Awesome Marriage Podcast

An affair doesn't have to mean the end of a marriage. At Awesome Marriage, we have seen so many marriages restored! Yet the recovery process will take time and working together to see the Lord heal the union. If you've experienced this pain, you need a guide to help you along the way. Rick Reynolds joins Dr. Kim today to share his story of marriage recovery, and how he's used his own painful experience to help others through the process of rebuilding after infidelity. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How to avoid common behaviors that can set you up for an affair How to rebuild a marriage after affair - better than before Why Christians need to be aware of their own vulnerability How to overcome the obstacles to recovering after infidelity Common mistakes in the affair recovery process *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: One of the best ways to protect your marriage from an affair is to realize you could be vulnerable to infidelity, and put boundaries in place. If your marriage has experienced infidelity, it can be restored much stronger than before. Questions to Discuss: What boundaries do you have in your life to prevent even baby steps toward an affair? Are you a safe place for your spouse to be completely honest and open? What would help make your marriage a safer place for honesty? QUOTES "When we fall, what's important is what we do afterwards." - Rick Reynolds "A lot of Christians don't realize they're vulnerable, so they don't put constraints in place. Then they find themselves in a mess." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "What heals is empathy and emotional responsiveness." - Rick Reynolds "The wayward spouse needs to understand that disclosure is the way that trust is reestablished." - Rick Reynolds MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more or sign up for the Hope Rising Conference at AffairRecovery.com If you feel defeated about your marriage, or are considering divorce, our 90 Days to Save Your Marriage plan is for you. Learn more here.

When costs keep rising, and earnings often don't match, money stress is bound to invade your marriage. Most couples face additional tension around how to handle finances well – as well as how to handle them together. In today's podcast, Dr. Kim talks with Dan and Kay Ockey about how to take control of your finances, even in times of financial uncertainty. Dan and Kay offer concrete and actionable advice on how to take the steps to get out of debt, make a realistic plan, and work together. Tune in for help to get your finances in order. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The action plan for how to start tracking finances Productive ways to handle the realities of inflation and financial uncertainty 2 keys for financial success in a marriage Use this reframing shift and fight over finances less *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "The magic bullet doesn't exist, but being real about your numbers and not spending more than you make is key." - Dan Ockey "We're finding that among a lot of people there's an expectation you should have the life you want." - Dan Ockey "We may not have the money to do all the things we want right now, and that's ok. You're not a failure - you can work toward that." - Dan Ockey "Our money conversations were so painful. Then I realized that our unity was more important than my beliefs about money." - Dan Ockey Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Unity in your marriage finances requires a team mindset, learning about each other, and learning the skills to handle money well. Questions to Discuss: What financial beliefs are keeping you from unity in your marriage? Are you working toward a common goal together today? If not, work together to set one. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn how to avoid the 4 common budgeting mistakes couples make when in the FREE Centsei Class. Learn more here. The Gap and the Gain Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Show of hands: Are you an Amazon box hider? … or do you have your spouse break down the boxes for you? All joking aside, online shopping can be an issue that hinders couples' closeness. Money management in general can be a hot topic, but the wide range of ways we can spend money online with just the click of a button can create some additional obstacles, and we hear about it from couples all the time. Today we're equipping you to resolve this issue. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Red flags that you need to address online spending with your spouse. The role of trust in marriage money habits How to know when online shopping has become a problem The negative cycle of emotional triggers *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When you look into what's most important with money, you make a lot more progress more quickly." - Lindsay Few "When you quit being a team, that's when it becomes a problem." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If shopping is getting in the way of closeness with your spouse, then something needs to change." - Dr. Kim Kimberling Couple's Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Money secrets do not serve your marriage well, so do what it takes to build trust with your spouse around finances. Questions to Discuss: Are there any money habits your spouse does not know about you? What areas bring out money tension for your marriage? What is one step that would help you work through that and build unity today? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn how to avoid the 4 common budgeting mistakes couples make when in the FREE Centsei Class. Learn more here. Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

We don't often talk about our failures, but maybe that needs to change. It's easy to focus on others' highlight reel, while we're highly aware of our own personal shortcomings. But the shame of feeling like we don't measure up keeps us from real relationships. Today we're going there with special guest, Becky Kiser, as we talk about the power of the gospel and how God uses us in spite of our shortcomings. Don't miss this powerful conversation. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Fight the cascade effect of feeling like a failure The two most debated sections of Becky's new book - and why! The 1st step to start loving your spouse well How to move out of shame and into freedom *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Even women who are successful; women who have accomplished a bunch, deal with failure." - Becky Kiser "The Gospel message is not, 'Get your life together then God can do something with your life.'" - Becky Kiser "I've found the most freedom from acknowledging I can't." - Becky Kiser "Not all failures are actual failures. They're just a part of life." - Becky Kiser "We spend so much time 'dying to ourselves' that we think there's no value to ourselves." - Becky Kiser MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find Becky at https://www.beckykiser.com/ and on Instagram @beckykiser Grab the new book, "But God Can" today! Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

After five years of marriage, Kristin and Todd Evans' world was rocked when they learned they were about to become parents to a child with a disability. The stress, grief and the demands of learning to be caregivers to a child with disabilities transformed their once-joyful marriage and nearly broke it apart. When spouses are also caregivers, the marriage will face challenges that others may not know anything about. Today Todd and Kristin share their powerful story of learning to navigate this reality and how they have kept their marriage strong through it all. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The additional challenges parents face as caregivers Learning to cope with the 'living loss' of disability How to set and communicate priorities in an unending to do list Ways to deepening emotional connection & intimacy while always "on call" Handling grief and chronic sorrow together *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "For all parents, there's a sacrificial piece to it. For special needs parents, it goes to a new level of what you have to sacrifice." - Todd Evans "1 in 3 caregivers experience depression and anxiety." - Kristin Evans "I couldn't understand why I couldn't' get over my grief, but Todd had moved on." - Kristin Evans "There's not a right or wrong way to grieve, it's just different." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Order the Evans' book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities Follow @DisabilityParenting on Instagram for more great tips! Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Reduce money stress in your marriage by making sure your money knows where to go! Don't avoid talking about money with your spouse: Establishing a budget you can both stick to will certainly pay off long term. Today Dr. Kim shares several simple tricks that help him and Nancy to stress less and be intentional with their finances. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The basic starting point for building a budget The budget category Dr. Kim & Nancy would NEVER cut out The power of breaking a scarcity mindset and becoming generous Strategies to better money management How to get started if you've never budgeted *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "We felt like it was always important to have a date." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Make sure to build in your budget that you can go out somewhere each week and not have to worry about it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "God is so generous, and that's really what we want to emulate." - Lindsay Few "My lack of generosity was not the person I wanted to be." - Lindsay Few Continue to ask, "What are our financial goals? How do we budget to make them work?" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If you need help, get it. If you're going to fight about money for 50 years, that doesn't sound fun at all. "- Dr. Kim Kimberling "When you tithe 10%, the 90% you have left goes a lot further than you thought the 100% would." - Lindsay Few "I don't know anyone personally who would say they regret tithing." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask Learn how to avoid the 4 common budgeting mistakes couples make when in the FREE Centsei Class. Learn more here. Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Do your habits online support your marriage? Or damage it? Fewer couples are getting married than ever. Tech is hitting marriages hard today. Yet research shows that marriage can provide a huge boost to personal happiness. Today's guest Arlene Pellicane has written several books on how technology is impacting relationships, and today she shares tech habits that will help you and your marriage to thrive. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The 1 habit that leads to a 99% marriage success rate Simple to streamline your tech habits for more connection Why today's tech affects relationships differently than before Research shows how marriage can impact happiness Parenting tips to break unhealthy tech habits and get your child back *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "If we seek God and His guidance, He's always going to have an answer." Dr. Kim Kimberling "Is technology bringing you closer together? Or causing you to grow farther apart." - Arlene Pellicane "We're missing all these little times to connect. That's why you feel disconnected." - Arlene Pellicane "You have to prepare to be unpopular, because as a parent, it's your job to protect your child." - Arlene Pellicane MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: If you need help with family tech habits, DO NOT miss Arlene's books on the topic. National Marriage Week is each February 7-14th – and their great marriage building resources are available all year long! Learn more and support the mission on the WEB, FACEBOOK, X (TWITTER) or INSTAGRAM ! Learn more about what boundaries can do for your marriage in Dr. Kim's free Building Healthy Boundaries Webinar. Learn more here! What could 1 intentional weekend do for you and your spouse? Find out when you take on our Marriage Weekend Challenge! Click to learn more! Don't let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page! Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

