Want better connection with your spouse? One thing we hear a lot from couples is that they don't feel close to each other or that their relationship feels like it's missing some depth. That's why today we're re-airing this episode from Dr. Kim and Christina that talks all about emotional intimacy and gives you ideas of practical ways to deepen the emotional intimacy in your marriage.

We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage.

Episode highlights include:

• What is emotional intimacy, and why does it matter?

• Warning signs you need to grow in this area

• Emotional intimacy killers to avoid

• Tips to start working on this - alone, and together

Quotes from This Episode:

• "It is hard work knowing someone. You have to pay attention. It takes work to be intimate." - Christina Dodson

• "Laziness and business are going to block your intimacy, so we have to fight against those things." - Dr. Kim Kimberling

• "Give yourself opportunities to connect." - Dr. Kim Kimberling

• "It adds value to my marriage for me to have a relationship with my friends, just like it benefits our marriage that he has guy friends." - Christina Dodson

• "You could have had the best childhood in the world and you still have baggage because we're human. That's okay, and you can deal with that." - Christina Dodson

• "You can't be emotionally intimate with your spouse if you aren't aware of your own emotions." - Christina Dodson

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Our 5 Days to Deeper Emotional Intimacy digital resource provides practical steps to understand and share your emotions, and to work together to grow your emotional intimacy…and it's our gift to you for your donation of any amount.

• Your marriage can only be as healthy as the two of you are. The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord" (Lamentations 3:40). Our new Self Check-In Guide will help you do just that!

• Print out this Feelings Chart and use it to help you talk about your emotions.

• Our Questions To Help Your Spouse Open Up resource is a simple way to help build the closeness between you and your spouse. Accountability is a biblical and helpful tool for growing in holiness.

The Awesome Marriage Podcast is on winter break, and over the next four weeks we'll be sharing some of our favorite past episodes with you.

First up: Finances! No one loves talking finances, but we do think you'll love today's conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses' separate financial backgrounds and "money stories" can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value.

Listen to this episode if you're ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season - without fighting about them!

Episode highlights include:

• Questions to start a productive conversation about finances with your spouse

• How to uncover the hidden money lessons you learned growing up, then to get on the same page with your spouse.

• What recent research says about the connection of money and marital happiness

• How to learn more about your spouse's perspective about money

• Ways to work together toward shared values around money in your marriage

QUOTES:

• "You have different perspectives about money. You don't necessarily talk about what it means to you, how you think about it, therefore you argue about it." - Julie Baumgardner

• "You can have conversations about money without having to be methodical about every single penny." - Julie Baumgardner

• "If you can't figure out how to live within your means with a little, it will be very complicated to figure out how to live within your means with a lot." - Julie Baumgardner

• "It isn't 'You're right, I'm wrong,' you're being curious. And in being curious, you're learning." - Julie Baumgardner

• "If you can tell that money is creating stress, what is it about money that's stressful?" - Julie Baumgardner

• "Keep your eyes wide open for where God is calling you to join Him in his work. Be aware, and where you see a need, be a Kingdom builder. " - Julie Baumgardner

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

• What matters most to the two of you when it comes to money? It's never too late to define your core values around money in your marriage.

• What is it about money that's stressful? If it's "what ifs," then name the what-ifs and talk through them.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• We found Julie's article on this topic SO helpful: Do finances in childhood impact your marriage? Research says yes

• Winshape Marriage online and on Instagram

• Find the Money Habitudes game online

• 6 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource

• You can be part of the Awesome Marriage mission by helping to get marriage content to the hurting marriages across the globe. Join our mission today!