Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast

Hard conversations are often necessary in marriage. You can be loving and truthful at the same time. However, it can be easy to forget how to balance the two in relationships. It’s no secret that marriages, like any close relationships, thrive on open and honest communication. Yet, the art of conveying truth with care often eludes us. Today, we’re diving into this intricate dance and l...

Marriage is one of life's greatest teachers. What marriage teaches you, however, depends on how wise of a student you're willing to be. One of my listeners put me in the hot seat, asking, "What have you learned over the course of being married to Shaun for 25 years, and what has your marriage taught you about yourself?" I'm sharing several candid insights from my 25-year marriage journey, includin...

Intimacy is often a misunderstood concept in marriage and is traditionally reduced to just sex. However, there are five different types of intimacy that can cultivate a healthier and more wholehearted marriage. Five Types of Intimacy in Marriage: 1. Spiritual Intimacy: The importance and practicality of being spiritually aligned with your spouse. 2. Emotional Intimacy: Recognizing and embracing yo...

What do you do when your words of affirmation miss the mark? This is a concern a listener and many spouses face, especially when trying to love an "unappreciative spouse." If you’ve ever felt like your heartfelt compliments are being met with sarcasm or jabs rather than gratitude, this episode is for you. Topics We Discuss: Understanding Communication Gaps : Learn how to bridge the disconnec...

Are you ready to transform your marriage and bring back that sense of wonder? Here’s a sneak peek into what you'll discover in this episode: - Embrace the New: We explore how the new year offers a perfect opportunity to hit the reset button on your relationship and breathe new life into your marriage. - Finding Joy in the Ordinary: Learn how noticing and appreciating the little things your s...

I received a heartfelt question from a wife who feels underappreciated in her marriage She wants to know how to get her husband to pay more attention to her and if she needs to play hard to get to do so. Together, with thoughtful insights from my husband, Shaun, we explore practical steps to re-engage a distant spouse . . . the real way. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Discover how to effectively...

What a year it has been! As we wrap up 2024, I can't help but reflect on all the moments that have shaped us this year. Whether you're celebrating the goals you crushed or learning from the challenges you faced, let's take a moment to acknowledge the journey. In this episode, we explored the highs and lows of the year, shared stories of triumph and growth, and looked ahead with hope for what 2025...

It's a common marriage conundrum: how to deal with a messy spouse. In this episode, a listener, Sam, has been feeling overwhelmed by her husband's messiness. Newly married, she's discovering new realities of cohabitation that many of us can relate to. If you've faced similar struggles, or are facing them now, this episode is for you. Here’s a sneak peek into what we covered in the episo...

Expectations play a vital role in shaping marriages. In part two of my conversation with Mark and Jill Savage, we explore how four expectations in marriage can set a couple up for success. Expectations will either bring two people closer together or create a rift between them. This is why it’s important to learn to manage expectations within marriage. As a marriage coach, I've had the privil...

Have you ever had suspicions that your spouse was being unfaithful? A listener, triggered by her friend's trauma with infidelity, is in a dilemma. She looked through her husband's phone and didn't like what she saw. We're discussing one of the toughest challenges any marriage can face: the breach of trust when unfaithfulness comes into play in this Q&A segment.  Here's what we cover: Priv...

When trust is broken in a marriage, many couples feel like marriage restoration is impossible and all hope is lost. However, Mark and Jill Savage’s journey reveals how marriages can heal and even thrive after infidelity. In this episode, they share their incredible testimony of a renewed marriage after a period marked by betrayal, depression, a mid-life crisis, and near-divorce. Their story...

How do you reconnect emotionally in marriage when the feelings just aren't there? I’m answering this listener’s question on today’s episode. First, I just have to say how grateful I am for her transparency; I, too, have walked through seasons in my marriage where I felt disconnected. I’m sure many of you can relate to knowing the right actions to take but not feeling the em...