We've all wondered at some point … is everyone else living a better life? It looks like they might be, and social media only seems to confirm it! That's why we're delighted to bring you Dr. Kim's conversation with today's guest, Sarah Bragg, of the Surviving Sarah podcast. In today's episode, we'll hear Sarah's take on feeling "stuck" in life, how to become happier, and steps to overcome the idea that someone else's life is better than yours. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why we face the questions that keep us up at night Practical strategies for when you feel stuck in life How to deal with experiencing grief in midlife Guardrails to protect yourself from the effects of comparison Staving off the effects of unhappiness in your marriage Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. Click here to get each week's guide! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "We can look back and see where we've been. But when we look forward we don't know what it's going to look like." - Sarah Bragg "When we keep it inside, it grows. It feels bigger than it really is." - Sarah Bragg "We all grieve in different ways, over different things." Dr. Kim Kimberling "It's okay to just keep showing up and trying." - Sarah Bragg "In this age of social media, it's nothing but compare and compete." - Sarah Bragg "Connection is the root of happiness." - Sarah Bragg MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Order Sarah's book, Is Everyone Happier Than Me? Listen to the Surviving Sarah podcast and find more from Sarah on her website & @SarahWBragg on Instagram! Don't let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page! Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. Click here to get each week's guide!

Did you know that marriage can be good for you? Marriage is not always viewed as the gift from God that it actually is, but He has designed this relationship to provide some *amazing* benefits to both spouses. Today Dr. Kim is sharing several of the ways a healthy marriage supports health and wellness for you, your spouse and your family. Tune in to learn more! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The benefits of a good marriage for mental and physical health Health effects on kids and families The damaging effects of loneliness - even in marriage Steps you can take to combat loneliness Hidden benefits of the process of working on things you need to work on Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. To get each week's guide click here to subscribe! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "There's all kinds of incentives to work on your marriage, and this is one of them: If you have a healthy marriage, you have a healthier, longer life." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We hear about so much depression; so much anxiety. Everybody's under stress. Marriage can help your mental health." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I was out of my comfort zone, and any time you do that is uncomfortable, but on the other side there might be something really helpful." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Don't let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page! Life's unpredictable. Build a solid foundation for your marriage with 21 Prayers to Build an Awesome Marriage Are you ready to join the mission? Our Marriage Changers exist because a world full of awesome marriages can change the world! Learn more HERE Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. To get each week's guide click here to subscribe! We are here to help! Email [email protected] any time. Our Healthy Self / Healthy Marriage Podcast Series goes deeper: Why Does Physical Health Matter In Marriage? | Ep. 520 The Connection Between Emotional & Spiritual Health | Ep. 521 Mental Health & Your Marriage | Ep. 522 Answering Listener Questions | Ep. 523

Does marriage still matter in this day and age? We say a resounding yes! Marriage was designed by God, and there are several purposes the Bible gives for why marriage matters. Today we're digging into what Scripture says about the value of marriage. Tune in to learn God's purposes for the marriage relationship, and why they matter in your marriage! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Dr. Kim's list of biblical purposes for marriage Several ideas for what it means to "be fruitful" in marriage The power of a marriage model - and tips on how to find one The ripple effect of an intentional marriage Ways your marriage can be a light in our dark world Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. To get each new guide, click here to subscribe! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "No marriage is perfect. But if you're a couple steps ahead, you've navigated some things that others haven't." - Lindsay Few "My dream for the marriage changers is that they're learning, growing and passing that on." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Prayer has had such an impact on our marriage. When God answers prayer like He does, we want to tell everybody what He's done!" - Dr. Kim Kimberling The things God calls us to do bring glory to God. They bring us joy, life and peace, and they also bring light and encouragement to others." - Lindsay Few "Yes, it's hard at times. Yes, there are things you have to work through. But the big picture result is worth it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Don't let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page! Life's unpredictable. Build a solid foundation for your marriage with 21 Prayers to Build an Awesome Marriage We are here to help! Email [email protected] any time. Are you ready to join the mission? Our Marriage Changers exist because a world full of awesome marriages can change the world! Learn more HERE Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode's content. You'll get each new guide when you click here to subscribe!

Is it harder to live a faithful life today than in times past? Today's world does provide some unique challenges that couples face, but there are also unique opportunities. Today's conversation with Gabrielle McCullough sheds light on some of the ways today's world can be deeply impacted by Jesus and the effects of our faith can have on marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Unique challenges and unique opportunities for faith in Gen Z 3 questions for biblical accountability A challenge to help you find your place in the local church The impact of following Jesus on every aspect of life Why the local church is still relevant and needed today *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Following Jesus impacts every area of your life." - Gabrielle McCullough "We follow Jesus because he has our hearts. There's an obedience that is compelled that isn't out of drudgery but out of true delight." - Gabrielle McCullough "They want something that's authentic. That excites me about my generation." - Gabrielle McCullough There's a beauty in asking, 'how can I serve the church?' instead of asking how others can serve me." - Gabrielle McCullough "As Christians, our responsibility is to love people the way Christ loves them; with love and with truth." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If marriages can be healthy and strong, what a testament to the world of who Jesus is and the way he fights for his Bride." - Gabrielle McCullough MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find Gabrielle on Instagram, TikTok, and on her website The Christmas in July Sale is on at Awesome Marriage University and that means you get 30% ANY and ALL of our online marriage courses! BROWSE our course offerings to find which one your marriage needs and use the code JULY at checkout! Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount.

Has you or your spouse's insecurity affected your marriage? We're all insecure about something, and the way we see ourselves will end up spilling over into the way we relate to others. Nowhere is this more likely to happen than in marriage. In this episode Dr. Kim and Christina share ways to address your insecurity and your spouse's insecurity, including a surprising way Dr. Kim has learned to turn his weaknesses to strengths. Tune in for wisdom and practical tips. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How insecurity affects a marriage Advice if your spouse's insecurity is weighing you down Advice if your OWN insecurity weighs you down Practical steps to overcome insecurity How to fight back against your insecurities *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "How you view yourself absolutely affects how you're going to interact with others." - Christina Dodson "I think the role of the spouse is to build each other up. Your marriage should be your safest place, next to your relationship with God." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Perfection is not what God expects from you, nor should anyone else be expecting it from you." - Christina Dodson "You begin to believe the things God says about you and who you are in Christ, and that changes your countenance. You will look like a different person." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "There's less holding you back if you're not weighed down by your insecurities. There's more joy, more abundance, freedom to enjoy life together. " - Christina Dodson "One thing God does so well for us is he loves us right where we are. Our goal is to love our spouse right where they are." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You can't take it over. You can't fix it for them. But you can come alongside and do what God wants you to do." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "No one is thinking about you as much as you're thinking about you. To me, that's really freeing!" - Christina Dodson MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount. The Christmas in July Sale is on at Awesome Marriage University and that means you get 30% OFF ANY and ALL of our online marriage courses! BROWSE our course offerings to find which one your marriage needs and use the code JULY at checkout!

Want better connection with your spouse? One thing we hear a lot from couples is that they don't feel close to each other or that their relationship feels like it's missing some depth. That's why today we're re-airing this episode from Dr. Kim and Christina that talks all about emotional intimacy and gives you ideas of practical ways to deepen the emotional intimacy in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What is emotional intimacy, and why does it matter? Warning signs you need to grow in this area Emotional intimacy killers to avoid Tips to start working on this - alone, and together *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "It is hard work knowing someone. You have to pay attention. It takes work to be intimate." - Christina Dodson "Laziness and business are going to block your intimacy, so we have to fight against those things." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Give yourself opportunities to connect." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "It adds value to my marriage for me to have a relationship with my friends, just like it benefits our marriage that he has guy friends." - Christina Dodson "You could have had the best childhood in the world and you still have baggage because we're human. That's okay, and you can deal with that." - Christina Dodson "You can't be emotionally intimate with your spouse if you aren't aware of your own emotions." - Christina Dodson MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount. Your marriage can only be as healthy as the two of you are. The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord" (Lamentations 3:40). Our new Self Check-In Guide will help you do just that! Print out this Feelings Chart and use it to help you talk about your emotions. Our Questions To Help Your Spouse Open Up resource is a simple way to help build the closeness between you and your spouseAccountability is a biblical and helpful tool for growing in holiness.

