One Degree Marriage: Christ-Centered Communication & Habits

By Nathaniel & Xan SibleySociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Relationships

One Degree Marriage: Christ-Centered Communication & Habits episodes

March 23 150: Must-Listen Episodes for Your Spring Break Roadtrip
Spring break is here, and if you're hitting the road with your spouse, we did the work for you. In this episode, we walk you through our curated road trip playlist straight from the One Degree Marriage podcast: 10 episodes hand-picked to spark real conversation in the car without requiring a single note. From fun and light to deeper listens, we've got your whole drive covered.
GET THE WHOLE PLAYLIST HERE
19 min
March 16 150: 7 Habits of Deeply Connected Couples (That Anyone Can Start This Week)
What separates couples who feel truly close from those who are just coexisting? In this episode, we're (and by we I mean... me. Just Xan this week) breaking down 7 practical habits that deeply connected couples actually practice. No fluff, no theory, just things you can implement today.
From the High-Low-Buffalo daily check-in to non-sexual physical touch, praying together, the Weekly Marriage Meeting™, expressing specific gratitude, protecting against slow drift, and having a real conflict plan, we're gonna cover it all.
Whether your marriage feels disconnected right now or you're simply looking to go deeper, there's something here for you.
Grab the free Weekly Marriage Meeting™ template at https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
27 min
March 08 149: Feeling Disconnected? Why We Do a Yearly Marriage Retreat (And How You Can Too)
Feeling disconnected from your spouse or stuck in the daily grind of work, kids, and responsibilities?
In this episode, we talk about one simple rhythm that has helped our marriage stay intentional: taking a yearly marriage retreat.
You don’t need a fancy vacation, a huge budget, or even overnight childcare to make it happen. A marriage retreat can be as simple as a weekend away, a staycation, or intentionally setting aside time to reconnect and reflect on where your marriage is headed.
In this conversation, we share why we started doing annual marriage retreats, what actually makes them meaningful, and how you can plan one that strengthens your relationship.
We also talk about:
• Why thriving marriages don’t happen by accident
• How to plan a marriage retreat with any budget
• The most important conversations to have during your retreat
• How to align your marriage, faith, and family vision for the future
• Practical ways to reconnect when life feels busy or overwhelming
Whether you’ve been married one year or ten, intentional time together can make a huge difference in building a strong, Christ-centered marriage.
Resources & Links
📥 FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Guide: https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
32 min
March 02148: How to Be a Godly Wife: What does Ephesians 5 Say to Wives?
What does it really mean for wives to “submit” to their husbands in Ephesians 5?
In this episode, we unpack one of the most controversial passages in the Bible about marriage: “Wives, submit to your husbands.”
Is submission blind obedience?
Does it mean tolerating sin or abuse?
Is it outdated or oppressive?
Or is it something deeper, and actually freeing?
We explore:
What biblical submission is not
Why this passage must be read alongside the call for husbands to love like Christ
What submission looks like on an ordinary Tuesday
How respect, encouragement, and trust play out practically
Why submission is ultimately an act of worship to Christ

If you’ve wrestled with this passage (or avoided it altogether) this conversation will help you think biblically, clearly, and courageously about your role in marriage.
📖 Scripture referenced: Ephesians 5:22–33, 1 Peter 3, Genesis 2
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Mentioned in this episode:
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
44 min
February 23147: How to Be a Godly Husband: What Does Ephesians 5 Say to Husbands?
Ephesians 5 might be one of the most debated passages in marriage conversations, especially when it comes to submission. But what about the calling placed on husbands?
In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we unpack what it actually means for husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church.” And spoiler alert: the bar is Jesus.
We break down:
What servant leadership really means (and what it doesn’t)
Why authority in marriage is meant for sacrifice, not control
Practical, everyday examples of loving your wife well
How husbands can initiate spiritual leadership at home
The difference between passivity and Christlike leadership

