Podcasts about Marriage

"How You're Easily Manipulated by Families in a Bad Way" - Listen to my Morning Monologue: I'm sharing my take on pressing issues, enlightening research on human behavior, answering questions I get by email, and my favorite, most instructive interactions with callers. Everything you'll hear is designed to help you become a better spouse, parent, family member, co-worker, friend, and human being. It's the free therapy you need!  Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grace's unresolved anger toward her father and family contributes to her patterns of careless overeating and rationalizing her behavior. Dr. Laura discusses the psychological role of shame and how it influences the connection between past experiences and present actions. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's a mismatch between what people say about marriage and what they really do about it. Stephanie Coontz's book explains how we got here and where we could go.

Book your free consultation call with Robert Sikes on breaking through your Keto or low carb plateau here https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callMost hard working men will lose the family they try to provide for because they ignore the main reason marriages fail. Emotional distance is the silent threat ending relationships and causing divorce today. In episode 889 of the Savage Perspective Podcast host Robert Sikes talks with Mitchell Osmond about what men do not understand about their wives. Many guys try to fix hurt feelings with business logic which only pushes their partner away. Mitchell shares his personal story of beating debt and losing weight by fighting emotional eating. He explains how fixing your fitness and money builds the self confidence needed to properly lead your home. Learn how to truly connect with your spouse stop repeating past family mistakes and perfectly balance your career with fatherhood.Follow Mitchel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dadnationco/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQhapters0:00 - How to Rebuild Your Life from Rock Bottom (Mitchell Osmond's Turning Point)2:30 - The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything (Finding Your Legacy)3:38 - How to Pay Off $100K Debt and Lose 60 Lbs in 18 Months6:25 - Masculine vs. Feminine Energy: How Your Mood Dictates Your Marriage8:00 - How to Break Generational Trauma & Stop Repeating Your Parents' Mistakes12:30 - The Ultimate Strategy to Rebuild Self-Confidence (Fitness & Finances)17:06 - How to Stop Emotional Eating & Use The "Apple Test" for Weight Loss24:56 - The Brutal Truth About Fatherhood: Why Time is Your Most Valuable Currency27:33 - Keto Brick Meal Replacement (Sponsor)28:18 - Why Entrepreneurs Have High Divorce Rates (And How to Prevent It)32:10 - Why Women Initiate 90% of Divorces (The Biggest Mistake Married Men Make)35:00 - Is Your Marriage Failing? The #1 Warning Sign You Cannot Ignore37:55 - What is Male Alexithymia? The Secret to Emotionally Connecting With Your Wife43:00 - Raising Strong Children: Would You Want Your Daughter to Marry a Man Like You?46:08 - The Crisis of Fatherless Homes & Why Society Still Needs Masculine Men51:43 - What Men Really Need in a Relationship: Why Respect is Greater Than Love56:18 - Where to Find Mitchell Osmond (Dad Nation & Coaching)

In this episode, we sit down with Tim and Natasha for an update on their restored marriage.   Natasha first shared their story with us more than five years ago, but this time Tim joins the conversation to share his side of the journey. He reflects on the surprising person God used to encourage him to go home and the pointed question from one of his sons that became a turning point in his walk with Jesus.   The Wise Wife Blueprint   The Wise Wife Blueprint Book   Support the work of Rejoice Marriage Ministries     Download the episode transcription here   Follow on Instagram - @rejoicemarriageministries   Follow on Facebook - @rejoicemarriageministries   Every day, you can receive encouragement straight to your inbox through our Fight for Your Marriage Devotional and find free resources and prayers to pray over your marriage. To take advantage of these resources and others, visit https://rejoiceministries.org   We appreciate your feedback. If this episode touches you, please leave us a five-star rating and review, helping us reach new listeners with hope for their marriage. You can also subscribe to our show on YouTube, Spotify or iTunes.

ACTS 1:1-11 - YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER - BRIAN SUMNER - 2026The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.The Holy Spirit Promised4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Jesus Ascends to Heaven9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

The couples who drift apart are rarely the ones fighting the most, they are the ones who simply stopped being curious. In this episode, Christa unpacks the love maps research and then hands you the exact questions each Enneagram type secretly longs to be asked, the kind of conversation starters made for a porch swing, a long summer drive, or those quiet few minutes at the end of the day. She also walks through the part that matters most, what to do after you ask, and the difference between hearing an answer and truly staying for it. Plus there is a free grab-and-go resource so you can take these questions straight to your next date night. Emotional intimacy is the foundation that every other kind of intimacy is built on, and this episode is where the whole summer begins. Listen with your love here! Listen on YouTube! Show notes: Get your E + M Love Map Questions Freebie here! Stay tuned for our Summer Intensives, Awakening Intimacy (track 1) and Awakening Adventure (track 2) beginning the week of July 13! Scroll down on our podcast page to find episodes on intimacy ⁠here!⁠ https://www.enneagramandmarriage.com/pod Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Christa's Best-Selling Book, The Enneagram in Marriage, here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/df8SxVx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian Mike Figs returns to the Mad House this week, and what a great way to kick off fat boy summer!! While Mike admits he has a little darkness in his heart, he's grateful for his PS5, so that balances things out. Besides practicing gratitude, Maddy and Figs discuss Mamdani's team of blonde babes, cooking as therapy, Spanish mass versus white mass, Jersey Shore, and more! Follow Maddy:https://www.youtube.com/@maddysmithcomedyhttps://www.instagram.com/somaddysmith/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@somaddysmithhttps://maddysmithcomedy.com/Follow Mike:https://www.instagram.com/comicmikefigs/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcv9RHTMjaBWJ4j51kNlEQSubscribe/follow the Mad House Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@madhouse_podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/mad_house_podcast/All tour dates: https://punchup.live/maddysmith/ticketsWant more ad-free and uncensored Mad House?!Go to https://gasdigital.com/ to subscribe!Use promo code MAD to save big on your membership :)Get early access to our weekly episodes on Tuesdays, along with EXCLUSIVE episodes on Thursdays.UPCOMING STAND UP DATES:6/11 NEW YORK, NY7/15-7/19 MONTREAL, QUEBEC7/30 NEW YORK, NYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Casey dives into Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. In March 2020, Burden was at her family's Martha's Vineyard home navigating the early days of the pandemic when her husband of twenty years announced, without warning, that he was leaving her. In the memoir, she revisits their marriage, searching for clues that her husband was not who she always thought he was, and reckons with her own family history and the expectations placed on women in the face of betrayal. Kate breaks down this week's episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itskatecasey?lang=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecaseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benita is seeking clarity and guidance on how to address ongoing challenges related to living with her 36-year-old daughter. The focus is on ending an arrangement of convenience that has become unhealthy and problematic. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire" - Listen to my Morning Monologue: I'm sharing my take on pressing issues, enlightening research on human behavior, answering questions I get by email, and my favorite, most instructive interactions with callers. Everything you'll hear is designed to help you become a better spouse, parent, family member, co-worker, friend, and human being. It's the free therapy you need!  Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you and your mate best friends? Howard and Danielle Taylor join Jim Daly to make the case for why friendship in marriage is necessary for a thriving relationship. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley shares the most important thing you can do to keep your friendship alive. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Fundamentals of Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Discovering God's Design for Your Marriage Is Your Husband or Wife Your Best Friend? 3 Ways to Create a Godly Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this powerful episode of Kingdom Crossroads, T.S. Wright welcomes back author and marriage teacher Lori Yarbrough for a deeply biblical conversation on the role of wives as advocates in marriage. Drawing from Scripture, Lori explains how prayer, encouragement, wisdom, and spiritual intercession strengthen the marital covenant and reflect Christ's love for the Church.Using examples from Abigail, Esther, Deborah, and Proverbs 31, Lori shares practical wisdom for wives seeking to support their husbands emotionally and spiritually while cultivating peace and unity in the home. T.S. Wright expands the discussion by connecting marriage back to Genesis 2 and God's original design for covenant relationships.This episode offers encouragement for couples who desire stronger Christ-centered marriages built on humility, prayer, reverence for God, and sacrificial love.In This EpisodeThe biblical meaning of advocacy in marriageHow wives can spiritually intercede for their husbandsThe power of encouragement and life-giving wordsLessons from Abigail, Esther, and DeborahGentle correction vs. criticism in marriageSupporting your spouse's God-given callingWhy Genesis 2 remains foundational for marriageThe importance of reverence, prayer, and thanksgiving in relationshipsHow marriage reflects Christ and the ChurchKey Scriptures MentionedProverbs 31:26Romans 8:341 Samuel 25Acts 18Judges 4Song of SolomonGenesis 2–3Psalm 100:4John 3:16Resources MentionedUnited in Purpose by Lori Yarbrough LoriYarbrough.comConnect With Kingdom CrossroadsIf this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone seeking a stronger biblical foundation for marriage.Check out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.

