The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

Seeking God First in the Mundane with Dr. John Littlejohn

For our 101st episode, we're thrilled to welcome back our great friend and a favourite podcast guest, Dr. John Littlejohn! We hear God's heart and word for his people in 2026, including:
What it means for our lives and marriages to put God first
What that means for us in the mundane details of life and marriage
God's invitation to discover the plank in our eye before trying to take the speck out of our spouse's
You'll also hear the first ever reference to Stevie Wonder on the Living Marriages Podcast!
To find out more about Dr. John Littlejohn and his ministry and music, please click here.
Next Steps
Need some encouragement? Have an episode idea? Get in touch with us! We're always so excited to hear from you. info@livingmarriages.com
Make a charitable donation to this non-profit ministry at our website - https://livingmarriages.com
 
 

100 Episodes Later: Is Your Marriage Living or Is It Dry Bones?

100 episodes ago, we asked a single question: Is your marriage healthy, or is it just dry bones? Today, we are celebrating 100 moments of God’s faithfulness, 100 conversations about intimacy, and the incredible goodness of a God who breathes life into the hardest places of our relationships.
In this milestone episode of The Living Marriages Podcast, we are going back to where it all began. We re-visit the original vision God gave us from Ezekiel 37—the vision that launched Episode 1—and reflect on how that "Dry Bones" message is more relevant today than ever before.
 
Next Steps
Help us celebrate! The best "gift" you could give us for Episode 100 is to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this episode with one couple who needs to hear that their "dry bones" can live again.
Feel free to get in touch with us for prayer, encouragement and if you have episode ideas or guest suggestions! info@livingmarriages.com
 
Healthy Marriage, Ezekiel 37 Marriage, God’s Faithfulness in Marriage, The Living Marriages Podcast, Christian Relationship Advice, Restoration of Marriage, Marriage Mentoring

099 | Why Family Devotionals Fail (And Why We're Giving Ourselves Grace in 2026)

If you've ever felt like a failure because you've had a hard time getting a family devotional started, this episode is for you. We’re sharing the one habit we’ve attached to our morning breakfast routine that's been working so far —and why God's grace is more important than perfection, especially when Kim Chi ruins breakfast!
Resources
A free online family devotional that uses the practice of lectio divina.
This is The Biggest Story devotional our family has been using. This resource is written from a Reformed perspective. There are helpful videos that lead off each week's readings. Sometimes the questions are a bit simplistic or leading but overall our family has found it helpful. We'll often ask the kids our own questions based on the readings which have led to some incredibly fruitful conversations! (If you have the curiosity of a kid, you'll come up with some great questions for them!)
Next Steps
Feel free to get in touch with us for prayer, resources or with your episode ideas and guest suggestions! It's always a blessing hearing from you! info@livingmarriages.com
 

098 | When Sex Does Not Feel Like A Good Gift: A Prayer for Healing and Wholeness

In Episode 97, we interviewed renowned author Sheila Wray Gregoire about God's beautiful vision for sex and intimacy and how, sadly, there has been much harmful teaching and messaging that has made sex feel like anything other than a good gift from a good God.
On this Thursday Thought, join us as we provide space and reflection to examine the messages we have learned about sex, how that has shaped our view and practice and intimacy in marriage and receive God's invitation to remain curious in this area. We also pray for God's healing, wholeness and freedom in the area of sexual intimacy in marriage.
Next Steps
Would you like prayer or to connect? We'd love to hear from you! info@livingmarriages.com
If you'd like to donate to this non-profit ministry, please visit our website to make a charitable donation: https://livingmarriages.com
 
 

097 | If Sex is a Good Gift Why Do I Feel Dirty? with Sheila Wray Gregoire

Author Sheila Wray Gregoire has been writing Christian marriage and sex-advice since 2003. But in 2019, she made a shocking discovery about much of the advice that is out there for Christian couples.
In our wide-ranging conversation with Sheila you'll hear:
How Sheila discovered the harm that some best-selling Christian marriage books were causing readers and what she's doing about it
How the beauty and intimacy of sex as God created it goes so far beyond intercourse
How the message of purity culture was hurtful to so many
Why we need to be curious about the marriage resources and advice we take in
Why Sheila is hopeful for the future of Christian marriage and the church 
Resources
You can find Sheila's books, podcasts and blog along with many other incredibly helpful resources at baremarriage.com
Next Steps
We feel so honoured and humbled when our listeners reach out for prayer, support and encouragement. We don't have all the answers but we do love praying for others and helping couples find hope and healing for their marriages in Christ's power. If we know of some people or resources that would be a great fit for you, we'll connect you. Get in touch with us! info@livingmarriages.com
If you'd like to support this non-profit ministry, you can make a donation at our website: https://livingmarriages.com

