Erik and Erica Everafter

Erik and Erica Schwartz

Marriage and family are messy, funny, hard, and beautiful — and we’re here to share it all. We’re Erik & Erica — a married couple with 7 amazing kids and 18 years of real-life, real-love experience. Our story has been one of ups, downs, loss, resilience, healing, and joy. Through it all, we’ve learned to fight for each other, find laughter in the chaos, and build a family rooted in love. Here, we talk honestly about marriage, parenting, and adoption — and what it’s really like walking through challenges like: 💔 losing both of our dads at a young age 🏚️ growing up in foster care 🎗️ surviving breast cancer and a double mastectomy 🧠 battling depression and suicidal thoughts 💼 leaving behind a stable career to chase a dream — together Our goal? To help couples and families see that joy is possible, even in the hardest seasons. You’re not alone — and your story matters. 🎥 Subscribe for open conversations, practical insights, and real encouragement for your journey.

Episodes

  1. May 6

    From broke in a broken home to a faithful marriage and business with Ruslan KD

    Check out  @RuslanKD  and  @BlessGodStudios  book and godly ambition tour here: https://blessgod.co/ More from Erik and Erica here: https://ericaanderik.com/ 02:05 Broken Homes impact on marriage and finding Dave Ramsey 09:16 Getting out of $100,000 of debt 16:10 Parenting and raising kids to NOT BE SOFT! 20:33 Creating a healthy marriage early 23:33 How to raise boys and kids. 31:30 Contentment vs. Ambition 37:50 The real cost of becoming successful 42:55 Becoming aligned in your ambition as a married couple 47:00 From 100K in debt to 7 Figures in earnings 54:45 How do you discern the voice of the Lord 01:04:30 How to choose collaboration partners. 01:13:46 What would Ruslan tell himself as a child now looking back on his life. 01:19:45 Conclusion and love for Ruslan's wife and family :)

    1h 22m

  2. Apr 21

    When Life Doesn't Go as Planned | Trusting God Through Addiction and Unexpected Parenting

    Check out our book: https://ericaanderik.com/Store What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you planned? In this conversation, we sit down with Al and Sheila—an incredible couple whose story will stay with you long after this video ends. What started as a normal season of life took an unexpected turn when their son fell into addiction. Suddenly, in their 60s, they found themselves stepping in to raise their grandchildren… starting over in a way they never imagined. But that’s only part of the story. Al also shares what it looked like to run a business while carrying over a million dollars in debt—and how, through faith, perseverance, and hard decisions, God brought restoration in ways he couldn’t have scripted himself. This episode is about: What it means to show up when life gets hard How to carry responsibility you didn’t choose Trusting God when everything feels uncertain And building a life—and family—that stands, even in the storm If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or unsure how things could possibly work out… this story is for you. 00:00 Introduction 02:22 Finding out we had a grandson 04:13 Parenting a Prodigal Child 13:38 What advice do you give to parents who are waiting on a prodigal 19:00 How God brought our grandson to us 24:57 Caring for their grandkids mom. 32:28 Erik and Erica share their story of raising nephews 38:30 Navigating the trauma in children 47:10 Erica shares her story of foster care 53:30 Al shares about how he came out of 1.8 million in debt 1:09:15 What advice do you give to young couples

    1h 21m

  3. Apr 2

    Misaligned Marriage | Finding Peace When You Want Different Things

    Check out our book at ericaanderik.com (Hit the pop up for a free chapter) Get Committed Shirts at https://www.husbandandwifeforlife.com/ In this episode, we explore the concept of being "equally yoked" and its profound impact on committed relationships. We discuss why having aligned beliefs is crucial for a "successful marriage" and how navigating differences can be a significant challenge. This conversation provides practical "relationship advice" for couples grappling with differing desires, emphasizing the importance of shared spiritual "faith" in "christian relationships." 01:30 Introduction of Alignment and Dangers of Misalignment 04:55 Aligning with God first 12:41 First level of alignment 18:30 Second level of alignment 29:25 Third level of alignment 38:33 How alignment leads to building a marriage

    50 min

  4. Mar 26

    From Divorced to 35 Years Married:: How this couple built a happy marriage!

