Download Free Couple Connection Guide
The Joy-Filled Marriage: Laughing, Loving, and Living Lighthearted Together
After a powerful series on Safeguarding Your Marriage, we’re lightening things up — because joy is just as essential to a strong, God-centered marriage as communication or trust.
In this fun and faith-filled episode, Ron and Rachel talk about how joy strengthens your connection, helps you handle stress with grace, and reminds you to savor the gift of marriage. They share personal stories, laughter, and practical ways to rediscover joy in everyday life — even when things feel busy or heavy.
Learn how to cultivate a home filled with gratitude, laughter, and lighthearted love, and why the Bible calls joy your strength.
🎯 Key Topics:
💬 Key Verse:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
In this heartfelt and honest finale to the Safeguarding Your Marriage series, Ron and Rachel talk about one of the most beautiful — and most easily neglected — parts of marriage: intimacy.
From emotional connection to physical closeness, this episode offers a biblical, grace-filled look at what it means to stay “one” when life is full of distractions, kids, work, and endless to-dos. With humor, honesty, and practical wisdom, the Cools share what they’ve learned about keeping intimacy alive through every season — and how God designed it to be a sacred, joy-filled part of marriage.
You’ll laugh, you’ll reflect, and you’ll be reminded that when you guard your intimacy, you’re really guarding your oneness in Christ.
💬 Topics include:
✨ Plus, download this week’s Couples Connection Guide for practical steps to deepen your connection this week.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Guarding Your Marriage with Boundaries & Community – Why accountability and godly friendships matter, and how boundaries keep us safe
Boundaries aren’t barriers to intimacy—they’re the guardrails that protect it. In this episode of the Abundantly Expectant Marriage podcast, Rachel and Ron dive into why healthy boundaries are essential for trust, peace, and unity in marriage. They share practical examples of boundaries with time, technology, extended family, and the opposite sex—and unpack why community and accountability are crucial for thriving marriages.
You’ll walk away encouraged to set safeguards that protect your relationship and challenged to lean into godly friendships that sharpen and strengthen your marriage.
Don’t forget to download this week’s Couples Connection Guide and the Healthy Boundaries Checklist for practical steps you can take right away.
Scripture References:
-1 Peter 5:8 NLT - Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
-Proverbs 4:23 NLT - Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
-Hebrews 10:24–25 - Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
• • Website: www.newpathworship.com
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Guarding Finances: Stewarding Money Together with Honesty, Unity, and Trust
Money is one of the top sources of conflict in marriage—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage Podcast, Rachel and Ron dive into what it looks like to guard your finances as a couple, aligning your money habits with God’s design. With honesty, unity, and generosity at the core, they’ll explore biblical wisdom, practical tools (like budgets and money meetings), and the importance of keeping your heart anchored in eternal values rather than earthly treasures.
If you’ve ever argued over Amazon packages, thermostat settings, or mystery Starbucks charges, this episode is for you. Learn how to keep financial conflict from dividing you and instead use money as a tool to strengthen your trust, deepen your unity, and impact God’s Kingdom.
👉 Plus, download the Couples Connection Guide, PLUS the Healthy Money Habits Checklist for Couples
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Safeguarding Marriage Series - Guarding Communication & Conflict – How to Fight Fair, Listen Well, and Keep Short Accounts
Conflict is inevitable in marriage—but destruction doesn’t have to be. In this week’s episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage Podcast, we continue our Safeguarding Your Marriage series with a real and practical conversation on guarding communication and handling conflict God’s way.
Ron and Rachel share biblical wisdom, personal stories, and proven tools to help you:
If you’ve ever struggled with harsh words, silent treatment, or letting bitterness linger, this episode will give you hope and strategies to break those patterns.
✨ Plus, don’t miss the Couples Connection Guide—packed with reflection questions and prompts to help you and your spouse put these truths into action this week.
Marriage isn’t about avoiding conflict—it’s about learning to communicate with grace, humility, and love that reflects Jesus.
👉 Plus, download the Couples Connection Guide for reflection questions, scripture, and a weekly challenge to strengthen your marriage! PLUS the Healthy Conflict Guidelines!
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
The Big Picture – Why Safeguarding Matters
Every marriage needs protection—but not from each other. In this episode, we zoom out to look at the bigger picture of why safeguarding your marriage matters. The truth is, we have a real enemy who works subtly through distraction, compromise, and division. Safeguards aren’t about fear; they’re about wisdom, intentionality, and keeping your marriage aligned with God’s truth.
