Still Becoming One

Send a text Midlife often brings profound shifts in purpose and identity, posing unique challenges for married couples. Is it the seven-year itch or something else? We explore how individuals, influenced by societal roles and personal growth, naturally evolve, sometimes leading to divergent paths. This evolution can feel threatening when one partner finds new life outside the marriage, potentially straining the relationship. Learn how to navigate these changes with curiosity, establish healthy boundaries, and foster deeper connections as you both continue to grow. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send a text Are you struggling to understand the deep longings within you, feeling trapped in your marriage, or like the spark has gone dim? In this episode, we welcome back author and licensed therapist Jay Stringer to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Desire: The Longings Inside Us and the New Science of How We Love, Heal, and Grow. We talk with Jay and explore what motivated him to write this book, and his research on how understanding your desire dramatically impacts relationships. Discover how to stop sabotaging your relationship, differentiate from your partner to create a stronger connection, and move from a "freedom from" mindset to a "freedom for" purpose. This conversation is a transformative call to confront your past, heal attachment wounds, and use the disruptive power of desire to build a life and marriage that truly make you come alive. Interested in exploring your story around unwanted desire? Brad is launching a new Unwanted Journey group with Jay's first book later this month. Find out more Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text Are you tired of the endless cycle of failed New Year's resolutions and frustrated by recurring conflicts in your marriage? In this episode, we explore why simply "white-knuckling" your way to change is destined to fail. Discover how persistent patterns, both in yourself and your spouse—from messy habits to communication breakdowns—are often survival mechanisms, not character flaws. Learn how to shift from demanding change to cultivating curiosity, a practice that can transform your relationship. We'll show you how to "invite the issue onto the porch" to foster genuine understanding, leading to deeper connection, improved intimacy, and lasting growth. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a long list of things to fix, find out how focusing on the "why" behind a single issue can bring healing and victory to your personal life and your marriage. Brad's Freedom Journey Substack Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this popular episode of SB1 Brad and Kate sit down with therapist, minister, and researcher Jay Stringer, author of Unwanted, to reframe sexuality through the broader lens of desire, intimacy, and healing. Moving beyond shame-based recovery and purity culture, the episode offers a faith-informed, research-backed roadmap for couples navigating betrayal trauma, porn, infidelity, and mismatched sexual desire. With practical guidance on crisis-to-revisioning stages, story work, differentiation, and honoring the low desire partner’s integrity, Jay shows how increasing sensuality, pleasure, and emotional connection restores trust and brings marriages back to life. This episode invites listeners to transform contempt into connection, reawaken desire, and become one with hope and courage. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this fan-favorite episode, we are counting down to the number two most-listened-to episode of Still Becoming One. Join us as we dive into a topic many Christian couples wonder about but are hesitant to discuss: oral sex. We tackle the frequent, questions we receive at marriage conferences about whether this act is biblically permissible, why a spouse might desire it, and how to navigate discrepancies in comfort levels. We explore how to build sexual intimacy through a foundation of safety, communication, and mutual honor, especially when addressing sensitive subjects. Drawing from Song of Solomon and our experience as a marriage counselor and relationship coaches, we discuss the importance of moving past cultural shame and misinformation. This episode addresses the power dynamics, vulnerability, and potential past trauma that can create fear or hesitation, particularly for women. Learn how to open a healthy dialogue, understand your partner’s perspective, and explore pleasure together in a way that is honoring, consensual, and strengthens your connection as you are still becoming one. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this special rebroadcast, we revisit one of our most popular episodes, ranking #3 in our top 5. We're joined by bestselling author and relationship coach Shannon Ethridge to explore the crucial link between emotional intelligence and sexual confidence within a marriage. We delve into how personal histories, cultural narratives like purity culture, and the vicious cycle of pornography can erode a wife's confidence and create a wide chasm of disconnection. Shannon shares her coaching methods to help couples uncover the root wounds that sabotage their intimacy, reframing "my needs aren't being met" from a criticism into a sacred invitation for deeper connection. The conversation also challenges the traditional view of "negative" emotions, teaching us to listen to anger, sadness, and fear as our wisest teachers. Discover how boosting your emotional IQ, understanding past trauma, and learning to ask for what you need can break cycles, heal divides, and unlock a more confident and fulfilling intimate relationship. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this special rebroadcast, Brad and Kate present #4 of their top 5 most popular episodes, featuring J Parker from Hot, Holy & Humorous. This episode challenges the transactional view of sex in marriage, reframing desire from "getting sex" to pursuing genuine intimacy—encompassing vulnerability, connection, acceptance, and pleasure. They tackle common stereotypes about sex drive, particularly the harmful idea that men always desire sex more than women, and delve into the experiences of higher desire wives and lower desire husbands. J provides practical advice for higher-drive spouses on inviting rather than pressuring, emphasizing language that fosters connection (e.g., "I need you" instead of "I need sex"), and exploring what sex truly means to each partner. The discussion also highlights how desire often emerges after an invitation and the influence of faith, church history, and culture on beliefs about sexuality Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this rebroadcast, featured as one of the five most popular Still Becoming One episodes, licensed marriage counselor Brad and relationship coach Kate revisit the common and complex marital issue titled 'My Spouse Isn't Meeting My Needs, Now What?' Maybe you missed it the first time, or want to relisten. Enjoy, and we'll be back with new episodes soon! They discuss the cycle of blame that often occurs when one partner feels their emotional or sexual needs are unmet, leading to a constant state of irritation and disconnection. Exploring the dichotomy between self-responsibility and spousal support, we emphasize the importance of understanding your own story, communicating your needs effectively, and recognizing the pressures your partner is facing. Whether it's the tension between work-life balance and household duties, the differing expectations for connection, or the trap of believing your spouse should make you happy, this conversation offers practical insights for couples to navigate this challenge. Learn how to stop blaming each other, take responsibility for your own well-being, and work together to heal and strengthen your connection, turning a potential point of conflict into an opportunity for growth and a deeper bond. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text Is self-care selfish—especially during the holiday season? We unpack the difference between genuine self-care and imitation self-care and explore the unique resistance men and women face when trying to take care of themselves. If you've thought, "I don't have time for self-care", or "What would I do anyway?" This episode is for you! We offer a practical framework to identify what truly restores you and introduce a Self-Care Grid to help you contemplate what could actually give you good self-care! This empowering conversation blends faith, marriage wisdom, and mental health insights to help couples build rhythms of rest, reduce stress, and grow closer as they are still becoming one. Self Care Grid: AldrichMinistries.com/Resources Groups starting in the new year: AldrichMinistries.com/Groups Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text Brad and Kate, licensed marriage counselor and relationship coaches, dive into the vital topic of “doing your own work” and how personal healing impacts marriage health, communication, and intimacy. They unpack common church-influenced pushbacks: “we just need to pray more,” “I’ll use accountability,” and “why go back to childhood?” This episode blends faith, neuroscience, story work, and marriage coaching to help couples break cycles, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate hope and joy. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the complex inner world of men with therapist and teacher Wendell Moss from the Allender Center. Discover the three core, unspoken questions every man is asking: And how the cultural pressure to "be strong" often leads to silence, loneliness, and cycles of addiction fueled by shame and contempt. We explore why so many men struggle with vulnerability, deflect compliments, and fear being seen, even when they desperately desire it. For couples seeking true connection, this conversation offers profound insights into the male experience, unpacking how the fear of powerlessness drives behavior and how to create the safety needed for healing. Learn practical steps to build new, healing counter-narratives in your marriage, repair after conflict, and foster a connection where both partners can finally feel seen and known. Don't miss Wendell Moss and Dan Allender's recorded webinar: Learning to Read and Understand Men's Stories Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text Are you a parent struggling with the painful reality of your adult children creating