Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast

Chris, a husband of three years, is seeking advice on managing his friendships while maintaining harmony in his marriage. He shares his struggle with balancing time spent with friends and his wife's apparent displeasure with it. In this episode, we discuss what to do when your spouse has trust issues, the important balance between friendships and marital commitments, and other practical advice for...

Life is busy! Now more than ever is the time to stay connected as a couple. Shaun is back on the podcast and we’re discussing how to maintain a strong connection as a couple in the midst of busy schedules and seasons. Whether you’re juggling careers, family, life changes, or personal growth, listen as we share insights we’ve learned (and are in the process of learning) on effective communication,...

I received a heartfelt email from a listener struggling with the aftermath of his wife’s affair. His words resonated with me, and I found myself reflecting on my own journey through such tumultuous times. In this episode, I share some insights, offering guidance and support for anyone walking this difficult path, including:  Understanding the Aftermath The Importance of Time and Patience Avoid Tri...

Emotional affairs are entanglements that can quietly wreak havoc on marriages, so understanding and addressing them is critical for rebuilding trust and intimacy in our relationships. Too many couples allow unmet desires or longings to be fulfilled in other people and, as a result, introduce dysfunction in their marriages. Rebuilding trust after an emotional affair is possible, but first, let’s di...

Have you ever felt an unexpected attraction towards someone who should be off-limits, like a friend's spouse? In today's episode, we answer a listener's dilemma about finding herself attracted to her best friend's husband—all while she's navigating a rocky marriage of her own. In this episode, I'll walk through steps on how to handle these sensitive situations without jeopardizing friendships and...

Are you a wife who feels overwhelmed and exhausted? If you're a busy woman trying to juggle multiple roles, you’re not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the burnout epidemic affecting many women (especially wives) today. In "Burnout of the Busy Wife," I share my personal journey and provide invaluable insights on how to detect and combat burnout effectively. Let’s unpack the differences be...

In today’s Q&A episode, I’m addressing a relatable question from Shannon, a listener who feels that her “decent” marriage could use a change, but she doesn’t want to sound like she’s complaining to her husband. After twelve years of marriage and three kids, Shannon is eager to reignite the spark in her marriage but finds communication challenging when her husband perceives her concerns as comp...

If you've ever struggled to forgive, you'll find the hope and help you're looking for in one of my most inspirational episodes yet. It's time you find the will to forgive and, in the process, find yourself again. When I was healing from infidelity, I found it difficult to lay down my need to be justified and have my pain validated. Because of this, I kept myself stuck in a cycle of pain, bitternes...

Allison, a listener who's torn between her husband and her family of origin, wrote to ask my advice on navigating how to honor her marriage while also honoring her family, as her husband "hates" the family she grew up with. Because of past family trauma, Allison was estranged from her parents when she and her husband married. She has since reconciled with them, but her husband's not on board. List...

Should you divulge every detail of your life to your spouse or keep certain things in the pocket? Let's talk about the importance of openness, trust, and friendship in a healthy marriage. Marriage is a beautiful journey of mutual love, trust, and companionship. However, whether we should tell our spouse everything often looms large. Are secrets always a bad thing? In this episode, you’ll hear insi...

Dating your spouse is oh-so-important, but what if your finances are on the struggle bus? I'm sharing four budget-friendly getaway ideas you'll want to try in your marriage. All of these tips are an invitation to the adventure of consistently dating your spouse . . . for a longer time stint. No money? No problem. Listen as I share some tips on how you can utilize the people in your circle to plan...

Do you ever feel like your relationship is running on a treadmill? Moving, but not really getting anywhere? It’s a common concern, whether it’s in a marriage, a long-standing friendship, or a new romantic relationship. Sometimes, the stagnation can make you question the viability of your connection. But don't worry—your relationship isn’t doomed. In fact, every relationship experiences hills, vall...

