Awesome Marriage Podcast

Your marriage doesn’t have to grow old just because you do. The second half of marriage does not have to grow stale - make plans to make these your best years yet! Listen today to learn how.    Whether you’re looking ahead to the second half of marriage, or you’re already there, it is a great time to improve and grow. In today’s episode, Dr. Kim shares tips to avoiding complacency and embracing the best version of your marriage in the second half.    We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  How to jumpstart marriage growth if you’ve gotten complacent  Practical steps to do the second half of marriage well - no matter where you are today  Tips to bring back the fun and passion later in marriage Simple conversation starters to help you get going  How to find a mentor couple to help your marriage    Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!

Your marriage should be a blessing to you and your spouse, but it does not need to stop there - a healthy marriage can also bless the world around you! Where is your marriage today? Are you and your spouse a healthy team? Are you healthy enough to pour into those around you? Today we are delighted to welcome Dedric and Krystal Polite to the podcast today to share their unique perspective on finding a vision for their marriage that is making a mark on the world.  Listen for encouragement on enacting a Godly marriage vision this year! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   Episode highlights include:  Breaking the cycle of generational poverty  Developing a life aligned with your values  Tips to date intentionally so that you find a spouse you can partner with  How to make your marriage a blessing to the world around you  Making your spouse your teammate - not your opponent    *Music for this podca

Spiritual intimacy is something couples want, but don’t really know how to get there. We can tend to believe a common myth that it should come naturally without any effort, plus it can seem awkward to pray together or pursue spiritual growth. So how can spiritual intimacy be a realistic part of marriage?  Today we’re talking about tangible ways to grow in spiritual intimacy with your spouse - and what NOT to do.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   Episode highlights include:  Why spirituality matters in marriage Common mistakes couples make with spiritual intimacy  Can the wife initiate the conversation about spiritual intimacy, or does the husband need to do that as a spiritual leader?  Practical steps to growing together spiritually  Tips to grow your marriage to become a light and example    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Gu

It's a new year, but it's still the same you and your spouse ... so how can you make your marriage the best it can be in the new year? With intentionality, you can break out of the habits that are not serving your marriage well, and build new ones that work better.  Listen today for the tips and tools to help! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   Episode highlights include:  Signs that your marriage needs a “reset” What NOT to do during a reset  Where to start if you want a “reset” but you’re not sure what to do  Tips to make sure you don’t fall back into the same old patterns?    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: Now is a great time to check in, take stock, and prioritize the healthy habits to make your marriage strong. Listen, then start taking steps today!    Questions to Discuss:  What do you want your mar

  Obedience to the ways of Jesus can sound closed-minded or restrictive, but in today’s episode we’re breaking down that myth for good.   We’re delighted to have pastor Rich Villodas join us today to talk about what it looks like to live on the Narrow Path Jesus taught about, and why it creates the most expansive life you could have. Learn what cultural Christianity gets wrong about the way of Jesus and how to walk the narrow way for a more joy filled life and marriage.    We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  Signs you’re not living out the Narrow Path Jesus taught about  Learn the damaging beliefs of cultural Christianity that don’t align with Jesus’ teaching  Ways that shallow faith shows up in marriage - and what to do about it  Internal shifts to help you value what matters to your spouse    Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here

Conflict in marriage is inevitable: it’s how you handle it that matters most. But what about couples who really never fight? What happens to conflict that is never addressed and only stays under the surface? Does it ever really go away?  Listen today to learn better ways to handle the issues you don’t know how to deal with.   We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:  Tips to initiate a hard conversation you’ve been avoiding How to stay grounded when you want to shut down  How conflict can actually lead to better intimacy and connection Helpful nonconfrontational ways to broach difficult topics    Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: Dealing with the important issues together paves the way for true peace, and learning effective conflict solving skills is a win for your marriage.  Questions to

Marriage conflict is hard, but you know what makes it even harder? Trying to WIN. Because if you win, that means your spouse loses. And that’s not great for your marriage connection. Break out of the “my way” versus “your way” myth and learn what it means to work together to have a win for your marriage.  Today we’re unpacking the process of how to win TOGETHER. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips!   Episode highlights include:  Why taking divorce off the table changes the dynamics of conflict. What does it mean for the marriage to “win” and how can you do it?  Key steps for healthy conflict resolution The importance of empathy and proactive communication to prevent arguments. *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide Main takeaway:  Marriage conflict is hard. When you try to win, you make it even harder. Questions to Discuss:  Are ther

