The Wedding Chaplain Podcast

David Anderson
  • 4.4 (8)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Rev. Dr. David Anderson has walked over 1800 couples to their wedding day. And he wants to share that journey with you. This podcast is a boot camp or education for engaged couples preparing for their wedding day. Preparing for marriage and getting ready for a wedding are two separate things. We want you to have healthy marriages and perfect wedding ceremonies.

  1. Aug 4

    Episode 68 - Managing Engagement Stress: Building a Stronger Marriage Before the Wedding with Dr. Laurel Mellin

    Engagement is a joyful season, but it can also become one of the most stressful seasons a couple will face together. Between wedding decisions, family expectations, budget conversations, guest lists, schedules, and the pressure of preparing for a life-changing commitment, many couples discover that stress can affect the way they communicate, make decisions, and stay connected. In this episode of The Wedding Chaplain Podcast, David Anderson talks with Dr. Laurel Mellin, a health psychologist, founder of Emotional Brain Training, associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, and New York Times bestselling author. Dr. Mellin shares a brain-based, practical approach to understanding stress and helping couples move toward connection, clarity, and joy. This conversation explores why engagement can become emotionally intense, how stress shapes communication and decision-making, and how couples can begin building healthier patterns before marriage. Dr. Mellin also explains how Emotional Brain Training can help couples recognize stress, calm their emotional responses, and reconnect when tension begins to rise. Whether you are engaged, newly married, or working to strengthen your relationship, this episode offers helpful insight into the emotional patterns that shape a marriage long after the wedding day has passed. In this episode, we discuss: • Why engagement can become more stressful than couples expect • How stress affects the brain, communication, and decision-making • Why wedding planning can reveal deeper relationship patterns • How couples can stay connected during tense conversations • The importance of healthy boundaries with family and outside expectations • How Emotional Brain Training can help couples move from stress toward connection • Practical ways engaged couples can begin building healthier marriage patterns now Dr. Laurel Mellin is the author of 1-2-3 Joy, and her work through Emotional Brain Training helps people understand the brain's stress response and develop tools for lasting emotional health. For Laurel Mellin's social media accounts, please find them all linked below: Website: https://ebtconnect.net  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebtgroups/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurelmellin/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelmellin/  David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 68 - Managing Engagement Stress: Building a Stronger Marriage Before the Wedding with Dr. Laurel Mellin

  2. Jun 30

    Episode 67 - Communication: An Interview with Dr. Laura Sicola

    In this episode of The Wedding Chaplain Podcast, David Anderson talks with Dr. Laura Sicola about one of the most important foundations of a healthy marriage: communication. Laura is the author of Speaking to Influence. Dr. Sicola is a leadership communication and influence coach, author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice, host of the podcast Speaking to Influence: Communication Secrets of the C-Suite, and a TEDx speaker whose talk is titled "Want to Sound Like a Leader?" Start by Saying Your Name Right has been viewed millions of times. In addition to her work with leaders, executives, and organizations, Dr. Sicola and her husband also lead communication workshops for engaged and married couples in churches throughout the Philadelphia region. This conversation helps engaged couples think carefully about the way they use words, tone, body language, and listening as they prepare for marriage. Wedding planning often brings major decisions, family expectations, financial conversations, and emotional pressure to the surface. Dr. Sicola explains how couples can communicate with greater clarity, confidence, respect, and connection during those conversations. David and Laura also discuss the gap between what one person thinks they said and what the other person actually heard, how small communication habits can create closeness or tension, and why healthy communication before marriage can shape the daily rhythm of married life. Whether you are engaged, newly married, or simply wanting to communicate better with the person you love, this episode offers practical wisdom for building trust one conversation at a time. For Laura Sicola's social media accounts, please find them all linked below: Website: https://laurasicola.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlaurasicola/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurasicola/  X: https://twitter.com/LauraSicola  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurasicola    David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 67 - Communication: An Interview with Dr. Laura Sicola

  3. Jun 16

    Episode 66 - Why So Many Relationships Fail Before They Begin: How to Build a Relationship That Lasts

