Awesome Marriage Podcast

Couples unpack why unspoken expectations cause tension and how small daily rhythms can restore connection. They highlight practical ways to share tasks, show appreciation, and reframe your partner as a teammate. The conversation covers common needs like respect, nonsexual affection, and prioritized time. Strategies include clearer communication, setting boundaries, and seeking outside support when overwhelmed.

Are you experiencing the power of prayer in your marriage? Prayer is an incredibly powerful habit for your marriages. In fact, research shows that 99% of couples who pray together stay together. Prayer can be so simple, but the reality is that most couples do not make prayer a regular part of their marriage. Today we're talking about how to practically overcome the obstacles that keep you from praying together so you can make prayer a regular part of your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The #1 marriage-building habit - and why most couples don't do it What makes prayer so powerful for marriage The sneaky prayer pitfalls to avoid How to overcome the common obstacles that keep couples from praying together The do-able DOs to make prayer part of your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Prayer is so powerful that the enemy will try anything to keep you from making it part of your marriage. Don't let that happen. Questions to Discuss: What's the primary obstacle that prevents you from praying regularly with your spouse? What would help the two of you to make prayer a regular part of your day together? QUOTES "When you're praying together, you're putting God first. That's where he wants to be." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "It's probably one of the main things that the enemy doesn't want couples to do." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "When I can get a couple to pray together, the counseling process goes faster, and the marriage gets better." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Don't force praying together in a certain way." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: We have several other AWESOME Prayer Resources on our website. Check those out HERE. Check out our Bible Reading plans on YouVersion and make sure you're following us there to keep current on all our newest plans!

When Chad & Adaeze Brinkman met while serving together on the worship team at church, they didn't expect that they would one day get married. They also didn't expect what it would be like to navigate a new marriage while facing cultural pressures as an interracial couple. But learning to have the hard conversations about their differences ultimately led to deeper intimacy. Today, we're delighted to have Chad and Adaeze on the podcast to share their story, and equip you with practical ways to value different perspectives as a reflection of God's design. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why listening to real stories of different experiences matters How to become aware of your habitual assumptions Realistic first steps to grow your perspective Why addressing our perspective on race is essential for the church The relationship-building process of navigating tough conversations How to repair the relationship after you've hurt your spouse *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Not every couple is in an interracial marriage, but every couple deals with differences. We get a bigger picture of God's design when we stop fighting our differences and learn to value them. Questions to Discuss: What have you learned by listening to the diverse perspectives of others in your life? Are there places in your life where you encounter differing life stories and experiences among fellow Christian believers? How can you make room in your life for diversity that reflects the vision of God's kingdom? QUOTES "We will never know everything there is to know about the Lord, but the beauty is in the pursuit, the relationship and the discovery." - Adaeze Brinkman "It's a very humbling lesson to let your spouse have their own perspective, and give room for that to be different than yours." - Adaeze Brinkman "Everyone does what they do for a reason. They think what they think for a reason." - Chad Brinkman When we dig in we realize how much we have in common." - Chad Brinkman "When Jesus returns, it's not going to be a 'White Heaven' or a 'Black Heaven.' It's a diverse Heaven." - Chad Brinkman "Listening is the most important thing." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Are you growing? A beautiful way to do that is to rub shoulders with people that are different from you." - Adaeze Brinkman "The enemy knows there's so much power in unity and diversity." - Adaeze Brinkman MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: We loved Chad and Adaeze's book, White Boy / Black Girl: What Our Differences Can Teach Us. Grab a copy to read their story! It's Spice things up in the bedroom with our limited-time 'Break the Bedroom Rut' Sexy BUNDLE! Don't let negative assumptions tear you apart. Use our Free Printable 15 Better Assumptions to Make About Your Spouse to nurture a healthy mindset Get Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

Guys, have you lost the spark in your sex drive? If that's you, you are not alone! Libido is a complex issue. There are so many reasons that male libido can falter, from stress and physical factors, to relational issues in your marriage. But for every factor, there are also solutions. Learn the steps to uncover what's driving your lack of drive so you can revive the desire. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The physical, mental and emotional health factors that affect sex drive Tips to unpack the issue together in healthy ways Is there a place for medical advice in understanding libido? Challenging the cultural myths about aging and sex drive Steps to starting a helpful conversation about improving libido Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide Main takeaway: Husbands, have you lost the passion? Physical, mental and emotional factors all impact your sex drive but you can reignite the spark and enjoy God's gift of sex in marriage. Questions to Discuss: Dr. Kim said that things like depression, anxiety, financial stress, relational tension or past trauma can reduce libido. Are any of those affecting your sexual relationship today? What would you like to experience more of together in your sexual relationship? What can you do together to make that happen? QUOTES "If you've got problems from the past that affect you in the present, you need someone to help you work through that." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "When the assumptions got on the table, we realized they were wrong. That made such a huge difference." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Low libido doesn't indicate cheating or porn addiction, it's usually more complex than that." - Dr. Kim Kimberling The longer you let it go, the worse it's going to get. - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Congrats to our Awesome Marriage of the Year - Brett and Megan Hamilton! To learn more about National Marriage week, visit their website HERE. Spice things up in the bedroom with our limited-time 'Break the Bedroom Rut' Sexy BUNDLE! Don't let negative assumptions tear you apart. Use our Free Printable 15 Better Assumptions to Make About Your Spouse to nurture a healthy mindset Get Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