In this Q&A episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife takes questions from those navigating mixed-faith marriages, including how to share where you are without demanding your spouse follow, how to stay collaborative when your worldviews have diverged, and how to raise children when you no longer share the same spiritual framework. Because it is in going toward the hard conversations, not around them, that we grow, and that our marriages can too.

One of the greatest privileges we have as spouses is coming before the Father and lifting up our marriage—leaning on Him for protection, provision, and strength. Today, special guests Brad and Heidi Mitchell join Dr. Kim to talk about how foundational prayer is for intimacy and the overall climate of your marriage. Many couples struggle to develop this rhythm—not because they don't want to, but because they simply don't know where to start. Be encouraged today as Brad and Heidi share from their newest book, Build Your Marriage With Prayer, and talk about how guided prayers, daily readings, and reflection questions can help couples grow a consistent and meaningful prayer life together.   Episode Highlights: Husbands don't have to know it all to lead- they can be simply willing to initiate. Wives can come alongside and encourage their husbands to step into the role God created them for.  Don't weaponize prayer against your spouse. Quotes from this Episode: Kim Kimberling Quotes: "The first time Nancy and I really started praying for something together and saw God show up, it was like, 'This is awesome.'" "Prayer bonds us together in a way nothing else really can." "Most guys feel inadequate spiritually, but prayer was never about performing." "You don't have to know more than your spouse to lead spiritually—you just have to initiate." "When couples begin praying together, they stop fighting against each other and start fighting for each other." "Inviting God into conflict changes conflict from something destructive into something that can grow your marriage." "The more we pray, the more prayer becomes part of the fabric of who we are." "God wants to be involved in the middle of our everyday lives—not just the big emergencies." "When you pray over your spouse, it creates empathy, connection, and unity." "Prayer gives God a chance to show up in your marriage over and over again." Brad Mitchell Quotes: "A lot of men don't pray with their wives because they're afraid of looking inadequate." "Men don't need to be spiritual experts—they just need to become spiritual initiators." "The things you most want to lean away from are often the very places God wants you to lean in." "When you pray about the issue instead of against each other, nobody wins or loses—God wins." "The enemy whispers, 'You're not good at this,' because he knows how powerful prayer is in marriage." "Every wife would love for her husband to stop and pray over her before the day begins." "Surrendering your schedule to God changes interruptions from frustrations into opportunities." "Prayer protects your marriage because it keeps both of you surrendered to God instead of fighting each other." Heidi Mitchell Quotes: "Make prayer a positive experience for your spouse, not a performance." "There's really no wrong way to come before God together." "Encouragement from a wife can completely change a husband's confidence in leading spiritually." "If prayer becomes weaponized, couples will stop wanting to pray together." "Not every thought deserves a place to stay in your mind." "Ask yourself: Does this thought line up with who God says my spouse is?" "Praying together helped us move from surface-level faith into authentic dependence on God." "When my husband prays for me, I feel protected, cared for, and truly seen." "The spiritual connection we share through prayer has become one of the greatest strengths in our marriage." Time to Talk About it: What would it look like for us to make prayer feel more natural and encouraging in our relationship instead of pressured or performative? Is there an area of our marriage right now where we've been "fighting each other" instead of "fighting for each other," and how could prayer help shift that? Mentioned in this Episode: Build Your Marriage is on Instagram! Purchase your own copy of Build Your Marriage With Prayer! Check out Awesome Marriage's 9 Days to Build the Practice of Prayer in Marriage Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. You'll love our 30 Scripture Based Prayers for Your Marriage. Check out it out with your spouse! If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  Be the first to hear about all things Awesome Marriage, receive monthly bonus content straight from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy, and take advantage of big discounts by becoming a Marriage Changer!   

