In this episode we dive into three pillars of a healthy life: Mental Health, Physical Health, and Marital Health.

If you're feeling a bit lost and unsure about what direction to take in life, then this episode is just for you. Join us as we chat about some small but impactful steps you can take to make those big, life-altering decisions a little less daunting.

In this episode, we dive into some cornerstone habits that every successful marriage has. Whether you're a newlywed or a seasoned couple, join us as we share some practical tips and timeless wisdom to nurture and sustain a thriving partnership.

In this episode we discuss the importance of standing up and advocating for your marriage. We explore the common challenges couples face and offer strategies for navigating conflict, communication breakdowns, and outside pressures. Whether you're facing infidelity, financial struggles, or simply feeling disconnected from your partner, we provide valuable insights and practical tips for building a stronger, more resilient relationship. Tune in to learn how to fight for your marriage and create a lasting bond that withstands the test of time.

In the second part of our adoption journey, we delve into adjusting to parenthood, advice on questions that will come up, supporting your child through identity exploration, and steps to take to start your own adoption journey. Whether you're considering adoption, on a similar journey, or simply curious about the intricacies of adoption, this episode offers insights, encouragement, and a celebration of the beauty of build a family through love.

Chris and Jennifer are hosting a two part series about the adoption journey of their wonderful triplet girls. In part one, they will be discussing topics such as research, preparation, adoption route, process, meeting their children, and much more. Tune in to listen and enjoy their story.

Let's face it, family life isn't all sunshine and smooth sailing; it's the gentle art of extending grace and the diligent craft of forging bonds that fortify our home. By highlighting the importance of treating our spouse with the same kindness we'd lavish on a friend, we carve out a space for conversation on the subtle dynamics that keep familial ties strong. Our candid moments reveal that sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures and the shared laughter over gourmet appetites or a child's podcast dreams that stitch us closer together.Wrapping up with heartfelt thanks to our dedicated listeners, we share tips on fanning the flames of love through those everyday acts that say, 'You're my person.' Whether it's through sweet nothings left on the pillow or the tender embrace of a prayer, this episode is a treasure trove of reminders to cherish the ones we hold dear. So plug in, press play, and let's nurture those intentional, loving connections together.

While the focus should ideally be on fostering a healthy and supportive relationship, it is essential to recognize potential pitfalls that could harm a marriage.  Here are ten behaviors or actions, that if unchecked, could have detrimental effects on a marriage.

Gather 'round, as Chris and Jennifer take you through a heartfelt exploration of why the humble dinner table is the beating heart of family life. They kick things off with laughter, recounting Greysen's quirky trivia about Mike Tyson's pigeons and Rowan's cheeky attempts at sibling bribery. It's not just about the food; it's the togetherness that makes these moments priceless, shaping their family narrative one meal at a time. Their tales from the table are sure to resonate with anyone who cherishes those daily opportunities to bond and create memories.As they peel back the layers of what makes a family tick, they touch on the commitment that's as essential as the secret ingredient to grandma's famous recipe. It's clear that carving out tech-free time to connect during meals isn't just about good manners; it’s a recipe for nurturing love, appreciation, and the art of listening. Chris and Jennifer are passionate about encouraging families to embrace this practice, ensuring that every shared meal enriches the tapestry of familial love.Whether you're passing the peas or passing down wisdom, the dinner table is where futures are forged and identities are affirmed.

Imagine a world where dirty socks on the floor don't escalate into full-blown arguments. In this  episode, we unravel the art of seamless communication and divvying up household duties. By recounting our own tales of chore charts and laundry schedules, we aim to equip couples with the strategies to combat the build-up of resentment. It's not about keeping score; it's about playing the game together and rewriting the rulebook when life tosses a wildcard your way. Whether it's managing a budget or ensuring both partners can handle the car maintenance, we're all about fostering a partnership where both feel valued and heard. So, as you listen in, we invite you to join us in this ongoing conversation about love, dedication, and the heartfelt work that makes a marriage not just work, but thrive.

