Welcome to episode 3 of 5 in our Summer Series called, Cultivating an Emotionally Healthy Marriage.

Difficult conversations in marriage are inevitable. Whether it's parenting, sex, holidays, work schedules, or in-laws, all couples deal with "an elephant in the room." How can we best show up in these conversations? In this episode, Josh and Christi talk about how to talk about hard things in marriage.  

Here are some highlights: 

• How to identify your motive when starting a hard conversation and why it’s important.
• How to set the tone in your conversations.      
• How to respond to your spouse without flipping your lid.
• Ways to lead with a team approach and an "us against the world" attitude with your spouse.

We hope you download the pdf files that go along with these episodes (found in show notes below) and use them in your small groups, with your spouse, or as a companion guide to the content.

Show Notes: 
How Marriage is Saving Me: Sign up for weekly devotional
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Download the free discussion guide pdf for the Summer Series. https://www.famousathome.com/summerseriessignup 

Ladies, register now for Tender & Fierce!
https://www.famousathome.com/tenderandfierce 

Men, join the interest list for our exciting, upcoming men's discipleship journey! https://www.famousathome.com/mensinterestform 

Order a copy of Famous at Home:
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Watch this episode on Youtube by clicking here.
https://youtu.be/WQjPuCAACfk

Time stamps:
(0:15) Introduction
(5:21) Hard topics we have in our marriage
(6:25) Hard topics: In-laws, holidays, kids, sex, insecurity, habits, schedules, money, faith
(9:50) The dance of being offended and flipping into defensive mode
(14:56) Defending our idols at the expense of the relationship
(18:12) Picking a fight when you need attention
(20:03) 1. Start with connection
(21:30) 2. Set the tone
(23:35) 3. Lead with a team approach
(23:24) 4. Own your part
(25:00) 5. Come with the solution, not the problem
(25:30) How to pray and bring the authority of heaven into the conversation
(29:00) We, therefore, I…are you in?
(31:15) Subduing division and praying goodness into conversation