What is a "gospeler"? It's probably a lot simpler than you think! It is something that will certainly impact you and your marriage, but also has the potential to have a huge impact on others around you. Today Willie Robertson shares how one person sharing the Gospel impacted thousands, starting with his family, and he explains just how simple it can be to begin to care enough for others to share the Gospel with them. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Gospel genealogy & the ripple effect one conversation can have The Biblical basis for this kind of conversation Where to start if you don't know where to start Advice for parents to share their faith in parenting Different ways to approach sharing your faith *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When you're active in sharing your faith, it takes care of a lot of other things for you as well." - Willie Robertston "The great commission was for all of us." - Willie Robertston "Make disciples, baptize people, teach people; you're not going to do any of those 3 unless you open your mouth." - Willie Robertston "It starts with caring about people." - Willie Robertston "You start learning the Word, you'll start standing out in the crowd." - Willie Robertston MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Order Willie's new book, Gospeler today! Find more from Willie at DuckCommander.com and WillieRobertson.com Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount.

Are you ever a bit too helpful in your marriage? Do you find yourself frustrated with the way your spouse responds to you? You may be trying to control your spouse by "helping" even if you don't mean to! Today Laura Doyle from the Empowered Wife Podcast joins Dr. Kim to teach us some ways to shift our marriage culture - without resorting to control tactics. Tune in to learn how! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Empowering ways to shift the culture of your marriage, even if your spouse isn't on board "Cheat phrases" to help you shift from controlling tendencies to deeper intimacy The unexpected lesson of sitting down with your spouse and getting nothing done! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find more of Laura's content, including her free Empowered Wife Road Map on her website Check out Laura's book, the Empowered Wife! Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount.

Most of us deal with self doubt, regret, and feelings of not measuring up. But learning to love ourselves properly means learning to see ourselves as God does, and it allows us to love others more freely and graciously. Today, Bryan Crum will help you step away from nagging self doubts and into a solid biblical perspective. Give your marriage the gift of seeing yourself and your spouse through God's eyes. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Unexpected lessons learned from people who are facing their mortality Why is it hard to accept loving and valuing ourselves properly? Rewriting negative messages we've learned Ideas to break away from self-doubt Why relationships are needed to help us learn to love ourselves *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "I'm on a mission to help people fall in love with God's greatest creation; and that's us." - Bryan Crum "We all want to know our time on this earth means something." - Bryan Crum "I've discovered 2 truths about living: 1. We're priceless. 2. For some reason, we've forgotten that truth." - Bryan Crum "We interact with people every day but we don't always treat them like they are valuable." - Bryan Crum "When we acknowledge the truth of what we're worth, we're acknowledging a truth heaven knows well." - Bryan Crum "The first step is to stop comparing ourselves to each other." - Bryan Crum "There's power in giving each other the benefit of the doubt." - Bryan Crum "Giving each other grace is a small step that covers a lot of distance." - Bryan Crum "Marriage is promising each other that we're all-in. We've got to make the conscious choice to say, 'I'm still here.'" - Bryan Crum MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: If your marriage is doing okay but could use a jumpstart, then this 5 Week Marriage Refresher Challenge is for you! Find more from Bryan HERE Order Bryan's book, Neighbor, Love Yourself HERE

Conflict is no one's favorite, but it is an inevitable part of life. And today Donna Jones teaches us why it's nothing to be afraid of by busting some of the most common misunderstandings that lead to conflict avoidance, and providing a biblical roadmap to handle conflict in a healthy way. Tune in to learn more about approaching conflict in a healthy, biblical way. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The biggest mistakes most couples make in conflict The trick to de-escalate in the heat of the moment. The inner characteristics that build better conflict habits Help to break conflict patterns in your marriage The healthy way to apologize well *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When we handle conflict in a healthy way, the outcome is peace. Peace between us and who we have conflict with; peace in our own souls." - Donna Jones "When we are in conflict, it literally affects everything about us. We function, but on the inside, we're torn to pieces." - Donna Jones "The reason so many of us think conflict is bad, is that we never learned to see how conflict can turn out good." - Donna Jones "When we have conflict, we tend to think it means 1 of 3 things: There's something wrong with you; there's something wrong with me, or there's something wrong with us. But conflict doesn't mean that." - Donna Jones "No relationship can survive an atmosphere of disrespect over the long haul." - Donna Jones "The most important thing is not an act, it's an attitude: Humility." - Donna Jones "If you want to know how strong a person really is, look for humility." - Donna Jones MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Order Donna's book Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life today! Find Donna on her website, on Instagram @DonnaAJones or Facebook @donnajonesspeak/ For more help to break the conflict cycle, sign up for Dr. Kim's "8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar" If your marriage is feeling a bit blah, the Marriage Refresher is the jumpstart you need to bring fresh life into your marriage!

We have gotten a lot of questions about gaslighting and narcissism, and today Dr. Kim is answering. This topic is layered and one podcast episode cannot take the place of more in-depth interventions, but we can offer helpful and hopeful next steps. In today's episode we're covering how to know what constitutes abuse versus the sin nature we all struggle with. Listen for We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Marriage counseling doesn't work with abusers – So what does? Can a marriage recover after long-term gaslighting? How to diagnose abuse using the power and control wheel Does the "gray rock" strategy work in marriage? Reasons why emotional abuse is often dismissed *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Narcissism is all about power and control. Neither of those have a place in marriage at all." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I don't think God expects anyone to live in an abusive situation. In many ways, it's as much a violation of vows as adultery is to not take seriously your vow to love and cherish your spouse." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You deserve to be safe." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If you look at the message of the BIble, you can't defend any type of abuse, for any person, ever." - Lindsay Few "The goal would be repentance and reconciliation." - Lindsay Few "The reason a lot of people minimize emotional abuse because they haven't seen it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I've seen people who gaslight and don't really understand what they've been doing." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Nobody's uplifted or brought closer to Christ through manipulative behaviors." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Power and Control Wheel is helpful to understand what constitutes abuse If your marriage is doing okay but could use a jumpstart, then this 5 Week Marriage Refresher Challenge is for you! Past episodes on the topic: Gaslighting in Marriage Accidental Gaslighting When is Enough Enough? With Dr. David E. Clarke Recent series with Kathy's Story Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage: Kathy's Story | Ep. 608 Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage Part 2: Seeking Church Support | Kathy's Story Ep. 609 Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage Part 3: Help to Get Out and Get Safe | Ep. 610

Is there a war on fathers? Our guest on today's podcast thinks so. The impact of fathers on their kids is so valuable, yet it's incredibly difficult to know how to engage purposefully in the process of parenting. If you've had a hand in raising kids, you already know that parenting is not for the faint of heart! That's why we are so thankful to share today's episode and Kent Evans' practical advice and encouragement for dads. Kent Evans is a wise and helpful mentor for dads who are searching for their purpose in parenting. Listen and learn Kent's simple, practical tips for dads and moms alike. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What prevents dads from being confident to engage in fatherhood? The reasons why your kids need an imperfect dad Advice for the dad who feels like it's too late to start to engage well Steps to growing in your purpose as a dad Advice for the wife who wants her husband to engage An incredible tip for finding friends & community *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Satan wants us to take us out of the fatherhood game by getting us to self-select and walk off the field." - Kent Evans "God wants to be known as a dad, therefore there's a war on fathers." - Kent Evans "My experience as a dad is that God can take care of the things I mess up." - Dr. Kim "Even if we could be perfect, it would not be beneficial. It would deprive them of the example of how to fall off the horse then get back on." - Kent Evans There are few things more motivating to a man than the praise of his wife, but it's multiplied by an exponent when she does it in front of the children." - Kent Evans "I didn't get it right. I didn't do it perfectly, but God took my loaves and fishes and they landed as nourishment." MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Grab Kent's great tools for dads at ManhoodJourney.org Listen to the Father on Purpose Podcast With the Creative Questions Bundle you will NOT lack for great conversation topics! Get all the details here! Sign up here to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each episode!

