Is your marriage built to last—or to be left when it no longer meets your expectations? This week on A Purpose Driven Marriage, we’re unpacking a foundational question: 👉 Are you living out your marriage as a contract… or a covenant?

In a culture that glorifies self-fulfillment and exits at the first sign of discomfort, we’re diving into the difference between the world’s view of marriage and God’s design. Through candid conversation, biblical truth, coaching insights, and real-life reflection, Duane and Nadine walk you through:

• What it means to have a contractual mindset vs. a covenantal mindset

• How contract-thinking leads to insecurity, conditional love, and emotional distance

• What the Bible teaches about covenant love (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5, Malachi 2:14)

• Why covenant love is about giving, not receiving

• How even secular studies—including those from Dr. John Gottman—support the benefits of covenant-style commitment

• How your view of marriage shapes your communication, intimacy, and long-term resilience

• Why covenant marriages don’t just bless the couple—they shape generations

• Contract marriages say: “If you do this, I’ll do that.” Covenant marriages say: “Even if you don’t, I’m still here.”

• God's model for marriage is sacrificial, not transactional.

• The covenant mindset provides security, purpose, and spiritual alignment.

• You can shift from self-protection to selfless love—and your marriage will thrive for it.

• 0:00 – Intro: Marriage by God’s Design

• 2:45 – Culture’s Contractual View of Marriage

• 6:15 – “I’ll stay as long as I’m happy” – The Danger of Conditions

• 9:00 – How a contract mindset creates emotional insecurity

• 12:40 – What is a covenant marriage, really?

• 14:00 – God’s blueprint: Ephesians 5 & sacrificial love

• 17:30 – When one spouse is struggling—what covenant commitment looks like

• 20:50 – Even if you’re not a Christian, covenant principles still apply

• 21:45 – Research: Commitment = Relationship Success (Gottman, UVA, JFP)

• 24:00 – “Interested” vs. “Committed” mindsets

• 30:00 – Choosing love rooted in God, not performance

• 32:00 – A marriage that builds legacy for generations

• 34:00 – Listener challenge + closing encouragement

✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok (@apurposedrivenmarriage) for daily marriage tips ✨ Want to work together? Book a coaching session at https://apurposedrivenmarriage.com/ ✨ Found this helpful? Send it to a friend or leave a review! It seriously means so much 💛

After 26 years of marriage, I’ve learned a lot—about love, family, communication, intimacy, faith, and what it really means to grow through every season together.

In this heartfelt episode, I’m sharing 26 real, honest, and practical tips I’d give to any wife who wants a stronger, more connected, and purpose-driven marriage. Some are serious. Some are funny. All of them are real-life tested and come from lessons I’ve learned as a wife, a mother, and a woman determined to keep building a marriage that thrives.

Whether you’ve been married two years or twenty, there’s something here for you.

✔️ Why your marriage foundation matters more than anything ✔️ The truth about sex and connection after decades together ✔️ How to fight fair and know when to call a timeout ✔️ Why your husband needs to feel respected, appreciated, and desired ✔️ The power of believing the best about your spouse ✔️ How friendship, support, and laughter make all the difference ✔️ And so much more…

💖 This episode is for every wife who’s serious about building a marriage that lasts. And if you’ve got a notebook nearby, you might want to take a few notes!

💌 What’s one tip that’s helped you in your marriage? Hit reply and share—I’d love to hear from you.

✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok (@apurposedrivenmarriage) for daily marriage tips ✨ Want to work together? Book a coaching session at https://apurposedrivenmarriage.com/ ✨ Found this helpful? Send it to a friend or leave a review! It seriously means so much 💛

🎉 We’re celebrating 26 years of marriage! 🎉

In this special anniversary episode, Duane shares 26 powerful lessons he’s learned as a husband over the past 26 years of marriage. From leadership and communication to the importance of date nights, conflict resolution, and even why sharing food is an act of love (apparently!), this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and real-life marriage truths.

If you're a husband, this is your must-listen playbook for growing in marriage. And wives—feel free to share this with your spouse! Who knows? He might just pick up a few gems. 😉

🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ✔️ The #1 thing every wife wants from her husband (even if she doesn’t say it!) ✔️ Why saying “I’m sorry” doesn’t make you weak—it makes you a better man ✔️ The surprising connection between chores and romance (hint: “choreplay” is a real thing!) ✔️ How to keep your wife feeling loved and cherished—even after decades together ✔️ The importance of protecting your marriage from outside influences ✔️ And so much more!

