
Most of us deal with self doubt, regret, and feelings of not measuring up. But learning to love ourselves properly means learning to see ourselves as God does, and it allows us to love others more freely and graciously. Today, Bryan Crum will help you step away from nagging self doubts and into a solid biblical perspective. Give your marriage the gift of seeing yourself and your spouse through God’s eyes. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Unexpected lessons learned from people who are facing their mortality Why is it hard to accept loving and valuing ourselves properly? Rewriting negative messages we’ve learned Ideas to break away from self-doubt Why relationships are needed to help us learn to love ourselves *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “I’m on a mission to help people fall in love with God’s greatest creation; and that’s us.” - Bryan Crum “We all want to know our time on this earth means something.” - Bryan Crum “I’ve discovered 2 truths about living: 1. We’re priceless. 2. For some reason, we’ve forgotten that truth.” - Bryan Crum “We interact with people every day but we don’t always treat them like they are valuable.” - Bryan Crum “When we acknowledge the truth of what we’re worth, we’re acknowledging a truth heaven knows well.” - Bryan Crum “The first step is to stop comparing ourselves to each other.” - Bryan Crum “There's power in giving each other the benefit of the doubt.” - Bryan Crum “Giving each other grace is a small step that covers a lot of distance.” - Bryan Crum “Marriage is promising each other that we’re all-in. We’ve got to make the conscious choice to say, ‘I’m still here.’” - Bryan Crum MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: If your marriage is doing okay but could use a jumpstart, then this 5 Week Marriage Refresher Challenge is for you! Find more from Bryan HERE Order Bryan’s book, Neighbor, Love Yourself HERE
Jun 21, 2024
42 min

Conflict is no one’s favorite, but it is an inevitable part of life. And today Donna Jones teaches us why it’s nothing to be afraid of by busting some of the most common misunderstandings that lead to conflict avoidance, and providing a biblical roadmap to handle conflict in a healthy way. Tune in to learn more about approaching conflict in a healthy, biblical way. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: The biggest mistakes most couples make in conflict The trick to de-escalate in the heat of the moment. The inner characteristics that build better conflict habits Help to break conflict patterns in your marriage The healthy way to apologize well *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “When we handle conflict in a healthy way, the outcome is peace. Peace between us and who we have conflict with; peace in our own souls.” - Donna Jones “When we are in conflict, it literally affects everything about us. We function, but on the inside, we’re torn to pieces.” - Donna Jones “The reason so many of us think conflict is bad, is that we never learned to see how conflict can turn out good.” - Donna Jones “When we have conflict, we tend to think it means 1 of 3 things: There’s something wrong with you; there’s something wrong with me, or there’s something wrong with us. But conflict doesn’t mean that.” - Donna Jones “No relationship can survive an atmosphere of disrespect over the long haul.” - Donna Jones “The most important thing is not an act, it’s an attitude: Humility.” - Donna Jones “If you want to know how strong a person really is, look for humility.” - Donna Jones MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Order Donna’s book Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life today! Find Donna on her website, on Instagram @DonnaAJones or Facebook @donnajonesspeak/ For more help to break the conflict cycle, sign up for Dr. Kim’s “8 Guidelines for Fighting Fair Webinar” If your marriage is feeling a bit blah, the Marriage Refresher is the jumpstart you need to bring fresh life into your marriage!
Jun 19, 2024
58 min