Marriage doesn't have to get boring … but for too many couples, it has. If you're ready to break out of the routine and restore the joy in your marriage, this one's for you! Listen for ways to have more interesting and connective conversations, new ideas of things to try, and how to avoid common mistakes that keep couples from enjoying their marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Better questions to ask for better conversations 2 common mistakes that keep couples from having fun together Several ideas for fun things to try For Dr. Kim's bullet point list of steps, sign up for the Conversation Guide *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When we're dating our future wife, we guys up our game." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We loved our time with our kids, but we realized we also had to be intentional about our marriage." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You have to give yourself time to do the fun stuff. The mundane will still be there when you're done." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: With the Creative Questions Bundle you will NOT lack for great conversation topics! Get all the details here! Check in on your marriage each week with our Weekly Check In Guide to keep your connection strong Sign up here to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each episode! Questions to Help Your Spouse Open Up Is there a marriage resource you need us to make? Tell us your idea! Arlene Pellicane will be on the podcast later this summer. She has written some great books on tech in the family! Cool, Calm and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World Screen Kids: 5 Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World

Do you ever feel like you and your spouse are two ships passing in the night? Strangers living under the same roof? Business partners executing the plans you've made for your kids and household? Then you're in a disconnected marriage. The marriage relationship should nurture both spouses. If you've lost the connection in your marriage, or just want to step up from where you are right now, tune in today to learn the practical steps for reconnecting. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why do couples disconnect? The steps to reconnection A helpful source for fun marriage ideas and resources *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Little tweaks can make such a difference." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Living separate lives is not going to get you a connected, fun marriage." Christina Dodson "We weren't always there but we chose to stay in the marriage and work through things. It's worth it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You can continue to grow, but you have to work at it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Check in on your marriage each week with our Weekly Check In Guide to keep your connection strong Creative Questions Bundle Sign up here to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each episode! The Sex Talk course equips you to teach your kids about sex in a biblical, God-honoring way

If your marriage communication is a struggle, you are NOT alone. So many marriage issues come back to communication, and if your communication is awesome, your marriage will be too! But most of us will have some trouble with communicating well with our spouse, and it's the biggest issue couples ask us for help with. That's why today we're equipping you with 6 tips to communicate well in the good times and in the bad. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How to talk so your spouse can listen Use the "title page" trick to help your spouse listen to you Dr. Kim's 6 tips to communicate well How to find a good counselor if you need one How to restart the openness & honesty in your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "I think what happens for guys is that when we're dating our future wife, we up our game." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "It's hard for me to put my thoughts and feelings into succinct words.I can easily ramble on… but that doesn't make for good communication." - Lindsay Few "The bottom line is you want them to hear what you're saying, so how do you best communicate in a way that they're going to hear it?" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If you're going through a hard time, call it that. Work together to reclaim your time and energy." - Lindsay Few "We can't give away every piece of our heart, mind, time and energy to things that drain the life out of us." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each episode by signing up here! The Sex Talk course equips you to teach your kids about sex in a biblical, God-honoring way Dr. Kim's blogs on questions to ask your counselor: 4 Qualities Your Christian Counselor Needs 3 Things A Counselor Needs To Believe to Help Your Marriage 3 Mistakes Couples Make When They Try Counseling Our FREE Weekly Check In Guide helps with regular communication Making Your Marriage a Refuge with Special Guest Gary Thomas Ep. 530 Achieving Awesome Communication in Marriage YouVersion Plan

It often feels like the world around us is too broken. Where would you even start if you wanted to try and fix it? On the podcast today, Charlie and Andi Ashworth answer this question, and thankfully their answer is much simpler and more doable than it might seem. The Ashworths have spent decades sharing their creative gifts and encouraging others to do the same, and in today's episode they artfully equip you to take small steps toward creativity, community, and reflecting the light of God's love, right where you are. Don't miss this bonus episode! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How should Christians engage with culture? A call for culture making - and how simple it is to actually do it Why the small things matter - and how to use them for good in your life Hope for becoming the remedy to the loneliness epidemic How to balance the desire for creativity and the need to get things done Battling the dis-integration of "mundane" versus doing things we like *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "We make less and less meaning of everything now, because it's happening so fast and we're receiving so much information." - Charlie Ashworth "There's no small people; there's no small things. Everything matters." - Charlie Ashworth "We don't know the stories that will continue after we do." - Andi Ashworth "If all of life matters to God, then all of life matters to us." - Andi Ashworth "We want a formula … but it is a process." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Based on your faith in Christ, what kind of culture are you making? Are you contributing good? Or are you contributing negativity?" - Charlie Ashworth "It's antithetical to the word of God and to creation itself to think that we as people of God are somehow standing outside of it. It actually creates an 'us' versus 'them' mentality that is so unhealthy." - Charlie Ashworth "Start with where you're at: You're actually getting up and making culture every day." - Andi Ashworth "As an artist, maturity looks like a seamless integration of a diversity of creativity over time." - Charlie Peacock MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Charlie and Andi's book, Why Everything That Doesn't Matter, Matters So Much: The Way of Love in a World of Hurt Find more from the Ashworths on their website: https://thewriterthehusband.com/ Andy Crouch's book Culture Making Learn 7 reasons why your sex life may not be where you want it to be, and how to get it there! Sign up here for the 9 Ways to Improve Your Sex Life Webinar

Your marriage needs trust in order to be healthy. Without it, your connection with your spouse will fade, and you'll experience more conflict and tension, and less of the closeness and intimacy marriage is meant to have. Don't stay stuck like this! Turn things around by closing the trust gaps between you and your spouse and make your marriage a safe refuge for both of you. Episode highlights include: Areas where you might not realize you lack trust How to address it effectively with your spouse - without blaming How to have grace in the rebuilding process Tips to building financial trust Practical tips to become more trustworthy with completing tasks *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Without trust in a marriage, the marriage just crumbles." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We don't realize how valuable trust is until it's broken." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Trust can be unique to the person and the situation." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We have to own what's driving our trust-breaking behavior." - Lindsay Few "The budget isn't a prison, it's a plan. But sometimes it will be uncomfortable." - Lindsay Few "The sooner you go to counseling, the sooner you'll resolve your issues." - Lindsay Few "If you get stuck, you don't have to stay stuck." - Lindsay Few "Your spouse may make some mistakes, so look for Jesus in your spouse." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I felt like he should trust me … but my action was not giving him anything to trust." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Sign up HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode We are bombarded with negative messages about marriage. FIGHT BACK with our Reframing Challenge If your marriage has been damaged by porn, the 5 Steps to Healing After Porn Betrayal webinar is a great first step to healing. Learn more or grab your spot here. Warm Up Your Marriage (Past Episode)

Today we answer some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about sex. Dr. Kim and Christina covered this on an episode in 2021, and we've distilled their conversation into the most timeless and practical answers to common sex questions. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How often is "normal"? Dealing with dead sex drive Is oral sex ok in marriage? What about anal? Is there such thing as too much sex when trying to conceive? How to start talking to your kids about sex What do do if your spouse withholds sex *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Guys, you have to continue to be romantic." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I wanted my kids to talk to me about sex before they went to a friend or read it on a bathroom wall or a magazine. You want that door to be open." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You need to honor each other and respect each other's body to honor God in marriage." - Christina Dodson "Guys, if you please your wife first, does it really matter when you orgasm? There's this unspoken pressure." - Christina Dodson "There's always an answer. I've never had a couple we couldn't figure out an answer for." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Stay at the comfort level of the one who is least comfortable. If you do that, you're going to be ok." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Sign up HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier is a quick weekly email with actionable insights to grow your marriage. Sign up HERE! Resources we recommend for starting the sex conversation with your spouse Celebration of Sex Lovemaking Survey Resources we recommend for talking to your kids about sex: Don't Mom Alone Podcast Ep 328 Full Set - God's Design for Sex Series: Revised and Updated Edition by Stan Jones, Brenna Jones We're delighted to partner with The Sex Talk, an excellent online course to help you navigate this topic well

Trust in marriage is not one-size-fits all. There are many areas where your marriage needs trust in order to thrive, and some might matter to your spouse more than they do to you, and vice versa. So today we're talking about how to navigate any trust gaps you may have with your spouse, how to start the conversation about it, and rebuild what's been broken so you both feel more connected and secure in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Several types of trust marriages need, and why they matter The side effects of missing trust Simple steps to catch a trust slip-up so that trust is not broken Specific trust-killers you need to avoid How to build trust - and keep it *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "It helps to build trust if you accept me as I am, not as you wish I would be." - Lindsay Few "I may not even be aware if I did something that affected the trust, and I want to know." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If it's important to her and it keeps coming up, I want her to tell me about it." Dr. Kim Kimberling "I'd be so offended when he didn't trust me, but when I think about the reality, I wasn't trustworthy." - Lindsay Few "Trust is between two people. It's not just your perception of yourself." - Lindsay Few "It's not like we quit making mistakes, it's just that we handle them differently now." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: What would happen if you took the next 4 weeks to reframe your spouse and your marriage with a biblical approach? Cultivate a better perspective – and a better marriage, with our Reframing Challenge Sign up HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode Does your sex life need a reboot? Improve your sex life with our Locking Lips Kissing Game! If your marriage has been damaged by porn, the Marriage Undefiled Online Course provides a path to rebuild trust and repair your marriage. Click HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode! The free printable Weekly Check Up is a simple way to keep short accounts and keep building trust.