We’d love to hear from you! Husbands, what’s a marriage lesson you’ve learned that has strengthened your relationship? Drop us a comment or send us a message!

📌 Stay Tuned! Next week, Nadine will share her 26 lessons from 26 years of marriage! You don’t want to miss it.

✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok (@apurposedrivenmarriage) for daily marriage tips ✨ Want to work together? Book a coaching session at https://apurposedrivenmarriage.com/ ✨ Found this helpful? Send it to a friend or leave a review! It seriously means so much 💛

Do you ever feel like you and your spouse are two ships passing in the night? Between work, kids, responsibilities, and life’s never-ending demands, finding quality time together can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

In this episode, we’re sharing five powerful, time-management hacks to help busy couples stay connected and keep their marriage thriving—even when life gets hectic. From weekly marriage meetings to no-tech family time, these strategies will help you prioritize your relationship without sacrificing your responsibilities.

Whether you’re juggling careers, parenting, or just struggling to find quality time together, these tips will help you make time for love, deepen your connection, and create a marriage that lasts.

✅ Why busyness can trick you into feeling productive while damaging your relationship ✅ The #1 mindset shift that makes balancing love and life easier ✅ 5 time-saving hacks to ensure you stay connected with your spouse ✅ Practical ways to schedule and protect quality couple time ✅ How to automate, delegate, and outsource to create more margin for love

✨ Follow us on Instagram & TikTok (@apurposedrivenmarriage) for daily marriage tips ✨ Want to work together? Book a coaching session at https://apurposedrivenmarriage.com/ ✨ Found this helpful? Send it to a friend or leave a review! It seriously means so much 💛

Hey friends! 👋 It’s just me today—Duane is out of town—but I’m excited to spend this time with you because we’re talking about something that comes up all the time in my coaching sessions: those frustrating, never-ending arguments that go absolutely nowhere.

You know the ones—where you and your spouse keep going in circles, saying the same things, but somehow you’re both still frustrated and nothing actually gets resolved? 😩 Yeah, we’re getting to the bottom of that today!

After working with hundreds of couples, I’ve seen the same patterns keep people stuck in these unproductive arguments. And in this episode, I’m breaking down the four biggest communication roadblocks that lead to these cycles—plus how you and your spouse can overcome them together.

💡 Why men tend to go into "fix-it" mode while women want to process—and how to bridge the gap 💡 The "intentions vs. impact" trap—why good intentions don’t always equal good communication 💡 How couples often fight about completely different things without realizing it (seriously, this happens ALL the time!) 💡 Why it’s hard to see past your own emotions when you’re upset—and how to create space for BOTH of you to be heard

Listen, communication is a skill—it’s not something we’re all just born knowing how to do. But that means it’s something we can learn and get better at! So if you’re ready to break the cycle of frustrating, never-ending arguments, this episode is for you.

✨ Follow me on Instagram & TikTok (@apurposedrivenmarriage) for daily marriage tips ✨ Want to work together? Book a coaching session at https://apurposedrivenmarriage.com/ ✨ Found this helpful? Send it to a friend or leave a review! It seriously means so much 💛

🎧 Press play and let’s work on having more productive, meaningful conversations in your marriage!

Is your marriage slowly drifting apart without you realizing it? In this powerful episode of A Purpose Driven Marriage, we sit down with David and Meg Robbins to discuss the three biggest threats that can weaken any marriage—and, more importantly, how to fight back and stay connected.

At the time of this interview, David was the president of Family Life, but since then, he has stepped into a new role as the president of Campus Crusade for Christ International and Cru. While his title has changed, his heart for strengthening marriages remains the same.

David and Meg share deep insights, biblical wisdom, and real-life stories to help couples recognize and overcome: ✅ The Internal Threat – How our own selfishness and busyness create distance ✅ The External Threat – The hidden influences (like technology and culture) pulling couples apart ✅ The Invisible Threat – The spiritual battle against oneness in marriage

Plus, they introduce the newly reimagined Art of Marriage series, designed to help couples strengthen their relationship through faith-centered community.

🎙️ Tune in to hear: ✔️ How to identify if one of these threats is affecting your marriage ✔️ Simple, practical ways to reconnect and stay united ✔️ Why your marriage matters beyond just the two of you—it can change the world!

