Behind Our Smiles Marriage Podcast

One easy and fun activity Joe and I both enjoy is reading together! There are so many books we've read that have sparked great discussions or even just gave us a good laugh. In this episode, we discuss a few books we've read that have really impacted us. The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis The Body Keeps the Score Hope is the First Dose Orthodoxy The Deepest Place To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Do you remember those times when you missed someone you love? When you felt like couldn't spend another minute without them being nearby? Even though it can be painful, missing each other is a result loving and being loved! Telling each other "I missed you" is a beautiful expression of love! In this week's episode, we're talking about those times when we miss each other! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

It's the season of romance, expectations, and disappointments. Has finding ways to show romance ever been difficult for you and your spouse? We haven't always got romance right either, but it's never too late to learn! In this week's episode we share about our struggle with getting romance right! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

One common barrier to healthy communication is interrupting. In a world overly full of distractions and interruptions, it's getting harder and harder to finish a sentence when you are in a conversation. In this week's episode, we talk about our struggle with interrupting… while trying not to interrupt each other! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Do you like the cold? It's the time of year for us when the temperatures are dropping and it gets cold! The cold can feel miserable! But besides the weather, how does it feel when your spouse is being "cold" with you? When there's a chilliness in your relationship? In this week's episode we're talking about being cold and how to add warmth and heat to your marriage. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

When we see so many people around us hurting, it can feel overwhelming. No one individual can do it all, but we can start with one! Whether we're speaking in a microphone or just a telephone, it always comes down to our impact on one person. And that often is the most rewarding kind of help we can give. Who is that one person that God has put in your path that you can offer hope to? In this episode, we share the value of helping one-on-one and how to impact one child's life through the ministry of One Child. Learn more about child sponsorship here! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Happy New Year!! So it's that time… when many of us are thinking about what goals we have for the new year. No matter how long you've been married, there's always room to grow. In this episode, we discuss some of the ways we want to grow as individuals and as a couple in 2024. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Growing intimacy and connection in your marriage is impossible if all we do is shut each other down. Joe and I fall in that trap when we stay in the mindset of, "That won't work"! In this episode we share a better phrase to use that will build your marriage instead of tearing it down. (In Case You Missed it Ep. #2) To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

This week we want to introduce you to our new friends, Elisabeth Klein and her husband, Buzz. They share the difficult parts of their story with wisdom and grace, a story that includes living in an abusive marriage, separation, and divorce. Their transparency is refreshing as they share the challenges from their first marriages, in their courtship and remarriage, and in blending families. Hear how they moved from brokenness to healing and how God brought them together for a second chance. Elisabeth is an author and speaker at Elisabeth Klein. If you are currently in or are healing from an abusive marriage, or if you are struggling after divorce, she has so many resources to remind you that you are not alone and there is hope. A Few of Elisabeth's Resources: All That to Say Podcast Are you separated or divorced or a single mom? *Elisabeth's book, Unraveling: Hanging Onto Faith Through the End of a Christian Marriage *Lies We Tell Ourselves webcast *3-month e-course, Marriage Methods (for women in difficult marriages- now pay what you can) *3-month e-course, Heartbreak to Hope (for women who are separated or divorced) If you're in a difficult marriage with biblical grounds to divorce and you're trying to decide whether to stay or go, check out her 5-week e-course, Decision Time. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Merry Christmas!! We hope you're having a beautiful Christmas season with your family! We wanted to take a quick moment to say hi, wish you a Merry Christmas and share some good news in our family's lives! If this season has been hard for you, please check out Episode 9, Why don't you like Christmas? If you're looking for a fresh way to hear the story of Jesus with your family, check out the In Fulfillment podcast! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Maybe you're in the middle of your Christmas season wondering how your schedule got so packed. Looking ahead, all you see expectation to do more. If that's where you are, join us this week as we talk about the value of doing less! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

During the holiday season, we often hear the question, what do you want for Christmas? What is it that we really want, in our lives, or in our marriages? Are we wanting the right things? And what happens when we don't get what we want? In this episode, we talk about what it is we really want and how to rightly order our desires. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