Does lust have a place in marriage? What sets it apart from sexual desire? Today we're working through the reasons this question matters for your marriage, and how to have a marriage that glorifies God in every aspect, including how you steward your sexual desires. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Defining the difference between lust and desire, biblically The godly purposes for sexual desire in marriage Specific reasons why misused sexual desire is destructive How to maintain purity in marriage Why porn affects your marriage even if your spouse doesn't know you use it *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Lust is more about what you see, what you're attracted to and what it can do for you." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "In the Bible, it's not like they lived in a Puritanical culture at that time. No, it was probably every bit as bad…we just access things in a different way now." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If we look at Scripture, lust was never mentioned in a positive light." - Lindsay Few "We won't ever clear that bar, but he's taken care of it through his life, death and resurrection, so there is grace and forgiveness." - Lindsay Few "The best sex is within the context of a Christian marriage." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If it's reduced to that 'just get it over with' kind of situation, whoa. Red flag. The goal is not just to satisfy the urge, the goal is mutual enjoyment, pleasure, connection and building of the marriage." - Lindsay Few "Vulnerability is uncomfortable, but it can lead you to prevent something a lot more painful." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: If your marriage has been damaged by porn, our free 5 Steps to Healing After Porn Betrayal webinar with Dr. Kim is a great first step toward healing Our Marriage Undefiled Online Course with Matt Cline takes a deeper look at ways to heal and restore your marriage Sign up HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode Getting Your Sex Life Off To A Great Start by Cliff & Joyce Penner The Gift of Sex by Cliff & Joyce Penner The Best Way to Affair Proof Your Marriage (Past Episode) Does your sex life need a reboot? Improve your sex life with our Locking Lips Kissing Game!

Most couples are not going to be completely aligned with sex drive. There are a lot of factors that can cause this, but there are also a lot of solutions! Today we want to equip you to have a productive approach to making your sex life the best it can be in marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why is it so hard to have a productive conversation about sex? Should the lower-drive spouse "just do it" for the spouse's sake? Why or why not? Why respecting your wife's drive level helps her feel sexy Ways to respect your spouse's drive *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: What would happen if you took the next 4 weeks to reframe your spouse and your marriage with a biblical approach? Learn how to have a better perspective – and a better marriage, with our Reframing Challenge Does your sex life need a reboot? Improve your sex life with our Locking Lips Kissing Game! If your marriage has been damaged by porn, the Marriage Undefiled Online Course provides a path to rebuild trust and repair your marriage. Click HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode!

Do you hope to break generational patterns of pain? Are childhood hurts haunting your marriage? Today's guest Kristen Hallinan is a writer and speaker, and today she helps you see how to identify and break generational patterns to find hope, healing and redemption. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How your past trauma can affects your current reactions What makes it so hard to break cycles Red flags of unhealthy family dynamics How to work with God to find his redemption Steps to making a redemption plan for your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "It can be easy to say, 'Why didn't I know better?' You didn't know better because that's all you knew." - Kristen Hallinan "The more I've gotten to know who God is, the more I understand who I am."- Kristen Hallinan "I used to believe if I just tried hard enough, I could grow up and create this perfect family." - Kristen Hallinan MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Sign up HERE to get the Couple's Conversation Guide for each week's new episode Learn more about how to make your marriage conflict healthy by joining Dr. Kim for the 8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar Dr. Kim recommends the book, The Body Keeps the Score Grab Kristen's book, Legacy Changer for more great info on the topic Follow Kristen on Instagram and check out her website

Today we are sharing the final episode with Kathy McAtee Young and her story of finding safety after decades in an abusive marriage. In this episode Kathy shares some of the barriers that prevent spouses in abusive marriages from seeking safety and help, ways to begin moving out of the abusive relationship, and the ways healing begins afterward. Don't miss the conclusion to Kathy's story. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Reasons that abused spouse don't trust their own judgment Steps to get out of an abusive marriage Is it ever appropriate to intervene if you believe someone is being abused? What the process of healing looks like after you get safe *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "One of the hallmarks of an unsafe relationship is confusion." - Kathy McAtee Young "God sees you. He cares. And he is faithful." - Kathy McAtee Young "We don't want your pity. Compassion, yes. There is a difference." - Kathy McAtee Young "Healing is a lifestyle, not a finish line." - Kathy McAtee Young "When you can name it, then you can process it." - Kathy McAtee Young MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline : 800-799-7233 https://www.thehotline.org/ Visit Kathy's website to learn about the helpful resources and services she offers Kathy can also be reached for coaching on Instagram This previous episode explains a Biblical perspective on abuse Lies That Keep You With Your Abuser with Dr. David E Clarke | Ep. 541

Today in Part 2 of Kathy's story, Kathy shares the ways she sought support from the church when she realized her marriage was in trouble, the responses she received, and the effects that had on her marriage. In this episode Kathy shares why it's not possible for the abused spouse to end the abuse, and the difference between biblical versus unbiblical advice about abuse. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Interventions the church put in place, and why they were not successful The wake up moment that turned things around for Kathy What is an appropriate response to spousal abuse? The red flags that advice or counsel about abuse is unbiblical *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Red flags that advice or counsel about abuse is unbiblical They won't call out that abuse is abuse They will not call the abuse sin The safety of the abused spouse is not top priority There is no call for repentance They advise you to stay, regardless Blaming the abused for the abuse QUOTES "There is one person responsible for abuse: It is the abuser." - Kathy McAtee Young "The Bible definitely commands forgiveness. It does not command reconciliation." - Kathy McAtee Young MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline : 800-799-7233 https://www.thehotline.org/ Visit Kathy's website to learn about the helpful resources and services she offers Kathy can also be reached for coaching on Instagram This previous episode explains a Biblical perspective on abuse Lies That Keep You With Your Abuser with Dr. David E Clarke | Ep. 541

When does an unhealthy marriage become an abusive marriage? Where can you go when you need to get out? In today's episode we hear part 1 of Kathy's real marriage story. Kathy shares how she came to believe that divorce was the most God-honoring option in her situation, and how she found safety after 30+ years in an emotionally abusive marriage. We are so grateful to Kathy for generously sharing her story. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Dispelling myths about who falls into abuse Why marriage counseling does not work in abusive marriages How Kathy learned her marriage was abusive Why she stayed as long as she did, and why she later divorced *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: This previous episode defines a clear Biblical perspective on abuse: Lies That Keep You With Your Abuser with Dr. David E Clarke | Ep. 541 QUOTES "I want to debunk the myth that abused women are poorly educated, lower income, women who can easily be taken advantage of. That's just not accurate." - Kathy McAtee Young "Within the first year, I knew we had trouble…" - Kathy McAtee Young "Marriage counseling does not work if there's abuse involved. I know that now." - Kathy McAtee Young "Most people who are narcissists are really good at it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You have this idea that, 'If she could fix all these things, then I wouldn't be this way.' That's the blame shifting." - Kathy McAtee Young "The heart of abuse is power and control. Everything else is tactics." - Kathy McAtee Young

Do you fight fair, or do you wish there was a referee to call a stop to the foul play when you argue with your spouse? Ground rules are an important step toward having healthy marriage conflict, so today Dr. Kim will spell out how to make sure you're fighting fair in your marriage. We want to empower you to fight fair, and resolve issues in a kind and loving way. If you need help to fight fair and truly resolve issues without making things worse, you will love today's conversation. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The DOs and DON'Ts of fighting fair The side effects of unhealthy conflict A healthy way to "let it all out" Can honesty go too far? How do you know? Tips to the reconnection process - how to make up well *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "We both learned we needed to reconnect and apologize, but sometimes we werent' ready to take that step at the same time. We had to learn that somebody needs to take the step. It doesn't really matter who started the fight or who was wrong." "Taking responsibility is huge. Owning your part in it, even if you think you only did 10%, you still did 10%." "What are you sorry for? Be very specific in what you did and why you're taking responsibility." "I say it a lot: One of the best gifts you can give your marriage is to learn how to resolve conflict." Forgiveness and apologies need to have no strings attached. It's just that I choose to do this. We're not just trying to clear a slate so our spouse stops bugging us. Have you repented before the Lord? That's where this starts. We are accountable to Him before being accountable to our spouse. Did I just treat my spouse in the way He would have me treat them? If not, I need to take that up with Him QUESTIONS FOR YOU When you really think about it, how did it affect your spouse when you had this conflict? Repentance. Learning from the mistakes made and committing to work on them together. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more about how to make your marriage conflict healthy by joining Dr. Kim for the 8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar Our Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet is your quick guide to get marriage conflict on the right track. If you're ready to learn how to do conflict well, the Conflict Resolution Guide helps you diagnose the problem areas in your marriage, then learn the steps to resolve them. TODAY is the last day for our 7 Most Popular Resource Bundle! Don't miss the chance to get 7 of our most-loved resources for 1 donation of ANY amount in support of the ministry of Awesome Marriage! Get all the details here!

