What does it actually look like to keep your marriage “in heaven”? In this episode, Joshua and Ali get real about the daily disciplines and spiritual principles that build a marriage rooted in Christ.

From showing up at church to carving out Bible + prayer time, walking in humility, and practicing quick confession and forgiveness, this conversation is filled with practical encouragement and raw honesty.

Whether you’re newly married, engaged, or decades into your covenant, you’ll walk away with fresh reminders that keeping your marriage in heaven means keeping your eyes on Jesus and your hearts submitted to the Spirit.

✨ Expect real talk, biblical truth, and some practical rhythms you can put into place starting today.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – 2:05 | Welcome & today’s big truth: to have a marriage made in heaven, you need to keep it in heaven
• 2:06 – 5:20 | Submitting to Jesus, walking in the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit in marriage (Galatians 5)
• 5:21 – 8:40 | The role of church: why showing up, serving, and being accountable to pastors matters
• 8:41 – 11:10 | Daily rhythms: Bible reading, prayer, gratitude, and setting the tone for your home
• 11:11 – 13:45 | Ali’s story: meeting Joshua at church + the power of discipleship in community
• 13:46 – 16:55 | Walking in love and humility: how to respond with patience instead of pride
• 16:56 – 19:20 | Practical tips: post-its, mirrors, Bible apps, and waking up early to prioritize the Word
• 19:21 – 21:30 | Opposites attract: celebrating strengths instead of trying to change your spouse
• 21:31 – 23:10 | Confession + forgiveness: rebuilding trust and healing through honesty
• 23:11 – 24:22 | Final encouragement: your marriage is worth fighting for; keep it Spirit-led, humble, and Kingdom-focused

Call to Action

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Marriage Made in Heaven! 💕

👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation.
👉 Share this episode with a friend or couple who needs the reminder that their marriage is worth fighting for.
👉 And if you need prayer or encouragement, reach out, we’d love to walk alongside you.

Together, let’s keep building marriages that reflect heaven.

In this episode of the Marriage Made in Heaven Podcast, we open up about one of the most challenging seasons of our lives; navigating our daughter’s medical journey while holding tight to faith, family, and each other.

When storms come (and they will), your marriage can either fracture under the pressure or grow stronger than ever. Today, we share how support systems, surrendering to God, and intentional connection became lifelines for us in the middle of the chaos.

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by stress, lack of sleep, or the weight of hard news, you’ll walk away from this episode encouraged and equipped with practical and spiritual keys to keep your marriage anchored.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• [0:00] Welcome back + why stressful seasons are inevitable in every marriage
• [1:10] Receiving devastating news and the importance of a strong support system
• [3:25] Why family, church, and community matter when walking through hard times
• [5:20] Serving others vs. showing up with a victim mentality
• [7:00] Our daughter’s open-heart surgery and the radical faith that carried us through
• [9:15] The role of community and local church in seasons of transition
• [11:00] Guarding your marriage during stress: words, forgiveness, and connection
• [12:30] Our prayer and encouragement for couples walking through their own storms

💡 Takeaway: You don’t need to have it all together; you just need to show up for each other, lean on community, and surrender to God. That’s where strength and breakthrough are found.

In this episode, Joshua and Ali continue sharing one of the most defining seasons of their marriage; a night in the hospital filled with impossible odds, supernatural intervention, and the unshakable trust that God would make a way.

From the brink of eternity to the moment they met their miracle baby girl, this story is overflowing with God’s goodness, provision, and power.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – 1:05 | Welcome back + continuing last week’s story of faith, adversity, and trusting God in the impossible.
• 1:06 – 3:20 | Ali’s condition worsens, parents arrive from China full of joy and faith despite the dire situation.
• 3:21 – 5:15 | Anna flatlines, but prayer brings her heart rate back and Ali’s body begins to stabilize.
• 5:16 – 7:04 | A miraculous connection with the anesthesiologist changes everything before the emergency C-section.
• 7:05 – 9:45 | Anna’s supernatural survival from week 23 to 29, despite zero amniotic fluid and medical advice to terminate.
• 9:46 – 11:42 | Anna’s birth: the neonatologist’s unforgettable first moments with her, and her fight in the NICU.
• 11:43 – 13:06 | Ali’s ICU recovery, family reactions, and finally seeing Anna for the first time on day 18.
• 13:07 – 14:22 | The power of unity in marriage during life’s toughest storms + a glimpse at more miracles to come.

0:00 – Intro: What Fakebook Doesn’t Show You
Ali and Joshua kick off the episode by calling out the social media highlight reel and setting the stage for a raw, faith-filled conversation on unity through suffering.

1:29 – Early Marriage & First Miscarriage
Just 8 months into marriage, they face their first miscarriage. Ali shares her shock and grief; Joshua responds with worship and the power of praise.

3:42 – Second Miscarriage & A Response of Worship
Another pregnancy lost, but Joshua immediately turns to the Lord, grabbing his guitar and declaring praise. Ali reflects on the emotional pain and her desire to worship through it.

