It’s our 100th episode! Can you believe it? To celebrate this milestone, we’re sharing ten simple hacks for a stronger, happier marriage.

Over the last four years, we’ve talked about each of these in different episodes, but today we’re pulling them all together in one place. These hacks are doable, encouraging, and designed to bring you closer as a couple.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hack 1: Think “Us,” Not “Me” — shift from “me” to “we” for unity and teamwork.
• Hack 2: Get on the Same Page — create shared goals and expectations, and keep checking in.
• Hack 3: Dream Together, Stay Together — build connection by pursuing shared dreams.
• Hack 4: Make Rituals Your Super Glue — create traditions that bond you through consistency.
• Hack 5: Show Love with Follow-Through — build trust with small, steady actions.
• Hack 6: Progress Beats Perfection — focus on growth, not flawless performance.
• Hack 7: Stay Flexible to Stay Connected — adapt to life’s curveballs as a team.
• Hack 8: Battle Problems, Not Your Partner — face challenges side by side instead of against each other.
• Hack 9: Turn Conflict into Closeness — lean into conflict with humility and respect to grow stronger.
• Hack 10: Keep Love Playful and Fun — laugh together and flirt often to keep the spark alive.

US TIME CHALLENGE

Choose one hack from the list and practice it together. Whether it’s starting a small ritual, showing follow-through, or sharing a laugh, see how it strengthens your marriage this week.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What non-listener do you struggle with being? Share it with us on social media or send us a message at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “We Can Build This Dream Together” by Erin Smalley (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/dreaming-together-in-marriage/)
• “Ideas for How to Add Fun Back into Your Marriage” by Andrew Linder (https://www.allprodad.com/ideas-for-how-to-add-fun-back-into-your-marriage/)
• “Without flirting, it wouldn’t be a marriage” by Sarah Hunter Murray (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/myths-desire/201909/without-flirting-it-wouldnt-be-marriage)

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do Reese’s, raisins, and rekindling romance have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we kick things off with a lighthearted chat about October candy trends, before diving into something sweeter: three practical ways to keep the spark alive in marriage.

Whether you’ve been married two years or twenty, you’ll walk away with encouragement and simple steps to nurture friendship, show love in everyday gestures, and let go of old hurts.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why friendship is the foundation of lasting romance
• The power of small, daily gestures to communicate love
• How forgiveness frees couples to move forward together

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week, pick one or two small gestures of love to practice each day.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What non-listener do you struggle with being? Share it with us on social media or send us a message at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 

• “Tricks, Treats, and Trends: Unwrapping DoorDash’s Sweet Halloween Orders” (https://about.doordash.com/en-us/news/doordash-halloween-order-trends)
• “What Is the Sound Relationship House?” by The Gottman Institute (https://www.gottman.com/blog/what-is-the-sound-relationship-house/)
• Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. and Nan Silver (https://a.co/d/dz0gtbl)
• “F Is for Friendship” by Zac Brittle (https://www.gottman.com/blog/f-is-for-friendship/)
• “Happy Marriages Are Based on Deep Friendship” by Erin Smalley (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/happy-marriages-are-based-on-deep-friendship/)
• “Do the Little Things That Matter Big Time” by Shaunti Feldhahn (https://shaunti.com/2014/06/highly-happy-marriage-secret-1-little-things/)
• The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. and Joan DeClaire (https://a.co/d/23AvquO)
• “How to Keep a Relationship Alive” by Tony Robbins (https://www.tonyrobbins.com/blog/keeping-the-spark-alive)
• “How to Have Lighthearted Marriage” by Ashleigh Slater (https://ashleighslater.com/lighthearted-marriage/)

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every couple has conflict. But what happens when we let it linger? In this episode, we’re unpacking three reasons unresolved conflict can poison our connection, our home, and our marriage. Plus, we’ll explore how understanding conflict management styles can help us handle disagreements in a healthier way. Because how we handle conflict shapes the kind of connection we share.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• The five conflict management styles 
• Why lingering conflict prolongs issues rather than solving them
• How unresolved conflict breaks connection and trust between spouses
• The effect lingering conflict has on the atmosphere of your home
• Practical encouragement from Scripture to address conflict with wisdom

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week, reflect on your conflict management style. Which one do you tend to use most often in your marriage? Do you need to make changes so that conflict doesn’t linger and harm your relationship?

