Today Dr. Kim answers the question, “Do Christians have to stay married, no matter what?” We have heard from several listeners who are in difficult, painful and even abusive marriages. Some said their spouse takes advantage of knowing they will continue to stay as a rationale for continuing harmful patterns. This topic is complicated and nuanced, but there are some clear biblical principles about marriage that can help to navigate a response to these painful situations. Listen to learn more. Epi...
Jan 24, 2023•30 min
We are so happy to be back with a new episode of the podcast in the new year! Today we get to hear the story of a real couple whose marriage was restored after infidelity. Adam and Kristi share the complete story of their marriage, and how God worked through their hardest situation to bring redemption. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here ! RESOURCES If your marriage has been affected by infidelity, our ...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Statistically, odds are not good for a couple processing grief together. Today Kerry and Chris Shook join Dr. Kim on the podcast. In this powerfully encouraging episode, they share how they handled a painful season of grief losing their grandson, Jude, who lived just one day on earth, and how they were shaped, along with their family, through the loss. Kerry and Chris are pastors and co-authors of The Gift of One Day: How to Find Hope When Life Gets Hard. Episode highlights include: Does grief c...
Dec 20, 2022•50 min
The Christmas season is like no other! Today we’re sharing some ways we love to celebrate, our favorite traditions, past mistakes and mishaps, and how we have handled some of the challenges of the season. Plus we get to hear from two very special guests – each of our spouses join us for the first time on the podcast! Episode highlights include: Knowing when it’s time to let go of certain traditions Dr. Kim’s tips to reduce Christmas busyness PLUS Christmas favorites, challenges and memories with...
Dec 13, 2022•45 min
Today we’re tackling some of the really tough questions that listeners have submitted. We love answering listener questions, and Dr. Kim often answers one at the end of our episodes. This episode is a little different, since these are all questions that warrant more than a quick answer. While there are some hard realities, we also believe that there is hope for every marriage. Wherever your marriage is today, we believe God has hope and redemption for you! Episode highlights include: Tips to tal...
Dec 06, 2022•43 min
Research shows that 69% of marital conflict is never resolved. We either sweep it under the rug, avoid the pain points, or get stuck in a cycle of conflict that may cause pain but not find resolution. Today Dr. Kim talks with special guest Anne Nelson, about the 4-stage process to break the fight cycle and heal your marriage from conflict. Anne is a Christian counselor who helps couples and individuals to find the fully thriving life God has for them. Episode highlights include: Why we get stuck...
Nov 29, 2022•51 min
Today Dr. Kim welcomes return guests Levi and Jennie Lusko to the podcast. In this episode, they talk about their new book, The Marriage Devotional, and answer why they wrote a marriage devotional, how that process affected their marriage, the power of scripture in marriage gift God gave us, and much more! Don’t miss this deeply encouraging episode! Episode highlights include: Why there is power to going to church in person as a couple What might be going on when you don’t get anything out of a ...
Nov 22, 2022•49 min
What are some of the major mistakes we hope couples avoid during dating and engagement? Today we’re talking all about unrealistic expectations. How can we tell when our expectations are unrealistic, and what can we do to keep them from becoming an issue in our relationships? This one trips up about every couple at some point, so even if you’re married, this episode will be helpful to recognize, and deal with our expectations in a healthy and helpful way. Tune in for all the details on how not to...
Nov 15, 2022•34 min
What are some of the major mistakes we hope couples avoid during dating and engagement? Today we’re talking about what it means to focus on the wrong things. What are they, and why are we saying they’re wrong? In Dr. Kim’s counseling experience, he’s seen some things that are just not helpful for engaged couples, so today he’s telling us some of the things he sees engaged couples focusing on that aren’t helpful to their future marriage. Spoiler alert: No matter where you are today, there is hope...
Nov 08, 2022•44 min
What are some of the major mistakes we hope couples avoid during dating and engagement? Today we’re looking at a big one: Ignoring red flags. Thankfully, Dr. Kim has counseled so many engaged couples over the years, and has created our Preparing For Marriage online course. So today he sheds light on several common red flags and how to deal with them. Spoiler alert: No matter where you are today, there is hope! Episode highlights include: Do red flags mean you have to call off the engagement? Dr....
