All episodes

How to stop arguing in marriage starts with two words: I understand. Aaron and Jennifer Smith tackle the reflexive habit of disagreeing before seeking to understand, drawing on James 1:19 (quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger) and the Proverbs teaching that by understanding a house is established. They explain why understanding your spouse is not the same as agreeing with them, why so many arguments are "nothing fights" masking deeper feelings, and what Gottman's finding that roughly 70% of marital conflicts are perpetual means for couples who are simply different people. You'll get practical tools for active...

What are the most important things in a marriage? Not the usual answers of communication, sex, and finances, say Aaron and Jennifer Smith. In this episode they name three deeper foundations for building a lasting marriage: acknowledging that marriage is a covenant, a promise made before God and not just a contract or a piece of paper; finding security in knowing your marriage has a purpose beyond yourselves, revealing the relationship between Christ and His church; and cultivating willing hearts in conversation, intimacy, and sacrifice. They look at the Old Testament tabernacle offering, where God wanted only willing givers, and...

Living in a sexless marriage can feel lonely and discouraging. In this episode Aaron and Jennifer Smith open up about their own four-year struggle with painful, unconsummated intimacy early in their marriage, a story Jennifer shares in her book The Unveiled Wife. They walk through common causes of a sexless marriage, from medical issues like vaginismus to spiritual and emotional factors, and lay out a biblical view of sex as good and honorable from Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 7, and Proverbs 5. You'll hear how to fight the lies of discouragement and incompatibility, plus practical steps that helped them: praying...

What if your everyday habits are shaping your family's hearts more than you realize? In this episode Aaron and Jennifer Smith review Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley, a book about the spiritual impact of the seemingly mundane rituals of family life. Jennifer shares quotes on how habits form deep ruts you have to practice your way out of, why the heart follows habit, and why there is no neutral, since the human heart is always being shaped by something. They discuss Earley's chapters on waking, on screen time and teaching kids about sex, identity, and consumption before...

How should a husband pray for his wife? In this episode Aaron and Jennifer Smith explore sacred intercession: doing spiritual work on your wife's behalf, even when she can't pray for herself. Aaron models husbandly prayer on Jesus, the ultimate intercessor, drawing from His prayer for Peter in Luke 22 and His High Priestly Prayer in John 17 to highlight what to pray for your wife: unity, protection (especially against believing lies), sanctification, joy, and mission. They also share specific prayer points like spiritual growth, confidence, freedom from fear, and understanding her purpose, and encourage husbands to pray privately for...

How do you pray for your husband? Oswald Chambers said we tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. In this episode Aaron and Jennifer Smith explore what prayer is, communing with God, sharing your heart, and being still to listen, and why believers now have direct access to the Father through Jesus. Drawing on Philippians 4:6-7, they offer wives a practical list of ways to pray for their husbands: asking him what you can pray for, praying without ceasing, and praying for his relationship with God, his confidence...

How do you build a more intimate relationship with God? Aaron and Jennifer Smith begin with God's character as One who pursues relationship, from rescuing His people out of Egypt (Exodus 6:7) to walking with Enoch and tearing the temple veil. Then they share seven ways to draw closer to Him: share your fears, hurts, and burdens; show appreciation and thanksgiving; ask what He wants, like David, a man after God's heart; repent, since God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance; be faithful and show up; know Him and trust Him; and make worship and praise a lifestyle...

Feel like giving up when life gets hard? There is a temptation that comes for all of us, often when we're distracted and least expect it: the temptation to quit when things get hard. Aaron and Jennifer Smith open with a story of Jennifer feeling discouraged on her weight-loss journey and Aaron reminding her to value consistency and the path over a distant goal. They teach that trials are a normal, inevitable part of life, that hard times test our faith and produce steadfastness (James 1:2-4), and that the answer is to go to God, the one who has all...

Why does humility matter so much in marriage? Aaron and Jennifer Smith contrast pride, which God hates and which comes before disgrace, with humility: placing others above yourself and recognizing your true position before God. Pride is our natural state and the root of most fights ("I'm right and you're wrong"), and it keeps couples from reconciliation, repentance, and apology. Humility, by contrast, creates safety, unity, and a powerful example. They talk about apologizing without "buts," the difference between humility and humiliation, and practical ways to walk humbly: quickly acknowledging hurt, being quick to forgive, praying together, agreeing with God...

What does it mean to be an always learner? Aaron and Jennifer Smith make the case that staying stagnant is like stagnant water, while a lifelong love of learning keeps your mind sharp and develops character. They share their own learning journeys, from guitar and cooking to parenting, homeschooling, and jiu-jitsu, and talk about discovering your learning style (auditory, kinesthetic, or visual) and how passion drives what you retain. Along with quotes from Einstein, Da Vinci, and Abigail Adams, they look to Proverbs on seeking wisdom and to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-29 to learn from Him and find rest....