    Check out our website Ericaanderik.com The first year of marriage can be the toughest, and in this episode, we talk about the reality of "hard times" and what it takes for a "successful marriage." We share our own experiences and the four key principles that have guided our "relationships" through difficult seasons. This conversation offers practical "marriage advice" and highlights the importance of "communication in relationships" and "trust building" to navigate the challenges that inevitably arise. 01:55 Introduction 06:32 4 Key principles for a Successful marriage 18:28 Marriage is Hard; Impact of Divorce 24:14 How do we heal together in marriage? 35:43 What to do with abuse/loveless marriage? 46:45 How to keep a Routine of Friendship in Marriage. 54:00 Protecting your Marriage Team -- First team, Second Team, Third team 1:12:20 Importance of humility in marriage.

    1h 24m

  5. Feb 26

    We were teachers... here's why we homeschool our kids

    00:22 Introduction 01:45 Authority over our kids education and faith 13:18 Autonomy over our schedule 28:25 Our Kids can Author their own education 38:21 Teaching an Asset Based Education 52:20 Legacy is more important than grades.   Homeschooling, parenting, education, and faith all come together in this honest conversation about why a former principal and teacher chose to homeschool their 6 kids. In this episode, we explain our “4 A Framework” — Authority, Autonomy, Authoring education, and Asset-based learning — and how it shapes the way we raise and educate our children. We share why we believe education is more than academics, how family culture influences learning, and what made us rethink traditional schooling after years inside the system. This isn’t about criticizing schools — it’s about pursuing a vision we felt called to build for our family. Whether you’re curious about homeschooling, questioning education options, or simply looking for intentional parenting ideas, we hope this conversation helps you think deeper about the purpose behind how we teach our kids. 🎥 Subscribe for honest conversations on marriage, parenting, faith, and building a life that lasts. #Homeschool #Parenting #ChristianParenting #HomeschoolFamily #Education #FaithAndFamily #IntentionalParenting #HomeschoolLife #FamilyDiscipleship #ErikAndEricaEverAfter

    1h 2m

  6. Feb 12

    Marriage Didn't Fix Us.. How Change in Marriage Actually Happens

    Marriage didn’t fix us—and it wasn’t supposed to. In this episode, we talk honestly about why marriage doesn’t heal unresolved wounds, fix unhealthy patterns, or automatically make a relationship whole. Real change came when we stopped expecting marriage to do the work only growth, accountability, and obedience to God could do. We unpack what actually transforms a relationship, why people do change in marriage, and how God uses covenant to refine us—not rescue us from the work. If you’re dating, engaged, married, or wondering why things didn’t magically get better, this conversation is for you.

    49 min

  7. Jan 27

    Marriage Counselors Open Up! Infertility, Adoption, Chronic Illness and What Actually Helps

    This episode features a candid discussion between two couples, exploring the nuances of when marriage counseling is appropriate and, more critically, when it might not be. We tackle sensitive topics like emotional abuse and physical abuse, emphasizing that not all relationship problems can be solved through traditional couples therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of discerning the right approach when facing severe relationship challenges, offering valuable relationship advice and touching on communication skills.What happens when the marriage counselors—the ones who are usually helping everyone else—walk through deep suffering of their own? In this powerful roundtable conversation, Erik and Erica talk with David and Kris Sommers. They are experienced marriage counselors open up about the unseen struggles that shaped their lives and their faith: infertility, adoption, chronic illness, miscarriages, unmet expectations, and the slow work of healing over time. They don’t give clichés or easy answers. Instead, they offer honest reflections, timeless wisdom, and the kind of counsel that comes from living it out—not just reading about it. Whether your marriage is in a hard season or you're walking through personal suffering, this conversation will remind you: 🕊️ You're not alone. 🛠️ There are tools to endure and rebuild. 💛 And God still meets us in the middle of the mess. 00:00 Intro 03:11 Near Death Experience 15:30 Navigating Infertility and Adoption 25:05 How infertility effects you spiritually 35:00 Supporting each other through Chronic Illness 42:55 How to trust God in the trial 50:00 Handling bad advice from people in the trial 58:59 Marriage Counselors give their advice to young couples 104:05 How can a couple know it's time to get counseling 112:48 How to handle abuse in marriage 123:24 What does a biblical marriage look like? 131:10 Expectations, childhood abandonment, and how it worked out for David and Kris

    1h 39m

  8. Jan 21

    Divorced on their Honeymoon?!?! How This Couple Created a Happy Marriage.

