When life gets heavy, stress often shows up in our marriages—not just in words, but in subtle cues, tones, and behaviors. In this episode, Chris and Jamie share why becoming a "PhD of your spouse" is one of the most loving and practical things you can do for your marriage.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why stress "tells" matter and how noticing them can prevent unnecessary conflict and deepen empathy (Philippians 2:4).
• Common stress cues to look for—like withdrawal, red face, clenched jaw, irritability, avoidance, hypervigilance, or the "checked-out" mode on the couch.
• How to respond with love instead of defensiveness by pausing, checking in gently, and offering support without assumptions (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18).
• What it means to become a "PhD of your spouse"—studying their patterns, stress responses, and emotional needs so you can build unity instead of division.
• Practical steps to breathe life into your marriage by identifying stress cues, supporting one another, and shifting from "me vs. you" to "we."

✨ Key Quotes from the Episode

• "Marriage thrives when we study one another."
• "Noticing your spouse's stress cues isn't about fixing them—it's about loving them well."

📖 Scriptures to Reflect On

• Philippians 2:4 — "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
• Proverbs 10:19 — "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."
• Hebrews 12:14 — "Strive for peace with everyone."
• Romans 12:18 — "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

🛠️ Free Resource

Download our PhD of Your Spouse Stress Cues Worksheet to help you and your spouse talk through your unique stress patterns and how you can support one another.

👉 https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-163-becoming-a-phd-of-your-spouse-how-to-recognize-stress-cues-and-respond-with-love

🎯 Call to Action

• Leave us a review (like Ilive4him24 did!)—your reviews help more couples find the hope and tools they need.
• Download your free worksheet and start the conversation this week.
• Check out Episode 134 with Dr Christine Baker on Nervous System Regulation in Marriage https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-130-nervous-system-regulation-in-marriage-with-dr-christine-baker/

Letting go isn't easy, especially when it comes to our kids. Whether they're stepping into adulthood, moving far away, or simply living life differently than we expected, this season of release can stir up a mix of emotions: pride, fear, loss, hope, and everything in between.

In this raw and heartfelt conversation, we're joined by our friends Brad and Lisa Valencia from the Unrelenting Pursuit Podcast to talk about what it really looks like to trust God with our children, a seaons they're right in the middle of. Together, we unpack how to surrender anxiety, manage expectations, and move from parenting to praying, finding peace in knowing that God's plans for our kids are even greater than ours.

If you're walking through a season of letting go, this episode will remind you that release isn't the end of your parenting, it's a new beginning for your faith.

🎧 Listen now for encouragement, perspective, and hope.

https://unrelentingpursuit.org

Remember when you were dating—those extra drives across town, late-night phone calls, sweet notes, and the way you rearranged your whole schedule just to be together? Back then, sacrifice felt natural. But somewhere along the way, many couples lose that intentionality.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to rediscover sacrificial love in marriage—not as a duty, but as a reflection of Christ's love. From everyday acts of kindness to laying down pride and preferences, we'll unpack why sacrifice is foundational for intimacy, trust, and unity.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why couples often lose the art of sacrifice after marriage
• How sacrifice builds trust, intimacy, and a "we" mindset instead of "me vs. you"
• Practical, everyday ways to reignite sacrificial love
• The difference between being a doormat and choosing sacrificial love
• How reflecting Christ's love through sacrifice impacts your marriage, your children, and your witness to the world

📖 Scripture References

• John 15:12–13 — "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
• Ephesians 5:25 — "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
• Romans 5:8 — "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• John 13:35 — "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

🛠️ Practical Takeaways

• Put your phone down and give your spouse your full attention
• Do an errand your spouse dislikes
• Give up a preference to honor theirs
• Lay down pride and be the first to apologize
• Pray together even when life is busy

Challenge for the Week:
Choose one intentional act of sacrifice—big or small—for your spouse and see how it impacts your connection.