Awesome Marriage Podcast

Dr. Kim Kimberling
  • 4.9 (795)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Far too many couples are just surviving their marriage when it was meant to thrive. This is the place for practical tips on how to build an awesome marriage. Our passion is to help you strengthen your marriage. Dr. Kim Kimberling hosts the show. Dr. Kim is the President of Awesome Marriage, has been married for over 50 years, and has been a professional counselor for 40+ years. He is the author of 7 Secrets to An Awesome Marriage ,14 Keys To Lasting Love, and most recently Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half. Dr. Kim will be joined once a month by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Kimberling. He will also host other great guests that will teach and encourage you as you intentionally pursue an awesome marriage. Tune in each week to hear practical advice from Dr. Kim. This podcast is brought to you by the ministry of Awesome Marriage.

  1. 16h ago

    Build Your Marriage with Prayer with Brad and Heidi Mitchell

    One of the greatest privileges we have as spouses is coming before the Father and lifting up our marriage—leaning on Him for protection, provision, and strength. Today, special guests Brad and Heidi Mitchell join Dr. Kim to talk about how foundational prayer is for intimacy and the overall climate of your marriage. Many couples struggle to develop this rhythm—not because they don't want to, but because they simply don't know where to start. Be encouraged today as Brad and Heidi share from their newest book, Build Your Marriage With Prayer, and talk about how guided prayers, daily readings, and reflection questions can help couples grow a consistent and meaningful prayer life together.   Episode Highlights: Husbands don't have to know it all to lead- they can be simply willing to initiate. Wives can come alongside and encourage their husbands to step into the role God created them for.  Don't weaponize prayer against your spouse. Quotes from this Episode: Kim Kimberling Quotes: "The first time Nancy and I really started praying for something together and saw God show up, it was like, 'This is awesome.'" "Prayer bonds us together in a way nothing else really can." "Most guys feel inadequate spiritually, but prayer was never about performing." "You don't have to know more than your spouse to lead spiritually—you just have to initiate." "When couples begin praying together, they stop fighting against each other and start fighting for each other." "Inviting God into conflict changes conflict from something destructive into something that can grow your marriage." "The more we pray, the more prayer becomes part of the fabric of who we are." "God wants to be involved in the middle of our everyday lives—not just the big emergencies." "When you pray over your spouse, it creates empathy, connection, and unity." "Prayer gives God a chance to show up in your marriage over and over again." Brad Mitchell Quotes: "A lot of men don't pray with their wives because they're afraid of looking inadequate." "Men don't need to be spiritual experts—they just need to become spiritual initiators." "The things you most want to lean away from are often the very places God wants you to lean in." "When you pray about the issue instead of against each other, nobody wins or loses—God wins." "The enemy whispers, 'You're not good at this,' because he knows how powerful prayer is in marriage." "Every wife would love for her husband to stop and pray over her before the day begins." "Surrendering your schedule to God changes interruptions from frustrations into opportunities." "Prayer protects your marriage because it keeps both of you surrendered to God instead of fighting each other." Heidi Mitchell Quotes: "Make prayer a positive experience for your spouse, not a performance." "There's really no wrong way to come before God together." "Encouragement from a wife can completely change a husband's confidence in leading spiritually." "If prayer becomes weaponized, couples will stop wanting to pray together." "Not every thought deserves a place to stay in your mind." "Ask yourself: Does this thought line up with who God says my spouse is?" "Praying together helped us move from surface-level faith into authentic dependence on God." "When my husband prays for me, I feel protected, cared for, and truly seen." "The spiritual connection we share through prayer has become one of the greatest strengths in our marriage." Time to Talk About it: What would it look like for us to make prayer feel more natural and encouraging in our relationship instead of pressured or performative? Is there an area of our marriage right now where we've been "fighting each other" instead of "fighting for each other," and how could prayer help shift that? Mentioned in this Episode: Build Your Marriage is on Instagram! Purchase your own copy of Build Your Marriage With Prayer! Check out Awesome Marriage's 9 Days to Build the Practice of Prayer in Marriage Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. You'll love our 30 Scripture Based Prayers for Your Marriage. Check out it out with your spouse! If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  Be the first to hear about all things Awesome Marriage, receive monthly bonus content straight from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy, and take advantage of big discounts by becoming a Marriage Changer!

