Advertise on podcast: The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting
Rating
5from
This podcast has
145 episodes
Language
EnglishExplicit
No
Date created
2025/01/26
Latest episode
2026/10/27
Average duration
22 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
The Go-To Podcast for Those Who Want To Rebuild Intimacy and Connection in Their Christ Centered Marriage Has the excitement of your wedding day now faded into the background? Are you so exhausted that the last thing you want to think about is your marriage? Do you and your spouse feel like ships passing in the night? If you’re craving the intimate, connected marriage God has for you, you’ve come to the right place! We’re April and Aaron Au, marriage coaches with over a decade of experience, who are on the journey to finding God’s best for our marriage while raising two young boys. We recently heard this wisdom: “If your marriage isn’t growing, it’s dying.” Yikes! That really got our attention! But if you think about it, it’s true. Marriages need direction, purpose and a common vision to thrive. If they don’t, they will inevitably drift apart. When you add the pressures of raising young children and the grind of daily work to the mix, there are even more forces that threaten to pull our marriages apart. Thankfully, God has a beautiful vision for our marriages. He wants us to cultivate and enjoy intimacy and connection in our marriage. What’s more, God wants to breathe his Spirit and life into our marriages through beautiful encounters with him in prayer and worship. In this podcast, we’ll learn about: - Simple, healthy habits that lead to effective communication and intentional conversations - The assumptions and expectations that can sabotage our marriages - How community is essential for a connected marriage - God’s heart to bring healing and wholeness to us, as individuals and as a family And of course, we’ll dive into all of the fun topics like sex, money, parenting and why you shouldn’t buy a car without talking to your spouse first. We’ll also have space to encounter God through prayer, worship and reflection through regular episodes called “Thursday Thoughts.” So join us on this beautiful journey that we call “Living Marriages.” Get in touch! [email protected] Like the podcast? You can make a charitable donation to keep fresh content coming: https://livingmarriages.com
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Check latest episodes from The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting podcast
Sick of Endless Arguments? Try This Instead
2026/10/27
When was the last time you hit "PAUSE" during a heated argument?
It is incredibly difficult to do. When our pain triggers our spouse's pain, arguments can spiral out of control in seconds. But as Ron and Nan Deal write in The Mindful Marriage, "pause is possible." That single possibility is all we need to find hope that our patterns can change.
In this episode, we dive into how mindfulness can break the cycle of reactive arguments and bring peace into your relationship.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
The Power of Mindfulness: How shifting focus can move your communication from pain to peace, even in the middle of a heated argument.
Gaining Perspective: Why looking objectively at your pain changes how you respond to your spouse.
The Practice of Recognition: Practical ways to identify your internal pain triggers before they take over the conversation.
Here is a link to a worksheet to help you map your Pain Cycle by Ron and Nan Deal.
Connect & Pray With Us!
The journey of gaining perspective and recognizing your pain is not easy, and you don’t have to walk it alone. If you are struggling or simply want someone to journey with you, we would love to pray for you and encourage you.
Reach out to us directly: [email protected]
Why am I Triggered? How Pain Is Affecting Your Marriage
2026/10/20
"Pain drives reactivity..."
We've all been there. An innocent comment turns into an hour-long fight or a simple mistake makes us feel worthless. What is happening? Why do we react in a way to certain things that seem out of proportion or don't make sense? The answer in all likelihood is pain.
In this episode we discuss:
Our Pain Stories: How they are built over time and shape our reactions.
The Path to Healing: Why moving forward means facing our pain head-on.
4 Unhealthy Coping Strategies: Breaking down Blame, Shame, Control, and Escape.
God's Hope: Remembering that pain never has the last word
Resources
The Mindful Marriage by Ron and Nan Deal. A book full of sound biblical teaching, wisdom, and helpful exercises. Get your copy here: rondeal.org
The Raabsmith Team: Highly recommended therapists and coaches specializing in the Restoration Therapy modality. Visit their website: https://raabsmithteam.com/
Get in touch
If you want someone to pray with you or encourage you, we would love to hear from you!
📬 Drop us a line: [email protected]
7 Ways Gratitude Renews Your Mind (and Your Marriage)
2026/10/13
You've heard about the importance of having "an attitude of gratitude," but what does that actually mean in practice?
On today's episode, we break down the tangible science and daily habits behind true thankfulness. We discuss:
The Brain Science: 7 ways gratitude literally rewires and transforms our brains.
