No matter how long you’ve been married, reminding yourself of fundamental marriage truths is helpful. In this episode, we’ll share four truths about marriage every couple needs to remember. TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Talk about which of these truths you needed to be reminded of most. Ask yourselves: How can we live it out in our marriage this week? LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/team-us/id15658...
Jul 08, 2025•25 min
Do you and your spouse have fun together? As couples, sometimes we can get in a rut and feel like life — and marriage — are all work and no play. In this episode, we’re exploring how we can make marriage fun again. This month, we are reairing our favorite episodes, and this is definitely at the top of our list! TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE If fun is lacking from your marriage, try one of our suggestions. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ...
Jul 01, 2025•25 min
We don’t have a choice on whether we will experience stress. However, we do have a choice on how we will face it. Today, we share three practical ways you and your spouse can tackle stress as a team. 3 WAYS COUPLES CAN TACKLE STRESS AS A TEAM Reaffirm your team mentality Stay open and stay communicating Laugh, cry, or eat your equivalent of ice cream TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Reaffirm your team mentality. Whether the stress you are experiencing is big or small, remind each other that you are ...
Jun 24, 2025•19 min•Ep. 89
We share five of our favorite strategies for teamwork in marriage. So, if you and your spouse are feeling out of synch lately, don’t miss this episode! 5 KEY STRATEGIES FOR TEAMWORK Get on the same page Enjoy something new Choose lightheartedness Make peace with the past Fight as allies TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Think about what you and your spouse do that makes you most feel like a team and why. CONNECT WITH US Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and get the FREE resource Five Simple Mar...
Jun 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 88
In this episode, we focus on engaged couples and those contemplating marriage. A wedding marks the beginning of a marriage — and that marriage is the joining of two people. So, a wedding should be the joint ideas, preferences, and efforts of those two people. Listen in as we share three skills couples can practice when they approach wedding planning as a team. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE We have two this week. First, for the already-married couples who listened, look back at your wedding planni...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 87
Do you and your spouse have summer travel plans? Whether it’s a family vacation, a couple’s getaway, or a trip to spend time with extended family, we have five travel tips for you in today’s episode. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Talk with your spouse about your travel styles. And, if you plan to travel this summer, spend time making the plans together and anticipating and preparing for triggers. CONNECT WITH US Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and get the FREE resource Five Simple Marriag...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 86
Author, speaker, and podcaster Kate Battistelli and her husband Mike are back on the podcast to give us practical wisdom on why preparing for the empty nest starts while the nest is still full. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Invest in your relationship this week by watching either the sunrise or the sunset together. ABOUT MIKE AND KATE BATTISTELLI Mike and Kate met as active professionals in the NYC Music and Broadway Theatre world. But when God called them to follow Him and lay down those dreams,...
May 27, 2025•24 min•Ep. 85
Dating your spouse is vital for a thriving marriage. While dates can sometimes be pricey, they don’t have to be. We’re sharing ten fun, budget-friendly date ideas for you and your spouse. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick one of the date ideas we shared and try it, or come up with your own. Let us know what you did by sharing on social media and tagging us. If you subscribe to my email newsletter at AshleighSlater.com, you can also respond to it and let us know what you did. CONNECT WITH US Sign...
May 20, 2025•19 min•Ep. 84
How do you and your spouse give and receive love? In this episode, we talk about the five love languages. We unpack each one and give you practical ideas on how to express them. FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES Words of Affirmation Quality Time Receiving Gifts Acts of Service Physical Touch TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick a practical way to speak your spouse’s love language this week. It doesn’t have to be one of our suggestions. If you don’t know your spouse’s love language, either get them to take the qu...
May 13, 2025•20 min•Ep. 83
Do you want a happier marriage? Then, it’s time to start thinking about what you think about! We have marriage and family speakers, podcasters, and authors Dan and Danielle Macaulay on the podcast. They share why the happiness of your marriage starts in your head. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Make a positive adjective list as Danielle talked about. Then, as Dan mentioned, share at least one of those list items with your spouse. CONNECT WITH US Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and get the ...