    In Part Two of David Anderson's conversation with Dr. Freda, the focus shifts from finding love to sustaining it. David shares practical wisdom from years of marriage ministry and explains why healthy relationships require intentional communication, ongoing dating, shared purpose, and emotional honesty.  The conversation explores second marriages, healing after divorce, relationship expectations, and the habits couples need to maintain a connection after the wedding day is over. David also explains his "Four Rules for Dating" and why many couples stop pursuing each other after marriage.  In this episode, we discuss:  Why couples must continue dating after marriage   The emotional "crash" many couples experience after the wedding   The importance of shared purpose and mission in a relationship   How to avoid turning marriage into event management   Why communication habits matter more than grand gestures   The role of service, faith, and shared goals in lasting relationships   How to know if you are truly ready to date again after divorce   David's practical rules for healthy dating and engagement   Whether you are dating, engaged, remarried, or simply trying to strengthen your relationship, this episode offers practical insights for building a partnership that grows deeper over time.  For Dr Freda's social media accounts, please find them all linked below:  https://www.thedrfreda.com/  https://www.facebook.com/fredrikauatkins   https://www.instagram.com/dr_freda_coaching   To watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d5r9O5YEOMQ?si=OWryuteY4iqvqv3T   David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 66 - Why So Many Relationships Fail Before They Begin: How to Build a Relationship That Lasts

  4. Jun 9

    Episode 65 - Why So Many Relationships Fail Before They Begin: Love, Timing, and the Truth About Relationships Before Marriage

    In this episode of The Wedding Chaplain Podcast, David Anderson joins Dr. Freda for a deep and honest conversation about dating, marriage, divorce, and emotional maturity. Together, they explore why so many people rush into relationships before truly understanding themselves and how culture, family history, and unresolved wounds shape the way we love.  David shares his own personal story of marrying young, navigating divorce, and what he learned after years of working with more than 1,800 couples preparing for marriage. The discussion dives into why age, time, emotional clarity, and purpose matter more than chemistry alone.  In this episode, we discuss:  Why relationships formed too quickly often struggle in the long term   The importance of emotional maturity before marriage   How divorce and broken family systems affect future relationships   Why college relationships sometimes collapse in "real life."   The danger of using relationships to heal unresolved pain   How family patterns and generational habits repeat themselves   Knowing your purpose matters before choosing a partner   The difference between attraction and compatibility   This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and deeply practical for singles, engaged couples, divorced individuals, and anyone trying to build healthier relationships moving forward.  For Dr Freda's social media accounts, please find them all linked below:  https://www.thedrfreda.com/  https://www.facebook.com/fredrikauatkins   https://www.instagram.com/dr_freda_coaching To watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d5r9O5YEOMQ?si=OWryuteY4iqvqv3T   David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 65 - Why So Many Relationships Fail Before They Begin: Love, Timing, and the Truth About Relationships Before Marriage

  5. Mar 24

    Episode 64 - Five Questions Engaged Couples Need to Wrestle With: An Interview with Kyle Colavitti

    Our guest today is Kyle Colavitti. Kyle started out as an actress/writer/director, but once she had kids, she wanted to be home with them and to use her own words and experiences to help people.   She and her husband have been married for 22 years, and they have two teenage boys. She likes to say she is a world-class hopeful romantic and to talk to couples about marriage being a marathon… not a sprint. Through her talks and work with couples, she has developed five key questions you have to say yes to before you get married. 1. Do I want to have this man's baby? OR Do I want my DNA implanted in this woman to create another human being that we are committing to taking care of and co-parenting for the rest of our lives?   2. Will I still love and want this person, and will they love and want me when we are bald, wrinkled, sagging, deaf, having mobility issues, losing our memory, basically, OLD?!   3. Will I be there for this person, and will they be there for me when we are sick or dying?   4. Will this person be there for me when I bury my parents?  And will I be there for them?   5. Am I willing to do whatever it takes to work through our problems and issues?   Each of these questions gets you right to the heart of what it takes to be in a long-lasting relationship. It is a great conversation. For Kyle Colavitti's social media accounts, please find them all linked below: https://www.kylecolavitti.com/ https://substack.com/@kylecola https://instagram.com/kylecolavitti   David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

