One common theme we hear from our couples at Awesome Marriage is that life and marriage have been difficult the past few years. The unexpected and unpredictable realities have taken a toll on many of us, and the anxiety and angst have made us quite “prickly.” In today’s episode, Dr. Kim and Christina talk about that prickliness and help you evaluate if you’ve been a little prickly and if so, how to work through it. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights incl...
Jul 18, 2023•30 min
We’re on our annual summer break from the podcast, and during the break we love to re-air favorite past episodes. Today we’re sharing Dr. Kim’s conversation with former NFL linebacker Sam Acho, a speaker, podcaster, and humanitarian. They had an honest and encouraging conversation about what holds us back from being authentic and how to break through fears and be more real. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The breakthrough that first helped Sa...
Jul 11, 2023•48 min
Marriage is more of a marathon than a sprint, and to go the distance, it definitely helps to learn from someone who has gone before. Who better to learn from than Dr. Kim? He and Nancy are more than 50 years into marriage, and continue to have so much fun together. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it! Today Dr. Kim shares his top 5 ways to build a marriage you love that will stand the test of time. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights includ...
Jul 04, 2023•25 min
Recovery after porn is possible. Your mind can heal and you can break the addiction. Today’s guest, Matt Cline, is the founder and director of Restored Ministries, which leads men and women out of sexual brokenness and into a life of freedom and impact. Matt has seen countless lives radically changed around the world.Today he talks about his healing process, how God restored his beliefs about sex We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The God-given ...
Jun 29, 2023•58 min
Can your marriage be happy, even after…? Our guest today said that, “About 70% of men in the church are struggling cyclically or addictively with pornography, and about 30% of women. It’s time to stop giving the enemy the power of our silence.” We completely agree! While this story is not easy to tell, letting light into our darkest places is how we will experience the healing God wants for us. We are so thankful that Dannah shared her story with us this week. We pray this episode is helpful to ...
Jun 27, 2023•50 min
If porn use has damaged your marriage, you may struggle to feel close and to re-engage in sexual intimacy. You know that healing is possible, but how do you get there? Today Dr. Kim shares ways that couples can overcome the hurt caused by porn and re-establish the intimacy that will make the marriage thrive again. Time and again, we have seen couples restored, and their marriage even better than before. Tune in today and learn how this can be true for your marriage too. We pray this episode is h...
Jun 20, 2023•43 min
Porn use is a pain point for all too many marriages. Today we talk about how to begin healing and rebuilding trust if porn has damaged your marriage. We have seen countless marriages restored from this issue, and we believe God can do the same for you and your marriage. Tune in to learn how you can begin to trust again. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The key to knowing if your spouse has changed and is trustworthy What if they haven’t change...
Jun 13, 2023•39 min
We know this topic is a painful one for all too many marriages, and we also know that God can bring full healing if your marriage has been damaged by porn. Today Dr. Kim shares how he’s seen porn impact marriages over the years, why it’s always a problem if it’s part of a marriage, and how to start breaking free. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why porn use is never a one-person issue Why keeping porn use secret makes it harder to stop using ...
Jun 06, 2023•39 min
Great things are happening on the Awesome Marriage Podcast this summer! In this quick update Dr. Kim and I pop in to talk about what you can expect and what you'll be hearing over the next few weeks. Plus an exciting announcement from Dr. Kim! We pray these episodes are helpful to you and your marriage. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here ! RESOURCES Learn to make your marriage strong for the long haul -- Order Dr. Kim’s new book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the...
Jun 02, 2023•6 min
When Eric and Erikah Rivera met and started dating as high school sweethearts, they sensed God’s call on their lives. But they did not know how it would all unfold. Today they are church planters in their hometown of Chicago, and they graciously share their story of how God has met them in the midst of unexpected fear and pain, and the ways He has worked in each circumstance. Don’t miss this encouraging conversation with the Riveras. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Epis...
