We all bring something into our marriage—including the way we were raised. In this episode, Brad and Marilyn break down how family of origin influences everything from finances to parenting to how we fight (or avoid conflict altogether). Whether you grew up in a hands-off or hands-on home, your background is likely shaping your expectations in ways you may not even realize. Hear honest stories of the Rhoads navigating mismatched traditions, parental influence, and personality differences—all with grace. This one’s real, funny, and crucial for anyone building a new family of their own.

Family of Origin Worksheet: https://gracemarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FAMILY-OF-ORIGIN-WORKSHEET.pdf

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Family of origin and how it affects marriage
• Blending backgrounds in marriage
• Setting boundaries with in-laws
• "Leave and cleave" explained
• How childhood habits impact adult relationships
• Opposites in marriage: help or hurt?
• How to create your own family culture
• Navigating different upbringings in parenting
• The impact of your parents on your marriage
• How to protect your marriage from outside influence

KEY VERSES:
📖 Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
📖 Proverbs 14:12 — "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
📖 Romans 12:10 — "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
📖 Proverbs 27:17 — "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
📖 Ephesians 4:2–3 — "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

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Talking about money can bring tension, guilt, or even full-blown fights in a marriage—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, Brad and Marilyn open up about their own real-life (and hilarious) money clashes, from grocery store blowups to budgeting breakdowns. Whether you’re the saver or the spender, this conversation unpacks how couples can better understand each other, work toward unity, and use money as a tool—not a wedge. Tune in to laugh, relate, and take practical steps toward more grace in your finances and your marriage.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• How to talk about money without fighting in marriage
• Spender vs. saver dynamics in relationships
• Setting financial boundaries as a couple
• Real marriage budgeting tips that actually work
• Using grace to resolve financial conflict
• What the Bible says about money in marriage
• Why money is more emotional than logical
• When to seek outside help for financial disagreement
• Healthy communication rules for money fights
• How to honor your spouse even when you disagree about money

KEY VERSES:
📖 1 Timothy 6:10 — "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
📖 James 1:5 — "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..."
📖 Proverbs 3:9 — "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce."
📖 Luke 12:34 — "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
📖 2 Corinthians 9:7 — "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
📖 Hebrews 13:5 — "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have..."
📖 Proverbs 21:5 — "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."

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In this episode of the Grace Marriage Podcast, hosts Brad and Marilyn join Rick to tackle one of the most difficult conversations in marriage: infidelity. With studies suggesting that 20–40% of marriages experience some form of unfaithfulness—emotional, physical, or even just flirtatious—the team digs into what causes drift, how to recognize early warning signs, and most importantly, how to safeguard your relationship before things spiral.

Through biblical wisdom, honest reflection, and practical advice, they offer hope for couples navigating marital tension, and real strategies for building a marriage that’s both resilient and rooted in grace.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
- What to do after infidelity in marriage
- How to rebuild trust after an affair
- Signs of true repentance in a relationship
- Emotional vs physical affairs: what’s worse?
- Setting healthy boundaries in marriage
- What causes emotional drift in marriage
- How to protect your marriage from infidelity
- Signs you’re emotionally connecting with someone else
- Why grace and repentance matter in healing from betrayal

KEY VERSES:
📖 Hebrews 13:4 - “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
📖 Proverbs 5:3–5 - “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol.”
📖 Proverbs 6:32 - “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.”
📖 Proverbs 7:22–23 - “All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.”

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Can laughter and spontaneity really strengthen your marriage? In this episode of the Grace Marriage Podcast, Brad and Marilyn Rhodes share hilarious stories (including hang gliding and hot yoga!) and practical wisdom about how fun isn’t optional—it’s essential.

