Dear Young Married Couple

Wow... We just finished learning from three amazing friends and colleagues about their experiences, perspectives, insight, and lessons. As we type this description (today, Juneteenth), our hearts are heavy and our motivation is high to listen, learn, and continue this conversation -- or as one of our panelists suggested, "Don't stop the conversation when it gets uncomfortable." Our prayer for you...

Nic and McKenzie Norris dated long-distance (from two different countries, actually), and they shared several tips from their experience in this interview. Listen in as we discuss: Benefits of Long-Distance Dating Challenges of Long-Distance Dating Immigration Communication Trust/Transparency Boundaries when Dating This was a special episode for us since McKenzie is actually Adam's sister. So it w...

This was a special interview for us because Linda Carlos, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, was Karissa's supervisor before she became licensed several years ago. Linda was trained at Fuller Theological Seminary and has a deep understanding of how to integrate faith and practice. She has been a therapist for 30+ years, has two private practices in California and is an expert on attachment. I...

When faced with a cancer diagnosis, the way you respond (both as an individual and as a couple) speaks volumes of your maturity, character, and depth. We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Daniel Blash and his lovely wife Annemarie Blash about various struggles and setbacks they've experienced in their lifetime together. Their response was unique and reflected the depth of trust they have in Go...

A recent survey showed that couples fight about money more than any other subject (including sex, chores, communication, and what's for dinner). As young married couples, it's most common for us to argue about: frivolous purchases budgeting credit card debt not having a great emergency fund frustrations about retirement plans not living up to the same money status as friends or family In this epis...

This is our third "ASK" episode! Every now and then, we'll take a few of your questions and answer them here in a short 10-15 minute episode. Many of you asked questions about keeping your marriage alive while parenting, so we decided to share some reflections on these topics: What is the best way that you have found to stay intimately connected when you have kids? Did you have any systems that yo...

Ever wish you could pick the brain of a Christian sex therapist? Well we did just that in our interview with Laura Brotherson, LMFT, CST and we get to share it with you! These 12 "T's" provide a recipe of key ingredients, especially for women, to embrace their sexuality and wholeness - necessary for a "Sextraordinary Marriage." You can rate yourself in each of these areas to see where you might ne...

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15-44 and 2/3 of them don't actually seek or receive proper treatment. In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Beth Baus, tells us how depression can affect the marriage, and she gives practical steps for both the depressed person and the spouse for how to deal with depression. Beth recommended: I...

This is our second "ASK" episode! Every now and then, we'll take a few of your questions and answer them here in a short 10-15 minute episode. These two questions were asked in various ways this month, so we decided to share some reflections on these topics: Can you talk about embracing your sexuality? How do you go from no sex, to sex all the time? Do you think that God will still bless a marriag...

Last week, we heard from a couple who shared their story of recovery from pornography addiction. This week, we get to hear from an expert in the field, Rev. Timothy Hadden, CADC-R, an outpatient addictions counselor. He sheds some light on how addictions form and the red flags to look out for if you suspect that your spouse is addicted. He covers common addictions that he sees in church circles, l...

This is the second part of a 2-part exclusive interview with Nathan and Martha Driskill, the Young Married Leaders at Christian Life Church in Mequon, WI. (If you haven't listened to Part 1, go back and do that now!) In this interview, Nathan shares his childhood story of how the addiction to pornography began and how it followed him into adulthood. Martha joins the story when she shares how she m...

This is the first part of a 2-part exclusive interview with Nathan and Martha Driskill, the Young Married Leaders at Christian Life Church in Mequon, WI. In this interview, Nathan shares his childhood story of how the addiction to pornography began and how it followed him into adulthood. Martha joins the story when she shares how she met, dated, and married Nathan, and then how the porn addiction...

Dr. Daniel Blash, a psychologist and pastor in St. Louis, Missouri is anointed, educated, and gifted. It was an honor to interview him about the impact that trauma can have on the marriage. In this episode, Dr. Blash addresses: What trauma is vs. what it looks like Five domains of intimacy Small traumas that build up and the impact they can have on your marriage Holding on to stuff and letting tra...

