Awesome Marriage Podcast

We’ve all wondered at some point … is everyone else living a better life? It looks like they might be, and social media only seems to confirm it!  That’s why we’re delighted to bring you Dr. Kim’s conversation with today’s guest, Sarah Bragg, of the Surviving Sarah podcast. In today’s episode, we’ll hear Sarah’s take on feeling “stuck” in life, how to become happier, and steps to overcome the idea that someone else’s life is better than yours.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:   Why we face the questions that keep us up at night  Practical strategies for when you feel stuck in life How to deal with experiencing grief in midlife  Guardrails to protect yourself from the effects of comparison   Staving off the effects of unhappiness in your marriage    Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. Click here to get each week’s guide! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “We can look back and see where we’ve been. But when we look forward we don’t know what it’s going to look like.” - Sarah Bragg  “When we keep it inside, it grows. It feels bigger than it really is.”  - Sarah Bragg  “We all grieve in different ways, over different things.” Dr. Kim Kimberling   “It’s okay to just keep showing up and trying.” - Sarah Bragg  “In this age of social media, it’s nothing but compare and compete.”  - Sarah Bragg  “Connection is the root of happiness.” - Sarah Bragg  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   Order Sarah’s book, Is Everyone Happier Than Me?  Listen to the Surviving Sarah podcast and find more from Sarah on her website &  @SarahWBragg on Instagram! Don’t let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page!  Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. Click here to get each week’s guide!

Did you know that marriage can be good for you? Marriage is not always viewed as the gift from God that it actually is, but He has designed this relationship to provide some *amazing* benefits to both spouses.  Today Dr. Kim is sharing several of the ways a healthy marriage supports health and wellness for you, your spouse and your family. Tune in to learn more!  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:   The benefits of a good marriage for mental and physical health Health effects on kids and families The damaging effects of loneliness - even in marriage  Steps you can take to combat loneliness  Hidden benefits of the process of working on things you need to work on  Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. To get each week’s guide click here to subscribe! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “There’s all kinds of incentives to work on your marriage, and this is one of them: If you have a healthy marriage, you have a healthier, longer life.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  “We hear about so much depression; so much anxiety. Everybody’s under stress. Marriage can help your mental health.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  “I was out of my comfort zone, and any time you do that is uncomfortable, but on the other side there might be something really helpful.” - Lindsay Few    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   Don’t let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page!  Life’s unpredictable. Build a solid foundation for your marriage with 21 Prayers to Build an Awesome Marriage  Are you ready to join the mission? Our Marriage Changers exist because a world full of awesome marriages can change the world! Learn more HERE  Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. To get each week’s guide click here to subscribe! We are here to help! Email Info@awesomemarriage.com any time.  Our Healthy Self / Healthy Marriage Podcast Series goes deeper:  Why Does Physical Health Matter In Marriage? | Ep. 520 The Connection Between Emotional & Spiritual Health | Ep. 521 Mental Health & Your Marriage | Ep. 522 Answering Listener Questions | Ep. 523  

Does marriage still matter in this day and age? We say a resounding yes!    Marriage was designed by God, and there are several purposes the Bible gives for why marriage matters. Today we’re digging into what Scripture says about the value of marriage. Tune in to learn God’s purposes for the marriage relationship, and why they matter in your marriage! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:    Dr. Kim’s list of biblical purposes for marriage Several ideas for what it means to “be fruitful” in marriage  The power of a marriage model - and tips on how to find one  The ripple effect of an intentional marriage Ways your marriage can be a light in our dark world    Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. To get each new guide, click here to subscribe!   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “No marriage is perfect. But if you’re a couple steps ahead, you’ve navigated some things that others haven’t.” - Lindsay Few   “My dream for the marriage changers is that they’re learning, growing and passing that on.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  “Prayer has had such an impact on our marriage. When God answers prayer like He does, we want to tell everybody what He’s done!” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  The things God calls us to do bring glory to God. They bring us joy, life and peace, and they also bring light and encouragement to others.” - Lindsay Few  “Yes, it’s hard at times. Yes, there are things you have to work through. But the big picture result is worth it.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Don’t let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page!  Life’s unpredictable. Build a solid foundation for your marriage with 21 Prayers to Build an Awesome Marriage  We are here to help! Email Info@awesomemarriage.com any time.  Are you ready to join the mission? Our Marriage Changers exist because a world full of awesome marriages can change the world! Learn more HERE  Our Couples Conversation Guide helps you apply each episode’s content. You’ll get each new guide when you click here to subscribe!  

