Let’s talk all things marriage! Each week, cohosts Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo will chat with marriage and family experts and tackle the big questions and everyday challenges couples face in marriage, all anchored in biblical truth and research. The WinShape Marriage Podcast dives deep into common marriage topics like communication, conflict management, family dynamics, intimacy, and so much more, helping you uncover tips and strategies to start using now to have a stronger, more fulfilling marriage. Strengthen your marriage by experiencing the joy and fun God intended for it. Subscribe to The WinShape Marriage Podcast, and be on the lookout for new episodes dropping weekly.
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Be a Trampoline in Your Marriage, Not a Mirror | Bob Goff
Season 3 · Episode 1
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • Duration 38:22
Author and speaker, Bob Goff, kicks off season three of The WinShape Marriage Podcast! Bob Goff’s life is a master class in not taking yourself too seriously, and he shares with Marlee Arnold how he’s followed this in his marriage. There are so many nuggets of wisdom woven throughout the stories he tells about his marriage and family—one-liners like, “Oneness doesn’t mean sameness,” and “I’m not looking for efficiency in my marriage. I'm looking for presence.” If you love Bob Goff and you’re curious about his thoughts on marriage after being married to Sweet Maria for 39 years, tune into the very first episode of season three of The WinShape Marriage Podcast.
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Time Stamps:
(1:25) Bob Goff’s background and marriage to wife, Sweet Maria
(4:35) Oneness doesn’t mean sameness
(6:05) Marriage principles that have stood the test of time in the Goffs’ marriage
(18:22) Your marriage can be an example of the Gospel
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Trailer: Season 3
Season 3
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 • Duration 01:37
Season 3 of The WinShape Marriage Podcast kicks off next Wednesday—don't miss it! We’ve got incredible guests lined up like returning favorites, Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Juli Slattery, and brand-new guests, authors, speakers and marriage experts—Ted Lowe and Gary Thomas. Stay tuned for new episodes dropping every Wednesday and catch up on seasons 1 and 2 while you wait.
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Getting on the Same Page at Christmas
Season 2 · Episode 12
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 • Duration 01:14:31
Merry Christmas from WinShape Marriage! As joyous as the holiday season can be, we know that trying to align you and your spouse’s calendars with the calendars of your in-laws and extended family can be challenging and even cause some tension. On today’s Christmas themed episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, Marlee Arnold and Rob Philo interview several WinShape Marriage friends to get their perspectives. Every family has their own established rhythms and traditions which is why we asked multiple spouses the same three questions to hear their unique responses. Learn how these spouses currently navigate conversations around holiday schedules (and how they’ve navigated discussions in the past) with one another and with their in-laws and extended families as well as their best piece of advice for couples of all ages when it comes to this hot topic.
Spoiler—there are several similar themes that emerge like:
—Talking about holiday schedules early
—Being flexible as you enter different seasons of marriage
—Remembering your spouse is your first priority
It’s likely most of you have already locked in your plans for the 2024 Christmas season—we get it. So, consider listening to this episode through the lens of, “How can we approach this conversation differently in 2025, especially if it didn’t go well this year?” Whatever you’ve already experienced this holiday season and considering the days leading up to Christmas, from all of us here at WinShape Marriage, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
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Time Stamps:
(1:10) The Francis Family—Genee and Rashad Francis; Genee, Assistant Director of Content and Programming at WinShape Marriage
(11:52) The Agan Family—Bob and Suzanne Agan, WinShape Marriage Host Couple
(22:35) The Smalley Family—Dr. Greg (Erin) Smalley, Vice President of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family
(36:23) The Deagle Family—William and Jessica Deagle, WinShape Marriage Host Couple
6 Common Traits of Couples Who Struggle | Scott Kedersha
Season 2 · Episode 11
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 • Duration 38:36