May 06, 2025•21 min•Ep. 82
Are you a reader? In this episode, we share five super practical, must-read marriage books that will encourage, challenge, and inspire you and your spouse. 5 Books to Enrich Your Marriage The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and For Men Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages by Shaunti Feldhahn The Marriage Course with Nicky and Sil...
Apr 29, 2025•16 min•Ep. 81
Do you have a pet? We have three! Today, we share how having pets has benefited our marriage, and we believe they can make your relationship better, too. 3 WAYS PETS MAKE YOU BETTER PARTNERS Pets bring us together Pets help us laugh together more Pets offer opportunities for teamwork TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE If you have a pet, talk about how your pet has benefited your marriage. If you don’t have a pet, maybe visit a park this week and watch the dogs and other wildlife. See how it sparks con...
Apr 22, 2025•18 min•Ep. 80
Do you and your spouse struggle to find things to talk about? We hope to help with that! We’ll share three practical ways to spark conversation in your marriage when you’ve run out of things to say. 3 WAYS TO SPARK CONVERSATION Through Scripture and stories By getting nostalgic With flirting TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick one of these three ways to spark conversation with your spouse this week. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https...
Apr 15, 2025•18 min•Ep. 79
Some relationship experts say that couples don’t grow apart. Instead, they stop growing together. Today, we share three practical ways you and your spouse can embrace a growth mindset and continue growing together. A couple of them may surprise you. 3 WAYS TO HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET Allow your spouse to live outside the box Get to know your spouse … continually Keep “under the rug” clean TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Grow together this week with online date night questions or Jon Gottman’s love map...
Apr 08, 2025•19 min•Ep. 78
Do you and your spouse laugh together? Today, we talk about how shared humor and laughter can benefit your relationship. 3 WAYS SHARED HUMOR STRENGTHENS MARRIAGE Builds intimacy Helps defuse conflict and restore connection Makes the hard times more manageable TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Do something to feed your shared sense of humor. As one writer we quote in this episode recommends, “Collect experiences, look for the places where comedy shows up. Look for the ridiculous, the surprising, the a...
Apr 01, 2025•26 min•Ep. 77
Sometimes we sit back and wonder how we made it through our weeping years. But here we are, still married, still friends, and still liking each other. It wasn’t easy to remain united when miscarriage, multiple job losses, debt, and a house that wouldn’t sell desperately fought to pull us apart. While an attitude of “us vs. the problem” helped, we realized we couldn’t stop with the idea of us against the world. We needed more. Today, we’re discussing how to walk together through the really hard s...
Mar 25, 2025•25 min
How often do you intentionally stop to praise your spouse? To recognize and affirm their character or actions? Many of us probably cringe at answering these questions because we know we could do better! If you struggle to feed your spouse praise regularly, this episode is for you. Listen in as we share some practical steps we all can take to criticize less and affirm and build up our spouse more. While Ted and Ashleigh are taking a break, we're thrilled to bring back this popular episode from th...
Mar 18, 2025•24 min•Ep. 32
What if every time you go out on a date with your spouse, all you talk about is work, bills, schedules, and — if you have them — kids? As vitally important as those things are to discuss, we chat about how you can have a date-night conversation that’s NOT about work, bills, schedules, or kids. Listen in as we share four steps you can put into practice. While Ted and Ashleigh are taking a break, we're thrilled to bring back this popular episode from the archives! Take the "Us Time" Challenge Go o...
Mar 11, 2025•18 min•Ep. 26
While Ted and Ashleigh are taking a break, we're thrilled to bring back this popular episode from the archives! From its inconceivable R.O.U.Ses to its iconic lines, the 1987 film The Princess Bride is a favorite at our house. For us, one of the most memorable characters is Inigo Montoya. His patience and persistence as he hunts for the six-fingered man remind us that it takes time to execute a “death wish.” But what does a “death wish” have to do with marriage? While we joined a new team when w...
Mar 04, 2025•19 min
If you and your spouse struggle to pray together daily, listen in as we share easy three steps you can take to start. 3 EASY STEPS TO PRAY TOGETHER Schedule Prayer Time Together Follow Established Prayer Patterns Keep Each Other Accountable TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Give these steps a try this week and see if they help you and your spouse pray together more consistently. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us...