Wives, do you seem to be less interested in sex? It's a common issue, and so many factors affect female libido, from hormonal changes, and emotional disconnection to just plain busyness. Whether stemming from physical health or the health of your marriage, there are many ways you and your spouse can work together to bring back the passion and renew your sex drive. Today, we're troubleshooting the issue with tips for wives with low libido, so you can bring back the passion in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Tips on healthy communication about sex drive issues Understanding the effects of stress on a wife's sex drive How to work together to share the mental load Is lack of sex drive a sign of infidelity? Building empathy to help reconnect and rekindle her passion Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide Main takeaway: Ladies, don't let your sex life struggle! Learn to unpack the factors that impact your sex drive, so you can troubleshoot and get things back on track. Questions to Discuss: Are there any factors that you know are affecting your libido in this season? (Stress, exhaustion, depression, peri menopause, postpartum, etc.) Are there any relationship factors affecting your interest in sex right now? What would help you to mitigate the effects of those things today? QUOTES "For guys, it's about how do I meet her where she is right now?" - Dr. Kim Kimberling "If there's not full trust, it's going to be very hard to be interested in sex." - Lindsay Few "It's ok to talk about sex." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "There are so many things that typically the wife does by default. Look at what is weighing on you that keeps you from even having time to be interested in sex." - Lindsay Few "The really good marriages I see are the ones committed to working through things. It doesn't come easy, but they're committed to work through it." - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Spice things up in the bedroom with our limited-time 'Break the Bedroom Rut' Sexy Bundle! Some of our past episodes on Trust in Marriage: Types of Trust Every Marriage Needs | Ep. 614 How to Heal and Rebuild After Trust is Broken | Ep. 616 Grab the free 15 Better Assumptions printable to start healing your perspective Get Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

Is technology bringing you closer together, or leading to disconnection? Tech is hitting marriages hard today. Yet research shows that marriage can provide a huge boost to personal happiness. Today's guest, Arlene Pellicane, has written several books on how technology is impacting relationships, and today she shares tech habits that will help you and your marriage to thrive. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The 1 habit that guarantees marriage success 99% of the Time Easy ways to declutter your digital life for deeper connection How modern technology is changing the way we love. Are married people happier? Research tells the truth… Break the tech spell: Tips for parenting in a digital age *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES "If we seek God and His guidance, He's always going to have an answer." Dr. Kim Kimberling "Is technology bringing you closer together? Or causing you to grow farther apart." - Arlene Pellicane "We're missing all these little times to connect. That's why you feel disconnected." - Arlene Pellicane "You have to prepare to be unpopular, because as a parent, it's your job to protect your child." - Arlene Pellicane MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Grab Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier, as well as her helpful books on healthy tech habits Find all of the National Marriage Week resources, including tomorrow's live panel with Dr. Kim, on the WEB, FACEBOOK, X (TWITTER) or INSTAGRAM Spice things up in the bedroom with our limited-time 'Break the Bedroom Rut' Sexy Bundle! Learn more about what boundaries can do for your marriage in Dr. Kim's free Building Healthy Boundaries Webinar. Learn more here! Don't let screens come between you: Use our free 17 Questions Every Couple Should Ask About Tech printable to get on the same page!

Your marriage doesn't have to grow old just because you do. The second half of marriage does not have to grow stale - make plans to make these your best years yet! Listen today to learn how. Whether you're looking ahead to the second half of marriage, or you're already there, it is a great time to improve and grow. In today's episode, Dr. Kim shares tips to avoiding complacency and embracing the best version of your marriage in the second half. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How to jumpstart marriage growth if you've gotten complacent Practical steps to do the second half of marriage well - no matter where you are today Tips to bring back the fun and passion later in marriage Simple conversation starters to help you get going How to find a mentor couple to help your marriage Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: The second half of marriage does not have to grow stale - evaluate where you'd like to see your marriage go from here, then take the steps to get there. Questions to Discuss: What do you envision for your marriage in the next 5 years? 10 years? 20? What is one thing you can start doing today to move you toward that vision? What is one thing you need to stop doing today to move in that direction? QUOTES If your marriage has been teetering, it can fall at this stage. - Lindsay Few Nothing is worse than feeling lonely when your spouse is with you. - Dr. Kim Kimberling We'd seen couples who were older than us disconnect. We didn't want that to happen. - Dr. Kim Kimberling It's never too late. But the earlier you start, the easier the transition will be. - Dr. Kim Kimberling If you're one step ahead, you can help somebody. - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Spice things up in the bedroom with our limited-time 'Break the Bedroom Rut' Sexy BUNDLE! Have better conversations with your spouse using Creative Questions to Ask Your Spouse – check out the completely unique First, Second and Third editions of this popular resource! Deepen emotional intimacy with the FREE Printable Heart to Heart Card Game ❤️ Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! OR sign up for Dr. Kim's One Thing email to get DAILY steps to build your marriage Grab your copy of Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half of Marriage, by Dr. Kim and Nancy Kimberling