May 31, 2023•46 min
This week we conclude our powerful Unpacking the Baggage series with some details on the process of unpacking marriage baggage, and dealing with what’s underneath. I’m so thankful for Dr. Kim’s biblical wisdom on this topic, as well as the excellent guests we heard from this month. If you missed the previous episodes of this series, make sure to go back and listen for some powerful wisdom on how to heal your heart and your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episo...
May 23, 2023•39 min
How can disappointment or unmet expectations in marriage lead us to God’s healing? Our marriage will only be as healthy as the two people in it, and God wants to restore and heal our hearts. We’re delighted to have John and Stasi Eldredge on the podcast today. The Eldredges share so much wisdom and their personal experiences with God’s healing power in their lives and their marriage. Episode highlights include: How to navigate expectations for your marriage and the hurt they can bring How to tak...
May 16, 2023•47 min
When we carry parts of our past with us, it still affects us into today. If we aren’t talking about how the past is for each spouse pushing its way into the present, then we’re probably not getting to the depth of the truth of what’s really going on. Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a repeat guest on the podcast, and today he shares some transformative steps to dealing with what’s under the surface, and helping your spouse to do the same. Don’t miss this helpful episode! Episode highlights include: Do we r...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min
When we carry parts of our past with us, they still affect us today. You may know there is something going on, but not know what it is. You may sense your spouse has something they are carrying or you might be affected by unresolved conflict in your shared past. Today Dr. Kim shares how these things shape our marriage relationships and what we can do about them. Episode highlights include: Ever been picked last at recess? Yeah, us too. But do things like that matter in our marriages? Why aren’t ...
May 02, 2023•39 min
Here's what's coming up in the next several weeks on the Awesome Marriage Podcast! I'll share which guests will be appearing on the podcast and a snippet of what they'll talk about. This series is full of warmth and wisdom, so make sure to tune into each episode!
Apr 28, 2023•2 min
How can just three words help strengthen your emotional, spiritual and mental health? Not only that, but Pastor Mark Batterson says they can shift the tide and change everything. Please, Sorry, Thanks is the name of Pastor Mark Batterson’s new book, and he is here today with Dr. Kim, sharing why it’s worth devoting an entire book to three of the first words many of us were taught growing up! Don’t miss this powerful episode. Episode highlights include: Practices to better position ourselves to h...
Apr 25, 2023•50 min
So many parents know the pain of a broken relationship with their adult child. This isn’t how you thought it would go, and you’re not sure how to love your child when they continue to break your heart. Today Dr. David E Clarke returns to the podcast to give some biblical steps that parents can take, individually or as a couple, with their prodigal child. Episode highlights include: 10 scenarios that can cause relational disconnect with your adult child Steps to repairing your relationship when y...
Apr 21, 2023•37 min
Today we tackle listener questions about how to practically apply boundaries in specific marriage situations. Dr. Kim gives some great starting points to help you deal with situations that you may be facing where a boundary would help, but you just don’t know what that boundary should be, or how to set it. Episode highlights include: Decision-making boundaries with in-laws Dealing with a controlling parent How to address an unmet promise without nagging Finding creative solutions to address marr...
Apr 18, 2023•35 min
Today on the podcast, we’re sharing real stories of marriage boundaries that couples used to help their marriage grow healthier. Dr. Kim and I each share some of our own experiences, and we will hear from 4 members of the Awesome Marriage team about boundaries that helped their marriage. Episode highlights include: The money mindset that set Dr. Kim and Nancy up for success together A simple way to transition from your work-from-home to family time Lindsay and Christina share practical boundarie...
Apr 11, 2023•49 min
Today we’re going to get into what healthy boundaries do and do NOT look like. We will troubleshoot the confusion and frustration that boundaries can bring when they’re not working like they should, and tell you what to do about it. Episode highlights include: We unpack some reasons you might avoid setting boundaries Red flags that you are doing boundaries wrong How to clarify the importance of the issues you discuss When you have assumed your spouse knows your boundaries We pray this episode is...
