Imperfectly Married the Podcast

When couples think about health, they usually think about diet, exercise, or weight goals. But health is far more than just physical. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather unpack the three pillars of health that every marriage should work on: physical, emotional, and spiritual. They explore how neglecting even one of these areas creates disconnection, resentment, fatigue, and...

The New Year brings motivation, pressure, excitement, anxiety, and reflection — and every Enneagram type experiences it differently. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through all nine Enneagram types and explain how each one approaches the New Year, where they tend to get stuck, and how their core motivations are intensified during this season. You’ll learn...

The New Year comes with a lot of pressure—new goals, big expectations, and the fear of falling short. But what if a strong marriage isn’t built on resolutions or quick fixes? Today we talk about how couples can use the New Year as a healthy reset—without perfection, shame, or unrealistic expectations. We explore how to reflect on the past year honestly, celebrate real progress, and identify patter...

Christmas with the in-laws can feel like a mix of twinkle lights, nostalgia, and quiet tension — and somehow you and your spouse are expected to keep the peace no matter what happens. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through how each of the nine Enneagram types uniquely experiences in-law dynamics during the holidays and how understanding those differences...

The holidays bring family together — but they can also bring tension, unmet expectations, and pressure from in-laws that quietly strain a marriage. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather talk through how to handle in-laws during the holidays with clarity, unity, and healthy boundaries that protect your relationship instead of dividing it. They unpack why family dynamics feel m...

The holidays bring beauty, but they also bring stress — expectations, family dynamics, travel, finances, grief, and totally disrupted routines. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through how each of the nine Enneagram types uniquely experiences the holiday season and how understanding your wiring (and your spouse’s) can actually protect your marriage when th...

The holidays are supposed to be magical… but for a lot of couples, they feel more like a minefield of expectations, family pressure, tight finances, and old wounds that get stirred up every December. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather get real about how the holiday season can quietly strain even healthy marriages — and how to protect your relationship before the stress hit...

Gratitude looks different for every personality — and when you understand how your spouse receives, processes, and expresses gratitude, your marriage transforms. In this Enneagram-focused episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather break down how all nine Enneagram types relate to gratitude, why some types struggle to accept appreciation, and how to communicate gratitude in a way your spou...

Gratitude is not just a feeling; it is a practice that has the power to transform your marriage from the inside out. In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael and Heather unpack how choosing gratitude, especially when it does not come naturally, can rewire your mindset, rebuild connection, and shift the emotional climate of your relationship. Through honest stories, practical examples, and...

Grief doesn’t just happen to you—it happens between you. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather unpack how each of the nine Enneagram types experiences, expresses, and heals through grief in marriage. From the Type 1 perfectionist trying to “grieve the right way,” to the Type 7 enthusiast avoiding pain through distraction, to the Type 9 peacemaker retreating for peac...

Grief changes everything — including your marriage. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather open up about walking through the pain of losing loved ones, the death of dreams, and the hidden grief that often goes unspoken in relationships. They share how grief can show up emotionally, physically, and spiritually — and how to support your spouse when you both hurt in different way...

What does real friendship look like in marriage? In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather unpack how each of the nine Enneagram types builds, strains, and restores friendship within marriage. From the Type 1 perfectionist learning to relax, to the Type 7 enthusiast slowing down, to the Type 9 peacemaker finding their voice—every couple will see themselves somewhere in this conve...

What if the secret to a lasting, joy-filled marriage isn’t just love—but friendship? In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael andHeather open up about how their 26-year relationship has been built (and rebuilt) on laughter, curiosity, and connection. From navigating conflict with grace to rediscovering what it means to like your spouse—not just love them—this conversation will remind you w...

What does your favorite reality TV show say about your personality and your marriage ? In this fun and eye-opening episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael and Heather Brown break down how each Enneagram type (1–9) engages with reality TV — and how it reveals what we value, fear, and need in our relationships. From the rule-following Type 1s who yell at the TV whenthings aren’t “fair” to the adven...

Every couple argues—but not every couple understands how their personality shapes communication. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather Brown unpack how each Enneagram type (1–9) communicates, reacts under stress, and what it takes to truly connect in marriage. After 26 years of marriage, they’ve learned that conflict isn’t about who’s right—it’s about how you talk when things...

Reality TV may entertain us but does it actually show how we should see real love, commitment, and marriage? In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Heather and Michael dive deep into how shows like The Bachelor, Love Is Blind, and Love Island have changed our culture’s view of romance and relationships. They explore why these “reality” shows are anything but real, how they can distort our expecta...

Social media is everywhere—but how does it really impactyour marriage? In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Heather and Michael walk through each Enneagram type (1–9) and reveal the unique struggles, growth opportunities, and faith anchors connected to how you and your spouse show up online with social media. From perfectionism and comparison, to escaping, hiding, orseeking validation, every t...

We love it. We hate it. We scroll for hours. But what issocial media really doing to our marriages? In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael and Heather open up about their own love–hate relationship with Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook—and how the “highlight reel” culture feedsinsecurity, comparison, and even micro-cheating. From dealing with online hate to setting healthy boundaries,they...

Why do the same fights keep happening? Why does your spouse shut down when you try to connect? In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael and Heather share how the Enneagram gave them a new language for love, compassion, and conflict resolution. From discovering their core fears anddesires to learning how to see life through each other’s lens, they unpack real stories of breakthrough moments...

What happens when trust is broken and your marriage feels beyond repair? In this powerful episode, we tackle the hard truth about healing a broken marriage after the damage has already been done. You’ll discover: Why couples feel hopeless after betrayal or deep conflict The first steps to healing when trust has been shattered How forgiveness, accountability, and intentional growth can bring restor...

When you hear the word intimacy , what comes to mind? For most people, it’s just the physical side of marriage. But intimacy is so much deeper, it’s emotional, spiritual, intellectual, AND physical. And when even one layer is missing, your marriage can feel close… yet strangely disconnected. In this episode of Imperfectly Married , Michael and Heather get real about: Why most couples misunderstand...

Affairs don’t just happen. They’re the result of small compromises, hidden secrets, and broken trust. In this episode of Imperfectly Married , we reveal how to protect your marriage from affairs before it ever starts. You’ll learn: The early warning signs that put marriages at risk Why emotional trust matters just as much as physical faithfulness Guardrails every couple should set to avoid temptat...

This week’s challenge? Tap into your creativity together. Instead of the usual dinner and a movie, we’re encouraging couples to step into something hands-on—paint, build, craft, cook, or create! When couples do something creative, it activates joy, curiosity, and connection in powerful ways. We also give you a fun and insightful Connection Question to ask each other during your date: 👉 “If you wo...

Money is one of the top reasons couples fight. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of the Imperfectly Married Podcast, we open up about how to talk about money in your marriage and the real struggles we’ve faced with finances in our relationship. From growing up with completely different money habits to learning how to budget without blowing up, we walk through how to stop fighting about mo...

This week’s Date Night Challenge is simple: It’s your turn to choose the date! Whether it’s dinner out, a hike, or something spontaneous—take the lead and plan the night. Then, during your time together, lean into this simple but powerful question: “How can I best support you and/or what are you needing from me in this season of life?” It’s not a challenge—it’s an invitation to pause, listen, and...