If you’ve ever wondered what Ephesians 5 looks like on a Tuesday night, this episode is for you.
Next week, we’ll tackle the other half of the conversation.
Mentioned in this episode:
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
36 min
February 16146: Strengthening Intimacy in Marriage When You Feel Disconnected
Feeling disconnected in your marriage, even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, we talk about the three kinds of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, physical) and why surface-level fixes like date nights don’t work if you don’t address the root.
We’ll walk you through the starting point that changes everything: an honest conversation to diagnose what’s actually driving the drift (busyness, unresolved conflict, unmet expectations, stress, trust, spiritual stagnancy). Then we share simple, practical rhythms that rebuild connection over time, including prayer, Weekly Marriage Meetings, and daily check-ins.
RESOURCES:
Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Weekly Marriage Meeting Journal™
Conflict Resolution Episode: Our Favorite Way to Fight

Mentioned in this episode:
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
33 min
February 09 145: How to Love Your Spouse the Way They Actually Feel Loved
Have you ever gone all out to love your spouse, only to be met with a lukewarm response? You meant well. You put in real effort. And somehow, it still missed the mark.
In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to love your spouse in the way they feel most loved, not just the way that comes naturally to you. Using real-life examples, biblical truth, and practical questions you can ask this week, we unpack why love is meant to be self-giving and sacrificial rather than self-expressive.
We discuss love languages, why gratitude and intention both matter, how seasons of life change the way love is received, and why regular check-ins (like a Weekly Marriage Meeting) are key to staying connected. If you want to move from well-intentioned effort to meaningful connection, this episode will help you take that next step.
Mentioned in this episode:
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
26 min
February 02 144: 5 Rules for Healthy Conflict in Marriage (Without Damaging Trust or Connection)
Conflict isn’t the enemy in marriage. How you handle it is.
In this episode, we walk through five practical rules for healthy conflict in marriage—rules that help couples stay connected, communicate clearly, and resolve disagreements without damaging trust.
We talk about why conflict can actually strengthen your relationship, how subtle habits like “always” and “never” language sabotage communication, and what it looks like to approach hard conversations as teammates instead of opponents.
You’ll hear real-life examples from our own marriage, a simple framework for bringing up difficult topics, and why having a conflict plan matters more than you think.
If you want better communication, healthier conflict, and a marriage that grows stronger over time, this episode is for you.
Episode Show Notes
Mentioned in this episode:
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
28 min
January 26143: How to Bring Up Hard Conversations Without Starting a Fight
Hard conversations don’t usually fail because of the topic—they fail because of how they start.
In this episode, we share a simple, practical framework for bringing up difficult topics in marriage without triggering defensiveness or conflict. Learn how the first minute of a conversation can change everything and how to invite your spouse into connection instead of control.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
The Communication Toolkit (digital PDF): A practical set of tools and scripts to help couples navigate hard conversations with clarity, calm, and connection.

Mentioned in this episode:
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
28 min
January 19142: What's the Purpose of Marriage? How to Not Waste Your Marriage.
What is the biblical purpose of marriage? Is marriage meant for happiness and companionship, or something more?
In this episode of the One Degree Podcast, we walk through Ephesians 5 and Genesis 2 to explore what it looks like to not waste your marriage. We unpack servant leadership, biblical submission, and why Scripture calls you to focus on becoming a better spouse rather than wishing for a different one.
Ultimately, marriage isn’t just about having a healthy relationship. It’s about becoming faithful followers of Jesus who live on mission together and make disciples... starting in your home.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

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Grab your Weekly Marriage Meeting Journal
Mentioned in this episode:
March Marriage Challenge
https://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template
Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
42 min

About One Degree Marriage: Christ-Centered Communication & Habits

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A Christian marriage podcast for couples who want to grow. Hosted by Nathaniel and Xan Sibley. A thriving marriage doesn't happen by accident... it's built one intentional choice at a time.