With a hot boyfriend, sizzling chemistry, flowers on the table and a baby on the way, Kayla felt like her fairytale was just beginning. But soon enough, she found herself alone at the hospital, alone at home, and alone with all the chores. Eventually, she stopped seeing him as her partner and started seeing him as a big child she had to take care of.  The resentment grew until it swallowed the spark, the intimacy, and eventually the whole relationship. Then during one terrible fight, he crossed a line she never thought he would cross. She was hanging on by a thread when a friend handed her a book, and nothing was ever the same again.  Today, Andrew asks her over coffee what he can take off her plate and even vacuumed on crutches just because the floor was a mess. They call each other cute nicknames and he picks her up in the kitchen for koala cuddles while their kids watch. And when they remarried, she walked down the aisle toward her sexy Irishman playing guitar, and knew she had her fairytale after all. If you've ever felt mounting resentment as you're forced to be more like his mother than his wife, this episode was made for you. Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: https://lauradoyle.co/4u6rncB

EP. 494 Best to the Nest: StrangersStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden is number two on the New York Time's hardcover nonfiction bestseller list. It has been on the list for 18 weeks, and women readers are buzzing about it. We have thoughts, and we hope you will share yours with us as well.Also, thanks to the kind people who sponsor our little podcast: Schuler Shoes. It's all about sandals at Schuler Shoes. Buy 1 pair of sandals, save 10 dollars. Buy 2, save 30 dollars. Buy 3, save 60 dollars until June 28th. Birkenstocks, Hoka, and Ugg excluded. Find out more at schulershoes.com.Ramsey Recycles. If you are a Minnesota resident, more than likely, you can drop of your household hazardous waste for free at the Ramsey County Environmental Center in Roseville. Find out more at RamseyRecycles.com/EC. Hennepin County Trees. Hennepin County has set a goal of one million trees planted by 2030. And we're half way there. 500,000 trees planted. You can help plant 500,000 more. Planting a tree is as easy as 1, 2, Tree. Pick the right tree, plant it, and take care of it. Find out more at Hennepintrees.org.Healing Insight. Healing Insight is a sanctuary for women seeking answers beyond conventional medicine. New patients receive $200 off a Women's Health Acupuncture package when you mention Best to the Nest. Find out more at healinginsightonline.comOur Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zach sits down with James and Molly Christensen, a married couple and fellow therapists based in Sacramento, who spent more than six years in couples therapy before it actually worked. They burned through eight therapists, logged over a hundred sessions, and came within reach of a marriage that had been quietly failing for years. The fact that they are now both practicing couples therapists themselves makes this conversation something rare: a behind-the-curtain look at what the struggle actually looks like from inside.The conversation gets honest fast. James names what he had to face: narcissism, manipulation, a sense of superiority, and an inability to take feedback without it threatening his identity. Molly describes her own side of the dynamic, a deeply people-pleasing, avoidant woman who had been raised to see relationships as transactional, and who spent years wondering whether her instincts about James were accurate or whether she was the one losing her mind. The turning point for both of them came in the form of an intensive with a therapist who was finally skilled enough to hold them both, call them both out in the moment, and care enough about James to be blunt with him without losing him. James started recording every session and listening back four times. By the fourth listen, he could hear himself clearly. That's when things shifted.What runs underneath this whole episode is a conviction that most couples are doing "recovery lounge" therapy, showing up, going through the motions, and feeling okay about it, without ever actually growing. James makes the case that conflict is not the problem in most marriages. Avoidance is. The goal, for both of them as clients and now as clinicians, is more conflict with less anger, which means developing the capacity to say what you actually think, to your spouse, with genuine care behind it, and to hold your ground when they push back. That's differentiation. That's the work. And if you get through it, Zach notes, the intimacy on the other side is real.Key TakeawaysFiring your therapist is sometimes the right call. If you're not making progress after significant time, the fit may be the problem, not the process.Being resistant to therapy is often not about therapy. Molly's refusal to engage was partly a refusal to let James dictate her path. Understanding the resistance tells you a lot about the relationship dynamic.Narcissism has four components worth knowing: fragility (inability to take criticism), a sense of superiority, indifference to others, and manipulation as a means of protecting a false self.The breakthrough often requires a therapist who combines genuine care with genuine bluntness. Truth without love is abusive. Love without truth is just convenient. Both together is what actually moves people.Conflict is not the enemy. Avoidance is. Couples who never fight aren't at peace, they're just not saying what they really think, and it costs them.Differentiation is the ability to stay grounded in yourself when your partner is not okay. It's not about getting them to back down. It's about whether you can hold your own truth without crumbling under pressure.The tools from research-based approaches like Gottman are only as useful as the people holding them. If underlying traits like narcissism or avoidance are untreated, the tools won't stick.When couples heal, families heal. James and Molly both note that their children have noticed the difference, and that the work they've done has changed the floor their kids are jumping from.Guest InfoJames Christensen Licensed couples therapist based in Sacramento, California. Former Air Force pilot with 22 years of military service before transitioning to therapy. Specializes in high-conflict couples using the Crucible approach. Brings his own history as a client, over six years in couples therapy, to his clinical work.Website: https://jamesmchristensen.com/Molly Christensen Associate therapist (currently under supervision), working at a nonprofit and accepting sliding scale and insurance clients. Followed James into the field after their shared experience in therapy. Brings her perspective as a former people-pleaser and avoidant partner to her work with couples.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marriage isn't about perfection; it's about God's grace sustaining imperfect people through broken, beautiful seasons. Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman share from their book, "Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home."  They share about how their 40-year journey proves that with total dependence on God's faithfulness, forgiveness, and redemptive power, marriages can not only survive but become testimonies of His mercies.  Check out Susie's new podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 157) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 157: What Therapists see in Black Men Becoming Better Husbands & Fathers with Bashea" — it was released on May 25, 2026. In XYBM 157, we sit down with Bashea Williams, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Bashea breaks down what he sees most in his sessions with men — from emotional suppression rooted in traditional masculinity to the communication breakdowns that slowly damage relationships over time. Drawing from couples therapy, personal experience, and clinical frameworks, he helps us better understand validation, mirroring, boundaries, and the impact childhood trauma can have on the way we love as adults.        If you've ever struggled to communicate in relationships, felt misunderstood, or realized your past may be affecting the way you love today, this episode will leave you thinking differently about yourself, your relationships, and your healingjourney.Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:————————————Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-dealsSAFE HAVEN:————————————Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don't have to heal alone.Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven SUPPORT THE PLATFORM: ————————————Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-havenMonthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com FOLLOW US:————————————TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:Host: @expressyourselfblackman(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)Guest: @basheawilliams (https://www.instagram.com/basheawilliams/)YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackManFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

