Team Us: A Christian Marriage Podcast

The school year is back in full swing. If you're a parent, that probably means your calendar just got a whole lot crazier. In today’s episode, we’re tackling three common back-to-school stressors and sharing practical ways you and your spouse can turn chaos into calm. 3 BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHALLENGES COUPLES FACE Syncing family schedules Emotional exhaustion Parenting style conflicts PRACTI...

Within the Christian community, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” is often quoted as a hard-and-fast rule for married couples to follow whenever they experience conflict. But sometimes Ted and I do go to bed mad—and surprisingly, it’s been good for our marriage. In today’s episode, we’ll tell you why. TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Think of another hard-a...

What’s the secret to a strong marriage? Listen in as we talk about the importance of consistent follow through in three specific areas. TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Pick one idea from each of the areas to put into practice this week. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/team-us/id1565819107 ) TEAM...

Have you ever looked at your spouse and asked, “What do we have in common?” Maybe there have been times when you’ve even felt like you have more differences than similarities. In marriage, there’s always the potential for our differences to eat away at our unity—especially if that’s what we focus on. Today, we’re sharing five practical ways you and your sp...

No matter how long you’ve been married, reminding yourself of fundamental marriage truths is helpful. In this episode, we’ll share four truths about marriage every couple needs to remember. TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Talk about which of these truths you needed to be reminded of most. Ask yourselves: How can we live it out in our marriage this week? LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Did you...

Do you and your spouse have fun together? As couples, sometimes we can get in a rut and feel like life — and marriage — are all work and no play. In this episode, we’re exploring how we can make marriage fun again. This month, we are reairing our favorite episodes, and this is definitely at the top of our list! TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE If fun is lacking from your marriage, tr...

We don’t have a choice on whether we will experience stress. However, we do have a choice on how we will face it. Today, we share three practical ways you and your spouse can tackle stress as a team. 3 WAYS COUPLES CAN TACKLE STRESS AS A TEAM Reaffirm your team mentality Stay open and stay communicating Laugh, cry, or eat your equivalent of ice cream TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE...

We share five of our favorite strategies for teamwork in marriage. So, if you and your spouse are feeling out of synch lately, don’t miss this episode! 5 KEY STRATEGIES FOR TEAMWORK Get on the same page Enjoy something new Choose lightheartedness Make peace with the past Fight as allies TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Think about what you and your spouse do that makes you most feel...

In this episode, we focus on engaged couples and those contemplating marriage. A wedding marks the beginning of a marriage — and that marriage is the joining of two people. So, a wedding should be the joint ideas, preferences, and efforts of those two people. Listen in as we share three skills couples can practice when they approach wedding planning as a team. TAKE THE “US TIME”...

Do you and your spouse have summer travel plans? Whether it’s a family vacation, a couple’s getaway, or a trip to spend time with extended family, we have five travel tips for you in today’s episode. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Talk with your spouse about your travel styles. And, if you plan to travel this summer, spend time making the plans together and anticipating...

Author, speaker, and podcaster Kate Battistelli and her husband Mike are back on the podcast to give us practical wisdom on why preparing for the empty nest starts while the nest is still full. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Invest in your relationship this week by watching either the sunrise or the sunset together. ABOUT MIKE AND KATE BATTISTELLI Mike and Kate met as active professional...

Dating your spouse is vital for a thriving marriage. While dates can sometimes be pricey, they don’t have to be. We’re sharing ten fun, budget-friendly date ideas for you and your spouse. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick one of the date ideas we shared and try it, or come up with your own. Let us know what you did by sharing on social media and tagging us. If you subscribe...

How do you and your spouse give and receive love? In this episode, we talk about the five love languages. We unpack each one and give you practical ideas on how to express them. FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES Words of Affirmation Quality Time Receiving Gifts Acts of Service Physical Touch TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick a practical way to speak your spouse’s love language this week. It do...

Do you want a happier marriage? Then, it’s time to start thinking about what you think about! We have marriage and family speakers, podcasters, and authors Dan and Danielle Macaulay on the podcast. They share why the happiness of your marriage starts in your head. TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Make a positive adjective list as Danielle talked about. Then, as Dan mentioned, share a...

Are you a reader? In this episode, we share five super practical, must-read marriage books that will encourage, challenge, and inspire you and your spouse. 5 Books to Enrich Your Marriage The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and For Men Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver The Sur...

Do you have a pet? We have three! Today, we share how having pets has benefited our marriage, and we believe they can make your relationship better, too. 3 WAYS PETS MAKE YOU BETTER PARTNERS Pets bring us together Pets help us laugh together more Pets offer opportunities for teamwork TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE If you have a pet, talk about how your pet has benefited your marriage. If...

Do you and your spouse struggle to find things to talk about? We hope to help with that! We’ll share three practical ways to spark conversation in your marriage when you’ve run out of things to say. 3 WAYS TO SPARK CONVERSATION Through Scripture and stories By getting nostalgic With flirting TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Pick one of these three ways to spark conversation wit...

Some relationship experts say that couples don’t grow apart. Instead, they stop growing together. Today, we share three practical ways you and your spouse can embrace a growth mindset and continue growing together. A couple of them may surprise you. 3 WAYS TO HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET Allow your spouse to live outside the box Get to know your spouse … continually Keep “under the rug...

Do you and your spouse laugh together? Today, we talk about how shared humor and laughter can benefit your relationship. 3 WAYS SHARED HUMOR STRENGTHENS MARRIAGE Builds intimacy Helps defuse conflict and restore connection Makes the hard times more manageable TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Do something to feed your shared sense of humor. As one writer we quote in this episode recommends,...

Sometimes we sit back and wonder how we made it through our weeping years. But here we are, still married, still friends, and still liking each other. It wasn’t easy to remain united when miscarriage, multiple job losses, debt, and a house that wouldn’t sell desperately fought to pull us apart. While an attitude of “us vs. the problem” helped, we realized we couldn’t...

How often do you intentionally stop to praise your spouse? To recognize and affirm their character or actions? Many of us probably cringe at answering these questions because we know we could do better! If you struggle to feed your spouse praise regularly, this episode is for you. Listen in as we share some practical steps we all can take to criticize less and affirm and build up our spouse more....

What if every time you go out on a date with your spouse, all you talk about is work, bills, schedules, and — if you have them — kids? As vitally important as those things are to discuss, we chat about how you can have a date-night conversation that’s NOT about work, bills, schedules, or kids. Listen in as we share four steps you can put into practice. While Ted and Ashleigh are...

While Ted and Ashleigh are taking a break, we're thrilled to bring back this popular episode from the archives! From its inconceivable R.O.U.Ses to its iconic lines, the 1987 film The Princess Bride is a favorite at our house. For us, one of the most memorable characters is Inigo Montoya. His patience and persistence as he hunts for the six-fingered man remind us that it takes time to execute a &l...

If you and your spouse struggle to pray together daily, listen in as we share easy three steps you can take to start. 3 EASY STEPS TO PRAY TOGETHER Schedule Prayer Time Together Follow Established Prayer Patterns Keep Each Other Accountable TAKE THE "US TIME" CHALLENGE Give these steps a try this week and see if they help you and your spouse pray together more consistently. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU TH...

Do you and your spouse pray together consistently? Listen in as we share three ways praying together as a couple benefits your marriage. 3 BENEFITS TO PRAYING TOGETHER Fosters greater unity Builds trust and intimacy Deepens communication TAKE THE “US TIME” CHALLENGE Brainstorm with your spouse some additional ways praying together consistently will benefit your marriage. LET US KNOW WH...