Do you know that you and your spouse have a marriage story? Yes, you! You do. And it’s worth reflecting on and considering sharing. On today’s episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, we are trying something a bit different, so stick with us! From week to week, you’ll still hear from marriage experts you know and love, but this season, we will also be sharing four marriage stories. Marlee Arnold sits down with a WinShape Marriage Host Couple who is graciously willing to share their marriage story. In today’s episode, Mike and Lora Roby talk with Marlee about how the Lord has moved in their lives personally to draw them to himself and by default, moved in their marriage and drawing them closer to one another. Their testimony is inspiring—you'll love this episode. Stay tuned for additional marriage stories this season.

Did you know you have between 16,000 and 64,000 thoughts a day?! What if you could begin to change your thoughts in a way that would positively change your marriage? Ted Lowe, Founder of For Us Marriage and author of multiple books including, “Us In Mind: How Changing Your Thoughts Can Change Your Marriage,” joins Rob Philo on today’s episode. Together, they unpack how changing your mindset has no choice but to change your attitude and actions. Before you ever have an attitude or perform an action, you have thoughts that affect them. This illuminating conversation highlights five intentional thoughts that if you begin implementing, you are bound to see a positive effect on your marital satisfaction.

Author, speaker, and podcaster, Katie Bulmer, is known for “help(ing) twenty-somethings understand their worth.” Additionally, she has been married to her husband for over 20 years, and from time to time they serve as a WinShape Marriage Host Couple. Her day-to-day platform combined with her personal marriage experience collides in today’s episode. Katie and Marlee Arnold talk woman to woman about lies young women believe about marriage, what she wishes she could have told herself about marriage before getting married, and current practical rhythms her and her husband implement to stay connected.

Talking with your family about holiday plans can be stressful, to say the least. We know! We recorded this podcast episode last year, but unfortunately, we released it too late. One of the main pieces of advice we heard from couples related to planning for the holidays was, "Talk about holiday schedules early." So, we are dropping this episode again with the hope that it opens the door for conversation with you and your spouse well ahead of the 2025 Christmas season. Check out this REPLAY episode, and then talk with your spouse about your plans with your respective families for the upcoming holidays.

It’s hard to believe it’s mid-October already! Don’t let the last few months of this year pass by without intentionally planning time to connect with your spouse. In today’s episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, cohosts Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo talk through their top 20 fall and Christmas date ideas. Wait...Christmas?! Yes! We want you to start planning for all the fun this season has to offer now. Get out for a solo date night, or bring the whole family along. Will you pack a Christmas picnic, drive to see fall foliage, or go on a hot cocoa testing tour. We can’t wait to hear about your fall and Christmas date adventures!

What if the way you connect with God is totally different than how your spouse does? Is that OK? Rob Philo and Gary Thomas, author and speaker, explore the sacred pathways—nine ways to connect with God. They discuss the differences in each pathway and how every person has a unique wiring, contributing to how they experience and worship God. This affects many couples in their marriage—what if my spouse and I have a different sacred pathway? Does this mean we aren’t compatible? How can we honor our differences and still feel connected to one another and the Lord? This conversation is incredibly enlightening for individuals and couples. Learn more about the sacred pathways from the author of the book himself.

Author and speaker, Bob Goff, kicks off season three of The WinShape Marriage Podcast! Bob Goff’s life is a master class in not taking yourself too seriously, and he shares with Marlee Arnold how he’s followed this in his marriage. There are so many nuggets of wisdom woven throughout the stories he tells about his marriage and family—one-liners like, “Oneness doesn’t mean sameness,” and “I’m not looking for efficiency in my marriage. I'm looking for presence.” If you love Bob Goff and you’re curious about his thoughts on marriage after being married to Sweet Maria for 39 years, tune into the very first episode of season three of The WinShape Marriage Podcast.

Season 3 of The WinShape Marriage Podcast kicks off next Wednesday—don't miss it! We’ve got incredible guests lined up like returning favorites, Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Juli Slattery, and brand-new guests, authors, speakers and marriage experts—Ted Lowe and Gary Thomas. Stay tuned for new episodes dropping every Wednesday and catch up on seasons 1 and 2 while you wait.

Check out our highlight reel for season 2 of The WinShape Marriage Podcast. We’ve loved being a part of your weekly routine through the fall and winter—thank you for engaging with us! As we officially wrap season 2, Rob Philo and Marlee Arnold run through their eight biggest takeaways from this season. With so many amazing guests ranging from Dr. Gary Chapman to most recently Nick Stumbo, it was hard to choose just eight. Tune into today’s episode for a high-level overview of what you might have missed. Then, catch up on any episodes you didn’t listen to when they were first released. We’ll see you later this year for season 3!

What’s the best marriage advice you’ve ever received? In this episode, Rob Philo and Marlee Arnold sit down to reflect on the wisdom, lessons, and practical tips they've learned during their time with WinShape Marriage. From profound spiritual insights to helpful daily reminders, they unpack the life-changing advice that has helped them navigate marriage in the early years.

Did you know 61% of the U.S. population (men and women) say they view pornography and 54% of practicing Christians (men and women) say they view pornography—only a 7% difference—according to the latest research. Additionally, only 11% of practicing Christians say they feel comfortable talking to their pastor about this struggle. Pornography is pervasive among our culture, even those with a Christian worldview. On today’s episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, Rob Philo talks with Nick Stumbo, executive director of Pure Desire, an organization dedicated to providing resources for those struggling with sexual brokenness, addiction, and betrayal. Nick shares his personal testimony with sexual brokenness and redemption. He also breaks down the latest research Pure Desire conducted with Barna Group regarding pornography use. The data is surprising. Tune into this fascinating conversation!

Happy Valentine’s Day—almost—from WinShape Marriage! We know Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo pulled together a list of 20 Valentine’s Day gift ideas—10 for the guys and 10 for the gals. Even if you think Valentine’s Day is overrated, don’t miss the opportunity to show your spouse a little extra love by getting something meaningful for them. We have a variety of ideas ranging from experiential to material and budget-friendly to more expensive. You’ll have no reason not to get your husband or wife a Valentine’s Day gift after listening to this episode!

Intimacy is so much more than just sex. We talked about this earlier in season two with Dr. Juli Slattery, and today’s episode builds on this conversation. Genee Francis, assistant director of content and programming at WinShape Marriage is back on The WinShape Marriage Podcast to break down the six different types of intimacy with Rob Philo. They are spiritual, emotional, intellectual, creative, experiential, and physical. Learn what each one means and practical ways you and your spouse can begin growing and continue growing in your intimacy with one another.

Shaunti Feldhahn is a social researcher, author, and speaker, and today, she’s on The WinShape Marriage Podcast with Rob Philo breaking down her fascinating research on what husbands need most from their wives and vice versa. Her findings may surprise you more than you think. Together, Rob and Shaunti unpack why husbands need companionship and to know they “did good” as opposed to why wives need to be shown they are lovable and physical affection outside the bedroom, to name a few. If research interests you, listen to this episode with an open mind and consider, “What of this is true of me?”; “What of this is true of my spouse?” Then, unpack your thoughts with your spouse in a follow-up conversation.

Spiritual formation is a “fancy” term that basically means being on a journey of becoming more and more like Jesus. What if your only goal in 2025 was to become more like Him? How would that impact your marriage for the better? Marlee Arnold sits down with Jeremy Marshall, senior manager of learning and development at WinShape Foundation. Together, they discuss what it means to encourage your spouse in their individual faith journey, how you and your spouse might relate to God differently, and what it means to spiritually lead in your marriage. There’s nothing more fundamental to your marriage relationship than your relationship with God and how that impacts your marriage. Tune into this enlightening conversation.

Happy New Year from WinShape Marriage! We know the new year inspires many to create a list of resolutions they hope to accomplish, so we’re providing a unique twist on this practice. Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions, consider making a 2025 bucket list of date ideas for you and your spouse to check off throughout the year. To get you started, Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo run through their list of 25 date ideas for 2025 featuring some tried-and-true ideas like booking a spa day, some of their personal favorites such as having a themed night, and some brand-new ideas like having an upside-down dinner. This lighthearted episode will help you ease into the new year with excitement and anticipation for all the fun to come with your spouse in 2025!

Merry Christmas from WinShape Marriage! As joyous as the holiday season can be, we know that trying to align you and your spouse’s calendars with the calendars of your in-laws and extended family can be challenging and even cause some tension. On today’s Christmas themed episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo interview several WinShape Marriage friends to get their perspectives. Every family has their own established rhythms and traditions which is why we asked multiple spouses the same three questions to hear their unique responses. Learn how these spouses currently navigate conversations around holiday schedules (and how they’ve navigated discussions in the past) with one another and with their in-laws and extended families as well as their best piece of advice for couples of all ages when it comes to this hot topic.

Sometimes, it’s what you don’t do in your marriage that makes the biggest difference. Scott Kedersha, the marriage and family pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, joins Rob Philo on today’s episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast to unpack six common characteristics he’s noticed in couples who struggle in their marriage. Don’t fret—he provides practical, biblical advice for counteracting these traits. Learn how isolation impacts your marriage, boredom is dangerous, and humility shifts conflict. Whether you desire to break out of a rut or you want to strengthen your marriage foundation, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Happy Thanksgiving from WinShape Marriage! We know Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on gratitude, but gratitude extends far beyond one holiday in the calendar year. How can you and your spouse build a culture of gratitude in your marriage? Spoiler—saying, “Thank you,” is just the tip of the iceberg. Building a culture of appreciation affects your marriage positively in many ways. For example, it impacts your marriage when you’re experiencing a challenging season, and it rubs off on your kids and the culture of your family. Rob Philo sits down with Genee Francis, assistant director of content and programming at WinShape Marriage to unpack this timely topic!

Did you know nearly half of adults are a part of a stepfamily relationship? We know blending families comes with its own set of unique challenges, so on today’s episode, Rob Philo talks with Ron Deal, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an expert in stepfamily education; he’s also one of the most widely read and viewed experts on this subject. In this conversation, Ron shares practical strategies for coparenting straight from his book, “The Smart Stepfamily.” If you are a co-parent, or you know someone who is, check out this episode packed with helpful advice and encouragement for fostering harmony in your blended family.