They explain why couples stop having fun, how to break out of routines, and how to plan meaningful (and sometimes silly) experiences that bond you closer together. Whether your relationship feels stale or you’re just looking to mix things up, this conversation will help you rediscover joy in your marriage.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
- How to bring fun back into your marriage
- Why play is essential for emotional connection
- Marriage date night ideas (beyond dinner and a movie)
- How to plan fun without stressing your spouse out
- Creative low-cost date ideas for couples
- Balancing spontaneity vs. planning in your marriage
- How laughter helps couples heal and connect
- Making memories that outlast hard seasons
- Why intentional fun strengthens your relationship

KEY VERSES:
📖 Philippians 4:6-8 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
📖 Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
📖 Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING??
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What do you do when anxiety, depression, or emotional burnout hits your marriage? In this deeply personal episode, Brad and Marilyn open up about one of the hardest seasons of their lives—when emotional overwhelm, grief, and burnout took a toll on their relationship. They share what helped, what didn’t, and why seeking professional help earlier could have made all the difference. If you or your spouse are in a heavy season, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone—and that grace, community, and honesty can carry you through.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
- How to support your spouse through anxiety and depression
- Signs of emotional burnout in marriage
- Why counseling is a gift, not a weakness
- Practical ways to lighten your partner’s load
- Breaking the stigma of mental health in Christian marriage
- What to say (and not say) to a struggling spouse
- How Sabbath and rest can help heal emotional exhaustion

KEY VERSES:
📖 John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
📖 Genesis 2:18 – The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
📖 Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING??
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Ever feel your spouse can’t do anything right—even down to the way they drink coffee? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Brad and Marilyn Rhoads join host Rick Dayton to explore how intentional gratitude can shift your entire marriage dynamic. They break down a simple but powerful “eye exam” practice, share how perspective shapes connection, and talk honestly about how frustration creeps in even for long-time couples. Plus, Marilyn shares the moment gratitude rewired her heart after a silent standoff over a house.

This isn’t about blind optimism—it’s about rewiring how you see your spouse so you can start building from a place of appreciation instead of irritation.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
- How to practice gratitude in marriage when you don’t feel thankful
- Why gratitude can transform your relationship (even during hard seasons)
- What to do when your spouse annoys you and everything feels off
- A simple journaling habit that can help save your marriage
- How specific compliments build stronger emotional connection
- Why most couples overlook this powerful gratitude reset
- An “eye exam” exercise that helps couples reconnect emotionally
- How gratitude impacts your mental health and your marriage
- Why focusing on your spouse’s strengths can change everything
- The difference between saying “thanks” and showing true appreciation

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING??
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After years of secrecy, addiction, and betrayal, Bill and Carolyn Rieser were ready to call it quits. But when all hope was gone, God stepped in. In this powerful follow-up to our last episode, Bill shares the miraculous moment of grace that saved his marriage—and his life. If you’ve ever felt like your marriage (or your life) is too far gone, this story is proof that redemption is real. Brad and Rick join Bill in unpacking how God not only restored what was broken but used it to fuel a mission to help others do the same.

In This Episode:
- The moment Bill surrendered everything
- How Bill's wife to forgave the unforgivable
- What true peace looks and feels like in a marriage
- Why your marriage is worth one more try—even if it feels hopeless
- How men can become guardians of peace in their home
- The power of testimony, forgiveness, and a life fully surrendered

Key Verses
📖 Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”
📖 Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
📖 Acts 20:24 – “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task… the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Like what you’re hearing??
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Bill Rieser had it all....then he lost everything. In this episode, hear from Bill as he shares his incredible journey from a troubled childhood in East Harlem to a life transformed by the grace of God. Growing up without a father, Bill struggled with pain, addiction, and broken relationships. Despite his talent as a basketball player, his life took a downward spiral until a series of events led him to encounter the true love of Jesus Christ. This episode sets the stage for his powerful redemption story, which will continue in the next episode.

Like what you’re hearing??
✅ Subscribe & Share – Help us spread the message of grace-based marriage by subscribing to the Grace Marriage Podcast and sharing this episode with friends or family.
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