

Bare Marriage
Sheila Gregoire
Tired of Christian pat answers about marriage? The podcast that goes in-depth into marriage, parenting, and even sex--to see how we can live the passionate life we were meant for. Paired with Bare Marriage--the blog!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2025 • 42min
Episode 272: Is "Acts of Service" Love Language Really a Cry for Help? All New Bonus Stats!
Is the 'acts of service' love language hiding a deeper issue about unequal household roles? The discussion uncovers how physical touch might reflect underlying challenges in intimacy. New statistics reveal surprising insights into how these love languages affect emotional connections. The hosts advocate for balancing responsibilities in partnerships, stressing the importance of communication in maintaining health in relationships. Dive into the complexities of love languages and how they shape modern marriage dynamics!

22 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 58min
Episode 271: What the Unfairness Threshold Tells Us About Marriage (and Mental Load!)
Joanna Swatsky, a stats expert who analyzed data for 'The Marriage You Want,' joins to unpack the crucial topic of marital satisfaction. They discuss how sexual frequency can impact relationship happiness, revealing that less intimacy often leads to decreased satisfaction. The conversation also addresses the critical role of dividing household chores fairly and how traditional gender roles create imbalance. They explore the concept of mental load, emphasizing the need for open communication and teamwork to strengthen marriages.

Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 15min
Episode 270: What Does Prioritizing Marriage Look Like? Plus Do You Have to Choose Between Being a Good Wife and a Good Mom?
Joanna Sawatsky, a data analyst focused on relationship stats, and Rebecca Lindenbach, daughter of Sheila Rae Gregoire, dive into the complexities of balancing marriage and motherhood. They stress that prioritizing time together can enhance connection, challenging the notion that only grand gestures matter. The duo discusses the significance of shared bedtimes for intimacy and the need for couples to work as a team amid parenting pressures. Their insights aim to alleviate guilt and redefine roles, suggesting a more harmonious approach to family dynamics.

Feb 6, 2025 • 54min
Episode 269: The Marriage Hierarchy of Needs—and Why Compromise Doesn’t Work
Compromise in marriage may not always lead to fairness, especially when partners contribute unequally. The discussion dives into the importance of shared responsibilities and emotional support to cultivate intimacy. The 'Marriage Hierarchy of Needs' model emphasizes fulfilling basic needs before personal growth can occur. Miscommunication, often rooted in traditional gender roles, can create resentment, making mutual respect essential. Ultimately, the focus is on fostering equitable partnerships for a thriving marriage.

10 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 58min
Episode 268: Why Data Shows That Teamwork, Not Hierarchy, Is the Key to a Great Marriage!
Cynthia Long Westfall, a Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity School, dives into the dynamics of marriage rooted in teamwork. She shares compelling data linking teamwork to marital satisfaction, intimacy, and conflict resolution. Westfall challenges traditional hierarchical views, arguing they often lead to negative outcomes. She emphasizes the need for shared decision-making and mutual respect, redefining marital roles to foster equality over dominance. Their engaging discussion underscores how partnership can transform relationships positively.

29 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
Episode 267: Why Evangelical Marriage Advice Often Backfires
Discover the pitfalls of traditional evangelical marriage advice, which often leads to dissatisfaction. The discussion challenges harmful gender roles and stereotypes that hinder healthy relationships. Personal stories reveal the negative impact of unrealistic expectations. Delve into the importance of setting boundaries and mutual respect, especially in unhealthy dynamics. The hosts advocate for evidence-based insights and a reevaluation of outdated teachings, promoting genuine intimacy and emotional fulfillment in marriage.

7 snips
Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 38min
Episode 266: Demolishing the Love and Respect Dichotomy Definitively (with Data)
Rebecca Lindenbach, co-author of 'The Marriage You Want', and data expert Joanna Sawatsky challenge the longstanding notion that men need respect while women need love in relationships. They use data from 20,000 women, revealing flaws in traditional views on marital dynamics. The duo discusses how emotional needs are more complex than previously thought, emphasizing that both genders desire love and respect equally. They encourage a shift away from rigid gender roles, promoting mutual support for healthier, more satisfying marriages.

16 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 265: Culture Wars vs. Jesus: How to Not Get Sucked in To Toxic Teachings
Dive into a captivating discussion about dismantling toxic beliefs in evangelicalism and the historical contexts behind harmful ideologies. The hosts emphasize the importance of critical thinking and discerning manipulative rhetoric in faith communities. They challenge traditional gender roles by contrasting societal norms from 1964 to 2024 and explore the complexities of modern platforms. With a focus on personal growth, they critique quick-fix solutions and advocate for genuine transformation, all while preparing for a healthier New Year ahead!

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 21min
Episode 264: It’s the Peer Reviewed Celebration! Plus a Plea to Respect Science
Excitement brews as groundbreaking research on purity culture influences marital and sexual satisfaction among white Christian women. The discussion critiques evangelical marriage dynamics, emphasizing the need for ethical research. Myths surrounding women's sexuality are humorously debunked, while misconceptions about DNA in relationships are challenged. Celebrating a successful peer-reviewed paper, the speakers look to enhance understanding of women's health in the church. They also explore community engagement initiatives, all while sharing sweet treats and festive anecdotes.

Dec 12, 2024 • 59min
Episode 263: Even After Everything—Loving Anyway, Despite the Risks
Send us Fan MailAdvent is normally a time of hopeful expectation. But what does it mean when our hopes have been dashed in the past? Stephanie Duncan Smith shares her stories of miscarriages and losses—as well as great celebrations, and what it means to embrace a life that is really messy. And we look at how we can celebrate the Incarnation by being Jesus’ hands and feet, seeing the work fighting sex trafficking that The Well House is doing. It’s the Christmas season, everyone! Stocking Stuffers:Check out our biblical womanhood line of merch, or our Prayer and Tent Pegs lines! They're wonderful with mugs, notebooks, stickers, tshirts and more!TO SUPPORT USJoin our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workFor tax deductible donations in the U.S., support Good Fruit Faith Initiative through the Bosko FoundationAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Join our email list!THINGS MENTIONEDFind Even After EverythingDonate to The Well HouseDonate to the work we do! Help us meet our 2025 goals. Get a tax-deductible receipt for donations within the USOr, if you’d rather, join our Patreon and support us that way, while getting access to an exclusive Facebook group, unfiltered podcasts, and more! Support the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books:The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves BetterThe Marriage You Want and the Study Guide The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great SexAnd she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.


