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 health of your marriage: Keep short accounts when things need to be addressed between you, and cultivate supportive community. 

Questions to Discuss: 

1. Are you aware of the spiritual battle for your marriage? 

2. Are there any ways you’re viewing your spouse as your enemy, and neglecting to protect your mind and heart against the real enemy? 

3. Where would your life and marriage benefit from community? What step can you take today to nurture your friendships, mentorship and fellowship? 

QUOTES 

• Younger generations are doing a lot of deep story work. - Meg Robbins 

• We all have ingrained sin patterns that we bring into marriage. - David Robbins 

• Vulnerability does involve risk. It’s not status quo. Yet vulnerability is the pathway to deeper intimacy. - David Robbins 

• You have to take risky steps to take down the walls around your heart. - Meg Robbins 

• With little things, we can be hard on ourselves. But when you spend time with other people, you realize these are normal things. - Meg Robbins 

• Most people want to talk about their marriage, it just requires someone else to start the conversation. Anyone of us can crack open the conversation.  - David Robbins 

• A healthy marriage is one that’s repenting often. - David Robbins 

• No marriage is going to naturally drift towards awesome oneness.  - Meg Robbins

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Find marriage-building resources and events at www.FamilyLife.com 

• Find and follow FamilyLife on YouTube

• Utilize FamilyLife’s The Art of Marriage small group course

• Nurture your marriage with our FREE 15 Better Assumptions to Make About Your Spouse printable.

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 Copeland. Check him out here! 

Couples Conversation Guide: 

Main takeaway:  When you talk, be mindful of communicating in ways that your spouse will be able to really hear you. When your spouse talks, listen well, and don’t neglect any of the 5 communication levels.

Questions to Discuss: 

1. Which levels of communication come more naturally in your marriage? 

2. Which levels are harder to use? 

3. What is one thing you can do today to make sure you communicate in a way your spouse will be able to receive well? 

QUOTES 

• “Communication is so essential. I don’t know if there's ever a couple that comes in for counseling and it’s not an issue.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  

• “It sounds simple enough, but at the same time most couples are struggling with communication.” - Lindsay Few 

• “It’s important that you pay attention to each other. That you value it and listen to each other.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• “There are so many distractions in life. It’s important to tune in.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling  

• “Instead of blaming our spouse because they’re not listening well, ask how well am I communicating with them?”  - Dr. Kim Kimberling  

• “We have a responsibility to grow in self awareness, and marriage is a beautiful way to do that.“ Lindsay Few 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Turn to God and ask him to renew your mind with our NEW resource, 11 Prayers To Stop Thinking Negatively About Your Spouse

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here! 

• Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram for more marriage tips! 

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: 

1. On a scale from 1-10, how well do you and your spouse resolve your marriage conflict? 

2. Better communication helps you address the real issues you need to resolve. What is one step you can take to grow your communication today? 

QUOTES 

•  "Most couples have recurring arguments that never truly resolve" - Lindsay Few 

• "Being vulnerable builds intimacy and trust." - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• "Using 'I' statements takes ownership and responsibility." - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• "Learning to resolve conflict in a healthy way is a gift to your marriage." - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Our Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet is a printable resource to help you address conflict the healthy way. Grab the free cheat sheet HERE!

• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

• Has infidelity damaged your marriage? Sign up for Dr. Kim’s webinar Rebuilding Trust and Establishing Healthy Boundaries After an Affair and learn what steps to take next.

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here!

• Follow Awesome Marriage on Instagram for more marriage tips!

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: 

1. What situations tend to end in recurring arguments in your marriage? 

2. Are any of those battles you can let go of, instead of fighting? 

3.  Is there any resentment you need to let go of today? 

QUOTES 

• Instead of being critical, learn to work together. - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• Stay faithful to agreements you’ve made. The things you agreed on affect one another. - Lindsay Few 

• It doesn’t have to be a battle. - Lindsay Few 

• Getting defensive just never works. - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

• Our Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet is a printable resource to help you address conflict the healthy way. Grab the free cheat sheet HERE!

• Has infidelity damaged your marriage? Sign up for Dr. Kim’s webinar Rebuilding Trust and Establishing Healthy Boundaries After an Affair and learn what steps to take next.

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here! 

1. What situations tend to end in recurring arguments in your marriage? 

2. Are any of those battles you can let go of, instead of fighting? 

3.  Is there any resentment you need to let go of today? 

QUOTES 

• Instead of being critical, learn to work together. - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• Stay faithful to agreements you’ve made. The things you agreed on affect one another. - Lindsay Few 

• It doesn’t have to be a battle. - Lindsay Few 

• Getting defensive just never works. - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

• Our Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet is a printable resource to help you address conflict the healthy way. Grab the free cheat sheet HERE!

• Has infidelity damaged your marriage? Sign up for Dr. Kim’s webinar Rebuilding Trust and Establishing Healthy Boundaries After an Affair and learn what steps to take next.

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here! 

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 Discuss: 

1. What has been your hardest marriage season? What helped you stay close in that time? 

2. What is one way you can strengthen your marriage today to protect it for the future? 

QUOTES 

• In some ways, it was our toughest time ever. In other ways, it was “you and me, honey, against the world.” - Ken Guidroz 

• To say we felt like we had a scarlet letter on our chest is an understatement. - Ken Guidroz 

• We were partners in the pit. It was tough. But it also cemented us for life. - Ken Guidroz 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Find more of Ken’s writing, including his book, Letters to My Son in Jail, on his website 

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here! 

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 perspective and good communication can get you through it together. 

