The Marriage Prep Podcast

Tyler and Emma share their story of how they met, knew that marriage was right for them and they dive into what their first 6 months of marriage has been like giving advice and guidance to help couples know what to expect.

In this episode we interview BYU professors and married couple Loren and Sandra Marks about their experiences with religion and it's benefits for marriage and families. Loren Marks shares about his extensive research on the topic, and both Loren and Sandra share their thoughts and personal experiences on the matter. You won't want to miss it!

Connect with Alex MartinsenWebsite: Life Performance | Life PerformancePodcast: Life Performance Podcast on Apple PodcastsInstagram: Alex Martinsen (@alexmartinsen_)

In this episode we interview life and leadership coach Kirk Williams along with his wife Tammy who share their story and dive into one of the most important and underrated skills to learn in any successful marriage and that is the skill of listening! They teach the Hug n' Roll method as a great way to practice listening and communication daily with your spouse. This episode will open your eyes to how becoming a better listener will truly change your life and your marriage!

Have you ever noticed that when you're feeling hungry, tired, stressed, anxious, nervous, sad, angry or host of other seemingly negative emotions that you are a lot more irritable and tougher to be around? We definitely have and as we have taken a closer look at ourselves and our recent fights, they are usually because there is an external factor that is causing us to be in a bad mood and take it out on each other. But what if we could avoid those times? What if we learned how to communicate when we are feeling in a negative headspace? That is what this episode is all about, learning to communicate while feeling emotional and learning how to respond when your partner is getting emotional. It's much easier said than done but we are positive that just being aware of your partner's feelings and working on being empathetic will have a massively positive impact on you and your marriage! We hope you enjoy!

Ahh the Friendzone. Normally being friends is great but when you have your heart set on being romantically involved with this person but they just don't feel the same it can be devastating. But is being friends all bad? Can you be friends and also be romantically involved? In our experience, the relationships that are first built on a foundation of friendship end up being the  most successful relationships.In this episode we bring on Janine and Josh Jones who know first hand what is like to be in the friendzone and can now testify of the benefit that their friendship has on their marriage. Just because you are "just friends" with the person your interested in, doesn't mean all is lost, it might just mean that you are in the perfect place for a beautiful marriage! ;)

Most of us have heard that one of the most common causes of divorce is issues with sexual intimacy. While this is true according to most data, have you ever thought that it must also means that the reverse is true? That one of the greatest areas of joy and connection comes through intimacy and vulnerability with your spouse. Sex isn't just something to be ok at so that you don't fall into the divorce statistics but is something that has the power truly change your marriage and your life!That is why we are so excited about this episode with Dan Purcell who shows how we can have that life changing intimacy and even created an amazing tool to help us all get there! We hope you enjoy!Get Connected with DanGet Your Marriage On! - Get Your Marriage On!Download the App!Intimately Us | The fun & sexy app for your marriage!

All of us know about how important it is to be smart with our money and that problems with finances are one of the leading causes of divorce within marriages but what really are we supposed to do? What does it mean to be "smart" with our money? There are so many different resources available that it can get confusing to figure out what steps we need to take so a lot of times we just end up doing what we've already been doing our whole lives without making any changes.That's why in this episode we bring on Financial Advisor Connor Cook to help us navigate through the financial world and discover what is most important for us right now. From saving and budgeting to debt and credit cards to investing and wealth building, Connor goes through the steps he takes with his clients to help them be as successful as possible with their money!Contact Connor for a FREE Consultation:LinkedIn: (23) Connor Cook | LinkedInEmail: Connor@cookfinancialgroupaz.comCell Phone: (480)823-5030

Divorce. The D word. No one gets married thinking their marriage will end in divorce, most people assume their love will last forever. But what if it doesn't? What if you're only 23 and your marriage didn't work out? That's Fischer Timothy's story and on this episode he shares his experiences and lessons for all of our benefit so we can know what to look for in a healthy relationship and what red flags we need to avoid. Fischer identifies the pitfalls that he fell into in his first marriage and provides some incredible lessons that demonstrate why his current marriage is so much stronger and healthier.They say that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond. To be 23 and divorced isn't an ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination but we admire Fischer's resiliency and his ability to take the lessons from his previous marriage, apply them to his current marriage, and move forward as a better man and husband. Our hope is that you take these lessons to heart to help you to be a better and more understanding spouse and person.If you want to get connected with Fischer you can find him on Instagram hereFischer Timothy (@airfish96) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode Nathan and Allie discuss the 3 stages of dating and give their tips, tricks, and advice to help you make the most of each phase. They reveal the favorite dates that they went on and go in depth on the different types of dates you should take each other on. Spoiler alert - some of their favorite dates were FREE! Dating is one of the most important aspects of not only marriage preparation but also on maintaining a strong and healthy relationship after marriage. We hope this episode gets your wheels turning to how you can make the most of your dates. Enjoy!

