1 True Talks

What if waiting wasn’t wasted but the very way God builds you for a love that lasts? Pastor Charles Maris joins us to share how a heartbreaking divorce led to surrender, healing, and a whole new way of dating rooted in prayer, clarity, and kingdom purpose. He walks through the “movie clips” God used to correct his patterns, the fasting and prayer that rebuilt his heart, and the moment contentment made space for a Spirit-led match t...

What if the hardest day of your life became the first step toward your calling? That’s the heartbeat of Renee's conversation with her faith filled friend Amanda West, a mother of two who loved fiercely, lost suddenly, and learned to soar by leaning into God’s strength and a faithful community. Her story begins with a marriage built on showing up at 110% and pivots into the raw aftermath of widowhood, where breath-by-breath per...

What if your season of waiting is the very place God is shaping your future? Renee sits down with Pastor Rodrick Walters, CPA, husband, father, and leader of Word Life Christian Fellowship, to trace his remarkable journey from Jamaica to the States, through culture shock, loneliness, and a heartbreaking breakup, to a surprising call to bivocational ministry. His story challenges the myths we carry about singleness and success, show...

What if waiting for love isn’t about pause, but about becoming? We sit with Pastor Bri DuPree, leader, mentor, and inspiring single woman in ministry, to explore how faith meets desire, how community heals loneliness, and how to prepare for marriage without losing yourself along the way.

Bri shares her path from psychology student to pastor and reframes “kingdom work” as simple, daily acts of presence: listening well, aski...

What if the cure for loneliness isn’t more scrolling, but a bigger story and a closer community? We welcomed Pastor Bob Martin from College Park Church to talk candidly about a decade of singleness, the unexpected grace of a pre-breakup, and the slow, steady practices that turn waiting into deep formation. Bob unpacks the “already and not yet” reality of the Kingdom, why embodied church life matters in an AI-saturated age, and how ...

What if worship is the on-ramp to real relationship change? Renee welcomes Pastor Freddy Wachter, a Worship Pastor at Desert Song Community Church in Redmond, OR. He believes music can prepare hearts more effectively than any announcement or program. From his adoption story to his call into ministry, Freddy shares how worship functions as a spiritual weapon, turning a Sunday setlist into a doorway for healing, conviction, and hope....

Ever wondered if that uneasy feeling about someone you're dating is just fear, or something more divine? When your spirit feels unsettled despite promising appearances, it might be the Holy Spirit's gentle protection rather than your own pickiness. 

We break down six critical red flags that may appear innocent but actually serve as divine whispers saying "this is not your person." From spiritual disconn...

You’ve prayed. You’ve waited. And now someone shows up, but how do you really know if it’s an answered prayer or just another distraction?

In this perspective-shifting episode, we’re flipping the script, from fear-based dating to faithful discernment. For too long, we've approached relationships with a defensive mindset: scanning for red flags, bracing for the worst, and often missing the blessing God may be placing right in fr...

Ever caught yourself thinking "I'll be happy when I find the right person"? That mindset might be holding you back from the very relationship you're seeking. In this powerful season 6 opener, we're shifting focus from married couples to singles, dating couples, and newly engaged listeners with a truth that changes everything: before finding "the one," you must become "the one."

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The most beautiful love stories aren't the ones without conflict, but those where couples choose to stay and grow through the hard seasons. In this powerful season finale of our marriage season, we're tackling what it truly means to play the long game in marriage. Marriage isn't just merging schedules and living spaces, it's merging wounds, dreams, habits, and faith journeys. Two imperfect people trying to love ...

Family dynamics can be some of the most challenging aspects of any relationship. Whether you're navigating an overbearing in-law, feeling stifled by longstanding family traditions, or simply trying to merge two completely different family cultures, these tensions can affect even the strongest relationships.

This episode dives deep into the delicate balance of honoring family while establishing healthy boundaries. Draw...

Money makes or breaks countless marriages, but what if your financial differences could actually strengthen your relationship? Renee, dives deep into how couples can transform financial stress into spiritual growth through a kingdom-centered approach to money.

At its core, money represents far more than dollars and cents – it embodies our sense of safety, control, identity, and dreams. When partners bring different financi...

Remember when you first fell in love? Those days filled with spontaneous adventures, inside jokes, and laughter over the smallest things? Somewhere along the way, between managing bills, coordinating schedules, and tackling life's responsibilities, many marriages transform into business partnerships rather than joyful companionship.

This episode uncovers why fun isn't just a nice addition to your marriage—it&apos...

Ever felt like ships passing in the night with your spouse while raising little ones? You're not alone. This heartfelt episode dives into the sacred balancing act between nurturing your marriage and embracing the beautiful chaos of parenthood.

Renee shares personal insights as both a relationship expert and mother to an energetic six-year-old. She offers practical wisdom for couples drowning in school drop-offs, endle...

Ever feel like romance has become just another item on your endless to-do list? You're not alone. In this soulful conversation, we dive deep into the sacred art of keeping your marriage vibrant and connected when life pulls you in a thousand directions.

Marriage isn't just another relationship—it's a divine reflection of Christ's covenant love for the church. But even the most faith-centered marriages e...

What happens when the honeymoon phase fades and real life begins? The journey to lasting love requires more than just surviving the transition—it demands intentional cultivation of a relationship rooted in something deeper than feelings alone.

Marriage isn't about perfection but partnership. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, we explore how patience, kindness, and selflessness become the foundation stones of a relationshi...

Happy Easter Loves! The greatest revolution in human history wasn't marked by political upheaval or technological innovation—it happened when love conquered death. Today, we're taking a sacred pause from our marriage series to reflect on the agape love that transforms every relationship season.

The cross wasn't about religious obligation—it was about unconditional agape love in its purest form. Romans 5:8 re...

Have you ever found yourself mid-argument, suddenly unable to remember what sparked the fight in the first place, yet still feeling that burning frustration? You're not alone. Conflict is woven into the fabric of every relationship, but the way we navigate these challenging moments determines whether they break us or strengthen us.

Faith over frustration isn't just a catchy phrase—it's a transformative appro...

Arguments are inevitable in even the strongest relationships, but the way we handle conflict determines whether it drives us apart or brings us closer together. The question isn't whether we'll fight—it's whether we're fighting in ways that heal or hurt. When conflict arises, the difference between healthy and unhealthy arguments becomes crucial. A constructive disagreement focuses on solving problems rather tha...