Studies show that how often you argue actually doesn't matter when it comes to your satisfaction in the marriage; how those arguments are handled, however, will definitely be a determining factor in predicting not only satisfaction, but divorce rates and other important dynamics in your marriage. So how do we argue well? Today on the podcast, Matthew and Sabrina Schlesinger share five rules for ar...

So little clarity and so much unrest... Such a perfect time to release an episode on grief that is desperately needed in this moment of folks grieving various forms of loss. We interviewed Dr. Chelsea Hall before the globe was in the state of pandemic, but in this episode, you'll see that so much of what Dr. Hall discusses about grief can be applied to what we are all feeling in this season. Wheth...

During times of economic uncertainty, there can be a lot of tension around the finances and just talking about it can feel like an argument is about to explode. In this episode, Adrian Hildebrand, Certified Financial Education Instructor, shares some practical tips about discussing the finances as a couple. She tackles debt, budgeting, investments, financial infidelity, joint accounts, spending li...

This is our very first "ASK" episode! Every now and then, we'll take a few of your questions and answer them here in a short 10-15 minute episode. These three questions were asked quite a few times this past month, so we decided to share some reflections on these topics: How did you know your marriage was ready for a baby? Any advice for the first night? How do I get my spouse to go to counseling?...

"Isn't it the church's job to teach my children about the Bible?" This is a sentiment that is all-too-often shared by many busy, young married couples throughout North America.   Now more than ever, we need to be equipped as parents to pour into the hearts of our children at home. We met Justin Jeter in a hotel lobby when we were doing a marriage seminar in Arkansas last year and he was doing a ch...

This is an introduction and explanation to the next episode. We wanted to keep the next episode limited to just the track itself with no explanation, in case you wanted to use it as a sleep tool or prayer. In times of uncertainty, it can be helpful to have tools to be able to combat the anxiety and fear that can arise. This is one of many tools that we'll be sharing with you in the coming weeks an...

"There were times when I felt like God completely forgot about us. So I had to lean on Alana to tell me that this IS worth praying for." In this episode, we interview Danny and Alana Opdyke, who share their story of conquering the low-lows that your marriage can experience when going through chronic pain. Over the past 20 years of their marriage, Danny has had the following surgeries/procedures: 2...

Google searches for “sexless marriage” are 3.5x more common than “unhappy marriage”. So what exactly makes a marriage sexless? There’s no precise definition, though some experts say it’s when a couple has sex less than 10x/year (or about 1x/mo) while others say it has more to do with one spouse wanting sex more than the other and not feeling like they’re having enough sex.   Today, our podcast gue...

"Find someone you can glorify God with and someone you can grow with." In this episode, Tovares and Safa Grey of @godlydating101 offer many practical dating tips for both premarital and married couples. Check out their podcast for dating couples by searching "Godly Dating 101" and catch them up Instagram where they offer daily dating advice. Stay in conversation with us on IG: @dearyoungmarriedcou...

People don't wake up and say, "I'm going to have an affair." People usually “slide” into affairs. They think that crossing a boundary will feel like an electrical fence (“Ouch! I don’t ever want to do that again!), but it doesn’t — it often feels good.   It can feel liberating because it usually involves feeling heard and understood by someone. It doesn’t even seem like a problem at first.   In to...

She blushed as we questioned, “HOW did you make it special when he came home?” and then she responded: “A special meal, special candles, special music...” This was all part of their intention to “have something familiar in the midst of the crazy”, both as a couple and as a family in the military. Today on the podcast, Pastor Robert + Maria Rodriguez, Missionaries to Mexico, talk about their experi...

You’ll hear a snippet of a story in the very beginning about a broken man (warning: it’s about a man who pulled the trigger with a gun held to his head)... and then the beauty that came from this brokenness when he committed to intentionally building his marriage and family. In this episode, Pastor Paul and Lori Elder (pastor in Pueblo, CO for 30+ years) teach us practical tips about building trad...