In this episode, you'll discover why your child’s future spouse is more than just a relationship choice—they’re an investment in your family’s future... and how wisdom, clear expectations, and intentional love can help you build strong relationships with your in-laws from the very beginning.

Parenting adult children through dating, engagement, and marriage can be both beautiful and complicated. To help you navigate this important season, Steve and Mary Alessi share practical insight on how to recognize healthy relationships, guide your children with wisdom instead of control, and welcome in-laws as true family.

Whether you're preparing your children for dating and marriage, or learning how to love your in-laws well, you'll walk away with actionable encouragement that will help you create a beautiful family legacy.

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Are you praying that the person you married becomes more like the person you THOUGHT you married?

In this episode, you'll discover why praying "God, please change my wife / husband" may not be the right kind of prayer... and how you can build a thriving marriage by focusing on personal growth, realistic expectations, and true understanding.

Marriage can be beautiful, but it comes with some real challenges—especially when the quirks and habits that once seemed cute become real irritants. To help you navigate this common struggle in marriage, Steve and Mary Alessi explore how to identify when a quirk is just that—and when a situation may warrant setting up healthy boundaries.

If you're looking for practical, faith-based advice to strengthen your relationship, avoid common pitfalls, and find humor in the journey, this episode is for you. Whether you're newly married or decades in, you'll walk away with actionable insights for building a marriage that lasts.

Key topics in this episode:

• Why praying for your spouse to change may be the wrong approach
• The "couch dance": How dating evolves into marriage
• Handling personality differences and minor irritants
• When to set boundaries for serious issues

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share with friends who need encouragement for their marriage journey. Family is everybody's business!

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TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

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Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

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Watch The Mary and Martha Show

Can the things that attracted you to your spouse when you were dating become annoyances when you're married?

Perhaps, but if you make the effort, your differences can become the glue that keeps your marriage strong - even when those differences are like night and day.

In this episode, recorded just before their 5th wedding anniversary, Chris and Richelle Alessi dive deep into the myth and reality of “opposites attract” in marriage, sharing candid stories from their own journey.

From awkward first encounters and hilarious miscommunications to learning how to process conflicts and celebrate opposing personality traits, they reveal how their differences have shaped their relationship—and sometimes challenged it.

You'll learn practical tips on effective marriage communication, building trust as a couple, and using personality differences as strengths rather than sources of division.

Chris and Richelle open up about:

• Navigating literal vs. general communication styles
• Dealing with conflict when one spouse needs time to process
• How family and sibling dynamics affect early dating and marriage decisions
• Learning to trust and support each other’s strengths
• Using differences to enrich the family, especially when raising kids
• Why personality and communication habits change across seasons of marriage

If you want to strengthen your marriage, build mutual respect, and find fun in the unique ways you and your spouse are wired, this episode is for you!

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JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

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TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

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• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
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• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show

The men had their turn - now the ladies respond.

Mary Alessi and her daughters Stephanie Alessi Muiña, Gaby Alessi Calatayud, and daughter-in-law Richelle Alessi dive into the heart of what women really want men to know. Hint: it’s not about solving every problem, but being heard, valued, and understood.

You'll hear candid laughs about double standards, quiet moments that actually mean something, and learn why one small effort (think surprise ice cream or a morning coffee) can transform a wife's day.

With real-life stories on teamwork, compromise, respect, and the power of feeling safe, these wives break down how deep connection often comes from small, intentional acts—not perfection.

Tune in as they spill behind-the-scenes secrets that could help both husbands and wives crack the code on communication, affection, and building a home where everyone feels truly seen.

REMINDER: Make sure you hear the men's "What He Said" episode so you get both sides of this conversation!

Tap HERE to hear the men's episode

Support the show

JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

Get free access to the newsletter

TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS

• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
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• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show

Ever wondered what husbands REALLY think about their wives?

Get inside the minds of the men of the Family Business as they candidly unpack what’s going on beneath the surface in their relationships, from why men sometimes go quiet, to what makes them feel truly respected and appreciated. You'll discover how encouragement, shared decision-making, and even small acts of physical affection can have a huge impact on marriage.

