In today’s episode, we’re diving into a powerful truth: the health of your marriage often comes down to what you choose to focus on. It’s easy to fixate on what’s not working, letting small annoyances grow into mountains of frustration. But what if the key to deeper connection and lasting joy is found in a simple but radical posture—gratitude?
We’ll explore how contentment isn’t resignation, but an intentional choice to see the blessings amidst the imperfections. You’ll hear honest reflections on prioritizing your spouse, the life-giving role of quality time, and how to navigate conflict in ways that build satisfaction, not resentment. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this conversation is a fresh reminder that gratitude, not settling, is the foundation of a thriving Christian marriage.
Episode highlights:
Feeling content in marriage is different from settling.
There’s a way to work through conflict that makes both spouses feel more satisfied.
Healthy conflict resolution is one of the strongest predictors of marriage satisfaction.
Silent discontentment leads to resentment that erodes at the foundation of your marriage.
The key is finding solutions that honor both spouses perspectives.
Questions to reflect:
Quotes from today’s episode:
“I found myself focusing on the things that weren’t working in my marriage instead of thinking about the things that were.”
“Small annoyances can grow into mountains of frustration”
“Settling comes from a place of resignation”
“Contentment flows from gratitude, an intentional choice we make.”
“Contentment says I see the imperfections in our marriage but I choose to focus on the blessings.”
“Nancy comes before my personal preferences.”
“The key word is choice.”
“Have a posture of gratitude while understanding there is room for growth.”
“Quality time is oxygen for your marriage”
"There’s a way to work through conflict that makes both spouses feel more satisfied."
Mentioned in this episode:
Use our Marriage Reframing Challenge to change your perspective about your spouse and/or your marriage.
Want an opportunity to dig into God’s Word as you intentionally choose to pursue the marriage God intended, find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Try this FREE YouVersion plan: 5 Marriage Lies to Defeat with Biblical Truth
If you haven’t browsed our site, you’ve GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!
Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into a powerful truth: the health of your marriage often comes down to what you choose to focus on. It’s easy to fixate on what’s not working, letting small annoyances grow into mountains of frustration. But what if the key to deeper connection and lasting joy is found in a simple but radical posture—gratitude?
We’ll explore how contentment isn’t resignation, but an intentional choice to see the blessings amidst the imperfections. You’ll hear honest reflections on prioritizing your spouse, the life-giving role of quality time, and how to navigate conflict in ways that build satisfaction, not resentment. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this conversation is a fresh reminder that gratitude, not settling, is the foundation of a thriving Christian marriage.
Episode highlights:
Feeling content in marriage is different from settling.
There’s a way to work through conflict that makes both spouses feel more satisfied.
Healthy conflict resolution is one of the strongest predictors of marriage satisfaction.
Silent discontentment leads to resentment that erodes at the foundation of your marriage.
The key is finding solutions that honor both spouses perspectives.
Questions to reflect:
Quotes from today’s episode:
“I found myself focusing on the things that weren’t working in my marriage instead of thinking about the things that were.”
“Small annoyances can grow into mountains of frustration”
“Settling comes from a place of resignation”
“Contentment flows from gratitude, an intentional choice we make.”
“Contentment says I see the imperfections in our marriage but I choose to focus on the blessings.”
“Nancy comes before my personal preferences.”
“The key word is choice.”
“Have a posture of gratitude while understanding there is room for growth.”
“Quality time is oxygen for your marriage”
"There’s a way to work through conflict that makes both spouses feel more satisfied."
Mentioned in this episode:
Use our Marriage Reframing Challenge to change your perspective about your spouse and/or your marriage.
Want an opportunity to dig into God’s Word as you intentionally choose to pursue the marriage God intended, find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Try this FREE YouVersion plan: 5 Marriage Lies to Defeat with Biblical Truth
If you haven’t browsed our site, you’ve GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!
Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy.
In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, Justin and Trisha Davis open up about their journey through love, ministry, and the real struggles that nearly tore their marriage apart—including infidelity and hidden personal battles. With vulnerability and wisdom, they share how counseling, truth-telling, and taking ownership became the turning points in their healing.
Trisha shares what it looked like to face the pain of betrayal trauma, while Justin reflects on the overwhelming guilt and the hard road to forgiveness. Together, they unpack how our stories, the words spoken over us, and the lies we believe about our worth can deeply affect how we show up in relationships.
But this isn’t just a story about pain—it’s a story about redemption. About the power of grace, the courage it takes to grieve and heal, and the choice to believe that real transformation is possible.
More than behavior change, they point to the heart—the deep, inner work that allows us to discover who we really are and who God has created us to be. Their story is a beautiful reminder that no matter how broken things may feel, healing and hope are always within reach.
Episode highlights:
Rock bottom is still a solid surface to stand when you come alongside Christ.
Intimacy is to be fully known and know that we're fully loved.
You never cause someone to have an affair.
The truth sets you free because it doesn't give any room for the enemy.
Excavating our past helps us understand our present.
Redemptive pain can lead to growth.
Healthy relationships require vulnerability and trust.
Transformation comes from God's grace and our choices.
Questions for reflection:
1. What small, everyday choices are we making in our marriage that could either be building connection—or slowly creating distance?
2. Are there areas of hiddenness in our relationship—past wounds, unspoken frustrations, or shame—that we need to bring into the light?
3. What does forgiveness look like in our relationship right now?
Quotes from today’s episode:
"I had to choose to be a truth teller myself."
"You never cause someone to have an affair."
"I believed I have to be perfect to be loved."
"You can't today, but God still has a plan."
"Healing is hard, but then it's worth it."
"You are not as stuck as you think you are."
"You have to stop gaslighting yourself to grieve."
"The heart of the book is about what God can do."
Mentioned in this episode:
Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn't Good Enough by Justin & Trisha Davis
RefineUs Ministries Helping people experience transformation by building healthy, authentic relationships.
Use our Marriage Reframing Challenge to change your perspective about your spouse and/or your marriage.
Want an opportunity to dig into God’s Word as you intentionally choose to pursue the marriage God intended, find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Try this FREE YouVersion plan: 5 Marriage Lies to Defeat with Biblical Truth
If you haven’t browsed our site, you’ve GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!
In this special Mother’s Day episode, Dr. Kim Kimberling sits down with bestselling author Melanie Shankle to talk about her latest book, Here Be Dragons. Together, they unpack the complexities of generational trauma and explore what it means to break old cycles in order to build a new legacy of healthy relationships. It’s a conversation that’s honest, refreshing, and full of humor. Whether you're a mother or not, this episode has something for you!
Episode highlights include:
Generational trauma affects emotional growth and relationships.
Self-worth can be deeply impacted by parental relationships.
Humor can be a coping mechanism for deeper issues.
Recognizing unhealthy patterns is crucial for personal growth.
Parenting requires intentionality and awareness of past traumas.
Melanie embraced her daughter's individuality instead of molding her.
Healing can come from being the parent you wished you had.
True love is built on friendship and authenticity.
Identifying generational trauma requires honest self-assessment.
Creating a positive legacy is essential for future generations.
God's timing is perfect in relationships.
Healing is a journey that takes baby steps.
There can be beauty in the ashes of our past.
Couples Conversation Guide:
Main takeaway:
If you were raised in the midst of unhealthy relationships, take heart—there is hope in Christ for a better future. Healing from past wounds opens the door to the freedom and joy of healthy, life-giving relationships. Along the journey, boundaries will protect your peace, forgiveness will soften your heart, and Christ must remain the foundation of it all.
Questions to Discuss:
What messages or behaviors from our families growing up do we find ourselves repeating—intentionally or not—in our relationship or with our children?
When we face conflict or stress, do our reactions feel like our own—or do they echo how our parents or caregivers responded?
Are there parts of our past—such as experiences of neglect, abuse, shame, or loss—that we haven’t fully processed and might be impacting how we show up for each other and our children?
What do you hope your legacy will be?
Quotes from today's episode:
"It's okay to not be perfect."
“You’ve gotta have your truthtellers”
“There are things we may not see as big, but they become big.”
“I always deflected with humor because I didn’t want to feel anything too deeply.”
“They’ve achieved all these things that the world says is success, but they’re still empty.”
“It’s so healing to be the thing in someone else’s life that you wish you would have had in your own.”
“I didn’t get to have that mother, but I get to be that mother.”
“There is something so beneficial about having someone who’s not your friend, validate some of the experiences you’ve been through.”
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Use our Self Check Up Guide as an opportunity for honest self reflection.
Melanie Shankle’s Here Be Dragons
Listen to Melanie on her wildly popular podcast The Big Boo Cast
If you haven’t browsed our site, you’ve GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
Did you know we have resources for families- check those out HERE.
Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!
We're excited to launch a brand-new format for the Awesome Marriage Podcast—and with it, introduce a highly requested new co-host: Mrs. Nancy Kimberling! In this episode, Dr. Kim and Nancy Kimberling take you on a heartfelt journey through the story of their relationship, from their blind date to their early years of marriage and parenting, all the way to the joy of becoming great-grandparents.
Their marriage hasn’t been without its challenges, but what’s carried them through it all is a decision they made early on: to keep God at the center of everything. Their wisdom, authenticity, and love for each other will make them one of your favorite couples to learn from.
We pray this episode encourages and blesses your marriage.
Episode Takeaways:
No matter how your marriage starts, everything changes when you invite the Lord in. He can transform the direction of your relationship in powerful ways. Building a strong, healthy marriage and family takes intentional effort and regular reflection on what’s working—and what’s not. Join the Kimberlings for an honest, up-close look at every season of marriage.
Questions to Discuss:
When’s the last time you reflected on where and when your relationship began?
What scripture could you hold on to to help anchor your marriage to Christ?
What is keeping your marriage from moving in the direction you want it to move?
Quotes:
“We had fights and I thought what is going on, I made a mistake.”
“You didn’t get the picket fence”
“I could have been the fun dad and still done discipline”
“God taught us He cares about everything”
“The more we brought Him into our conversations, our decisions. He was there. To guide us and to help us.
“It’s saved our marriage.”
“God was there when they got married, and He’s still there, and they made a covenant before Him and it matters.”
“We took divorce off the table and we kept it off the table.”
“The most important thing to do in marriage is prayer.”
“It’s so important to have godly couples who are older than you and come alongside of you with godly wisdom.”
“It’s so important to have a village, a tribe, a life group to do life with.”
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Want an opportunity to dig into God’s Word as you intentionally choose to puruse the marriage God intended, find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Try this FREE YouVersion plan: 5 Marriage Lies to Defeat with Biblical Truth
If you haven’t browsed our site, you’ve GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
Sign up for Dr. Kim’s Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!
Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to . receive our May “7 Most Popular Resource Bundle.”