distance, setting firm boundaries, or even cutting you off? This episode tackles the confusing and often hurtful dynamic of strained parent-adult child relationships. Hosts Brad and Kate explore why the younger generation is increasingly setting boundaries, leaving parents feeling bewildered and asking, "What did I do wrong?" They challenge the traditional expectation that children owe their parents a relationship, arguing that the healthy, biblical model is for the parent to initiate pursuit and repair. Learn why your experience of the past could end up invalidating your child's hurt, how to move from defensiveness to curiosity, and the crucial first step to take when a boundary is set. If you're ready to understand the pressure your children feel, process your own hurt, and take practical steps toward healing and reconciliation, this conversation provides a roadmap to rebuild trust and foster a healthier connection for the future. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text The glow in your hand is quietly dimming the glow between you. We dive into how phones shape sex, sleep, attention, and intimacy—and the small, sustainable shifts that restore presence without demanding digital exile. Don't know where to start?? Try Questions For Couples by Brad & Kate The Brick- Take back your time Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text The headlines say married sex is in decline, but the real story lives inside our homes: glowing screens, heavy schedules, chronic stress, and a quiet confusion about what “healthy intimacy” should look like now. We sit down with author and podcaster J Parker to unpack the data behind the so‑called sex recession and then move past the stats into practical fixes couples can actually use. Special Guest J Parker from Hot Holy Humorous Kate's guest episode on The Sex Chat For Christian Wives Podcast Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text The calendar turns to November and suddenly every old family role shows up at the front door. We get real about why gatherings can feel so loaded, even when you love your people, and how to protect your marriage and your mental health without ghosting the holidays. Our approach starts with two anchors—honor and honesty—so you can appreciate the good, name the hard, and walk in with clarity about what you can and can’t expect from parents and extended family. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text What if becoming one didn’t mean losing yourself? We get honest about the push and pull between closeness and autonomy—how time apart can stir old aches, why safety makes independence possible, and how small, practical choices turn tension into trust. From childhood loneliness to learned solitude, we trace how personal story and attachment shape the way each of us handles “I need a minute” and “I miss you already,” and we share what helped us move from reactivity to curiosity. We zoom into the pressure points at home: uneven chores, nonstop childcare, and the cultural guilt that tells women they must earn rest. I We also tackle the spiritual piece many couples wrestle with: 1 Corinthians 7. Read through coercion, it harms. Read through freedom, it heals. Your body is mine to cherish, reclaiming consent, timing, and dignity. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text A simple “You look great” shouldn’t start a debate, yet so many couples know that sting. We unpack the common loop where one partner stops praising because the other deflects. Diving into why compliments bounce off, how cultural messages tangle with personal story, and what it takes to make affirmation actually land. Instead of withdrawing, we offer a better path Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text What happens when your parents protect their marriage like it’s a living, breathing thing—and you’re the kid on the other side of the doorknob? We invite our daughter Lily home from college to talk candidly about growing up in a marriage-first home: the Friday date nights, the weekends away, the moments that felt lonely, and the rituals that made her feel chosen. Her reflections are warm, honest, and surprising—especially when she describes how boundaries and trust became the real glue. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text What if the real intimacy killer isn’t your past, but how it gets dismissed? We dig into ways couples can invalidate each other’s stories—“It wasn’t that bad,” “You should be over it,” “That’s just your story”—and why those phrases shut down safety, trust, and depth. Drawing from our own marriage and years of coaching, we unpack the difference between knowing a partner’s facts and understanding the impact those moments wrote on the heart. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries

Send us a text Brad and Kate explore how our personal stories and childhood experiences shape our marriage relationships in profound ways. Story work provides couples with a framework to understand recurring conflicts and create healthier patterns of interaction. We invite you to start your own story exploration and join us next week as we continue our series on story work and its impact on marriage. Still Becoming One Facebook Instagram Aldrich Ministries