One Degree Marriage: a Christian Marriage Podcast

163: Growing Spiritually Together (Even When You Feel Like You're the Only One Trying) 29.06.2026 32min

Most of us know we should be growing spiritually. We even know we should be encouraging our spouse to do the same. But somewhere between good intentions and real life, it just… doesn't happen. We wait for the right season, the right Bible study, or for them to take the first step.In this episode, we get honest about our own inconsistencies: the prayer ruts, the accountability groups that faded after the babies came, the moments when the spirit is willing but the routine has quietly collapsed. And we walk through four simple, doable ways to pursue your own faith and gently invite your spouse along for the journey.This isn't about pressure or spiritual scorekeeping. It's about small, intentional shifts that create a marriage where faith is lived out loud, together.In this episode:Why starting with your own walk (not your spouse's) is the foundation everything else is built onThe difference between praying at a problem and praying specifically for your spouse's actual burdensHow to pursue spiritual growth even if your spouse isn't a believer, or is just in a hard seasonWhy what your spouse sees you doing quietly every morning matters more than almost anything you could sayThe one question upgrade that turns "how was your prayer meeting?" into a real conversationHow a weekly marriage meeting can become a no-pressure accountability rhythm for your faith lifeResources we mention:Five-Year Prayer JournalOur Weekly Marriage Meeting framework Related episodes: How to Be a Godly Wife and Unequally YokedYour one-degree shift this week: Pray for your spouse right now, specifically. Name a burden they're carrying. Ask God to soften both of your hearts. Then ask your spouse what they'd love for you to bring to the Lord on their behalf.If this episode gave you that little nudge you needed, share it with one couple in your life who's trying to grow. And if you haven't yet: subscribe, leave a review, and come find us at onedegreemarriage.com. We're so glad you're here.

162: The Hidden Cost of Comparing Your Marriage to Others 22.06.2026 27min

You scroll past an anniversary post or a friend's date night photo, and the thought slips in: why don't we have that? If that sounds familiar, comparison is quietly costing your marriage more than you realize.In this episode, we get honest about comparison in marriage and why it is such a sneaky threat to contentment. We talk about why social media makes comparing your marriage to other couples easier than any generation before us, how comparison breeds ungratefulness and ungratefulness breeds discontentment, and what the Garden of Eden's blame game reveals about why comparison is really a trust issue. Then we get practical: the real difference between toxic comparison and a healthy desire to grow, and how to curate what we follow so it builds our marriage instead of quietly tearing it down.In this episode:02:15 The comparison most of us would never say out loud, but feel often06:33 What comparison actually looks like in marriage, from fitness to faith to finances08:50 Why social media makes comparison harder to escape than ever before11:12 The highlight reel nobody shows you, including one from our own life13:17 What Adam and Eve's blame game reveals about comparison and trust18:08 The real difference between comparison and a healthy desire to grow together22:47 This week's one degree shift for turning comparison into gratitudeResources mentioned: Genesis 3, and our Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template, a simple rhythm for the "what do we want to cultivate" conversation we talk about here.

161: The One Conversation Your Marriage Is Missing 08.06.2026 33min

You're probably pretty good at the logistics. Who's getting the kids, who's making dinner, who remembered to call the plumber. But when's the last time you and your spouse slowed down long enough to ask: where are we actually going?In this episode, we're talking about the one conversation that tends to get skipped in even the healthiest marriages — casting a vision for your family. Not a financial roadmap or a five-year career plan, but the deeper stuff: What do we want our family to be known for? What culture are we building? Are we actually living out what we say we value?We get into why this conversation stays missing for most couples (spoiler: it's not laziness), what it actually looks like to sit down and do it, and we model it live with our own answers so you can hear how messy and real it can be.In this episode:Why even great marriages skip the vision conversation — and the three reasons it stays off the tableHow to start this conversation if your spouse isn't exactly jumping at the ideaThe one question that cuts to the heart of it: "If our marriage was in the same place in three years, how would you feel?"What a family mission statement actually is, and why we're changing ours after years of saying you should never change itFour vision-casting questions you can bring to a coffee shop, a playground, or your kitchen table this weekA live, unscripted demo of us answering every question ourselvesThe one degree shift: put something on the calendar. Even 20 minutes with a few intentional questions can start shifting the trajectory.Resources mentioned:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template: https://onedegreemarriage.com/meetingWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal: https://shop.onedegreemarriage.com/Daily Marriage Challenges: https://onedegreemarriage.com/challengeIf this episode resonated, share it with one couple who you think needs this conversation. And subscribe so you never miss a one-degree shift.https://onedegreemarriage.com/podcast

160: The Billy Graham Rule: Should Your Marriage Follow It? 01.06.2026 29min

Every marriage needs guardrails. But does a rule about never being alone with someone of the opposite sex actually protect you, or just give you a false sense of security?In Episode 160, we tackle the Billy Graham Rule head-on: what it is, why it exists, and whether married couples actually need to follow it. We share our honest take while also making clear that "not following the rule" doesn't mean "not guarding your marriage." The real protection, we'd argue, comes from something a lot harder than a policy.Resources & Links:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template: https://onedegreemarriage.com/meetingDaily Marriage Challenges: https://onedegreemarriage.com/challengeWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal: https://shop.onedegreemarriage.com/Share this episode with one couple who's navigating this conversation, then subscribe so you don't miss what's next.

