The Redeemed Marriage Podcast

Rusty and Heather Bryant
  • 5.0 (146)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Rusty and Heather guide couples as they encourage healthy marriages, heal wounded marriages, and begin restoration of broken marriages.

  1. 1h ago

    August 23: How the Darkest Day of Our Marriage Became a Story of Redemption

    August 23, 2011, is a date we will never forget. It was the night Heather confessed her affair, and in a matter of moments, everything about our marriage and our future seemed to change. For years afterward, August 23 carried a weight of its own. As the date approached, the memories would come back: the conversation, the shock, the pain, and the days that followed. But today, 15 years later, August 23 doesn't feel the same. In this episode, we talk honestly about what those early anniversaries were like, how we learned to communicate about the emotions surrounding this date, and why we eventually decided we weren't going to allow one painful day on the calendar to continue having power over our marriage. We can't change what happened on August 23, 2011. But God has completely changed what that date means to us. What was once a reminder of betrayal has become a reminder of redemption. What once represented everything that was broken now reminds us of everything God has restored. If you have a date on the calendar that still carries pain—a discovery day, a confession, an anniversary, or simply a day you wish you could forget—we hope our story reminds you that the way that date feels today doesn't have to be the way it feels forever. Healing is possible. Redemption is possible. And the darkest chapter of your story does not have to be the final one. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Visit our website

  2. Aug 17

    What If the Affair Never Happened?

    As we get closer to the 15th anniversary of Heather’s confession, we’ve been thinking about a question we’re not sure we’ve ever really talked about before: What would our marriage look like today if the affair had never happened? It’s a strange question, because obviously we would never wish for the pain, betrayal, and brokenness that came with that season. But we also know what God has done in our marriage through it. We honestly believe we would probably still be married today. We were both committed to marriage and probably would have stayed together no matter what. But we’re not sure we would have been happy. We may have spent the rest of our lives being good roommates, raising our kids, going to church, doing all the right things on the outside, while never really dealing with what was happening underneath the surface. The affair forced everything into the light. In this episode, we talk about some of the things we can see now that we couldn’t see then. Heather shares how much of her focus in marriage had become about what Rusty could do for her and how God began teaching her to serve differently. Rusty talks about realizing that even some of the “good husband” things he was doing were tied to insecurity and wanting affirmation. Now, 15 years later and entering the empty-nest years, one of the things we’re most grateful for is pretty simple: we genuinely like being together. We hate what happened after 15 years of marriage. But we’re incredibly grateful that God didn’t waste it. He used the hardest season of our lives to expose what was broken, strip away the masks, and teach us what it looks like to actually know…and be known by…each other. If your marriage looks fine on the outside but you know there’s distance underneath, we hope this conversation challenges you not to wait for a crisis before you go deeper. Visit our website Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  3. Aug 10

    Can You Affair-Proof Your Marriage?

    Can You Affair-Proof Your Marriage? Is it actually possible to affair-proof your marriage? We know better than most that no marriage is completely immune to temptation or failure. After all, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world and still found a way to mess things up. But we also believe there are things we can do to protect our marriages and make it much harder for the enemy to gain a foothold. In this episode, we talk about some of the things we believe matter most, beginning with our individual relationships with the Lord. Heather shares honestly about what happened in her own life before the affair and how it wasn't one huge decision that suddenly took her somewhere she never expected to go. It was a series of small compromises. Little decisions that didn't seem "that bad." Moments when she heard the Holy Spirit prompting her and chose not to listen. Over time, those small compromises became much bigger ones. We also talk about why we believe so strongly in boundaries, including some that other people may think are extreme. For us, boundaries aren't about living scared that something might happen. They're about protecting something that is incredibly valuable to us. And protecting your marriage is about more than avoiding an affair. We talk about communication, serving one another, physical intimacy, and continuing to build the kind of connection that makes your marriage healthy and strong. We can't promise that following a list of rules will guarantee that your marriage will never experience betrayal. But we do believe there are things you can intentionally do to guard your heart, protect your marriage, and build the kind of relationship you both want. We learned some of these lessons the hard way. Our hope is that maybe you won't have to. Visit The Redeemed Marriage: https://www.theredeemedmarriage.com Watch The Redeemed Marriage on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRedeemedMarriage

  4. Aug 3

    Not All Heroes Wear Capes

    This week we're sharing one of the most meaningful nights of our lives. As we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, we got a surprise when we walked into a room filled with the people God has used to help write our story. Some were there on our wedding day. Others came into our lives after Heather's affair fifteen years ago. All of them have played a part in reminding us that redemption was never something we were meant to walk through alone. During the evening, we shared a comment someone recently left on our YouTube channel: “Not all heroes wear capes.” That simple sentence perfectly captured how we feel about the people in that room. They prayed for us. They challenged us. They encouraged us. They stayed when our marriage was messy. They became the hands and feet of Jesus during one of the hardest seasons of our lives.  Others in the room only know us as a redeemed couple, but they encourage us and our ministry daily. A few of them were even there because we have journeyed with them through their own marriage redemption story. In this episode, we reflect on that unforgettable night, the incredible gift of community, and why every couple needs people who are willing to stand with them through both the celebrations and the struggles. Looking around that room, we couldn't help but realize that our anniversary wasn't just a celebration of thirty years of marriage. It was a celebration of God's faithfulness—and of the heroes He placed along the way. Visit our website Watch on YouTube

