FREE DOWNLOAD: Yearly Planning Guide for Couples

In this episode of the Impact Marriage Podcast, Allan and Nicole Blain discuss the importance of planning the year ahead as a couple. They emphasize the need for unity, communication, and intentionality in creating a shared vision for the year. The conversation covers various aspects of life, including spiritual growth, marriage protection, family relationships, health, and finances. The hosts provide practical tips for effective planning, including starting with prayer, dreaming together, and evaluating key areas for growth. They encourage couples to make planning fun and life-giving, while also addressing potential tension points and the importance of building margin in the calendar. The episode concludes with actionable steps for couples to take in their planning process.

Who are we?

We’re Allan and Nicole Blain — college sweethearts, now married 33 years, parents of six amazing grown kids, and co-leaders of a thriving, purpose-driven business and ministry. We met as student-athletes — she played volleyball, I played baseball — just five days after Nicole’s 19th birthday. We were married one year later, five days after her 20th, on September 12, 1992.

Connect with us:

Website AllanAndNicole.com

Instagram @ImpactMarriagePodcast

YouTube @ImpactMarriagePodcast

TikTok @ImpactMarriagePodcast

Order Allan's book "Life's Hard Succeed Anyway”

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Impact Marriage Podcast
• 00:27 Planning the Year Ahead Together
• 02:24 Importance of Communication in Marriage
• 05:14 Building Trust and Teamwork through Planning
• 07:55 Starting with Prayer and Seeking God's Guidance
• 09:50 Creating a Shared Vision for the Year
• 12:10 Key Areas for Growth: Spirituality, Marriage, and Family
• 14:29 Health and Wellness as a Priority
• 24:26 Financial Freedom and Planning
• 26:22 The Importance of Unity in Family Decisions
• 28:10 Navigating Homeschooling Decisions
• 30:22 Proactive Communication in Relationships
• 33:13 Building Margin and Flexibility in Planning
• 36:01 Making Planning Fun and Engaging
• 38:18 Effective Calendar Management for Couples
• 41:11 Prioritizing Big Rocks in Your Calendar
• 45:48 Integrating Health and Finances into Planning
• 48:38 The Challenge of Intentional Planning

Takeaways:

• Planning together reduces stress and builds unity.
• Communication is key to preventing resentment.
• It's never too late to plan your year.
• Start with prayer to set the right tone.
• Vision casting creates buy-in and unity.
• Identify key areas for growth in your life.
• Protect your marriage through intentional planning.
• Create family memories through intentional time together.
• Health is vital for a fulfilling life.
• Financial freedom allows for greater choices and impact.

Keywords: marriage, planning, communication, trust, vision, family, health, finances, intentionality, unity

In this episode of the Impact Marriage Podcast, Allan and Nicole Blain share their journey from their first date to over 33 years of marriage. They discuss the challenges they faced, including financial struggles, health issues, and family crises, and how these experiences shaped their relationship. The couple emphasizes the importance of faith, communication, and community in navigating the ups and downs of marriage. They also introduce their new podcast, aimed at providing practical advice and encouragement for couples seeking to strengthen their relationships.

Sound Bites:

"I viewed Nicole as way out of my league."

"She surprised me, shocked me and said yes."

"We can look back and see how God showed up."

Who are we?

We’re Allan and Nicole Blain — college sweethearts, now married 33 years, parents of six amazing grown kids, and co-leaders of a thriving, purpose-driven business and ministry. We met as student-athletes — she played volleyball, I played baseball — just five days after Nicole’s 19th birthday. We were married one year later, five days after her 20th, on September 12, 1992.

Connect with us:

Website AllanAndNicole.com

Instagram @ImpactMarriagePodcast

YouTube @ImpactMarriagePodcast

TikTok @ImpactMarriagePodcast

Order Allan's book "Life's Hard Succeed Anyway”

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to the Impact Marriage Podcast
• 00:55 The Beginning of Their Love Story
• 09:56 Early Marriage Challenges and Financial Struggles
• 11:47 Faith and Family: The Desire for More Children
• 22:31 Finding Community and Mentorship
• 24:43 A Leap of Faith: Moving to Georgia
• 25:35 The Journey to Expanding Their Family
• 27:56 Family Growth and Life Changes
• 29:18 Career Transitions and Financial Struggles
• 32:36 Health Challenges and Resilience
• 36:47 Navigating Personal Loss and Addiction
• 46:15 A New Direction: Building a Home-Based Business
• 51:47 Launching the Impact Marriage Podcast

Takeaways:

• Authenticity in marriage is crucial for a fulfilling relationship.
• Early challenges can strengthen a marriage if faced together.
• Communication is key in navigating family planning and desires.
• Financial struggles can teach valuable lessons about money management.
• Health issues can impact relationships but can also lead to growth.
• Spiritual growth can transform personal and marital dynamics.
• Navigating family crises requires support and understanding.
• Career changes can lead to discovering true passions and purpose.
• Building a supportive community is essential for marriage.
• Sharing experiences can help others facing similar challenges.

Keywords:

marriage, relationship advice, family, love story, health challenges, personal growth, financial struggles, parenting, podcast, Christian marriage

In this episode of the Impact Marriage Podcast, hosts Allan and Nicole Blain share the first part of their love story, delving into their childhoods and the experiences that shaped their perspectives on marriage. They discuss the importance of understanding one's backstory in the context of relationships, highlighting how their unique upbringings influenced their views on faith, family, and personal growth. The episode culminates in their meeting during college, setting the stage for the next part of their story.

Who are we?

We’re Allan and Nicole Blain — college sweethearts, now married 33 years, parents of six amazing grown kids, and co-leaders of a thriving, purpose-driven business and ministry. We met as student-athletes — she played volleyball, I played baseball — just five days after Nicole’s 19th birthday. We were married one year later, five days after her 20th, on September 12, 1992.

Connect with us:

Website AllanAndNicole.com

Instagram @ImpactMarriagePodcast

YouTube @ImpactMarriagePodcast

TikTok @ImpactMarriagePodcast

Order Allan's book "Life's Hard Succeed Anyway”

Sound Bites:

• "We all come with a past."
• "Sports saved me."
• "I want a bodyguard!"

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to the Impact Marriage Podcast
• 01:24 The Importance of Backstory in Marriage
• 01:47 Allan's Childhood and Upbringing
• 06:31 Nicole's Childhood and Family Dynamics
• 12:05 The Role of Sports and Freedom in Their Lives
• 15:12 Meeting in College: The Beginning of Their Love Story
• 28:04 The Complexity of Faith and Relationships

Takeaways:

• The importance of sharing personal backstories in marriage.
• Everyone comes into marriage with different experiences and 'baggage'.
• Childhood experiences shape our perspectives on relationships.
• Allan grew up in a strict, legalistic church environment.
• Nicole's upbringing was marked by freedom and a lack of parental guidance.
• Sports played a significant role in both Allan and Nicole's lives.
• Meeting in college was a pivotal moment in their relationship.
• Faith and personal beliefs can complicate relationships.
• Understanding each other's backgrounds fosters deeper connections.
• The journey of faith is ongoing and can evolve over time.

Keywords:

marriage, love story, childhood, family dynamics, faith, relationships, sports, upbringing, podcast, personal growth