The Marriage To The Max Podcast

There are many good marriage books out there, but sometimes one rises to the top, so we have to recommend it.  Tune in to today’s episode to see which marriage book Kellie and Brett Hurst are discussing.

Are you best friends with your spouse?  Heck, are you even friends with him/her?  Listen in on today’s conversation with Kellie and Brett Hurst as they discuss why being friends with your spouse is crucial to a good marriage.

Sometimes we realize we’ve made a wrong turn.  We find ourselves in a sketchy area that is clearly not our intended destination.  No, I’m not talking about driving.  I’m talking about fighting in marriage.  Need some relational GPS tips?  Listen to today’s episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst as they discuss a secret weapon that can get you back home safe and sound.

You may think marriage research doesn’t sound very sexy or even interesting.  But what if the data could actually improve your marriage and make you happier?  Listen to today’s episode as Kellie Hurst unpacks some important stats that could have a real impact on your life.

Sometimes our financial lives can get tense because of stupid things we do.  Other times it’s out of our hands.  How do we take care of ourselves when that happens?  Listen to today’s episode and hear how Kellie Hurst breaks down ways to pay off debt while treating each other right.

Do you feel like your marriage may be in trouble, but not sure exactly why?  Tune in to this episode to hear a list of some things that may help crystallize your situation.  And if your marriage is healthy and happy, listen in to discover some relationship signs to look out for.  

Today's episode includes questions from listeners.  Listen in to see if one of the answers encourages you and your spouse.  

In our last episode, we spent time talking to "low desire" partners.  In this episode, we pick up where we left off by talking to "high desire" partners.  We hope you and your mate will feel encouraged to better negotiate your desire differences moving forward.  

Wouldn't it be nice if the sexual part of your marriage relationship worked like clockwork?  With both partners getting exactly what they needed when they needed it?  The truth is ... no matter how long you've been married, most of us continue to negotiate and navigate this tricky area.  But take heart!  Today's conversation may help.  Join Kellie and Brett Hurst as they discuss some recent insigh...

Sometimes a simple phrase can turn things around in a big way.  We've been encouraging couples to ask, "What's our win?".  Another way of thinking about it is to ask what's REALLY important in a situation.  We can often find a new way forward when we re-frame things in this way.  Join Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement as they quickly unpack why this is a winning tool in marriage.  

Every married couple can fall into traps that bring about stagnation - even seasoned couples!  We recently led a discussion with a group of married couples who've been together for 20+ years.  They wanted to know what we see in our work with couples that they could guard against.  We say it all the time ... "we never arrive in marriage - we should always stay curious and keep learning".  That's wh...

Are you too busy to make time for your marriage?  We hear this complaint from couples all the time.  However, the hard truth is ... you have more control over your schedule than you may realize.  Tune in to Part 2 of "Too Much Busyness" with Kellie and Brett Hurst and see if you can find inspiration to carve out a little more time in your life.  Not just for your marriage, but for yourself.

Are you satisfied with the level of busyness you're experiencing? Are you too busy? And if so, how is that impacting your marriage relationship? Listen in on today's conversation with Kellie and Brett Hurst as they discuss how "too much busyness" can lead to "too sad of a marriage".

If you've been in a relationship for more than... say... an hour... you know that sometimes you have to have hard conversations. They're tough. However, you also have to have REALLY hard conversations. What's the difference? Tune in today as Kellie and Brett Hurst parse out the difference. Maybe you can gain a tool or two for your next REALLY hard conversation!

Routines are part of life... even married life.  But how do we keep routines from becoming stale and turning into a rut? Join Kellie and Brett Hurst today as they discuss keeping things fresh in your marriage.

The "empty nest" phase is a bittersweet season, but it doesn't have to be scary.  Many couples worry that after twenty years (or so) of raising children together, they may have forgotten how to be "husband and wife" together.  Never fear ... the Hursts are here!  Listen in on today's conversation as Kellie and Brett talk about the ups and downs of married life after the kids are "off the payroll"....

Everyone likes surprises! Actually, that's not true. Not everyone likes surprises. And unpleasant surprises can be downright challenging. In today's show, Kellie and Brett Hurst discuss a great article by Dave Harvey that lays out some very real surprises in our marriage relationships. They're not always fun... but they're pretty significant. Listen in and see if any of these marriage surprises re...

Is there a difference between hearing and listening?  How subtle is the difference?  Does it really matter?  Well, if you're the person who's not being listened to ... yeah, it matters.  Listening is an art as well as a skill.  But it's something we all can and should improve on.  If you'd like some tips on how to up your listening game, listen in to today's conversation with Kellie and Brett Hurs...

The Go-Giver Marriage is a brand new book by co-authors (and married couple) Ana Gabriel Mann and John David Mann.  It combines a story narrative with practical tools for a rich book with tried and true relationship tools.  You will enjoy this interview as Kellie Hurst asks them about the book, and the important work they do on behalf of marriages.  It's a good one!

Every married couple argues. There's no way around it. Today the Hursts get real and unpack a recent fight they had at the most inopportune time - on the way to church. We've all been there, right? We paste on our "Sunday smiles" even while we're seething in silence. This conversation may help you know that you're not alone. Or it may just be a light-hearted therapy session for Kellie and Brett. Y...

Talking about money is difficult.  Talking about money in a marriage can be even more challenging.  Well, today's episode is perfect for kicking off the new year right.  Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement interviews Megan and Taylor Kovar (aka "The Money Couple") about how to have those difficult money conversations without melting down.  Enjoy!

When we think of building trust, we may not consider all the tiny facets involved in constructing such a fortress.  However, Kellie Hurst discusses in today's episode how it's all about the little things. Enjoy!

How important is laughter in your relationships? In marriage, it seems to be of grave significance. We are getting serious today about laughter, and to help us laugh our way through the conversation are our very special guests, David and Melissa Radke. If you don't know who they are, you should. Tune in today with Kellie Hurst as she leads a fun conversation about why we all need to be laughing ou...

We should all have contempt for contempt when it comes to our marriage relationships. Contempt is the most toxic element in a marriage. So, how do we keep it from creeping in? Listen in to today's episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst as they discuss the simple formula to keep contempt from killing a marriage.

Friendships are important whether you're married or single.  But friend relationships outside of your marriage are significant for your mental and physical health.  Tune in today as Kellie and Brett Hurst discuss the importance of cultivating good friendships other than your spouse.