Forgiving those who have wronged us is one of the most challenging things to do in apprenticeship to Jesus. It's tempting to rush into surface-level forgiveness in effort to be a “good Christian.” Yet authentic forgiveness requires that we get into our hearts. Often it includes walking through a process of addressing uncomfortable emotions and relational conflict.  Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share honestly about a recent conflict that happened in their relationship. You'll learn from their example how prayer, reflection, and patience are valuable dimensions of forgiveness that lead to greater growth and freedom. Resources for this Episode: Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Codependency can be tricky to recognize because it often looks like love, generosity, or “just trying to help.” But when our giving turns into fixing, rescuing, controlling, or sacrificing ourselves to earn love and approval, it can quietly create tension in our marriage, parenting, co-parenting, and stepfamily relationships.In this episode, we're joined by therapist Michelle Farris for a practical and hope-filled conversation about how codependency shows up in blended families and how to heal it. Michelle is a psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist with a passion for helping people break free from toxic relationships. Her YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers, where she's known for her practical tips and expertise. She's written several ebooks and courses for creating relationships that work. Michelle helps us understand the difference between healthy care and over-functioning, why some parents struggle when their kids are hurting or moving between homes, and how our desire to protect or please can sometimes blur important relational boundaries.We also talk honestly about how codependency can impact the parenting partnership in a blended family. When a bio-parent feels caught between their child and spouse, the pressure can intensify. When a stepparent feels responsible for things they don't have authority over, resentment sets in.  But there is a healthier way forward. Michelle shares how couples can take small steps toward clearer boundaries, stronger self-awareness, and more secure connection without becoming rigid, reactive, or disconnected.If you've ever felt responsible for keeping everyone okay, struggled to set limits with your kids or ex, or wondered why you feel resentful after “helping,” this conversation will give you language, clarity, and hope.You'll Discover:The difference between being kind and being codependent How codependency can show up with your children, with an ex, or inside your marriage How over-functioning, fixing, rescuing, controlling, and people-pleasing can create ongoing resentment and disable others How to identify your non-negotiable boundaries without becoming rigid or reactive Three key areas of codependency and how you can move toward relational health and wellnessResources from this Episode:To connect with Michelle Farris, CLICK HERE Michelle's free guide: 7 Steps to Healing One Sided RelationshipsRelationships That Work with Michelle Farris (YouTube)Episode 138. How Relational Dysfunction Plagued our Marriage and How We Finally Broke FreeReady for some extra support?We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home.  Schedule your free call here:  https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesessionYou don't need to navigate blended family life alone.  Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies.  Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogetherSubscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet?  If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.  Click here to subscribe in Apple PodcastsClick here to follow on SpotifyLeave a Review in Apple PodcastsIf you're feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they're fun for us to read too! :-)  Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is.  Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Send us Fan MailCan Catholics French kiss before marriage? After Elizabeth Busby's Theology of the Body Institute answer and Christian B. Wagner's response, “No, You Can't Kiss Your Girlfriend,” sparked a Catholic internet debate, Renzo and Monica enter the conversation as a married Catholic couple.Is passionate kissing always sinful outside of marriage? Is arousal the same as lust? And what does chastity actually require from dating and engaged couples who are trying to love one another well?This is a conversation about French kissing before marriage, Catholic dating, Theology of the Body, desire, chastity, and why marriage does not simply make using another person acceptable.Follow us on Instagram @twobecomefamily.Looking for some accompaniment when it comes to talk about sex with your spouse?, Check out our book and order Lovemaking: How to talk about sex with your spouseOur other booksGo To Joseph: 10 Day Consecration to St. JosephGo To Joseph For ChildrenDon't forget to visit https://twobecomefamily.substack.com/Support the show

Are you feeling worn out from doing all the heavy lifting in your marriage? You are the only spouse who is putting in the effort to listen to podcasts, read the books, and initiate thoughtful conversations—or at least it feels that way.Resentment is slowly starting to build as you think to yourself over and over, “Why am I the only one doing the work to improve our marriage?”The topic for this conversation was inspired by a listener-submitted question that asks:“Is the woman in the marriage the one who does most of the heavy lifting to promote emotional growth?”This is such an important question, and in this episode, we're here to answer it. Listen in to hear our thoughts, as well as some tips to help you not only encourage growth in your spouse, but to shift your perspective on the effort they are already putting in.In this episode, you'll hear:How your attachment style affects the way you pursue depth in a relationshipHow you can invite connection in your marriageHow to know when you are being called to accept your partner where they areAnd more!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/marriage-work-300Check out our other resources:Mark and Jill's Marriage StoryMarriage CoachingMarriage 2.0 IntensivesSpeaking ScheduleBook Mark and Jill to SpeakOnline CoursesBooks Marriage Resources:Infidelity RecoveryFor Happy MarriagesFor Hurting MarriagesFor Marriages Where You're the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources:New/Preschool MomsMoms with GradeschoolersMoms with Teens and TweensMoms with Kids Who Are LaunchingEmpty Nest Moms

Marriage is one of the most important relationships in a man's life, but it does not stay healthy by accident. In this episode of the Step Up Podcast, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas talk honestly about what causes couples to drift emotionally, how to pursue your spouse through exhausting seasons, and why communication, forgiveness, and intentionality matter so much.From intimacy struggles and unmet expectations to conflict, betrayal, and rebuilding trust, this conversation gives men practical handles for loving, leading, and serving their wives with humility and faithfulness. Whether your marriage is thriving or barely hanging on, this episode is a reminder that God sees you, your church is with you, and your marriage is worth fighting for.To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.Show NotesFollow on Instagram: @stepup.podcastFollow United City: @untdcitychurchConnect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.comMore About United City: https://unitedcity.church/Chapter Markers00:00 — Golf, Marriage, and Ridiculous Arguments05:16 — Why Couples Drift Emotionally09:59 — Pursuing Your Wife Again11:27 — Protecting Marriage in Exhausting Seasons15:48 — Intimacy, Affection, and Feeling Wanted21:25 — Unspoken Expectations and Communication25:33 — Forgiveness, Trust, and Rebuilding After Hurt31:04 — Quick Tips: Boundaries, Date Nights, Books, and Marriage Advice

When it's time to feel special...how do you make that really happen? "Diamond Girl" Heidi Ortman Sheff and relationship coach Hanna Dylan drop by to talk about what he needs to know to make her happy, how to take a breath before finding what you want, when is the right time to express love, why communication always comes first, the best ways to bring the bling, and much, much more!

