriage is So Important | Dr. Brad Wilcox | #122

Besure to watch this and every episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/pXpkkT0DyZADr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm talk with Dr. Brad Wilcox, sociology professor and Director of the National Marriage Project, about why marriage matters more than ever. They discuss its key benefits—emotional support, financial stability, child well-being, and community strength—while addressing challenges like cohabitation, communication struggles, and shifting cultural attitudes. This episode offers practical insights and hope for building strong, lasting marriages. About Dr. Wilcox:W. Bradford Wilcox is a Freedom Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He researches marriage, fatherhood, and the impact of strong families on society.The author of Get Married (HarperCollins, 2024), Wilcox has coauthored six books and written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and National Review. His research has been featured in major media outlets, and he consults with companies like Nestlé and Procter & Gamble on marriage and fertility trends.A Jefferson Scholar at UVA (‘92), he earned his Ph.D. from Princeton and held research fellowships at Princeton, Yale, and Brookings before joining the University of Virginia.Insights:Brad: “Appreciate the unique strengths you and your spouse bring to your marriage. Instead of striving for a perfect 50/50 split, cultivate gratitude for each other's distinct gifts and express it regularly.”Liz: “Skip cohabitation—say yes to marriage and staying committed.”Dave: “Relationships have struggles, but intentionality matters. Slow down, respond instead of reacting, and focus on hope. Stick to foundational principles, whether learned or newly embraced, to build a strong, lasting marriage.”Happy Hacks: 101 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Happiness, Reduce Stress, and Build a More Meaningful Life.Available now starting at 99¢ on Amazon and Dave's Book StoreWritten by Dr. Dave Schramm, this practical and uplifting new book offers simple, research-based strategies to help you build greater happiness, strengthen resilience, reduceThe opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Marriage Commission.Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: Strongermarriage.org  Podcast.stongermarriage.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLifeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579Dr. Dave Schramm: http://drdaveschramm.comhttp://drdavespeaks.com Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/