ADDITIONAL TEAM US EPISODES WITH TIPS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• How to Embrace Conflict in Your Marriage as an Adventure, Not a Threat [Episode 5]
• How to Work Together to Resolve Disagreements [Episode 16]
• What to Do When Communication Is Frustrating [Episode 22]
• Why Being Right in Marriage Can Be Wrong [Episode 33]
• How to Respond When Your Spouse Loads the Dishwasher Wrong [Episode 40]
• Why We Go to Bed Mad (And How It’s Helped Our Marriage) [Episode 41]
• 3 Tools for Tackling Everyday Conflicts [Episode 64]
• 3 Ways to Transforms Kitchen Disagreements into Deeper Connection [Episode 91]

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What non-listener do you struggle with being? Share it with us on social media or send us a message at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “What’s Your Conflict Management Style” by Walden University (https://www.waldenu.edu/news-and-events/walden-news/2017/0530-whats-your-conflict-management-style)
• “The Hidden Dangers of Unresolved Conflict in Relationships: How Couple’s Counseling Can Help” by Kathryn Fayle (https://www.resilient-minded.com/blog/rhz76pn5j59sl2hk7fm0wk0rsbka5d)
• “Conflict in Marriage Does Not Need to Be Destructive” by Jason B. Whitin (https://ifstudies.org/blog/conflict-in-marriage-does-not-need-to-be-destructive)
• “Unresolved Conflict: 4 Consequences of Ignoring Workplace Tension” by Jeremy Pollack (https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/blog/why-ignoring-conflict-within-the-workplace-is-so-detrimental/)
• “The Conversation That Saved My Marriage” by John Delony (https://www.facebook.com/reel/995281745911215)

 

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’ve all been a non-listener at times. Maybe it’s been the advice giver, the eternal optimist, the doomsayer, or the one who makes the conversation all about us. The truth is, we all fall into bad listening habits now and then. But here’s the good news: becoming a better listener is possible, and even small shifts can make a big difference in our marriages.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• The six types of non-listeners, and why we all slip into them sometimes
• Three practical ways to improve your listening: removing barriers, pausing before you respond, and showing real interest
• How better listening can deepen connection and help your spouse feel truly valued

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week, practice pausing for three seconds—or simply taking a breath—before you respond to your spouse. See how it changes the way you listen and connect.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What non-listener do you struggle with being? Share it with us on social media or contact us at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “The Five Types of Non-Listeners” by Allison Barron (https://www.boundless.org/blog/the-5-types-of-non-listeners/)
• There Is No Good Card for This: What to Say and Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love by Kelsey Crowe, Ph.D. and Emily McDowell (https://a.co/d/cSIRtxG)
• “Why Silence Makes Us So Uncomfortable” by Michele Leno, Ph.D. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-matters/202502/why-are-we-so-uncomfortable-with-silence)
• “Breathe Before You Speak” by Richard Carlson (https://www.livinglifefully.com/flo/flobebreathebeforeyouspeak.htm)
• “5 Ways to Show You’re Really Listening” by Prepare/Enrich (https://www.prepare-enrich.com/blog/5-ways-to-show-youre-really-listening/)
• “6 Tools for Healthy Communication in Marriage” by Mike Bechtle (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/6-tools-for-healthy-communication-in-marriage/)

 

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fall doesn’t have to be all about the big, once-a-year events like apple picking, Oktoberfest, or corn mazes that you choose to do together. It can also be about the smaller, weekly things that build connection, create memories, and give your marriage deeper meaning.

