Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast

What do you do when your spouse just won't say those three little words, "I love you"? A listener wrote in with this exact issue, sharing how her husband never actually says "I love you," even though it's her love language. She's looking for some advice, and I can actually relate to this.  It's important for us to hear "I love you," especially as children. I share a bit about my experience vs...

The aftermath of infidelity in marriage is painful, to say the least. Chances are you, or someone you know, is dealing with the fallout of an affair. Whether you're the betrayed or the betrayer, or if you're simply offering support to a loved one, this episode aims to provide practical guidance on navigating this tumultuous time. It’s critical to acknowledge the emotional upheaval that accom...

A husband wants help in seeing eye to eye with his wife, more specifically how they can be on the same page during disagreements. This is a common struggle in marriages: finding common ground despite a couple's differences. Understanding the purpose of communication is key here. Listen in as I remind this listener (and you) that it's not about agreeing on everything but about understanding on...

When an unfaithful spouse is discovered to have had an affair, there are certain things they need to do to repair the breach if they want to rebuild their marriage. My hubby, Shaun, is back on the podcast and is sharing his insights, as a former unfaithful spouse, and our journey through our season of infidelity. As ones who have walked this path, we want to offer guidance, especially to those who...

Have you ever been concerned about your spouse's social media activities . . . or in our listener's case, lack of social media activities? I'm addressing a listener who feels unsettled that her husband never posts about her on social media and even occasionally unfollows her, while sharing other aspects of his life online. Episode Highlights: Marriage Advice: I emphasize the importance of communic...

Infidelity recovery is not a DIY experiment. It hit my marriage like a tidal wave, knocking me down and leaving me in a sea of emotions I never thought I’d have to face. It was one of the most heart-wrenching experiences I ever had to endure. In those early days of shock and disbelief, I quickly realized something critical: I couldn't and shouldn't try to handle this alone. In my journey and...

When things aren’t going well in marriage, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of complaints, but gratitude can be a powerful antidote to bitterness and resentment.  Here’s a quick recap of tips on maintaining gratitude: Acknowledge Small Wins : Start your day by focusing on one positive aspect of your partner or something they did that you appreciate. Focus on What You Can Contr...

After an affair, most spouses want to know if they should stay or leave their spouse. Infidelity, I know, can be incredibly painful, but it is oh-so-important to discuss. As part of our ongoing miniseries, "Healing After Infidelity," I'm here to tackle a question that many of you have likely grappled with: "Are you committed to rebuilding your marriage?" Whether you're in the thick of betrayal or...

It's a common dilemma in marriage: how to turn your spouse down for sexy time without feeling guilty. What do you do when one spouse isn't in the mood for sex yet doesn't want to hurt the other's feelings? That's the question of one listener who shared her experience and sought advice on saying no without guilt. Key Takeaways: Understanding Your Feelings: Take a self-assessment to identify why you...

Today, we dive deep into the intricacies of healing after infidelity with our guests, Matthew and Joanna Rabsmith who've been married for fifteen years. They opened up about their experience with infidelity just three and a half years into their union. Matthew bravely shared his struggle with sex addiction, which was primarily linked to pornography.  Both licensed marriage counselors and marr...

A new listener, Gina, feels like she's putting all the effort into her marriage while her husband seems perfectly content with where things are. I totally get where she's coming from—I’ve been there! We'll talk about how to navigate this situation and discuss why behavior follows belief. I’ share some personal insights and strategies on how to motivate change in someone who doesn...

One of the questions every betrayed spouse grapples with when dealing with infidelity is, "Why did this happen?" Infidelity can be one of the most challenging obstacles a marriage may face. Understanding the 'why' is crucial because every affair has a reason. It’s essential here to distinguish between a reason and an excuse. While reasons offer insights into underlying issues, excuses d...