    54 min

  2. 4d ago

    Wider Lens: Breaking the Silence: Pornography, Leadership, and Freedom with Matt Cline Ep. 730

    My good friend Matt Cline is here with me today to talk through the cultural epidemic of pornography. We are diving into the deeper roots behind sexual sin, temptation, and transformation. Matt discusses why behavior modification alone isn't enough, how our view of sex shapes the way we lead and relate to others, and why isolation keeps people stuck. Explore how true freedom comes through renewing the mind, pursuing Christlikeness, and allowing God to transform us from the inside out.    Episode Highlights: Surface-level behavior change isn't enough—you have to deal with the root issue. The way we follow Christ should shape the way we think about sex and intimacy. Hidden sexual sin doesn't stay isolated—it affects every relationship around us. Sexual immorality pulls us toward selfishness instead of self-giving love. God invites you to live in His grace and the freedom He offers. Quotes from this Conversation: Matt: Love, living in love and engaging in sexual immorality cannot happen at the same time.  The purpose for our sexual desire is a training ground for Christlikeness. For dying to self and stewarding our urges. Accountability should not be focused simply on not sinning. Temptation is simply an opportunity for transformation.  I tried to quit the sin for so long without ever learning how to renew my mind. Never learning how to think like Jesus in the sexual area of my life.  The amount of perversion in our faces all the time, lends to us justifying "lesser sins." You can get rid of the behavior but what about the worldview or the view on sex that has been established in you that you have not yet had renewed?   Dr. Kim: Isolation does nothing good for us at all. Isolation when we're dealing with something negative should not be something that we do. We give people hope because not in us and not our ministries, but in this God who created us. I want to know Nancy loves me even with everything out on the table.  Time to Talk About It: Are there areas in my life where I've focused more on behavior management than true heart transformation? How has my worldview around sex, intimacy, or temptation been shaped more by culture than by Christ? When I struggle, do I tend to isolate myself or invite trusted people into honesty, accountability, and healing?   Mentioned in This Episode: Check out what Matt is doing at Restored Ministries If your marriage is struggling with betrayal, check out our course: Marriage Undefiled

    54 min

  3. May 26

    Foundational First Year: What Every Couple Needs to Know

    Marriage was never promised to be easy, light, or always enjoyable—but when both spouses are committed wholeheartedly, it can endure even the hardest seasons. In this episode, Dr. Kim unpacks the foundational truths that help build a healthy, lasting marriage: honest communication, emotional safety, gratitude, faith, and learning how to work through conflict instead of avoiding it. He also shares what it looks like to start fresh without carrying the weight of past mistakes and why the struggles couples face—especially in the early years—don't mean something is wrong. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this episode offers practical encouragement to help you strengthen your relationship and build a marriage grounded in a foundation that lasts. Episode Highlights: "Becoming" is a process and it doesn't happen at the altar.  The decisions that shape a marriage most aren't the big dramatic ones.  Keep having fun together, year after year. If this is your second marriage- things don't have to be the same! Quotes from this episode: When faith is at the center of your marriage it changes the source of your security. You're no longer looking to your spouse to provide what only God can provide. The first year is not the best year- and that's ok. The friction you feel is not a sign that something is wrong. It's a sign that you are doing the real work of two becoming one. Avoiding the conversation doesn't make the problem disappear. The conversations you tend to avoid are the ones that can make or break a marriage.  Your spouse is not a mind reader and neither are you.  Communication is not a failure of love. It's an expression of it.  The cultural model asks "what am I getting out of this?" The biblical model asks "what am I bringing to this?" Avoidance builds walls. Couples who pray together, seek wisdom together, and bring God into the center or their disagreements have a resource that other couples just don't have.  Your spouse should feel like they can be honest with you without being punished for it. If they feel like they have to manage your reactions before they can be truthful, you've built a marriage where honesty is not safe.  Life administration isn't connection.  Gratitude is a muscle and in marriage it needs regular exercise.  Time to talk about it?  What do we expect from each other sexually? Are we spiritually moving in the same direction?  How was conflict handled in your home growing up?  Have we let anything go unaddressed? Are we protecting our time together? Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Make space to talk about the marriage itself with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide! Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Dr. Kim takes everyday 'traffic signs' that we all encounter and applies them to growing your marriage relationship in this plan: Traffic Signs and Your Marriage - Part 1 If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer you'll receive exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

