Spouseology Podcast

Do kids make a marriage stronger, harder, or just completely different?In this episode of Spouseology, Santi and Susie have an honest conversation about marriage, kids, parenting, fertility, and choosing a child-free life.Santi opens up about life with four kids, including the unexpected surprise of having a fourth child, raising twins, the pressure kids can put on a marriage, and why he believes having children does not automatically make a relationship better.Susie shares her and Matt’s decision to live child-free, the pressure couples can feel from society, and her deeply personal experience with endometriosis, fertility struggles, IVF conversations, and multiple miscarriages.This episode is not about judging anyone’s path. It’s about being honest about the different ways marriage can look.Some couples build a life with kids.Some couples build a life without kids.Both can be full, meaningful, loving, and right.In this episode, we talk about: • How having kids changes a marriage • Why children do not automatically fix or improve a relationship • Marriage with kids vs. marriage without kids • The importance of being aligned before having children • Parenting stress, freedom, finances, and identity • Fertility struggles, miscarriage, and the emotional toll of trying to conceive • Why couples need to keep dating each other after kids • The pressure society puts on people to become parents • How every marriage has its own version of “what works”Santi also shares one of his biggest pieces of marriage advice for parents: your relationship with your spouse still has to matter, even after kids.This is a real conversation about parenthood, child-free marriage, communication, resentment, love, and the choices couples make behind closed doors.Whether you have kids, want kids, are unsure about kids, are struggling with fertility, or have chosen not to become parents, this episode is for you.

What is marriage really like after 10, 15, 20+ years? In this episode of Spouseology, we break down the truth about marriage, communication, and what actually keeps relationships together.What is marriage really like behind the scenes?In this first episode of Spouseology, we get into the real side of marriage. Not the polished version. The honest one.From our college days at Endicott to two completely different life paths, we break down what long-term relationships actually look like. The highs, the struggles, the moments where things almost fell apart, and what kept us together.Susie opens up about how winning Miss USA changed her life overnight and what that did to her relationship.Santi shares what nearly 21 years of marriage has really looked like, including the seasons where divorce was on the table.This isn’t a perfect marriage story.It’s a real one.In this episode, we talk about: • How different life paths shape a relationship • The pressure of fame, distance, and everyday life • Marriage with kids vs. without kids • Why communication is the foundation of any relationship • What actually keeps a marriage together long-termNo fluff. No pretending. Just real conversations about marriage, relationships, and what it takes to make it work.If you’ve ever struggled in a relationship, questioned your marriage, or just want honest relationship advice… this episode is for you.