Awesome Marriage Podcast

In this episode of the Awesome Marriage Podcast, Dr. Kim sits down with bestselling author Gary Chapman for a practical and honest conversation about what it really looks like to keep a marriage growing, not just surviving.
They talk about why marriages don't just "stay the same," how couples slowly drift without realizing it, and what it takes to stay emotionally connected over time. Gary unpacks how love languages can shift through different seasons of life, why assumptions create so many problems, and how simple things like curiosity, communication, and daily check-ins can completely change the tone of a relationship.
If you've ever felt like you and your spouse are just "off" lately, or you want to be more intentional about loving well, this conversation gives you real, doable ways to start moving back toward each other again.
 
Episode Highlights:
Without intentional effort, connection naturally fades into distance or "roommate mode." 

Couples often miss each other because they're expressing love in ways that feel right to them, not in ways that actually land with their spouse. 

When couples stay teachable and intentional, even conflict becomes an opportunity for deeper connection. 

 
Quotes from this Episode:
Gary Chapman:
"Marriage is either going to grow or regress—there's really no drifting in place."

"I don't talk about a perfect marriage. I talk about a growing marriage."

"Life satisfaction is found in relationships, not in the accumulation of things."

"We cannot read each other's minds—you have to ask questions and listen."

"The objective is not to win the argument—the objective is to find a solution together."

"It's no fun to live with a loser. Why would you create a loser? You're on the same team."

"Love has to be communicated in a way that's meaningful to the other person."

 
 
Kim Kimberling:
"I don't think I'll ever learn everything there is to know about Nancy in a lifetime."

"Marriage is an adventure because you're always discovering new things about each other."

"If you're not feeling loved, turn into your marriage—not outside of it."

"Assumptions in marriage are usually way off."

"The distractions we entertain today are often stealing the connection we could be building at home."

"There's so much value in the person God put in front of you to do life with."

"Small, intentional steps done consistently really do make a difference over time."


Time to Talk About it:
Where in our marriage are we currently growing—and where might we actually be drifting without realizing it?

In what ways am I trying to show love to my spouse, and are those actually the ways they most feel loved?

How well do we really ask questions and stay curious about each other instead of assuming we already know what the other thinks or feels?

What would it look like for us to build a simple daily rhythm of connection (even 10–15 minutes) to stay emotionally close?


Mentioned in This Episode:
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Take the Love Languages test.

Get your copy of The Love Language That Matters Most.

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Unpack what scripture says about how to demonstrate love well in your marriage with our plan: Speak to Their Heart: 5 Ways to Love Your Spouse Well

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 exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

In this episode of the Awesome Marriage Podcast, Dr. Kim sits down with bestselling author Gary Chapman for a practical and honest conversation about what it really looks like to keep a marriage growing, not just surviving.
They talk about why marriages don't just "stay the same," how couples slowly drift without realizing it, and what it takes to stay emotionally connected over time. Gary unpacks how love languages can shift through different seasons of life, why assumptions create so many problems, and how simple things like curiosity, communication, and daily check-ins can completely change the tone of a relationship.
If you've ever felt like you and your spouse are just "off" lately, or you want to be more intentional about loving well, this conversation gives you real, doable ways to start moving back toward each other again.
 
Episode Highlights:
Without intentional effort, connection naturally fades into distance or "roommate mode." 

Couples often miss each other because they're expressing love in ways that feel right to them, not in ways that actually land with their spouse. 

When couples stay teachable and intentional, even conflict becomes an opportunity for deeper connection. 

 
Quotes from this Episode:
Gary Chapman:
"Marriage is either going to grow or regress—there's really no drifting in place."

"I don't talk about a perfect marriage. I talk about a growing marriage."

"Life satisfaction is found in relationships, not in the accumulation of things."

"We cannot read each other's minds—you have to ask questions and listen."

"The objective is not to win the argument—the objective is to find a solution together."

"It's no fun to live with a loser. Why would you create a loser? You're on the same team."

"Love has to be communicated in a way that's meaningful to the other person."

 
 
Kim Kimberling:
"I don't think I'll ever learn everything there is to know about Nancy in a lifetime."