Is it harder to live a faithful life today than in times past? Today’s world does provide some unique challenges that couples face, but there are also unique opportunities. Today’s conversation with Gabrielle McCullough sheds light on some of the ways today’s world can be deeply impacted by Jesus and the effects of our faith can have on marriage.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:   Unique challenges and unique opportunities for faith in Gen Z 3 questions for biblical accountability  A challenge to help you find your place in the local church The impact of following Jesus on every aspect of life  Why the local church is still relevant and needed today     *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!  QUOTES  “Following Jesus impacts every area of your life.” - Gabrielle McCullough  “We follow Jesus because he has our hearts. There’s an obedience that is compelled that isn’t out of drudgery but out of true delight.” - Gabrielle McCullough  “They want something that’s authentic. That excites me about my generation.” - Gabrielle McCullough  There’s a beauty in asking, ‘how can I serve the church?’ instead of asking how others can serve me.” - Gabrielle McCullough  “As Christians, our responsibility is to love people the way Christ loves them; with love and with truth.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling   “If marriages can be healthy and strong, what a testament to the world of who Jesus is and the way he fights for his Bride.” - Gabrielle McCullough   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Find Gabrielle on Instagram, TikTok, and on her website   The Christmas in July Sale is on at Awesome Marriage University and that means you get 30% ANY and ALL of our online marriage courses! BROWSE our course offerings to find which one your marriage needs and use the code JULY at checkout!  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. 

Has you or your spouse’s insecurity affected your marriage? We’re all insecure about something, and the way we see ourselves will end up spilling over into the way we relate to others. Nowhere is this more likely to happen than in marriage.  In this episode Dr. Kim and Christina share  ways to address your insecurity and your spouse’s insecurity, including a surprising way Dr. Kim has learned to turn his weaknesses to strengths. Tune in for wisdom and practical tips.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:   How insecurity affects a marriage  Advice if your spouse’s insecurity is weighing you down  Advice if your OWN insecurity weighs you down  Practical steps to overcome insecurity  How to fight back against your insecurities   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “How you view yourself absolutely affects how you’re going to interact with others.” - Christina Dodson  “I think the role of the spouse is to build each other up. Your marriage should be your safest place, next to your relationship with God.”  - Dr. Kim Kimberling  “Perfection is not what God expects from you, nor should anyone else be expecting it from you.” - Christina Dodson  “You begin to believe the things God says about you and who you are in Christ, and that changes your countenance. You will look like a different person.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  “There’s less holding you back if you’re not weighed down by your insecurities. There’s more joy, more abundance, freedom to enjoy life together. ” - Christina Dodson  “One thing God does so well for us is he loves us right where we are. Our goal is to love our spouse right where they are.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling   “You can’t take it over. You can’t fix it for them. But you can come alongside and do what God wants you to do.” -  Dr. Kim Kimberling  “No one is thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about you. To me, that’s really freeing!” - 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. The Christmas in July Sale is on at Awesome Marriage University and that means you get 30% OFF ANY and ALL of our online marriage courses! BROWSE our course offerings to find which one your marriage needs and use the code JULY at checkout!

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    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “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 spouseAccountability is a biblical and helpful tool for growing in holiness.  

What is a “gospeler”?   It’s probably a lot simpler than you think! It is something that will certainly impact you and your marriage, but also has the potential to have a huge impact on others around you.  Today Willie Robertson shares  how one person sharing the Gospel impacted thousands, starting with his family, and he explains just how simple it can be to begin to care enough for others to share the Gospel with them.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:    Gospel genealogy & the ripple effect one conversation can have  The Biblical basis for this kind of conversation  Where to start if you don’t know where to start  Advice for parents to share their faith in parenting  Different ways to approach sharing your faith    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “When you’re active in sharing your faith, it takes care of a lot of other things for you as well.” - Willie Robertston “The great commission was for all of us.” - Willie Robertston “Make disciples, baptize people, teach people; you’re not going to do any of those 3 unless you open your mouth.” - Willie Robertston “It starts with caring about people.” - Willie Robertston “You start learning the Word, you’ll start standing out in the crowd.” - Willie Robertston   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Order Willie’s new book, Gospeler today!  Find more from Willie at DuckCommander.com and WillieRobertson.com  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.   