The Relationship Impact: How renewing your mind can completely reshape and help heal your marriage.
The Daily Practice: Simple steps to shift out of a negativity bias and into a growth mindset together.
Resources
Read the article: 7 Ways Gratitude Rewires Your Brain
Connect With Us!
We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected] to share your episode ideas, or let us know how our team can be praying for you this week!
2 Biblical Principals That Every Marriage Needs: Love and Trust
2026/10/06
All You Need Is Love???
Popular culture tells us that love is the only ingredient a marriage needs. Songs by Frank Sinatra and The Beatles make it sound simple. However, believing this myth can lead to division and heartbreak. Love is vital, but a thriving marriage requires more.
In this episode, we explore the truth about what makes a marriage work. We look at how love, identity, trust and safety build a lasting bond.
Key Topics Covered
The concept of "usness": What it means for two people to truly become one flesh.
The foundation: How God's love and faithfulness help us relate to our spouses.
The two pillars: Why love and trust must work together.
Love and trust in action: How love gives you identity, and trust creates safety.
Featured Resources
Book Recommendation: Read The Mindful Marriage by Ron and Nan Deal for transformational advice.
Podcast: Listen to Living Marriages Podcast Episode 65 to discover how your view of God impacts your relationship.
Get in Touch
Do you need prayer, or do you have ideas for future episodes? Send an email to [email protected].
Feeling Stuck in Your Marriage? Why the First Step Starts with You
2026/09/29
What do you do when your spouse is the problem?
So many of us feel stuck in marriages where our partner doesn't seem to understand us, or isn't willing to change. What are we supposed to do? While marriage is certainly a team effort, sometimes the starting place has to be with me.
In this episode, we dive into:
Renewing your mind: Exploring the practical application of Romans 12:2 in the midst of conflict.
True humility: What it looks like to lay down the need to "win" an argument.
Self-regulation: Why we must begin with our own thoughts and emotions, not changing our spouse.
Resources Mentioned:
Missed our last episode? Listen to our inspiring conversation with the Raabsmiths on Nervous System Regulation to De-escalate Marriage Fights on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Recommended Reading: Pick up a copy of Ron and Nan Deal’s great book, The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself, available on Amazon.
Want Prayer?
Please get in touch with us! We would love to pray over your relationship. Drop us a line at [email protected].
Nervous System Regulation For De-escalating Marriage Fights with Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith
2026/09/22
"What are we even fighting about anymore?"
Have you ever wondered this when fighting with your spouse about money, the in-laws, or even what to have for dinner for the umpteenth time? While these issues matter, underneath the arguments are fundamental, unresolved pain points. As we trigger one another, we find ourselves spiralling in unhealthy conflict.
Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith of The Raabsmith Team experienced this firsthand before discovering a powerful, four-step tool to regulate the nervous system and move from pain to peace.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The hidden pain fueling your daily marriage conflict.
How to practically regulate your nervous system mid-argument.
How God wants to step into your conflict to restore true intimacy.
Resources:
Connect with Matthew and Joanna: https://raabsmithteam.com/
Listen to the Raabsmiths' marriage story on the Living Marriages Podcast here.
Find Ron and Nan Deal's "The Mindful Marriage" here.
Get in Touch
If you'd like to get in touch with your feedback, prayer requests or episode ideas, drop us a line! [email protected]
We are part of a non-profit ministry seeking to bring Christ's hope and help to marriages and families. If you'd like to support us with a charitable donation, please visit our website by clicking here.
Seven Steps to Rekindle the Spark in Your Marriage
2026/09/15
Have you ever felt like you and your spouse have lost the "Spark?" That sense of connection, excitement, romance and curiosity that burned brightly in those early days of your relationship?
You are not alone. As the stress and busyness of life pile up, it's common for many couples to find themselves experiencing "roommate syndrome" where there is no open hostility or indifference but rather just an unintentional neglect of the bond that first connected you.
How do you rekindle that spark and re-discover the foundation of friendship that you once enjoyed? Join us for this insightful conversation as God breathes new life and re-ignites the bond you once enjoyed!
Resources
Here is the excellent article from the Gottman Institute on rekindling the spark in six steps, When You Feel Like Roommates. To this, we add the seventh step of "Pray Together."
Get in Touch
Have feedback or episode ideas? Need prayer or encouragement? Please get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you! [email protected]
You can also make a charitable donation to our non-profit ministry through our website here.
Feeling Disconnected? Why Friendship is the Foundation of Love
2026/09/08
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with a couple who had been married for 60 years! When asked the one indispensable thing in their marriage, their answer was "friendship."