When it comes to meeting our spouse’s needs, marriage can feel like a complex game of tug of war. Today’s listener question brings us into the nuanced territory of communication and expectations between spouses. Our listener shares her frustration about feeling overwhelmed by her husband's evolving needs. She explained that her husband, previously very passive in communicating his need...

We’re off the heels of our marriage conference and I have some insights to share for those looking to attend a marriage conference in the future. Information is only good if you have a revelation that causes transformation. And when it comes to strengthening our marriages, this couldn't be more true. So let's explore why attending a marriage conference might be the game-changer you've been l...

A listener who describes her marriage of eleven years as "routine" and feels she's outgrown her husband needs advice. She says that while her husband is a good man, she feels a lack of attraction due to his complacency with routine life. This includes his responsibilities at work, caregiving for his mother, and domestic duties, all of which have led their marriage to feel stagnant. She admits to b...

How do you build a stronger marriage? Often, marriage is often seen as a path to happiness and companionship. But through my experiences and insights shared in this episode, I challenge this notion by inviting you to see marriage as a tool for personal and spiritual growth. This episode wraps up our three-part mini-series, "Mended: God's Plan for Marriage," where we explore the deep-seated essence...

Is your marriage on the line but you’re trying to win your spouse back? Rebuilding your marriage isn't easy, especially when your spouse isn't on the same page. In this episode, we address a listener's question about how to effectively communicate his desire to reconcile after a difficult time in his marriage. Despite being separated for three months due to past traumas and ego, he's activel...

If you’ve ever questioned what marriage is truly about beyond friendship and happiness, this is the episode for you. We're continuing with part two of a mini-series dedicated to exploring some hidden truths about marriage. We begin by addressing the misconceptions society and culture often hold about marriage, such as its purpose is primarily happiness or getting our needs met. When we misun...

Valentine's Day is upon us! I'm answering a listener's question on whether women still care about Valentine’s Day gifts and what makes the perfect present. What are some gift ideas to make your special someone feel loved and appreciated? I've got a few suggestions up my sleeve. Highlights: Do Women Still Expect Gifts? I polled my friends to learn about their Valentine’s Day expectation...

"The Problem of Marriage” is the first part of my three-part mini-series, inspired by a sermon I recently preached at my church, focusing on some profound aspects of marriage—the marriage problems we face, the purpose behind marriage, and the incredible power marriage holds. Today, I'll be sharing insights on the problem of marriage, and I hope you find these reflections as enlightenin...

  I received a question from a listener whose husband wants to leave the marriage to seek “personal happiness.” She faces the difficult decision of whether to wait for him to find clarity or to move forward with divorce after their 24 years together, of which 13 were spent in marriage. Here are some of the highlights from the episode: Understanding Where Happiness is Found: I disc...

What is the real reason so many marriages are failing? It’s not often addressed in mainstream marriage advice. When we take a look at the core issue of marriage problems and look at scripture, personal experiences, and real stories, we see one main culprit as the number one reason marriages break up.  Key Discussion Points: Understanding Apathy in Marriage The Core Issue: Hardness of He...

A truly sensitive yet relatable marriage topic is what to do when you feel a lack of physical attraction to your spouse. It can be embarrassing to admit to ourselves, much less talk about it openly, but it's necessary if we want to find solutions and improve our intimacy. A listener reached out to me, sharing her struggle. She explains that despite taking care of her own appearance, her husband ha...

Are you struggling to keep praying for your marriage but not seeing evidence of change? In this episode, I open up about my own journey in marriage and faith. Like so many of you, I've had to grapple with trusting in God when everything around me seemed unchanged or even worsening. My husband, Shaun, and I have been through our share of struggles, and it wasn't until I truly learned to let go and...

Today’s marriage question is about relationship gift-giving and communication. After receiving an unexpected Peloton bike from her husband for Christmas instead of the spa package she desired, a listener feels hurt and confused. Essentially, she is left to wonder does my husband think I'm fat? Listen in as I provide insights and practical advice on how to interpret such gestures, manage inse...