Awesome Marriage Podcast

Abuse of any kind is entirely inconsistent with God’s plan for marriage, as described in Scripture. Today Dr. David E. Clarke returns to the podcast to debunk reasons that godly women give for staying with their abusive spouse. Dr. Clarke has counseled so many spouses who have been taught that God wants them to remain with an abuser, so today he explains a clear, biblical basis for separation from an ungodly, unrepentant, narcissistic, or dangerous spouse. Listen to learn about confronting the lies that keep you with an abuser.  Episode highlights include:  Many wives will stay for the kids’ sake. Is that good for the kids? How to know if the spouse is truly committed to change Advice for a spouse who stays because they do not have a job or income of their own Differences between addressing normal marital issues and dealing with abuse   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 Get Dr. Clarke’s book, 20 Lies That Keep You With Your Abuser  Find all of Dr. Clarke’s books and his many helpful resources at DavidEClarkePhD.com We believe a world full of awesome marriages will change the world! Our Marriage Changers get instant access to each monthly resource we create, and much more. Click to learn more about membership! Scripture references from today’s episode:  1 Corinthians 7:15,  Matthew 18:15-17,  Romans 16:17-18  1 Corinthians 5:9-13  1 Samuel 25 If you are unsafe in your marriage, please contact https://www.thehotline.org/ or  800.799.SAFE

Today Dr. Kim answers the question, “Do Christians have to stay married, no matter what?” We have heard from several listeners who are in difficult, painful and even abusive marriages. Some said their spouse takes advantage of knowing they will continue to stay as a rationale for continuing harmful patterns. This topic is complicated and nuanced, but there are some clear biblical principles about marriage that can help to navigate a response to these painful situations. Listen to learn more.  Episode highlights include:  Does Scripture support staying with a spouse no matter what  Dr. Kim shares why and how he recommends separation Advice to a spouse whose abuser has been enabled by a church or pastor  What a loving marriage looks like, just so no one has to wonder!  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 We mentioned some Scriptures in the episode that reveal God’s heart for the marriage relationship and his standard of love. This is only a very short partial list.  Ephesians 5   1 Peter 3 1 Corinthians 13  Colossians 3:12-19  Even in a difficult marriage, there is no place for violence or any kind of abuse. If you are unsafe in your marriage, please contact https://www.thehotline.org/ or  800.799.SAFE Dr. David E Clarke returns to the podcast next week for help dealing with an abuser. For help more helpful content on the topic, please see Dr. Clarke’s books: Enough is Enough 20 Lies That Keep You WIth Your Abuser 

We are so happy to be back with a new episode of the podcast in the new year! Today we get to hear the story of a real couple whose marriage was restored after infidelity. Adam and Kristi share the complete story of their marriage, and how God worked through their hardest situation to bring redemption. 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 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 $5 off.  Book: Unashamed By Christine Caine Related episodes:  Amber and Arly’s Restoration Story The Best Way to Affair Proof Your Marriage | Ep. 516

Statistically, odds are not good for a couple processing grief together. Today Kerry and Chris Shook join Dr. Kim on the podcast. In this powerfully encouraging episode, they share how they handled a painful season of grief losing their grandson, Jude, who lived just one day on earth, and how they were shaped, along with their family, through the loss. Kerry and Chris are pastors and co-authors of The Gift of One Day: How to Find Hope When Life Gets Hard. Episode highlights include:  Does grief change us, and what does that look like?  Seeing God at work when he doesn’t seem to answer our biggest prayers How to handle grief when you grieve differently than your spouse does   How thinking about “one day” shapes the grief process   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:  Kerry and Chris’s book The Gift of One Day: How to Find Hope When Life Gets Hard tells the whole story This month’s 62 Questions About Sex resource helps you be more intentional and thoughtful about quality and satisfaction in your sex life. Plus it comes with 10 Sexy Bucketlist Challenges, just for fun!  Enjoying our monthly resources? Consider becoming a Marriage Changer! Our Marriage Changers get instant access to each new resource we create, plus exclusive bonus content each month! Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!

The Christmas season is like no other! Today we’re sharing some ways we love to celebrate, our favorite traditions, past mistakes and mishaps, and how we have handled some of the challenges of the season. Plus we get to hear from two very special guests – each of our spouses join us for the first time on the podcast!   Episode highlights include:  Knowing when it’s time to let go of certain traditions Dr. Kim’s tips to reduce Christmas busyness  PLUS Christmas favorites, challenges and memories with Brian Few & Nancy Kimberling!  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:  Our “A Very Married Christmas: Couple’s Advent Calendar” is designed to help you slow down and connect through the Christmas season, and is available for a donation of any amount toward our Giving Tuesday campaign!  This month’s 62 Questions About Sex resource helps you be more intentional and thoughtful about quality and satisfaction in your sex life.  Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every months’ new resource – and so much more! Learn more here.  Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!  