Couples often enter marriage with high expectations, and are then dismayed to learn that marriage is not a fairy tale after all. What do you do when marriage doesn't make you happy? How can we break out of our selfish hopes and become the spouse God intends us to be? Listen to learn practical ways to reconcile your marriage dreams with your married reality.   We all have hopes and dreams for marriage, and the reality of life is that they don’t always play out the way we expected. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.   Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! Episode highlights include:  How your expectations before marriage impact your relationship The hidden role of selfishness in marital issues and conflicts How to cultivating humility helps to understand your spouse better Recognizing the redemptive nature of marriage can lead to deeper connections. Steps to finding a true and deeper joy in marriage   *Music for this podcast is create

Today we’re answering listener questions about how to handle the pain of a spouse’s porn use.  Unfortunately, this is a pretty common issue we hear about from couples, but the good news is that you CAN heal and move forward. So today we’re answering listener questions about healing and recovery from pornography in marriage. We’ll talk about the process for forgiveness, what to do if you just cannot forgive and move on, how to rebuild trust, and practical strategies to combat intrusive thoughts.  Listen for practical ways to heal and recover your heart and your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:  How to forgive and move forward when it feels impossible  Changing your view if you can’t separate your spouse from the hurtful behavior  The balance of feeling safe and willingness to be vulnerable  Boundary setting to allow for healing Getting out of the comparison trap and starting to feel beautiful and desirable again  *Music for this podca

Are your kids protected from p*rn? Do they know how to fight back? What if they’ve already been exposed to it?  So many parents do not know how to protect their kids from porn, or how to equip them with what to do if they are exposed to it. We are so pleased to hear from Kristen Jenson today on the podcast with the answers to your questions. Equip yourself so that you can equip kids well.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  The hidden mental health dangers of p*rn  The scripts parents need to discuss p*rn with their kids’ Tips for digital safety in today's technology-driven world. When should you start talking to your kids about p*rn? Which phones are safer for kids?  Resources that will help you guide your kids or grandchildren  The need for open conversations that can protect children's innocence.   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway:  Your kids & gr

If porn has damaged your marriage, healing is possible. And you are not alone…This is unfortunately a common issue we hear from couples about. So today on the podcast, we’re answering listener questions about healing and recovery from pornography in marriage. We’ll talk about the need for forgiveness, what to do when a spouse cannot forgive and move on, how to rebuild trust, and practical strategies to combat temptation.  Listen for practical ways to engage in healing and recovery for you and your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  What to do if a spouse can’t forgive past porn use  How to make a plan for dealing with temptation. Necessary steps in the trust-rebuilding process  Help to understand the impact on a wife’s self-image  How shame and isolation impact recovery   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway:  Porn use can really damage the trust in ma

How is the emotional intimacy in your marriage? Do you feel safe telling your spouse anything? Do you feel loved, heard, and understood?  Marriage is meant to be a refuge…a place where you each feel safe sharing deep personal feelings and confident you will be graciously received by your spouse. The problem is that many of us don’t talk about or even understand our own emotions. And if we can’t properly process our emotions, it will be very hard to build true emotional closeness in marriage.  Tune in today to learn the Do’s and Don’t of emotional intimacy. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  Surprising behaviors that may shut our spouses down emotionally What wives tend to get wrong about emotional intimacy  What husbands often get wrong about emotional intimacy  What we miss out on when emotional intimacy is missing in marriage  *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeawa

 We’re so happy to have David and Meg Robbins from FamilyLife joining us on the podcast today. The Robbins have been in ministry for many years and have learned so many important truths about what it takes to create a marriage strong enough to stand strong through the years.  Today they share their wisdom and experience. You don’t want to miss this conversation, full of wisdom and practical application that will benefit you and your marriage.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:  The unique strengths of Gen Z when it comes to pursuing marriage  The 3 threats every marriage faces The power of the Holy Spirit to stand strong  Daily habits to fight the drift that busyness creates in marriage Scheduling habits to keep your marriage connected  How to find an encouraging community of support - and why it matters    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: Don’t neglect the