Sick of the same old fights over and over with your spouse? Learn to de-escalate marriage fights and resolve issues in a healthy and helpful way. Conflict in marriage is inevitable, but the way you handle it is what matters most. Learning to deal with it well will benefit your marriage in so many ways! Tune in today to learn how. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Common conflict pitfalls to avoid The problem with "winning" marriage fights Tips to help you break the fighting cycle What to do if one spouse is not ready to reconnect DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Are you stuck in a conflict cycle? If so, work together to identify what's triggering it. Choose 1 tip from Dr. Kim's list below that you will both agree to use this week. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When we try our best to avoid conflict, we're not really equipping ourselves with the skills to handle it well." - Lindsay Few "Awareness gives you some insight that can really be useful." Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more about how to make your marriage conflict healthy by joining Dr. Kim for the 8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar Our Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet is your quick guide to get marriage conflict on the right track. If you're ready to learn how to do conflict well, the Conflict Resolution Guide helps you diagnose the problem areas in your marriage, then learn the steps to resolve them. It's here! Our 7 Most Popular Resource Bundle is LIVE! That means you can get 7 of our most-loved marriage building resources by making 1 donation of ANY amount to support the ministry of Awesome Marriage! The bundle is available for a limited time only. Get all the details here!

Learn how conflict can create a deeper connection between you and your spouse. Today's special guest, marriage coach Dana Che is very open about the struggles her marriage faced. In today's episode she shares her marriage story, what got them through, and how you can use the conflict you face in marriage to draw you toward deeper connection. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What we can learn from our conflict triggers How to deal with different conflict styles in marriage Steps to break generational cycles in your marriage The power of speaking life to our spouse and our marriage How being emotionally unavailable tends to show up in husbands and in wives & what to do about it *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "As a wife, I knew I couldn't change my husband … but that didn'' keep me from trying." Dana Che "When you actually engage in conflict, you can start to learn more about your spouse, what's important to them." -Dana Che "You've got to feed the right things if you want to change the wrong things." - Dana Che "Just like you learned that bad behavior, you can unlearn it and learn something new." Dana Che "True repentance is visible." Dana Che "What we believe, we will begin to speak. What we speak, we will begin to behave." Dana Che QUESTIONS FOR YOU What does your most recent marriage conflict reveal about what's most valuable to you? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find more from Dana at DanaChe.com, where you can take her "Connection Check" quiz Listen to the "Real Relationship Talk" podcast Joining Marriage Changers now means you score a huge haul of marriage-building goods when our annual *7 Most-Popular Resource Bundle* goes live on April 2nd!

Why do Christians need counseling? Isn't the Gospel enough to transform us? We hear these questions fairly often. Today Dr. Kim and special guest Jason VanRuler dive deeper into these questions and the conversation about the role of therapy and counseling in a life devoted to following Jesus. Don't miss this helpful conversation! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How often do clients have no idea that they haven't gotten past their past? Unexpected ways your past might be showing up & affecting your marriage today Updating the negative messages we believe about ourselves The effect of vulnerability on our marriage connection *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Where there's a disconnect in relationships, it's often a disconnect from the system we witnessed growing up and what we're trying to make happen today." - Jason VanRuler "When we get comfortable, the old ways seep out to the surface." - Jason VanRuler "Every time a client says a negative message about themselves, I ask, is that the message you think God gave you?" - Jason VanRuler "One of my great joys is working with people to eliminate distractions so they can focus on the truth and live the life God has called them to."- Jason VanRuler "If we want to feel connected and we're not feeling connected, a lot of times that emotional intimacy and depth is the missing link." - Jason VanRuler "When we get vulnerable and honest, it attracts intimacy from our partner and we have a different relationship." - Jason VanRuler "The marriage we want is often on the other side of vulnerability. We just don't often know how to get there."- Jason VanRuler QUESTIONS FOR YOU Do you recognize any ways you haven't gotten past your past? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get Jason's book, Get Past Your Past His site: https://www.jasonvr.com/ If you're ready to heal your marriage from p*rn, join us for the "5 Steps to Healing After P*rn Betrayal" LIVE webinar. Joining Marriage Changers now means you score a huge haul of marriage-building goods when our annual *7 Most-Popular Resource Bundle* goes live on April 2nd!

Are you a man living in the stress bubble? It's when the years of marriage, career building and raising kids all happen at once. You're figuring everything out, trying to be there for it all, and it. Is. Stressful. If you're there, you want to hear from a godly dad who has been there. We're so happy to share this conversation with Jim Ramos. Jim's wisdom and experience will equip and encourage you to be the husband and dad you want to be. Don't miss this episode. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Jim defines the 4 phases of fatherhood Advice for the dad who never had a role model to guide him Common mistakes dads make in the "stress bubble" years Types of provision that the family needs from a husband / father 3 easy things Jim did that he recommends for all couples *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Whether we tell our kids that we've made mistakes or not, they're still noticing. Especially during those teen years." - Jim Ramos "Our families require much more than physical provision. The damage most men do has nothing to do with physical provision; it has to do with heart care and soul care." Jim Ramos "You don't have to be flashy. You don't have to be Superman. You just have to show up." - Jim Ramos "As men we have to realize our wife is the most important person on the planet, and it's our job to make one person feel special." - Jim Ramos "You will not be remembered for what you did 9-5, you will be remembered for what you did 5-9." - Jim Ramos QUESTIONS FOR YOU Jim shared 5 traits that set a "man" apart from a "male": Protect integrity Fight apathy Pursue God passionately Lead courageously Finish strong each day Which one of these is God calling you to grow in today? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find Jim online @ https://meninthearena.org/ On instagram @themeninthearena Get the book Strong Men Dangerous Times Listen to the Men in The Arena Podcast

Dr. Kim has said that prayer is the #1 most impactful thing you can do for your marriage. Today he explains why that is, and how to make it a habit in your marriage. Today we want to make praying with your spouse more approachable by sharing 4 biblical prayers to pray with your spouse that will grow your marriage. The Bible lists a lot of reasons for marriage, and praying in line with God's purpose and intention for marriage is very powerful. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why prayer is an essential act of spiritual protection against the enemy Why it's so hard to get started, and how to overcome Healthy perspective shifts praying will provide in your marriage How to handle some of the uncomfortable realities of answered prayers The power of prayer to help you take personal responsibility *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Praying together puts God where he wants to be in our marriage: Right in the center of it. - Dr. Kim Kimberling "The enemy does not want Christian marriages to work." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "When you pray together you find that it unites you." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "There's a ripple effect: It's not just about the couple, it's about the family; it's about the community." - Lindsay Few "I am more of who God created me to be after being married to Nancy all these years than I would have been without her." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "God put us together. He's got some fun stuff for us to do. Let's look out and let's get this stuff going!" - Lindsay Few Blame is a very human response…but we all have a way we can influence the world. We do have control over how we're responding to God's call on us." - Lindsay Few QUESTIONS FOR YOU 4 Prayers to Pray together: Protection from the enemy of our souls That your marriage will sharpen you Pray that your marriage be fruitful That your marriage will be a light MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Our 21 Prayers for Building An Awesome Marriage makes it simple to make prayer a regular part of your marriage Find more prayers to grow your marriage in the 7 Prayers YouVersion Bible reading plan