In-laws: we all have them (or will someday), but a lot of times talking about our relationships with them can be a touchy subject. You've probably heard the horror stories about the helicopter mother-in-law who won't give you any space, or the over-bearing father-in-law who will try to control your lives. Whatever your feelings about in-laws, the more you think about and prepare for life with them the smoother the transition will be and the less conflict you will have in your own marriage.In this episode, we interview two recently married couples, Brayden and Maddi Harris and Brennan and Marriah Starks about their experiences with their in-laws. We hope hearing their stories-- both good and bad-- will show you that 1) you aren't alone in your struggles with in-laws, and that it's totally normal to have them and 2) you can absolutely work things out and have a better experience going forward. We hope you enjoy!To learn more about and get connected with our friends, here are their instagrams: Brayden and Maddi: @M&BHarris Marriah: @marriahstarks@marriah_starks_asthetics

Navigating the world of intimacy and birth control can be overwhelming to say the least. Just finding reliable and appropriate information can be a difficult task in itself! One of the best resources is always to work with your doctor or OBGYN to help point you in the right direction to make sure you're prepared in ready for that special night. That's why in this episode we brought on a special guest in Dr. Mallorie Cracroft who has been working as an OBGYN for nearly 20 years! Mallorie unpacks everything that you need to know from the different types of birth control and their effectiveness to a doctor's tips and tricks for a magical wedding night. This episode is a must listen for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on sexual intimacy and birth control options.To get connected with Mallorie follow her on Instagram Mallorie Cracroft (@malloriecracroftmd)

Believe us, getting married can be really scary. There is an expectation that you need to become an adult and grow up all at once.  You might even think that marriage will be a lot less fun than what your single life. Sometimes this unfortunately is the case but that decisions is completely up to you and your partner! In this episode dating expert and author of “Dating Never Works… Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1000 Dates” Zack Oates and his wife Annie expound on how they make their marriage an adventure every single day and why they wouldn't trade their marriage for 1 million dates!If you're struggling with the thought that getting married needs to change your identity or you will miss out on a lot of fun experiences in your single life then this episode is for you!Learn more about Zack and Anniehttps://www.instagram.com/zackoates/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/heyannieoates/?hl=enhttp://www.bowlofoates.com/Get the Bookhttps://amzn.to/3l1IAnR

As newlyweds, unless we the hit the jackpot with a spouse that loves cooking, we get stuck on a diet of fast food, freezer meals, Ramen and Hot Pockets and just thinking about that diet makes my stomach hurt! But it can be difficult when 1. You don't know what to cook and2. You don't know how to cook it!Not only do we miss out on nutrition with this diet  but we also miss on some incredible opportunities for connectionsHere in this episode, we bring on food and nutrition expect Dana Hunter to help us to become masters of mealtime! We discuss the importance of eating meals together and how make that time as effective as possible. Dana also dives into the "how-to's" giving great tips on specific recipes to make, ways to save money on groceries, and strategies and systems to make meals a breeze! Time to take your food game, and your marriage, to the next level!Learn More about Dana Hunter (byu.edu)

When you think about planning a wedding what do you imagine? Bridezillas? Crazy mothers-in-law? Stress!? In this episode we want to shed some light on our wedding and what we wish we could have done differently as well as provide some tips and tricks to make the wedding a special and unifying time of life and not something that you only causes you extreme anxiety! It's important to remember that the wedding is NOT the most important part but when done right it can become an incredible and memorable experience that gets your marriage started off on the right foot!

