Top News Stories Jul 21, 2026 – 02:00 AM CDT

What makes the first years of marriage so challenging—and how can couples build a strong foundation that lasts?

In this episode of inContext, Michael Easley sits down with pastor and author Mike Novotny to discuss his book Newlywed. Together, they unpack the biggest challenges young couples face, from unmet expectations and communication breakdowns to intimacy, finances, in-laws, and the influence of social media. Drawing from decades of pastoral ministry and personal experience, they offer practical, biblical wisdom for building a Christ-centered marriage.

Whether you're engaged, newly married, celebrating decades together, or mentoring younger couples, this conversation will encourage you to pursue humility, honest communication, and a deeper dependence on God in your marriage.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and why newlyweds need biblical guidance

02:20 – The biggest mistakes couples make in year one

04:00 – Unspoken expectations and why they create conflict

08:30 – Home life, chores, and different family backgrounds

09:30 – Healthy conversations about intimacy and expectations

15:20 – Communication that strengthens marriage

18:45 – The Ten Commandments of Communication

20:45 – Listening instead of trying to fix every problem

24:45 – Growing spiritually together through church and prayer

29:50 – Navigating relationships with in-laws

34:15 – Social media, comparison, and contentment in marriage

37:40 – Why authentic Christian community matters

40:50 – God's design for lifelong marriage

42:30 – Encouragement for couples in every season

In This Episode

Links Mentioned:

Newlywed by Mike Novotony

Time of Grace

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

For more inContext interviews, click here.

People skills are essential for building meaningful relationships. Debra Fileta explores the different levels of communication that determine how we care for others, even through hard times. By looking at how we show up in conversation, Debra encourages us to walk in our relationships with greater humility and awareness, no matter the social temperature.
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Have you ever blamed God without even realizing it? Not by shaking your fist at heaven, but by quietly thinking, "Lord, if you had just changed my circumstances, I wouldn't have done what I did." In this devotional I want to walk through what I've come to see as the most sophisticated form of self-deception, the final argument of a self-excusing heart. It's the same thing that happened back in the Garden of Eden, and it's something God has been exposing in my own life too.

Here's the freeing part: if my biggest problem is my own heart and not everyone around me, that's actually great news, because changing hearts is exactly what God specializes in.

To learn more about the sponsor of today’s show and what our family currently uses for our healthcare check out Christian Healthcare Ministries by visiting https://hubs.ly/Q02vWQGy0 

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