While each season has its own beauty and needs, the empty‑nest years can bring both freedom and unexpected challenges. With grown‑up children and quieter homes, many couples find themselves wondering, “Who are we now?”

Our host, Delia, speaks with long‑time married couple Chris and Clarinda about how to nourish your marriage in this new season. After 30 years together, they share how emotional connection shifts as life evolves. Clarinda reflects on the “blurry years” of parenting, when time and energy were stretched thin, while Chris shares how he has been “rediscovering” Clarinda through conversations with their adult daughters.

They openly explore loneliness, differing rhythms and drifting apart, offering simple, hopeful steps to reconnect. This heartfelt episode invites couples to rediscover each other with intention, curiosity and small acts of love that deepen intimacy over time.

You can also listen to Chris and Clarinda as they share, “What Does Nourishing Your Spouse Look Like Through the Seasons?”

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Build your early years of marriage with Connect2 Just Married! Designed to equip couples married for five years or less, this programme helps you learn key skills, clarify expectations, strengthen communication, and navigate differences and responsibilities with confidence. Grow a strong foundation and keep the romance alive as you journey together. Find out more at www.family.org.sg/C2justmarried.

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If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends.

You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Experts say modern couples face pressures that didn’t exist decades ago, turning what once felt simple into a constant balancing act of communication and emotional connection. Without intentional effort, even close companions can begin to feel distant.

What does it really take to keep love strong over three decades of marriage?

Our host, Delia, gets into conversation with Chris and Clarinda as they open up about their 30‑year journey. Clarinda shares how shared values and an understanding of each other’s family backgrounds helped them build empathy and avoid repeating unhelpful patterns. Chris reveals how early parenting tested their foundations — his firmer discipline style clashing with her gentler approach — and how mutual respect kept them united.

From navigating major life transitions, such as Clarinda becoming a stay‑at‑home mum and later re‑entering the workforce after 16 years, their reflections raise fresh questions about trust, growth and partnership.

Their stories invite you to wonder: What foundations are you building today that will carry your marriage through the different seasons of life?

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Build your early years of marriage with Connect2 Just Married! Designed to equip couples married for five years or less, this programme helps you learn key skills, clarify expectations, strengthen communication, and navigate differences and responsibilities with confidence. Grow a strong foundation and keep the romance alive as you journey together. Find out more at www.family.org.sg/C2justmarried.

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If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends.

You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

What does healthy sexuality in marriage look like?

We hear from family and marital therapist Benny Bong to unpack the deeper layers of healthy sexuality. Benny explains that true intimacy is more than physical closeness—it includes our emotional, cognitive, and spiritual selves. He shares how disconnection, unspoken expectations, and the absence of emotional bonding can weaken a married couple’s sense of togetherness.

He also highlights the importance of understanding ourselves, feeling secure in our identity, and nurturing emotional intimacy at home. And if you think your children are not watching, think again—they pick up far more than we realise.

“The starting point of healthy sexuality is a good understanding and acceptance of who we are.” — Benny Bong

We hope this episode encourages you to slow down, reconnect with your spouse, and enjoy healthy, wholehearted intimacy in your marriage.

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“I was all ready to quit after seven years of marriage. The endless communication breakdowns, deep-seated misunderstandings, and growing resentment in me has taken its toll.”

- Tricia (Name has been edited to protect the client’s privacy)

Life can be overwhelming. Having a listening ear can bring relief, help you feel supported, and improve relationships. Make an appointment with a counsellor today. Fees apply. Find out more www.family.org.sg/counselling

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If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/connect2podcast to share with your friends.

You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.