We have gotten a lot of questions about gaslighting and narcissism, and today Dr. Kim is answering. This topic is layered and one podcast episode cannot take the place of more in-depth interventions, but we can offer helpful and hopeful next steps. In today’s episode we’re covering how to know what constitutes abuse versus the sin nature we all struggle with. Listen for We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Marriage counseling doesn’t work with abusers – So what does? Can a marriage recover after long-term gaslighting? How to diagnose abuse using the power and control wheel Does the “gray rock” strategy work in marriage? Reasons why emotional abuse is often dismissed *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Narcissism is all about power and control. Neither of those have a place in marriage at all.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “I don't think God expects anyone to live in an abusive situation. In many ways, it’s as much a violation of vows as adultery is to not take seriously your vow to love and cherish your spouse.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “You deserve to be safe.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “If you look at the message of the BIble, you can’t defend any type of abuse, for any person, ever.” - Lindsay Few “The goal would be repentance and reconciliation.” - Lindsay Few “The reason a lot of people minimize emotional abuse because they haven’t seen it.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “I’ve seen people who gaslight and don't really understand what they’ve been doing.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Nobody’s uplifted or brought closer to Christ through manipulative behaviors.” - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Power and Control Wheel is helpful to understand what constitutes abuse If your marriage is doing okay but could use a jumpstart, then this 5 Week Marriage Refresher Challenge is for you! Past episodes on the topic: Gaslighting in Marriage Accidental Gaslighting When is Enough Enough? With Dr. David E. Clarke Recent series with Kathy’s Story Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage: Kathy’s Story | Ep. 608 Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage Part 2: Seeking Church Support | Kathy’s Story Ep. 609 Escaping an Emotionally Abusive Marriage Part 3: Help to Get Out and Get Safe | Ep. 610
Jun 18, 2024
50 min

Is there a war on fathers? Our guest on today’s podcast thinks so. The impact of fathers on their kids is so valuable, yet it’s incredibly difficult to know how to engage purposefully in the process of parenting. If you’ve had a hand in raising kids, you already know that parenting is not for the faint of heart! That’s why we are so thankful to share today’s episode and Kent Evans’ practical advice and encouragement for dads. Kent Evans is a wise and helpful mentor for dads who are searching for their purpose in parenting. Listen and learn Kent’s simple, practical tips for dads and moms alike. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What prevents dads from being confident to engage in fatherhood? The reasons why your kids need an imperfect dad Advice for the dad who feels like it’s too late to start to engage well Steps to growing in your purpose as a dad Advice for the wife who wants her husband to engage An incredible tip for finding friends & community *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Satan wants us to take us out of the fatherhood game by getting us to self-select and walk off the field.” - Kent Evans “God wants to be known as a dad, therefore there’s a war on fathers.” - Kent Evans “My experience as a dad is that God can take care of the things I mess up.” - Dr. Kim “Even if we could be perfect, it would not be beneficial. It would deprive them of the example of how to fall off the horse then get back on.” - Kent Evans There are few things more motivating to a man than the praise of his wife, but it’s multiplied by an exponent when she does it in front of the children.” - Kent Evans “I didn’t get it right. I didn’t do it perfectly, but God took my loaves and fishes and they landed as nourishment.” MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Grab Kent’s great tools for dads at ManhoodJourney.org Listen to the Father on Purpose Podcast With the Creative Questions Bundle you will NOT lack for great conversation topics! Get all the details here! Sign up here to get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each episode!
Jun 14, 2024
59 min

Marriage doesn’t have to get boring … but for too many couples, it has. If you’re ready to break out of the routine and restore the joy in your marriage, this one's for you! Listen for ways to have more interesting and connective conversations, new ideas of things to try, and how to avoid common mistakes that keep couples from enjoying their marriage. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Better questions to ask for better conversations 2 common mistakes that keep couples from having fun together Several ideas for fun things to try For Dr. Kim’s bullet point list of steps, sign up for the Conversation Guide *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “When we’re dating our future wife, we guys up our game.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “We loved our time with our kids, but we realized we also had to be intentional about our marriage.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “You have to give yourself time to do the fun stuff. The mundane will still be there when you’re done.” - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: With the Creative Questions Bundle you will NOT lack for great conversation topics! Get all the details here! Check in on your marriage each week with our Weekly Check In Guide to keep your connection strong Sign up here to get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each episode! Questions to Help Your Spouse Open Up Is there a marriage resource you need us to make? Tell us your idea! Arlene Pellicane will be on the podcast later this summer. She has written some great books on tech in the family! Cool, Calm and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World Screen Kids: 5 Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World
Jun 11, 2024
36 min