5:20 – Trusting God in the Unknown
Joshua shares how Scripture and the lives of biblical heroes shaped his faith response. Romans 8, Abraham’s trust, and the power of surrender in uncertainty.

6:48 – Standing on God’s Promises After Loss
Ali shares how they rejected the doctor’s report and stood firm on Deuteronomy 28: they would be blessed and fruitful, period.

8:17 – The Twins Pregnancy: From Double Portion to Deeper Trust
They conceive twins, but heartbreak hits again. Twin B loses their heartbeat, and Ali chooses joy while continuing to carry baby A in faith.

10:25 – High-Risk Pregnancy & Bed Rest Begins
Despite exhaustion and a full plate, Ali shifts into total surrender and obedience after being placed on early bed rest.

11:45 – Health Crisis: From Clam Chowder to Clarity
A trip to UCSB turns into a health emergency. What seemed like food poisoning was actually the onset of HELLP Syndrome, a deadly condition.

13:00 – Fighting to Live in the ER
Ali enters organ failure. Doctors say there’s nothing else they can do. Joshua declares faith over fear and it changes everything.

15:08 – Joshua’s Faith, Ali’s Fight
Ali shares what happened spiritually and physically when her husband stood in faith. She went from surrendering her life to fighting for it.

16:22 – The Power of Partnered Faith
A testimony of the miraculous. Joshua's unwavering belief and Ali's choice to agree with God’s promises over medical reality.

17:55 – A Cliffhanger (With a Purpose)
Ali and Joshua pause here and promise part 2, where they’ll unpack the miracle that followed, and the faith required to believe again.

00:00 – 01:12 | Intro: Our 5-Day Dating, 7-Week Engagement Story
Ali and Josh set the stage with their whirlwind love story and how their honeymoon season never ended (just with more laundry and fewer naps). 😅

01:13 – 03:25 | Marriage Is Supposed to Be Fun (and Holy)
Life = fun. And so does marriage. The goal? Days of heaven on earth built on truth, love, and laughter.

03:26 – 06:05 | Encouraging Your Husband as a Leader
Ali shares how she learned to let Josh lead even after years of independence.
✅ Speak to the king in him
✅ Ask for his wisdom
✅ Submit with confidence, not fear

06:06 – 08:30 | Submission ≠ Oppression
Josh breaks down biblical submission as yieldedness, not control. It’s rooted in unity and love not power plays or domination.

08:31 – 10:45 | What It’s Like to Lead a Strong Woman
Josh shares his journey learning to communicate, handle conflict, and “reel in the rocket britches” when needed with grace, prayer, and patience. 🙃

10:46 – 13:35 | Tone, Timing & Communication That Builds Trust
Ali and Josh share real-life moments where tone mattered more than truth and how small shifts in language can diffuse major tension.

13:36 – 15:22 | Communication Tips for Real-Life Conflict
✨ Learn to pause before responding
✨ Ask if your spouse wants advice or just to be heard
✨ And yes... sometimes the best advice really is: fight naked 😂

15:23 – 17:00 | You’re Not a Tree You Can Change
Just because you were raised a certain way doesn’t mean you’re stuck. God gives us wisdom to soften, grow, and lead better with Him.

17:01 – 18:40 | Listening > Fixing: The Husband’s Superpower
Josh shares how learning to just listen instead of jumping into problem-solving mode has radically shifted their marriage dynamic.

18:41 – 19:59 | Final Thoughts: Keep It Holy. Keep It Fun.
Ali & Josh wrap with a prayer over your marriage and a reminder that joy, intimacy, and laughter are sacred too.

Plus, the real reason Josh always tells couples to “fight naked.”

🎙 Welcome + Fun Facts
Josh and Ali open with their love story—dating after 5 days, engaged in 7 weeks, and still thriving 16 years (and 4 kids) later. Why this episode is one of their spiciest yet.

[01:16 – 04:20]
👰 “Always Fit in Your Wedding Dress” – What Ali’s Mom Taught Her
Ali shares the wisdom her mother—a marriage and family therapist—gave her during her wedding dress fitting, and how it shaped her view on health and marriage.

[04:21 – 06:40]
💪 Health, Confidence & Bringing Your Best to the Marriage
Ali opens up about body image struggles, performance culture as a young athlete, and why feeling healthy directly impacts how she shows up in her marriage.

[06:41 – 09:30]
🤵 Josh’s Perspective on the “Dad Bod” & Loving Your Wife Well
Josh shares why men also need to bring their best—physically and emotionally—for their wives and families. Longevity, libido, and leading well.

[09:31 – 12:00]
🧬 Hormones, Libido & Gut Health
Ali discusses how hormone shifts can affect marriage (especially intimacy), and how she’s actively supporting her health through gut-focused tools and mindset.

[12:01 – 14:20]
💄 Why Glam Still Matters
The backstory on how Ali discovered the power of getting ready with intention every day—and how it brought new energy into their marriage and business.