The Gottman Institute is celebrating 30 years of serving marriages and recently compiled a list of 30 things they've learned over the years about love. The number one thing? "Friendship is the foundation of lasting love."
On this episode we talk about:
The nature of God and why as his image-bearers we are made for friendship
The foundational importance of marital friendship and friendship with God
Why NOW is the time to start making time to cultivate your friendship once again
Resources
An article on why friendship keeps us healthy: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/cover-story-science-friendship
Get in touch
Want prayer or support to help you cultivate the friendship in your marriage? Get in touch with us! We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
Intellectual Intimacy: When Geeking Out Creates Connection
2026/09/01
Intimacy is one of our favourite topics at the Living Marriages Podcast and we've talked about many kinds of intimacy, both in and beyond the bedroom. On this episode, we talk about what it looks like to connect on an intellectual or interest level:
We define what intellectual intimacy is
How to connect even when your spouse's interest is not your own (including the appreciation of clouds)
Practical ideas for things you can do to build intellectual intimacy
Connect With Us
Do you have ideas for intellectual intimacy you can share with us and our listeners? Contact us! [email protected]
What Healthy Self-Care Looks Like For You AND Your Marriage
2026/08/25
Self-care is an extremely important part of being a healthy and present spouse and parent in any marriage and family. But what if what we're doing to care for ourselves is actually doing us and our marriage more harm than good?
In today's conversation we look at:
Why self-care may look different for different people
Why we need to remain open to the kind of self-care God is leading us into
Why self-care should not come at the expense of another
Next steps
What is self-care for you? How has God challenged or invited you to care for yourself so that you can care for others? Let us know! [email protected]
Reduce Stress in Your Marriage With This One Conversation
2026/08/18
Are things feeling stressful and chaotic in your marriage or with your kids? What if there was a way to reduce the stress in your family through conversation?
On this episode, we explore:
How we can hold each other's "emotional balloons" (curious? Make sure to tune in and find out more about this image God gave April!)
What a "stress-reducing conversation" is and why it can be so beneficial
8 guidelines to having this conversation
Resources
From the Gottman Institute, 8 guidelines to having a "stress-reducing conversation":
1. Take turns. Each partner gets a set time to be the speaker.
2. Don’t give unsolicited advice. Focus on understanding before offering solutions.
3. Show genuine interest. Stay attentive and focused on your partner.
4. Communicate understanding. Reflect back what you hear to show empathy.
5. Take your partner’s side. Be supportive, even if you don’t fully agree.
6. Adopt a “we’re in this together” attitude. You’re a team, not opponents.
7. Express affection. Offer warmth through words or touch.
8. Validate emotions. Let your partner know their feelings make sense.
You can find more on this conversation and other great resources here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-stress-reducing-conversation/
Get In Touch
We'd love to hear from you with your feedback, show ideas or how we can be praying for you! Get in touch: [email protected]
United We Stand: Cross-cultural Marriage with Pesa and Whitney Shayo
2026/08/11
Assumptions always complicate marriages. However, when two people are coming from two different cultures, those assumptions can seem worlds apart. Today's guests, Pesa and Whitney Shayo of liveyourbestmarriage.com have been navigating the challenges and opportunities of an inter-cultural marriage for 22 years and have been helping others do the same, finding a Christ-centred marriage.
In our conversation, you'll hear:
How naming babies and bringing home unprocessed goat meat led to some difficult times
Why friendship and unity matter, not just in an inter-cultural marriage but in all marriages
The transformational shift seeing your spouse as your friend, not your enemy will bring
How Jesus brings unity to any marriage, if we'll allow him
Resources
You can find out more about Pesa and Whitney, as well as take their free United Front audit at their website. Here you'll find out more about their books, coaching offerings and podcast as well.
Get in touch
We'd love to hear from you about show ideas or if you'd like prayer. Get in touch with us! [email protected]
Best Of: God's Good Gifts of Sex and Intimacy (and Why We Need to Talk About It) with Kristen Miele of SexEd Reclaimed
2026/08/04
It's summer and we've finally had some good summer weather! While our family is enjoying some time together in God's creation, we hope you'll enjoy this episode from our archives that explores another good gift from God's creation - sex!
-----
Is sex something that has brought you and your spouse closer together, or has it been a pain point in your marriage? Is sex something you can talk about freely with each other and your kids, or is there a cloud of shame that still hangs over the subject?
