Expedition Marriage Christian marriage and relationship podcast with Chris & Jamie Bailey, marriage coaches

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Welcome to the Expedition Marriage podcast—a place where you can find hope, encouragement, fun, and some practical tips for enjoying the journey of marriage. We are Chris & Jamie Bailey, Christian counselors and marriage coaches, and we’re excited to share with you all that we have learned about marriage, not only from our own marriage, but also as trained professionals.

Blended family marriage comes with challenges many couples don’t expect. In this episode of Expedition Marriage, we sit down with Ron Deal to talk about why blended family marriages can feel so difficult—and how to navigate them in a healthy, Christ-centered way. If you’re part of a stepfamily or blended family, this conversation will give you clarity, encouragement, and practical tools to strengthen your marriage. We also discuss the Blended & Blessed® event, a powerful resource for stepfamilies looking for biblical guidance and support. 00:00 Meet Ron Deal 00:55 How Ron Found Stepfamily Ministry 05:49 Why Blended Families Feel Hard 06:05 COVID Analogy for Blending 10:18 Expectations Kids vs Adults 12:38 Premarital Counseling Mistakes 15:06 Competing Attachments Triangle 18:09 Insiders and Outsiders 21:10 Front Seat Marriage Priority 23:08 Balancing Kids and Spouse 25:07 Wilderness to Promised Land 25:56 Blending Takes Years 26:49 Earning Stepchild Trust 28:11 Parenting Conflicts Surface 29:16 Paralyzed Parent Problem 29:57 Bio Parent Must Lead 32:19 Divide and Conquer Tactics 33:45 No Magic Bullet Mindset 35:11 Resources That Actually Help 37:21 Blended and Blessed Event 41:14 Barna Data Wake Up Call 44:52 Healthy Step Families Redeem 46:48 Redemption and Next Steps In This Episode: * Blended family marriage challenges * Stepfamily dynamics and conflict * Marriage advice for blended families * Christian marriage encouragement * Parenting and stepfamily relationships * How to build connection in a blended family Learn More: Blended & Blessed® Event:https://blendedandblessed.com https://smartstepfamilies.com/events/find-an-event Ron Deal:https://smartstepfamilies.com/about/about-ron-deal Subscribe for more: Christian marriage advice, practical tools, and faith-centered encouragement from Expedition Marriage. __________ At Expedition Marriage, our mission is simple — to help couples build healthy, Christ-centered marriages that reflect God’s design and bring Him glory. As professional Christian Counselors and Marriage Coaches, we’re passionate about equipping husbands and wives with the biblical truth, practical tools, and encouragement they need to thrive, not just survive in marriage. Through our weekly podcast, online courses, marriage counseling and coaching, and our Newlywed Couples Devotional, we walk alongside couples who want to: *Strengthen connection and communication *Restore hope in hurting seasons *Grow together to become more like Christ *Learn to love one another the way Jesus loves us Whether you’re newly married or decades in, we’re here to remind you that marriage is a sacred journey. One meant to be enjoyed and continually refined by God’s grace. Need help for your marriage? Reach out to us to learn more about our counseling and coaching options at https://expeditionmarriage.org/marriage Want to Join our 30 Day Praying for your Spouse Challenge? Wives- Pray for your husbands https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-husband-challenge/ Husbands- Pray for your wives https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-wife-challenge/ *Disclaimer: The information discussed here is meant for entertainment purposes and is not meant to replace counseling or working with a trained healthcare professional.
Why Blended Family Marriage Feels So Hard And What Actually Helps Ron Deal
Are you feeling like everything in your marriage and life as a wife and mother depends on you? In this episode of Expedition Marriage, we sit down with Blake Guichet (The Girl Named Blake) to talk about what happens when wives carry too much, and how learning to let go of control and trust God can transform your marriage. If you’ve ever struggled with pressure, anxiety, control, or feeling responsible for everything in your relationship, this conversation will encourage you and give you a new perspective rooted in faith.
When Wives Carry Too Much. Listen to the full episode!
When Wives Carry Too Much: Letting Go of Control and Trusting God in Marriage 00:00 Meet Blake Geisha 01:10 Noticing Her Glow Up 03:12 Backstory and Online Journey 05:13 The Year That Broke Her 06:36 Anxiety as Identity 09:12 Politics and Peace Shift 11:35 Hustle Culture and Overload 13:35 Tasks Versus Relationships 18:53 Marriage Changes and Boundaries 22:21 Taking Scripture Seriously 23:46 When Rest Feels Unsafe 24:48 Tough Love on Healing 25:21 Healing Takes Time 26:11 Rest Feels Unsafe 27:41 Striving For Peace 28:28 Psalms For Anxiety 29:57 Making Space To Lead 36:20 Kitchen Breakthrough 38:10 Mental Load And Repentance 45:18 Marriage And Witness 47:26 Rooted Hope Closing Are you feeling like everything in your marriage and life as a wife and mother depends on you? In this episode of Expedition Marriage, we sit down with Blake Guichet (The Girl Named Blake) to talk about what happens when wives carry too much, and how learning to let go of control and trust God can transform your marriage. If you’ve ever struggled with pressure, anxiety, control, or feeling responsible for everything in your relationship, this conversation will encourage you and give you a new perspective rooted in faith. In This Episode: * Letting go of control in marriage * Trusting God instead of striving * The “it’s all on me” mindset * Anxiety and high-functioning lifestyles * Slowing down and being present in marriage * Biblical perspective on roles in marriage Subscribe for more Christian marriage content: 👉 @expeditionmarriage Connect with Blake: Instagram: @thegirlnamedblake Website: thegirlnamedblake.com The Speakeasy Podcast: https://youtu.be/s0Z9xvd5U2s?si=-L5eJVVce9C49RAi __________ At Expedition Marriage, our mission is simple — to help couples build healthy, Christ-centered marriages that reflect God’s design and bring Him glory. As professional Christian Counselors and Marriage Coaches, we’re passionate about equipping husbands and wives with the biblical truth, practical tools, and encouragement they need to thrive, not just survive in marriage. Through our weekly podcast, online courses, marriage counseling and coaching, and our Newlywed Couples Devotional, we walk alongside couples who want to: *Strengthen connection and communication *Restore hope in hurting seasons *Grow together to become more like Christ *Learn to love one another the way Jesus loves us Whether you’re newly married or decades in, we’re here to remind you that marriage is a sacred journey. One meant to be enjoyed and continually refined by God’s grace. Need help for your marriage? Reach out to us to learn more about our counseling and coaching options at https://expeditionmarriage.org/marriage Want to Join our 30 Day Praying for your Spouse Challenge? Wives- Pray for your husbands https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-husband-challenge/ Husbands- Pray for your wives https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-wife-challenge/ *Disclaimer: The information discussed here is meant for entertainment purposes and is not meant to replace counseling or working with a trained healthcare professional.
It’s NOT All On You (And How to Let Go & Trust God in Marriage)
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Ep. 87: Things to Share with Your Spouse (Part 2)