In this episode of the Team Us podcast, we share why traditions matter in marriage, how some of the best ones start, and three simple steps you can use to create your own weekly fall traditions as a couple.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• The surprising history behind corn mazes and Oktoberfest
• Why Dr. John Gottman says traditions (or “rituals of connection”) matter for couples
• How even haphazard, accidental traditions can become meaningful when nurtured
• Three simple steps to create weekly fall traditions without feeling overwhelmed
• Practical ideas, from cozy movie nights to coffee shop dates, that you can start this week

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week, create one weekly fall tradition with your spouse. Use the three steps from today’s episode to get started and see how it adds connection and meaning to your week.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What weekly fall tradition will you try first? Share it with us on social media or send us a message at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “The Origin of 25 Fall Traditions” by Stacy Conradt (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/86478/origins-25-fall-traditions)
• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Nan Silver (https://a.co/d/fWccp2c)
• “Traditions in Marriage: Setting a New Course” by Laura Schupp (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/traditions-in-marriage-setting-a-new-course/)
• All It Takes Is a Goal by John Acuff (https://a.co/d/3pBz0VC)

 

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when an early bird marries a night owl? Opposite sleep schedules can make even the strongest marriages feel a little out of sync. But here’s the good news: with a few intentional habits, couples can stay connected, whether one of you is most awake at sunrise and the other at midnight.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why going to bed at the same time matters (and how to make it happen)
• How to avoid “mismatched talk time” when one of you is chatty and the other isn’t
• Smart ways to protect quality time, even when energy levels peak at different hours
• Practical habits that help early birds and night owls thrive together

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week, pick one shared evening activity to enjoy together. It could be watching a show, playing cards, reading side by side, or taking a walk after dinner. The goal? Build a simple habit of connection, no matter what your schedules look like.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

Want more encouragement and practical tools for your marriage? Sign up for our email newsletter at AshleighSlater.com to get fresh insights, resources, and updates on new episodes delivered straight to your inbox.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “Rise and shine: the daily routines of history’s most creative minds” by Oliver Burkeman (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/daily-rituals-creative-minds-mason-currey)
• “Do you have a morning routine? Here’s how some historic figures started their day” by Parissa DJangi (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/morning-routine-history-marcus-aurelius-ben-franklin)
• “7 Things Night Owls Do that Morning People Will Never Understand” by Melanie Curtin (https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/7-things-night-owls-do-that-morning-people-will-never-understand.html)
• “12 Daily Routines of Famous People in History—And What You Should Take from Each” by Brianna Wiest (https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2015/11/12-daily-routines-of-famous-people-in-history-and-what-you-should-take-from-each/)
• “17 people who prove you don’t have to be a morning person to be successful” by Rachel Gillett (https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-people-who-arent-morning-people-2016-10)
• “There Are 6 Human Chronotypes, Not Just Morning Larks And Night Owls, Study Says” by Peter Dockrill (https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-say-there-are-6-human-chronotypes-not-just-morning-people-and-night-owls)
• “I’m a Night Owl Married to an Early Bird. Here’s How We Make It Work” by Adam Bulger (https://www.fatherly.com/life/night-owl-early-bird-couples-how-they-adpated)

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life is full of change—new jobs, moves, kids growing up, health challenges. The question isn’t if change will happen, but how we’ll face it together. The good news? Change doesn’t have to push you apart. It can actually bring you closer.

In this episode, we share 3 practical ways to not just handle change, but to embrace it as a couple. You’ll discover:

• How to reframe change as growth so it strengthens your relationship.
• Why it’s vital to create shared meaning together when seasons shift.
• The role of psychological flexibility in navigating the unexpected.

“Us Time” Challenge: Talk through a recent change in your life. Then brainstorm a few intentional ways you can create shared meaning together in the middle of it.

Stay Connected Beyond the Podcast

Want more encouragement and practical tools for your marriage? Sign up for our email newsletter at AshleighSlater.com to get fresh insights, resources, and updates on new episodes delivered straight to your inbox.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “I Created a System to Make Sure My Husband and I Divide Household Duties Fairly. Here’s How It Works” by Eve Rodsky (https://time.com/5690007/divide-household-chores-fairly/)
• “Chores and Your Marriage” by Greg Smalley (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/chores-and-your-marriage/)
• “Divide and Conquer Household Duties for a Happier Marriage” by Suzanne Gosselin (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/marriage-success/divide-and-conquer-household-duties-for-a-happier-marriage/)
• “Survey: Most Hated Chores in the Home” by Cinch Home Services (https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/homeowners/blog/survey-most-hated-chores)

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Your marriage isn’t built on dishes and laundry, but how you handle them matters. What if splitting chores wasn’t just about being fair but about truly serving each other?