    This podcast episode explores the intricate aspects of human behavior, offering insights into how past experiences shape individuals. It emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and continuous self improvement, particularly within relationships. We discuss how choosing to focus on the good in others, despite their past, can be a powerful path to personal development, reflecting a journey of critical thinking and growth. This perspective offers hope that past negative actions do not define who someone is now. Imagine filing for divorce on your honeymoon. ForJon and Gretchen, this wasn't just a nightmare scenario—it was their reality. In this episode, we sit down with a couple who went from calling it quits in week one to building a thriving, happy marriage. They reveal the exact turning points, the hard conversations, and the tools they used to save their relationship from the brink. If you are struggling in your marriage or feel like it's "too late" to fix things, this story proves that with the right tools, ANYONE can have a happy marriage. In this video, we cover: 0:00 intro 02:45 different cultures 06:28 Year one of marriage 11:14 Couples therapy was not effective 19:15 Honeymoon disaster 31:45 Sharing marital problems with other people 39:37 Hope for Struggling Couples 48:49 Feeling alone in marriage problems to sharing with family/friends 1:01:19 Jon's a Dumb--- take thoughts captive 1:07:30 Happy Marriage-- Navigating issues now 1:22:02 How did your love change? 1:31:02 Growing in Trust   #marriageadvice #saveyourmarriage #relationshipgoals #marriagehelp #erikanderica Ever wondered about the fine line between feeling a bit off and needing to see a doctor? This video discusses navigating "sick symptoms" and understanding your "personal health" needs. We offer "wellbeing tips" to help you discern when it's time to visit your "family doctor" or if those "red flag symptoms" require immediate attention. Prioritizing your "general health" is always important, so let's explore these topics together.

    1h 37m

  9. Jan 21

    Stuck Comparing? Here's What You're Missing

    This podcast explores the intricate aspects of human behavior psychology, offering insights into how past experiences shape individuals. It emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and continuous self improvement, particularly within relationships. We discuss how choosing to focus on the good in others, despite their past, can be a powerful path to personal growth, reflecting a journey of critical thinking and development. In this honest episode, we talk about the dangerous trap of comparison—how looking at someone else’s marriage nearly caused us to miss what God was doing in our own. Erica opens up about battling postpartum depression and longing for a different story... one that looked easier, happier, more perfect. But God had a unique assignment for our marriage—one that required surrender, perspective, and trust in the middle of pain. If you’ve ever looked at another couple and wondered why not us? this is for you. 🎯 Let's talk about jealousy, joy, calling, and how to stop missing the beauty in your own story. 📖 Key Verse: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." – Ephesians 2:10 00:00 Intro 01:48 Comparing ourselves to other people 09:18 Dangers of Comparisons 11:30 Kristi and Desmond; Comparing and social media 24:30 Missing your call because of comparison 27:36 Is God like Mr. Beast? 34:00 How to get out of comparison trap 42:17 How to give meaning to your life 50:00 Prayers for getting out of comparison

    54 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Marriage and family are messy, funny, hard, and beautiful — and we’re here to share it all. We’re Erik & Erica — a married couple with 7 amazing kids and 18 years of real-life, real-love experience. Our story has been one of ups, downs, loss, resilience, healing, and joy. Through it all, we’ve learned to fight for each other, find laughter in the chaos, and build a family rooted in love. Here, we talk honestly about marriage, parenting, and adoption — and what it’s really like walking through challenges like: 💔 losing both of our dads at a young age 🏚️ growing up in foster care 🎗️ surviving breast cancer and a double mastectomy 🧠 battling depression and suicidal thoughts 💼 leaving behind a stable career to chase a dream — together Our goal? To help couples and families see that joy is possible, even in the hardest seasons. You’re not alone — and your story matters. 🎥 Subscribe for open conversations, practical insights, and real encouragement for your journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik and Erica Schwartz
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Erik and Erica Everafter