Marriage and Intimacy Tips for Christian Couples: Secrets of Happily Ever After
Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between those couples who absolutely LOVE to be together and the ones who merely tolorate each other in their old age? I always want to run up to the cute old couples who still hold hands while walking down the street and ask them all their secrets to relationship success. This podcast gives me the opportunity to do just that!
I'm Monica Tanner, wife to a super hunky man, mom to 4 kids, weekly podcaster and relationship and intimacy expert/enthusiast. I help couples ditch the resentment and roommate syndrome and increase communication, connection and commitment, so they can write and live out their happily ever after love story. If that sounds like something you want, this podcast is absolutely for YOU!
Each week, I'm teasing out the principles that keep couples hopelessly devoted and intoxicatingly in love with each other for a lifetime and beyond. I'm searching high and low for the secrets of happily ever after and sharing those secrets with you right here. Sound marriage advice for Christian couples who want to live happily ever after and achieve a truly intimate friendship and passionate partnership, because an awesome marriage makes life so much sweeter. Let's get to it!
Episodes
343 episodes
How to Create More Intimacy Through Communication with Nick and Amy McKinlay
Today, we're talking about how Christian couples can build deeper intimacy by turning awkward silence into simple, safe conversations. Nick and Amy McKinlay of Ultimate Intimacy share research-backed prompts, healthy masculinity traits, and way...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 346
•
35:45
A Simple Relational Skill That Makes Communication So Much Easier
What if a single, gentle question could turn tense moments into real connection? That’s the promise of “contracting,” a simple consent-based habit that replaces surprise talks with intentional, focused conversations. We walk through how this ti...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 345
•
12:57
Shoveling Sh*t Together: How Kass and Mike Built Companies, Raised Kids, and Kept Their Marriage Intact
What if the real love story isn’t candlelight and grand gestures, but calendars, clarity, and courage under pressure? I sit down with Kass and Mike Lazerow—longtime partners in life and business—to unpack how they navigated Web 1.0 startups, gu...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 344
•
34:29
Marriage is the Ultimate Team Sport: How to Create a Winning Team
What if the fastest way to a stronger marriage isn’t compromise, but better teamwork? After celebrating a number-one Amazon launch, I took a hard look at what actually helped us get there—clear roles, honest communication, and a shared commitme...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 343
•
18:57
Debunking Bad Marriage Advice with My Son and Daughter-In-Law Jake and Livvy
Today's interview is with my oldest son, Jake and his new wife, Livvy to chat about the new book I wrote for them and unpack five of the most common myths that sabotage new marriages and trade them for simple habits that build trust, respect an...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 342
•
32:59
Debunking Sex Myths in Marriage
Bad sexual advice is one of the top reasons couples struggle early in marriage, often because most grow up with distorted expectations about what a healthy sex life looks like.• Sex advice is usually messed up because the topic is taboo...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 341
•
14:34
Detoxing from Bad Marriage Advice
A marriage advice detox can transform your relationship by eliminating harmful myths and replacing them with practical communication skills. Bad marriage advice like "never go to bed angry" or "happy wife, happy life" often sounds good but lead...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 340
•
12:10
Moving From Approval to True Intimacy in Marriage with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife explores how moving beyond validation-seeking creates deeper, more authentic intimate connections in marriage, explaining that true intimacy requires embracing differences rather than demanding constant agreement.
•
Season 4
•
Episode 339
•
42:17
Incompatibility is the Leading Cause of Divorce AND It's a Myth
Conflict and differences in marriage don't mean you married the wrong person; they simply mean you're two human beings from different backgrounds working together to build a life. Statistics show "incompatibility" is the leading cause of divorc...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 338
•
13:59
Stop Listening to These 5 Pieces of Common Marriage Advice
Marriage advice is everywhere, but much of it is outdated, misguided, or flat-out harmful to your relationship, no matter how well-intentioned it may be.• Happy couples don't fight - FALSE: Conflict is like exercise for your relationshi...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 337
•
19:18
What If Everything You Learned about Marriage is Wrong?