When we get married, my story and your story merge together to make our story. Have you ever shared your marriage story with anyone else? Do you even agree on what your marriage story is? In this episode we share how we learned to tell our story and the value in sharing it. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! We're hopping in your podcast feed this week to talk briefly about the holiday season and the things we are most thankful for. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Everyone loves a good story. But not all stories are good stories, and many stories are not easy to tell. One secret to intimacy in marriage is knowing each other's stories and those events in our lives that have shaped us. How do we tell each other our stories in ways that are honest and helpful? In this episode we're sharing how we have told our stories to each other. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Stretching our bodies physically allows us to move in ways we haven't moved before and allows us to be more effective and prepared for future activities. But even the simple act of stretching is work and is about being willing to get in positions your body may not be used to! It can be uncomfortable. Relationally, we can experience the same discomfort in our marriages when we are stretched. In this week's episode, we share the ways we stretch each other that have allowed us to grow. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Do you or your spouse struggle with fear? In the second part of "I'm afraid" we continue our conversation about fear. Even though fear is a spiritual battle, that battle also affects our marriages. We may fear different things. We may respond to fear differently. In this episode, we talk about how to support each other in those times we are afraid. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Have you even been afraid? Everyone deals with fear at some point in our lives. And we all have to figure out how to deal with it. In this week's episode we're talking how we have been affected by fear and how we submit those fears to God. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Holding hands is often one of our first of expressions of physical affection. And even though we may be married for many years now, holding hands is a powerful type of nonverbal communication that can help us in our pursuit of connection. What does holding hands communicate to you? To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we are going behind the smiles of authors/speakers, Mark and Jill Savage. After 28 years of marriage, they experienced one of the hardest challenges a marriage can face: infidelity. Mark and Jill share some of the slow fades and the spiritual and emotional battles that preceded the near death of their marriage. Most importantly, they share how they found restoration and healing as they let God transform them into "Mark and Jill 2.0" Jill is the host of the No More Perfect Podcast and the author of twelve books including Real Moms…Real Jesus and No More Perfect Moms. Together Mark and Jill have authored two books, Living With Less So Your Family Has More and No More Perfect Marriages. You can find out more at Markandjill.org To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Have you ever had that moment in your life where all you could manage to say was, Wow, God? We have experienced many moments like that in our lives and it never gets old seeing God at work. In this episode we share some of our favorite Wow God! moments as well as share about the new Wow God Stories podcast. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Many times our differences in marriage is what stands out the most. But it's also helpful to notice the values and goals that we have in common. What are the areas that we should aim to be on the same page? In this week's episode, we're sharing our common values and the times that we both say, "SAME!!" To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Almost very couple has said at some point in their marriage, "We're just so different!!" Our differences can be a major source of conflict, or a source of strength. In this episode, we share some our differences and how they have have learned to lean into them. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram behindoursmiles.com wowgod.com Email: [email protected]

Do you ever have to fix things for your spouse? Modern life means there are lots of things that can break and lots of things that need to be fixed! In this week's episode, we talk about the things we can fix for each other- and the things we can't. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Would you rather go out, or stay home? Many times the answer for us is "stay home" because there's something comforting about being in a place where we can let our hair down and just be. In our marriage, even though we don't always agree about whether to go out or stay in, we both agree on the value of a happy home life. In this week's episode, we talk about creating a home that we want to stay in! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

What kind of school did you go to as a child? Was life pretty easy or was it more often filled with hard knocks? Many of the lessons that school teaches us stay with us for a long time. Especially if your childhood had a lot of hardship, you may end up being more street-smart than book-smart. In this week's episode, we talk about the effects of going to "The School of Hard Knocks." To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Do you like to party? This week is our 100th episode so it's time to celebrate! In honor of this milestone, we are sharing about the value of celebration (and parties) in our marriages! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

The $100,000 Question: do we get a dog? For some couples, this may be an easy answer, but for others, it can be a source of conflict. After twenty years of saying "We're never getting a dog," well, we got a dog. In this episode, we share our story from being a no-dog family to a dog family and how it affected our marriage and family. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Even though we came from different socio-economic backgrounds, Joe and I had similar goals for our finances. But financial pressures and tough decisions can make that difficult to achieve. In this episode, we share the biblical principles we followed to stay out of debt, live on less, and grow our marriage in the process. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Do you and your spouse agree on how the household money should be spent? No two people agree perfectly which means money can be a huge source of conflict! In this episode, we talk about what it means to steward our money together and why we use a budget. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Hear the brand-new podcast called "Wow God Stories", with hosts, Lisa WIlliams and Ann Sorenson. This podcast reminds us of a God who is able, alive, and active in our lives. https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/wow-god-stories/ Click the link, or subscribe on Apple, Google, or Spotify today.

Our special guests today are Larry and Hope Ware, hosts of the popular YouTube Channel, Under the Median. Even though they specialize in helping families with practical frugality and getting out of debt, they also have a lot to share from their 35 years of marriage. From a rocky start to infertility to having babies "past their prime" to major financial hurdles, Larry and Hope have had to lean on God and learn to work together through it all. Join us as they share their wisdom and hear how God has provided for them in every season. Check out Hope and Larry's frugal resources on their website: https://underthemedian.com/ Under the Median YouTube Channel To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Trauma does have far-reaching effects on how we think, feel, and behave. But is the trauma we have experienced the only lens we look through? In this episode, Joe and I discuss the difficult task of discerning between the effects of trauma and our own sinful hearts. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Happy Summer! Instead of bringing you a new episode of our podcast, we want to share with you some of the podcasts we're listening to! If you're looking for other podcasts to binge on, these are a great start! The Unfolding with Meridith Foster (guest: Joe Buchanan) The Unfolding with Meridith Foster (guest: Joe and Tara Buchanan) The Unfolding with Meridith Foster (guest: Scott Spiezio) Manly with Andy (guest: Kenny Luck) Mental Health with Dr. Melissa Mork (guest: Tia) I Love that Song! with Keith Stevens (guest: Danny Gokey) A Widow's Heart with Pam Lundell (guest: Susan Spalding) Learn more at WowGod.com! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