When a parent cheats, it doesn't just wound the marriage. It can wound the children too.For many young people from broken families, infidelity creates a terrifying fear: What if I get cheated on too? Or worse, what if I become the one who cheats?In this episode, Joey talks with marriage and family therapist Doug Hinderer about how affairs happen, why betrayal damages a child's ability to trust, and how young people from broken families can avoid repeating their parents' mistakes.They discuss:Why affairs often begin long before anything physical happensHow infidelity affects children, even years laterWhy love feels unsafe after betrayalThe role of forgiveness in healing from a parent's affairHow to talk about the fear of infidelity in dating or marriageThe three habits that help build a faithful, lasting marriageWhy you are not doomed to repeat your parents' storyIf you're afraid of being cheated on, afraid of becoming your parents, or unsure if lasting love is even possible after what you witnessed growing up, this episode is for you.Restored ResourcesIt's Not Your Fault | Restored BookHappy Marriage for Life | Doug HindererMarriage Unhindered | Relevant RadioHow to Forgive | International Forgiveness Institute“Impossible” Marriages Redeemed: They Didn't End the Story in the Middle | Leila Miller“Impossible” Marriages Redeemed | AmazonDoug Hinderer's emaildoug@relevantradio.comShownotes

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A single question can dismantle years of certainty: who decides what counts as Scripture in the first place? That's where Cooper White's journey gets gripping, because it wasn't powered by rebellion or a bad church experience. He and his wife were raised in loving evangelical families, deeply involved in ministry, and genuinely devoted to Jesus. But while serving in youth ministry and later studying theology at Wheaton, Cooper kept running into a problem that would not go away: authority. If Christians disagree on core doctrines, if interpretations multiply endlessly, and if even the biblical canon requires a decision, what holds the Church together in Truth?Suffering brought the questions down to the heart. When Cooper's wife faced Lyme disease, Catholic teaching on redemptive suffering, alongside voices like Relevant Radio and real Catholic families living the faith, made the Church feel not like a system of restrictions but a home with sacraments, confession, and a liturgical rhythm strong enough to carry a family when life breaks. If you're wrestling with unity, truth, the Eucharist, or the fear that one hard question could unravel everything, this conversation gives you a clearer path forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's searching, and leave a review with the question you're still trying to answer.Join us! ClaymoremilitesChristi.comEmail us at info@jp2renew.orgSupport the show

Are you a grandparent thrust into the role of primary caregiver, managing the relentless stress, marriage challenges, and behavioral transitions that come with raising your grandchildren? Do you wonder how to move from surviving daily crises to building a sanctuary in your home—one where healing and hope are possible for both you and your grandchildren? Has your retirement story taken an unexpected detour, leaving you to mourn lost dreams while navigating the high-stakes world of kinship caregiving?I'm Laura Brazan, and welcome to "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren–Nurturing Through Adversity." In this episode, we sit down with resilience expert Steven Wagstaff, a retired pastor and C5 quadriplegic, whose life-altering journey offers tools for managing caregiver burnout, strengthening your marriage, and understanding the messy realities of raising kids affected by trauma. Together, we'll discuss how to normalize feelings of isolation, use humor and hard-earned wisdom as powerful tools, and make space for grief without letting it become your ceiling. For more information on Stephen, his ministry and his podcast, please visit "Swagability".Each week, we bring you authentic conversations and expert advice on trauma-informed childrearing, emotional wellness, marriage, legal and financial support, and building real community. You'll discover strategies for leading with intention, connecting with your partner, and embracing your own story of unexpected resilience.Join our supportive community.Send us Fan MailDr. Jennifer Brunton holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University and has a career spanning from college professor to high-level editor and writer for brands like Forbes and Random House. But it is her identity as a proudly Autistic parent of an Autistic son and grandmother/primary caregiver to two neurodivergent granddaughters, 2- and 3-years-old, that fuels her deepest mission. I recently interviewed her for an episode that will be live the end of August 2026.  Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now.  Kinship care—stepping up to raise your grandchildren—can often feel like an incredibly lonely journey. When custody happens unexpectedly, it's easy to feel like you are the only one navigating the trauma, the system, and the sheer exhaustion.But you aren't alone. And that is exactly why your story matters. Your unique experience holds the power to change the system for the next family. Share your story with us at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.orgThank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook 

If this blessed you, don't just watch and leave. Get plugged in today so you can begin to experience God's Promise for Increase on new and exciting levels:

Every couple starts with a spark, entering marriage with the grand promise of a lifelong partnership. But over time, millions of well-intentioned partners find themselves running on auto-pilot, sharing a roof and a routine but completely losing their emotional intimacy.  Renowned marriage expert and "Thriveologist" Dr. Lee Baucom joins the show to expose why complexity is the enemy of clarity in love. The data and daily realities show that a staggering number of marriages silently fracture not from a lack of love, but from creeping, unaddressed disconnection. However, mainstream relationship advice will tell you that fixing a marriage requires overcomplicating your life with endless, exhausting therapy cycles that focus entirely on past wounds. We've been conditioned to believe that when a relationship struggles, it's an absolute, irreversible failure. In reality, the modern world drains our relationship energy, leaving everyday couples stranded in a cycle of unspoken expectations and deep resentment.  We unpack the three levels of connection, detail how to transition from competition to fierce teamwork, and provide a simple, actionable blueprint to "unpause" your relationship and reclaim your shared joy. In this podcast, you will learn: Why adding layers of rules to your relationship destroys clarity and simple intimacy. How to audit and sync your physical, emotional, and spiritual bonds. Why ignoring minor emotional distance early on creates a massive crisis later. How unspoken expectations silently breed resentment, and how to build clear agreements instead. Practical tools to stop competing with your spouse and start operating as a true alliance. How to leverage early interventions, like the "Unpause" framework, before hitting a breaking point. Video Chapters 0:00 - The Adulthood Trap: Why Hard Work Isn't Enough 2:03 - The Thread That Led Lee From Magic to Human Psychology 3:29 - Misdirection in Magic and Society—What's Really Fooling Us? 4:43 - Why Complexity is the Enemy of Clarity in Relationships 6:16 - How Outside Influences Drain Your Relationship Energy 7:41 - The Marriage Lifecycle: Attraction, Connection, and Hitting Pause 13:56 - The Three Levels of Connection: Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual 16:56 - How Disconnection Sneaks in and How to Spot It Early 18:21 - Practical Steps to Rebuild Connection and Shared Values 22:40 - The Chaos Theory of Relationships: Regulating Small Variances 24:42 - Moving From Competition to True Teamwork Mode 29:04 - How Disconnection Manifests as 'Symptoms' Misidentified as Problems 30:47 - Moving From Crisis to Early Intervention Tools 36:42 - The Hidden Roots of Expectations and Resentment 40:06 - Why Modern Therapy Often Misses the Mark 45:55 - Communication is a Delivery: Focusing on the Message 47:34 - The Magic of Simple, Consistent Connection 54:14 - Empathy and Curiosity Across the Human Experience 58:07 - Keeping Your Eyes Wide Open to Your Marriage   About Our Guest:    Dr. Lee Baucom is an experienced relationship expert, author, and "Thriveologist" dedicated to helping couples transform struggling relationships into thriving partnerships. As the creator of the "Save the Marriage" system and the "Unpause Your Marriage" app, he specializes in practical, forward-looking strategies that cut through the noise of traditional therapy to rebuild authentic human connection   Our Mission:    Eyes Wide Open is a space for honest communication. Our goal is to remove the stigmas around mental health, holistic lifestyles, culture, and free speech so you can show up as your authentic self with your eyes wide open. By having real conversations about difficult truths, we move toward collective healing. Find Dr. Lee Baucom here:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leebaucom/  YouTube: https://leebaucom.com/  Website: https://leebaucom.com/  Save the Marriage Podcast: http://savethemarriage.com/ Unpause Your Marriage App: https://unpauseyourmarriage.com/    Find Nick Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/ UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/ Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/  