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Family Life Website: www.familylife.com
• The Art of Marriage
• Follow Family Life on Instagram: @familylifeinsta
• Weekend to Remember

👉 Did this episode resonate with you? Share it with another couple and tag us on Instagram @apurposedrivenmarriage!

Are your in-laws a little too involved in your marriage? Do you or your spouse feel like you're competing for attention, struggling with boundaries, or dealing with a parent who just won’t let go? You're not alone!

In this episode of A Purpose Driven Marriage, we dive into the challenges of unhealthy parental attachments—when in-laws mean well but unintentionally create tension, division, and conflict in a marriage. We’ll help you recognize the signs, understand the impact, and most importantly, set healthy boundaries without starting a family feud.

✅ Common signs of unhealthy parent-child attachment in marriage ✅ How this dynamic creates loyalty conflicts and weakens connection ✅ Biblical wisdom on leaving and cleaving (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7) ✅ Practical strategies to set firm but loving boundaries ✅ How to redirect in-law relationships while protecting your marriage ✅ What to do when boundaries are ignored or met with resistance

Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @APurposeDrivenMarriage 📧 Have a question or story to share? Email us at [email protected]

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Valentine's Day is often associated with roses, chocolates, and fancy dinners—but it doesn’t have to be about spending big or doing the same old thing. In this episode of A Purpose Driven Marriage, Duane and Nadine share 7 creative ideas to rekindle the romance and make your Valentine’s Day (or any day) extra special.

Whether you're planning a fun scavenger hunt, reminiscing on cherished memories, or learning to dance together, these thoughtful and playful ideas will help you reconnect and celebrate your love in meaningful ways. Plus, hear about some personal stories from Duane and Nadine’s own relationship as they dive into each idea, showing how you can build intimacy and joy—no matter the day!

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to create a memory lane date that celebrates your unique journey together
• The benefits of writing heartfelt love letters and why it's a perfect Valentine’s tradition
• Fun and easy ways to plan a tech-free day focused on deepening conversation
• How a DIY spa day or even a dance class can spice up your Valentine’s celebration
• The importance of focusing on love every day, not just on Valentine’s Day

Creative Ideas for a Special Valentine’s:

1. Memory Lane Date: Revisit places from your past and look through old photos or memorabilia.
2. Cooking Class Together: Learn a new recipe together and enjoy the bonding experience.
3. Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt: Leave little notes or gifts to surprise your spouse throughout the day.
4. Write Love Letters: Express your feelings through heartfelt words and read them to each other.
5. Tech-Free Day: Spend the day fully focused on each other with fun games and deep conversations.
6. DIY Spa Day: Pamper each other with massages, facials, and candles to set a romantic mood.
7. Dance Class (or App Dance Challenge): Take a dance lesson or try some fun choreography at home.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! We’d love to hear how you and your spouse are celebrating Valentine’s Day, or any creative ways you nurture your relationship year-round.

Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @APurposeDrivenMarriage 📧 Have a question or story to share? Email us at [email protected]

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Episode Description: In this episode of A Purpose Driven Marriage Podcast, Duane and Nadine Stewart dive into the transformative concept of the Five Love Languages. Rooted in Dr. Gary Chapman’s groundbreaking book The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, they explore how understanding and speaking your spouse's love language can lead to fewer conflicts, deeper emotional connections, and greater marital satisfaction. 💖

You'll hear relatable stories, expert-backed insights, and actionable tips on how to identify and speak your spouse's love language effectively—even when it feels unnatural at first.

What You'll Learn: ✅ The Five Love Languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch ✅ Why we naturally express love the way we want to receive it—and how that can create misunderstandings ✅ Practical examples of how couples can align their love expressions ✅ Research-based insights into the benefits of love language communication ✅ Tips to discover your spouse’s primary love language

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03:45] How Dr. Gary Chapman’s counseling experience led to identifying love language mismatches
• [00:10:22] Real-life couple stories where love languages created breakthroughs
• [00:20:11] Discovering your spouse’s love language by observing their behavior and complaints
• [00:27:00] How love languages impact conflict resolution and emotional connection

Challenge of the Week: Take 10 minutes with your spouse to discuss your love languages. Don’t know them yet? Take the quiz together! Links are in the show notes. Once you discover each other's love languages, talk about practical ways to show love that resonates deeply.

Resources Mentioned: 📚 The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman  🧩 Take the Love Language Quiz

Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @APurposeDrivenMarriage 📧 Have a question or story to share? Email us at [email protected]

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!