The first few years of marriage can feel like both a honeymoon and a battlefield. You’re learning how to blend two lives, manage expectations, and build a foundation that lasts. In this episode of The Favorite Marriage, Monty and Jeannine get real about the struggles most couples face in the early years—and how to survive (and thrive) through them.

From disagreements over finances and parenting responsibilities to navigating in-laws, intimacy, and communication breakdowns, Monty & Jeannine share personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical tools that helped them through their own early years of marriage.

Whether you’re newlyweds or looking back at your early journey, this episode will give you hope, laughter, and encouragement that those first few bumps in the road don’t have to derail your love story.

This episode is perfect for:
Newlyweds, engaged couples, or anyone who wants to revisit the lessons learned in those early years.

Just 5 minutes. One meaningful perspective shift. A better, stronger marriage.

When was the last time you celebrated your marriage? In this 5-Minute Friday, we talk about the importance of slowing down and acknowledging those milestones in your marriage. There are 5 to 500 reasons to celebrate your marriage, you just have to look for them. If you made it another year of marriage, celebrate that. Celebrate your victories over the hard times. Celebrating your marriage can truly draw you and your spouse closer together.

Just 5 minutes. One meaningful perspective shift. A better, stronger marriage.

In this episode of The Favorite Marriage Podcast, Monty and Jeannine Mora unpack the power of three simple yet life-changing phrases every husband and wife need to hear regularly: “I love you,” “Forgive me,” and “Thank you.” These aren’t just everyday words — they are the building blocks of intimacy, trust, and connection in marriage.

Discover how expressing love language, speaking words of forgiveness, and showing genuine gratitude can transform your relationship and create deeper emotional intimacy with your spouse. Whether you’ve been married one year or thirty, learning to speak these three phrases with authenticity and creativity can strengthen your bond and reignite your connection.

Coming soon - Monty and Jeannine will be upcoming guests on Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley. "They are reaching millions of couples through their counseling practices, books, events, and work at Focus on the Family. "

https://podcasts.focusonthefamily.com/show/focus-on-marriage-podcast/

🔗 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoy this episode — and don't forget to follow The Favorite Marriage Podcast for weekly relationship insights that are real, fun, and deeply helpful.

Resources:

To order the KEEP SHOWING UP merchandise visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefavoritemarriage.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recent Recognition: The Favorite Marriage podcast was recognized as one of the 40 Best Marriage Podcasts to follow in 2025.

"I would like to personally congratulate you as your podcast, The Favorite Marriage has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 35 Marriage Podcasts on the web." - Anuj Agarwal Founder of Feedspot. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blog.feedspot.com/marriage_podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Favorite Marriage podcast was also recognized as one of the Best Christian Marriage Podcasts.

https://www.millionpodcasts.com/christian-marriage-podcasts/

Connect with us on social media:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefavoritemarriage.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefavoritemarriage?si=oDZQ126jzF3Wymde -

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095217663567

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_favorite_marriage/

They say laughter is the best medicine—but in marriage, it’s also one of the strongest glues. In this episode of The Favorite Marriage, Monty and Jeannine explore how humor can strengthen your marriage, ease tension, and remind you not to take life—or each other—too seriously. From inside jokes to playful teasing, we’ll talk about the power of joy-filled moments and why couples who laugh together really do last together.

We’ll share some of our own laugh-out-loud stories from 30 years of marriage, unpack how humor can turn conflict into connection, and offer practical ways to bring more laughter into your relationship. Because at the end of the day, joy isn’t just a bonus in marriage—it’s essential.

Just 5 minutes. One meaningful perspective shift. A better, stronger marriage.

One of the biggest misconceptions about marriage is that once you’ve made it through the wedding day - you say your “I do’s,” ride off into the sunset, and the rest just magically falls into place. The truth? Nothing could be further from reality. In this week's 5-Minute Friday episode, Monty & Jeannine explore this misconception.

The wedding is a moment; marriage is a lifetime. Too often, couples spend more energy planning for that one day than they do preparing for the countless days that follow. But marriage isn’t sealed by a single “yes” at the altar—it’s sustained by the countless “yeses” you choose every single day. Each morning, you have the opportunity to recommit to your spouse—for better or worse, in the highs and the lows. That’s where the beauty of real love lives: in the daily choice to keep showing up, keep loving, and keep saying “I do,” over and over again.

Just 5 minutes. One meaningful perspective shift. A better, stronger marriage.

On this episode of The Favorite Marriage Podcast, Monty and Jeannine Mora share valuable lessons from their 30 years of marriage.

With honesty, humor, and biblical wisdom, they reflect on the high points, the low points, and the turning points that shaped their journey together. Listeners will discover practical tools for communication, forgiveness, and intimacy. They also delve into the importance of honoring the marriage covenant when it has been broken. Whether you’re newlyweds or seasoned partners, this conversation will inspire you to keep growing, laughing, and building a marriage that lasts.

Coming soon - Monty and Jeannine will be upcoming guests on Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley. "They are reaching millions of couples through their counseling practices, books, events, and work at Focus on the Family. "

https://podcasts.focusonthefamily.com/show/focus-on-marriage-podcast/

🔗 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoy this episode — and don't forget to follow The Favorite Marriage Podcast for weekly relationship insights that are real, fun, and deeply helpful.

Resources:

To order the KEEP SHOWING UP merchandise visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefavoritemarriage.com/resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recent Recognition: The Favorite Marriage podcast was recognized as one of the Top 20 Marriage Podcasts to follow in 2025.

"I would like to personally congratulate you as your podcast, The Favorite Marriage has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 35 Marriage Podcasts on the web." - Anuj Agarwal Founder of Feedspot. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blog.feedspot.com/marriage_podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with us on social media:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefavoritemarriage.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefavoritemarriage?si=oDZQ126jzF3Wymde -

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095217663567

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_favorite_marriage/

Marriage isn’t built in a day—it’s built with the right tools. In this 5-Minute Friday episode, we unpack why date nights are essential for a healthy marriage and how they strengthen emotional connection, intimacy, and fun.

You will hear practical ways to make dating your spouse a priority, even in the middle of busy schedules, parenting, or financial stress. Whether it’s creative at-home date ideas or intentional nights out, this tool can restore laughter, rekindle romance, and remind you why you fell in love in the first place.

If you’re asking questions like:

• How do we keep the spark alive in our marriage?

• What are simple date night ideas for couples?

• Why is dating important for married couples?

…then this episode is for you.

✨ Tune in, grab some fresh ideas, and start adding the tool of date nights back into your marriage toolbox today.

Just 5 minutes. One meaningful perspective Shift. Step into the favor God designed for your love story.