Awesome Marriage Podcast

How's the romance in your marriage? How does it compare to when you were dating? (… and does that matter?) Romance can fall by the wayside in marriage because it seems like an "extra" that you'll get around to when you have extra time or money, or if you feel inspired to make a grand gesture. But today Dr. Kim shares several reasons NOT to let that be the case in your marriage. Listen to learn why you need to bring the romance back and HOW to realistically make that happen. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Dr. Kim shares several specific ways romance benefits a marriage What does romance look like for men vs. for women? What to do if you're just not feeling it Whose job is it to make sure the romance is good? Quotes from This Episode: "Most people would say at some point it was there. So how do you get it back?" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "We kind of quit doing romantic things because we're not feeling it. Sometimes we have to go ahead and do them, so that we feel it again." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Marriage is a lot better when you've got romance in it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "I think we'd like it to come naturally, like it does in the movies." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "It's ok to have the conversation. We have to get past the mindset of, 'If you really loved me, you'd know.'" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Romance is a great way to show your spouse, I see you, I appreciate you, and I care about what you care about." - Lindsay Few Questions for You: Have you talked about romance with your spouse? If not … Ask them: What is sexy to you? What is romantic to you? Don't judge their answers! Answers may change over time, so check in every now and then.

Want better connection with your spouse? One thing we hear a lot from couples is that they don't feel close to each other or that their relationship feels like it's missing some depth. That's why today we're re-airing this episode from Dr. Kim and Christina that talks all about emotional intimacy and gives you ideas of practical ways to deepen the emotional intimacy in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What is emotional intimacy, and why does it matter? Warning signs you need to grow in this area Emotional intimacy killers to avoid Tips to start working on this - alone, and together Quotes from This Episode: "It is hard work knowing someone. You have to pay attention. It takes work to be intimate." - Christina Dodson "Laziness and business are going to block your intimacy, so we have to fight against those things." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Give yourself opportunities to connect." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "It adds value to my marriage for me to have a relationship with my friends, just like it benefits our marriage that he has guy friends." - Christina Dodson "You could have had the best childhood in the world and you still have baggage because we're human. That's okay, and you can deal with that." - Christina Dodson "You can't be emotionally intimate with your spouse if you aren't aware of your own emotions." - Christina Dodson Mentioned in This Episode: Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount. Your marriage can only be as healthy as the two of you are. The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord" (Lamentations 3:40). Our new Self Check-In Guide will help you do just that! Print out this Feelings Chart and use it to help you talk about your emotions. Our Questions To Help Your Spouse Open Up resource is a simple way to help build the closeness between you and your spouse. Accountability is a biblical and helpful tool for growing in holiness.

The Awesome Marriage Podcast is on winter break, and over the next four weeks we'll be sharing some of our favorite past episodes with you. First up: Finances! No one loves talking finances, but we do think you'll love today's conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses' separate financial backgrounds and "money stories" can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value. Listen to this episode if you're ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season - without fighting about them! Episode highlights include: Questions to start a productive conversation about finances with your spouse How to uncover the hidden money lessons you learned growing up, then to get on the same page with your spouse. What recent research says about the connection of money and marital happiness How to learn more about your spouse's perspective about money Ways to work together toward shared values around money in your marriage QUOTES: "You have different perspectives about money. You don't necessarily talk about what it means to you, how you think about it, therefore you argue about it." - Julie Baumgardner "You can have conversations about money without having to be methodical about every single penny." - Julie Baumgardner "If you can't figure out how to live within your means with a little, it will be very complicated to figure out how to live within your means with a lot." - Julie Baumgardner "It isn't 'You're right, I'm wrong,' you're being curious. And in being curious, you're learning." - Julie Baumgardner "If you can tell that money is creating stress, what is it about money that's stressful?" - Julie Baumgardner "Keep your eyes wide open for where God is calling you to join Him in his work. Be aware, and where you see a need, be a Kingdom builder. " - Julie Baumgardner QUESTIONS FOR YOU: What matters most to the two of you when it comes to money? It's never too late to define your core values around money in your marriage. What is it about money that's stressful? If it's "what ifs," then name the what-ifs and talk through them. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: We found Julie's article on this topic SO helpful: Do finances in childhood impact your marriage? Research says yes Winshape Marriage online and on Instagram Find the Money Habitudes game online 6 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource You can be part of the Awesome Marriage mission by helping to get marriage content to the hurting marriages across the globe. Join our mission today!

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.

Chelsea Smith, an author and church leader, shares insights from her book, 'I Do Today.' She emphasizes the importance of intentionality in marriage, highlighting how daily, small habits can strengthen relationships. Chelsea discusses the vital role of intimacy, service, and maintaining curiosity about one's spouse. She also touches on how prayer can deepen emotional ties and the need to adapt marital connections through life changes. With practical advice, she encourages couples to recognize that a fulfilling marriage is both attainable and requires ongoing effort.