    23 min

  4. May 19

    Faith Over Culture: Building a Marriage That Stands with Aaron and Amy Graham

    In a culture that constantly redefines truth, how do you build a marriage that actually stands firm? Dr. Kim sits down with Aaron and Amy Graham to talk about choosing faith over culture and why most marriages don't fall apart overnight—they slowly drift as outside voices shape what we believe about love, identity, and purpose. The Grahams challenge couples to examine those influences, guard their identity, and remember that marriage was designed for more than just their own happiness. This conversation is a powerful reminder that your spouse isn't meant to meet every need—and that intimacy with God is the foundation for a thriving marriage.   Episode highlights: Drifting is a slow process. If we are to live a life that goes against culture, we must know truth and live by it.  Marriage has a greater mission than just your happiness. Quotes from this Episode: The Grahams: If the church doesn't disciple people, the world gladly will. What does it look like to stand firm in a marriage? It's to not give the devil a foothold. Sometimes we don't realize how we have subtly imported a secular worldview into every area of our life.  The enemy doesn't want to just tempt us to sin. He wants to reshape our identity and distort our worship.  God has designed us for intimacy and that starts in our marriage relationship.  We have to go into our marriage understanding that our spouse isn't going to solve all of our loneliness. We have to have relationship with God.  The secular lie is that we determine what truth is: my feelings, my version of the truth. Marriage sometimes can become an idol for people when they don't have a bigger mission than just marriage. Because your marriage can become self centered- what the main mission- it's not just your happiness.  Dr. Kim: So much of our faith is knowing that this God who created everything loves us conditionally in a culture where nobody loves us unconditionally- sometimes that's hard to get a hold of. Selfishness is something we have to be aware of our whole marriage because we can fall into that trap.  God is never going to do anything in you that is not good for your marriage.  Time to talk about it: Are there ideas we need to deconstruct in our marriage?  What voices are we allowing to speak into our marriage? Do they align with the Truth? What disciplines do we need to implement to show that our marriage is a priority and to honor the union that God has brought together?    Mentioned in This Episode: Connect with Aaron and Amy Graham. Get your own copy of Unshakeable Faith Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Make sure you're praying for your marriage! We make it easy with this prayer guide: 21 Prayers for Building an Awesome Marriage Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. If you know you should pray with your spouse or for your spouse but don't know where to start? Check out: 7 Prayers to Grow Your Marriage Unmet expectations can wreak havoc on your marriage. You need this brand new resource: The Marriage Expectations Worksheet If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer you'll receive exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

    1 hr

  5. May 12

    Why Everything Feels Personal (And How to Change That)

    Have you ever gotten to the point in your marriage where your spouse felt more like the enemy than the person you committed to stand by in sickness and in health? What used to feel easy now feels tense. Conversations turn into misunderstandings. Small things feel big. Or maybe it's not conflict, it's distance. You're living side by side, but feeling miles apart. Somewhere along the way, everything started to feel… personal. And today, we're talking about why that happens, and how to change it.   Episode Highights: It's not you vs. your spouse. It's you both vs the pattern. Your thought life shapes your marriage Healing and gratitude change everything.    Quotes from Today's Episode: One moment doesn't define your marriage.- Mrs. Nancy The more I'm grateful for who Nancy is in my life, it's so much easier to say "no, I'm not talking this personal." People get ticked off for so many easy things nowadays and it's easy to get sucked into that. We don't want to look at ourselves. If I can blame Nancy then I can stay with that and not have to blame myself. God had to work on me. Our negative thinking can take over so much of the time. That negative thought process- and I have to go back to Romans 12: 2. Renewing our mind. That's the key.- Mrs. Nancy If there are old wounds, we have to take care of those.  Time to Talk About it: Do you feel like I do things just to upset you? If so, how can we resolve this? List out 5 things you are grateful for about your spouse. Share them with one another.    Mentioned in this Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Unmet expectations can wreak havoc on your marriage. You need this brand new resource: The Marriage Expectations Worksheet Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Summer is coming and the beach is calling, and the Lord can use the ocean to speak encouragement into your marriage- see for yourself Islands, Tides and the Deep: A Marriage Message from the Sea If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer this month, you'll receive our brand new Marriage Expectations Worksheet. This powerful tool is going to change the way you think about and talk about expectations in your marriage.

