Meet Lionel & Natalie Saulsberry | Hosts of the Couples Unfiltered Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lionel & Natalie Saulsberry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lionel and Natalie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Our thought process behind starting Couples Unfiltered Podcast came from deeply personal conversations about the challenges and losses we’ve both faced with our late spouses and how those experiences shaped who we are today. Losing a spouse transforms you in ways that are hard to explain, and while we had the typical struggles of marriage, the absence of a space where couples could openly share and learn from each other was felt deeply.
We reflected on how things might have been different if we had access to a couple like us—people who understood the complexity of love, loss, and growth—to talk to on a regular basis. This reflection sparked the idea to create a platform where we could connect with other couples, learn how they navigate the challenges in their relationships, and explore what makes them resilient.
Our mission became clear; to inspire and empower others by sharing our journey and offering a space for couples to strengthen their relationships. We believe that by fostering mutual respect, open communication, and shared growth, couples can build enduring, loving partnerships. This podcast is our way of giving back and supporting others on their relationship journeys.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Lionel: I’m a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant after serving for 22 years, and over the course of my career, I’ve held many titles. But what I’m most proud of is my time spent in leadership and mentoring roles. Throughout my life, I’ve always challenged myself to be the best at what I do—to be strong, to shine, and to set an example for others. That’s what drives me: a commitment to excellence and service. For me, it’s about leaving behind a legacy that my family can be proud of. My mantra is Acta non verba—deeds, not words. Our brand, ‘Couples Unfiltered,’ is a reflection of that. It’s a living testament of our experiences, our love, and the strength we’ve built through both the good times and the difficult ones.

Natalie: After 26 years as a nurse, I’ve learned just how precious life really is. I’ve witnessed the love that carries people through unimaginable challenges, and I’ve also seen the regrets that often surface when someone is nearing the end of their life. Those moments taught me something profound—the most important thing we have in this life is the love we share. That’s what truly matters. Our podcast, ‘Couples Unfiltered,’ is an extension of that belief. We share our story with the world, hoping to inspire others to focus on the love and connection they have, because when it’s all said and done, that’s what lasts.

Together, we’ve faced our share of challenges, personally and professionally. Getting to where we are today wasn’t easy, but we learned that resilience, open communication, and supporting each other through difficult times are key. What sets us apart is the honesty we bring to our conversations, the way we’re willing to dive into the tough stuff—whether it’s love, loss, or starting over. We want the world to know that our brand is about helping others build strong, loving relationships by learning from each other’s stories, just like we’ve learned from our own.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would invite our friends to stay at our home of course. We have a lovely guest room attached to what we call our little “Speakeasy”. A room we created in our home to have people over to just chill, have a glass and engage in great conversation.
Then we we spend a day at The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego, have coffee in the lounge, lunch at the diner, bowl in the Gutter and Dinner at the Quixote. Then end the day with a Jazz Performance at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room.

We would hit up a friend to catch a yacht ride across the Bay.

Take in a concert at The Rady Shell.

Enjoy a meal at Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad.

We might even spend a day with a behind the scenes Safari at the San Diego Safari Park (depending on the weather of course)

What kind of visit would it be without a hike at Torrey Pines and watching the sunset at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To our family, who have supported us on our journey to put the pieces back together, even when they’re own feelings got in the way.

Our Producer Zeke Corely, who believed in our vision and guided us into the podcast world.

To the many Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations that penetrated our hearts at exactly the right moment. It kept us traveling on the right path of spirituality through our journey to find deeper connections.

Website: https://www.couplesunfiltered.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couples_unfiltered/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couplesunfiltered/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CouplesUnfiltered

Other: https://linktr.ee/couplesunfiltered

Image Credits
Liz Ream Inc