Have you ever looked at your marriage and quietly thought… "This isn't what I thought it would feel like…" …and then immediately felt guilty for even thinking it? In this deeply personal episode of The Dare Greatly Podcast, Danielle opens up about the quiet grief many women carry inside their marriages — especially when the man they love is struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, career pressure, health challenges, or emotional disconnection. After her husband survived a massive stroke during the stress and uncertainty of 2020, Danielle found herself grieving something she didn't have language for: How do you grieve the loss of a version of someone… when they're still sitting right in front of you? This episode is an honest conversation about: • grieving unmet expectations in marriage • the emotional weight women quietly carry • why unprocessed grief turns into resentment and exhaustion • learning to support your husband without losing yourself • how to hold both love and disappointment at the same time • simple healing practices that help you move through grief with compassion instead of shame Danielle also shares the story behind her free Quiet Strength Women's Support Group — a space created for women who are trying to stay grounded, faithful, compassionate, and emotionally healthy while navigating difficult seasons in marriage and family life. This episode is not about blaming husbands. And it's not about pretending everything is okay. It's about learning that: You can deeply love your husband… and still grieve what has changed. You can feel disappointed… and still feel grateful. You can carry sadness… without believing your marriage is broken. Some women carry strength like thunder. And some carry it like a candle. Quiet. Steady. Faithful. If you've been carrying something heavy in silence, this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.

Friendship in Marriage | Song of Solomon 5:10–16Marriage is more than romance, responsibility, or commitment. At its best, marriage is friendship — the kind of friendship that helps each person become more like Jesus.In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole Witkoe bring together key themes from the friendship series and apply them to marriage. Looking at Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride describes her beloved as both “my lover” and “my friend,” this message explores how friendship strengthens marriage through companionship, investment, encouragement, and shared mission.Marriage was designed by God to bring out the best in one another. But because of sin, companionship can become competition. Instead of championing each other, couples can drift into comparison, control, criticism, and distance. This message invites husbands and wives to rediscover what it means to stand side by side, celebrate each other's strengths, walk through grief together, and build the Kingdom as a team.From Genesis 2 to Proverbs 18, from Jesus' circles of intimacy to the example of Priscilla and Aquila, this sermon shows that deep friendship in marriage does not happen by accident. It takes time, attention, reassurance, celebration, mission, and the willingness to keep choosing the person beside you.The goal is not simply to have a better date night. The goal is to build a marriage where your spouse is not just your partner, but your beloved friend.In this message: Why who you are with shapes where you are going  How marriage was designed for side-by-side companionship  Why sin turns companionship into competition  What it means to champion your spouse instead of compete with them  Why deep friendship requires intentional investment  How to celebrate the mountains and grieve in the gardens together  What Priscilla and Aquila teach us about marriage on mission  Why friendship with your spouse points to friendship with God Whether you are married, preparing for marriage, or hoping to grow in your understanding of godly relationships, this message is an invitation to see marriage as a place where love, friendship, discipleship, and mission come together.Scripture: Song of Solomon 5:10–16 Message Title: Friendship in Marriage Speakers: Pastor CJ Witkoe and Nicole Witkoe Core theme: Marriage is about championing the person beside you.

Text us your questions or topics for the show! We got you!Cass Morrow, Author of Disrupting Divorce: The NEW Man. Saving Struggling, Sexless, and Toxic Marriages.Kathryn Morrow, Author of Behind The White Picket Fence.You always have too much to say. Too much to defend. Too much to justify. Too much to correct. And it never works. Here's why: the urgency to speak isn't coming from your power. It's coming from your insecurity. And the more you speak from that place, the more you lose ground. In Ep444 of The 'NEW' Marriage, Cass and Kathryn break down the art of silence as strength — what it actually means, why it's not erasure, and how it becomes the most powerful thing you can do in a marriage that feels out of control.

What if some of the marriage advice you've always believed is actually hurting your relationship? In this episode of the Ultimate Intimacy Podcast, Nick and Amy reveal the most common marriage advice they were given (or that they have heard) before and after getting married, advice that sounded wise, was widely accepted, and was often shared with the best intentions, but ultimately did more harm than good.From popular relationship clichés to long-held beliefs about what makes a marriage successful, they unpack the advice they discovered was actually creating frustration, misunderstanding, and disconnection instead of strengthening their relationship.You may be surprised by how many of these marriage "rules" you've heard, or even followed yourself. Tune in and see if you agree with their list! We would also love to hear anything you have heard and include them in a future episode.