Nov 01, 2022•38 min
“The storms will hit. It’s not a threat, it’s just a reality,” as Gary Thomas shares with us today. When they do, we want our marriages to be a refuge where we take comfort. In this episode, Gary Thomas tells us how to make sure your marriage is a safe haven for you and your spouse, rather than a source of pain and conflict. His latest book tells real-life stories of marriages that overcame hardship to become a fortress. We believe this is what God wants for each marriage and what he wants for y...
Oct 25, 2022•57 min
Have you gotten bad marriage advice? We sure have! We’ve heard so many things that just aren’t helpful for marriage, but we didn’t always realize it! Trying to follow a harmful piece of marriage will damage your marriage over time. So today we call out bad marriage advice, give ways to prevent yourself from falling prey to it, and help you determine what's good advice, and what's worth tossing out. Episode highlights include: How to tell whether it’s good advice or not The downside of getting ma...
Oct 18, 2022•42 min
Men and women tend to view intimacy differently, so it takes intentionality to understand one another well. We want to help the wives out this week by looking at 3 ways to do intimacy his way. How can you build these into marriage? Today’s episode will help you bring intimacy from idea into action. Tune in to learn more! Episode highlights include: One fun way to keep the “spark” alive The destructive side effect of disrespect Fun and simple things you can do to get more - and better - connectio...
Oct 11, 2022•28 min
Men and women typically view intimacy differently, and it takes intentionality to understand one another well. We want to help the husbands out this week by looking at 3 ways to do intimacy her way. This episode is worth repeating since it answers one of the toughest parts of marriage. How can you build these into marriage? Today’s episode will help you bring intimacy from idea into action. Tune in to learn more! Episode highlights include: One of the most common complaints we hear from women on...
Oct 04, 2022•31 min
Are you part of a blended family? Having a blended family brings unique challenges and that’s why we’re so thankful for our friends Scott and Vanessa Martindale sharing their wisdom on the topic today! Scott and Vanessa founded Blended Kingdom Families, where they offer practical strategies and Biblical encouragement for blended families. Don’t miss this helpful episode! Episode highlights include: Dealing with high-conflict ex-spouse relationships Some practical tools for clear communication Pl...
Sep 27, 2022•41 min
What did you hope for and dream of when you got married? Is your marriage all you dreamed it would be? For so many, it is not. It’s easy to think it might be easier for other couples, but a good marriage takes time, energy, and hard work. There’s hope for your marriage no matter where you are today, because as Dr. Kim shares with us, God hasn’t given up on any marriage! Episode highlights include: Dr. Kim’s pro tip on why he gives couples “homework” Why many of us might stay distracted on purpos...
Sep 20, 2022•42 min
{ Editor's Note: Audio was repaired 11/2023. } So much of life is not what happens to us, but how we respond to it. Life is hard and it never seems to go exactly according to our plans. My grandad said that we all have the choice to either get bitter, or get better. And he lived out what it looks like to get better, even in the face of all of life’s troubles. Today Dr. Kim shares what ongoing bitterness looks like over time, and how we can avoid becoming grouchy, grumpy, and mean! Episode highli...
Sep 13, 2022•53 min
What are the pros and cons of having kids? Can you know if you’re really ready? Today Dr. Kim and I discuss how to know and how we each went through that process with our spouse. We share some practical ways to get on the same page with your spouse, as well as some of our favorite parts of being parents. Listen in to learn more! Episode highlights include: How we navigated the transitions from being childless couples to having kids Surprises that couples often face when they become parents Tips ...
Sep 06, 2022•49 min
Matt Hammitt had a successful music career as frontman of the Grammy and Dove-award-winning band Sanctus Real, but he knew God was calling him away from his career and toward something else. The wake up call happened when he started realizing he was not the man he intended to be. Today Matt opens up about the process of following God’s lead in leading his family well. Tune in for his encouraging story! Episode highlights include: Is it time to ‘burn the ships’ and change course? When both spouse...
Aug 30, 2022•40 min
Today we’re answering listener-submitted questions about our Healthy Self / Healthy Marriage series. We have talked about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and they all overlap, so we have questions from every area. There are some really tough ones, so we’re going to do our best to give clear and helpful answers today, as Dr. Kim shares great biblical counsel for the questions sent in from our listeners. Episode highlights include: Do marriage problems resolve over time? Why som...