It can be a complicated adjustment when a marriage ends in divorce. How soon is too soon to "get out there?" A listener asked if it's too soon to date after divorce and how to know when it's the right time. I share my thoughts on determining the right time and process to dating after divorce, including ensuring the marriage that ended is left in the best condition possible before beginning a new r...

We’re telling the truth about lying in today’s episode. It's an oxymoron, isn’t it? For most people, lying is a behavior learned in childhood and, unfortunately, carries into adulthood. From telling white lies to avoid minor inconveniences to engaging in more elaborate fabrications to protect ourselves, lying has become an almost reflexive coping mechanism. But make no mistake; lying is a form of...

Do you have a strong-willed child that makes parenting hard at times? Today, a listener wants to know how she can get through to her strong-willed, stubborn child while keeping her love on. I can relate to this mom because all four of my children are strong-willed. My mom says they get it from their mama, but I have no idea what she's talking about. Listen in as I share some helpful encouragement,...

Have you been around someone or do you struggle with having a critical spirit? We all need to be challenged sometimes, but criticism is rarely ever helpful. What is the difference between criticism and feedback and how can you cultivate an honest, authentic relationship that isn’t conflict-avoidant but one that values kindness even in the “critique?” This conversation will help you to reframe and...

Being misunderstood can be a frustrating reality of a disconnected relationship. When someone hears something you didn't say or doesn't properly understand what you mean, it can wreak havoc on your communication. Today's listener question comes from a woman whose boyfriend consistently misunderstands what she means, especially when in disagreement. He even thinks that to disagree is to disrespect....

In this episode, we are uncovering gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation that distorts reality and causes people to question their perceptions and memories. It’s intense, pervasive, and can wreak havoc in relationships. But fear not, because we explored the roots, manifestation, and impact of gaslighting to help you combat this toxic behavior head-on.  We also debunked the common misco...

Do you ever wonder why you seem to make the same mistakes in relationships or attract the same type of people, especially when those people aren't good for you? Today's question comes from a listener who wants to ensure she doesn't make the same mistakes in her new relationship that she did in her old ones. Listen as I share five keys with her about relinquishing the past and moving forward with a...

Have you ever been told you're passive-aggressive or been in a relationship with someone who was? We're continuing our "toxic truths" series and discussing this often unspoken and confusing communication pattern. Passive-aggressive people have a hard time being direct and opt for more indirect ways of showing their disapproval, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict in relationships...

Do you ever wonder if staying in your marriage just to please God is a good enough reason to endure? Today's question from a listener who is wondering this very thing sparked a great conversation about what are the valid reasons to separate or divorce your spouse if you're a Christian. Is staying with your spouse just because the Bible says so or you feel pressure because of your church or religio...

Have you heard of the concept of triangulation in relationships? In essence, triangulation involves three people: a victim, a villain, and a hero. It is a method of relating that can involve manipulation and power plays that often ensnare individuals in various types of relationships. Whether it's romantic entanglements, friendships, or a parent-child relationship, triangulation creates a triangul...

Sexless marriages are on the rise, leaving both husband and wife frustrated, lonely, and hurt. Today's question comes from a listener who's been married for 30 years and sexless for one year. He describes in painful detail how his wife's rejection has him leaning toward divorce and how he is tempted consistently. This episode is not for the faint at heart. Listen in as I encourage this husband and...

Most Christian couples would never think of their spouse or their marriage as an idol. But chances are good that that is exactly what happens in many relationships. On this episode we define what idolatry is in our modern world and how we easily fall into it. What is idolatry in the context of marriage? What are the dangers of making marriage an idol and how do you destroy the idol without destroy...

Have you ever been told you don't speak up enough or you're not "assertive" enough in a relationship? Today's listener question comes from a woman whose husband wants her to not be so submissive but to stand up for what she wants in their marriage. He puts a different spin on submission, which leads her to want to know how she can start asserting herself more in her marriage. It's a great question...