This week, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss how any spouse can bring something positive to a marriage. In fact, since everyone has been created with special gifts, all husbands and wives have the potential to become experts in something. What are your strengths? How might they be further enhanced in order to bring greater strength to your marriage?

Thank you to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and to engineer/musician Grant Supak for bringing their gifts to the posting of this podcast this week.

This week, we conclude with the part two of John Gottman’s “Four Horseman”, referring to four negative characteristics (based on research) that can be deadly to a marriage if not repaired. Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss on this episode the pitfalls of defensiveness and stonewalling and how they can damage a marriage relationship.

Thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and to engineer/musician Grant Supak for their assistance with posting Marriage to the Max episodes.

This week’s topic deals with the first two of John Gottman’s “Four Horseman”, referring to four negative characteristics (based on research) that can be deadly to a marriage if not repaired. Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss how important it is to steer clear of critical and contemptuous remarks in a marriage relationship.

Thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and to engineer/musician Grant Supak for their assistance with posting Marriage to the Max episodes.

Marriage has enough challenges on its own. But what if you are a married couple serving together in ministry? Are there additional obstacles to navigate? This week, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement interview Dave & Terri Peterson about the challenges and blessings of marriage and family life while serving in pastoral ministry. They speak from many years of experience. Over a span of 44 years of ministry, Dave Peterson was the senior pastor of several churches across the country, including eighteen years at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston.

Special thanks to engineer/musician Grant Supak as well as Grant Peterson of South Hill Communicationsfor their vital assistance in launching each Marriage To The Max episode. Opening and closing theme by Loopsound.

It’s a very provocative question….one that could cause a fight! Is there even a definitive answer? This week Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement attempt to respond to this loaded question.

Thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and engineer/musician Grant Supak for their assistance with this podcast.

Do you ever get discouraged about your marriage relationship? Over the course of a long life together, that is certainly normal! This week, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss two powerful marriage traits, perseverance and optimism. Practiced regularly, these qualities can most definitely help couples keep their relationship on track for the long haul.

Thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and engineer/musician Grant Supak for keeping us on the air each episode. Opening and closing theme music by Loopsound. Interlude music by Grant Supak.

During this episode, we bring back the polarizing series of “Famous Marriage Quotes”. You either love ‘em or you hate ‘em! At any rate, this week Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement trade references and comments related to famous and not-so-famous quotes about the institute of marriage. Seriously, we hope you enjoy this format one more time.

A special thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and to engineer/musician Grant Supak for helping us get this podcast produced and posted.

Is it okay to admit that you have emotional needs? Why, of course it is! Without being able to communicate your emotional needs to your spouse, it’s going to be very difficult for your partner to be able to walk in harmony with you. And vice versa. In this week’s episode, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss how much more effective growing in grace can become for a married couple who has learned the ability to express their emotions effectively, specifically and sensitively.

Thanks to Grant Peterson of South Hill Communications and engineer/musician Grant Supak for their help in getting this weekly podcast posted.

How does a married couple manage depression? In this episode, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement have an informative conversation with author and therapist Trisha Taylor (www.trishataylor.org) about common and sometimes misunderstood aspects of depression and how it can affect marriages. We encourage couples dealing with these issue to reach out to their church communities and professionals for further help. Don’t suffer in silence with this all too common affliction.

How much does your family of origin influence your marriage? Does it tend to make you look at life through a very specific lens? Maybe your spouse is not as crazy as you think! In this episode, Brett & Kellie Hurst interview Richard & Sheri Bright (www.marriagefunatics.com) about how drastically different our families of origin can be and how that can show up in our marriage relationship. This is a fun episode!

Thanks to Grant Peterson, Grant Supak and Zach Alkire for their assistance in producing and posting this episode of Marriage to the Max.