You’re dating… but you don’t feel known. Why?Because attraction ≠ foundation. In this episode we tell the truth about why so many Christian couples rush commitment, feel lonely inside relationships, and what to do instead: build friendship first—the kind that carries you through grief, job loss, postpartum, and pressure.What you’ll learn:- How to tell infatuation from real emotional connection- The 3 friendship builders: Talk, Play, Observe (with examples)- Culture & church traps: “we vibe,” community pressure, attraction + prayer = readiness- How to course-correct if you already skipped friendship- What happens if you don’t face this—and the benefits when you do- How to trust God at every stage without performingScripture anchors: Proverbs 17:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Psalm 34:8Who this is for: Single or dating Christians who want a marriage that feels like peace, partnership, and friendship—not pressure and performance.Chapters00:00 – Hook: Attraction without connection = loneliness00:56 – Welcome to The W Podcast (why you should care)02:34 – The cost of skipping friendship (alone in a relationship)04:35 – Culture traps: vibes, butterflies, “we just click”06:58 – Church traps: rushing, pressure, attraction + prayer ≠ readiness09:58 – Why quick engagements can hide unknowns11:50 – Friendship is what holds when life hits (grief, job loss, postpartum)13:35 – Men need friendship too (Tim to the guys)15:00 – Build it #1: Talk like friends (curious, real questions)18:22 – Build it #2: Play like friends (low-pressure, laughter = safety)19:59 – Build it #3: Observe like friends (groups, stress, consistency)21:50 – Date long enough to see (environments vs. fancy dinners)24:46 – Spiritual discernment: do they obey God when no one’s watching?27:53 – Already skipped friendship? How to slow down & reorient30:45 – New rhythms, new boundaries, new experiences32:12 – If you don’t do this: performance, feeling unsafe, regret33:55 – If you do: you’ll enjoy each other, be real, and still feel close36:06 – Romance = cherry on top; friendship = meat & potatoes37:05 – The house analogy: curb appeal vs. inspection (foundation)38:25 – Trust God + invite community into your process38:54 – Final encouragement & share/subscribe CTARelated episode: Don’t Say Yes Until You Ask These Questions (how to ask stage-by-stage questions)