Gratitude can be particularly challenging during tough times, but it's essential for a strong marriage. The discussion highlights how honest gratitude arises from faith, not just emotions. Misconceptions about gratitude being toxic positivity are clarified, emphasizing that even small acts of gratitude can make a difference. Couples are encouraged to view struggles as a united front and practice daily gratitude habits. Additionally, integrating prayer and lamenting can reshape perspectives, encouraging hope and deeper connection.

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!

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!

What if the biggest breakthroughs in your life and marriage don't happen overnight—but gradually, then suddenly? In this episode, we sit down with bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson to talk about his new book Gradually, Then Suddenly and how God's long-game approach shapes everything from our dreams to our relationships. Mark unpacks what it means to play the long game in faith, how to take every thought captive to Christ, and why success—whether in ministry or marriage—always grows at the "speed of a seed." We'll also explore how small, intentional choices today can create generational impact tomorrow. If you've ever felt like growth is too slow or that your prayers are taking too long to be answered, this conversation will remind you that God is always working—gradually, then suddenly. Episode Takeaways: Instead of focusing on how long something takes, we're invited to stay faithful to His good, pleasing, and perfect will—even when the outcome isn't immediate. Success isn't about avoiding failure—it's about learning to manage it. We don't need to see the whole plan to take the first step. Quotes from Today's Episode: "Whatever it is God's called you to do, it's probably going to take longer than you like and be harder than you hope for." "We overestimate what we can do in a year or two, but we underestimate what God can do in 10 or 20 or 30." "The cure for the fear of failure is not success. It's failure in small enough doses that you build up an immunity to it." Success is usually well-managed failure. It's not about pinpointing dates. It's about being faithful to his good pleasing and perfect will. Whatever it is God is calling you to do is probably going to take longer than you like and be harder than you hoped for. Good ideas are good but God ideas change the course of history. By faith you take the first step, even if God hasn't revealed the second step. You aren't going to be married very long without some curveballs. Couples Conversation Starters: How can we support each other in staying patient and faithful when God's timing feels slower than we hoped in our marriage or personal goals? What are some "small failures" we've experienced together, and how can we use them to grow stronger as a couple rather than letting them discourage us? Is there a step of faith—big or small—that God might be calling us to take together, even if we don't see the full path yet? Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about Mark Batterson and connect with him on socials. Mark Batterson's new book is out! Purchase it HERE! 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. Want to shift your perspective about your spouse and your marriage, check out Mind Craft: Take Your Thoughts Captive to Transform 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.

We all know communication is key to a healthy marriage—but what if what you think is communication… really isn't? In this solo episode, Dr. Kim unpacks five common habits couples mistake for communication and how these patterns can quietly erode connection over time. Learn how to create safety in your conversations, break unhealthy rhythms from your past, and build new habits that foster real understanding. Because clarity is kind, connection takes intention, and communication is about more than just words—it's about being truly heard. Episode Highlights: Communication is the number one struggle couples mention in counseling. Talking at someone isn't the same as talking to someone. Unhealthy rhythms stem from our past experiences. The first step in breaking these patterns is recognizing they are there. Clarity is kind. It's important that both spouses feel safe to hear and be heard. Digital communication cannot replace connection. Daily touch points and weekly check-ins can help combat the negative rhythms. Quotes from Today's Episode: When couples say they can't communicate, what they mean is "we can't connect." We tend to overestimate how well we communicate. We think our spouse should just know what we want to say. Silence communicates rejection and punishment. Your spouse can't read your mind. Unmet expectations are just resentments waiting to happen. Sarcasm is a shield that prevents real intimacy. Use technology to enhance communication not to replace it. Don't wait for problems to arise before you communicate. Pause before you react. James 1:19 that's countercultural advice in a world that rewards quick comeback and hot takes but it's exactly what healthy communication looks like. Couple's Conversation Starters: Which of the "five things that aren't really communication" do we each tend to slip into most often, and how can we help each other recognize it with grace? When was the last time one of us felt unheard or misunderstood, and what could we do differently next time to make both of us feel safe to share honestly? How can we build more intentional rhythms of connection—like daily touch points or weekly check-ins—to keep our communication strong and consistent? Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! If Communication is a struggle in your marriage, check out this free webinar: 7 Communication Mistakes Couples Make In Marriage 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. Want to see what God's Word says about what your wife needs? Or maybe, women, you don't know how to put to words what you need. Check out 3 Things Wives Need: A Plan for Husbands and Wives. 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.