We are so thrilled to be joined on this episode by the founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, Kristen Miele as she shares God's heart and vision for the beauty of sex in marriage.
On this episode:
We talk about how our upbringing affects our sex life in marriage, including the effects of "purity culture" teaching
We hear God's heart and design for sex and how it is in essence, worship
We discover how learning to talk about sex with our kids is not only essential for them but good for our marriage
To find Kristen's incredible resources and curriculums, please check out her website:
https://www.sexedreclaimed.com/
You can get 15 percent off at Kristen's site with the coupon code CHRISTIANPARENTING
Have any questions or feedback? Get in touch with us: [email protected]
Prioritizing What Matters Most In Your Marriage (and Why NOW is the Time To Start Talking About It)
2026/07/28
Whether you have children or not, our rhythms in North America revolve around the school year with summer being a time to relax and vacation. Fall is fast around the corner though and that means that routines and busyness will begin again. Have you and your spouse had a conversation about what your fall looks like yet? Are there too many good things in your schedule that will keep you from the great things God has for you? NOW is the time to have these conversations. When you're in the thick of things, it will be too late.
In this conversation, we invite you to consider:
If there are things you need to say "no" to so that your family can thrive instead of survive.
God's design - that we are "human beings," not "human doings."
Why Fall is the new New Year
Next Steps
If you have feedback, show ideas or would like prayer or encouragement in your marriage and family journey, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch: [email protected]
It Takes A Village: Why Every Believer Must Pray for the Next Generation
2026/07/21
Whether you are parents or not, God has placed children in your life. While parents are the primary disciplers of their children, God has also given those children a community of adults who can model faith and speak God's love and wisdom into their lives. The question God is inviting us to consider in this episode is: are you praying for those children? Whether for your own kids or someone else's, are you interceding for them to know God's love, grace and goodness?
In this conversation we share:
Our own struggles with our youngest child and how that has led us into more intentional prayer
The importance of a weekly marriage meeting whether you have kids or not
The important call God has given us to be praying for the next generation of disciples and leaders
Resources
Here is an academic paper demonstrating the effectiveness of students having mentors. Among the findings: "Students with mentors were significantly less depressed, more satisfied, and more committed to their faith than students without mentors."
Our episode on what makes for an effective weekly "marriage meeting."
A wonderful guide to weekly marriage meetings from FamilyLife Canada.
A Prayer For Your Child's Emotions by Kaylene Yoder
Lord, I pray You would bestow on my children a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Anoint them with Your oil of gladness in the midst of mourning. And clothe them in garments of praise so they may be guarded against falling into despair (Isaiah 61:3). Renew my children’s hearts and minds and empower them to overcome any negative emotional behaviors. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear about how you pray for your children or the children in your life! Have any prayers you'd like to share with us? Get in touch: [email protected]
Podcast reviews
Read The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting podcast reviews
TrinaG-Lovetolearn 2025/11/14
Trina G
Enjoy the encouragement and perspectives so much.
Sara E Moreira 2025/03/27
So helpful and inspiring!
I am so thankful I found this podcast. Being a newer Christian, I am so greatful for the guidance in this podcast. April is relateable and so knowledg...
@kimstewinspired 2025/03/23
Hope for your marriage 🙌🏼
Thanks Aaron and April for coaching us to keep God first and center in our marriages, no matter what ups and downs come our way (because they do). App...
Martine Williams 2025/02/20
So needed!
This is a great resource for having and maintaining a healthy marriage!
cool stuf! 2025/02/19
A MUCH needed podcast to develop healthy Christ-Centered Marriages
SO excited to be finding this podcast! My ONLY frustration with it is that it didn’t exist sooner! : ) As someone who was raised in a Christian home ...
www.melissabatt.com 2025/02/18
Ooohhhh so good!!!
Thank you for this honest and relatable podcast to help those of us grow stronger in marriage!
Remi Roy 2025/02/14
The case for gratitude
Aaron and April are such great hosts. I love their spirit and the light and wisdom they being to the topic of marriage. The episode on gratitude reall...
FamilyMovieNightforLDSPodcast 2025/02/06
Highly recommend
What a fun and meaningful show! Love that Aaron and April are doing it together, and give such great insights to listeners. They are truly doing God's...
Habit Stacking Mom | Jess P 2025/02/01
I can relate
I can really relate to Episode 1! Was curious what your show was all about. I’ve been married for 10 years and we just had the “we’re fine” conversa...
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