159: How to Protect Your Marriage in the Season of Young Kids 25.05.2026 34min

You're doing the dishes, the diapers, and the 2 a.m. wake-ups—and somewhere in the middle of all of it, your marriage quietly slips to the back of the line. This episode is for every couple in the thick of the littles who still wants to choose each other.In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our own two-under-two season: a colicky second baby, COVID isolation, no family nearby, no meal train, and the constant low hum of "how are we going to get through today."RESOURCES:FREE WEEKLY MARRIAGE MEETING TEMPLATEDAILY MARRIAGE CHALLENGES

158: Unequally Yoked: 6 Shifts When Your Spouse Doesn't Believe 18.05.2026 27min

Some weeks the loneliest seat in the house is the one right next to your spouse. If you love Jesus and they don't (or they used to, and now it's complicated) this episode is for you.Whether your spouse is a non-believer or simply lukewarm in their faith, the conversation walks through six practical, hope-forward practices for staying steady... without slipping into bitterness, pride, or quiet compromise.In this episode:What "unequally yoked" really means — and why it can apply even when both of you say you're Christians (02:28)Why praying for your spouse and your own heart has to be a daily rhythm, not a one-time desperate ask (06:00)The micro-compromises that quietly erode your faith — and how to guard against them (07:13)How 1 Peter 3:1-2 reframes your everyday life as a witness without ever making you preachy (09:33)Why you need a few people in your corner who will tell you the hard truth in love (14:23)Taking ownership of discipling your kids when your spouse won't — the Eunice and Lois story (19:10)The danger of turning your spouse into an evangelism project and forgetting to actually love them (21:19)Resources & mentions: 1 Peter 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:5 (Eunice and Lois), Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.If this episode encouraged you, share it with one couple who needs to know they're not the only ones. Subscribe so you don't miss next week's conversation, and leave a review to help more couples find One Degree Marriage.

157: 6 Things We Wish We Knew About Sex Before Marriage 11.05.2026 40min

You said "I do," and then assumed sex would just figure itself out. For a lot of couples, it doesn't. And the silence around that can make you feel like you're the only one struggling.In this episode, we get honest about the first three years of our marriage, when sex felt more like a burden than a blessing, and what we wish someone had told us sooner. We unpack the lingering weight of purity culture, the lie that physical intimacy should "just come naturally," and the small shifts that slowly turned things around. Whether you're a newlywed, engaged and prepping for the marriage bed, or a long-married couple wanting to grow, this conversation offers a hopeful, faith-informed look at what healthy intimacy in a Christian marriage can actually look like, and how to start talking about it without shame.In this episode:Why "sex is good and from God" is easier to believe in theory than in your bodyThe lonely myth that intimacy should come naturally, and why it often doesn'tThe one mindset shift that takes sex from transactional to deeply connecting"Chore play" and why foreplay starts hours before the bedroomHow to actually talk about sex with your spouse (without it getting weird)Why growing together sexually is one of the most underrated gifts of marriageYour one-degree shift for this weekFREE WEEKLY MARRIAGE MEETING TEMPLATE Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

156: How to Communicate About Schedules in Marriage (Without Fighting) 04.05.2026 20min

Ever been blindsided by something on your spouse's calendar — a meeting, a trip, a last-minute Cubs game — that you swear they never told you about? You're not alone. Most couples default to reactive scheduling, and it costs them more than they realize.In this episode:Why "I told you about this" fights almost always come down to expectations, not memoryThe two questions to ask every week — and why one alone isn't enoughHow setting expectations on the front end turned a hard solo-parenting day into one of the week's highlightsA real workout-morning example: how 30 seconds of communication prevents small frictionsWhy the calendar tool you pick matters less than you think — and the one feature that actually doesThe one-degree shift to start this week, even if you've never had a marriage meeting beforeIf this episode hits home, share it with one couple who keeps getting caught off guard by their own week. Subscribe so you don't miss what's next, leave a quick review to help other couples find the show, and head to onedegreemarriage.com for tools to make your weekly marriage meeting actually stick.