  5. Jul 27

    15 Years Before. 15 Years After.

    This week marks our 30th wedding anniversary, and as we look back, we realize something that still amazes us: we've now spent exactly half of our marriage before Heather's confession…and half of it after. In this episode, we reflect on those two very different seasons of our marriage and why the last 15 years have been so different from the first. We talk about how our relationship changed when we stopped expecting each other to be the source of our happiness and learned to find our identity and security in Christ instead. We also share what we wish we could go back and tell ourselves during those dark days in the summer of 2011, when we had no idea what was about to happen. If you're walking through a difficult season in your own marriage, our hope is that this conversation reminds you that your story isn't finished. We're incredibly grateful we chose to fight for our marriage, and we're thankful for the life God has built over these last 30 years—one that neither of us could have imagined back then. Visit The Redeemed Marriage website Subscribe to The Redeemed Marriage YouTube channel

  6. Jul 20

    Can Intimacy Ever Feel Safe Again?

    Last week we began a conversation about restoring intimacy after betrayal. This week we're taking it a step further by talking about one of the hardest parts of healing: the mental images, triggers, and memories that can make the marriage bed feel anything but safe. We know this struggle because we've lived it. In this episode, we share what helped us navigate those difficult moments, why the betrayed spouse has to set the pace, and how the unfaithful spouse can respond with patience, humility, and compassion instead of pressure or frustration. We also talk about the hope we've found through Christ. The enemy would love nothing more than to convince you that this part of your marriage can never be restored. We don't believe that's true. Healing takes time, and every couple's journey is different, but we believe God can redeem every part of your marriage, including your intimacy. If you've ever wondered whether the marriage bed can truly be restored after betrayal, we hope this conversation gives you hope and practical encouragement for the road ahead. Visit The Redeemed Marriage website Subscribe to our YouTube channel

  7. Jul 13

    Can the Marriage Bed Be Redeemed After Betrayal?

    This week we’re answering a question that we’ve never addressed quite like this before, and we know it’s one that many couples quietly wrestle with after infidelity. What happens when something that was once a normal and enjoyable part of your physical relationship suddenly becomes a reminder of betrayal? Is it possible for the marriage bed to be fully redeemed, or will certain things always feel damaged? In this episode, we talk honestly about the guilt and shame that can linger long after an affair has ended, especially for the spouse who was unfaithful. We also discuss why healing isn't about pretending the past never happened, but about inviting God into the places where the enemy wants to keep you trapped. We share some of our own journey of reclaiming intimacy through prayer, worship, and honest conversations, while also talking about the importance of following the pace of the betrayed spouse. Along the way, we discuss how every marriage changes over time, why it's healthy for couples to keep talking about their desires and comfort levels, and how to approach those conversations with grace instead of fear. If you've ever wondered whether physical intimacy can truly be restored after betrayal, we hope this conversation reminds you that nothing is beyond God's ability to redeem. Visit The Redeemed Marriage website

  8. Jul 6

    How Can We Help Your Marriage? Here's Where to Start

    This week, we're answering a question we hear often: "What exactly do you offer, and where should I start?" Whether your marriage is in the middle of a crisis, you're rebuilding after betrayal, or you simply want to strengthen an already healthy relationship, we've tried to create resources that meet you wherever you are. In this episode, we walk through the Resource Menu currently available on our website and explain what each part is designed to do. We talk about the free resources that so many couples begin with, including our daily Facebook content, Instagram, YouTube, and our podcast library. Then we share how our marriage coaching, two-day intensives, and marriage retreats provide a deeper level of support for couples who need more personalized help. We also explain how you can search our entire podcast library by topic, making it easy to find conversations on trust, boundaries, communication, forgiveness, and so much more. Finally, we share a few of our favorite resources that many people don't even know about, including our monthly mentoring community, annual Prayer Challenge, and the free downloads we make available throughout the year. Our heart has always been simple: to provide hope, practical tools, and biblical encouragement for every season of marriage. We hope this episode helps you discover the next step that's right for you.

See All (263)

Trailer

5
out of 5
146 Ratings

About

Rusty and Heather guide couples as they encourage healthy marriages, heal wounded marriages, and begin restoration of broken marriages.

Information

  • Creator
    Rusty and Heather Bryant
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    263
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Redeemed Marriage Podcast

You Might Also Like