When we pray, it can be tempting to make our prayers a wishlist. But praying in line with God's word changes things, and today we're talking about why that matters and how to pray biblically for your marriage. Today Dr. Kim shares 4 prayers that line up with Scripture that you can be praying daily to grow you, and your marriage! Don't miss this powerful episode. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why it matters to pray biblically What makes a prayer biblical The risk involved in praying these things, and the reward they provide How these prayers have impacted Dr. Kim and Nancy's marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES We've probably all heard some things taught, or caught, that were not biblical. We've heard ideas like, 'If God loves you, He'll make you happy,' or 'If you marry the right person, marriage will be easy,' that do not line up with Scripture."- Lindsay Few "Trusting him may be the hardest first step for some of us, because we're not sure what he'll do." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Sometimes the prayer we want answered is just the thing that's easiest for us." - Lindsay Few "He's always good, even though we don't see it at times." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Each of us can be thankful that God knows not only what's best for us, but for the whole world. We don't have to be burdened with that. He's got that." - Lindsay Few "If you're lining up with what God states in his word that He wants to have happen, that's going to be really powerful." - Lindsay Few "We can't hide anything from God." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Sexual desire is created for a reason. It's not a secret from God." - Lindsay Few 4 Prayers to Grow You and Your Marriage: Pray that God will help you love like Christ loved. Ask God to search you, know your heart, and reveal any offensive way. Pray that your desire will be for your spouse only. Ask God to help you see your spouse as He does. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Make prayer a regular part of your marriage with our 21 Prayers for Building An Awesome Marriage If your marriage is struggling to recover after infidelity, please check out our Affair Recovery Course. For less than the cost of 2 counseling sessions, this course helps you learn and take the needed steps to healing. If porn has damaged your marriage, please take advantage of these resources we've created just for you: The Marriage Undefiled Course Dr. Kim's podcast episode with Matt Cline Find more prayers to grow your marriage in the 7 Prayers YouVersion Bible reading plan

What does it look like to live in intimacy with God each day? We are delighted to have Faith Eury Cho with us today, sharing about what friendship with God means, even in the "wilderness" times in our lives. Faith is the CEO and founder of the Honor Summit, a gospel preacher, and author of the new book, Experiencing Friendship with God: How the Wilderness Draws Us to His Presence. Faith does a great job de-mystifying this lofty topic, so you don't want to miss this conversation. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What does "friendship with God" actually mean? Practical ways to "practice God's presence," even if it seems out of reach How friendship with God impacts marriage How to grow spiritually with your spouse Ways to take these concepts into parenting / grandparenting How to navigate the wilderness seasons of our faith *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Sometimes without even knowing, we believe so that God can give us a better life." - Faith Eury Cho "Friendship with God is just intimacy on a day to day level." Faith Eury Cho "We need to really redefine what experience actually means. Because if we go into any relationship, any - our spouse, our kids, our friends - having a set agenda of what experiencing that relationship should look like to us, it can be very unhealthy really quick." - Faith Eury Cho "Start simple. Start with something that is a natural offshoot to your regular rhythms of life." - Faith Eury Cho "I remember moments I would tell God, 'I don't have a prayer to pray, I don't have a song to sing, but I'm here.'" - Faith Eury Cho "God cares about every little thing, and we want to give him the opportunity to show us that." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Some of us are friends with fear, not the presence of God, and I think we've got to break up with our fear!" - Faith Eury Cho QUESTIONS FOR YOU What is one way you and your spouse like to worship God together? Have you seen God move during a 'wilderness' season? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find Faith on Instagram or at her website, www.faitheurycho.com Grab Faith's book, Experiencing Friendship with God: How the Wilderness Draws Us to His Presence. Our 2 Week Couples Scripture Challenge is a practical tool to help you get in the Word with your spouse each day. Find out more here! Our House Prayer Cards are one of our best-loved resources, making it simple to use mundane moments for godly purpose in your home. Learn more HERE! If you'd like to get each of our monthly marriage resources delivered directly to your inbox, while also supporting the non-profit ministry of Awesome Marriage, it's time to become a Marriage Changer! Get all the details here.

How's the romance in your marriage? How does it compare to when you were dating? (… and does that matter?) Romance can fall by the wayside in marriage because it seems like an "extra" that you'll get around to when you have extra time or money, or if you feel inspired to make a grand gesture. But today Dr. Kim shares several reasons NOT to let that be the case in your marriage. Listen to learn why you need to bring the romance back and HOW to realistically make that happen. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Dr. Kim shares specific ways romance benefits a marriage What does romance look like for men vs. for women? What to do if you're just not feeling it Whose job is it to make sure the romance is good? *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Most people would say at some point it was there. So how do you get it back?" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We kind of quit doing romantic things because we're not feeling it. Sometimes we have to go ahead and do them, so that we feel it again." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Marriage is a lot better when you've got romance in it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I think we'd like it to come naturally, like it does in the movies "It's ok to have the conversation. We have to get past the mindset of, 'If you really loved me, you'd know.'" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Romance is a great way to show your spouse, I see you, I appreciate you, and I care about what you care about." Lindsay Few QUESTIONS FOR YOU Have you talked about romance with your spouse? Ask them: What is sexy to you? What is romantic to you? Don't judge their answers! Answers may change over time, so check in every now and then. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - The ❤️‍🔥Sexy Bundle❤️‍helps bring the romance riiight on home! Get all the details about this limited time Bundle HERE!

Whether you love it or hate it, you spend the majority of your waking hours doing it. And as today's guest tells us, it's mentioned over 800 times in the Bible: We're talking about work. That's why we're so pleased to have Jordan Raynor join us on the podcast today to talk about how your work matters to God - today, every day of your life, and for eternity. This conversation will leave you inspired and encouraged to engage well with the word God is calling you to do, every single day. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: 3 ways your everyday work matters for eternity Why Jordan advocates for making an "Anti-Bucket List" The Biblical truths of Heaven & Eternity that NO ONE is talking about The "abridged Gospel" that most of us believe & the implications we miss if we do The practical ways these deep biblical truths will impact your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "When we understand what God's word has to say about work, it frees us up to be exceptional both at work and at home." - Jordan Raynor "While God's word is clear that our labor in the Lord is not in vain, it also makes clear that GOd doesn't need you or me - His purposes will not be thwarted. He does not need us, he wants us." - Jordan Raynor "I can be at peace walking away from my work at the end of the day … because I know that if the things on my to - do list are on God's to - do list, he's going to complete them with or without me. That's terrifically freeing." - Jordan Raynor "Scripture mentions work more than 800 times. There's no need to doubt whether or not God cares about your work." - Jordan Raynor "When you understand that 100% of your time at home and at work matters to God, you become fully alive. And this world is desperate to see people that are fully alive." Jordan "I went to Christian school for 13 years. And I remember frequently sitting in chapel, and quietly dreading the thought of heaven. "We are called to keep watch for Christ's return, not by sitting on our hands and waiting for heaven to drop from the sky, but by working with our hands and joining him in cultivating heaven on earth today." - Jordan Raynor QUESTIONS FOR YOU How does the Biblical idea of stewarding your time change your daily work life?

Work - life balance is not limited to the workplace: It's also the work of running a home, and it's a challenge for most couples to share this load well. Today Dr. Kim is sharing some of his best tips for finding balance in the home. The struggle to find work - life balance does not end when you get home in the evening. Taking care of a home and family is a huge portion of our workload that you can't ignore. But you can find ways to handle it well – TOGETHER! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Tips for spouses who work outside the home Tips for those who work from home Tips for stay-at-home parents Signs you & your spouse need to work toward better balance The need for boundaries to help with balance; how to work on them together What to do if you get stuck, or if you've tried to address things and it's not working *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES Resolving conflict doesn't have to be a bad thing. It takes work, but when you talk and listen well, you'll find that most things, you can resolve. - Dr. Kim Kimberling At the end of your life, you're not going to look back and say, "I wish I'd looked at my phone a few more times." - Dr. Kim Kimberling If you get stuck, it's ok to get help. - Dr. Kim Kimberling The things that matter work themselves out in the very small details of life. - Lindsay Few Maybe you think everyone else is doing it all, so you're trying to do it all. I don't think that's realistic or healthy. - Lindsay Few It's easy to fall in those traps and not really know that you've even fallen into them. - Dr. Kim Kimberling We have to make sure we're saying what we mean and what we need instead of just hoping our spouse catches the hint. - Lindsay few QUESTIONS FOR YOU Is the workload in your home balanced? Do you have a mentor couple in your life? Are your boundaries with tech (screentime, phones) working well? Talk with your spouse and rate how you're doing with work / life balance together, on a scale of 1-10? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get all the details about our limited time Sexy Bundle HERE Team You & Me For more help with setting healthy boundaries, listen to our Boundaries Series: Boundaries For Your Marriage: What They Are and Why They Are Important | Ep. 544 Boundaries Within Your Marriage | Ep. 546 Boundaries Outside Your Marriage | Ep. 547 How to Set Marriage Boundaries | Ep. 548 Boundaries & Marriage: What NOT to Do | Ep. 550 Real Stories of Healthy Marriage Boundaries | Ep. 551 Boundaries Q & A | Ep. 552 Boundaries Course