Today we’re tackling some of the really tough questions that listeners have submitted. We love answering listener questions, and Dr. Kim often answers one at the end of our episodes. This episode is a little different, since these are all questions that warrant more than a quick answer. While there are some hard realities, we also believe that there is hope for every marriage. Wherever your marriage is today, we believe God has hope and redemption for you!    Episode highlights include:  Tips to talk to a spouse who “never has time” for hard conversations Feeling controlled when a spouse wants to know your whereabouts at all times Severe workload imbalance in the home and with finances Spouse’s video game addiction Trusting husband in spite of being surrounded by immodesty  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:  This month’s 62 Questions About Sex resource helps you be more intentional and thoughtful about quality and satisfaction in your sex life. And it comes with 10 Sexy Bucketlist challenges - just for fun!  Browse all our podcast episodes on Communication for more helpful info on this topic! Dr. Kim’s One Thing email is delivered each weekday with one practical  thing to do that day to grow your marriage. Subscribers also have access to bonus content  Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every month’s new resource, plus exclusive videos from Dr. Kim and Nancy, and more! Learn more here.  Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!  

Research shows that 69% of marital conflict is never resolved. We either sweep it under the rug, avoid the pain points, or get stuck in a cycle of conflict that may cause pain but not find resolution. Today Dr. Kim talks with special guest Anne Nelson, about the 4-stage process to break the fight cycle and heal your marriage from conflict. Anne is a Christian counselor who helps couples and individuals to find the fully thriving life God has for them.  Episode highlights include:  Why we get stuck in the conflict cycle and how to get out Some reasons that counseling might not “work” and what to do if that happens to you How to start recognizing and healing unaddressed issues affecting your marriage  Specific questions can we use to challenge our assumptions in marriage  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:  Connect with Anne and see her marriage resources on FullyThriving.com and on Instagram @Fully Thriving. Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every months’ new resource – and so much more! Learn more here.  Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!

Today Dr. Kim welcomes return guests Levi and Jennie Lusko to the podcast. In this episode, they talk about their new book, The Marriage Devotional, and answer why they wrote a marriage devotional, how that process affected their marriage, the power of scripture in marriage gift God gave us, and much more! Don’t miss this deeply encouraging episode!  Episode highlights include:  Why there is power to going to church in person as a couple   What might be going on when you don’t get anything out of a sermon or Bible reading Levi and Jennie share how they’ve personally worked to grow as spouses   Some of the unseen purposes of sex in marriage  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:  We love Levi and Jennie’s new book, The Marriage Devotional. It would also make a great Christmas gift!) Hear more from Levi and Jennie at Fresh Life Church and on their podcast, Hey It’s the Luskos.  Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every months’ new resource – and so much more! Learn more here.  Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!  

What are some of the major mistakes we hope couples avoid during dating and engagement? Today we’re talking all about unrealistic expectations. How can we tell when our expectations are unrealistic, and what can we do to keep them from becoming an issue in our relationships?  This one trips up about every couple at some point, so even if you’re married, this episode will be helpful to recognize, and deal with our expectations in a healthy and helpful way. Tune in for all the details on how not to let this major mistake wreck your relationship. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage! Episode highlights include:  We share several of the common unrealistic expectations we’ve seen as well as several we’ve had in our own marriages How to tell if your expectations are realistic or not  We give a simple process to work through these together  *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!  Resources:  Dr. Kim’s Preparing For An Awesome Marriage Online Course brings all the information he teaches in his premarital course directly to you! Use code “AWESOMEMARRIAGE” FOR 10% off!  We also have a FREE “95 Questions To Ask Before You Get Married”  resource to help you prepare well for marriage. Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every months’ new resource – and so much more! Learn more here.  Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!  

What are some of the major mistakes we hope couples avoid during dating and engagement? Today we’re talking about what it means to focus on the wrong things. What are they, and why are we saying they’re wrong? In Dr. Kim’s counseling experience, he’s seen some things that are just not helpful for engaged couples, so today he’s telling us some of the things he sees engaged couples focusing on that aren’t helpful to their future marriage. Spoiler alert: No matter where you are today, there is hope!  Episode highlights include:  What are the “wrong things” he sees couples focus on  What’s wrong with focusing on them   Some of the ways purity in dating impacts married sex  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:  Dr. Kim’s Preparing For An Awesome Marriage Online Course brings all the information he teaches in his premarital course directly to you! Use code “AWESOMEMARRIAGE” FOR 10% off!  We also have a FREE “95 Questions To Ask Before You Get Married”  resource to help you prepare well for marriage. Our House Prayer Cards are a beloved resource we are featuring again this month. These cards give ways to invite God into every room of your house. Learn more here!  The Weekly Check In Guide is a simple way to be intentional about checking in on your marriage each week. Grab the resource and get intentional today!  Loving our monthly resources? Marriage Changers get instant access to every months’ new resource – and so much more! Learn more here.  Get bite-sized daily doses of marriage wisdom delivered straight to your inbox with Dr. Kim’s Daily One Thing email. As a subscriber, you’ll also be eligible for some awesome freebies!   Dr. Kim’s weekly Marriage Multiplier email brings you 4 pieces of practical marriage wisdom in one quick, easy-to-read free weekly email.  Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram, Facebook and find Dr. Kim on TikTok!