Expedition Marriage with Chris & Jamie Bailey

Expedition Marriage with Chris & Jamie Bailey
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Welcome to the Expedition Marriage Podcast! We're glad you're here! We're Chris and Jamie Bailey, and we are Christian counselors and marriage coaches. We're here to help you put God in the center of your marriage by sharing some solid biblical truth, along with some practical marriage tips. So, no matter where you're at in your marriage, start getting excited, because we're here to help you Enjoy the Journey!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ep. 160: Just a Little Bit Better: Small Shifts That Move the Needle in Marriage

    Big change isn't always what your marriage needs. In fact, sometimes the most powerful growth comes from the smallest, most consistent choices. In this episode, we talk about how to move the needle forward in your relationship—just 1% at a time—without the pressure of perfection.   💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode Why the pressure to fix everything at once leaves couples feeling stuck The power of compounding small actions and how they can transform your marriage over time How lofty expectations of perfection can sabotage intimacy Why it's essential to address sin like pride, anger, or bitterness—rather than just covering it up with good habits What "moving the needle" might look like practically in your home How to let go of guilt and shame and replace them with God's daily mercies   🛠️ Practical Takeaways Choose one small thing to do better this week (listen more attentively, speak a word of encouragement, offer a small act of service, say "I'm sorry"). Remember: consistency, not perfection, creates change.   🎯 Resources & Next Steps If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to: Share it with a friend. Leave us a review—it helps other couples find hope and practical help Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for free resources 👉 And if you're ready for a guided plan to help you rebuild intimacy, safety, and connection in your marriage, check out our Restoring Connection Plan. As a special thank-you for listening, you can get 20% off using the code PODCAST20: Click here to grab your plan

    39 min

  2. 30 OCT

    Ep. 159: When Marriage Hurts: Why Joy Still Matters

    When your marriage is in a painful season, joy might feel like the last thing on your mind. But what if those small, lighthearted moments are not only possible—but essential for healing? In this episode, we're talking about why joy still matters in marriage, even when things hurt. You'll discover how laughter, rest, and simply enjoying each other can soften hearts, reduce tension, and remind your relationship that hope is not lost.   What You'll Learn in This Episode The reality of pain in marriage and how the brain processes emotional hurt as real and exhausting. Why joy is medicine—how laughter, fun, and rest release chemicals that calm stress and build safety. Biblical wisdom on joy, including Proverbs 17:22 ("A cheerful heart is good medicine") and Nehemiah 8:10 ("The joy of the Lord is your strength"). Practical ways to bring joy back—from watching a funny movie to taking a break from "working" on everything and just being together. How choosing joy and rest builds resilience and reminds you that healing is still possible.   Scripture Encouragement Proverbs 17:22 – "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Nehemiah 8:10 – "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Psalm 16:11 – "In Your presence there is fullness of joy."     Call to Action This week, don't focus only on what needs to be fixed—make space to simply enjoy each other. Recreate a joyful memory or try something lighthearted and new. 👉 If this episode encouraged you, share it with another couple who might need hope in their hard season. And if you haven't already, be sure to leave us a review—it helps more couples find the encouragement they need. 🔗 Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for more resources, tools, and support to help your marriage thrive.

    37 min

  3. 23 OCT

    Ep. 158: Breaking the Usual Error — How Assumptions Sabotage Your Marriage and What God Says About It

    Have you ever caught yourself assuming you knew what your spouse was thinking or feeling—only to find out you were completely wrong? That's what we call "The Usual Error"—and it's one of the most common causes of conflict, hurt, and disconnection in marriage. In this episode, we'll unpack what the Bible says about making assumptions, why they're biblically unwise, and how to replace them with curiosity, humility, and God's wisdom to strengthen your marriage.   What You'll Learn in This Episode 1. What the Usual Error Is and Why It Hurts Marriage How assumptions create false narratives and unspoken expectations Why acting on unproven beliefs leads to miscommunication   2. Why Making Assumptions Can Be Spiritually Dangerous It's based on what's unproven → Leads to wrong conclusions It shows a lack of wisdom → Proverbs 18:2: "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." It causes division → Misunderstandings breed resentment and distance It reflects pride → Assuming we know our spouse's motives takes God's place as the only One who sees hearts   3. What the Bible Encourages Instead Practice humility and patience (Ephesians 4:2-3): Bear with one another in love Seek truth and discernment (Philippians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:21): Think on what is true and test everything   4. How to Break the Usual Error in Marriage Practical tools to shift from assumption to understanding: Pause before reacting: "Do I have proof, or am I assuming?" Ask clarifying questions instead of assigning motives Practice reflective listening to ensure you've heard your spouse correctly Invite God into the conversation through prayer and patience   5. Encouragement and Hope Marriage is strengthened when you replace assumptions with curiosity and humility. Unity grows when you trust God more than your perceptions, opening the door for deeper connection, grace, and peace.