  6. Mar 17

    Episode 63 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: The Purpose

    Every great movie follows a familiar arc: a beginning that draws us in, tension that tests the characters, and a purpose that gives the story meaning. Marriage works the same way.  In this three-part series, David invites engaged and married couples to step back and view their relationships as love stories still being written. Drawing from a recent marriage retreat, these conversations explore the opening scenes of marriage and why intentional dating keeps the story alive, how conflict functions as a necessary turning point rather than a failure, and why the wedding is only the first scene of a much bigger purpose.  Whether you are preparing for marriage or have been married for years, this series offers practical insight, thoughtful reflection, and a renewed vision for building a love story that lasts long after the credits roll.  For many couples, the story's goal feels like getting together. The wedding feels like the ending.  In this episode, David Anderson invites couples to consider a bigger question: why are we together, and what becomes possible because we are?  Using familiar stories and movies, this conversation explores how great love stories always point beyond the couple and why marriage works best when it is about more than happiness alone. You will hear why shared purpose gives meaning to sacrifice, how serving together strengthens relationships, and why couples need something they are working toward together.  This episode is a powerful closing conversation for engaged couples and a meaningful reset for married couples who want their relationship to be about more than just getting by.  To download the Script Workbook that goes along with the sessions, click here:  https://www.fbcmassillon.org/_files/ugd/188bab_242573815bd64edd977e0fe302666811.pdf    David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 63 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: The Purpose

  7. Mar 10

    Episode 62 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: Conflict and Crisis

    Every great movie follows a familiar arc: a beginning that draws us in, tension that tests the characters, and a purpose that gives the story meaning. Marriage works the same way.  In this three-part series, David invites engaged and married couples to step back and view their relationships as love stories still being written. Drawing from a recent marriage retreat, these conversations explore the opening scenes of marriage and why intentional dating keeps the story alive, how conflict functions as a necessary turning point rather than a failure, and why the wedding is only the first scene of a much bigger purpose.  Whether you are preparing for marriage or have been married for years, this series offers practical insight, thoughtful reflection, and a renewed vision for building a love story that lasts long after the credits roll.  Every story worth watching includes tension. Marriage is no different.  In this episode, David Anderson challenges the idea that healthy couples do not have conflict and explains why conflict is actually part of the story. The real issue is not whether couples have problems, but how they handle them.  You will learn why surprise conversations often lead to defensiveness, how avoidance creates distance, and why preparation changes the posture of conflict. This episode also introduces the idea of a planned weekly meeting and a simple agenda that helps couples address real issues without letting conflict spill into every part of their relationship.  This episode is especially helpful for couples who feel stuck in the same arguments or who struggle with avoidance, escalation, or miscommunication.  To download the Script Workbook that goes along with the sessions, click here:  https://www.fbcmassillon.org/_files/ugd/188bab_242573815bd64edd977e0fe302666811.pdf    David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 62 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: Conflict and Crisis

  8. Mar 3

    Episode 61 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: The Script and the Question

    Every great movie follows a familiar arc: a beginning that draws us in, tension that tests the characters, and a purpose that gives the story meaning. Marriage works the same way.  In this three-part series, David invites engaged and married couples to step back and view their relationships as love stories still being written. Drawing from a recent marriage retreat, these conversations explore the opening scenes of marriage and why intentional dating keeps the story alive, how conflict functions as a necessary turning point rather than a failure, and why the wedding is only the first scene of a much bigger purpose.  Whether you are preparing for marriage or have been married for years, this series offers practical insight, thoughtful reflection, and a renewed vision for building a love story that lasts long after the credits roll.  Every great love story has a beginning. Before commitment, conflict, or purpose, there is attraction, pursuit, and a question that starts it all.  In this episode, David explores why couples stop dating each other, how drift happens quietly over time, and why intentional dating remains foundational long after the wedding day. You will also hear about the importance of continuing to ask the question that started your relationship and why assumptions, while safe, are never romantic.  This conversation is especially helpful for engaged couples, but it is just as relevant for married couples who want to reconnect, rediscover curiosity, and keep choosing each other on purpose.  To download the Script Workbook that goes along with the sessions, click HERE David Anderson's Linktree Profile The Wedding Chaplain Website Pick up a copy of David's Book, Before God and These Witnesses, today: https://www.amazon.com/Before-God-These-Witnesses- Community/dp/1662876270. Find the Wedding Chaplain on social media: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn Pinterest Sponsor: EWed Insurance

    Episode 61 - Creating a Blockbuster Love Story: The Script and the Question
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4.4
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Rev. Dr. David Anderson has walked over 1800 couples to their wedding day. And he wants to share that journey with you. This podcast is a boot camp or education for engaged couples preparing for their wedding day. Preparing for marriage and getting ready for a wedding are two separate things. We want you to have healthy marriages and perfect wedding ceremonies.

Information

  • Creator
    David Anderson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026, David Anderson, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The Wedding Chaplain Podcast