Operation: Thriving Marriage

In Episode 84 of Operation: Thriving Marriage, Bryon and Jen Harvey dive into an important truth: there are no perfect marriages. While we often focus on communication and addressing issues, today’s episode explores why unpacking every problem can sometimes do more harm than good in your relationship.   Many couples fall into the trap of thinking they need to discuss and fix every little irritatio...

In Episode 82 of Operation: Thriving Marriage, Bryon and Jen Harvey tackle a topic that hits close to home for nearly every couple: how mishandling money can sabotage your marriage. Bryon begins the conversation by asking Jen, “You deal with a lot of different family issues as a lawyer. What do you see as the biggest contributor to strife in marriage?” Drawing on both professional and personal exp...

In this episode of Operation: Thriving Marriage, we’re continuing our conversation on how couples sabotage communication in marriage. Last time, we talked about harboring resentment and bottling up emotions — if you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we encourage you to go back and check it out. Today, we’re diving into three more common ways communication breaks down between spouses: allowing...

In this episode of Operation: Thriving Marriage, we’re diving into two of the biggest ways couples sabotage communication without even realizing it: harboring resentment and bottling up feelings. Communication is essential to solving any problem in marriage, and if you can’t talk openly and honestly, you’ll stay stuck. Resentment builds when expectations are unspoken, unmet, or unreasonable — what...

Episode 75: What Is Love? - Operation: Thriving Marriage Welcome back to Operation: Thriving Marriage! In today’s episode, we dive into one of the most fundamental aspects of both faith and relationships: What Is Love? Episode Summary: Love is often misunderstood in our culture, reduced to just a fleeting emotion or romantic ideal. But Jesus commands us to love, which means love must be more than...

In this episode of Operation: Thriving Marriage, we dive into the idea that we often marry our unfinished business. Relationship patterns, childhood wounds, and unmet emotional needs can shape our marriages in ways we don’t even realize. But the good news? With self-awareness and God’s guidance, we can break free from unhealthy cycles and build stronger, healthier marriages.   Psychotherapist Lori...

Podcast Notes for Operation: Thriving Marriage Episode 78: Commitment is More Than Not Getting Divorced   Commitment in marriage is often misunderstood. Many couples believe it simply means not getting divorced, but staying married isn’t enough to create a thriving relationship. True commitment requires more than avoiding separation—it’s about intentionally nurturing your marriage every day. A thr...

Podcast Notes for Operation: Thriving Marriage Episode 76: Things That Hurt Men   Introduction In marriage, safety should be foundational—just as it is in the military. While service members are trained to recognize and defend against dangers, the same principle applies to relationships. Marriage should be the safest human connection, but achieving this requires understanding and addressing the ri...

Episode 75: New Love Languages  Welcome to Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of love languages—one of the most helpful tools for building strong, loving relationships. While Dr. Gary Chapman’s original five love languages have impacted countless marriages, new research shows they might not cover everyone’s unique ways of expressing and receiving love. We’...

**Episode 74: Combining Accounts; Yes or No? | Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast** In this episode, Bryon and Jen explore a question often asked during premarital coaching and live events but rarely discussed openly in marriage circles: *Should we combine our bank accounts?* While questions about sex and parenting frequently arise, financial issues don’t come up as often. Why is that? Bryon and...

Episode 73: Being Your Spouse’s Peace - Operation: Thriving Marriage Introduction We recently read an article titled, "Being a Man's Peace," but what does that really mean? Does peace depend on one spouse, or is it something deeper? We’ll break down this idea and see how it aligns—or conflicts—with a biblical understanding of peace. What Does Peace Really Mean? In today's culture, peace is often m...

**Podcast Episode Notes for "Operation: Thriving Marriage"**   **Episode 72: Can I Still Be Friends With My Ex?** **Introduction**   - Is it possible or wise to stay friends with an ex? How do different people feel about maintaining such relationships, especially within the context of a marriage? In today’s episode, we’ll dive into these questions, explore the complexities of relationships with ex...

