In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen dive deep into why pausing everything else might be the most important decision you ever make for your marriage. They get raw about the hidden costs of busyness, distractions, and avoidance, sharing personal stories from their own journey, including Brandon stepping down from ministry and Caitlyn reclaiming hours in her day, to illustrate how chronic exhaustion and misaligned priorities quietly erode intimacy. This podcast explains why facing pain head-on, regulating your nervous system, and creating space for transformative conversations are essential for rebuilding trust and connection. Packed with practical strategies, from reclaiming time and energy to cutting distractions, this episode is both an urgent wake-up call and a hopeful guide for couples ready to show up fully, prioritize their relationship, and restore lasting intimacy.
Our 2025 Grounded Union workshop & intensive:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive, with lodging and meals included! (October 10th-13th)
Maui Intensive: Tap here to apply
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Join the waitlist to get notified
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, we touched on the fundamental misunderstanding most couples have about conflict - it's not about communication styles, it's about unhealed pain. Brandon and Caitlyn dismantle the myth that arguing stems from everyday disagreements like where to go to dinner, revealing instead how betrayal trauma, broken trust, and prolonged disconnection create explosive emotional reactions. They share their personal transformation from a cycle where Brandon's porn addiction triggered defensive responses and Caitlyn's pain was met with minimization. The breakthrough came when Brandon learned to lean into her pain rather than run from it, using specific body language techniques and their "Comfort Flow" method that prioritizes emotional validation over fact-correction, ultimately transforming adversaries into teammates. This episode is full of hard-won wisdom, emotional insight, and actionable tools for any couple ready to stop avoiding conflict and start using it as a gateway to deeper intimacy.
Our 2025 Grounded Union workshop & intensive:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive, with lodging and meals included! (October 10th-13th)
Maui Intensive: Tap here to apply
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Join the waitlist to get notified
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In today’s episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, discover how anxiety can silently sabotage your marriage and the small daily habits that can set you free. Brandon opens up about his years of crippling anxiety and the coping mechanisms that masked the problem: endless scrolling, gaming, and withdrawing from family life. A breaking point came with a 40-day fast and a panic attack that forced him to face the truth. Caitlyn brings a powerful perspective on why so many couples lack the emotional vocabulary to navigate these struggles, and how that gap fuels disconnection. Together, they share practical strategies, from naming emotions to practicing embodied exercises like breathwork and cold showers, that create space for real intimacy. If stress and avoidance are stealing joy from your marriage, this conversation offers both validation and a roadmap toward lasting peace.
Our 2025 Grounded Union workshop & intensive:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Maui Intensive: Tap here to apply
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Join the waitlist to get notified
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
This week on The Grounded Union Podcast, hosts Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen expose the myth that dates are the key to a healthy marriage. Through their own story, they reveal that while they went on many dates during the most tumultuous years of their marriage, their deepest connection was forged in the last five years, a period with very few dates. The episode offers a new perspective on what it means to be truly connected, emphasizing that intentionality in everyday moments is far more powerful than a weekly dinner out. Brandon and Caitlyn provide actionable advice, such as confronting hidden secrets and eliminating distractions like screens, to rebuild a relationship from the ground up. They also highlight the power of nature and physical touch to restore peace and intimacy. Tune in to learn how to create a marriage where every day is enjoyable and peace is the norm.
Our 2025 Grounded Union workshop & intensive:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Maui Intensive: Tap here to apply
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Join the waitlist to get notified
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into why addiction relapse is so devastatingly common and how couples can break free from this destructive cycle forever. Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen share their raw journey through five years of repeated relapse before discovering the root-level healing that changed everything. They reveal why surface-level solutions fail and introduce their "roots and rewiring" approach - examining childhood trauma, spiritual beliefs, and life paradigms that keep people trapped. The hosts emphasize getting to the core wounds rather than just managing symptoms, challenging listeners to treat addiction recovery not as minor adjustments but as a complete life transformation. Most provocatively, they advocate for total transparency between spouses - sharing every secret, memory, and struggle without exception. Their message: true freedom isn't about willpower or accountability groups, but about digging deep into your story, rewiring your thoughts, and creating the life you actually want to live rather than one you need to escape from.
Our 2025 Grounded Union workshop & intensive:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Maui Intensive: Tap here to apply
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Join the waitlist to get notified
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In today’s episode of Grounded Union Podcast, discover how to distinguish between surface-level apologies and genuine transformation. Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen tackle one of the hardest questions couples face: “Does my spouse truly want to change?” Through raw personal stories of repeated betrayals, false starts, and painful honesty, they highlight the subtle yet powerful signs of authentic change. From nervous system regulation to the hard work of transparency, this episode sheds light on both red flags and green lights for anyone navigating broken trust.