155: 5 Ways to Get Out of a Marriage Rut 27.04.2026 25min

Your marriage isn't in crisis. There's no betrayal. No big fight. No broken trust. You're both showing up, doing your jobs, putting food on the table, and somewhere along the way, "showing up" quietly turned into "going through the motions."That's a rut. And it's the most common (and most overlooked) season in a marriage.In this episode, we unpack a Yahoo column about a husband whose answer to "I feel unseen" was "but we have a nice house" and why that response is way more common than we'd like to admit. Then they walk through the five small habits they keep coming back to for getting out of a rut: the Weekly Marriage Meeting, the daily high/low/buffalo, praying together, intentionally mixing things up, and outside accountability.A reminder that you can't coast your way to connection, but you can take one small step back toward each other this week.

154: Hospitality with a Less-than-Ideal House 20.04.2026 26min

What if the secret to deeper friendships, stronger family rhythms, and richer Christian community wasn't a bigger house or a better-cooked meal, but simply opening your door every Friday night?Let's chat about our weekly "Sabbath Kickoff Dinner"—a standing Friday night meal with friends and kids that's become the most anticipated part of our week. We unpack the difference between cultural hospitality (perfect table settings, drinks-in-hand, flawless meals) and biblical hospitality (Mary vs. Martha, authentic fellowship, shared life), and why lowering your expectations is the key to actually getting started.If you've ever thought, "I'd love to host, but our house isn't ready" or "I don't have time for that" — this episode is for you.

153: Why Gratitude Is the Secret to a Happier Marriage (And How to Actually Practice It) 13.04.2026 36min

In this episode, we're getting honest about one of the sneakiest marriage killers: ungratefulness. We've found in our own marriage, and in the couples we talk to, that the longer you're together, the easier it is to start taking your spouse for granted. The things that once drew you to them? You stop noticing. And the things that bother you? They seem to get louder.In this episode, we talk about:Why ungratefulness breeds discontentment — and what to do insteadHow our Weekly Marriage Meeting builds gratitude intentionally into our weekThe "what you look for grows" principle and why it's a game-changer in marriageWhat to do when your heart is hardened toward your spouse and it feels impossible to feel gratefulThe Litany of Humility and how it shapes the way we approach recognition and appreciationA live, rapid-fire version of our three-things-we-appreciate exercise... straight from our own meetingWe wrap with a practical one-degree shift you can try this week: keeping a daily gratitude list specifically about your spouse.Resources mentioned in this episode:Weekly Marriage Meeting Journal Daily Marriage Challenge emailsThe Litany of Humility— a Catholic prayer of humility we reference throughout the episodeIf this episode encouraged you, share it with a couple who needs it. And if you haven't already, subscribe so you never miss a new episode!Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

152: How to Out-Serve Your Spouse (And Why Most Marriages Never Get There) 06.04.2026 37min

What would your marriage look like if both of you woke up every morning asking, "How can I out-serve my spouse today?"In this episode, we get real about what it actually means to seek to out-serve your spouse, the subtle scoreboard most couples keep, why our flesh resists serving without reciprocation, and how the gospel completely reframes what sacrifice is meant to look like in marriage.In this episode:Why "I did it last, so you do it now" quietly shifts service into transactionThe language shift that removes the tally from your marriageWhat to do when you feel like you're the only one giving, and nothing is coming backWhy prayer isn't an afterthought, it's your first moveThree practical one-degree shifts to start serving your spouse better this week📋 Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template → onedegreeMarriage.com/meetingOne Degree Marriage Podcast | Helping couples grow through practical, faith-grounded conversations... one degree at a time.Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

151: 6 Ways Marriage Changes You 30.03.2026 35min

Marriage will change you — the question is, will it change you for better or worse?In this episode, we get honest about six real ways marriage has shaped, stretched, and sanctified us — the good stuff AND the uncomfortable stuff. From sin being exposed (yes, including the t-shirt drawer debate) to learning that love is a daily choice and not just a feeling, this one's a candid conversation you'll want to share with your spouse.In this episode:Why marriage exposes sin you didn't even know you hadHow close proximity forces you to think about others moreWhy structure and discipline in marriage creates MORE freedomThe conflict skills they had to learn the hard wayThe humbling reality of thinking you know it all before kidsWhy love is a choice — and what that looks like in the real, tired momentsOne Degree Shift: Ask your spouse this week — "How can I best serve you this week?" — and then actually do it.🎁 Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template → onedegreeMarriage.com/meetingMentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

150: Must-Listen Episodes for Your Spring Break Roadtrip 23.03.2026 18min

Spring break is here, and if you're hitting the road with your spouse, we did the work for you. In this episode, we walk you through our curated road trip playlist straight from the One Degree Marriage podcast: 10 episodes hand-picked to spark real conversation in the car without requiring a single note. From fun and light to deeper listens, we've got your whole drive covered.GET THE WHOLE PLAYLIST HERE