Sometimes, it’s what you don’t do in your marriage that makes the biggest difference. Scott Kedersha, the marriage and family pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, joins Rob Philo on today’s episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast to unpack six common characteristics he’s noticed in couples who struggle in their marriage. Don’t fret—he provides practical, biblical advice for counteracting these traits. Learn how isolation impacts your marriage, boredom is dangerous, and humility shifts conflict. Whether you desire to break out of a rut or you want to strengthen your marriage foundation, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
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Time Stamps:
(7:00) Neither spouse is pursuing Jesus
(13:14) They don’t know how to communicate or manage conflict
(17:18) They tend to find themselves isolated and absent from strong community
(21:13) They’re bored and tired
(27:31) They blame their spouse
(31:13) They’re not committed, and they look for a way out
Happy Thanksgiving from WinShape Marriage! We know Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on gratitude, but gratitude extends far beyond one holiday in the calendar year. How can you and your spouse build a culture of gratitude in your marriage? Spoiler—saying, “Thank you,” is just the tip of the iceberg. Building a culture of appreciation affects your marriage positively in many ways. For example, it impacts your marriage when you’re experiencing a challenging season, and it rubs off on your kids and the culture of your family. Rob Philo sits down with Genee Francis, assistant director of content and programming at WinShape Marriage to unpack this timely topic!
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Time Stamps:
(2:06) What is the difference between saying, “Thank you,” and truly being grateful
(7:55) How can you tell yourself a better story about who you are/who your spouse is
(9:41) How can you practically be a better spouse when it comes to appreciation
(11:24) How can you set up a routine/system of showing gratitude
(15:32) The impact gratitude has when you and your spouse are experiencing a tough season
(19:30) What does it mean to model a culture of gratitude to your kids?
(21:53) Is it true that spouses receive appreciation in different ways?
Did you know nearly half of adults are a part of a stepfamily relationship? We know blending families comes with its own set of unique challenges, so on today’s episode, Rob Philo talks with Ron Deal, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an expert in stepfamily education; he’s also one of the most widely read and viewed experts on this subject. In this conversation, Ron shares practical strategies for coparenting straight from his book, “The Smart Stepfamily.” If you are a co-parent, or you know someone who is, check out this episode packed with helpful advice and encouragement for fostering harmony in your blended family.
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Time Stamps:
(1:35) What inspired Ron Deal to get involved in stepfamily ministry
(4:35) When it comes to coparenting, respect the other parent and his or her household
(13:42) Schedule a regular meeting to discuss coparenting matters
(16:40) When children express confusion or anger towards your ex, don’t use it as an opportunity to berate the other parent
(19:47) Children should have everything they need in each home
(21:35) Make your custody structure work for your children even if you don’t like the details of your arrangement
(29:04) If you plan to hire a babysitter for more than four hours, give the other parent the option to watch the kid
(30:37) Resist the urge to only do special activities with all of the children around and not just some of the children
(33:29) Have financial conversations in private; your kids shouldn’t be your messenger
Dealing With Stress and Anxiety in Marriage | Monique Wells
Season 2 · Episode 8
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 • Duration 39:58
Anxiety is a heavy word. Saying it out loud can invoke strong emotions, and dealing with it as an individual can be challenging enough. So how do you navigate through seasons of anxiety in your marriage? In this episode of The WinShape Marriage Podcast, Marlee Arnold sits down with Monique Wells, a licensed professional counselor with over 25 years of experience. They navigate this important conversation answering questions like, “How can I support my spouse if they’re dealing with anxiety?”; “What can we do if we’re both walking through an anxious season?”; and “How can we stay connected amidst it all?” Hear practical ways you can show up for your spouse and strategies to manage this season as a team.
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Time Stamps:
(1:50) What does anxiety look like and how do you pay attention to it
(4:47) If you’re noticing signs of generalized anxiety for yourself, how do you let your spouse into how you’re feeling
(8:45) How to support your spouse if they’re experiencing stress and anxiety
(14:39) How to navigate a stressful or anxious season together, if you’re both experiencing it
(21:03) How to recognize if generalized anxiety is moving into more chronic anxiety
(26:53) How to approach anxiety from a biblical perspective
(33:12) How important is it to maintain connection and intimacy during seasons of anxiety
Intimacy Is More Than Just Sex | Dr. Juli Slattery
Season 2 · Episode 7
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 • Duration 29:20
There is so much more to intimacy with your spouse than just physical intimacy. In fact, Dr. Juli Slattery says there’s a difference between being sexually active and sexually intimate. So, how do you tap into deeper intimacy in your marriage? Dr. Slattery is back on The WinShape Marriage Podcast talking about just this with Rob Philo and Marlee Arnold. They discuss practical ways you can engage with your spouse outside the bedroom that will impact intimacy in the bedroom and even ways you might be sabotaging intimacy without realizing it.
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Time Stamps:
(1:12) How intimacy extends beyond the bedroom
(3:10) How does intimacy outside the bedroom impact intimacy in the bedroom
(4:56) What are some practical things you can do outside the bedroom that will impact intimacy in the bedroom
(8:14) How “talking” can fail to build intimacy at times
(11:28) How you might be sabotaging intimacy without realizing it
(21:06) How to work toward recovering intimacy after a breach of trust in marriage
(24:28) How to develop intimacy in your marriage when there are walls built up
Understanding the Honeymoon Phase and the Seven-Year Itch
Season 2 · Episode 6
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 • Duration 50:23
What does the “honeymoon phase” mean? What about the “seven-year itch?” Do all couples experience them? Is there scientific evidence behind them, or are these made-up phrases? Rob Philo breaks down these two phrases and more with Julie Baumgardner, senior director of WinShape Marriage, and Dr. David Banks, marriage author and speaker. Learn practical advice from two experts on how to navigate these seasons well with your spouse. And if you’ve surpassed the early years of marriage, don’t count this episode out—there are plenty of great reminders for having a healthy, thriving marriage for the long haul.
Note: This conversation is focused on building a healthy, thriving marriage. If you are experiencing abuse in your marriage, or someone you know is, contact the National Hotline for Domestic Abuse. If someone is monitoring your device, call the hotline 24/7 at 1−800−799−7233. Learn more about what defines an abusive relationship.
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Time Stamps:
(1:30) What does the “honeymoon phase” mean
(4:30) What is going on “chemically” in your body in the early years of marriage
(7:23) What to look out for when you’re approaching the two-year mark
(10:48) Strategies to maintain connection beyond the two-year mark
(15:35) Rhythms to set up to play again in your marriage
(22:50) Common myths newly married couples believe that aren’t true
(37:00) What does the “seven-year itch” mean
(41:56) Is the “seven-year itch” inevitable and what to look out for when you’re approaching the seven-year mark
(43:24) Advice for the couple experiencing the “seven-year itch”
(46:28) One piece of advice for any couple regardless how long they’ve been married
How To Navigate Grief in Marriage | Laurie Lokey
Season 2 · Episode 5
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 • Duration 39:01
Tragedies, losses, and uncertainties are all a part of life. Jesus promises tribulation to us. It’s not if but when. So, when tragedy strikes in your marriage, how do you cope? How do you navigate grieving with your spouse or how do you support your spouse when they’re experiencing grief? And where is God in the middle of grief? Marlee Arnold navigates this sensitive conversation with Laurie Lokey, a licensed professional counselor based out of Spring Hill, Tennessee.
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Time Stamps:
(2:40) Laurie’s background helping individuals and couples navigate grief
(7:55) How do you begin navigating a season of grief with your spouse
(11:00) How do you share with your spouse if you are experiencing grief differently than they are
(13:50) What is the next step to take when grieving if you realize you need more help
(18:35) How do you walk through a season of grief when you experience a miscarriage
(23:25) How and where do you see the character of God amidst grief
(29:54) How important is it to maintain connection and intimacy during seasons of grief
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