Weaponized incompetence is not manipulation and not laziness. It is the adult expression of a childhood survival strategy where deliberate failure protected the child from engulfment or punishment for being capable.This video walks through the real psychology behind weaponized incompetence and the childhood blueprint living underneath both partners. The over-functioner is running a parentification wound. The strategically incompetent partner is running an engulfment and shame-of-competence wound.Kenny Weiss is the creator of the Worst Day Cycle™, the Authentic Self Cycle™, and the Emotional Authenticity Method™. This teaching maps weaponized incompetence to survival personas, parentification, and blueprint collision.Weaponized incompetence in marriage is rarely manipulation. Deliberate failure traces to a childhood where the child's competence was punished by a controlling parent or absorbed by an engulfing parent. Strategic helplessness became the only way to keep a small zone of self.The over-functioning partner is almost always running a parentification wound. The easy child, the responsible one, the little adult who managed mom's moods learned that worth equaled usefulness and that stopping would collapse the family.The over-functioner and the strategically incompetent partner form a blueprint collision. Her competence keeps him incompetent. His incompetence keeps her competent. The fight is not about chores.The Emotional Authenticity Method™ addresses weaponized incompetence at the blueprint level. Its six steps move from somatic down-regulation through earliest memory tracing to Feelization, which builds a new emotional addiction to the Authentic Self instead of the survival role.Kenny Weiss is a relationship, communication, and childhood trauma recovery specialist and the creator of the Worst Day Cycle™, the Authentic Self Cycle™, and the Emotional Authenticity Method™. He is the author of Your Journey To Success and Your Journey To Being Yourself.TOPICS COVERED: weaponized incompetence, weaponized incompetence in marriage, strategic helplessness, mental load, emotional labor, over-functioning partner, parentification, engulfment, codependence, Worst Day Cycle, Authentic Self Cycle, Emotional Authenticity Method, Kenny Weiss, childhood blueprint, survival persona, blueprint collision0:00 — The Pattern Nobody Names Correctly1:30 — Why Calling It Manipulation Misses Everything3:00 — The Childhood Blueprint Behind Strategic Failure5:30 — Parentification and the Over-Functioning Partner8:00 — How the Worst Day Cycle Locks Both Sides In11:30 — Why Couples Therapy Cannot Reach This13:00 — Blueprint Collision and the Ghost in the Fight15:00 — The Authentic Self Cycle Inside This One Issue17:30 — The Emotional Authenticity Method as the Rewire20:30 — Identity Close

When it comes to marriage, an exit strategy might sound like a good idea, but it weakens the relationship, not makes it stronger. Jim Daly explains why healthy marriages are built on commitment, not contingencies. Support Family Ministry If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Commentary, please give us your feedback.

this one is a little different.. it's our very first call-in episode, and it honestly felt like we were all just sitting on the couch together

What if many of us learned more about avoiding sex than understanding it? In this episode of Married AF, we tackle one of the most controversial conversations in modern marriage, dating, and Christianity: purity culture. We unpack the viral statement, “She's told to cover up. He's never told to grow up,” and ask whether generations of people were handed shame instead of healthy relationship communication.We discuss how messages around sex, emotional intimacy, and love can shape marriage long after the wedding day. Some people grew up believing desire itself was bad. Others were taught that men simply cannot control themselves. We explore where those messages may have helped, where they may have caused damage, and how they continue affecting intimacy, marital issues, conflict resolution, and happiness inside relationships today.We also separate an important distinction: healthy boundaries are not the same thing as shame. Marriage advice often focuses on avoiding mistakes, but real marriage coaching should also teach connection, communication, emotional intimacy, and how couples can build a healthy understanding of sex within marriage.Whether you're newly married, dating, engaged, or have been married for decades, this conversation will challenge some assumptions and give practical support for building stronger relationship communication and deeper intimacy.In this episode:✔️ How purity culture shaped marriage expectations✔️ Why emotional intimacy affects physical intimacy✔️ The difference between boundaries and shame✔️ Marriage challenges couples rarely talk about✔️ Communication tools for healthier sex and connection✔️ Christian perspectives on love, marriage, and intimacy✔️ Practical marriage advice and supportMarriage is an adventure filled with challenges, growth, communication, conflict resolution, and learning how to love one another well. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is unlearn messages that were never helping us in the first place.

In this episode of the Covenant Eyes Podcast, Karen Potter and Rob Stoddard sit down with marriage ministry leaders Brad and Heidi Mitchell to discuss one of the most overlooked yet powerful habits in marriage: praying together. While many couples pray individually, surprisingly few regularly pray as husband and wife—and the impact can be profound when they do.Drawing from their new devotional resource and decades of marriage ministry experience, Brad and Heidi share why prayer helps couples navigate conflict, make decisions, weather difficult transitions, and stay connected to both God and each other. They explain how bringing challenges before God changes the dynamic of marriage by shifting couples from opposition to partnership and helping them pursue God's will together.The conversation also explores common marriage struggles, including communication breakdowns, forgiveness, major life transitions, digital distractions, and sexual integrity. Through practical advice and biblical wisdom, Brad and Heidi offer encouragement to couples who want to strengthen their relationship and build a Christ-centered marriage that can withstand life's challenges.Whether you're newly married, navigating a difficult season, or simply looking to grow closer as a couple, this episode serves as a reminder that healthy marriages are built intentionally—and that prayer may be one of the most powerful tools God has given us to strengthen them.Episode Topics Discussed• Why so few couples pray together regularly• The power of prayer in strengthening marriage• How prayer helps resolve conflict and improve communication• Keeping Christ at the center of your relationship• Common marriage struggles and how to navigate them• Major life transitions and their impact on marriage• The importance of forgiveness and extending grace• Sexual integrity, accountability, and finding hope after failure• Technology, social media, and digital distractions in marriage• Practical ways couples can reconnect and communicate betterResources MentionedBuild Your MarriagePraying Together devotional by Brad & Heidi Mitchell Covenant Eyes accountability and monitoring toolsTimestamps00:00 – Why So Few Couples Pray Together00:23 – Meet Brad & Heidi Mitchell00:47 – Building a Marriage Ministry from Personal Struggles01:32 – The Inspiration Behind Their New Prayer Devotional03:51 – The Shocking Statistics About Couples Who Pray Together04:37 – Marriage Topics Couples Should Be Praying About05:41 – Keeping Christ at the Center of Marriage06:50 – How Prayer Changes Conflict and Decision Making08:08 – Common Challenges Couples Face Today09:42 – Forgiveness, Healing, and Moving Forward Together10:30 – Finding Hope After Sexual Betrayal and Broken Trust13:39 – Temptation, Thoughts, and Spiritual Growth14:40 – Their Goal of Visiting 80 Countries by Age 8017:44 – Technology, Social Media, and Marriage Challenges19:04 – Rebuilding Connection Through Eye Contact and Communication19:41 – Practical Boundaries for Phones and Screen Time21:20 – Communicating Needs Without Blame21:42– Marriage, Perseverance, and Putting Christ First22:20 – Resources for Couples and Final EncouragementSend us your feedback!Try Covenant Eyes for FREE today!Use Promo Code: FreePodcast © 2026 Covenant Eyes, All Rights Reserved

In this episode of Awaken with Oliver, Oliver sits down with Kenya K. Stevens – self‑proclaimed best love coach on the planet, love shaman, and divorce stopper – to radically rethink what marriage, relationships, and commitment really mean. Kenya shares her five foundational principles for a thriving partnership and explains why ownership, shame, and blame have no place in modern love.Topics Discussed:The five base principles of a strong marriage: no shame and blame, no victims or villains, no cop‑outs or dropouts, purpose is growth (benefit is love), and “I create my life”Why open marriage won't make you happy – but ownership‑based monogamy won't eitherThe three parts of the self: animal (feelings), ego (storyteller), higher self (solution‑finder)How to stop shaming and blaming your partner by recognising you're looking at a reflection of yourselfEpisode Highlights:[00:00:03] – Kenya K. Stevens introduces herself: “I'm the best love coach on the planet. I stop divorces.”[00:00:14] – How she stops divorces: changing the underpinnings of marriage – no more ownership of another human[00:00:31] – Why an open marriage will not make anyone happy (and what actually works)[00:01:52] – The five principles of Kenya's own marriage: no shame, no blame, no victims, no villains, no cop‑outs, no dropouts[00:02:55] – Oliver's observation: 30‑year‑olds getting married, having kids, and becoming unhappy – they don't even like each other anymore[00:05:18] – The “up‑level” system: every challenge in your relationship is a reflection of yourself[00:07:45] – Breaking down the animal, ego, and higher self[00:09:30] – Can a submissive man become dominant again after years of being the “little bitch”?[00:11:14] – The alpha woman who wants her man to lead but can't stop leading herself – can she truly submit?[00:12:32] – The pattern: a submissive husband often had a dominant mother[00:13:04] – Polyamory and jealousy: why higher self solves jealousy, but ego never will[00:14:25] – Humans are hardwired for community[00:15:34] – The third option beyond animal urge and intellectual control: higher self[00:16:22] – “It takes a village” – and why one person can never give you everything you need[00:17:06] – When kids are involved: community becomes even more necessary, not less[00:18:20] – 40‑60% marriage failure rate for 80 years[00:20:15] – Oliver's personal journey: polyamory or just searching for one real connection?[00:22:53] – Kenya's final message if she had one day left to live: “I've been here since the beginning of time. Death is not real. Live as if you are infinite.”[00:23:18] – Kenya's advice to Oliver: “Take my course. The paradigm shift will be unreal.”Send us Fan MailSupport the showRaw, unedited conversations exploring healing, self-awareness, trauma, and personal growth.Hosted by Oliver, who overcame Tourette's, ADHD, and OCD through lifestyle changes and nervous system regulation, this podcast focuses on real, practical healing — not theory.Each episode covers topics like emotional triggers, inner child healing, mindfulness, identity, and building resilience through honest, lived experience.For anyone seeking clarity, emotional freedom, and deeper self-understanding.Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/yeskingoliverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeskingoliverDownload my FREE PDF — Take Control: http://www.talkwitholiver.comCommunity for healers, lightworkers & conscious travellers:Connect, exchange services, plan journeys, list retreats, discover festivals, and share your work:https://www.findmytribe.org

This episode of Marriage Unmastered is the definition of real. Henry and Shireal dive into the messy truth about secret friendships, emotional boundaries, and the kind of pride that ruins marriages. Shireal's metaphor — comparing betrayal to a snake bite — reframes healing in a way you won't forget. Henry opens up about the parts of himself he didn't want to face, and Shirreal explains how secrecy turns even innocent intentions into poison. It's uncomfortable, honest, and necessary. If you're married, dating, or healing from betrayal, this episode will shake something loose in you.

Controlling Wife ~ My wife tries to get me angry by pushing my buttons. Listen to caller's personal dramas four times each week as Dr. Kenner takes your calls and questions on parenting, romance, love, family, marriage, divorce, hobbies, career, mental health - any personal issue! Call anytime, toll free 877-Dr-Kenner. Visit www.drkenner.com for more information about the show (where you can also download free chapter one of her serious relationships guidebook).

"Hurried Child Syndrome" - Listen to my Morning Monologue: I'm sharing my take on pressing issues, enlightening research on human behavior, answering questions I get by email, and my favorite, most instructive interactions with callers. Everything you'll hear is designed to help you become a better spouse, parent, family member, co-worker, friend, and human being. It's the free therapy you need!  Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kathy's ex-husband says God is telling him to return to her, but is Kathy hearing that same message too? Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"For a good time, call home!" Pastor Ted Cunningham outlines the benefits of marriage, and encourages young adults to consider marrying sooner rather than later. He offers great advice for couples of all ages to help keep the joy in your relationship. Receive Ted Cunningham's book Fun Loving You for your donation of any amount, and receive a free audio download of this program! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Marriage doesn't drift apart overnight—it drifts one small misunderstanding, unmet expectation, and unresolved conflict at a time. In this message, we discover that healthy relationships aren't built by avoiding conflict but by learning how to work through it with humility, honesty, and grace. In Song of Solomon 5 and 6, we find practical wisdom for handling tension, communicating clearly, appreciating what you have, and fighting for connection instead of pulling away.This message will help you:understand why conflict is inevitable in every healthy relationshipdevelop healthy habits for resolving conflict instead of avoiding itlearn practical ways to communicate through frustration and disappointmentNEXT STEPS:Ask for prayer or connect with a pastor: https://freshlife.church/contactRegister your decision to follow Jesus and receive free resources: https://freshlife.church/know-godGive a financial gift to support what God is doing as we take steps forward to see the Gospel reach far and wide: https://freshlife.church/giveSUBSCRIBE:Sign up to receive encouragement straight to your inbox, and to stay up to date with announcements, events, and more: https://church.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6ea4d82b2567db3e86b7767cd&id=451f2fe63eDon't miss a video! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch?sub_confirmation=1CONNECT ON SOCIALS:Website: https://freshlife.churchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshlifeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshlifechurchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/freshlifeYoutube: https://youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch/Fresh Life Church was pioneered by Pastors Levi and Jennie Lusko in 2007. We exist to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ. Today Fresh Life's ministry impacts people with the radical, life-changing message of Jesus' grace, spilling across Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho… and beyond.