Do you ever feel like you and your spouse are two ships passing in the night? Strangers living under the same roof? Business partners executing the plans you’ve made for your kids and household? Then you’re in a disconnected marriage. The marriage relationship should nurture both spouses. If you’ve lost the connection in your marriage, or just want to step up from where you are right now, tune in today to learn the practical steps for reconnecting. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: Why do couples disconnect? The steps to reconnection A helpful source for fun marriage ideas and resources *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Little tweaks can make such a difference.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Living separate lives is not going to get you a connected, fun marriage.” Christina Dodson “We weren’t always there but we chose to stay in the marriage and work through things. It’s worth it.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “You can continue to grow, but you have to work at it.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Check in on your marriage each week with our Weekly Check In Guide to keep your connection strong Creative Questions Bundle Sign up here to get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each episode! The Sex Talk course equips you to teach your kids about sex in a biblical, God-honoring way
Jun 7, 2024
29 min

If your marriage communication is a struggle, you are NOT alone. So many marriage issues come back to communication, and if your communication is awesome, your marriage will be too! But most of us will have some trouble with communicating well with our spouse, and it’s the biggest issue couples ask us for help with. That’s why today we’re equipping you with 6 tips to communicate well in the good times and in the bad. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How to talk so your spouse can listen Use the “title page” trick to help your spouse listen to you Dr. Kim’s 6 tips to communicate well How to find a good counselor if you need one How to restart the openness & honesty in your marriage *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “I think what happens for guys is that when we’re dating our future wife, we up our game.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “It’s hard for me to put my thoughts and feelings into succinct words.I can easily ramble on… but that doesn’t make for good communication.” - Lindsay Few “The bottom line is you want them to hear what you’re saying, so how do you best communicate in a way that they’re going to hear it?” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “If you’re going through a hard time, call it that. Work together to reclaim your time and energy.” - Lindsay Few “We can’t give away every piece of our heart, mind, time and energy to things that drain the life out of us.” - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each episode by signing up here! The Sex Talk course equips you to teach your kids about sex in a biblical, God-honoring way Dr. Kim’s blogs on questions to ask your counselor: 4 Qualities Your Christian Counselor Needs 3 Things A Counselor Needs To Believe to Help Your Marriage 3 Mistakes Couples Make When They Try Counseling Our FREE Weekly Check In Guide helps with regular communication Making Your Marriage a Refuge with Special Guest Gary Thomas Ep. 530 Achieving Awesome Communication in Marriage YouVersion Plan
Jun 4, 2024
43 min

It often feels like the world around us is too broken. Where would you even start if you wanted to try and fix it? On the podcast today, Charlie and Andi Ashworth answer this question, and thankfully their answer is much simpler and more doable than it might seem. The Ashworths have spent decades sharing their creative gifts and encouraging others to do the same, and in today’s episode they artfully equip you to take small steps toward creativity, community, and reflecting the light of God’s love, right where you are. Don’t miss this bonus episode! We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How should Christians engage with culture? A call for culture making - and how simple it is to actually do it Why the small things matter - and how to use them for good in your life Hope for becoming the remedy to the loneliness epidemic How to balance the desire for creativity and the need to get things done Battling the dis-integration of “mundane” versus doing things we like *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “We make less and less meaning of everything now, because it’s happening so fast and we’re receiving so much information.” - Charlie Ashworth “There’s no small people; there’s no small things. Everything matters.” - Charlie Ashworth “We don’t know the stories that will continue after we do.” - Andi Ashworth “If all of life matters to God, then all of life matters to us.” - Andi Ashworth “We want a formula … but it is a process.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Based on your faith in Christ, what kind of culture are you making? Are you contributing good? Or are you contributing negativity?” - Charlie Ashworth “It’s antithetical to the word of God and to creation itself to think that we as people of God are somehow standing outside of it. It actually creates an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality that is so unhealthy.” - Charlie Ashworth “Start with where you're at: You're actually getting up and making culture every day.” - Andi Ashworth “As an artist, maturity looks like a seamless integration of a diversity of creativity over time.” - Charlie Peacock MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Charlie and Andi’s book, Why Everything That Doesn't Matter, Matters So Much: The Way of Love in a World of Hurt Find more from the Ashworths on their website: https://thewriterthehusband.com/ Andy Crouch’s book Culture Making Learn 7 reasons why your sex life may not be where you want it to be, and how to get it there! Sign up here for the 9 Ways to Improve Your Sex Life Webinar
May 31, 2024
1 hr 4 min