Join us as we unpack what it means to “guard your heart” and your relationship, why small compromises can grow into big problems, and how you can start building protective rhythms into your marriage today.
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Love and Logistics: Keeping Intimacy Alive in the Chaos
When life feels like a never-ending to-do list, intimacy can slip to the bottom. In this episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage, we talk about how to keep the spark alive—emotionally and physically—even in the busiest seasons. From practical tips to a biblical perspective, you’ll learn how to make space for what matters most in your marriage.
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Marriage Maintenance: A Check-In You Shouldn’t Skip
Life gets busy, routines get chaotic, and before you know it, couples can drift apart without even realizing it. In this episode, Rachel and Ron dive into the power of a weekly marriage check-in — a simple, intentional tool to keep your relationship aligned emotionally, spiritually, and practically. They share scripture, personal stories, and actionable tips to help you prioritize your spouse and keep your marriage thriving, even in the busiest seasons. Plus, they offer a FREE Couples Connection Guide to help you get started. Don’t skip this maintenance — your marriage deserves it!
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
The Marriage We Would’ve Missed: What We’d Tell Our Newlywed Selves
What would we say to our newlywed selves if we could sit across from them today? In this deeply personal and hope-filled 51st episode, we’re looking back on the wild, winding, and grace-soaked road of our marriage—the one we almost missed. We share the defining moment that nearly destroyed us, how God used it to wake us up, and the lessons we’ve learned as we built a marriage rooted in His truth.
From the sweetness of restoration to the strength that only comes through surrender, we talk through what we wish we knew, what we’re grateful we didn’t, and how we’ve learned to fight for each other—not with each other. Whether you’re newly married, on the brink of burnout, or simply hungry for more of what God wants for your marriage, this episode will encourage, equip, and remind you: the best is still ahead.
Don’t forget to download the Couples Connection Guide to reflect and grow together this week!
Scripture References:
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Thriving Together: 7 Signs of a God-Centered Marriage
Celebrating 50 Episodes of Abundantly Expectant Marriage!
We’ve made it to Episode 50 — and what a journey it’s been! In this special milestone episode, Ron and Rachel sit down together after a few weeks of solo shows to reflect on their podcast journey, laugh over some memorable moments, and dig into a powerful conversation:
What does a healthy, God-centered marriage really look like?
You’ll learn 7 practical, Scripture-based signs of a thriving marriage — and how to start building them, even if things feel a little off right now. This episode is honest, uplifting, and full of real talk, real laughs, and real hope for your relationship.
Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or you’re just joining the community, we’re so glad you’re here. Let’s keep growing together — abundantly expectant for what’s next.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Behind the Curtain with Rachel: Fun, Flirting & Fighting Fair
In this lighthearted and powerful episode, Rachel shares how she and Ron learned to bring joy, connection, and healthy conflict back into their marriage. Whether you’re craving fun, more intimacy, or better communication, this candid conversation reminds you that your marriage is worth fighting for — and laughing through.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Behind the Curtain with Ron: Fighting the Wrong Battles in Marriage
Ron opens up about the inner battles that nearly broke connection in his marriage — pride, passivity, and pressure to be enough. In this vulnerable solo episode, he shares how God showed him the real fight wasn’t with his wife — it was within himself. If you’ve been fighting for control instead of intimacy, this one’s for you.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide & This Week's Reflection Guide
Behind the Curtain with Rachel: No One Told Me Marriage Would Feel Like This…
What do you do when marriage feels more like survival than sacred? When you're doing all the right things but still feel unseen, exhausted, or like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way?
In this solo episode, Rachel opens up about her unexpected struggles in marriage — from hidden resentment and comparison to identity loss and quiet breakdowns. With honesty, biblical wisdom, and deep compassion, she speaks directly to women who feel overwhelmed or disillusioned in their relationship.
