Awesome Marriage Podcast

Matt Cline, founder of Restored Ministries, shares his inspiring journey from sexual brokenness to healing. He discusses the profound impact of pornography on intimacy and the importance of honest communication in marriage. The conversation touches on redefining sex versus making love and reframing temptation as opportunities for spiritual growth. Matt emphasizes the necessity of emotional connection and accountability, urging couples to seek help and support for rebuilding intimacy after addiction. His insights offer hope and practical guidance for those navigating similar struggles.

Can your marriage be happy, even after…? Our guest today said that, "About 70% of men in the church are struggling cyclically or addictively with pornography, and about 30% of women. It's time to stop giving the enemy the power of our silence." We completely agree! While this story is not easy to tell, letting light into our darkest places is how we will experience the healing God wants for us. We are so thankful that Dannah shared her story with us this week. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The antidote to "I don't even know what to do" about this Does a porn addiction always escalate? And why? Some of the science behind why this addiction is so hard to kick The impact of betrayal trauma on a spouse RESOURCES Order Dannah's book, Happily Even After, for more of her story and insights Protect your kids from porn with the help of https://protectyoungeyes.com/ Click HERE to preorder Dr. Kim's new book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half! Don't settle for a struggling marriage. The 90 Days to Save Your Marriage plan starts right where your marriage is today and helps get it on the road to healing.

If porn use has damaged your marriage, you may struggle to feel close and to re-engage in sexual intimacy. You know that healing is possible, but how do you get there? Today Dr. Kim shares ways that couples can overcome the hurt caused by porn and re-establish the intimacy that will make the marriage thrive again. Time and again, we have seen couples restored, and their marriage even better than before. Tune in today and learn how this can be true for your marriage too. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Overcoming intrusive thoughts and insecurities How porn and comparison are similar Why the marriage can be better than before after healing from this *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES Do you love the Bible app as much as we do? Do not miss Dr. Kim's Verse of the Day on YouVersion Friday! Keep your marriage thriving for the long haul! Order Dr. Kim's new book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half! Has the Awesome Marriage podcast helped your marriage? If so, will you take a moment to leave us a rating and review? They take just a moment to leave, but they do make an difference in getting the show in front of more people. In Spotify, click the "star" icon right under the show's heading On Apple Podcasts, scroll down to the "Ratings & Reviews" section of the show page Don't settle for a struggling marriage. The 90 Days to Save Your Marriage plan is affordable, practical, and starts right where your marriage is today to get it on the road to healing.

Porn use is a pain point for all too many marriages. Today we talk about how to begin healing and rebuilding trust if porn has damaged your marriage. We have seen countless marriages restored from this issue, and we believe God can do the same for you and your marriage. Tune in to learn how you can begin to trust again. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The key to knowing if your spouse has changed and is trustworthy What if they haven't changed? Why confession is vital to healing and freedom *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES If you are ready to be free from porn, our friends at Restored Ministries offer several options to help both. Please do not hesitate to reach out. If your marriage has been affected by infidelity, our online Affair Recovery Course can help. This course is helpful whether you're just starting the recovery process, or are already in process. Use code: "AWESOMEMARRIAGE" for %10 off. Has the Awesome Marriage podcast helped your marriage? If so, will you take a moment to leave us a rating and review? They take just a moment to leave, but they do make an difference in getting the show in front of more people. In Spotify, click the "star" icon right under the show's heading On Apple Podcasts, scroll down to the "Ratings & Reviews" section of the show page Learn how to keep your marriage strong for the long haul! Order Dr. Kim's new book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half!

We know this topic is a painful one for all too many marriages, and we also know that God can bring full healing if your marriage has been damaged by porn. Today Dr. Kim shares how he's seen porn impact marriages over the years, why it's always a problem if it's part of a marriage, and how to start breaking free. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why porn use is never a one-person issue Why keeping porn use secret makes it harder to stop using Addressing common cultural myths about porn such as, "everyone does it" and "it doesn't hurt anyone" Steps to breaking free if you are using porn *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES If you are ready to be free from porn, our friends at Restored Ministries offer several options to help both. Please do not hesitate to reach out. If your marriage has been affected by infidelity, our online Affair Recovery Course can help. This course is helpful whether you're just starting the recovery process, or are already in process. Use code: "AWESOMEMARRIAGE" for %10 off.

Great things are happening on the Awesome Marriage Podcast this summer! In this quick update Dr. Kim and I pop in to talk about what you can expect and what you'll be hearing over the next few weeks. Plus an exciting announcement from Dr. Kim! We pray these episodes are helpful to you and your marriage. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES Learn to make your marriage strong for the long haul -- Order Dr. Kim's new book, Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half. If you need anything from us, don't hesitate to reach out at info@awesomemarriage.com

When Eric and Erikah Rivera met and started dating as high school sweethearts, they sensed God's call on their lives. But they did not know how it would all unfold. Today they are church planters in their hometown of Chicago, and they graciously share their story of how God has met them in the midst of unexpected fear and pain, and the ways He has worked in each circumstance. Don't miss this encouraging conversation with the Riveras. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How sharing their fears and grief with each other led to increased faith Unexpected ways God can use our trials when we invite Him to Should the disciple be known as "Doubting Thomas" or "Ride-or-Die Thomas"? When God doesn't answer our prayers the way we hope *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Application Questions: What fears are underlying in your heart and mind today? What prevents you from speaking them? Where do you need to see Jesus show up in your life today? In your marriage? How do you need support in those things in your marriage today? How can you better support your spouse in the things they are dealing with today? RESOURCES You can find Eric and Erikah on Instagram Hear more on the Brook Church website and YouTube Channel 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage: Sexual Intimacy Cheat Sheet

This week we conclude our powerful Unpacking the Baggage series with some details on the process of unpacking marriage baggage, and dealing with what's underneath. I'm so thankful for Dr. Kim's biblical wisdom on this topic, as well as the excellent guests we heard from this month. If you missed the previous episodes of this series, make sure to go back and listen for some powerful wisdom on how to heal your heart and your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Some of the physical signals that can help us prevent overreactions Slowing down the process to identify relationship triggers How to begin healing from relationship triggers and figure out what's underneath What to do if you don't know what's underneath *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES 44 Tips to Better Sex in Marriage: Sexual Intimacy Cheat Sheet The L.O.V.E. Your Way Through Marriage Course, by Chris and Jamie Bailey, is a journey of connecting and learning all the necessary steps to start having healthy conflict. Use promo code AWESOMEMARRIAGE for 10% off!

How can disappointment or unmet expectations in marriage lead us to God's healing? Our marriage will only be as healthy as the two people in it, and God wants to restore and heal our hearts. We're delighted to have John and Stasi Eldredge on the podcast today. The Eldredges share so much wisdom and their personal experiences with God's healing power in their lives and their marriage. Episode highlights include: How to navigate expectations for your marriage and the hurt they can bring How to take pressure off your spouse and your marriage he two great conversions in the Christian life What they would have missed if they had called it quits We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. RESOURCES Dr. Kim highly recommends Pause App, by the Eldredges Check out their site, www.wildatheart.org - it is full of SO many great resources for you! The L.O.V.E. Your Way Through Marriage Course, by Chris and Jamie Bailey, is a journey of connecting and learning all the necessary steps to start having healthy conflict.

When we carry parts of our past with us, it still affects us into today. If we aren't talking about how the past is for each spouse pushing its way into the present, then we're probably not getting to the depth of the truth of what's really going on. Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a repeat guest on the podcast, and today he shares some transformative steps to dealing with what's under the surface, and helping your spouse to do the same. Don't miss this helpful episode! Episode highlights include: Do we really need to bring up old stuff from the past? Why does it matter now? Is your heart open to your spouse, or closed? What are steps to helping a spouse deal with their baggage? What does it mean to "hold space" for your spouse? Plus why and how to do that We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! RESOURCES Find more of Dr. Kelly's resources, including the Loveable Mini Course, at his website: Drkellyflanagan.com Get Dr. Kelly's newest book, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell Use the L.O.V.E. Your Way Through Conflict Course, by Chris and Jamie Bailey to help you work through conflict productively!