Awesome Marriage Podcast

• More Than Mistletoe: Staying Spiritually Rooted and Emotionally Connected in Your Marriage This Christmas Ep. 707

  The holidays promise joy and togetherness but for many couples, they also bring stress, busyness, and mismatched expectations. In this episode, we're helping you slow down, reconnect, and approach the season with intention. We talk honestly about why couples often drift spiritually and emotionally in December and offer simple, realistic ways to stay grounded in Christ and connected to each other. From aligning holiday expectations to creating meaningful traditions, you'll walk away with practical tools to cultivate peace, gratitude, and unity in your marriage. Whether this season feels exciting or overwhelming, this conversation will help you not just survive the holidays—but truly thrive together.   Episode Highlights: The holidays can magnify an already existing disconnect. When Christ isn't the center of the holidays and your marriage, both will suffer. True joy doesn't come from a full schedule. Quotes from Today's Episode: When we take our eyes off the true reason for Christmas—Christ—we get caught up in the world's chaos.  Don't abandon what nourishes your soul just because life gets hectic. The habits that sustain you all year are even more vital during the holidays. Keep your year-round rhythms strong—pray together, make time to communicate, and carve out quiet moments as a couple amid the December rush. Acts of generosity spark joy and deepen your connection. Intentionality is everything—if you aren't purposeful, the busyness will steal your time and memories.  Release the pressure to do it all—focus on what brings true joy to your family. Give yourself permission to let go of traditions that drain you, making room for new ones—or simply space to rest, bake cookies, and enjoy music by the tree.   Couple's Conversation Guide: 1. Which part of the holidays tends to be most stressful for each of us, and why? 2. Is there a simple spiritual practice we could commit to together this December?   3. Where do our expectations differ when it comes to gifts, gatherings, travel, or downtime? 4. What new tradition could we create this year that fits who we are as a couple right now? Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram. It's not too late to start our Very Married Christmas Couple's Advent Calendar. Our Annual Marriage Check Up Guide is the perfect way to assess what's working and set new goals for what's not. We gathered all 665 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so wives can better meet their husband's needs. 10 Things Husbands Want Their Wives to Understand Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. How do we take a season that is often filled with stress and anxiety and turn things around? An Awesome Marriage Christmas goes over four things you can do as a couple to reduce the stress and anxiety of the season and help you focus on Jesus. 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 Dr. AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  Speaking of being intentional! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to receive our 10 Things Husbands Want.  

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• 'I Do' Today and Tomorrow and Forever: Staying Intentional with Chelsea Smith Ep. 706

  No matter what season of marriage you're in, intentionality is essential. It's what keeps the spark alive, rekindles romance, and helps you withstand the temptations and pressures of everyday life. Chelsea Smith joins me to talk about her new book, "I Do" Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You've Been Waiting For. This conversation will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you to pursue a marriage marked by purpose, growth, and joy because you were never meant to settle for anything less than an awesome marriage. Episode Takeaways: A healthy sex life is vital for a healthy marriage. Serving your spouse before you feel like they deserve it will change your perspective and the atmosphere of your marriage. Never settle for what you know about your spouse- stay curious. Only God's design for marriage leads to the true fullness He intended for your relationship.   Quotes from this episode: "Marriage is the hardest and most rewarding relationship we have in this life." - Dr. Kim "We can't do it on our own." - Chelsea Smith "The best gift we can give our children is a healthy marriage." - Chelsea Smith "Our marriages are the strongest evangelistic tool we have." - Chelsea Smith "Sex is different in a Christian marriage because there's a spiritual component." - Dr. Kim "The marriage of your dreams isn't a fantasy." - Chelsea Smith "The power of thoughts towards your spouse can change everything." - Chelsea Smith "The marriage of your dreams is not difficult; it's work." - Chelsea Smith "I want people to know that we still work at it. We've been through tough times too, but it's worth it." - Dr. Kim "You can't just put them in a box and set aside. A lifetime is not long enough to learn everything there is about your spouse." - Dr. Kim   Couples Conversation Guide On a scale of 1–10, how intentional have you been about investing in your marriage in this season? What's one thing you could do today to move that number closer to a 10? Are there any resentments, assumptions, or unspoken expectations that might be clouding how you see your spouse? Does an "awesome marriage" feel attainable to you right now? If not, why—and what steps could you and your spouse take to move toward it together? Mentioned in this Episode: Chelsea Smith is on Instagram "I Do" Today: A 52 Week Guide to the Marriage You've Been Waiting For. We gathered all 665 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so wives can better meet their husband's needs. 10 Things Husbands Want Their Wives to Understand Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. God's design for marriage is the best blueprint for an awesome marriage, His Mission, Our Marriage: Building a Christ-Centered Marriage will challenge you to remember your marriage is on mission for the Kingdom. 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 !  Speaking of being intentional! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to receive our 10 Things Husbands Want.  