    21 min

  6. May 5

    9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free with Dr. Smalley

    In a culture that blurs truth and deception, marriages can easily absorb beliefs that slowly damage connection and trust. In this episode, Dr. Greg Smalley joins us to uncover the lies that are hitting marriages the hardest—and the truths that can set couples free. We talk about why marriages are so vulnerable to these lies, how stress and unmet expectations make them worse, and how emotional distance and internal narratives shape the way we see our spouse. Dr. Smalley also shares practical ways to recognize and replace these lies with truth, plus insight from his own marriage. If you've ever felt stuck in negative patterns or discouraged in your relationship, this episode will help you reset your perspective and refocus on what's true. Episode Highlights: Why marriages are especially vulnerable to believing harmful lies—and when that risk is highest How stress, unmet expectations, and emotional distance distort the way we see our spouse Practical ways to recognize lies, replace them with truth, and rebuild connection Quotes from this Episode: Quotes from Dr. Kim "Marriage is an adventure full of highs and lows, good and bad." "We live in a culture that tells us we should be happy above all." "The greatest marriage advice is to ask how can I be a better husband." "I think if you do the things that we, if couples do the things we're talking about today, you are laying the foundation for those empty nest years to be something very, very special."   Quotes from Greg Smalley: "Differences are never the problem. The truth is differences are beautiful." "What creates true connection, what creates intimacy, is safety." "I want to be the one to love her in that way by affirming her." "The key is for you to become that perfect person to marry." "I want my wife's heart rendered open to me." "It changes our marriages when we start caring about how our spouse felt."  "I want to create a campfire with my wife that we just want to linger around and just enjoy each other." "Instead of thinking about resolving conflict, think about how do we repair conflict." Time to Talk About it:  What's a negative thought or assumption I've been believing about you or our marriage lately—and is it actually true? When we're stressed or things aren't going how we expected, what stories do we tend to tell ourselves about each other? What's one simple thing we could do this week to feel more safe, connected, and quick to repair things when they go sideways?   Mentioned in This Episode: Check out Greg Smalley and Focus with the Family Get a copy of 9 Lies that will Destroy Your Marriage Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide! Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Dr. Kim takes everyday 'traffic signs' that we all encounter and applies them to growing your marriage relationship in this plan: Traffic Signs and Your Marriage - Part 1 If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer you'll receive exclusive content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy as well as our resource of the month! Become a Marriage Changer today!

    1h 8m

  7. Apr 28

    Loving Through the Little Things: Letting Go of Assumptions

    Most of us have experienced that shift in marriage—where the little quirks that once felt endearing during dating suddenly become everyday annoyances. The real challenge comes when those small frustrations start to build, creating distance, resentment, and barriers to connection. And often, it's not just the habits themselves—but the assumptions we attach to them—that carry the most power, quietly shaping how we see and respond to our spouse. In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy share practical ways to keep the small things from becoming big issues. They talk about the power of open and honest communication, setting realistic expectations, and choosing grace in the moments it's needed most—especially when assumptions threaten to take over. Our hope is that this conversation encourages you to strengthen your connection and approach the little things in your marriage with greater understanding, intention, and grace. Episode Highlights: Assumptions do not help the marriage relationship. Open communication is key to highlighting the differences in your relationship and developing an alternate way to move forward together. Quotes from this Episode: You begin to think God made a mistake, which He doesn't. The way I think about Nancy, is going to impact the way I treat her. When you start thinking negatively toward someone, just stop and lay it at the Lords' feet.  God wants us to have a good marriage. He gave it as a gift to us so He wants it to be good. It's hard to build a case against Nancy, when I'm taking her to the Lord in prayer. Marriage doesn't have to be complicated. God didn't create it as this maze we have to figure our way through. Time to Talk About it:  When's the last time you prayed for the Lord to help you see your spouse the way He sees them.  Is there something you need to share with you spouse that you've been viewing negatively? Something that is going unmentioned and ignored? Take time to write down 10 things you love or admire about your spouse. Now share it with them.  Mentioned in This Episode: Awesome Marriage is on Instagram! Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide! Your words, your tone, your attitude- they all matter in how your spouse hears you and how connected your marriage feels. Check out our new devotional: Cut the Criticism and Cultivate Companionship in Marriage Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Have negative thoughts about your spouse slowly replaced the positive ones? You need to start Mind Craft: Take Your Thoughts Captive to Transform Your Marriage today! If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  It's the perfect time to become a Marriage Changer! When you become a Marriage Changer you'll receive our Most Popular Resource Bundle — 10 powerful marriage tools with a combined value of $185. Become a Marriage Changer today!

