Awesome Marriage Podcast

Marriage has a way of bringing our imperfections to the surface—and if we're honest, that can feel frustrating, discouraging, and even isolating at times. But what if those struggles aren't something to hide…what if they're actually where God's grace shows up most?
In this episode, we're talking about how the imperfect stories we see throughout Scripture mirror our own and remind us that we're not alone in the mess. We'll unpack what it really looks like to build intimacy through vulnerability, why accepting each other's brokenness matters more than having it all together, and how God's unconditional love can shift the way you see yourself and your spouse.
If you've ever felt like your marriage falls short of the ideal, this conversation will remind you that God does some of His best work right in the middle of it.



Episode Highlights:
The people in the Bible weren't perfect—and that's exactly where God's grace shows up, just like it does in our marriages.

Real intimacy doesn't come from having it all together—it comes from being honest, letting your guard down, and choosing to love each other in the middle of the imperfections.

When we truly understand God's unconditional love, it changes everything.

 
Quotes from this Episode:
I think we all have a tendency to let other people define who we are and we've got to keep our eyes on him."
I love that scripture in 1 John 4 all the time, you know, we love because He first loved us.- Dana Che
People have this idea that people in the Bible are saints… I really wanted to show the humanity of the people in scripture. Just like us they struggled with their faith.- Dana Che Williams
We can't project the image of God if we are hiding. If we are pretending. -Dana Che
We are broken people who married broken people. - Dana Che
Even if people reject you, God does not reject you. - Dana Che Williams
We must get our worth and our value from the Lord.- Dana Che Williams
We have to be tethered in. We have to be tied together, so that when the storms of life or the gentle everyday situations of life, we aren't disconnecting. 
I can't be led by my feelings. I have to pray about my feelings. I have to submit my heart before the Lord.
He wants your marriage to work. He wants every marriage to work.- Dr. Kim
There is so much beauty in the suffering if we will just endure it. 


Time to Talk About it: 
Do you feel like you play second fiddle to anything in your spouse's life? Have you shared that with them?
What routines and rhythms can we put in place to fight against the disconnect? 
Are there things we did before marriage, that we have stopped doing? How can we bring that excitement back to our marriage today?
What can the two of you be working on together to grow the Kingdom of God? (If you don't have an answer, take the time now to go to the Lord in prayer)


Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect with Dana Che

Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide!

Our Reframing Challenge will help you view your spouse through the lens of God.

Once a year we do something HUGE! 10 resources for one donation. Don't miss our April bundle- your marriage will thank you for it!

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Have negative thoughts about your spouse slowly replaced the positive ones? You need to start Mind Craft: Take Your Thoughts Captive to Transform Your Marriage today!

If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com ! 

It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer you'll receive our Most Popular Resource Bundle — 10 powerful marriage tools with a combined value of $185. Become a Marriage Changer today!

Most couples are unintentionally at risk of making one decision that can change their marriage forever. Jim Ramos shares the powerful guardrails that protect and strengthen your marriage, drawing from personal stories, biblical wisdom, and decades of ministry experience. His insight will challenge everything you thought you knew about love, trust, and biblical fidelity—showing you how to avoid costly mistakes and build an unbreakable, joy-filled partnership.
You'll discover:
Why most problems in marriage boil down to one choice and how guardrails can save you

The crucial boundaries that keep temptation at bay—living above reproach and emotional connection

How to build walls of protection around your wife's heart and why framing her well is your greatest act of love

The importance of intentionality, regular check-ins, and prayer in cultivating a thriving relationship

The biblical foundation of mutual submission, respect, and standing back-to-back as life partners

This episode isn't just theory—Jim shares real stories, practical guardrails, and tangible steps you can take today. Whether you're engaged, newly married, or decades in, the principles here will help you lead with integrity and love. Don't leave your marriage to chance—discover how purposeful boundaries create a legacy of unbreakable trust, happiness, and spiritual harmony.
Perfect for husbands and wives committed to God's design, or anyone ready to fight for a marriage that lasts a lifetime. Because in God's family, guarding your marriage isn't restriction, it's the freedom to love fearlessly.
 
Quotes from this Episode:
Jim Ramos: "Guardrails in marriage are not restrictions but powerful safeguards that create freedom by preventing destructive choices."

Jim Ramos: "The root cause of most marital failures is a single, stupid choice away—guardrails act as proactive filters to avoid those pitfalls."