Practically speaking, balance is hard to find, and even harder to maintain. While work-life balance is a very common issue, it IS possible to alleviate unnecessary stress and find better balance. In today's episode Dr Kim will share practical tips to help you find that balance. Dr. Kim shares some of the common pain points that he sees couples facing, and some of the best ways he's seen to deal with those. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Tips to help you handle the stress between spouses so that your marriage tension doesn't add onto the stress of work-life balance Some early signs of burnout you cannot afford to ignore The importance of making peace with imperfection Helpful perspective tips for both career and extracurricular commitments Practical tips for work-from-home balance Subscribe to Podcast Email to make sure you never miss an episode. When you sign up, you will get our 4 Week Connection Challenge for free! Plus you will get noteworthy quotes, resources, and more delivered straight to your inbox. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "I was saying no to my family a lot because I was saying yes to all these other things." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Figure out who you are, who you're working for, what do you really want, and what do you need to get there. Sometimes we get on that treadmill and we just keep going." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I think it is changing, but there's still a culture that glorifies overwork, burnout and hustle. It can be hard to step out of that because it feels important to be in it." - Lindsay Few "We have a God that is bigger than my mistakes and imperfections. If I really think the world depends on me being perfect, then I've got a problem." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "You don't just get balanced and stay balanced forever. It's a constant work in progress." - Lindsay Few "We look around and everyone's dealing with this, so we just think this is normal. If something has resonated with you, it's okay to acknowledge that you want things to go better." - Lindsay Few QUESTIONS FOR YOU 4 reflection questions to help you move forward: What worked, what do I want to do more of, what didn't work, what do I want to do less of? God wants you to thrive. Trust that when you seek these answers, He will answer. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: We mentioned this podcast episode with Gary Thomas Get all the details about our limited time Sexy Bundle HERE Learn more about what makes expectations healthy in "Unpack Your Expectations, Unfrustrate Your Life" and try a week of Online Women's Bible Study, FREE!

Does your home echo with the sounds of sibling squabbles? Do you wish for more connection with your kids? If so, today's episode is for you! Don & Suzanne Manning, the founders of Crazy Cool Family, are passionate about equipping Christian families with strategies to cultivate a family culture they ALL enjoy living with! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Effective ways to protect kids from screen & tech temptations Where to invest your time and energy for the best parenting outcomes - and where NOT to The goal of disciplining our kids and how to work toward it *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "Don't look at the outside and all the fearful things - don't waste your time and energy there: You're going after your kids' heart." - Suzanne Manning "Kids are wired to want us on their team. They want our input. " - Suzanne Manning "Control is based in fear, and connection is based in love." - Don Manning "Most people try to control, because we don't know what to do. But it doesn't work." Dr Kim Kimberling "We never tell parents they need to work harder. They need to work differently. Becoming an encourager and being a listener are two ways to do that." - Don Manning "Our children are going to go where the encouragement is." - Suzanne Manning "Because of technology and culture, connection today is more important than it's ever been." - Don Manning "The goal of discipline is self-control. When situations come up, they are opportunities to build self control in my kids. Opportunities to build them up for the next stage of life." - Don Manning QUESTIONS FOR YOU Do you lean more toward connection, or control? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find more resources and info from Don & Suzanne at CrazyCoolFamily.com Listen to the Crazy Cool Family Podcast Reduce unnecessary arguments, decrease stress in your home, develop better understanding of your spouse, AND strengthen your bond as a couple with THIS: Our 30-Day Communication Challenge! Need more communication help? Sign up here to save your spot for Dr. Kim's FREE webinar, "7 Common Communication Mistakes Couples Make" Questions about gaslighting, narcissism and blame? Submit them anonymously HERE or DM us on Instagram. Dr. Kim will answer them in an upcoming episode

Are you uncertain with your food choices or unhappy with your body? Is it possible to truly be at peace with food and your body? If you're not comfortable with your body, this will spill over into your marriage. Gaining a biblical perspective with this will help you heal your relationship with your body and food choices, and in turn, your marriage. Today we are delighted to have Brittany Braswell joining us to tackle these personal and often painful topics, and share hope, help, and Biblical perspective on these topics. Brittany is a Registered Dietician, Christian speaker and host of the Joy-Filled Eater Podcast, and a wealth of wisdom and encouragement on navigating these challenging topics. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What does Scripture actually say about body image? How our view of our body impacts our marriage Brittany's 1st priority for her clients' nutrition – this might surprise you! Tips to handle food choices if you and your spouse are not on the same page Ways to support your spouse if they are struggling in this area Ways to ask for your spouse's support if you're struggling in this area *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "So much of it is our perception: If I see my body negatively, then I'm assuming my spouse does too." - Brittany Braswell "So much of the conversation around body image is very me-centric, not Christ centric." - Brittany Braswell "The Lord blessed us with this variety of flavors and gave us taste buds to be able to enjoy them!" - Brittany Braswell "It's ok to ask for help. You don't have to meet a certain criteria to deserve some support." - Brittany Braswell "We can eat in a way that helps our bodies to thrive so that our bodies don't become the thing that holds us back from fulfilling the calling and purpose God has placed on our lives." - Brittany Braswell QUESTIONS FOR YOU If it's hard for you to believe it when your spouse says they are attracted to you, dig a little deeper: Why is it hard to believe? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: For more wisdom on these topics, listen to Brittany's podcast, The Joy Filled Eater Here's the episode on gluttony she mentioned in today's conversation with Dr. Kim Find Free Resources as well as coaching, courses & community on Brittanys' website BrittanyBraswellRD.com Facebook Support Group: Food Freedom and Body Image Support for Christian Women Follow her on Instagram

If you want to avoid communication breakdowns in your marriage, today's episode is for you! Today, Dr. Kim is going to share 3 very common mistakes he sees as he counsels couples, so that you can avoid them! Whether you need a total overhaul or just a few friendly reminders, today's episode has practical, actionable advice that will help you improve the communication in your marriage. Are you making the same mistakes most couples make with communication? Dr. Kim has pretty much seen it all, and today he is going to help you avoid those mistakes, and build better communication instead. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: 3 of the most common mistakes Dr. Kim sees over and over with couples he counsels: Blame, discounting, and distraction. The impact each of these mistakes has on a spouse and marriage The practical steps to avoid each of these communication pitfalls *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES When you resolve conflict, both of you have to take responsibility for your part in it. I've never seen an issue where 1 person was 100% responsible. - Dr. Kim I think it's easy for us to rationalize, fool ourselves, and take the time to think it through. - Dr. Kim I've done it, I've seen it in other wives: It's easy for us in parenting to discount our husband's opinion. - Lindsay Listen in a way that you can let them know you heard what they said. - Dr. Kim As a parent with kids in the home, it's great to have the reminder that they are benefitting from us putting boundaries that let us have an adult relationship with our spouse. As important as they are to us, we should value showing them that solid foundation and modeling marriage for them. - Lindsay I identify with all three of these, I've done them all. I'ts not something you just get right then coast, you have to stay on top of it. - Dr. Kim QUESTIONS FOR YOU Do you use "I" statements to communicate what you need with your spouse? For example: Instead of, "You always ignore me when I'm talking," say, "I feel hurt when you scroll on your phone when I'm talking. I want to know that you care about what I have to say." MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Need more communication help? Sign up here to save your spot for Dr. Kim's FREE webinar, "7 Common Communication Mistakes Couples Make" Questions about gaslighting, narcissism and blame? Submit them anonymously HERE or DM us on Instagram. Dr. Kim will answer them in an upcoming episode Want to reduce unnecessary arguments, decrease stress in your home, develop better understanding of your spouse, OR just strengthen your bond as a couple? Our 30-Day Communication Challenge is for you! With Dr. Kim's One Thing email, you'll get one practical tip each weekday to build your marriage. The Marriage Multiplier is a quick weekly email that gives you practical ways to be intentional to grow your marriage. Sign up HERE!