What if the key to a thriving marriage wasn’t “working harder”… but rediscovering friendship? In this episode, Brad sits down with Dave and Ashley Willis—national voices in marriage ministry—to talk about how they turned an ordinary marriage into a calling that’s impacted millions. You’ll hear the real story of how youth ministry sparked their mission, how grace changes everything in marriage, and why pruning your calendar might be the most spiritual thing you can do.

Whether your marriage feels stuck in survival mode or you just want to keep it strong, this conversation is a roadmap back to joy, connection, and mission.

Subscribe, review, and share this episode—and visit GraceMarriage.com for more resources.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Why strong marriages are built on friendship, not perfection
• How pruning your calendar can actually heal your marriage
• The power of grace when only one spouse feels “strong”
• How to fight negativity bias and focus on what’s praiseworthy
• Why consistent date nights are a spiritual discipline
• Practical ways to rekindle connection when life feels overwhelming

KEY VERSES:
📖 Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
📖 Romans 6:14 – “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
📖 Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
📖 John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
📖 Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

• Free Marriage Intimacy eBook – https://www.daveandashley.com
• Marriage Breakthrough Experience (Sept 19–20) – https://www.daveandashley.com/events
• Marriage Cruise (April 6–10) – https://www.daveandashley.com/events
• Dave & Ashley’s Podcast Library – https://www.daveandashley.com
• Follow on Instagram – https://instagram.com/daveandashleywillis

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✅ Subscribe & Share – Help us spread the message of grace-based marriage by subscribing to the Grace Marriage Podcast and sharing this episode with friends or family.
✅ Join Grace Marriage – Ready to invest in your marriage? Visit GraceMarriage.com to learn how proactive marriage care can transform your relationship.
✅ Leave a Review – Your feedback helps us reach more couples who need encouragement.

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Many couples say communication is their biggest issue—but more often, it’s a symptom of something deeper: broken trust, unmet expectations, or simply a lack of emotional safety. In this episode, Brad and Marilyn sit down with therapist Lauren Early to unpack the core issues couples face and how to rebuild connection, even in the toughest seasons.

They discuss why love as a choice—not just a feeling—is critical for long-term intimacy, how small acts of intentionality restore trust, and how spiritual and emotional health directly impact your marriage. Whether you’re thriving or just hanging on, this honest, hope-filled episode will help you shift your mindset, pursue each other again, and grow stronger together.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Why emotional safety and trust are the foundation of a healthy marriage
• What couples really mean when they say “we struggle to communicate”
• How to rebuild trust after emotional withdrawal or shutdown
• The power of sacrificial love and why “love is a choice” matters
• How spiritual health impacts emotional intimacy
• Why marriage takes intentionality, not just chemistry
• How to pursue your spouse when life gets busy or stressful
• Tips from a Christian counselor for navigating tough seasons
• The discipline of regular date nights and how they strengthen marriage

KEY VERSES:
📖 Proverbs 18:2 - A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
📖 Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
📖 1 Peter 3:7 - Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
📖 Luke 18:1–5 - And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.” For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.

📖 Luke 6:35 - But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING??
✅ Subscribe & Share – Help us spread the message of grace-based marriage by subscribing to the Grace Marriage Podcast and sharing this episode with friends or family.
✅ Join Grace Marriage – Ready to invest in your marriage? Visit GraceMarriage.com to learn how proactive marriage care can transform your relationship.
✅ Leave a Review – Your feedback helps us reach more couples who need encouragement.

FOLLOW US:
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What if one of the most powerful tools for growing your marriage isn’t more date nights or better communication—but curiosity? In this episode, Brad sits down with pastor, performer, and author Drew Worsham to talk about the surprising role curiosity plays in connection, communication, and long-term relational health. From asking better questions to taking small risks, Drew shares the mindset shift that can revive your marriage, deepen your faith, and unlock personal growth in every area of life. Whether you’ve been married 3 years or 30, this conversation will challenge you to stop coasting and start wondering again.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Curiosity is a skill you can rebuild — Most of us lose our natural childhood curiosity over time, but it can be intentionally reignited through better questions and perspective shifts.
• The best marriages are built on questions, not assumptions — When curiosity fades, so does connection. Asking thoughtful questions keeps your spouse from becoming a stranger.
• Curiosity creates emotional intimacy — Deep love comes from deep interest. When we’re genuinely curious about our spouse, they feel seen, valued, and safe.
• Pride and insecurity kill curiosity — When we’re self-absorbed or insecure, we focus on performing rather than connecting. Humility and security make space for genuine curiosity.
• Leadership, discipleship, and marriage all thrive on curiosity — The best pastors, coaches, and spouses lead by being interested—not just interesting.

KEY VERSES:
📖 1 Peter 3:7 - “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
📖 Psalm 40:1-3 - "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING??
✅ Subscribe & Share – Help us spread the message of grace-based marriage by subscribing to the Grace Marriage Podcast and sharing this episode with friends or family.
✅ Join Grace Marriage – Ready to invest in your marriage? Visit GraceMarriage.com to learn how proactive marriage care can transform your relationship.
✅ Leave a Review – Your feedback helps us reach more couples who need encouragement.

FOLLOW US:
📌 Facebook: facebook.com/gracemarriage
📌 Instagram: instagram.com/gracemarriage
📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@grace_marriage