How to Balance Friendship and Marriage Without Losing Yourself

What happens when you stop expecting your partner to be your everything?

In this episode, Alex and her husband Michael dive into how balancing friendship and marriage creates stronger, more connected relationships. They share why seeking emotional support outside your relationship isn't just okay—it’s essential.

You’ll hear real-life stories, how they navigate couple and individual friendship dynamics, and why friendship is one of their most powerful forms of self-care. You'll learn practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries with your partner, how to communicate your friendship needs, and simple ways to maintain connections even during busy seasons of life. Whether you're feeling overburdened in your partnership or craving more connection outside it, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, empowered, and inspired to build your own support system.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Seeking a variety of support outside of your marriage/relationship 
• How it’s unfair to burden one person (our partners) to support all parts of us
• How to call out and say, “I am not the right person for this” – for example, I am not the right person for Michael to go to about anything regarding football!
• Having separate friendships with your friends, even if you’re in a couple
• The incredible dynamics it takes to have “couple friends”
  
  

Reflection Question:

How do you and your partner support each other’s friendships?

Guest: Michael Alexander

Michael is Alex’s husband—and he’s been hearing her talk about friendship, community, and connection for years (and yes, it’s rubbed off). Friendship has always mattered to him, even back in his childhood and college days. These days, he and Alex make friendship and community a shared priority in their relationship and daily life. Michael loves a good heart-to-heart with his friends, and some of his favorite connection points include sports, his fantasy football league, and movie nights.

Key Quotes:

"No one person can hold all the parts of who you are." — Alex Alexander, [07:04]

"Friendship isn’t a threat to your relationship—it’s part of how you care for yourself and each other." — Michael Alexander, [22:27]


Resources & Links

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