Aug 23, 2022•38 min
Mental health impacts every aspect of our life, so it will certainly impact our marriage. I am so thankful for Dr. Kim’s deep experience with this topic! In this episode we covered everything from how to know when to work on things ourselves, when to seek help, and effective but practical ways to boost mental health in everyday life. Tune in to learn more. Episode highlights include: How to know when you need professional help Practical everyday tips to boosting your mental health How to help a ...
Aug 16, 2022•47 min
The healthiest marriages are between two healthy people. This week we’re unpacking why it’s so hard to be spiritually healthy without emotional health. The two are linked because a lack of knowing ourselves will seriously hinder our ability to connect with God and others. It’s a lot simpler, more accessible, and less touchy-feely than it may sound. Episode highlights include: The connection between emotional and spiritual health The unintended relational effects of unprocessed emotions Tips to g...
Aug 09, 2022•51 min
Today Dr. Kim and I are talking about how physical health impacts a marriage. It turns out we’re both passionate about pursuing good stewardship with physical health! Dr. Kim shares some of the struggles he and Nancy have had to deal with and how they worked through them, and I share how going from a mentality of body shame to one of gratitude shifted how I approach physical health. Episode highlights include: Why we need a proper theology about our bodies How physical health impacts our marriag...
Aug 02, 2022•45 min
Is your marriage full of joy, or does it lack some of the qualities you hoped for? It takes more than just love to make a marriage thrive, and today John David Mann and Ana Gabriel Mann, co-authors of The Go Giver Marriage , share why that is. In The Go Giver Marriage , the Manns share five secrets to lasting love that will help you build a marriage in which both spouses truly thrive. Episode highlights include: An effective strategy to break cycles of bickering or criticism Why just one spouse’...
Jul 26, 2022•52 min
We get a lot of questions about how to deal with not being “equally yoked” in marriage, so today Dr. Kim shares tips, encouragement plus some do’s and don'ts if you are in this difficult situation. And listen in for a fun new anonymous listener question segment where Dr. Kim drops the mic with his marriage advice for newlyweds! We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Subscribe to Podcast Email to make sure you never miss an episode. When you sign up, you will get our “5 Days 5 ...
Jul 19, 2022•36 min
When we get married, we are also marrying into our spouse’s family. In laws can be a blessing, but that’s not always the case. Today we share real life examples of in-law issues and how couples dealt with them, and give you practical steps to deal with the issues that you might be facing. We know in-law issues run the gamut and so this advice is not one-size-fits-all. So if we missed something you want to hear covered, We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Subscribe to Podcas...
Jul 12, 2022•46 min
We all want to keep our marriage safe from the damaging effects of an affair. There are many tips to doing this, but the one truly essential underlying principle is simpler and more effective than you might think. In today’s episode, Dr. Kim shares the top way to prevent an affair, based on his 40 years of experience counseling couples. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Subscribe to Podcast Email to make sure you never miss an episode. When you sign up, you will get our “...
Jul 05, 2022•40 min
Can you grow your attraction to your spouse, or is it destined to grow stale over time? Today’s special guest Kimberley Beam Holmes explains that attraction is a process. Following this process will increase your attraction in marriage, but stopping it will lead to a stagnant and stale attraction. Learn how to follow the attraction process that you can follow at any time in marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Subscribe to Podcast Email to make sure you never miss ...
Jun 28, 2022•39 min
Is it ever okay to feel used in married sex? If you’re struggling with feeling this way, don’t settle for staying stuck there. We will speak to several different contexts in today’s episode. Wherever your marriage is today, we pray you find encouragement, know that you are not alone, and know that God wants you to find health and enjoyment in the sexual relationship in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Subscribe to Podcast Email to make sure you never miss ...
Jun 21, 2022•48 min
What are the hard conversations in your marriage? Do you avoid them, argue over them, or (*fingers crossed*) do they go really well?! We’re on the last week of our Awesome Marriage Podcast 4-week summer break, and during these weeks off, we will re-share some of our favorite past episodes. We’re re-sharing this one to help you have better conversations when it’s time to address tough topics. Listen in to learn some great ways to help them go well. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your ...
Jun 14, 2022•29 min