150: 7 Habits of Deeply Connected Couples (That Anyone Can Start This Week) 16.03.2026 26min

What separates couples who feel truly close from those who are just coexisting? In this episode, we're (and by we I mean... me. Just Xan this week) breaking down 7 practical habits that deeply connected couples actually practice. No fluff, no theory, just things you can implement today.From the High-Low-Buffalo daily check-in to non-sexual physical touch, praying together, the Weekly Marriage Meeting™, expressing specific gratitude, protecting against slow drift, and having a real conflict plan, we're gonna cover it all.Whether your marriage feels disconnected right now or you're simply looking to go deeper, there's something here for you.Grab the free Weekly Marriage Meeting™ template at https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

149: Feeling Disconnected? Why We Do a Yearly Marriage Retreat (And How You Can Too) 07.03.2026 31min

Feeling disconnected from your spouse or stuck in the daily grind of work, kids, and responsibilities?In this episode, we talk about one simple rhythm that has helped our marriage stay intentional: taking a yearly marriage retreat.You don’t need a fancy vacation, a huge budget, or even overnight childcare to make it happen. A marriage retreat can be as simple as a weekend away, a staycation, or intentionally setting aside time to reconnect and reflect on where your marriage is headed.In this conversation, we share why we started doing annual marriage retreats, what actually makes them meaningful, and how you can plan one that strengthens your relationship.We also talk about:• Why thriving marriages don’t happen by accident• How to plan a marriage retreat with any budget• The most important conversations to have during your retreat• How to align your marriage, faith, and family vision for the future• Practical ways to reconnect when life feels busy or overwhelmingWhether you’ve been married one year or ten, intentional time together can make a huge difference in building a strong, Christ-centered marriage.Resources & Links📥 FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Guide: https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

148: How to Be a Godly Wife: What does Ephesians 5 Say to Wives? 02.03.2026 43min

What does it really mean for wives to “submit” to their husbands in Ephesians 5?In this episode, we unpack one of the most controversial passages in the Bible about marriage: “Wives, submit to your husbands.”Is submission blind obedience?Does it mean tolerating sin or abuse?Is it outdated or oppressive?Or is it something deeper, and actually freeing?We explore:What biblical submission is notWhy this passage must be read alongside the call for husbands to love like ChristWhat submission looks like on an ordinary TuesdayHow respect, encouragement, and trust play out practicallyWhy submission is ultimately an act of worship to ChristIf you’ve wrestled with this passage (or avoided it altogether) this conversation will help you think biblically, clearly, and courageously about your role in marriage.📖 Scripture referenced: Ephesians 5:22–33, 1 Peter 3, Genesis 2k5jLIHDjFaRtJ9pH3hPCMentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

147: How to Be a Godly Husband: What Does Ephesians 5 Say to Husbands? 23.02.2026 35min

Ephesians 5 might be one of the most debated passages in marriage conversations, especially when it comes to submission. But what about the calling placed on husbands?In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we unpack what it actually means for husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church.” And spoiler alert: the bar is Jesus.We break down:What servant leadership really means (and what it doesn’t)Why authority in marriage is meant for sacrifice, not controlPractical, everyday examples of loving your wife wellHow husbands can initiate spiritual leadership at homeThe difference between passivity and Christlike leadershipIf you’ve ever wondered what Ephesians 5 looks like on a Tuesday night, this episode is for you.Next week, we’ll tackle the other half of the conversation.Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meetingMarch Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll

146: Strengthening Intimacy in Marriage When You Feel Disconnected 16.02.2026 32min

Feeling disconnected in your marriage, even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, we talk about the three kinds of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, physical) and why surface-level fixes like date nights don’t work if you don’t address the root.We’ll walk you through the starting point that changes everything: an honest conversation to diagnose what’s actually driving the drift (busyness, unresolved conflict, unmet expectations, stress, trust, spiritual stagnancy). Then we share simple, practical rhythms that rebuild connection over time, including prayer, Weekly Marriage Meetings, and daily check-ins.RESOURCES:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal™Conflict Resolution Episode: Our Favorite Way to FightMentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting

145: How to Love Your Spouse the Way They Actually Feel Loved 09.02.2026 25min

Have you ever gone all out to love your spouse, only to be met with a lukewarm response? You meant well. You put in real effort. And somehow, it still missed the mark.In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to love your spouse in the way they feel most loved, not just the way that comes naturally to you. Using real-life examples, biblical truth, and practical questions you can ask this week, we unpack why love is meant to be self-giving and sacrificial rather than self-expressive.We discuss love languages, why gratitude and intention both matter, how seasons of life change the way love is received, and why regular check-ins (like a Weekly Marriage Meeting) are key to staying connected. If you want to move from well-intentioned effort to meaningful connection, this episode will help you take that next step.Mentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting