The Practice of Being Present - Ep. 127 (Stress Management Series)

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New! Stress Management Series to help you (and me) through the end of the year. Based on a talk given earlier this year, Kensi gives practical tools to practice presence and connect with God and others in the process.

To work with Kensi, visit bravemarriage.com.

Thanks to John Tibbs for the amazing music each week, Evan Duszynski for podcast editing, & you listener, for tuning each week to make your marriage even better. May God be glorified in you and through your marriage.

Breathing Techniques - Ep. 126 (Stress Management Series)

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New! Stress Management Series to help you (and me) through the end of the year. Based on a talk given earlier this year, Kensi gives practical tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and connect with God in the process.

To work with Kensi, visit bravemarriage.com.

Thanks to John Tibbs for the amazing music each week, Evan Duszynski for podcast editing, & you listener, for tuning each week to make your marriage even better. May God be glorified in you and through your marriage.

4 Ways to Take a Break - Ep. 125 (Stress Management Series)

New! Stress Management Series to help all of us through the end of the year. Based on a talk given earlier this year, Kensi gives practical tools to manage stress and connect with God in the process.

Sabbath Resources:

To work with Kensi, visit bravemarriage.com.

Thanks to John Tibbs for the amazing music each week, Evan Duszynski for podcast editing, & you listener, for tuning each week to make your marriage even better. May God be glorified in you and through your marriage.

Boundaries Around Disrespect - Ep. 124 (Boundaries Series)

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If your spouse is disrespectful, and/or you find yourself treating your spouse the same way, then it’s time to set some real relational boundaries for the protection of your mental and emotional health. Below are some questions to ask and next steps to take as you think through setting unilateral boundaries:

Identity: Am I relying on others’ praise to fill me up or give me a sense of self? Am I caving in any way to the criticism of others and believing what they say over what God says of me? In what ways do I need to place more of my worth and value in who God says I am? With whom do I need to set a boundary?

Disrespect: Where do you need to set a boundary for yourself around defensiveness, criticism, contempt, or stonewalling? Which ones do you engage in and how can you catch yourself earlier on when you start to feel flooded, to stay in control of your reactions? Likewise, where do you need to set a boundary with your spouse? In what ways have you found yourself undermining your spouse? In what ways have you experienced your spouse undermining you? Move forward with setting your boundaries. 

Example: “I understand that you’re upset, but I can’t hear what you’re saying when you phrase it like that. The way you’re saying it is too hurtful to sink in. Now, I’d like to better understand where you’re coming from, but for me, we need to put this conversation on hold until both of us are calm, things are expressed differently, and I can better hear what you’re trying to say.” And then, follow through on your boundary! If your spouse won’t let it alone, reinforce your earlier statement. “I told you, I am not capable of having a conversation like this, so I’m walking away or taking some time until we can come back together and talk productively.”

Bad Behavior: Here are a few linked resources with phone numbers to help:

To work with Kensi, visit bravemarriage.com.

Thanks to John Tibbs for the amazing music each week, Evan Duszynski for podcast editing, & you listener, for tuning each week to make your marriage even better. May God be glorified in you and through your marriage.

Boundaries Within Your Relationship - Ep. 123 (Boundaries Series)

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Have you ever created or expressed boundaries in your marriage? If not, learning how to create and set boundaries within your relationship may be the key to keeping it healthy. On today’s episode, we discuss setting boundaries around time, space, and decision-making. Here are the questions posed throughout the episode to discuss within your relationship:

Time: How do you each prefer to spend your time? Are you and your spouse making it a priority to get the time and space you need to recharge and refuel so that you can be your best for those around you? If not, how can you work together to create some boundaries around your time that lead to mutual happiness in your marriage? 

Space: How much space do you desire to have in the morning? After work? After a full day with the kids? During conflict? What’s a reasonable boundary you two could set in each of these areas, given your current stage and season of life?

Decision-Making: To what degree do you listen to and consider your spouse in the decision-making process? To what degree do you assert your needs, wants, and desires in the decision-making process? What is your partner’s perspective? How can you each set a boundary that better includes the both of you in the decision-making process?

To work with Kensi, visit bravemarriage.com.

Thanks to John Tibbs for the amazing music each week, Evan Duszynski for podcast editing, & you listener, for tuning each week to make your marriage even better. May God be glorified in you and through your marriage.