Are you familiar with the 5 levels of communication and where they fit in your marriage? Do you use all 5 levels in your marriage? The basics of communication sound simple on paper, yet most couples are struggling to communicate effectively. And when communication falls short, your connection suffers, conflict ramps up, and marriage isn’t the partnership you hoped for.    Today Dr. Kim shares these levels and how to use them, so you can access all 5 types of communication your marriage needs and avoid common communication breakdowns with your spouse. Tune in to learn more!    We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  5 communication levels you and your spouse need Simple tips for avoiding common communication breakdowns  Getting to deep communication with a less talkative spouse  Common mistakes husbands and wives make with deeper communication How to respect your spouse’s personal communication style   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Cop

Are you truly resolving your marriage issues? Most couples experience recurring arguments that never truly resolve. This cycle leaves you with two problems: 1, You never solved the issue, and 2, now one or both are hurt and angry. Plus you’ve got some baggage around the issue, too. Today we’re going to help you learn how to resolve the actual issues.    We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  What NOT to do in a recurring argument  Communication tips to help you prevent conflict Conversation hacks to prevent defensiveness  The process to understand the REAL underlying issues    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: If you have recurring arguments (most couples do!) there’s probably a deeper issue you’re not aware of. Get under the surface to resolve the real issue.    Questions to Discuss:  On a scale from 1-10, how well do you and your spouse resolve your marriage c

How well do you choose your battles? If you struggle with recurring conflict in marriage, you might need to work on choosing your battles. On the other hand, if you’re feeling resentment but you’re not sure how to address it… you might need to work on choosing your battles. Today Dr. Kim is going to help you learn how to choose your battles well. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  Knowing when to stand your ground vs. when to let go The underlying message in your recurring marriage issues How to balance love and grace with speaking the truth  The path to build trust for open and honest feedback   *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: Some things are not worth arguing over! You can reduce the tension in your marriage by learning to choose your battles better.    Questions to Discuss:  What situations tend to end in recurring arguments in your marriage?  Are any

After a few “golden years” of ministry for Ken Guidroz and his family, things imploded. When Ken had to face the unimaginable as a dad, faith was hard to find. Hope seemed distant as he, his wife, and their marriage both struggled to recover. Today Ken shares the story of how they clung to each other and found hope to move forward together, through their darkest season.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  How to hold onto faith when you feel hopeless  Maintaining marriage unity while holding different parenting values  How to recover from marriage disagreements you can’t forget Ken’s story of breaking through to the other side after a dark season  *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:    Main takeaway: When your marriage is rocked by the unexpected, allow your spouse to process the way they need to. Focus on supporting one another, and finding common bonds.    Questions to Disc

Your mindset greatly impacts your day to day life. If you’re stuck in unhealthy or unhelpful thought patterns, both you and your marriage will suffer. But there are simple ways to unpack your thought patterns and replace the unhelpful with a biblical perspective. In today’s episode we’re looking at practical ways to adopt a gracious, life-giving perspective in marriage.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:  Common perspective mistakes in marriage and what causes them  Practical tips to resolve perspective issues and create a Biblical perspective What do secret sin and perspective have in common?   Ways to communicate more effectively and seek to understand your spouse's perspective  Tips to cultivate oneness and a spiritual foundation of unity *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: Is your perspective of your spouse realistic? For most issues, a generous perspectiv

An affair doesn’t have to mean the end of a marriage. At Awesome Marriage, we have seen so many marriages restored! Yet the recovery process will take time and working together to see the Lord heal the union. If you’ve experienced this pain, you need a guide to help you along the way.  Rick Reynolds joins Dr. Kim today to share his story of marriage recovery, and how he’s used his own painful experience to help others through the process of rebuilding after infidelity.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:  How to avoid common behaviors that can set you up for an affair   How to rebuild a marriage after affair - better than before Why Christians need to be aware of their own vulnerability How to overcome the obstacles to recovering after infidelity  Common mistakes in the affair recovery process    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!  Couples Conversation Guide:  Main takeaway: One of the best ways to protect y

When costs keep rising, and earnings often don’t match, money stress is bound to invade your marriage. Most couples face additional tension around how to handle finances well – as well as how to handle them together.    In today’s podcast, Dr. Kim talks with Dan and Kay Ockey about how to take control of your finances, even in times of financial uncertainty. Dan and Kay offer concrete and actionable advice on how to take the steps to get out of debt, make a realistic plan, and work together. Tune in for help to get your finances in order.    We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights include:  The action plan for how to start tracking finances  Productive ways to handle the realities of inflation and financial uncertainty  2 keys for financial success in a marriage Use this reframing shift and fight over finances less    *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here!    QUOTES  "The magic bullet doesn't exist, but being real about you