Feb 2, 2023

Are there things you’re withholding in marriage? Do you feel like your marriage could be more connected or go a little deeper? If so, this episode will help you gain clarity and find encouragement as we continue our conversation on things you should be sharing with one another.

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Ep. 85: What Exactly is a Help Mate?

Jan 19, 2023

Have you ever heard the word helpmate and thought that it seems like an inferior role in your marriage? If so, you’re not alone. The truth is that couldn’t be further from the truth. A wife who understands what it means to be a helpmate, and who takes that role seriously holds amazing power and influence in the life of her husband. Listen in on this episode to make sure you have the proper definition and that you’re using this amazing influence over your husband for his good, the good of your marriage, and for God’s glory.

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Ep.81: How to Deal with a Defensive Spouse

Nov 3, 2022

Have you ever asked your spouse a simple question and they respond with a sharp tone as if you’ve personally attacked them? Does it sometimes seem that no matter what you say it gets taken the wrong way as if you’re out to get your spouse, except you’re really not at all?

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Ep. 79: Sex in the Empty Nest

Oct 13, 2022

On the podcast - Do you ever wonder if great sex and intimacy will still be possible once the kids are grown and out of the house? The answer is...

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Ep. 77: Bad Reasons to Divorce

Sep 22, 2022

While divorce can be biblical and can be protective, it’s not meant for every situation. There are many marriage problems that can be fixed and redeemed, and yours just might be one of them.

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Ep. 76: Must Have Marriage Habits

Sep 15, 2022

Goals and the motivation to go after them are great for your marriage, but it’s your daily habits that will truly get you where you want to be. It’s very likely that you have a bunch of little habits in your life that are shaping your marriage that you may not even be aware of. Join us on this episode to learn new and intentional habits for your marriage; habits that will help it become the marriage you desire.

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Ep. 75: Spiritual Leadership

Sep 8, 2022

On the podcast - “My husband isn’t a spiritual leader.” “He never prays with me.” “He won’t do a devotion with me or the kids.” These are some...

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Ep. 73: Stop Creating a Life You Want to Escape

Aug 18, 2022

Do you ever find yourself battling dread over everything you have on your schedule? Have you created a life that you want to escape from? Are you finding it hard to slow down and enjoy your family? We’ve certainly been there and we remember feeling the dread of the busyness of the next day the second our heads hit the pillow.

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Ep. 71: Is My Marriage Healthy?

Jul 21, 2022

On the podcast - Is your marriage healthy? What even are the signs of a healthy marriage? Happiness, great sex, laughter? Or is there more to it...

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Ep. 64: Beware of These Relationship Killers

May 5, 2022

Join us on this episode where we’re giving you a solid heads up on what to look out for so you can avoid and deal with all the things that will consistently keep you from your goal of having that thriving marriage.

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Ep. 62: Is your Marriage Problem Focused or Purpose Focused?

Apr 21, 2022

Have you ever gotten exhausted by thinking about and constantly dealing with all the problems in your life and marriage? While there’s merit to dealing with problems, there’s also a reason why making them your primary focus is so tiring. Focusing on your problems will anchor you down in the past and therefore make moving forward much more difficult.

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*Disclaimer: The information discussed in this podcast is meant for entertainment purposes and is not meant to replace counseling or working with a trained healthcare professional.