You’ll hear:
💔 The pressure to perform as a “good wife”
💡 The spiritual turning point that changed everything
🛠 Practical ways to reconnect with yourself and with God
📖 Scriptures to anchor you in truth
💌 A new Personal Reflection Guide to help you go deeper this week
If you’ve ever whispered, “This isn’t what I thought marriage would be,” this episode is for you. You’re not failing. You’re not forgotten. And you are not alone.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Behind the Curtain with Ron: What I Wish I Knew Before I Said “I Do”
Ron Cool pulls back the curtain on the early days of marriage — and what he wishes someone told him before he said “I do.” From pride to misplaced expectations, this honest episode challenges men to stop performing and start surrendering. If you're a husband (or preparing to be one), this will shift the way you see spiritual leadership and connection.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
The Love That Transforms: Lessons from the Love Chapter
Over the past several weeks, we’ve taken a deep dive into one of the most well-known and most powerful passages on love — 1 Corinthians 13:4–7. In this final episode of the series, we’re looking back on all we've learned, shared, and lived through this journey. We’ll highlight the most meaningful takeaways, the moments that stretched and shaped us, and the spiritual truths that continue to guide our marriage today. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning of the series or are just jumping in, this heartfelt “best of” conversation will inspire and encourage you to love like Jesus in every season of your marriage.
Tune in for laughs, raw honesty, Scripture-packed wisdom, and a love that’s anything but ordinary.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
New Worship Album Out Now - newpathworship.com - One The Wings Of Eagles
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Stay When It's Easier To Go: Choosing Love That Doesn't Quit
⚠️ Note: If you are in an unsafe or abusive relationship, this message is not a call to stay. Please prioritize safety and seek support. Persevering love is not permission to endure harm.
In this powerful episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage, we’re unpacking what it means to live out a love that never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful—even when everything in us wants to walk away.
Ron and Rachel open up about a time in their marriage when giving up seemed like the only option. Back then, they were box-checking Christians—going through the motions but missing the heart of real surrender to Jesus. Hear how their marriage began to turn around when they invited God into the mess and committed to love that doesn’t quit.
You'll also hear how the parable of the Prodigal Son reflects the perseverance of God’s love, and how that same steadfast love can transform our marriages.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
Truth Over Triumph: Choosing What Love Celebrates
In a world that often cheers for “wins” at any cost, what does it mean for love to rejoice in truth instead of injustice? In this deeply honest episode, Rachel and Ron unpack what 1 Corinthians 13:6 means for real marriages—especially when trust has been broken or past baggage threatens to repeat itself.
They share personal stories of how concealing small truths—even with good intentions—can create division, and how choosing truth brings unity and healing. You’ll hear how past relationship trauma can fuel unhealthy patterns, and how surrendering to God’s truth reshapes how we love each other.
Through Scripture, humor, and practical wisdom, this episode will encourage you to become a couple that celebrates honesty, embraces vulnerability, and fights for truth in every season of marriage.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
No Grudges, No Grumbles: Letting Go to Love Well
When the little things stack up or a big betrayal rocks the foundation, irritation and unforgiveness can quietly poison your marriage. In this raw and honest episode, Rachel and Ron talk about how to break free from grudge-holding, release resentment, and love each other with the kind of grace God extends to us. From everyday annoyances to deep wounds like infidelity, this episode offers hope, healing, and practical tools to reset your heart and rebuild trust.
Let’s trade grumbling for grace and grudges for growth.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
No Elbows on the Table—And Other Ways to Stop Being Rude in Marriage
What does rudeness look like in marriage—and how do we stop doing it? In this episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage, Rachel and Ron unpack what it means that “love is not rude and does not demand its own way.” From snappy tones to power struggles over who gets the final say, this episode is full of real-life stories (including one about the wrong coffee order 😬), biblical truth, and practical ways to cultivate honor, humility, and mutual respect in your marriage. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about table manners!
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
Download Free Couple Connection Guide
When Pride Gets in the Way: Learning to Love Without Ego
In this week’s episode of The Abundantly Expectant Marriage, Rachel and Ron continue their series on 1 Corinthians 13 with a conversation around the next characteristic of biblical love: Love is not proud. Whether pride shows up in subtle ways—like refusing to admit you're wrong—or loud ones—like needing to win every argument, it has the power to divide and destroy intimacy. The good news? God gives us the tools to trade pride for humility, and ego for unity. With personal stories, practical advice, and scriptural truth, this episode will challenge you to take an honest look at your heart and choose the better way in marriage.
Scripture References:
Remember: Marriage takes intentionality, and small actions lead to big changes! Keep God at the center, and watch your love grow deeper than ever before.
Resource List:
Here are some excellent Christian marriage books that you can recommend to your listeners, complete with links for purchase:
You Connect with Us:
Connect with Ron Cool:
Connect with Rachel Cool:
Links to Focus On The Family:
