Operation: Thriving Marriage

In this enlightening episode of the Operation: Thriving Marriage podcast, we turn the spotlight on our first guests - our kids! Join us as we dive into the world of marriage from a child's perspective, exploring their candid thoughts, heartfelt observations, and innocent wisdom about what it takes to build a thriving marriage. 

Our kids share their views on love, partnership, and what they've learned from watching us navigate the u...

In this episode of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast, we answer a listener question. Megen asked “How to spice things up in marriage without cheating.”

Marriages all go through phase in sex and intimacy. There are times when sex is less frequent than one or both of you desire. There are also times when the sex is not as fulfilling as one or both of you would like it to be. These are normal struggles in marriage. Cheating wil...

Welcome to Operation: Thriving Marriage. In today's episode, we address a common marital issue—anger. Often, we blame our spouse for making us angry, creating a cycle of blame and frustration. But here's the truth: it's not our spouse who controls our emotions; it's us.

We dive into how to break this harmful cycle by taking responsibility for our feelings. Understand that your emotions are shaped by your personality, genetics, and ...

Welcome to Episode 64 of Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we delve into the topic of Trad Wives, exploring what it means to be a Trad Wife, its roots in nostalgia versus scripture, and its impact on modern marriages.

Hosts Bryon and Jen kick off the discussion by questioning the allure of the Trad Wife movement and its representation in today's culture. They dissect the aesthetic versus the practical actions associate...

Welcome to Episode 63 of Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we delve into the delicate balance between criticism and growth within marriage. We explore the concept that holiness, not just happiness, is a key goal. First, we address the challenge posed by criticism, often a significant source of conflict in marriages. How can we navigate critiquing our spouse without causing harm?Our solution? Presume goodwill. Regular l...

Welcome to Operation: Thriving Marriage, where we dive deep into the intricacies of relationships and provide actionable insights to help your marriage flourish. In this episode, we explore the concept of "Relationship Jet Lag."Host Bryon kicks off the conversation with his recent frequent travels, highlighting the stark differences in how couples experience reconnection after a period of separation. Whether it's days, weeks, or ev...

Discover why compromise isn't always the answer in marriage, as we delve into the pitfalls of elevating compromise too high in marital discussions. Join us as we explore real-life examples, biblical perspectives, and practical solutions for resolving conflicts when compromise is not an option. Learn how to identify underlying values, seek guidance, and make decisions that strengthen your marriage without sacrificing your core belie...

Episode 62 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast – exploring the dynamics of Healthy Competition in relationships.

Discover the underlying problem as we explore how competition can lead to conflict in marriages. We discuss how competitive individuals often attach personal value to winning, revealing insecurities that breed negative feelings.

Our suggested solution emphasizes that avoiding competition altogether doesn't foster...

Welcome to Episode 59 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage podcast - "Chemistry Isn’t Real." No, we're not diving into conspiracy theories, but rather debunking the myth of instant chemistry in relationships.

In this episode, we explore how our notions of love have been shaped by fairy tales and romantic comedies, highlighting that love at first sight is merely lust. Thriving marriages aren't built on fleeting emotions or meet-cutes...

Welcome to Episode 58 of Operation: Thriving Marriage, challenging the negativity surrounding marriages. In this episode, we delve into the abundance of negative articles on marriage, discussing what not to do and how to make things better.

Break free from the cycle of negativity. Thriving marriages highlight the positive aspects, such as building and reliving memories together, celebrating wins, unforgettable dates, and embracing ...

Welcome to Episode 57 of Operation: Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between intimacy and sex within a marriage. Join us as we delve into the challenges faced by couples who share deep connections but find passion missing in their relationship. Discover the biblical perspective on the importance of sexual expression in marriage and explore practical solutions to enhance your intimacy. From play...

Welcome to Episode 56 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast - "Listening During Tough Conversations." Join us as we explore the intricate dance of communication in marriage, focusing on the challenging yet crucial skill of effective listening.

In our discussion, we address the common notion that listening is often more challenging than expressing oneself. We delve into the complexities, particularly when your spouse communica...

Welcome to Episode 55 of Operation Thriving Marriage! In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of validation in building a thriving marriage. From the importance of validating our spouses in various aspects of life to recognizing and overcoming the pitfalls of invalidation, we explore how positive reinforcement fosters oneness and spurs personal growth. Discover key habits that validate, such as expressing gratitude ...

Welcome to Episode 54 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast. In this episode, Bryon and Jen delve into the heart of Christian prayer challenges. Many Christians grapple with guilt surrounding their prayer life, openly admitting to falling short. Bryon and Jen tackle this issue, emphasizing the transformative nature of prayer that extends beyond mere conversation with God. Highlighting Jen's and Bryon's unique approaches—the e...

This is our 2 year anniversary episode! In this episode Bryon and Jennifer take listener questions.

• When is it ok to seek advice outside of the marriage?
• How do you raise kids when you have different backgrounds, opinions, and traditions?
• What is the best way to build trust after repeated infidelity?
• We seem to hear about husbands wanting sex more often, how do you navigate when the wife seems to ne...

Welcome to Episode 52 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast, "Happy!" While we often say marriage isn't about happiness, we delve into why it's crucial to prioritize happiness correctly. Unhappiness can lead to dissatisfaction, conflicts, and decreased problem-solving abilities in a marriage.

We discuss the problem of declining happiness in the US and worldwide, emphasizing the importance of happiness for making better decisi...

In episode 51 of the Operation: Thriving Marriage Podcast, Bryon and Jennifer shares thoughts on the tricky subject of prenuptial agreements. Prenuptial agreements have gotten a very bad wrap in the evangelical church. It’s often said that couples should not get them because they should not be planning for their divorce. 

Marriage is sacred to be entered into with the commitment that you will stay together for your entire lifetime....

In this milestone 50th episode, airing on October 9, 2023, of "Communication Breakdowns," we dive deep into the critical topic of communication breakdowns within marriages. Host Jen starts by sharing a personal example of a case where communication faltered, highlighting the importance of effective communication in relationships.

Discover the root causes of communication breakdowns in marriages, with a focus on resentment. Explore ...

Welcome to the Operation: Thriving Marriage podcast. In this episode we dive deep into the importance of maintaining balanced and healthy friendships within your marriage. In today's fast-paced world, many of us fall into the trap of believing that our spouse should fulfill all our friendship needs. But is that realistic? This podcast explores the problem with this unrealistic expectation, how it can put excessive pressure on you...