Still Becoming One

Send us a textWe examine the complexities of troubled marriages, challenging the idea that couples should "stick it out no matter what" while offering guidance on when to fight for your relationship and when boundaries might be necessary.• Understanding the difference between pursuing happiness versus finding fulfillment and contentment in marriage• Why staying together "just for the kids" often creates more trauma than healing• How to approach your spouse about relationship struggles without blame or shame• Setting healthy boundaries when your partner refuses to work on the relationship• Recognizing when safety concerns might necessitate separation• Moving beyond the "did I marry the wrong person?" question to deeper relationship insights• Finding the courage to work through brokenness together for stronger connectionWe'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic or any of our episodes. Contact us with your questions or topic suggestions at help@stillbecomingone.com or text us through the number in our show notes.Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Send us a textSpecial guest Adam Young joins us to discuss his new book, Make Sense of Your Story. What if the relationship patterns you can't seem to break are rooted in stories you've never fully understood? Adam Young, therapist and host of The Place We Find Ourselves podcast, joins us to explore how our earliest experiences continue to shape our most intimate relationships—and what we can do about it.Whether you're struggling in your marriage, trying to parent differently than you were parented, or simply curious about why you relate to others the way you do, this conversation offers a compassionate roadmap for making sense of your story. As Adam reminds us, "Your stories need to be written and they need to be told." Are you ready to discover what's truly at the core of yours?Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

The hosts reveal that marriage issues often arise from our personal stories rather than choosing the 'wrong person.' They discuss the significance of identifying relationship flags, both red and yellow, and the impact of humor and communication in fostering connection. By using lemon metaphors, they challenge the idea that dissatisfaction stems solely from our partners. With insights into faith, attraction, and the importance of self-reflection, they highlight how understanding past patterns can lead to healthier relationships.

Send us a textWe explore the dynamic when husbands experience higher sexual desire than their wives, examining how both partners often feel broken or inadequate when confronting these differences.• Sexual desire disparity affects approximately 80% of marriages with the husband having a higher desire• Both partners suffer—husbands feeling rejected and wives feeling inadequate or broken• Harmful messaging from purity culture and society creates unrealistic expectations about marital sex• Emotional connection often precedes sexual desire for many women, not just a "checklist" to complete• Trauma history significantly impacts how people experience and express desire• Desire levels naturally fluctuate throughout marriage due to life stages, stress, and other factors• Meeting in the middle requires both partners to move toward each other with empathy• Sexual intimacy serves multiple purposes beyond physical release—connection, care, comfortWe'd love to hear your thoughts about navigating desire differences and what meeting in the middle looks like in your relationship.Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Send us a textBrad and Kate welcome J Parker, author of "The Higher Desire Wife," to discuss the often overlooked reality of wives who desire more sexual intimacy than their husbands and how couples can navigate this sensitive dynamic with understanding and compassion.• Sexual desire fluctuates throughout marriage, with partners' drives shifting multiple times over the years• Numerous factors affect male sexual desire, including stress, sleep, health issues, testosterone levels, relationship issues, and more• When wives want more sex than husbands, it doesn't automatically mean he isn't attracted to her or is getting satisfaction elsewhere• Approaching desire differences as an "us issue" rather than blaming one spouse creates safety for honest conversations• Pornography and other sexual sin rewire the brain to view sex as consumption rather than intimate participation• Creating intentional attraction by focusing on your spouse helps maintain desire in long-term relationships• "Closing the gap" requires positive vision-casting rather than complaints about what isn't happening• Sexual intimacy requires vulnerability and effort but brings a deeper connection than solo sexual experiencesLink to the book: The Higher Desire WifeJ's podcast: Sex Chat For Christian WivesJ's blog: Hot Holy HumorousStill Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Send us a textRelationship conflict is inevitable, but the key to healthy relationships lies in effective repair—acknowledging impact and taking responsibility rather than just saying, "sorry you were hurt."• Conflict in relationships is normal, but repair is essential for rebuilding connection• There's a critical difference between "I'm sorry you were hurt" and "I'm sorry I hurt you"• Effective repair involves listening well, owning your impact, and discussing future changes• Different personalities seek different things in apologies—understanding your partner's needs is crucial• Managing different perceptions of reality without arguing about "facts" helps resolve conflicts• Forgiveness involves acknowledging harm and choosing not to require payment for it• Modeling good repair with children teaches them relationship skills for their future• Repairing doesn't always mean changing your decision, but it does mean acknowledging the impact• The sooner we repair, the smaller our relationship ruptures remainStill Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Send us a textCan a healthy marriage include moments where one partner "takes one for the team" sexually? This candid conversation tackles the sensitive reality of differing desire levels and how couples navigate intimacy when interest isn't mutual.We explore this often used metaphor and unpack how this dynamic typically unfolds - often with one partner silently sacrificing while harboring resentment, and the other sensing something's off but unable to name it. The result? Disconnection where connection was intended.There are healthier alternatives, true intimacy requires honest dialogue where both partners can express desire without undue pressure and decline without causing undue rejection. Whether you're struggling with mismatched desire levels or want to deepen your understanding of sexual dynamics in marriage, this episode offers compassionate guidance grounded in both professional experience and the hosts' journey.Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Send us a textWhat defines family in today's complex world? We dive into the often misleading notion that blood is thicker than water, encouraging listeners to reflect on the diverse definitions of family. We can seek to maintain loyalty to family while navigating the complexities of emotional needs in life. However, there's more to "family" than biological ties. We explore how a chosen family can sometimes be your strongest support system, emphasizing the importance of those connections in your personal growth and happiness. Deep connections formed with friends can provide the support and love typically attributed to familial bonds. Brad and Kate invite you to consider who you regard as family and how those relationships impact your life. If you've ever felt frustrated by familial ties, this episode is for you. Join us as we discuss embracing your whole support system and redefining what family means to you.Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries

Join the hosts as they explore the challenges and joys of marriage and parenting, revealing how past experiences shape relationships. They emphasize the transformative power of storytelling, discussing both trauma and joy from childhood. Discover the importance of humor in relationships and the need for self-kindness to nurture communication. With insights from their own journey, they aim to foster understanding and growth in couple dynamics, inviting listeners to connect on this evolving path together.

Send us a textWe hear it all the time: "My wife's not meeting my needs" or "My husband isn't meeting my needs!" What do we do about this? Of course, we want our spouse to meet our physical, emotional, sexual, and other needs. Yet, is it their responsibility to do so? The struggle to juggle demanding jobs and family commitments makes this a very common feeling. We explore the emotional tug-of-war many couples experience when they feel like the person they signed up to "do life with" is now not meeting their needs. Is this a reason to end the relationship? Are there ways to fix this? Let's dive into understanding and meeting each other's needs. Still Becoming OneFacebookInstagramAldrich Ministries