    18 min

  8. Apr 24

    Wider Lens: All Things Together: Apprenticeship to Jesus in a Fragmented World with Heath Hardesty

    In this episode, Dr. Kim talks with author and pastor Heath Hardesty about his new book, All Things Together. Heath shares how his time apprenticing under his earthly father became a living picture of what it means to be an apprentice of our Heavenly Father. They discuss what it looks like to live as image bearers in a fragmented world, why discipleship is more than "extra credit," and how God redeems, not erases, our humanity. Together, they unpack how to see with wonder again, order our imagination around Christ, and live a whole, beautiful life that reflects Him.   Episode Takeaways: Wholeness comes from staying connected, not from doing more. Slowing down is often the most spiritual thing we can do. God loves us and desires to dwell with us. Our focus and intention shape the way we experience life and who we become. Life feels scattered because we're often living disconnected from what truly grounds us. Our actions are connected to our faith. We ache and long for relationship with our Creator. He is a good Father. Quotes from this Episode: How we imagine the world really affects how we inhabit it. Technology can connect, but the digital world often pulls us apart—scattering our presence across time and place until we forget what it means to truly be together. When we take things out of context and mix the sacred with the trivial, our souls are shaped by confusion and chaos. God weaves beauty from even the most ordinary or unwanted chapters of our stories—if we let Him, nothing is wasted. We are made to be apprentices of the Master—union, abiding, obeying, and becoming like Him is the heart of how we truly change. Faith isn't just belief in our heads—it's trust that spills out through our hands, our words, our feet, our relationships. It's embodied and lived. Serving others, especially those closest to us, by following Christ's example, transforms both them and us. True love is found in humble service. Faith has everything to do with our hands, our feet, our mouth, and our relationships. It's an embodied thing.   Reflect on This: Where does life feel most rushed right now? How can you invite Jesus into this space instead of just trying harder? What small daily habit or rhythm is shaping you the most right now, for better or for worse? If following Jesus is more about apprenticeship than perfection, what is one simple practice you could lean into this week to stay more connected to Him?   Mentioned in this Episode: Never miss a Wider Lens episode. Listen here. Heath Hardesty is on Instagram. Purchase All Things Together: How Apprenticeship to Jesus Is the Way of Flourishing in a Fragmented World by Heath Hardesty Find Dr. Kim on Instagram

    48 min
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About

Far too many couples are just surviving their marriage when it was meant to thrive. This is the place for practical tips on how to build an awesome marriage. Our passion is to help you strengthen your marriage. Dr. Kim Kimberling hosts the show. Dr. Kim is the President of Awesome Marriage, has been married for over 50 years, and has been a professional counselor for 40+ years. He is the author of 7 Secrets to An Awesome Marriage ,14 Keys To Lasting Love, and most recently Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half. Dr. Kim will be joined once a month by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Kimberling. He will also host other great guests that will teach and encourage you as you intentionally pursue an awesome marriage. Tune in each week to hear practical advice from Dr. Kim. This podcast is brought to you by the ministry of Awesome Marriage.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Kim Kimberling
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    871
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Kim Kimberling
  • Show Website
    Awesome Marriage Podcast

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