Jim Ramos: "Effective leadership in marriage involves presiding over, protecting, and providing—like building walls and inspecting walls—rather than striving for equality."

Jim Ramos: "Cultivating a shared journey towards Jesus strengthens marriage intrinsically; the closer couples move to Christ, the closer they become to each other."

Jim Ramos: "Raising children and managing a stress-filled life require intentional prioritization—placing marriage second only to Jesus—otherwise, chaos undermines core relationships."

Jim Ramos: "The story loops we build through unguarded conversations and stories can open doors for rumors, damaging trust."

Jim Ramos: "Personal renewal in marriage is never too late; repentance and redirection through guardrails are always available, transforming failure into unbreakable bonds."

Dr. Kim: "I think guardrails in marriage, to me, just pictures, man, you're protecting your marriage."

Dr. Kim: "If we begin to think we're not vulnerable, we're really in trouble because we all are."

Dr. Kim: "I think Satan wants us to fool us into thinking that he's not causing any trouble or that he's just maybe not even there."

Dr. Kim: "I think when a man gets it, everyone wins, right? So when men step into that role, then the women naturally get rally around it."

Dr. Kim: "I think intentionality, we don't realize how much that makes a difference. And our wives notice that."

 
Time to Talk About it:
What is one guardrail you'd like to see implemented in your marriage to strengthen and protect it?

What is one step we can take today to make our marriage more of a priority?

How can you begin to support one another spiritually so that your relationship with Jesus will grow? How can you see that shaping your marriage?

 
Mentioned in This Episode:
 
Once a year we do something HUGE! 10 resources for one donation. Don't miss our April bundle- your marriage will thank you for it!

Check out Jim Ramos and Men in the Arena.

Men- check out their instagram page. Wives- share their page with your husband.

Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide!

We believe in boundaries as tools to protect your marriage and give you freedom to enjoy your marriage. Here's a tool to help you protect your marriage.

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Need a place to start discussing boundaries? God's Word is the perfect place to start and we have created a plan just for you: Boundaries in Marriage

If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com ! 

It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer, you'll receive our Most Popular Resource Bundle — 10 powerful marriage tools with a combined value of $185. Become a Marriage Changer today!

We've explored the spectrum of narcissism, now it's time to dive into what you can do when those patterns show up in your marriage. Dr. Kim shares how to discern when to speak up and when to self-reflect, how to cultivate an atmosphere for healthy conversation, and why boundaries are essential for meaningful connection.
 
Episode Takeaways:
Forgiveness is not pretending something didn't happen. 
Trust has to be built consistently over time. 
Being a good christian spouse does not mean absorbing pain. 
When you see the same behaviors repeatedly, it's time to do something. 
Language matters when having productive conversations.
Change starts with responsibility, not accusation.
God sees you and He is near!
 
Quotes from this Episode:
You can forgive someone and still require accountability.
Healthy relationships don't make you feel like you're losing your mind. 
Keep love as the goal. 
Boundaries aren't unloving, they are essential.
Patterns that took years to develop don't disappear in just weeks. 
Labels can explain behavior, but they rarely heal relationships.
Defensiveness feels safe, but it slowly kills intimacy.
You can't control your spouse's willingness to change — but you can control your own humility.
Most marriages don't break from one big issue, but from unaddressed patterns over time.
Healing begins when curiosity replaces accusation.
 
Take Time to Talk About It:
What narcissistic or self-protective patterns do you notice repeating in your marriage?


How does defensiveness show up for you — and what is it usually trying to protect?


What would it look like to take responsibility for your part without minimizing the pain you've experienced?

 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week!

Your words, your tone, your attitude- they all matter in how your spouse hears you and how connected your marriage feels. Check out our new devotional: Cut the Criticism and Cultivate Companionship

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Continue growing in love and intimacy, don't stop Pursuing Your Spouse in Marriage.

If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !

Are you caught in a maze and don't even know it? Today, Dr. Kim is joined by Ryan Wekenman to talk about the maze of self-centeredness we all have to navigate. When we begin living for applause, appreciation, or validation, we can easily drift out of sync with the Lord and into a life focused on serving ourselves—the exact opposite of what God calls us to. In this powerful conversation, Ryan and Dr. Kim challenge us to recognize the pull toward self-focus and invite us to shift our attention back where it belongs: fully on Jesus. We pray this episode encourages you to take the focus off yourself and go all in on Him.
Episode Takeaways:
Self-centeredness is a spiritual issue that affects everyone.