Have you ever wondered how to keep the fire of love burning in your marriage amidst the chaos of daily life? Join us on the Love Works podcast, as we discuss one area we've found to be vital in keeping our bond strong is the institution of regular date nights. Not just a frivolous luxury, these dedicated times of connection have been proven to significantly improve happiness, commitment, and satisfaction in relationships. We'll be discussing how to make these special nights (or days) happen, even with a busy schedule, limited budget, or lack of childcare. We can't wait to share with you the benefits of dating within marriage, and how it can reignite the romantic spark between you and your spouse. We'll explore why it's crucial to make your spouse a priority and create dedicated time for one another. Remember, your love story is not finished writing itself, and we're eager to help you add some beautiful chapters to it. So, join us, and let’s get to work on love.

What if you could turn the tide in your marriage with just a simple shift in mindset? Appreciation is a powerful tool, often underestimated in its ability to transform relationships. We delve into the critical role of appreciation in marriage, discussing the "magic ratio" of positive versus negative interactions and the tell-tale signs of a lack of appreciation. We'll guide you through the steps to make appreciating your spouse a daily habit, improving communication and paving the way to a more fulfilling marriage.Shifting our focus from our partner's faults to their positive qualities can have a profound impact on our relationships. We highlight the importance of using phrases like "I appreciate" and going the extra mile with politeness. By referencing Philippians 4:8, we aim to encourage listeners to fill their minds with positive thoughts. As we wrap up our conversation, we hope to inspire you to infuse more love, gratitude, and positivity into your relationships. Join us, and let's transform our marriages together!

If you've ever found yourself drained by the constant demands of extended family, then you know the importance of boundaries in relationships. In a lively and insightful discussion, my wife Jennifer and I delve into the humorous side of parenting our six children and the serious side of setting boundaries in our relationships. We share our funny stories, experiences and lessons learned to guide you in setting your own emotional and time boundaries with family members, so you never have to feel emotionally drained or unable to fulfill your God-given responsibilities to your own family.Have you ever wondered how to maintain spiritual boundaries in your marriage? As we navigate through the complex waters of boundary setting, we lay emphasis on the crucial role of open communication with your spouse, and the importance of constant re-evaluation of these boundaries as your marriage evolves. This candid conversation is not just about setting boundaries with family and friends, but also about ensuring that prayer time and reading scripture remain a top priority in your marriage.In the final stage of our discussion, we tackle the intricate web of setting boundaries with extended family and friends. We stress the vital need for agreement with your spouse before venturing into these tricky conversations, and the indispensable role of communication in a healthy marriage. As part of our commitment to your relational success, we wrap up the episode with prayers for those in relationships and marriages, encouraging you to have the strength to set and reaffirm boundaries. Join us on this boundary-setting journey, and witness firsthand how love truly works.

Ever been in the heat of a marital squabble and paused to wonder, 'Will this even matter tomorrow?' That pause could be a game-changer. Through our podcast, we share intriguing tales from our own lives, such as our hilarious encounter with a fact-checked guide in Boston, and guide you on how to transform disagreements into opportunities for growth. The initial focus is on fighting fair, a skill that many couples struggle to master. We provide insights on how to identify whether the issue at hand is genuinely threatening your relationship or simply a minor annoyance.Having cleared the air, we then delve into the heart of the matter - communication. Often, endless arguments stem from the inability to identify the real source of the disagreement. We share our own experiences and advice on how to bring clarity to your discussions, ensuring both parties are heard, and issues are accurately defined. We also offer tools to help you understand your emotions and the roots of your disagreements, along with the importance of setting ground rules to create a win-win outcome for both partners. Lastly, we shine a light on the importance of equal time and private fights. Exploring the critical role of active listening, we discuss the importance of understanding your partner's feelings and why it's a bad idea to let your conflicts spill over to family and friends. We also delve into the impact of family histories on our approaches to conversations and the necessity of keeping disagreements within the confines of your relationship. Our aim? To provide you with a roadmap to a healthier, fulfilling marital life. So, are you ready to take a journey with us?

In this episode we discuss the ways we show love and feel loved. We use the description of the love languages from Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages as a guide to break down how we can be more intentional in making our spouse feel loved.

We discuss a survey we took on peoples personal definition of love. We also discuss 3 foundational elements of true love.