096 | A Prayer For Those Wanting To Take Their Marriage Seriously

In episode 95, we shared God's invitation to us and you to start taking our marriages more seriously. We asked what neglect looks like in our marriage and how God might be inviting us to turn that around, what new habits or mindsets he might be asking us to commit to.
On this Thursday Thought, we take time to reflect on where some of the chaos and fires might be in our marriage and how those might be pointing to signs of neglect in certain areas. We also pray for God's grace, wisdom and strength to understand and pursue what it looks like to start taking our marriages more seriously.
Next Steps
We'd love to hear from you how God is inviting you to take yourself and your marriage more seriously this year! Get in touch if you'd like prayer or some accountability: info@livingmarriages.com
Want to donate to this non-profit ministry? Visit our website to see how you can make a charitable donation!

095 | Stop Neglecting Yourself! Why You Need To Take Your Marriage Seriously

It's always a good time to check in with God and one another on the state of your marriage and family. We happened to do our check-in at the end of 2025 and God had a pretty serious invitation for us: start taking yourselves and your marriage more seriously. It's an invitation we're passing on to you!
On this episode you'll hear:
What it looks like when you're not taking your marriage seriously and how God might be inviting you to change that
The grace and humour you'll need for the journey and that God is freely offering
How NOT to become overwhelmed when starting this journey
Resources
Here are a few of the books and resources that have captured our curiosity and imaginations and are giving us good ideas on how we can take ourselves more seriously this year.
The Marriage You Want by Sheila Wray Gregoire and Dr. Keith Gregoire
Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley
Spiritual Health Reflection from Practicing the Way
Next Steps
We'd love to hear from you how God is inviting you to take yourself and your marriage more seriously this year! Get in touch if you'd like prayer or some accountability: info@livingmarriages.com
Want to donate to this non-profit ministry? Visit our website to see how you can make a charitable donation!
 

094 | A Prayer for Your Marriage in 2026

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, we wanted to pray God's blessing and provision for your marriage this year. That prayer involves bringing our "not enough", our "loaves and fish" to Jesus and to see what he will do with them. It means not limiting God in how and where he wants to provide for us. 
Join us for this time of prayer and blessing as we step into a New Year together!
Next Steps
Get in touch with us - we'd love to hear from you what you're excited about or worried about for this new year of 2026: info@livingmarriages.com
Want to support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation? We're looking for monthly partners! For more information visit https://livingmarriages.com/donate#httpslivingmarriagescomdonate
 

093 | How God Wants to Show Up for You in Your Marriage

If you're listening in real-time with us, this episode is being released at the end of 2025. As you look back on the year that was and look ahead to the year to come, how has God been enough for you? In your life and your marriage? Are there areas you've struggled seeing him as enough? Are there areas where you can celebrate his abundance?
In this episode we share:
The question that really got us thinking about our trust in God this past year
A great question Jesus asks his disciples before feeding the 5000
Encouragement from the book of Acts for what God really wants to give us
Next Steps
Let us know how we can pray for you! Or if you have any show ideas, we'd love to hear from you: info@livingmarriages.com
Want to make a charitable gift before the end of the year? Visit our website to give: https://livingmarriages.com
 

092 | A Christmas Day Greeting from the Au's (including the cutest poem reading of the year!)

If you're listening in real-time with us at the Living Marriages podcast, Merry Christmas!
We've got a short Christmas Day greeting for you complete with an amazing rendition of a winter poem read by our incredible boys, Ethan and Elijah.
Praying the love, joy, peace and hope of the Christmas season for you!
Love,
Aaron, April, Ethan and Elijah