Your marriage should be a blessing to you and your spouse, but it does not need to stop there - a healthy marriage can also bless the world around you! Where is your marriage today? Are you and your spouse a healthy team? Are you healthy enough to pour into those around you? Today we are delighted to welcome Dedric and Krystal Polite to the podcast today to share their unique perspective on finding a vision for their marriage that is making a mark on the world. Listen for encouragement on enacting a Godly marriage vision this year! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! Episode highlights include: Breaking the cycle of generational poverty Developing a life aligned with your values Tips to date intentionally so that you find a spouse you can partner with How to make your marriage a blessing to the world around you Making your spouse your teammate - not your opponent *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Make your marriage strong and healthy so it can become a vehicle for blessing your spouse, family and your community. Questions to Discuss: What ways could you intentionally bless others as a couple? Think about the legacy you want to create as a couple. How would you define your marriage vision? QUOTES "Never tie your self worth into your net worth." - Krystal Polite "We pray together, we stay together, we work together." - Krystal Polite "We lean on each other's strengths." - Dedric Polite Faith keeps us steady when the road gets rough." - Krystal Polite "Our purpose isn't just to make it - we're here to make a difference." - Krystal Polite "It starts and ends with effective communication." - Dedric Polite MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more from the Polites on their website PoliteWealthPortal.com Find BePolite Properties on Facebook or YouTube Build healthy habits in the New Year with the Healthy Marriage Rhythms Bundle: 5 resources for just ONE donation! Get all the details HERE! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! Nominate a couple for Awesome Marriage of the Year HERE!

Spiritual intimacy is something couples want, but don't really know how to get there. We can tend to believe a common myth that it should come naturally without any effort, plus it can seem awkward to pray together or pursue spiritual growth. So how can spiritual intimacy be a realistic part of marriage? Today we're talking about tangible ways to grow in spiritual intimacy with your spouse - and what NOT to do. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! Episode highlights include: Why spirituality matters in marriage Common mistakes couples make with spiritual intimacy Can the wife initiate the conversation about spiritual intimacy, or does the husband need to do that as a spiritual leader? Practical steps to growing together spiritually Tips to grow your marriage to become a light and example *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: The spiritual domain is integral to our health and wellbeing. Sharing it with your spouse is an essential part of intimacy in marriage. Questions to Discuss: What practices / spiritual disciplines have been most impactful for your personal spiritual growth? What is one spiritual practice you would like to share with your spouse? QUOTES "If you're not able to share about spirituality with your spouse, it diminishes your ability to be intimate and know one another." - Lindsay Few "We wish we could have an awesome marriage without trying. But it does take effort." - Lindsay Few "When you have an expectation, you've got to share it with your spouse. Then they can let you know whether it's realistic or not." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Most guys feel inadequate to be a spiritual leader. But God will equip you: It's not rocket science, it's just being intentional." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Most wives just want to see an intentional effort. It doesn't have to be anything fancy." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Any time in the Word is better than none." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Build healthy habits in the New Year with the Healthy Marriage Rhythms bundle: 5 resources for just ONE donation! Get all the details HERE! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips! FLASH SALE! Browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com, and use code "FLASH2025" for $100 off ANY of our courses! Limited time only.

It's a new year, but it's still the same you and your spouse ... so how can you make your marriage the best it can be in the new year? With intentionality, you can break out of the habits that are not serving your marriage well, and build new ones that work better. Listen today for the tips and tools to help! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for quick weekly marriage tips! Episode highlights include: Signs that your marriage needs a "reset" What NOT to do during a reset Where to start if you want a "reset" but you're not sure what to do Tips to make sure you don't fall back into the same old patterns? *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! Couples Conversation Guide: Main takeaway: Now is a great time to check in, take stock, and prioritize the healthy habits to make your marriage strong. Listen, then start taking steps today! Questions to Discuss: What do you want your marriage to look like in the new year? What do you envision that's different from how things are now? Brainstorm 3-5 steps you want to build into your marriage this year. Where will you start? QUOTES "I think we need this every year." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "Don't just see the red flags and ignore them." - Dr. Kim Kimberling If we're intentional in the New Year, we can really close the gap between what we have and what we want our marriage to look like." - Lindsay Few "You don't have to agree on everything, but you have to be willing to compromise." - Dr. Kim Kimberling "God is for our marriage. He is for us. When we invite Him into the process it really changes things." - Lindsay Few "Sometimes we have to sacrifice good things for what's most important." - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Build healthy habits in the New Year with the Healthy Marriage Rhythms Bundle: 5 resources for just ONE donation! Get all the details HERE! FLASH SALE! Browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com, and use code "FLASH2025" for $100 off ANY of our courses! Limited time only. If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com ! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!