Questions to Discuss: 

1. Do you have any unrealistic expectations of your spouse today? If you’re not sure, check them out together. 

2. Are you and your spouse at odds over an issue? Take the time to learn what matters most to your spouse about their position on it. 

3. Do you have thought habits that are leading to bitterness or resentment in your marriage?  

QUOTES 

• "It's hard to step into your spouse's shoes or take the time to do that, to have empathy for them." - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• "Resentment can be a huge thing and it's so dangerous because if we don't stop it, it continues to grow." - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• “Perspective is your lens on the world. If your lens is covered with smudges and you’re not seeing clearly, that’s not the world’s fault. You’ve got to clean your lens.” - Lindsay Few

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• If you are ready to have a better perspective – and a better marriage, then the biblically-based 4 Week Reframing Challenge is for you! 

• Turn to God and ask him to renew your mind with our NEW resource, 11 Prayers To Stop Thinking Negatively About Your Spouse

• 15 Better Assumptions To Make About Your Spouse is a free printable to help you set your mind on what is true, right and good. Learn more here! 

• Join the Marriage Changer Movement! Because a world full of awesome marriages can change the world
• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

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 your marriage from an affair is to realize you could be vulnerable to infidelity, and put boundaries in place. If your marriage has experienced infidelity, it can be restored much stronger than before.  

Questions to Discuss: 

1. What boundaries do you have in your life to prevent even baby steps toward an affair? 

2. Are you a safe place for your spouse to be completely honest and open? What would help make your marriage a safer place for honesty?  

QUOTES 

• “When we fall, what’s important is what we do afterwards.” - Rick Reynolds 

• “A lot of Christians don’t realize they’re vulnerable, so they don’t put constraints in place. Then they find themselves in a mess.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling 

• “What heals is empathy and emotional responsiveness.” - Rick Reynolds 

• “The wayward spouse needs to understand that disclosure is the way that trust is reestablished.” - Rick Reynolds

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Learn more or sign up for the Hope Rising Conference at AffairRecovery.com

• If you feel defeated about your marriage, or are considering divorce, our 90 Days to Save Your Marriage plan is for you. Learn more here.

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 your numbers and not spending more than you make is key." - Dan Ockey 

• “We’re finding that among a lot of people there’s an expectation you should have the life you want.” - Dan Ockey 

• “We may not have the money to do all the things we want right now, and that’s ok. You’re not a failure - you can work toward that.” - Dan Ockey 

• “Our money conversations were so painful. Then I realized that our unity was more important than my beliefs about money.”  - Dan Ockey 

Couples Conversation Guide: 

Main takeaway: Unity in your marriage finances requires a team mindset, learning about each other, and learning the skills to handle money well.  

Questions to Discuss: 

1. What financial beliefs are keeping you from unity in your marriage? 

2. Are you working toward a common goal together today? If not, work together to set one.  

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Learn how to avoid the 4 common budgeting mistakes couples make when in the FREE Centsei Class. Learn more here. 

• The Gap and the Gain 

• Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask

Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Show of hands: Are you an Amazon box hider? … or do you have your spouse break down the boxes for you? 

All joking aside, online shopping can be an issue that hinders couples’ closeness. Money management in general can be a hot topic, but the wide range of ways we can spend money online with just the click of a button can create some additional obstacles, and we hear about it from couples all the time. Today we’re equipping you to resolve this issue. 

We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. 

Episode highlights include: 

• Red flags that you need to address online spending with your spouse. 

• The role of trust in marriage money habits 

• How to know when online shopping has become a problem 

• The negative cycle of emotional triggers  

*Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! 

QUOTES 

• “When you look into what’s most important with money, you make a lot more progress more quickly.” - Lindsay Few 

• "When you quit being a team, that's when it becomes a problem." - Dr. Kim Kimberling

• "If shopping is getting in the way of closeness with your spouse, then something needs to change." - Dr. Kim Kimberling

Couple's Conversation Guide: 

Main takeaway: Money secrets do not serve your marriage well, so do what it takes to build trust with your spouse around finances. 

Questions to Discuss: 

1. Are there any money habits your spouse does not know about you? 

2. What areas bring out money tension for your marriage? 

3. What is one step that would help you work through that and build unity today? 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Learn how to avoid the 4 common budgeting mistakes couples make when in the FREE Centsei Class. Learn more here. 

• Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask

• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!

We don’t often talk about our failures, but maybe that needs to change. It’s easy to focus on others’ highlight reel, while we’re highly aware of our own personal shortcomings. But the shame of feeling like we don’t measure up keeps us from real relationships.  

Today we’re going there with special guest, Becky Kiser, as we talk about the power of the gospel and how God uses us in spite of our shortcomings. Don’t miss this powerful conversation.

We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. 

Episode highlights include:  

•  Fight the cascade effect of feeling like a failure 

• The two most debated sections of Becky’s new book - and why!

• The 1st step to start loving your spouse well   

• How to move out of shame and into freedom

*Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! 

QUOTES 

• “Even women who are successful; women who have accomplished a bunch, deal with failure.” - Becky Kiser 

• “The Gospel message is not, ‘Get your life together then God can do something with your life.’” - Becky Kiser 

• “I’ve found the most freedom from acknowledging I can’t.” - Becky Kiser  

• "Not all failures are actual failures. They’re just a part of life.” - Becky Kiser 

• "We spend so much time ‘dying to ourselves’ that we think there’s no value to ourselves.” - Becky Kiser 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Find Becky at https://www.beckykiser.com/ and on Instagram @beckykiser

• Grab the new book, “But God Can” today!  

• Get the budget conversation started with 27 Money Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask

• Marriage Multiplier is a quick and highly practical weekly email to help you invest in your marriage. CLICK HERE to learn more!