Team Us LifeAudio

Have you ever looked at your spouse and asked, “What do we have in common?” Maybe there have been times when you’ve even felt like you have more differences than similarities.

In marriage, there’s always the potential for our differences to eat away at our unity—especially if that’s what we focus on. Today, we’re sharing five practical ways you and your spouse can stop your differences from dividing you.

How to Stop Your Differences from Dividing You


Understand that you are innately different
Don’t despise each other’s differences
Learn to appreciate and respect each other’s differences
Have shared interests that unite you
Spend time together

 

Us Time Challenge 

Identify one difference that’s been dividing you and your spouse lately. Take some time to think about what you can appreciate and respect about that difference. Then, tell your spouse—and be sure to keep it all positive!

 

Team Us Resources 


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

 

Links Mentioned in This Episode


Loving Him Well by Gary Thomas
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn
9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage by Robert Paul and Greg Smalley

 

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often do you intentionally stop to praise your spouse? To recognize and affirm their character or actions? Many of us probably cringe at answering these questions because we know we could do better!

If you struggle to feed your spouse praise regularly, this episode is for you. Listen in as we share some practical steps we all can take to criticize less and affirm and build up our spouse more.

3 Ways to Praise Your Spouse More


Adopt a grace-filled perspective
Check your vocabulary and the tone of your praise
Keep your praise focused on your spouse

Us Time Challenge

Make it your goal to praise your spouse more this week!

Team Us Resources


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/) 

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember the “Anyone can cook” catchphrase from the film Ratatouille? Well, we believe anyone can record a podcast—including you and your spouse. Listen in as we share some ways podcasting together has strengthened our marriage, and we think it can strengthen your relationship too.

3 Ways Podcasting Can Strengthen Your Marriage


Podcasting gets you talking.
Podcasting helps you be vulnerable.
Podcasting is a fun, shared activity.

Us Time Challenge

Record a podcast together! It doesn’t have to be long, fancy, focused on marriage, or even distributed on iTunes. You can record it for family and friends and simply post it on your social media feed. And be sure to tag us when you do!

Team Us Resources 


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/) 

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parenting can be wonderful, but it is also demanding and exhausting. We have four kids—we get it! It can be easy to put our spouse and marriage on the back burner. But today, we’re encouraging you not to do that!

Listen in as we share three practical reasons why your marriage relationship needs to take the highest priority after your relationship with God. (And know, this is a conversation full of grace for whatever parenting season you are in!)

3 Reasons Marriage Comes Before Parenting


Your marriage is a life-long, interdependent commitment
Your spouse and your marriage aren’t static
Your kids need you to put your spouse first

Us Time Challenge

Spend time together! If your schedule and current parenting stage don’t easily allow for a date, find time together at home. Sit on the couch or back porch and talk. Take a walk, or have a fun conversation while you drive. The point is not to put your relationship on the backburner!

Team Us Resources


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

Links Mentioned in This Episode


“I’m 99% Mother and 1% Wife — And It Has to Be That Way” at GoodHousekeeping.com (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a31760/balancing-mother-and-wife/)
“I’m 49% Mother and 51% Wife — And It Has to Be That Way” at iBelieve.com (https://www.ibelieve.com/relationships/i-m-49-mother-and-51-wife-and-it-has-to-be-that-way.html)

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What kind of couple do you want to be 5, 10, or 20 years from now? We recently spent a week surrounded by couples who are older than us, and we asked ourselves this exact question. Listen in as we share our thoughts on how you can grow older together and love the couple you become.

The Kind of Couple We Want to Become


Youthful in spirit
Joyful in heart
Hopeful in perspective

Us Time Challenge

Ask yourself: What kind of couple do we want to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years. Then come up with a game plan to start becoming that couple. 

Team Us Resources


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought, “My marriage would be a lot easier if my spouse had a personality more like mine”? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all had moments where something about our spouse’s unique wiring annoys us. Listen in as we talk about what you can do in those moments when your spouse’s personality drives you nuts.

3 Things You Can Do When Your Spouse’s Personality Drives You Nuts


Consider your spouse’s upbringing and past influences.
Respect your spouse’s individual wiring even when you don’t understand it.
Pick your spouse instead of picking a battle.

Us Time Challenge

Pick one of the popular personality tests out there and take it with your spouse. Then talk about your results and share something positive about your spouse’s personality that now makes more sense to you.

Team Us Resources


Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/)
FREE Team Us Study Guide (https://ashleighslater.com/team-us/free-team-us-study-guide/)

Connect with Ted and Ashleigh


Website (https://ashleighslater.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ashleighslater_author/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ashleighslaterauthor)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.