Steve Alessi, along with his son Chris and sons-in-law Chris Muina and Christian Calatayud, share relatable stories about the pressure to provide and protect, the importance of harmony at home, and how each guy navigates conflict and communicates pride in their spouse.

With moments of humor and honest vulnerability, the conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone looking to build stronger relationships. Plus, there’s a twist—the wives will get their chance to respond, promising even more insight to come.

Support the show

JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

Get free access to the newsletter

TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS

• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show

"It's only a joke..." but is it really?

Humor and sarcasm can be tricky in relationships—sometimes it’s playful, and other times it cuts deeper than intended. In this episode, you'll discover how joking, sarcasm, and humor play vital roles in healthy relationships—and what happens when jokes cross the line and reveal serious communication issues.

Drawing from wisdom gained after nearly 40 years of marriage, Steve and Mary Alessi open up about their own approach to humor, how sarcasm shaped their families, and how laughter can create closeness or mask deeper issues. You'll discover why some couples thrive by balancing seriousness and lightheartedness, and how to read the room when humor is (or isn’t) appropriate.

Learn how joking can be a sign of trust and intimacy—but also where it may hide unspoken truths, cause pain, or erode safety in marriage, family, or even business teams.

If you want stronger connections at home or work, you'll find practical tips for being mindful of your words, knowing when to turn off sarcasm, and embracing moments of seriousness - so you'll know when your partner's feelings are no laughing matter.

Support the show

JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

Get free access to the newsletter

TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS

• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show

In this episode, we cover our best strategies for improving communication in marriage - so that even your arguments can be turned into opportunities to build a stronger relationship with your spouse.

Communication challenges are at the heart of most relationship struggles, whether it's disagreements over chores, different ways of processing conflict, or mismatched expectations. Couples often find themselves in arguments that seem to go nowhere, but understanding each other's styles and showing empathy can transform these moments into opportunities for growth.

Join Steve and Mary Alessi as they offer practical marriage advice from nearly four decades of experience. They break down common misunderstandings, explain why "repair-rich" marriages thrive despite conflicts, and share ways to express your needs without triggering defensiveness. Learn how simple actions—like genuine apologies, recognizing your partner's strengths, and sharing the responsibility for household tasks—can create a healthier, happier home.

Whether you're a newlywed or a seasoned couple, you’ll get valuable tips on handling arguments, managing emotions, and supporting each other's value system.

Support the show

JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

Get free access to the newsletter

TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS

• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show

Ever feel overwhelmed by the endless decisions you have to make as a parent - not to mention the barrage of advice from experts with ever-changing opinions?

In this episode, we get the treat of having two of the next generation Alessi couples in the podcast booth - Chris Muina and Stephanie Alessi Muina, and Richelle and Christopher Alessi.

Together, they are jumping into the raw realities of raising young kids—sharing laughs, struggles, and honest takes on gentle parenting, immunization and trusting your doctors, discipline, and letting go of comparison. You'll discover how friendship, flexibility, and faith help keep balance when every family meal and doctor’s visit brings new choices and opinions.

Hear how they navigate the pressure to do everything “right,” wrestle with modern parenting controversies, and find peace by trusting their instincts and holding on to their parental authority.

You’ll walk away with fresh perspective on giving yourself grace, trusting your gut, and savoring the everyday chaos—plus get practical encouragement for loving your kids (and yourself) through both wins and mess-ups.

Support the show

JOIN THE FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign Up for Our Family Business Newsletter and get more inside news from the Alessis + tips and strategies for a happier family!

Get free access to the newsletter

TEXT THE FAMILY BUSINESS DIRECTLY

You can connect with us via text to ask family questions and get updates on The Family Business!

Text FAMILY to 302-524-0800

CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS

• Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Leave a review

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

Listen to the Alessi sisters' daily devotional podcast
My Morning Devotional

Follow Our New Podcast with Mary Alessi and her twin sister Martha Munizzi

Watch The Mary and Martha Show