This episode features a candid discussion between two couples, exploring the nuances of when marriage counseling is appropriate and, more critically, when it might not be. We tackle sensitive topics like emotional abuse and physical abuse, emphasizing that not all relationship problems can be solved through traditional couples therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of discerning the right approach when facing severe relationship challenges, offering valuable relationship advice and touching on communication skills.What happens when the marriage counselors—the ones who are usually helping everyone else—walk through deep suffering of their own? In this powerful roundtable conversation, Erik and Erica talk with David and Kris Sommers. They are experienced marriage counselors open up about the unseen struggles that shaped their lives and their faith: infertility, adoption, chronic illness, miscarriages, unmet expectations, and the slow work of healing over time. They don’t give clichés or easy answers. Instead, they offer honest reflections, timeless wisdom, and the kind of counsel that comes from living it out—not just reading about it. Whether your marriage is in a hard season or you're walking through personal suffering, this conversation will remind you: 🕊️ You're not alone. 🛠️ There are tools to endure and rebuild. 💛 And God still meets us in the middle of the mess. 00:00 Intro 03:11 Near Death Experience 15:30 Navigating Infertility and Adoption 25:05 How infertility effects you spiritually 35:00 Supporting each other through Chronic Illness 42:55 How to trust God in the trial 50:00 Handling bad advice from people in the trial 58:59 Marriage Counselors give their advice to young couples 104:05 How can a couple know it's time to get counseling 112:48 How to handle abuse in marriage 123:24 What does a biblical marriage look like? 131:10 Expectations, childhood abandonment, and how it worked out for David and Kris

This podcast episode explores the intricate aspects of human behavior, offering insights into how past experiences shape individuals. It emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and continuous self improvement, particularly within relationships. We discuss how choosing to focus on the good in others, despite their past, can be a powerful path to personal development, reflecting a journey of critical thinking and growth. This perspective offers hope that past negative actions do not define who someone is now. Imagine filing for divorce on your honeymoon. ForJon and Gretchen, this wasn't just a nightmare scenario—it was their reality. In this episode, we sit down with a couple who went from calling it quits in week one to building a thriving, happy marriage. They reveal the exact turning points, the hard conversations, and the tools they used to save their relationship from the brink. If you are struggling in your marriage or feel like it's "too late" to fix things, this story proves that with the right tools, ANYONE can have a happy marriage. In this video, we cover:

0:00 intro

02:45 different cultures

06:28 Year one of marriage

11:14 Couples therapy was not effective

19:15 Honeymoon disaster

31:45 Sharing marital problems with other people

39:37 Hope for Struggling Couples

48:49 Feeling alone in marriage problems to sharing with family/friends

1:01:19 Jon's a Dumb--- take thoughts captive

1:07:30 Happy Marriage-- Navigating issues now

1:22:02 How did your love change?

1:31:02 Growing in Trust

#marriageadvice #saveyourmarriage #relationshipgoals #marriagehelp #erikanderica Ever wondered about the fine line between feeling a bit off and needing to see a doctor? This video discusses navigating "sick symptoms" and understanding your "personal health" needs. We offer "wellbeing tips" to help you discern when it's time to visit your "family doctor" or if those "red flag symptoms" require immediate attention. Prioritizing your "general health" is always important, so let's explore these topics together.

This podcast explores the intricate aspects of human behavior psychology, offering insights into how past experiences shape individuals. It emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and continuous self improvement, particularly within relationships. We discuss how choosing to focus on the good in others, despite their past, can be a powerful path to personal growth, reflecting a journey of critical thinking and development. In this honest episode, we talk about the dangerous trap of comparison—how looking at someone else’s marriage nearly caused us to miss what God was doing in our own. Erica opens up about battling postpartum depression and longing for a different story... one that looked easier, happier, more perfect. But God had a unique assignment for our marriage—one that required surrender, perspective, and trust in the middle of pain. If you’ve ever looked at another couple and wondered why not us? this is for you. 🎯 Let's talk about jealousy, joy, calling, and how to stop missing the beauty in your own story. 📖 Key Verse: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." – Ephesians 2:10

00:00 Intro

01:48 Comparing ourselves to other people 09:18 Dangers of Comparisons

11:30 Kristi and Desmond; Comparing and social media

24:30 Missing your call because of comparison

27:36 Is God like Mr. Beast?

34:00 How to get out of comparison trap

42:17 How to give meaning to your life

50:00 Prayers for getting out of comparison