PodcastsChristianityThe Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

Aaron Au, April Au | Marriage Coaching and Mentoring
The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting
Latest episode

122 episodes

  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    From Surviving to Thriving: The Raabsmiths' Journey Through Sexual Betrayal to Lasting Intimacy

    2026-05-19 | 44 mins.
    Early on in their marriage, Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith thought they would help others in their marriage. They were both in seminary receiving excellent training, they both had a heart to help others. Little did they know that even though they would help others in their marriage, God needed to do a deep work in their marriage first.

    It began by confronting the lie that was at the centre of their marriage - Matthew's hidden pornography addiction. It led to a painful yet ultimately freeing disclosure; it continued with a difficult yet fruitful journey of ongoing recovery and rebuilding. Betrayal trauma was a new term in their day and now God has used the Raabsmith's journey to help others not just recover from betrayal but to thrive in a marriage built on trust and lasting intimacy. 

    Resources

    You can find out more about Joanna and Matthew's ministry, book, coaching and other resources by clicking here.
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    Is Your Marriage Lacking Fun? Here's How to Get it Back!

    2026-05-12 | 21 mins.
    Routine is good. In fact, our family tends to thrive on routine!

    However, making space for adventure and spontaneity is also good. In fact, we'd say it's an essential part of being human. If we are made in the image of God and he is creative, we need space for fun and creativity as well.

    We know...it takes effort to be spontaneous and energy to seek playfulness and adventure. But the payoff for your marriage and family will be tremendous. Will you join us in seeking God's fun and adventure for our marriages and families?

    Resources

    Here is a link to the book we mentioned: Creative Love by Jeremy and Audrey Roloff

    If you have questions or would like some prayer, we'd love to hear from you. And if you have ideas for some fun and spontaneous adventures, please drop us a line! [email protected]
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    How Jesus Transformed Our Lives and Our Marriage with Ian and Courtney Hogaboam

    2026-05-05 | 26 mins.
    After tragedy struck their family, Ian and Courtney Hogaboam heard from God. It started with a recurring dream for Courtney and it ended up with Jesus becoming the centre of their lives and their marriage. Since then, Ian and Courtney have become dear friends, regular listeners of the Living Marriages Podcast and marriage mentees.

    In our conversation, we discover:

    How Jesus sought them out in difficult times in their lives 

    The difference Jesus has made in their lives and in their family

    The benefits of marriage mentoring

    What their six-year-old thinks marriage is really about

    Resources

    Want to get connected with marriage mentors? Find out if your church has a mentoring program or contact us: [email protected]

    You can also check out FamilyLife Canada's website (if you're in Canada) for some online mentoring. https://familylifecanada.com/mentoring
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    Why Won't He (or She) Listen? When Communication Breaks Down

    2026-04-28 | 24 mins.
    Assertiveness, Assumptions, Aggression: only one of these things is healthy in a marriage (hint: it's the first one!)

    Assertiveness is critical for any marriage as it allows us to be seen and heard and it rescues us from assumptions. However, it does not come easy for many of us though, owing to past wounding, personality type or even an unsafe space to express ourselves in marriage. For others, assertiveness comes easily but often it can come with aggression and defensiveness creating that unsafe space. What's God's hope for couples who find themselves trapped in either of these extremes of assertiveness?

    In this conversation we explore:

    our fundamental need as humans to be seen and known by others

    the critical importance of assertiveness in a marriage

    why some people get nervous at the word "assertiveness" and how to overcome that

    why others pair aggression with assertiveness and how to move past that

    the importance of using "I want..." statements and responding with open-ended questions

    Resources and Next Steps

    If you'd like help finding hope and healing in these areas or a community to walk with in this, please get in touch with us: [email protected]

    We'd love to pray with you and see if we can connect you with some resources and community to help you along your journey with God and each other.
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    How Differences Can Destroy or Strengthen Your Marriage

    2026-04-21 | 20 mins.
    In the hands of the enemy, differences can be used to drive our marriages and families apart. But in the hands of the Holy Spirit joined with curious and humble hearts, differences can truly strengthen a marriage.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    How assumptions can kill your relationship

    The 80/20 rule when it comes to understanding gender differences

    The critical importance of curiosity in your marriage

    The dangers couples who are more similar face

    Resources

    Strengths Based Marriage Book by Jimmy Evans and Allan Kelsey

    Open-ended questions to ask one another:

    "What is your greatest need in our marriage?"

    "Is there any way I hurt you this past week?"

    "Was there a way in which I blessed you this past week?"

    "How can I pray for you this coming week?"
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About The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting
The Go-To Podcast for Those Who Want To Rebuild Intimacy and Connection in Their Christ Centered MarriageHas the excitement of your wedding day now faded into the background? Are you so exhausted that the last thing you want to think about is your marriage?Do you and your spouse feel like ships passing in the night?If you’re craving the intimate, connected marriage God has for you, you’ve come to the right place!We’re April and Aaron Au, marriage coaches with over a decade of experience, who are on the journey to finding God’s best for our marriage while raising two young boys.We recently heard this wisdom: “If your marriage isn’t growing, it’s dying.” Yikes! That really got our attention! But if you think about it, it’s true. Marriages need direction, purpose and a common vision to thrive. If they don’t, they will inevitably drift apart. When you add the pressures of raising young children and the grind of daily work to the mix, there are even more forces that threaten to pull our marriages apart.Thankfully, God has a beautiful vision for our marriages. He wants us to cultivate and enjoy intimacy and connection in our marriage. What’s more, God wants to breathe his Spirit and life into our marriages through beautiful encounters with him in prayer and worship. In this podcast, we’ll learn about:- Simple, healthy habits that lead to effective communication and intentional conversations- The assumptions and expectations that can sabotage our marriages- How community is essential for a connected marriage- God’s heart to bring healing and wholeness to us, as individuals and as a familyAnd of course, we’ll dive into all of the fun topics like sex, money, parenting and why you shouldn’t buy a car without talking to your spouse first. We’ll also have space to encounter God through prayer, worship and reflection through regular episodes called “Thursday Thoughts.”So join us on this beautiful journey that we call “Living Marriages.”Get in [email protected] the podcast? You can make a charitable donation to keep fresh content coming: https://livingmarriages.com
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