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

119 episodes

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

    Jesus Said What About Money??? Help and Hope from Luke 16

    2026-04-14 | 31 mins.
    Sex and finances are the two topics that we seem to find ourselves coming back to often because they are two of the largest stress points in any marriage. 

    On this episode, we talk about:

    Our journey with money and learning what "mammon" is

    Exploring Jesus' puzzling parable on money from Luke 16

    Learning to see money as a tool for the kingdom that is to be leveraged

    Learning to trust God as our Good Shepherd in whom we "lack nothing"

    Resources

    Read Luke 16 here.

    Find our conversation with Bob and Linda Lotich of SeedTime here. 

    Next Steps

    We'd love to hear from you and have the chance to pray with you! Get in touch: [email protected]
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    "A Good Marriage Doesn't Just Happen": The Case for Mentoring

    2026-04-07 | 17 mins.
    Research has shown that it can take couples between 2 and 6 years to finally reach out for help from the time they realize they're having trouble in their marriage. We've got one question: why wait so long?

    On today's episode we discuss:

    the benefits of marriage mentoring and why getting ahead of the problem is healthy

    the shame and pressure couples feel when they are having issues that may prevent them from seeking help

    why God never meant for us to do our marriages alone

    Interested in being mentored or becoming a mentor? The best place is to find someone in your community of faith. FamilyLife, who we work with, provides training for churches to start their own marriage mentoring ministries.

    For more information in Canada, please visit: https://familylifecanada.com/mentoring

    In the US, please visit: https://www.familylife.com/equip/compassionate-mentoring/

    Or please get in touch with us with your questions or prayer requests! [email protected]

    We'd love to hear from you!
  • The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

    What "Biblical Marriage" Is and Is Not with Dana Che

    2026-03-31 | 29 mins.
    We're so excited to be joined by a new friend, author and marriage coach Dana Che. In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about:

    her story of how God raised her up as a marriage coach after infidelity in her marriage

    what a "biblical marriage" is and is not

    the new book that God laid on her heart and how it's been helping couples encounter him and one another

    what hope there is for couples going through "the long middle"

    For more information about Dana Che, her coaching offerings and podcast, please visit danache.com

    To order her new book "Tried and True: Marriage Advice from 12 Imperfect Biblical Couples"

    US listeners click here

    Canadian listeners click here 

    Next steps

    If you'd like to get a hold of us for prayer, encouragement or even with episode ideas, we'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

More Christianity podcasts

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
Podcast website

Listen to The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features