In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Gene and Stacey DiNardo to talk about how parenting complicates marriage—and how couples can stay connected through it. They share funny (and not-so-funny at the time) stories from raising kids, like sleep training gone wrong and skunk encounters, while also reflecting on divided hearts, discipline, and making space for each other. The couples discuss the importance of unity, finding creative ways to carve out time together, and keeping marriage a priority even in the busy parenting years. Their insights are both honest and encouraging for anyone navigating the ups and downs of family life.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Jimmy and Holly Diakandru to talk about what it’s like to feel like “ships passing in the night” because of mismatched schedules. They share how shift work, kids, and busy seasons created challenges for their marriage — and how intentional communication, honesty, and creativity helped them reconnect. The conversation is full of practical wisdom about finding rhythms that work for your unique family, valuing each other’s roles, and making time to truly see one another.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Josh and Christy Mitchell to talk about how job transitions impact marriage. The Mitchells share stories from their 25 years together, including how they navigated frequent career changes, supported one another through coaching and business ventures, and learned to keep communication central in every transition. They emphasize the importance of serving one another, holding careers loosely, and keeping identity rooted in Christ rather than in work.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Jimmy and Emily Kozy to talk about roles and responsibilities in marriage. Together, they reflect on how family backgrounds shaped their expectations, how shifting circumstances like work schedules and raising twins required flexibility, and how assumptions can create conflict if not discussed openly. They share personal stories of learning to divide household tasks, growing through unmet expectations, and reframing responsibilities as opportunities to serve one another in love. The conversation highlights that communication and grace are essential for navigating roles in different seasons of marriage.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Micah and Jessica Irwin to talk about healing after infidelity. Together, they unpack the pain, deception, and grief that come with broken trust while also pointing to the hope of restoration through humility, honesty, and God’s grace. They share practical wisdom for rebuilding trust, setting healthy patterns, and preventing future brokenness by investing deeply in marriage. The conversation reminds us that even in the deepest wounds, God offers redemption and the possibility of a stronger, more grace-filled marriage than before.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Jimmy and Emily Kozy to talk about one of the top areas of conflict in marriage: money. They share how their approach to budgeting, transparency, and shared financial responsibility has not only helped them avoid conflict but also deepen intimacy in their marriage. From early struggles with small purchases to navigating single-income seasons while raising four kids, they explore how money reflects values and can unite a couple when handled together. The conversation offers practical insights for couples looking to align finances, strengthen communication, and grow closer through shared financial decisions.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Dr. Juli Slattery, clinical psychologist, author, and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy, to talk about what happens when sexual intimacy in marriage feels out of sync. Juli shares her journey into this field and explains God’s intent for sex as a reflection of covenant love. Together, they unpack common struggles couples face—like mismatched desires, pornography, and expectations—and offer practical wisdom for building intimacy over time. The conversation points couples back to prayer, communication, and the hope of God’s redemptive work in every marriage.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Ken and Jamie Prabucki to talk about how marriage weathers deep grief. They share candidly about the brokenness each of them brought into their relationship, the pain of infertility, and how those experiences were shaped by past wounds. Through stories of anger, misaligned timelines in processing grief, and the challenge of supporting each other when hurting differently, they offer an honest look at what it takes to stay connected. The conversation emphasizes the importance of truth-telling, avoiding unhelpful “silver linings,” and leaning on Jesus as the ultimate source of hope.

In this episode of After the Vows, Joe and Karen Coffey sit down with Matt and Sara Koons to talk about the most important part of any marriage: communication. From learning to navigate conflict early on, to figuring out how to listen well and speak with kindness, they share honest stories and practical wisdom from 28 years of marriage. They explore how trust, timing, and intentionality shape meaningful connection through different life stages. If you're wondering how to grow closer through communication, this episode is full of insight—and hope.