"Marriage is an adventure because you're always discovering new things about each other."

"If you're not feeling loved, turn into your marriage—not outside of it."

"Assumptions in marriage are usually way off."

"The distractions we entertain today are often stealing the connection we could be building at home."

"There's so much value in the person God put in front of you to do life with."

"Small, intentional steps done consistently really do make a difference over time."


Time to Talk About it:
Where in our marriage are we currently growing—and where might we actually be drifting without realizing it?

In what ways am I trying to show love to my spouse, and are those actually the ways they most feel loved?

How well do we really ask questions and stay curious about each other instead of assuming we already know what the other thinks or feels?

What would it look like for us to build a simple daily rhythm of connection (even 10–15 minutes) to stay emotionally close?


Mentioned in This Episode:
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Take the Love Languages test.

Get your copy of The Love Language That Matters Most.

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Unpack what scripture says about how to demonstrate love well in your marriage with our plan: Speak to Their Heart: 5 Ways to Love Your Spouse Well

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 exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

Marriage isn't supposed to be all work and no play. But somewhere between busy schedules, responsibilities, stress, and everyday life, a lot of couples find themselves feeling more like roommates than best friends.
In this episode, Dr. Kim and Nancy talk about why fun matters so much in marriage, how couples gradually lose it, and what it takes to bring it back. Whether your marriage feels stuck in a rut or you simply miss enjoying each other the way you once did, this conversation offers practical encouragement and simple ways to reconnect.
Tune in as they discuss the signs that fun has faded, why couples often settle for "fine," and how even small moments of laughter, playfulness, and intentional connection can help strengthen your relationship. Plus, you'll walk away with one simple challenge you can put into practice this week.
If your marriage could use a little more joy, this episode is for you.
 
Episode Highlights:
Why fun matters more than you think
What's causing the joy to fade
How to reconnect and enjoy each other again
 
Quotes from this Episode:
It's not exactly what we do, it's how we feel when we are doing something together.
Losing fun doesn't happen overnight. You start feeling kindof bored together so you stop laughing together. You stop talking. You quit interacting.
I don't think in a lifetime you can learn everything about your spouse. You have to stay curious.
Life isn't all about fun. But fun does sure make a lot of life go better.
If you're just coasting, you're missing out on so much of what God has for you in marriage. 


Time to Talk About it:
When we dated, how would you rate our fun 1-10?
How would you rate it now?
Are we using efficiency as an excuse to neglect intentionality? 
What do you enjoy doing with me (with spouse) for fun?
When is our next date night? 
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!

Marriage should be FUN! That's why we created this resource: 14 Days of Marriage Fun

Has date night gotten boring? Here are some pre planned date ideas!

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Intentionality is key for a healthy marriage. Commit to our free One Thing to Grow Your Marriage plan. 

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 exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

One of the greatest privileges we have as spouses is coming before the Father and lifting up our marriage—leaning on Him for protection, provision, and strength.
Today, special guests Brad and Heidi Mitchell join Dr. Kim to talk about how foundational prayer is for intimacy and the overall climate of your marriage. Many couples struggle to develop this rhythm—not because they don't want to, but because they simply don't know where to start.
Be encouraged today as Brad and Heidi share from their newest book, Build Your Marriage With Prayer, and talk about how guided prayers, daily readings, and reflection questions can help couples grow a consistent and meaningful prayer life together.
 
Episode Highlights:
Husbands don't have to know it all to lead- they can be simply willing to initiate.
Wives can come alongside and encourage their husbands to step into the role God created them for. 
Don't weaponize prayer against your spouse.



Quotes from this Episode:
Kim Kimberling Quotes:
"The first time Nancy and I really started praying for something together and saw God show up, it was like, 'This is awesome.'"

"Prayer bonds us together in a way nothing else really can."

"Most guys feel inadequate spiritually, but prayer was never about performing."

"You don't have to know more than your spouse to lead spiritually—you just have to initiate."

"When couples begin praying together, they stop fighting against each other and start fighting for each other."

"Inviting God into conflict changes conflict from something destructive into something that can grow your marriage."

"The more we pray, the more prayer becomes part of the fabric of who we are."