In our 300th episode, we’re discussing the popular yet often misunderstood topic of "Marriage Goals" and how to live united in marriage. Social media paints a picture-perfect image of what marriage goals should look like – those idyllic photos on a beach or atop a mountain with captions like #MarriageGoals. But today, we’re venturing beyond the Instagram facade to explore how you can truly create...

  If you’ve ever felt like you’ve let yourself go or lost yourself in your marriage, this will encourage you. A listener is struggling with self-image and motivation after having three kids in five years. She feels that she has let herself go and seeks advice on how to rediscover herself and get back to feeling like her old self. Listen in for encouragement, practical steps, and a simple 4-week bl...

Entering into marriage is undoubtedly one of the most significant decisions you'll make in your life. But it comes with a cost. With the joys of the engagement season heightened by holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day, many find themselves caught up in the excitement of wedding planning. However, while beautiful ceremonies and Instagram-worthy moments are cherished, the essence of a marriag...

We're addressing a listener's distressing experience of financial abuse within her marriage. Despite having a stable job and a good income, her husband refuses to pay household bills and indulges in personal expenditures. This has brought about financial strain and an emotional toll. Listen as we discuss the nature of financial abuse and what she can do to "fix" her situation. Key Discussion Point...

Being a peacemaker is one of the greatest qualities to have in a relationship. As the holiday season approaches, many of us are preparing to gather—whether with family, friends, or even by ourselves—and the pursuit of peace in our relationships becomes more relevant than ever. In this episode, we discuss the value of peacemaking in relationships and discuss the many differences between peacemaking...

Have you ever felt like your spouse was a shell of a person and you couldn't emotionally connect to him/her? I'm addressing a pressing concern shared by a listener and many couples - the struggle of feeling emotionally disconnected in their marriage or relationship. Many in similar situations will resonate deeply with this discussion. Episode Highlights: Create a Safe Environment: I address the im...

Can you guess the divorce rate of arranged marriages? The stats might shock you. As an Indian immigrant and an insightful storyteller, Sherene Joseph joins me to discuss the nuanced world of arranged marriages. We’re debunking some common myths and exploring the profound impact of family involvement on choosing spouses, providing listeners with valuable relationship advice that transcends cultural...

One listener feels overwhelmed by marriage problems and doesn’t know where or how to start addressing them.  In today’s episode, we will discuss how to identify and prioritize marriage issues more effectively. Knowing where to focus can be challenging. How do you tackle your marriage problems without feeling buried under them all? Shaun is also here to give his take and offer guidance on finding p...

We've all heard it said—marriage is hard. But what about marriage is so hard? Specifically, what is about your marriage that makes it hard work? In this episode, I’m sharing five reasons your marriage may be harder than it should be. Also, can we reframe that belief? What if instead of seeing marriage as hard work, we saw it as heart work? Key Points : Changing Your Perspective on Marriage Reframe...

A husband is seeking advice on how to communicate to his wife that her nurturing behavior sometimes feels smothering and he needs space. They have been together since high school and married for three years. In this episode, we discuss compassionate and clear ways to communicate when you need to tell your spouse something that may be hard to hear. Key Points Discussed: Understanding the Source Smo...

We all want lives of meaning. But building your life and relationships on a solid foundation is more complex than simply desire. This topic hits home for pretty much all of us—whether you're hustling in the business world, running after little ones at home, or working a 9-to-5. We all need to pause and ask: What am I living for, really? I reflect on a time I spoke at a business leaders conference;...

When you're best friends with both halves of a splitting couple, as listener Sherry is, things can get messy. Divorce is one of those life events that not only impacts the couple involved but also sends ripples through their connected circle of friends and family. So how do you show love and support without finding yourself stuck in the middle, or worse, causing unintended strains on your relation...

In marriage and relationships, it’s crucial to understand how to build resilient relationships. Resilience isn’t about never facing challenges; it’s about facing them, growing through them, and becoming better because of them. Not everyone who faces hardship in relationships develops resilience; many become bitter and disillusioned. Having been married for 25 years, my husband Shaun and I have fac...