Traditional marriage advice often sounds wise but can secretly damage relationships when applied to modern marriages. In this episode, we examine five common marriage myths that might be undermining your relationship and explore healthier alter...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 336
•
18:43
Relational Reckoning: How to Decide if Your Marriage is Worth Fighting For
Relational Reckoning is a powerful tool that helps couples take inventory of their relationship, identify resentment, and make informed decisions about whether to stay together or part ways.• Using coaching or therapy as a "misery stabi...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 335
•
16:11
Breaking Free from Attachment Wounds with Trevor Hanson
Trevor Hanson shares powerful insights about how couples unknowingly trigger wounded parts in each other and explains how healing these attachment wounds transforms relationships. Through understanding negative cycles and inner child work, we d...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 334
•
45:14
Teaching Kids Healthy Sexuality using the DRIVE Framework
Teaching kids about healthy sexuality requires a thoughtful approach that prepares them for marriage, much like teaching them to drive requires instruction before handing over the keys.• The DRIVE framework provides a comprehensive appr...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 333
•
32:51
Healing Through Letting Go: The Surprising Link Between Forgiveness and Physical Health
Hanna Kok shares her expertise on the surprising link between forgiveness and physical health, revealing why holding onto grudges causes hormonal imbalances and weakens the immune system. We explore the scientific evidence behind this connectio...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 332
•
39:38
How to Stop Compromising and Create F.I.R.E in the Bedroom
You deserve a fulfilling sex life without settling or compromising. The FIRE method provides a framework for creating a deeply connected and satisfying intimate relationship that works for both partners.• Higher desire partners often fe...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 331
•
14:09
How to Enjoy More Freedom in Your Marriage
True intimacy requires the freedom to be ourselves in marriage. We explore what it means to create space where both partners feel safe, seen, respected, and supported throughout all seasons of life together.• Creating emotional freedom ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 330
•
16:06
3 Tips for Having Tough Conversations
We often avoid difficult conversations, but addressing conflicts directly leads to stronger relationships rather than allowing resentment to build and potentially emerge "sideways." Understanding that all relationships cycle through harmony, di...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 329
•
12:36
How to Talk About Money Without Starting a Fight
Money conversations don't have to lead to arguments—they can actually strengthen relationships when approached with the right communication tools and mindset. We explore three essential skills for talking about finances with your spouse that bu...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 328
•
20:40
What to Do When Your Partner Won't Do The Work
I tackle the challenging reality of what to do when one partner wants to work on the relationship while the other resists, providing a clear three-step approach based on my experience with couples in this situation.• Despite what some e...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 327
•
14:24
My BEST Advice for Engaged and Newlyweds
After an incredibly busy May filled with family celebrations including our 23rd wedding anniversary, my son's wedding, my daughter's high school graduation, and a week-long houseboat trip to Lake Powell, I'm reflecting on valuable relationship ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 326
•
22:07
How Your Senses Are Key to Better Communication with Your Spouse with Nicole Villegas
Dr. Nicole Villegas, occupational therapist and founder of the Sensory Conscious Institute, explores how understanding nervous systems and sensory patterns helps build relationships rooted in safety, connection, and clarity.• Beyond the...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 325
•
46:06
How to Stay Calm and Connected in the Chaos of Family Life
When life gets chaotic, maintaining your sanity and your marriage requires intentional practices and clear communication. This episode shares my five-step approach to handling busy seasons with grace while keeping my relationship strong and coo...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 324
•
19:55
.png)
What Monopoly Deal Has To Do With Intimacy with Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo
Tony and Elisa DiLorenzo of One Extraordinary Marriage discuss how busy couples can rekindle intimacy and connection through intentional time together. They reveal the biggest roadblocks to intimacy are lack of meaningful conversation and dimin...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 323
•
36:29
When My Son Got Married on Our 23rd Anniversary
We celebrate a double milestone as my son gets married on our 23rd wedding anniversary. This emotional weekend brings together two generations of love stories while I reflect on what makes a marriage work for over two decades.• Cooking ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 322
•
18:40