Dates and locations for our 2025 Grounded Union workshops & intensives:
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
This week on The Grounded Union Podcast, discover how Christian disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Bible reading—despite being foundational practices—sometimes fall short in saving marriages. Hosts Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen bravely share their journey from passionate missionaries with an impeccable "spiritual resume" to facing severe marital struggles, exposing the dangerous gap between spiritual disciplines and emotional maturity. Despite daily Bible reading, prayer, fasting, multiple church services, and even Brandon's 40-day fast, their marriage was crumbling with addiction, betrayal, and disconnection. They reveal how Western Christianity's segmented approach creates fragmented lives where spiritual practices become escape mechanisms rather than tools for authentic intimacy. This episode challenges listeners to stop hiding behind religious performance and start doing the real work of integrating shadow parts of themselves. A paradigm-shifting conversation that offers hope to couples who've tried everything "spiritual" but still feel emotionally distant from their spouse.
Dates and locations for our 2025 Grounded Union workshops & intensives:
📍San Diego, CA – In-Person & Virtual (August 22nd & 23rd, happening a few hours from now!)
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of Grounded Union Podcast, Caitlyn and Brandon Doerksen honestly navigate the difficult experience of betrayal and the long journey toward restoring safety and trust in their marriage. Season 2 opens with the couple addressing their most requested topic: how to heal when trust is shattered. Caitlyn shares her vulnerable story as the betrayed spouse, including years of repeated deception and the critical moment she established firm boundaries. Brandon explores the difference between passive and active betrayal and emphasizes that good intentions are not enough without true inner transformation. Together, they explain why wounded partners shouldn’t be expected to maintain composure, how denial covers up deeper wounds, and why many couples get caught in destructive cycles. Filled with raw storytelling and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for those seeking hope after betrayal.
Dates and locations for our 2025 Grounded Union workshops & intensives:
📍San Diego, CA – In-Person & Virtual (August 22nd & 23rd)
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, hosts Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen dive deep into a widely debated and often shame-filled topic: being attracted to people other than your spouse. The conversation is sparked by a viral social media post that drew thousands of comments and opposing viewpoints, which the hosts read and respond to throughout the episode. They challenge the common narrative that men are "biologically wired" to be attracted to other people, arguing instead that this is a learned belief system. The discussion gets to the core of why this is such a painful topic for many couples, revealing it often stems from a lack of mutual commitment and a shared vision for the marriage. The hosts offer a surprising revelation: it is possible to create a relationship where you are only attracted to your spouse. This episode provides actionable advice on how to build a stronger, more committed union by shedding old beliefs and intentionally creating the marriage you desire. (Watch the Instagram reel that sparked this episode.)
Dates and locations for our 2025 Grounded Union workshops & intensives:
📍San Diego, CA – In-Person & Virtual (August 22nd & 23rd)
🏝️Maui, Hawaii – 3-Day Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included! (October 10th-13th)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to start your 14-day FREE trial
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyn_doerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into the real story behind how lasting change happens in marriage—and why you can’t force your husband to change. Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen share raw, vulnerable insights from the darkest seasons of their relationship, when betrayal, denial, and disconnection ruled their home. Caitlyn unpacks the painful truth that no ultimatum or strategy could transform Brandon—he had to choose healing for himself. Together, they explore how patterns of shame, hidden behaviors, and avoidance sabotage intimacy and what it really takes for a man to reclaim emotional presence, empathy, and integrity. You’ll learn why confronting uncomfortable realities, setting immovable standards, and choosing embodiment over numbness is key to rebuilding trust and true connection. This episode isn’t just about saving a marriage—it’s about becoming fully alive in it.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (Registration Closed)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into why your relationship might feel emotionally dry, disconnected, or just… flat. Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen unpack the hidden layers behind emotional distance in marriage, including avoidance, passivity, self-protection, and performance. They get vulnerable about the moments their own relationship hit rock bottom—and what it took to rebuild true connection. From understanding the impact of unresolved stress to small, intentional steps like eye contact and getting out into nature, they offer practical shifts that can reignite emotional presence and intimacy. With powerful personal insights and grounded, relatable guidance, this episode helps couples stop drifting and start engaging again. Whether you're just starting your healing journey or feeling stuck in a cycle, this one is packed with real tools to help you reconnect with your partner and yourself.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (Registration Closed)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into the often-overlooked but truly transformative shortcut to healing your relationship: your emotions. Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen share how tapping into your emotional world—through bodily awareness, movement, and vulnerability—can radically accelerate trust, connection, and intimacy. They dismantle the idea that men are “wired” to be emotionally detached and instead show how emotional numbness is learned (and can be unlearned). With personal stories, practical guidance, and gentle truth-telling, they walk you through what it looks like to feel again, on purpose. If you're tired of repeating the same patterns and ready to finally move forward together, this one’s for you.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (Registration Closed)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of the Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into part two of Navigating Sexual Brokenness in Your Relationship, where Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen explore how to move beyond surface-level struggles toward true healing and intimacy. From overcoming shame and addiction to rebuilding trust and emotional connection, this episode is packed with raw truths and hard-earned insights. The Doerksens challenge common narratives around sexuality, break down where addictive behaviors come from, and share how they rewired their relationship from the inside out. Whether you're in the thick of healing or ready to take your relationship to the next level, this one’s a must-listen.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (Registration Closed)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of the Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into navigating sexual brokenness in your relationship. Hosts Brandon and Caitlyn Doerksen openly discuss their personal journey from sexual brokenness and hidden struggles to complete freedom and intimacy. They challenge common narratives about sexuality—particularly the idea that attraction outside marriage is inevitable—and share how rewiring the brain through honest communication and intentional practices can lead to profound healing. Brandon reveals the surprising clarity he's found after overcoming his compulsions, while Caitlyn provides powerful encouragement and practical advice for navigating pain and finding deeper connection. Listen in for a candid conversation that encourages growth, trust, and understanding in your relationship!
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (just a few days from now!)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Grounded Intimacy Program: Tap here for more info on our online couples program
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG account to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, Brandon and Caitlyn dive into a topic that many couples struggle with but rarely talk about—spiritual bypassing. They break down how faith can sometimes be used as a shield to avoid addressing deeper relationship problems, leading to emotional disconnection and unresolved conflicts. They share personal stories of navigating addiction, faith, and marital struggles, offering both hard-earned lessons and practical steps for couples looking to build a stronger foundation. If you've ever been told to "just pray about it" when facing real relationship challenges, this episode is a must-listen.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (a few weeks from now!)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, Brandon and Caitlyn dive into a conversation most couples never have—but desperately need to: how childhood patterns shape adult relationships—often in ways we don’t even realize. They explore how men unconsciously expect their wives to "mother" them, how women often feel emotionally exhausted in their relationships, and why unspoken family patterns continue to shape marriages years later. Brandon shares his own wake-up call, and Caitlyn explains the boundaries that helped break free from unhealthy cycles. They also provide deep conversation prompts to help couples unpack their past, understand each other on a new level, and start creating a marriage that’s free from old, inherited patterns. This episode is packed with insight, practical tools, and a whole lot of aha moments. If you want a healthier, more intentional marriage, this episode is a game-changer.
Our 2025 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshops:
📍 Mesa, Arizona – April 12th & 13th (a few weeks from now!)
📍 Portland, Oregon – June 7th & 8th
📍 San Diego, California – August 22nd & 23rd
📍 Maui, Hawaii – October 10th-13th (3-Day Marriage Intensive—limited to 20 couples, lodging included!)
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside the Grounded Men's Community App
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
YouTube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments:
In this episode of The Grounded Union Podcast, we dive deep into the moment we realized traditional marriage advice wasn’t cutting it—like, literally getting booted from a counselor's office kind of not cutting it. What do you do when the experts tell you to settle for “good enough” healing? Spoiler: You don’t settle.
We share the wild stories of counselors who downplayed our marriage struggles, labeled Caitlyn as “too demanding,” and insisted that lifelong sexual brokenness was just... normal.
We unpack how denial sneaks in, why radical honesty is the only way to real intimacy, and what happens when you clean house—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and yes, even digitally. If you've ever felt stuck cycling through the same old advice and getting nowhere, this episode is the call-out and the call-up you didn’t know you needed.
Prepare yourself: no more secrets...
Looking for immediate support in your marriage?
Community for Men: Tap here to apply for a spot inside of the Grounded Men's Community App
Workshops for Couples: Tap here to attend one of our 2025 in-person workshops
Follow us on social at @brandontalksmarriage & @caitlyndoerksen
Check out our IG acc to stay updated @groundedunionpodcast
Youtube Show available here
Timestamps & Key Moments: