Awesome Marriage Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Kim has said that prayer is the #1 most impactful thing you can do for your marriage. Today he explains why that is, and how to make it a habit in your marriage. Today we want to make praying with your spouse more approachable by sharing 4 biblical prayers to pray with your spouse that will grow your marriage. The Bible lists a lot of reasons for marriage, and praying in line with God’s purpose and intention for marriage is very powerful. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why prayer is an essential act of spiritual protection against the enemy Why it’s so hard to get started, and how to overcome Healthy perspective shifts praying will provide in your marriage How to handle some of the uncomfortable realities of answered prayers The power of prayer to help you take personal responsibility *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Praying together puts God where he wants to be in our marriage: Right in the center of it. - Dr. Kim Kimberling “The enemy does not want Christian marriages to work.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “When you pray together you find that it unites you.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “There’s a ripple effect: It’s not just about the couple, it’s about the family; it’s about the community.” - Lindsay Few “I am more of who God created me to be after being married to Nancy all these years than I would have been without her.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “God put us together. He’s got some fun stuff for us to do. Let’s look out and let’s get this stuff going!” - Lindsay Few Blame is a very human response…but we all have a way we can influence the world. We do have control over how we’re responding to God’s call on us.” - Lindsay Few QUESTIONS FOR YOU 4 Prayers to Pray together: MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Our 21 Prayers for Building An Awesome Marriage makes it simple to make prayer a regular part of your marriage <3 Find more prayers to grow your marriage in the 7 Prayers YouVersion Bible reading plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

While their life appeared to be successful, fun and amazing, Andy and Sara’s marriage was at a breaking point. Their life was at a high point, but their relationship had reached a low. In today’s episode they share how their marriage recovered. Can a marriage survive the damage of gaslighting and blame? Today’s episode is proof it can. Dr. Kim got to witness a complete transformation in Andy and Sara’s marriage. Their story is full of grace and hope, and we are so thankful to them for sharing it with us today. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How did things look good from the outside for as long as they did? How Sara used waiting to grow closer to God The turning point that allowed Andy to start to change The specific process that changed Andy from the inside out *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “We lived this big, giant, amazing life. The problem was, I was getting wrapped more and more into my success, thinking I was this great gift to humanity.” - Andy “I felt like he didn’t know me. He didn’t know my heart.” - Sara “I was searching for the world to fill that void in my chest that only God can fill.” - Andy “You need to meditate and delight in the word of God to change the trajectory of your life.” Pastor Mike (via Andy) “The Lord didn’t care about all my success. He wanted me broken at the foot of the cross.” - Andy QUESTIONS FOR YOU What are the little things your spouse does that make you feel loved? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Questions about gaslighting and blame? Submit them anonymously HERE or over on Instagram for Dr. Kim to answer in an upcoming episode Want to reduce unnecessary arguments, decrease stress in your home, develop better understanding of your spouse, OR just strengthen your bond as a couple? Our 30-Day Communication Challenge is for you!

Your faith is a foundation for every aspect of life. So when you’re not on the same page with your spouse spiritually, it can make marriage more complicated. Dr. Kim has helped couples deal with this situation time and time again, and in today’s episode he shares valuable insight into how you can deal with spiritual disunity in your marriage. Episode highlights include: Practical ways to pursue unity when you’re not unified on faith The common mistakes Dr. Kim sees spouses make in this situation The major shift your marriage needs to start thriving How to change your focus in order to enjoy your marriage We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “God loves them, and knows them so much better than you do, and He knows what works and doesn’t work for that person.” Dr. Kim Kimberling “Just accepting your spouse and not trying to change them is essential. You can’t really have a thriving marriage until you make that shift.” - Lindsay Few “Growth hurts, but I’m glad I’m not the same as I was.” - Lindsay Few “My life is so much different and better because I married Nancy, even though some of it was so hard for both of us.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling QUESTIONS FOR YOU Have you let go of trying to change your spouse, and let God take over that job? Pray and ask God: How can I love my spouse well today? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: When your marriage is struggling, everything feels more overwhelming. We created 21 Prayers for Struggling Marriage to help make praying for your marriage less challenging. God is the one who can change your hearts and your marriage for the better, so inviting him to do those things is the best thing you can do for your marriage. Do you want to reduce unnecessary arguments, decrease stress in your home, develop better understanding & connection with your spouse, or strengthen your bond as a couple? If you do, then our 30-Day Communication Challenge is for you!

No one loves talking finances, but we do think you’ll love today’s conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses’ separate financial backgrounds and “money stories” can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value. Listen to this episode if you’re ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season - without fighting about them! Episode highlights include: Questions to start a productive conversation about finances with your spouse How to uncover the hidden money lessons you learned growing up, then to get on the same page with your spouse. What recent research says about the connection of money and marital happiness How to learn more about your spouse’s perspective about money Ways to work together toward shared values around money in your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES: “You have different perspectives about money. You don’t necessarily talk about what it means to you, how you think about it, therefore you argue about it.” - Julie Baumgardner “You can have conversations about money without having to be methodical about every single penny.” - Julie Baumgardner “If you can’t figure out how to live within your means with a little, it will be very complicated to figure out how to live within your means with a lot.” - Julie Baumgardner “It isn’t ‘You’re right, I’m wrong,’ you’re being curious. And in being curious, you’re learning.” - Julie Baumgardner “If you can tell that money is creating stress, what is it about money that’s stressful?” - Julie Baumgardner “Keep your eyes wide open for where God is calling you to join Him in his work. Be aware, and where you see a need, be a Kingdom builder. ” - Julie Baumgardner QUESTIONS FOR YOU: What matters most to the two of you when it comes to money? It’s never too late to define your core values around money in your marriage. What is it about money that’s stressful? If it’s “what ifs," then name the what-ifs and talk through them. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: We found Julie’s article on this topic SO helpful: Do finances in childhood impact your marriage? Research says yes Winshape Marriage online and on Instagram Find the Money Habitudes game online 🎉 Giveaway time! We are giving away a bundle of our TOP 3 RESOURCES of 2023: 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage, 21 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and 21 Day Wife Appreciation Challenge! To enter just leave an honest review of the podcast wherever you listen, screenshot it, send in to info@awesomemarriage.com. Giveaway ends 12/15 10am CST. Dr. Kim’s newest book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half is now available as an eBook! Grab your copy here! We want to help you make 2024 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource!

Is it possible to parent without fear of the teen years? We say yes! So does today’s guest, Kristen Hatton. We are delighted to have Kristen on the podcast today to share how to prepare for some of the aspects of parenting teens that many parents find daunting. Episode highlights include: Kristen shares ways to know if your fears are becoming idols in parenting Proactive VS reactive parenting: Which one are you? The difference between overparenting and underparenting and how they affect your kids *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Frequently parents are living in “reactive” mode, and often it’s because we’re just so busy.” - Kristen Hatton “If I always say yes to my kids going in different directions with their friends, or being on a travel team, and we’re always just so busy, then all the sudden, church goes by the wayside. Family time goes by the wayside." - Kristen Hatton “Often, what children experience from their parents is how they view God. So I want them to know my unconditional love and acceptance, so that they see that that’s how God is too.” - Kristen Hatton QUESTIONS: To evaluate if something you love has become an idol: Are you holding it with an open palm, or a clenched fist? Can you be OK without it? Evaluate your emotions to help you see your idols. Ask: Why am I so angry? Why am I so irritable? Is something controlling me? What occupies my time, habits, thoughts, money, and conversations? Talk with your spouse to decide: What do we want most for our family? How are we doing to get there? What do we want to impart to our kids? What will we allow? What won’t we allow? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more from Kristen: Follow her @RedemptiveParenting on Instagram Find all of her books and resources at KristenHatton.com Get Biblical wisdom for parenting teens in her book Parenting Ahead Our FREE 16 Ways To Navigate the Teenage Years as a Team will help you keep your marriage strong during this season. GIVEAWAY TIME! We are giving away a bundle of our TOP 3 RESOURCES of 2023: 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage, 21 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and 21 Day Wife Appreciation Challenge! To enter just leave an honest review of the podcast wherever you listen, screenshot it, send in to info@awesomemarriage.com. Giveaway ends 12/15 10am CST. Dr. Kim’s newest book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half is now available as an eBook! Grab your copy here! We want to help you make 2024 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource!

Holiday season is upon us, and with it all things festive! I’m guessing your schedule didn’t have much extra space to begin with, so now there’s a risk of becoming truly overbooked. How can your marriage be a priority, even with so much going on? Today Dr. Kim is sharing several of his best tips for prioritizing your marriage, even in this busy season. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Ways to share the load of holiday tasks & preparation better How prioritizing your marriage this season can decrease your stress Dr. Kim’s 5 ways to prioritize your marriage this season How to implement this if you aren’t on the same page right now Tips to de-stress your holiday gatherings and enjoy them more *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES: “It doesn’t have to be a whole evening, it doesn’t even have to be a whole hour. It can be just 15 minutes, but you protect that time.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “I think quality time is one of the most important things we do in a marriage, and it also seems to be one of the easiest to bump.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Make sure you're on the same page together, then enjoy it together.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “There’s so much unnecessary tension you can eliminate if you can start to use team language and work together.” - Lindsay Few QUESTIONS What is one favorite Christmas tradition you and your spouse have, just for the two of you? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: GIVEAWAY TIME! We are giving away a bundle of our Top 3 Resources of 2023: Our 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage, 21 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and 21 Day Wife Appreciation Challenge! To enter just leave an honest review of the podcast wherever you listen, screenshot it, send in to info@awesomemarriage.com. Giveaway ends 12/15 10am EST. Dr. Kim’s newest book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half is now available as an eBook! Grab your copy here! Related episode: “What is team Language? Ep. 501”