Some of the best ways we learn are the through the stories of others in similar positions to us. In this episode Nathan and Allie interview 3 newlywed couples all with less than 6 months of marriage experience to learn from their stories, struggles, and victories. They dive into the topic of expectations and how each of these couple expectations before marriage compared with their reality after marriage. The couples interviewed in this episode areSebastian and Kaylee Stewart Johnson@kay.s.j@realsebastianjames@unifiedallies4changeKate and Drew Davis@drewdavis77Kami and Griffin Haycock@griffinhaycock@kamihaycockLearn more about each of these amazing couples by following them on Instagram.Do you feel like you have a story that needs to be shared? Let us know by sending a direct message on Instagram or emailing us at themarriageprep.podcast@gmail.com

"Good is the enemy of great."-Jim CollinsOne of the biggest barriers to having a great marriage is being content by simply having a good or mediocre marriage. Nate and Angilyn Bagley have dedicated their lives to helping couples escape  mediocre marriage and understand what an extraordinary marriage can mean for your life!In this interview with Nate and Angilyn Bagley, the hosts of the popular podcasts Growth Marriage and Mormon Marriages, they expound on everything from how to know if who you're dating is right for you, lessons they learned from breaking off engagements, the 3 essential pillars to a strong relationship, and the formula for how to have a difficult conversation. This isn't an episode that you will want to miss if you want to have an extraordinary marriage!Learn more about Nate and Angilyn BagleyEscape "Roommate syndrome" and mediocre marriages by Nate's FREE resource AreWeRoommates.comLearn more and listen to their podcasts Growth Marriage and Mormon MarriagesCheck out Nate's TEDx Talk on Youtube - (4) Fight naked! And other epic love strategies | Nate Bagley | TEDxSaltLakeCity 

One of the most important parts of getting married is trying to find a place where the both of you can live and start your lives together. When we are just getting started however, we don't have much experience in this field and it can be tough to know just where to look to get accurate and reliable information.In this episode Nathan interviews his life-long friend and real estate agent Dallas Winberg on the different living options available after marriage. They discuss the pros and cons of living with parents, renting an apartment, and buying a home. They analyze when you should decide to buy your first home and who should be on your team to help you make that decision. They even compare loan options and Dallas gives advanced techniques and strategies that he has used to purchase the properties that he has owned! A great episode to listen to as you enter into the world of marriage and finding a place to call home!To get in touch with Dallas contact him directly through his emaildallas@dallaswinberg.comFollow him on InstagramDallas Winberg Real Estate @winbergrealtyCheck out his websiteDallasWinberg.com

This episode is as close to a free session with a marriage therapist as you can get! Wendi Dunford is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years specializing in individual and couples therapy. Wendi herself said after the episode was recorded, "well there was 20 years of my therapy experience in that episode!" This episode definitely packs a punch and if you zone out for just a second you might miss some life changing advice!Wendi is the same therapist Allie and Nathan met with for their pre-marriage counseling and she is the author of the marriage preparation questions that Allie and Nathan share on their website and throughout the podcast. Whether you are already married or especially if you are preparing to get married there is a ton of value to gain in this episode from Wendi Dunford! If you listen to any episode produced so far, let it be this one. Contact WendiWendi@wdmentalhealth.comLearn more about Wendi and her projectsRealSteps for real healthTherapy Thursdays - Wendi Dunford, LCSWDownload Wendi's Pre Marriage Conversation QuestionsPre-Marriage Conversation Questions - The Marriage Prep PodcastDownload Wendi's 5 Magic Hours5 Magic Hours

You read that right. 240% just through regular church attendance! That's crazy... or is it? When you really think about it, when was the last time you remember a couple that faithfully and continuously attended church and practiced their faith who then got divorced. It does happen for sure but it is much more rare. This is because when you attend church regularly that typically means you are also living life in the way you should according to the principles that God has set out for us! There are so many blessing that come with this lifestyle and marriage stability is at the top of the list!In this episode Allie and Nathan discuss how religious participation can make a massive difference for your marriage! They share some incredible statistics from Marripedia.org that really opened their eyes to the power of spirituality and religion to strengthen marriage. They discuss in depth why religion benefits marriage to such a degree and they give the real, actionable steps you can take now to strengthen your marriage and your relationship with God and your partner!Learn more about our Church!Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints

While you're dating or engaged, you probably don't think too often about how you are going to handle holidays like Christmas once you're married, but you should! Once you get married, you are becoming part of a whole new family with unique traditions and ways of doing things. It's extremely important to have an idea of how you plan to make this most of this because if not, it can easily become one of the most difficult and uncomfortable parts of your marriage!In this episode, Nathan and Allie look to the scriptures to find guidance on how manage life with a new set of parents. They discuss how these relationships should be handled to make the transition as seamless as possible not only for you, but for your parents! They share their personal tips and tricks to making each holiday an actual special occasion and not just a stressful one! This is a fantastic episode to gain deep insights on an often overlooked topic in marriage preparation.

