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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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.

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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.

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Jeremy and Wendy Coward join the Grace Marriage Podcast to share their raw, powerful story of how God redeemed their marriage after years of distance, betrayal, and brokenness. From infidelity and addiction to deep repentance and grace-fueled healing, this episode is for every couple wondering if true transformation is possible. Hear how God turned their marriage around, how they’re helping others through Grace Marriage, and why their mission now is to walk alongside churches and families who feel like they’ve hit rock bottom. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t,” this episode will show you why, through God’s grace, you absolutely can.


🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• How to rebuild trust after adultery and betrayal
• Why many Christian marriages fall apart—and how to reverse the drift
• What “grace-fueled marriage” actually looks like day-to-day
• How one couple saved their marriage after porn, adultery, and distance
• How churches can make marriage ministry a pillar, not a program
• The power of ongoing discipleship for married couples
• Practical boundaries and rhythms that rebuild trust
• Why repentance, humility, and grace matter more than “fixing each other”

KEY VERSES:
📖 Ephesians 2:8–9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
📖 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.
📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
📖 John 13:34–35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

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.
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Sex is one of the most powerful, beautiful, and complicated parts of marriage — and yet it’s one of the least talked about, especially in Christian circles. In this episode of the Grace Marriage Podcast, Brad and Marilyn Rhoads tackle the topic head-on: how sex and communication are intertwined, why healthy intimacy matters for emotional connection, how to navigate seasons where intimacy is hard, and how to break the silence with your spouse (and your kids) in a way that honors God. Whether you’re thriving or struggling, this is a conversation every couple needs to hear.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Why Christian couples struggle to talk about sex — and how to change that
• How emotional connection and sexual intimacy fuel each other in marriage
• The real impact of avoiding conversations about sex with your spouse
• Should couples schedule sex? How intentionality can actually increase desire
• How to talk to your kids about sex early — and why it matters
• Why a healthy sex life requires grace, communication, and patience
• What to do when life seasons (kids, sickness, stress) affect intimacy
• How pornography is damaging young marriages — and what parents can do now
• Understanding why sex is both a physical and spiritual union in marriage
• Tips for building a stronger, more joy-filled marriage through intimacy

KEY VERSES:
📖 Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
📖 1 Corinthians 7:3–5 – Paul’s instruction about mutual intimacy in marriage and not withholding from one another
📖 James 4:6 (referenced indirectly) – Themes of humility and grace in dealing with unmet expectations
📖 Hebrews 13:4 (referenced by principle) – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.”

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.
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What if, instead of asking “Why?”, you started asking “Why not?” In this episode, Brad and Marilyn share the bold, life-changing story of how they paused life for six months to travel the country as a family — right as they launched Grace Marriage. From hilarious misadventures to life-altering lessons, they unpack how pursuing big, visionary goals (even when they seem crazy) can deepen your marriage and family bonds. Plus, they offer biblical wisdom for dreaming bigger together, pushing past fear, and trusting God with the impossible.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• How setting bold goals can strengthen your marriage
• Why couples should dream big together in marriage
• How travel experiences can deepen family bonds
• Overcoming fear and obstacles to pursue God’s calling
• Why “Why Not?” thinking can transform your relationship
• How to grow closer as a family through shared adventure
• Trusting God’s bigger plans over cultural expectations
• How to create visionary goals for your marriage and family

KEY VERSES:
📖 Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
📖 Luke 18:27 — “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

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.

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We all bring something into our marriage—including the way we were raised. In this episode, Brad and Marilyn break down how family of origin influences everything from finances to parenting to how we fight (or avoid conflict altogether). Whether you grew up in a hands-off or hands-on home, your background is likely shaping your expectations in ways you may not even realize. Hear honest stories of the Rhoads navigating mismatched traditions, parental influence, and personality differences—all with grace. This one’s real, funny, and crucial for anyone building a new family of their own.

Family of Origin Worksheet: https://gracemarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FAMILY-OF-ORIGIN-WORKSHEET.pdf

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Family of origin and how it affects marriage
• Blending backgrounds in marriage
• Setting boundaries with in-laws
• "Leave and cleave" explained
• How childhood habits impact adult relationships
• Opposites in marriage: help or hurt?
• How to create your own family culture
• Navigating different upbringings in parenting
• The impact of your parents on your marriage
• How to protect your marriage from outside influence

KEY VERSES:
📖 Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
📖 Proverbs 14:12 — "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
📖 Romans 12:10 — "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
📖 Proverbs 27:17 — "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
📖 Ephesians 4:2–3 — "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

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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Talking about money can bring tension, guilt, or even full-blown fights in a marriage—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, Brad and Marilyn open up about their own real-life (and hilarious) money clashes, from grocery store blowups to budgeting breakdowns. Whether you’re the saver or the spender, this conversation unpacks how couples can better understand each other, work toward unity, and use money as a tool—not a wedge. Tune in to laugh, relate, and take practical steps toward more grace in your finances and your marriage.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• How to talk about money without fighting in marriage
• Spender vs. saver dynamics in relationships
• Setting financial boundaries as a couple
• Real marriage budgeting tips that actually work
• Using grace to resolve financial conflict
• What the Bible says about money in marriage
• Why money is more emotional than logical
• When to seek outside help for financial disagreement
• Healthy communication rules for money fights
• How to honor your spouse even when you disagree about money

KEY VERSES:
📖 1 Timothy 6:10 — "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
📖 James 1:5 — "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..."
📖 Proverbs 3:9 — "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce."
📖 Luke 12:34 — "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
📖 2 Corinthians 9:7 — "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
📖 Hebrews 13:5 — "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have..."
📖 Proverbs 21:5 — "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."

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.
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