    43 min

  4. 16 OCT

    Ep. 157: When Your Husband Doesn't Share Your Faith — Hope for Spiritually Unequal Marriages

    Marriages Marriage is challenging enough, but when your spouse doesn't share your faith, it can feel like you're walking this journey alone. In this episode, we're diving deep into what it means to be in a spiritually mismatched marriage and how to find hope, peace, and purpose along the way.   What You'll Learn in This Episode 1. The Reality of Spiritually Unequal Marriages What it means to be "spiritually mismatched" Common emotions: loneliness, frustration, confusion, and hope   2. Common Struggles These Couples Face Spiritual Loneliness: Feeling unsupported in your walk with Christ Parenting Challenges: Different values and beliefs causing tension Church Involvement: One spouse engaged, the other resistant Communication Gaps: Conflicts over priorities and purpose Stat: 67% of couples say faith differences increase relationship stress (Lifeway Research)   3. How to Love Well Without Compromising Your Faith Influence Through Love, Not Pressure Stay Rooted in Christ Find Support Create Connection Outside Faith   4. Encouragement and Hope God sees your marriage, your prayers, and your heart Romans 12:12 — "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Isaiah 40:31 — God renews your strength while you wait   Resources & Next Steps ✉️ Prayer Support: Email us at email@expeditionmarriage.org if you'd like us to pray alongside you—we keep a dedicated list and would love to lift your marriage before God. 🙏 Join Our 30-Day Praying for Your Husband Challenge to deepen your intercessory prayer life. (https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-wife-challenge) • • 📩 Share This Episode: Know someone walking this path? Send them this episode and begin praying together for your husbands. https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-157-when-your-husband-doesnt-share-your-faith-hope-for-spiritually-unequal-marriages

    40 min

  5. 9 OCT

    Ep. 156: Curiosity Over Offense — How Staying Spiritually Mature Can Transform Your Marriage

    Have you ever noticed how quickly small misunderstandings can spiral into full-blown conflicts? One simple comment can turn into a wall between you and your spouse if you let offense take over. But spiritual maturity calls us to a different path—one that chooses curiosity, compassion, and connection over pride and defensiveness.   In this episode, we're unpacking a powerful truth that can change the way you navigate disagreements in your marriage:   "You can't be curious and offended at the same time."   Spiritually mature couples learn to pause, seek understanding, and invite God into their marriage instead of letting emotions rule the moment. When offense leads, division grows—but when curiosity leads, your marriage becomes a place of safety, grace, and deeper intimacy.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 1. How Spiritual Immaturity Shows Up in Marriage Getting defensive when criticized Withdrawing instead of leaning in Avoiding confession and repentance Making self-centered decisions over Christ-centered ones   2. Signs of Spiritual Maturity Being quick to listen and slow to anger (James 1:19) Seeking understanding before responding Choosing forgiveness over grudges Inviting God into conflict and relying on His wisdom   3. "I've Just Touched a Wound, But I Did Not Cause It" We'll discuss why your spouse's strong reactions may be tied to old wounds—and why you don't need to deflect, defend, people-please, or withdraw. Instead, you can stay present and curious to create emotional safety.   4. How Curiosity Builds Connection Asking thoughtful questions instead of assuming Creating emotional safety and trust Discovering what's really happening beneath the surface     Resources & Next Steps   📄 Download the free Spiritual Maturity in Marriage Assessment to practice curiosity in your marriage. Includes curiosity question prompts. https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-156-curiosity-over-offense-how-staying-spiritually-mature-can-transform-your-marriage Episode 140 When the Past Shows up Uninvited in Your Marriage  https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-140-when-the-past-shows-up-uninvited-understanding-implicit-memory-in-marriage/ 💬 If you need help navigating conflict and rebuilding connection, visit ExpeditionMarriage.org/marriage to learn about our Christ-centered counseling and coaching.

    41 min

  6. 2 OCT

    Ep. 155: Healing Your Marriage After Chronic Illness

    When chronic illness enters a marriage, it doesn't just affect one person—it touches everything. Routines shift, intimacy changes, energy drops, and even the way you see each other can be altered. In this honest and hope-filled episode, we talk about the silent grief couples carry, the changes they face, and how to begin healing and reconnecting in a new, grace-filled way. We even share our own personal story.   Whether you're the one facing health challenges or the one walking alongside, there is hope for restoration—not necessarily of the "before" life, but of connection, intimacy, and partnership in the "now."   What You'll Learn in This Episode: The unspoken losses chronic illness brings into marriage—and why it's okay to grieve them How to rebuild connection and intimacy in new and meaningful ways Practical steps for healing together and making space for honest conversations Encouragement and Scripture to remind you that you're not alone in this journey   Key Takeaways & Scriptures: 💬 "When chronic illness enters a marriage, it doesn't just affect one person—it touches everything. But it doesn't have to define everything." 📖 Romans 12:15 – "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." 📖 1 Corinthians 13:7 – "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 📖 Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 – "Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."   Links & Resources: Download the Couples Conversation Worksheet  (Ihttps://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-155-healing-your-marriage-after-chronic-illness)– Use this free guide to start meaningful conversations about healing and connection in your marriage after chronic illness.   Check out Jackie Hill Perry's teaching on In Defence of Hope. We know it will be an ecnouragement for you. https://youtu.be/pdXu23RLCE8?si=ymhPjOd2V8XKr107   Need more support? Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for coaching, resources, and tools.   Share this episode with a friend or couple who's navigating chronic illness—they need encouragement too!   Let's Connect: If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it. Together, we can spread hope and equip more marriages to thrive—no matter the season they're in.