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• When Gratitude is Hard Ep. 705

  Gratitude can feel effortless when life and marriage are smooth—but what about when it's hard? In this episode, we explore how to practice honest gratitude even in seasons of struggle, disappointment, or unmet expectations. From grief and loss to conflict and emotional distance in marriage, we discuss ways couples can rebuild appreciation for each other, lean on God in difficult times, and use gratitude as a tool for hope, healing, and unity. Be encouraged to find thankfulness rooted in faith, not just feelings, even when your heart is hurting. Main Takeaways: Gratitude is challenging in seasons of struggle.   Honest gratitude is rooted in faith, not feelings.   Gratitude strengthens marriage and protects against division.   Spiritual rhythms help cultivate thankfulness. Quotes from this Episode: Choosing gratitude when you don't feel it isn't fake—it's faith in action. Sometimes, obedience comes before emotion.   When disappointment builds, we keep a mental ledger of failures and let resentment choke out gratitude.    Shifting your focus from what's wrong to what remains right isn't denial; it's a courageous act of faith, especially when you're hurting.   Gratitude flourishes when you intentionally move from deficit thinking to abundance thinking.   Don't compare your spouse to others—celebrate who they are and who they have become.   Feelings follow actions. Don't wait to feel grateful—do the grateful thing, and let your heart catch up.   Lament is honest, gratitude is hopeful. We need both, because lament without gratitude turns to bitterness, and gratitude without lament turns to denial.   Radical gratitude trusts in God's character, not in our circumstances. Couples Conversation Guide: "When life or our marriage feels hard, what makes it difficult for you to feel thankful? How can we support each other in those times?"   "How can we remind each other to choose gratitude rooted in faith, even when our emotions don't match our circumstances?"   "Are there ways we've lost sight of what we appreciate about each other? What's one thing we can start noticing and thanking each other for this week?"   "What daily or weekly habits—like prayer, Scripture, or reflection—could help us keep gratitude alive, even when things are tough?" Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Need to refocus and cultivate gratitude? Use these 11 Gratitude Prompts  We gathered all 685 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so husbands can better meet their wife's needs. 💡Unlock 10 Things Wives Want! ] Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Need to refocus and cultivate gratitude? Use these 11 Gratitude Prompts  We gathered all 685 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so husbands can better meet their wife's needs. 💡Unlock 10 Things Wives Want! ] Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Need a plan to cultivate gratitude in your marriage? Invite your spouse to read 4 Days to Growing Gratitude in Your 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 !  Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to receive our 10 Things Women Want. 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 !  Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to receive our 10 Things Women Want.  

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• Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704

  When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it's easy to let your guard down—but what if those "good seasons" are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we'll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as opportunities for growth, connection, and deeper faith.   Main Takeaways: Spiritual warfare doesn't stop in the good seasons. Comfort can lead to drift if couples aren't intentional. Good seasons are opportunities for spiritual strengthening.   Quotes from This Episode: Complacency is the quiet thief in marriage—it's the gradual drifting apart that happens when you think everything is okay. The enemy attacks most fiercely when we let our guard down in times of comfort; be vigilant, even in the good seasons. Spiritual battles aren't always sudden explosions. Sometimes, it's the everyday neglect that chips away at your relationship, step by step. Your marriage is always on a journey—it's either moving forward or sliding backward. Choose to advance, even if you stumble. Use seasons of peace to intentionally invest and protect your relationship.   Couples' Conversation Guide: When things are going really well for us, do you ever notice ways we might start drifting spiritually or emotionally? How can we stay alert together?" Are there small habits or signs you've noticed in our marriage that show we're getting a little complacent? What could we do to course-correct? "During the good seasons, what's one thing we could start doing together—like prayer, gratitude, or reading Scripture—that would help strengthen our marriage and faith?"   Mentioned in this episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Need to establish the rhythm of intentionality in your marriage? Use our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide We gathered all 685 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so husbands can better meet their wife's needs. 💡Unlock 10 Things Wives Want! ] Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Intentionally pray over your marriage with 7 Prayers to Grow Your 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 !  Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

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• Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704

  When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it's easy to let your guard down—but what if those "good seasons" are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we'll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as opportunities for growth, connection, and deeper faith.   Main Takeaways: Spiritual warfare doesn't stop in the good seasons. Comfort can lead to drift if couples aren't intentional. Good seasons are opportunities for spiritual strengthening.   Quotes from This Episode: Complacency is the quiet thief in marriage—it's the gradual drifting apart that happens when you think everything is okay. The enemy attacks most fiercely when we let our guard down in times of comfort; be vigilant, even in the good seasons. Spiritual battles aren't always sudden explosions. Sometimes, it's the everyday neglect that chips away at your relationship, step by step. Your marriage is always on a journey—it's either moving forward or sliding backward. Choose to advance, even if you stumble. Use seasons of peace to intentionally invest and protect your relationship.   Couples' Conversation Guide: When things are going really well for us, do you ever notice ways we might start drifting spiritually or emotionally? How can we stay alert together?" Are there small habits or signs you've noticed in our marriage that show we're getting a little complacent? What could we do to course-correct? "During the good seasons, what's one thing we could start doing together—like prayer, gratitude, or reading Scripture—that would help strengthen our marriage and faith?"   Mentioned in this episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Need to establish the rhythm of intentionality in your marriage? Use our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide We gathered all 685 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so husbands can better meet their wife's needs. 💡Unlock 10 Things Wives Want! ] Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Intentionally pray over your marriage with 7 Prayers to Grow Your 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 !  Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

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