Are you ever a bit too helpful in your marriage? Do you find yourself frustrated with the way your spouse responds to you?  You may be trying to control your spouse by “helping” even if you don’t mean to!  Today Laura Doyle from the Empowered Wife Podcast joins Dr. Kim to teach us some ways to shift our marriage culture - without resorting to control tactics. Tune in to learn how!  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:   Empowering ways to shift the culture of your marriage, even if your spouse isn’t on board “Cheat phrases” to help you shift from controlling tendencies to deeper intimacy    The unexpected lesson of sitting down with your spouse and getting nothing done!    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Find more of Laura’s content, including her free Empowered Wife Road Map on her website Check out Laura’s book, the Empowered Wife! 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. 

Most of us deal with self doubt, regret, and feelings of not measuring up. But learning to love ourselves properly means learning to see ourselves as God does, and it allows us to love others more freely and graciously.    Today, Bryan Crum will help you step away from nagging self doubts and into a solid biblical perspective. Give your marriage the gift of seeing yourself and your spouse through God’s eyes.   We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:   Unexpected lessons learned from people who are facing their mortality  Why is it hard to accept loving and valuing ourselves properly?  Rewriting negative messages we’ve learned  Ideas to break away from self-doubt  Why relationships are needed to help us learn to love ourselves    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “I’m on a mission to help people fall in love with God’s greatest creation; and that’s us.” - Bryan Crum  “We all want to know our time on this earth means something.” - Bryan Crum  “I’ve discovered 2 truths about living: 1. We’re priceless. 2. For some reason, we’ve forgotten that truth.” - Bryan Crum  “We interact with people every day but we don’t always treat them like they are valuable.” - Bryan Crum  “When we acknowledge the truth of what we’re worth, we’re acknowledging a truth heaven knows well.” - Bryan Crum  “The first step is to stop comparing ourselves to each other.” - Bryan Crum  “There's power in giving each other the benefit of the doubt.”   - Bryan Crum  “Giving each other grace is a small step that covers a lot of distance.” - Bryan Crum  “Marriage is promising each other that we’re all-in. We’ve got to make the conscious choice to say, ‘I’m still here.’”  - Bryan Crum  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  If your marriage is doing okay but could use a jumpstart, then this 5 Week Marriage Refresher Challenge is for you!  Find more from Bryan HERE Order Bryan’s book, Neighbor, Love Yourself HERE    

Conflict is no one’s favorite, but it is an inevitable part of life. And today Donna Jones teaches us why it’s nothing to be afraid of by busting some of the most common misunderstandings that lead to conflict avoidance, and providing a biblical roadmap to handle conflict in a healthy way.  Tune in to learn more about approaching conflict in a healthy, biblical way.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:   The biggest mistakes most couples make in conflict  The trick to de-escalate in the heat of the moment.  The inner characteristics that build better conflict habits  Help to break conflict patterns in your marriage  The healthy way to apologize well   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  “When we handle conflict in a healthy way, the outcome is peace. Peace between us and who we have conflict with; peace in our own souls.” - Donna Jones  “When we are in conflict, it literally affects everything about us. We function, but on the inside, we’re torn to pieces.” - Donna Jones  “The reason so many of us think conflict is bad, is that we never learned to see how conflict can turn out good.”  - Donna Jones  “When we have conflict, we tend to think it means 1 of 3 things: There’s something wrong with you; there’s something wrong with me, or there’s something wrong with us. But conflict doesn’t mean that.” - Donna Jones  “No relationship can survive an atmosphere of disrespect over the long haul.”  - Donna Jones  “The most important thing is not an act, it’s an attitude: Humility.”  - Donna Jones  “If you want to know how strong a person really is, look for humility.” - Donna Jones  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Order Donna’s book Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life today!  Find Donna on her website, on Instagram @DonnaAJones or Facebook @donnajonesspeak/ For more help to break the conflict cycle, sign up for Dr. Kim’s “8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar” If your marriage is feeling a bit blah, the Marriage Refresher is the jumpstart you need to bring fresh life into your marriage!