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

All You Need Is Love???
Popular culture tells us that love is the only ingredient a marriage needs. Songs by Frank Sinatra and The Beatles make it sound simple. However, believing this myth can lead to division and heartbreak. Love is vital, but a thriving marriage requires more.
 
In this episode, we explore the truth about what makes a marriage work. We look at how love, identity, trust and safety build a lasting bond.
 

Key Topics Covered

The concept of "usness": What it means for two people to truly become one flesh.

The foundation: How God's love and faithfulness help us relate to our spouses.

The two pillars: Why love and trust must work together.

Love and trust in action: How love gives you identity, and trust creates safety.

Featured Resources

Book Recommendation: Read The Mindful Marriage by Ron and Nan Deal for transformational advice.

Podcast: Listen to Living Marriages Podcast Episode 65 to discover how your view of God impacts your relationship.

Get in Touch
Do you need prayer, or do you have ideas for future episodes? Send an email to info@livingmarriages.com.

What do you do when your spouse is the problem?
So many of us feel stuck in marriages where our partner doesn't seem to understand us, or isn't willing to change. What are we supposed to do? While marriage is certainly a team effort, sometimes the starting place has to be with me.
In this episode, we dive into:

Renewing your mind: Exploring the practical application of Romans 12:2 in the midst of conflict.

True humility: What it looks like to lay down the need to "win" an argument.

Self-regulation: Why we must begin with our own thoughts and emotions, not changing our spouse.

Resources Mentioned:

Missed our last episode? Listen to our inspiring conversation with the Raabsmiths on Nervous System Regulation to De-escalate Marriage Fights on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Recommended Reading: Pick up a copy of Ron and Nan Deal’s great book, The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself, available on Amazon.

Want Prayer?
Please get in touch with us! We would love to pray over your relationship. Drop us a line at info@livingmarriages.com.

"What are we even fighting about anymore?"
Have you ever wondered this when fighting with your spouse about money, the in-laws, or even what to have for dinner for the umpteenth time? While these issues matter, underneath the arguments are fundamental, unresolved pain points. As we trigger one another, we find ourselves spiralling in unhealthy conflict.
 
Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith of The Raabsmith Team experienced this firsthand before discovering a powerful, four-step tool to regulate the nervous system and move from pain to peace.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:

The hidden pain fueling your daily marriage conflict.

How to practically regulate your nervous system mid-argument.

How God wants to step into your conflict to restore true intimacy.

Resources:

Connect with Matthew and Joanna: https://raabsmithteam.com/

Listen to the Raabsmiths' marriage story on the Living Marriages Podcast here.

Find Ron and Nan Deal's "The Mindful Marriage" here.

Get in Touch

If you'd like to get in touch with your feedback, prayer requests or episode ideas, drop us a line! info@livingmarriages.com

We are part of a non-profit ministry seeking to bring Christ's hope and help to marriages and families. If you'd like to support us with a charitable donation, please visit our website by clicking here.

Have you ever felt like you and your spouse have lost the "Spark?" That sense of connection, excitement, romance and curiosity that burned brightly in those early days of your relationship?

You are not alone. As the stress and busyness of life pile up, it's common for many couples to find themselves experiencing "roommate syndrome" where there is no open hostility or indifference but rather just an unintentional neglect of the bond that first connected you.

How do you rekindle that spark and re-discover the foundation of friendship that you once enjoyed? Join us for this insightful conversation as God breathes new life and re-ignites the bond you once enjoyed!

Resources

Here is the excellent article from the Gottman Institute on rekindling the spark in six steps, When You Feel Like Roommates. To this, we add the seventh step of "Pray Together."

 

Get in Touch

Have feedback or episode ideas? Need prayer or encouragement? Please get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you! info@livingmarriages.com

You can also make a charitable donation to our non-profit ministry through our website here.

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with a couple who had been married for 60 years! When asked the one indispensable thing in their marriage, their answer was "friendship."

The Gottman Institute is celebrating 30 years of serving marriages and recently compiled a list of 30 things they've learned over the years about love. The number one thing? "Friendship is the foundation of lasting love."

On this episode we talk about:

The nature of God and why as his image-bearers we are made for friendship

The foundational importance of marital friendship and friendship with God

Why NOW is the time to start making time to cultivate your friendship once again

Resources

An article on why friendship keeps us healthy: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/cover-story-science-friendship

Get in touch

Want prayer or support to help you cultivate the friendship in your marriage? Get in touch with us! We'd love to hear from you: info@livingmarriages.com