**Introduction** Welcome to another episode of *Operation: Thriving Marriage*. Today, we're diving into one of the most challenging and divisive topics in Christian marriage—submission. Bryon and Jen explore why submission stirs such strong reactions and what it really means from a biblical perspective. **Why Submission is a Major Issue** Bryon asks Jen why she thinks submission is such a contenti...

**Episode 70: Sex After Kids** In this episode of *Operation: Thriving Marriage*, we tackle the challenge of keeping intimacy alive after having children. Sex is essential for a strong marriage, fostering connection, happiness, and intimacy. However, once kids enter the picture, maintaining a healthy sex life can feel nearly impossible. Privacy disappears, interruptions are constant, and bedtime r...

In this episode of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast we answer another listener question. In this episode Deanna asked how to deal with the dreaded roommate phase. She says she feels more a roommate than a wife. This is a difficult but common experience for couples especially after 3 - 5 years of marriage. It’s uncomfortable in the moment, but as you build your communication skills you will...

In Episode 69 of Operation: Thriving Marriage, we focus on how friendships impact the financial health of a marriage. Jen shares personal stories about how her friends influence her relationship and finances, reflecting Jimmy Evans' insight from XO Marriage that our friends shape our future. We delve into Biblical teachings that highlight the importance of healthy, God-designed relationships, emph...

In this enlightening episode of the Operation: Thriving Marriage podcast, we turn the spotlight on our first guests - our kids! Join us as we dive into the world of marriage from a child's perspective, exploring their candid thoughts, heartfelt observations, and innocent wisdom about what it takes to build a thriving marriage.  Our kids share their views on love, partnership, and what they've lear...

In this episode of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast, we answer a listener question. Megen asked “How to spice things up in marriage without cheating.” Marriages all go through phase in sex and intimacy. There are times when sex is less frequent than one or both of you desire. There are also times when the sex is not as fulfilling as one or both of you would like it to be. These are normal...

Welcome to Operation: Thriving Marriage. In today's episode, we address a common marital issue—anger. Often, we blame our spouse for making us angry, creating a cycle of blame and frustration. But here's the truth: it's not our spouse who controls our emotions; it's us. We dive into how to break this harmful cycle by taking responsibility for our feelings. Understand that your emotions are shaped...

Welcome to Episode 64 of Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we delve into the topic of Trad Wives, exploring what it means to be a Trad Wife, its roots in nostalgia versus scripture, and its impact on modern marriages. Hosts Bryon and Jen kick off the discussion by questioning the allure of the Trad Wife movement and its representation in today's culture. They dissect the aesthetic ver...

Welcome to Episode 63 of Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we delve into the delicate balance between criticism and growth within marriage. We explore the concept that holiness, not just happiness, is a key goal. First, we address the challenge posed by criticism, often a significant source of conflict in marriages. How can we navigate critiquing our spouse without causing harm? Our s...

Welcome to Operation: Thriving Marriage, where we dive deep into the intricacies of relationships and provide actionable insights to help your marriage flourish. In this episode, we explore the concept of "Relationship Jet Lag."Host Bryon kicks off the conversation with his recent frequent travels, highlighting the stark differences in how couples experience reconnection after a period of separati...

Discover why compromise isn't always the answer in marriage, as we delve into the pitfalls of elevating compromise too high in marital discussions. Join us as we explore real-life examples, biblical perspectives, and practical solutions for resolving conflicts when compromise is not an option. Learn how to identify underlying values, seek guidance, and make decisions that strengthen your marriage...

Episode 62 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast – exploring the dynamics of Healthy Competition in relationships. Discover the underlying problem as we explore how competition can lead to conflict in marriages. We discuss how competitive individuals often attach personal value to winning, revealing insecurities that breed negative feelings. Our suggested solution emphasizes that avoiding co...

Welcome to Episode 59 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage podcast - "Chemistry Isn’t Real." No, we're not diving into conspiracy theories, but rather debunking the myth of instant chemistry in relationships. In this episode, we explore how our notions of love have been shaped by fairy tales and romantic comedies, highlighting that love at first sight is merely lust. Thriving marriages aren't built...