[14:21 – 16:00]
🧥 Intentional Dressing & Everyday Respect
Why it’s not about vanity—it’s about presenting yourself with honor for your spouse and the Kingdom. Showing up well matters.

[16:01 – 17:30]
🔥 Hot Take: Plan Your Own Anniversary If You Must
Ali challenges wives: stop waiting on your husband to plan everything. Book the hotel. Make the dinner reservation. Don’t let bitterness steal celebration.

[17:31 – 19:00]
🎉 Marriage Rhythms That Keep the Spark Alive
Their anniversary & birthday reset rhythm, the 24-hour getaway rule, and how it’s blessed their marriage through every season.

[19:01 – 21:00]
💬 Final Encouragement: Start Today
Josh and Ali wrap up with a bold call to action for husbands and wives to take ownership of their health, habits, and intimacy. It’s never too late to turn things around.

0:00 – Welcome Back & A Quick Recap
Josh and Ali dive right in with the backstory behind their whirlwind love story—five days dating, seven weeks to marriage, sixteen years and four kids later.

1:35 – Why Making Time to Connect Matters
The heart of this episode: why weekly connection (even in short bursts) can radically shift the tone of your marriage.

3:10 – Shared Activities, Even If It’s Not Your Thing
Josh talks about finally saying yes to Ali’s workouts—and the surprising joy of trying something new (even when you don’t love it).

5:45 – Morning Gym Dates & Small Changes That Matter
They share how even 15 minutes together in the morning has created intimacy and consistency during a busy season.

7:08 – Boundaries, Kids, and Mandatory Date Nights
No phones, no kids, no finances. Just undistracted time with each other. The simple rule that saved their connection.

9:45 – Real Talk: Where This All Started
Ali shares the bold moment a friend called her out and told her she’d be divorced if not for Joshua—and how public date nights started that very week.

11:20 – Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Create a Rhythm
How they’ve built sustainable rhythms that bless their marriage (and their parenting)—and why boundaries are the blessing.

13:50 – Set the Standard for Your Kids
Your kids are watching. Ali and Josh share how their littlest, Jake, responds to their date nights—and how it models love, consistency, and joy.

15:15 – Call to Action: Start Now
Pick a day. Set it. Stick to it. Even six weeks of consistency will transform the way you love, listen, and show up for each other.

17:00 – Final Encouragement & Outro
Why this one simple strategy can change everything—and how to invite God into your rhythms and relationship.

💡 Want to go deeper?

Tag us in your date night selfie (@alispitsbergen) and let us know how it’s shifting the atmosphere in your home. We’re cheering for you—and walking this with you.

00:00 – Welcome Back!
Ali & Joshua dive into the real-life tension of marriage communication—especially when one spouse is ready to sleep, and the other is ready to talk 🫠

01:20 – When Is the Right Time to Talk?
Why timing matters when discussing big topics like finances, parenting, and expectations—and the communication mistake they stopped making.

03:00 – Date Nights Are Not Strategy Meetings
Why your marriage needs protected time for connection—not confrontation.

04:15 – How Miscommunication Builds Resentment
Ali & Joshua get honest about how lack of clarity and emotional overload creates unnecessary conflict in marriage.

06:05 – The Bottler vs. The Talker
Joshua shares how he used to internalize everything—while Ali was rapid-fire ready. Why understanding each other’s processing styles is key.

08:40 – Knowing Each Other’s Strengths & Weaknesses
Ali explains how their opposite personalities—her fast pace, his slow-and-steady discernment—have become a strength (once they learned how to honor each other’s rhythms).

10:30 – Divine Order in Decision-Making
Why submitting major decisions to God—and each other—creates peace in the home. Ali shares what changed when she stopped pushing ahead without Joshua’s covering.

13:00 – The Shift That Saved Their Communication (and Finances)
Ali opens up about losing her first business and how giving Joshua financial leadership helped bring restoration, clarity, and unity.

15:30 – Servanthood vs. Selfishness
A biblical lens on communication: laying down your life, not proving your point.

17:20 – Walk it Out (Literally)
Joshua shares his go-to strategy for emotional regulation before tough conversations: walking, praying, and reframing.

18:40 – Out-Serve Each Other
The simple marriage principle from their premarital counseling that still shapes their communication today.

20:15 – Letting Go of Stubbornness
Ali shares how surrender, patience, and Spirit-led restraint softened her strong personality and strengthened their unity.

22:00 – Let’s Talk About Sex (Yes, Really)
Why open communication around sexual needs matters—and how couples can avoid disconnect, temptation, and unmet expectations.

24:00 – Don’t Go to Bed Angry
The rule they live by, rooted in Scripture: resolve conflict before sleep and never let little wedges build into big gaps.

25:30 – Final Word: Soft Answers & Celebrating Growth
A closing encouragement to give grace, celebrate progress, and commit to growing in communication—together.