Apr 04, 2023•46 min
Do you ever get a little defensive when your spouse disagrees with you? Marriage disagreements get real because we can’t just ignore what we don’t agree on like we can with an acquaintance. Today Mike Donehey joins Dr. Kim on the podcast and shares gospel-centered wisdom that shows us a better way to disagree. Episode highlights include: How Christians should handle defensiveness A great way to diffuse an argument as soon as it begins What can happen when we take the time to really hear the othe...
Mar 28, 2023•48 min
Today we get into the details of how to carry out healthy boundary setting. We continue the series on healthy boundaries by talking about logistics of how to set and carry out the boundaries our marriages need. We’ll talk about how to do this conversation well, and what NOT to do when you talk about them. Tune in to hear how to set these well to help you and your marriages to be their healthiest. What do you want to hear more about before we close this series? Let me know! Episode highlights inc...
Mar 21, 2023•49 min
Several types of boundaries can help your marriage be healthy, and today we’re talking about boundaries outside of marriage. That means with family, friends, and the opposite sex. We could probably devote an entire episode to each of these categories! We definitely can’t cover every possibility, but we can get the conversation started. Episode highlights include: Boundaries with your in laws & adult married children Guidance on setting boundaries with your kids at any age Basic boundaries fo...
Mar 14, 2023•51 min
There are several types of boundaries that you need to have within your marriage. Chances are you already have some. But there may be pain points in your marriage that healthy boundaries can help. Today we cover a lot of ground as we get into the details of some boundaries that may be needed within your marriage to help you, your spouse and your marriage be your healthiest. Episode highlights include: Ways to approach a conversation about free time and hobbies without a fight The most common are...
Mar 07, 2023•53 min
What are the rhythms of your marriage? Whether you know what they are or not, you have rhythms, and they are shaping who you will become as a couple. Today on the podcast Chris and Jenni Graebe join Dr. Kim to talk about five rhythms for a healthy marriage, and how you can work together to get in the groove. Episode highlights include: What are the 5 rhythms? How to talk about issues in your marriage without starting a fight Why speaking life is such an important rhythm, and why it affects more ...
Feb 28, 2023•56 min
Today we’re kicking off a series about boundaries in marriage. What they are, what they are not, and why they are essential in a healthy marriage. We get a lot of questions on the topic, and in this series we will share the types of boundaries that can help a marriage, and how to implement them. This series will be full of practical applications and we’d love to answer your questions. Episode highlights include: What can boundaries do for your marriage? What can they NOT do? Dr. Kim’s take on an...
Feb 21, 2023•38 min
We’re dropping in today to share a brief overview of our upcoming “ Boundaries For Your Marriage ” series. We get a lot of questions on the topic, and in this series we will share types of boundaries that can help a marriage, and how to implement them. The series will cover: What boundaries are and why they matter for your marriage, boundaries within marriage, boundaries outside of marriage, how to set boundaries, what NOT to do, plus an episode devoted to answering your questions. Please subscr...
Feb 16, 2023•2 min
It is Valentine’s Day! And today we’re talking about how to put love in action in your marriage. It’s safe to assume you love your spouse - even if they drive you crazy sometimes! But how well do you put your love into action in a way that speaks to them? Showing love to your spouse is not just a once a year thing, so today we’re talking about practical ways to do this in your everyday life. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What does your spou...
Feb 14, 2023•39 min
Whether it’s illness, aging, or another physical issue, there are some physical obstacles that can prevent couples from enjoying a great sex life together. Today we address several common physical barriers to a great sex life in your marriage, and provide practical ways to address them and enjoy God’s gift of sex in your marriage! Episode highlights include: Steps to resolving any physical barriers that impede sex How to deal with p hysical disabilities or permanent changes Help with your mindse...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min
Abuse of any kind is entirely inconsistent with God’s plan for marriage, as described in Scripture. Today Dr. David E. Clarke returns to the podcast to debunk reasons that godly women give for staying with their abusive spouse. Dr. Clarke has counseled so many spouses who have been taught that God wants them to remain with an abuser, so today he explains a clear, biblical basis for separation from an ungodly, unrepentant, narcissistic, or dangerous spouse. Listen to learn about confronting the l...
Jan 31, 2023•41 min