In this episode, we share 3 simple ways to divide household responsibilities that make life at home smoother and strengthen your marriage.

You’ll Learn:

• How to divide and conquer based on strengths
• Why volunteering for a dreaded chore shows love in action
• The power of covering for each other when life gets hectic

“Us Time” Challenge: Take on a chore your spouse hates this week. Small sacrifice, big connection.

RESOURCES & FREEBIES

• Free resource: Five Simple Marriage Tools You Should Know (com/5-simple-marriage-tools-you-should-know)
• Book: Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
• Freebie: Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “I Created a System to Make Sure My Husband and I Divide Household Duties Fairly. Here’s How It Works” by Eve Rodsky (https://time.com/5690007/divide-household-chores-fairly/)
• “Chores and Your Marriage” by Greg Smalley (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/chores-and-your-marriage/)
• “Divide and Conquer Household Duties for a Happier Marriage” by Suzanne Gosselin (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/marriage-success/divide-and-conquer-household-duties-for-a-happier-marriage/)
• “Survey: Most Hated Chores in the Home” by Cinch Home Services (https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/homeowners/blog/survey-most-hated-chores)

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Did you know that 85% of affairs start at work, and one in five employees admit to being unfaithful with a coworker? In today’s episode, we’re not just talking about temptation, though. We’re talking about prevention. One of the best ways to protect your marriage is to build something meaningful inside it. We’re diving into three shared purposes that can shift your relationship from just managing life together to truly living it as a team.

3 SHARED PURPOSES TO HELP PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE

1. Grow more Christlike together
2. Be dream-makers together
3. Battle common enemies together

TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE

Set aside twenty minutes to ask each other this question:

“What’s a dream—big or small—you’ve been holding onto lately?”

Then just listen and hear each other’s heart. Be a dream-maker with your spouse, not a dream-taker. Or, if you want to start smaller, do the dishes or fold laundry together and make it a regular habit.

CONNECT WITH US

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and get the FREE resource Five Simple Marriage Tools You Should Know here: ashleighslater.com/5-simple-marriage-tools-you-should-know/     

TEAM US RESOURCES

• Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
• FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “When Your Marriage Needs a Break” by Ashleigh Slater (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/when-your-marriage-needs_b_6866558)
• “85% of Affairs Start Here,” Front Row with Ken Coleman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ttfD_a6QTY&ab_channel=FrontRowSeatwithKenColeman)
• “What Makes a Marriage Distinctly Christian?” by Bob Lepine (https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/growing-spiritually/what-makes-a-marriage-distinctively-christian/)
• “Dreaming Together in Marriage” by Erin Smalley (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/dreaming-together-in-marriage/)
• “How to Start Dreaming with Your Spouse Again” by Mark and Jill Savage (https://jillsavage.org/how-to-dream-with-spouse-again/)
• Every Marriage Can Get Better with Mark and Jill Savage {Episode 65} (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us-podcast-episode-65/)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Is the kitchen a battleground in your marriage? In this episode, we’re dishing out three attitudes you can bring to the kitchen to turn tension over tacos into love over lasagna. If “I love you, but step away from the stove” sounds familiar, tune in to discover how to make shared cooking time a recipe for deeper intimacy.

3 ATTITUDES TO BRING TO THE KITCHEN

1. Respect
2. Curiosity
3. Humility

TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE

Next time you cook together—or even just prep a quick lunch—try this: pick one of these three attitudes to intentionally practice. Whether it’s showing respect by biting your tongue, asking a curious question, or stepping back with humility, try it out. Then talk about how it went.

CONNECT WITH US

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and get the FREE resource Five Simple Marriage Tools You Should Know here: ashleighslater.com/5-simple-marriage-tools-you-should-know/     

TEAM US RESOURCES

• Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
• FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/) 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Food Fights: I Love You, But I Hate Your Cooking {Episode 813} from Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio (https://www.177milkstreet.com/radio/food-fights-i-love-you-but-i-hate-your-cooking)

  

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.