The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Conversation Starters, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling
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! info@livingmarriages.com Like the podcast? You can make a charitable donation to keep fresh content coming: livingmarriages.com
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Why is it that our marriages can sometimes feel like the loneliest of places?
On this episode, we explore God's heart and design for community and why that is so critical to us having healthy, hopeful marriages. We chat about:
How community is part of God's character and how Jesus had community
The kind of community God is inviting us into with people outside of our marriages
The differences between "sharing" and "vulnerability" in these friendships
The book by Justin Whitmel Earley that we quote A LOT from in this episode can be found here:
https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/
Get in touch and let us know how you've found community you can be vulnerable with: info@livingmarriages.com
Our website is: www.livingmarriages.com
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Do you struggle with the shame of sexual addiction and brokenness in your marriage? Have you been hiding a pornography addiction from your spouse, even if you know it's destroying your marriage?
There is good news: God has not given up on you or your marriage!
Our guest today, Matt Cline of Restored Ministries, has been given an important assignment by God: to help bring hope and healing to marriages that have been broken by sexual shame, addiction and trauma.
In our conversation, you'll hear:
A story of how a prayer for God's favour in marriage led to a husband's hidden sexual sin coming into the light so that there could be healing and restoration
A question of whether accountability partners are everything we've made them out to be
The role of the Holy Spirit in putting sexual sin to death and bringing restoration and healing in a marriage
To connect with Matt and find out more about the amazing work God is doing through Restored Ministries, check out his website: https://www.restoredministries.ca
If you have any thoughts, questions or episode ideas, we'd love to hear from you: info@livingmarriages.com
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Have you ever felt like you and your spouse were just glorified roommates? Like you are ships passing in the night?
We've been there! As God breathes life into our marriages, we're grateful he gives us practices and routines to help us feel more connected and thriving with each other. One of those practices is the weekly check-in.
On this episode, you'll learn the importance of this practice and why consistency and heart questions are key to unlocking the potential of this practice (along with God's Spirit of course!)
Resources:
"The Marriage Journal" by Jeremy and Audrey Roloff and Chris and Jamie Herb:
https://www.beating50percent.com/products/themarriagejournal?srsltid=AfmBOoq0fgk9udQlcTwS5qV8FPfZ1ZgVIzHs_bzQNRE8IN5QF_eg5e8_
Guidelines for a weekly check-in:
1. Find a consistent time each week and stick with it
2. Ask each other heart questions (see below)
3. Plan the coming week together
Here are some "heart questions" for your weekly check-in:
“How is your heart?”
“What brought you joy this week?”
“What did you struggle with this week?”
“Was there any ways in which I encouraged and blessed you this week Was there a way I hurt you this week?”
“How can I serve you this week? How can I pray for you in the coming days?”
Let us know how it's going! Share some of your heart questions with us: info@livingmarriages.com
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
When was the last time you felt "untethered" in your marriage? Lost, disconnected, alone? This happened recently to us. Thankfully, God gave us a way through and his roadmap was Psalm 92. In this episode, we'll discuss:
The transformative power of declaring daily God's steadfast love and faithfulness in your life and marriage
How a simple practice can help you feel more anchored in God's love and care
How this practice can also help you feel more connected as a couple and a family
A suggestion for an evening Examen practice. Ask each other at dinner or before bed:
What was one "rose" from your day, one "thorn" and where did you see God's faithfulness today?
Let us know how this practice is going and how it's changing things for you and your marriage! info@livingmarriages.com
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Have you ever felt that when your spouse is listening to you, it only LOOKS like they're listening? That as soon as you're done speaking, they will unleash their advice and their opinions on you?
On this Thursday Thoughts episode, we'll discover HOW we listen matters just as much (or more) than the fact that we are listening. We'll also learn:
that "listening to understand" is more important than "listening to convince"
how listening to understand can help us escape the drama triangle
Resources:
“In a study of two types of listening, clinical psychologist Faye Doell demonstrated how people who listen in order to understand versus listen in order to respond have higher across-the-board relationship satisfaction.”
from "Good Inside" by Dr. Becky Kennedy
https://www.goodinside.com/book/
An excellent article on the drama triangle:
https://www.idmin.org/_files/ugd/0d9c11_b989426836064bd3a9dfdfe15fe4e382.pdf
Want to get in touch with us? info@livingmarriages.com and check out our new website: www.livingmarriages.com
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
"Shame is the most powerful force on the planet, apart from grace."