Your marriage needs trust in order to be healthy. Without it, your connection with your spouse will fade, and you’ll experience more conflict and tension, and less of the closeness and intimacy marriage is meant to have. Don’t stay stuck like this! Turn things around by closing the trust gaps between you and your spouse and make your marriage a safe refuge for both of you. Episode highlights include: Areas where you might not realize you lack trust How to address it effectively with your spouse - without blaming How to have grace in the rebuilding process Tips to building financial trust Practical tips to become more trustworthy with completing tasks *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Without trust in a marriage, the marriage just crumbles.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “We don’t realize how valuable trust is until it’s broken.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Trust can be unique to the person and the situation.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “We have to own what’s driving our trust-breaking behavior.” - Lindsay Few “The budget isn’t a prison, it’s a plan. But sometimes it will be uncomfortable.” - Lindsay Few “The sooner you go to counseling, the sooner you’ll resolve your issues.” - Lindsay Few “If you get stuck, you don’t have to stay stuck.” - Lindsay Few “Your spouse may make some mistakes, so look for Jesus in your spouse.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “I felt like he should trust me … but my action was not giving him anything to trust.” - Lindsay Few MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Sign up HERE to get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each week’s new episode We are bombarded with negative messages about marriage. FIGHT BACK with our Reframing Challenge If your marriage has been damaged by porn, the 5 Steps to Healing After Porn Betrayal webinar is a great first step to healing. Learn more or grab your spot here. Warm Up Your Marriage (Past Episode)
May 28, 2024
45 min

Today we answer some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about sex. Dr. Kim and Christina covered this on an episode in 2021, and we’ve distilled their conversation into the most timeless and practical answers to common sex questions. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: How often is “normal”? Dealing with dead sex drive Is oral sex ok in marriage? What about anal? Is there such thing as too much sex when trying to conceive? How to start talking to your kids about sex What do do if your spouse withholds sex *Music for this podcast is created by Noah Copeland. Check him out here! QUOTES “Guys, you have to continue to be romantic.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “I wanted my kids to talk to me about sex before they went to a friend or read it on a bathroom wall or a magazine. You want that door to be open.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “You need to honor each other and respect each other’s body to honor God in marriage.” - Christina Dodson “Guys, if you please your wife first, does it really matter when you orgasm? There's this unspoken pressure.” - Christina Dodson “There’s always an answer. I’ve never had a couple we couldn’t figure out an answer for.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling “Stay at the comfort level of the one who is least comfortable. If you do that, you’re going to be ok.” - Dr. Kim Kimberling MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Sign up HERE to get the Couple’s Conversation Guide for each week’s new episode Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier is a quick weekly email with actionable insights to grow your marriage. Sign up HERE! Resources we recommend for starting the sex conversation with your spouse Celebration of Sex Lovemaking Survey Resources we recommend for talking to your kids about sex: Don’t Mom Alone Podcast Ep 328 Full Set - God's Design for Sex Series: Revised and Updated Edition by Stan Jones, Brenna Jones We’re delighted to partner with The Sex Talk, an excellent online course to help you navigate this topic well
May 24, 2024
38 min
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