"God wants to be involved in the middle of our everyday lives—not just the big emergencies."

"When you pray over your spouse, it creates empathy, connection, and unity."

"Prayer gives God a chance to show up in your marriage over and over again."

Brad Mitchell Quotes:
"A lot of men don't pray with their wives because they're afraid of looking inadequate."

"Men don't need to be spiritual experts—they just need to become spiritual initiators."

"The things you most want to lean away from are often the very places God wants you to lean in."

"When you pray about the issue instead of against each other, nobody wins or loses—God wins."

"The enemy whispers, 'You're not good at this,' because he knows how powerful prayer is in marriage."

"Every wife would love for her husband to stop and pray over her before the day begins."

"Surrendering your schedule to God changes interruptions from frustrations into opportunities."

"Prayer protects your marriage because it keeps both of you surrendered to God instead of fighting each other."

Heidi Mitchell Quotes:
"Make prayer a positive experience for your spouse, not a performance."

"There's really no wrong way to come before God together."

"Encouragement from a wife can completely change a husband's confidence in leading spiritually."

"If prayer becomes weaponized, couples will stop wanting to pray together."

"Not every thought deserves a place to stay in your mind."

"Ask yourself: Does this thought line up with who God says my spouse is?"

"Praying together helped us move from surface-level faith into authentic dependence on God."

"When my husband prays for me, I feel protected, cared for, and truly seen."

"The spiritual connection we share through prayer has become one of the greatest strengths in our marriage."




Time to Talk About it:
What would it look like for us to make prayer feel more natural and encouraging in our relationship instead of pressured or performative?

Is there an area of our marriage right now where we've been "fighting each other" instead of "fighting for each other," and how could prayer help shift that?






Mentioned in this Episode:
Build Your Marriage is on Instagram!

Purchase your own copy of Build Your Marriage With Prayer!

Check out Awesome Marriage's 9 Days to Build the Practice of Prayer in Marriage

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. You'll love our 30 Scripture Based Prayers for Your Marriage. Check out it out with your spouse!

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 ! 

Be the first to hear about all things Awesome Marriage, receive monthly bonus content straight from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy, and take advantage of big discounts by becoming a Marriage Changer!

My good friend Matt Cline is here with me today to talk through the cultural epidemic of pornography. We are diving into the deeper roots behind sexual sin, temptation, and transformation. Matt discusses why behavior modification alone isn't enough, how our view of sex shapes the way we lead and relate to others, and why isolation keeps people stuck. Explore how true freedom comes through renewing the mind, pursuing Christlikeness, and allowing God to transform us from the inside out. 
 
Episode Highlights:
Surface-level behavior change isn't enough—you have to deal with the root issue.

The way we follow Christ should shape the way we think about sex and intimacy.

Hidden sexual sin doesn't stay isolated—it affects every relationship around us.

Sexual immorality pulls us toward selfishness instead of self-giving love.

God invites you to live in His grace and the freedom He offers.




Quotes from this Conversation:
Matt:
Love, living in love and engaging in sexual immorality cannot happen at the same time. 

The purpose for our sexual desire is a training ground for Christlikeness. For dying to self and stewarding our urges.

Accountability should not be focused simply on not sinning.

Temptation is simply an opportunity for transformation. 

I tried to quit the sin for so long without ever learning how to renew my mind. Never learning how to think like Jesus in the sexual area of my life. 

The amount of perversion in our faces all the time, lends to us justifying "lesser sins."

You can get rid of the behavior but what about the worldview or the view on sex that has been established in you that you have not yet had renewed?

 
Dr. Kim:
Isolation does nothing good for us at all. Isolation when we're dealing with something negative should not be something that we do.

We give people hope because not in us and not our ministries, but in this God who created us.

I want to know Nancy loves me even with everything out on the table. 




Time to Talk About It:
Are there areas in my life where I've focused more on behavior management than true heart transformation?

How has my worldview around sex, intimacy, or temptation been shaped more by culture than by Christ?

When I struggle, do I tend to isolate myself or invite trusted people into honesty, accountability, and healing?


 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Check out what Matt is doing at Restored Ministries

If your marriage is struggling with betrayal, check out our course: Marriage Undefiled