Katie Skurja, founder of Imago Dei Ministries, is an internationally recognized inner healing practitioner, spiritual director and marriage counsellor. We were thrilled and honoured that she could join us in this conversation exploring the devastating power of shame in our marriages and the joy and freedom available in Christ's healing work.
Topics we explore include:
What are "shadow vows" and why every couple should do them
God's grace that is available for us to turn into and confront our shame rather than hide it
How, as image bearers of God, we are like "Peanut M&Ms"
When we understand the paradoxes of God, we understand ourselves and our spouses better
What the drama triangle is and how it threatens our marriages
Resources:
For Katie's incredible conversation with children regarding the image of God and "Peanut M&M's", check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVTBnl5iEEg&t=310s
An excellent article on the "Drama Triangle":
https://www.idmin.org/_files/ugd/0d9c11_b989426836064bd3a9dfdfe15fe4e382.pdf
Where to find Katie, her resources and courses:
Imago Dei Ministries - https://www.idmin.org
Companying Center - https://www.companioningcenter.org
Let us know what you think of this conversation! Contact April and Aaron at info@livingmarriages.org
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
When is the last time you thanked your spouse? For who they are or for something they did? Has it been awhile?
On this Thursday Thought, join Aaron as he explores another tip on creating a healthy marriage with God, this time by looking at the transformative power of gratitude in your marriage.
Topics we cover:
Why gratitude matters
How gratitude can transform your marriage along with some of the science that backs it up
How keeping a gratitude journal transformed one man's view of his wife and his marriage
Resources
Gary Thomas: “Gratitude With Purpose In Marriage”
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/gratitude-with-purpose-in-marriage/
Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/imperfect-spirituality/202310/gratitude-could-help-your-marriage-last
Are you thankful for something in your marriage or your spouse? Please feel free to share! info@livingmarriages.com
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Do you want to know God's will for your life but you're not sure where to start? Do you want to hear his voice for your marriage but you're not sure what you're listening for?
In this episode, we explore what it means to discern God's will in the context of your marriage and how Paul provides some (uncomfortable) direction in Romans 12.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1
Join Aaron and April as we discuss:
What it means to offer your marriage to God as a living sacrifice
Why being a living sacrifice can be uncomfortable (especially when the heat gets turned up on the altar)
Why we can still trust God and know his heart and will when things are getting hot
Here is the discernment tool we talk about that we have used in our marriage to know if we are hearing God's voice:
https://www.prmi.org/four-discernment-tests/
Have any other thoughts, questions, ideas? How can we be praying for you? Get in touch: info@livingmarriages.com
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Are you wanting to bring some health, vitality, new life to your marriage? Are you wanting to have God at the centre of your marriage but aren't sure where to start?
Over the next 5 Thursday Thoughts episodes, we'll explore practical ideas of how we can create a healthy, vibrant marriage with God and our spouse.
On this episode, April starts at the very beginning. If you want God at the centre of your marriage, you have to see how he's already there! We'll discover:
How God is already at work in your marriage
Why we need to make space to encounter him there already (as a couple and as individuals)
Some practical ideas on how we can encounter him
This is not an episode to induce guilt to becoming a "better" Christian but rather a gracious invitation from the God who loves us and desires his best for us, to encounter him in our life and our marriage.
Suggested devotional resources for couples:
https://timothykeller.com/books/the-meaning-of-marriage-a-couples-devotional
https://www.scottkedersha.com/the-ready-or-knot-prayer-guide
Suggested devotional resources for individuals:
https://timothykeller.com/books/the-songs-of-jesus
https://bibleproject.com/reading-plans/
Connect with us!
info@livingmarriages.com
Our website: livingmarriages.com
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Have you wondered what people mean when they say they want Christ "at the centre" of their marriage? What does it look like to hear the voice of God in our marriage, together and as individuals?
In today's episode, we are so excited to welcome our first-ever guest, Dr. John "Adidam" Littlejohn! A deeply loved pastor and internationally recognized musician, John explores with us in this fun and in-depth conversation, questions like:
If God desires to speak to us, how do we hear God's voice in our marriage?
If God is at the centre of our marriage, how do we keep moving towards him, no matter where we're coming from?
Does God have a vision for our marriage?
We were so incredibly blessed and challenged by our conversation with John and we pray you will be too!
Find out more about John here:
https://www.adidammusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/adidammusic/
https://www.infinitusmusic.com
https://www.thekingdomlife.ca
Connect with us:
info@livingmarriages.com
www.livingmarriages.com