Sexual intimacy is one of the most crucial aspects of having a successful marriage. In many cases sexual intimacy can make or break your marriage! Issues with sexual intimacy is one of the most common culprits in divorce so getting your married life started on the right foot sexually can make all of the difference for your marriage!In this episode Allie and Nathan get personal and talk about the wedding night! If you are saving yourself for marriage like Allie and Nathan did, then this episode will be invaluable for you! It can be difficult to find appropriate and informative resources to learn about sex so Allie and Nathan lay it all out on the table for you! Giving tips on preparation, items to have, good girl/good boy syndrome and more! Even giving specific and tailored advice for both men and women! This is a great episode to listen to learn more about one of the best, and most nerve-wracking parts of your wedding day!Learn More about Sexual Intimacy with this Christian Websitehttps://themarriagebed.com/LubricantAstroglide LubricantOur Favorite BooksAnd They Were Not AshamedBetween Husband and Wife

There are two things that are guaranteed in this life... taxes and conflict in marriage. But this marital conflict does not always have to be a bad thing. If done correctly then it is one of the best ways to be seen in your relationship, solve important problems, and grow together as a couple. If done incorrectly then it can quickly spell doom for your marriage.In this episode Allie and Nathan talk about conflict in marriage and how to not only fight fair, but more importantly fight productively to help you solve marital issues. They give insights on some of their own past fights and discuss the Gottman Institute's 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse in depth. They provide a guide for behaviors to avoid as well as antidotes to the 4 Horsemen if they are found in your or your partner's communication style.Learn More about the 4 HorsemenThe Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert - By John Gottman

The 5 Love Languages, originally developed by Gary Chapman, are 5 methods in which we express and receive love. Being able to speak your partner's love language fluently ensures that their Love Tank and in return yours, will always be full!In this episode Allie and Nathan discuss their own love languages,  the importance of knowing your partner's love language and speaking it often, and how we can keep the Love Tanks of our marriage full and running on all cylinders! This is a great episode no matter what stage of relationship you are in!Get the 5 Love Languages BookDiscover Your Love Language

In a recent survey, it was discovered that 45% of all divorces can be traced back in some way due to having improper or unrealistic expectations for either the spouse or the marriage in general. That's almost half! This is truly eye opening to just how important it is to manage your marriage expectations.In this episode Allie and Nathan talk about how to have realistic and healthy expectations for your marriage. Expectations are necessary to have a great relationship but it is important that these expectations aren't too high or unrealistic. They share 6 of the most common unrealistic marriage expectations to be aware of and they discuss their 3 solutions to help you make sure your marital expectations are realistic and appropriate!

Finances are one of the most important aspects of a healthy marriage. Managing your finances properly can lead to peace and happiness in marriage. Mismanaged finances lead to stress, confrontation, and a lot of times... divorce.In this episode we share the top five ways that you can prepare for a financially solid marriage! By preparing now while you are dating, engaged, or a newlywed, you can save so much heartache and really set yourself up for the most successful marriage possible! We share actionable advice, tips, and a few tricks that have made a huge difference for us, that you can apply into your life, starting today, to help you build the marriage of your dreams!

It's the age old question - How do you know if the person you are dating is right for you? Something that sounds so simple can actually become so complicated and stressful! In this episode Allie and Nathan share their entire story, the ups and downs of how they started dating and decided getting married was right for them. They then analyze their story seeking principles that you can  apply in your life to help you know when you find that right person!Read the show notes and find resources from the episode HereDownload the Marriage Prep Conversation Questions Here

Effective communication may be the most important skill that you can work on to help improve your marriage. A big part of being able to communicate effectively is being vulnerable with your partner and expressing your true feelings even when it is difficult or scary. In this episode, Nathan and Allie discuss the importance of vulnerability in marriage and marriage preparation. They share several stories, examples, and even do a role play to help establish effective communication habits for your marriage!See the Show Notes HereDownload the Pre Marriage Conversation Questions Here

In this first episode, Allie and Nathan introduce themselves and the premise behind The Marriage Prep Podcast. They outline what to expect with this podcast including the topics that will be discussed, length of episodes, and frequency of posts. This introductory episode will help prepare you to get prepared to create a beautiful marriage!To learn more about us, the podcast, or to see the resources from the episode, visit www.themarriagepreppodcast.com