Feb 25, 2025•10 min•Ep. 76
Do you and your spouse pray together consistently? Listen in as we share three ways praying together as a couple benefits your marriage. 3 BENEFITS TO PRAYING TOGETHER Fosters greater unity Builds trust and intimacy Deepens communication TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Brainstorm with your spouse some additional ways praying together consistently will benefit your marriage. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/po...
Feb 18, 2025•7 min•Ep. 75
As couples, we aren’t bidding millions on artwork, movie props, or sports memorabilia. But we do regularly make emotional bids in marriage. Bids are invitations from and to our spouse for connection. Today, we talk about bids and how we can respond to them. WAYS TO TURN TOWARD YOUR SPOUSE Pay attention. Practice active listening, validate feelings, and show interest Prioritize Responding TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pay attention to your spouse’s bids for connection this week. Make it a priority...
Feb 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 74
Valentine's Day is often viewed and marketed as a holiday of grand gestures. But it doesn't have to be. Listen in as we share four steps to help you have a no-pressure Valentine's Day this year. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Discuss your expectations for Valentine's Day and develop a shared plan. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/team-us/id1565819107 ) TEAM US RESOURCES Team Us: The Unifying Power of...
Feb 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 73
The idea of a soulmate is a myth that has been around for thousands of years. It may seem like a concept only for non-married people looking for “the one.” But here’s the thing. If you are married and subscribe to this idea of soulmates, it can be harmful to your marriage. Listen in as we share why! TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Make a list of other marriage myths and reflect on whether they are impacting your marriage. If so, how can you replace them with truth? LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did yo...
Jan 28, 2025•22 min•Ep. 72
We unpack the popular myth that marriage is a 50/50 relationship. But we aren’t stopping there. We’ll also talk about how the counter to this 50/50 myth — that marriage needs to be 100/100 — isn’t always realistic either. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Ask your spouse practical ways you can encourage them when they aren’t able to give 100 percent. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/team-us/id1565819107...
Jan 21, 2025•18 min•Ep. 71
What do you believe about conflict in marriage? There’s a popular marriage myth that says healthy marriages are conflict-free marriages, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. Listen in as we debunk this myth and share why couples in healthy marriages do experience conflict. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Spend some time searching conflict styles. There are five primary ones (competing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding). Reflect on which ones you and your spouse best ...
Jan 14, 2025•19 min•Ep. 70
Have you heard that love is all you need to make a marriage work? This marriage myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, we debunk this myth and talk about how you need more than love if you want your marriage to go the distance. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Revisit your vows. Remind yourselves of what you promised when those “in love” feelings were at their newest and strongest. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts...
Jan 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 69
We all bring individual talents, abilities, and ambitions into marriage. On today’s episode, we share four ways to encourage and support your spouse in pursuing and accomplishing their personal aspirations and goals. 4 PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR SPOUSE'S ASPIRATIONS AND GOALS Ask your spouse what their aspirations and goals are and what tools or resources they may need to achieve them. Help your spouse make the time to pursue and accomplish their aspirations and goals. Encourage your spous...
Dec 31, 2024•17 min•Ep. 68
We don't have to be Scrooges to benefit from reflecting on Christmas past, present, and future. In this episode, we talk about how looking back, living now, and planning ahead together can enrich our marriages. TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE If you’ve been married five years or more, practice nostalgia with your spouse. Ask each other about your favorite Christmas you’ve spent together and why it stands out to you. If you have been married less than five years, plan ahead on where you want to be r...
Dec 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 67
Should you vent to your spouse? Today, we talk about what venting is and share three key questions to ask yourself before you dive into an emotionally-charged vent. 3 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK What fuels my desire to vent about this particular frustration, situation, or person? If I vent in my emotional-charged state, will we be reacting or responding to whatever has upset me? Will what I share be beneficial to my spouse and our relationship? TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE If you find yourself ready to...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min•Ep. 66