    46 min

  7. 25 SEPT

    Ep. 154: When Love Feels Like a Roller Coaster: Understanding the Vacillator in Marriage

    Does your relationship ever feel like it swings from intense connection to deep frustration—and then back again? If so, you may be married to a Vacillator. In today's episode, we're diving into what it's like to live and love with this emotional love style, and how you can find more stability and connection together.   💬 "Being married to a Vacillator can feel like navigating emotional whiplash—passionate connection one moment, frustration and distance the next."   This episode is all about understanding the why behind the ups and downs—and learning how to build trust and steadiness in a sensitive, emotionally-charged marriage.   🧭 What You'll Learn: What defines the Vacillator Love Style and where it originates Why Vacillators often feel disappointed or emotionally overwhelmed The impact this love style has on a marriage What a Vacillator truly needs from their spouse How Vacillators themselves can grow emotionally and spiritually   💡 Key Traits of a Vacillator: Craves deep connection, but fears rejection Easily feels hurt or let down by perceived distance Struggles with waiting, emotional regulation, and trust Idealizes, then devalues their spouse when expectations aren't met   📖 Scriptures Mentioned: Isaiah 30:18 – "The Lord longs to be gracious to you…" 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 – "Love is patient, love is kind… it is not easily angered…" Psalm 62:5–6 – "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence… He only is my rock…"   ❤️ 3 Practical Things Vacillators Need: Consistent and Predictable Connection → Small follow-throughs build trust and soothe abandonment fears. Attuned Listening Without Defensiveness → Validation and reflection are more healing than explanation. Grace When They Emotionally Escalate → Compassion in their emotional moments creates safety, not shame.   💬 "Vacillators heal when love stops being unpredictable and starts becoming trustworthy."     🎯 Take Action:   📤 Share this episode with someone navigating emotional cycles in their marriage 🌐 Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for biblical tools and counseling • • ⭐️ Leave a review to help others find truth and encouragement

    41 min

  8. 18 SEPT

    Ep. 153: When One of You Can't Say No: Understanding the Pleaser in Marriage

    Does your spouse always say "yes," avoid conflict, or seem overly focused on making everyone else happy—even at their own expense? You may be married to a Pleaser. In this episode, we're unpacking what it really means to be married to a Pleaser—how this love style forms, how it impacts your relationship, and what both of you can do to create deeper emotional intimacy.   💬 "Pleasers aren't trying to be fake—they're trying to stay safe."   This episode is all about moving from performance to authenticity—and learning to build a marriage where honesty, vulnerability, and mutual care are welcome.   🧭 What You'll Learn: What drives the Pleaser Love Style Why pleasers often avoid conflict and overextend themselves What it's like being married to a Pleaser—and the hidden costs of chronic "yes" How to respond with love, not pressure Practical steps for Pleasers to grow in confidence and connection   💡 Key Highlights: Pleasers often come from critical or high-pressure homes and learned to keep the peace by minimizing their needs. Being married to a Pleaser may feel emotionally confusing—because it's hard to connect with someone who won't show you their full self. Change is possible when Pleasers feel safe to express, say no, and trust that love isn't based on performance.   📖 Scriptures Mentioned: Galatians 1:10 – "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?" Ephesians 4:15 – "Speak the truth in love…"     🎯 Take Action: 💬 Talk with your spouse using these connecting questions:   What is one thing I can do for you to help make tomorrow easier? What reactions of mine tend to be stressful to you? Is there an area of your life, even with me, where you feel like you have to walk on eggshells? Why is that?   📤 Share this episode with a friend or couple who may need it. ⭐️ Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help other couples find biblical encouragement. 🔗 Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for more marriage tools and support.   💭 You don't have to earn love through peacekeeping. Real connection happens when you let yourself be known—and loved—in truth.

    40 min
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About

Welcome to the Expedition Marriage Podcast! We're glad you're here! We're Chris and Jamie Bailey, and we are Christian counselors and marriage coaches. We're here to help you put God in the center of your marriage by sharing some solid biblical truth, along with some practical marriage tips. So, no matter where you're at in your marriage, start getting excited, because we're here to help you Enjoy the Journey!

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