In this episode, we sit down with Chad and Katie Mattson to hear the stories behind their smiles. You may be familiar with Chad Mattson as the lead singer of the band, Unspoken. Their early years of marriage were filled with the stress of life on the road, poverty, and uncertainty, as Chad threw his all into his music. As things began to stabilize, Katie began suffering with debilitating anxiety. This eventually led them to a breaking point where they were forced to re-evaluate priorities and make some tough decisions. Their faith in God and love for each other through it all will inspire and encourage you! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

In recent times, smartphones have become the one thing that consumes most of our attention. Almost everything and every person can be brushed aside when we hear any type of "ding" coming from our phones. How do we give our spouse our undivided attention with all the distractions that these devices bring? It can feel like an impossible task. This week we talk about how not to let our screens and devices pull us away from our husband or wife. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Attention is one of the greatest gifts we can give another person due to the fact that it is such a limited resource. We all only have 24 hours in a day, and we all only have so much mental energy to share with another person. So many other people and things can demand our attention that it can leave our husband or wife feeling lonely. In this week's episode, we talk about how to steward our attention. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Did you have a "good dad"? Are you, or your husband, a good dad? Joe and I have vastly different experiences with our own fathers but we can agree on the characteristics of what makes a good dad. In this episode, we talk about the positive and negative influences our fathers have on us. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Do you enjoy waiting? God often works the most when we are in the "waiting rooms" of life. In this episode, Joe and I share what we learned about waiting during our five-year courtship. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Many of the patterns we have in our relationships have their start in our childhoods. In the book "How We Love", Milan and Kay Yerkovich write about how our differing "love styles" cause conflict in our marriages. In the second part of this series, we talk about how we have used the How We Love principles to understand each other better and strengthen our marriage. How We Love book To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

How do you love? According to Milan and Kay Yerkovich, much of how we love began in our childhood. The patterns we learn from our parents affect our ability to form healthy attachments as adults. In this episode, we talk about the core principles in the Yerkoviches' book, "How We Love", and share how they have played out in our marriage. How We Love book To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

How often do you and your spouse laugh together? In this episode, we talk about laughing AND we share stories from you about how your spouse makes you laugh! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Ladies, do you want to receive a Mother's Day gift from your husband? Even though we are not their mothers, we do need their encouragement! In this episode, we talk about one of the best gifts you can give the mother of your children: unwavering dedication to your family. We share six principles that Joe has practiced in supporting Tara as a mother. M - Model Respect O - Offer Resources T - Talk about the kids H - How can I help? E - Encourage her R - Radical Involvement To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Mother's Day can trigger different feelings for both of us. For Joe, he doesn't like the reminder of what he lost as a child while I love to be celebrated for the role I have played in our children's lives. In this episode, we talk about how Joe's struggle with Mother's Day has impacted our marriage and how we love each other through it. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Is Mother's Day a "loaded" holiday for you or your spouse? Does it bring up emotions and memories you'd rather not deal with? In this episode, Joe shares openly about the scars he still carries from an abusive mother and how he has found healing in Christ. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Almost every relationship has a moment where either person asks for "space". Joe and I have been there and our marriage suffered the most when there was a lack of emotional space. That was hard to learn because it involved laying down self to serve another, and being truly willing to surrender my husband to God rather than insisting I hold the reins all the time. In this episode, we talk about the need for space and what healthy space-giving looks like. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

What do you say about your spouse when they are not around? Do those things we say affect our marriage? In this episode, we share about the power of speaking positively about each other. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Do your emotions ever come out through tears? Do you feel awkward and helpless when your spouse cries? Crying is a very human way of expressing feelings and we don't have to fear our tears. In this episode, we share about when we cry and how to love each other when emotions are raw. To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

Do you ever feel like the world is only filled with bad news? The season of Easter and celebrating Jesus' resurrection is a great reminder that we have the best news we'll ever need. In this episode, we are sharing good news for you and your marriage! To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com

We often think of flirting as something we do as part of the dating process. But flirting with each other doesn't have to end just because we're married. In this episode, we share how to grow romance and connection by being more flirtatious with your spouse. More Info on the DESIRE conference for Higher-Drive Wives: https://hotholyhumorous.com/product/desire-con-2023/ref/TaraB To connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram Or at behindoursmiles.com