Control is often at the root of self-centeredness.

We need to be intentional about serving others.

Self-improvement should not come at the expense of God-centered living.

The Lord is our shepherd; we lack nothing when we trust Him.

Finding freedom comes from letting go of the need for validation.


Quotes from this Episode:
If Satan can't get you to not worship, he'll try to get you to make worship about you.
You don't need self-help. First and foremost, you need God's help.
The problem isn't self-help. The problem is thinking that self-help will save.
The way towards abundant life is serving and it's humbling yourself.
There's so much freedom on the other side of letting that performer in you die.
I think we have to be intentional about that because it's easy to absorb the culture and let that just become part of, well, everybody's doing it.- Dr. Kim
I think one thing that God has taught me and I still struggle with at times is learning to celebrate others. - Dr. Kim
I think what God is teaching me now, as old as I am, is that just do what I want you to do. - Dr. Kim
 
Time to Reflect:
Where in my life am I most tempted to seek applause, appreciation, or validation instead of simply seeking the Lord?


How might my focus on myself be affecting the way I love and serve my spouse and the people around me?


What is one practical way I can shift my focus from myself to Jesus in my daily decisions and interactions this week?
 
Connect with Ryan:
Website: ryanwekenman.com; redrocksaustin.com

Podcast: Afterthoughts Podcast; Stories in Scripture     

Instagram: instagram.com/ryanwekenman     

YouTube: YouTube.com/@ryanwekenman

Today, Dr. Kim is joined by his bride, Mrs. Nancy, to talk about the freedom that comes from allowing yourself, your spouse, and your marriage to have a bad day without making it something bigger than it is. They share how they navigate the hard days, avoid the spiral of negative thoughts, and bounce back with grace and compassion toward one another. Your marriage is a gift—be encouraged to let bad days simply be days without letting them erode your view of your marriage.
 
Episode Highlights:
Everyone has bad days.
Early warning signs that you're starting to spiral.
The danger of turning your spouse into your opponent.
The Lord has seen you through bad days in the past, be encouraged He can do it again this time.
The powerful role grace plays when your spouse has little to give.
See how our marriages are the textbooks for our children to learn from for their future marriages.

 
Quotes from this Episode:
When I try to force something and Nancy isn't ready, it's not going to go well.
In everything you have to realize you're still on the same team. So, how can you help your spouse?
The problem is the opponent. Satan rejoices when we are fighting, when we are angry with one another. -Mrs. Nancy
Satan hates marriage. He hates christian marriages. He loves to destroy them.
Every marriage can be a witness for the Lord. 
Being a role model for your kids, being the text book on marriage that your children need is a huge responsibility. 
Sometimes you have to dig down deep and find that love for your spouse. You don't have to feel it all the time, but remember that it's there. - Mrs. Nancy
Once I learned to get past myself and get past my pride, and start giving you grace, it was a great feeling. -Mrs. Nancy
Be vulnerable enough to say "I don't have much to give." Then as a spouse, "what can I do to help you." Just that is a step forward in growing your marriage. 
Take whatever is bothering you and give it to the Lord. As a christian you are forgiven anyway! - Mrs. Nancy
Worrying about your marriage shows you care about it. Showing up for counseling means you care about your marriage. 
Don't compare your marriage to someone else's by what they post on Facebook.



Time to Talk About It:
How are we viewing our marriage right now? 
Think about the last time we had a "bad day" in our marriage. What helped us move past it, and how can we remember to do that again next time?
What helps each of us reset after a hard moment or a tense day—space, reassurance, prayer, a conversation, or something else?
What is one simple way we could extend more grace to each other the next time one of us is having a bad day?
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide!

Your words, your tone, your attitude- they all matter in how your spouse hears you and how connected your marriage feels. Check out our new devotional: Cut the Criticism and Cultivate Companionship in Marriage

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Have negative thoughts about your spouse slowly replaced the positive ones? You need to start Mind Craft: Take Your Thoughts Captive to Transform Your Marriage today!

If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com ! 

It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer before March 31, you'll receive our Most Popular Resource Bundle — 10 powerful marriage tools with a combined value of $185. Become a Marriage Changer today!