Marriage to the Max Podcast

Life is full of transitions. Sometimes very stressful transitions. When you and your spouse are going through transitions, how does it affect your relationship? Do you move toward each other? Or is it easier to take your stress out on each other? If you’re experiencing a shift underneath your feet, listen to today’s conversation with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement, as they talk about ways to turn stressful circumstances into opportunities to strengthen your relationship. Episode 79 - Life Transitions by Kellie and Brett Hurst:

When we argue, we sometimes say things we regret. We also say and do things that may seem helpful, but aren’t. Are you unwittingly saying something in the middle of your fight that shuts everything down? Listen to today’s conversation with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement, as they discuss certain phrases that might be getting in the way of fighting fair. Episode 78 - Don't Say This When You Fight by Kellie and Brett Hurst:

A follow up to Episode #76, join Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement as they engage in the remaining laws of healthy boundary setting. Episode 77 - Boundaries Within Marriage (Part 2) by Kellie and Brett Hurst:

Healthy couples know and respect each other’s needs, choices, and freedom. Because of this, they can give themselves freely and lovingly to one another. Respecting each other’s personal boundaries is one way this happens. Want to know how? Tune in to today’s episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement as they unpack the laws of boundaries. Episode 76 - Boundaries Within Marriage (Part 1) by Kellie and Brett Hurst:

Turnabout is fair play. Our last episode dealt with common complaints of wives. Now it’s the mens' turn! Tune in to today's episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement to see if your complaints made the list. Episode 75 – The Top 10 Complaints From Unhappy Husbands By Kellie and Brett Hurst:

Everyone complains. And married couples are no different. Someone recently compiled a list of the most universal complaints of unhappy wives. Interested in what made the list? Tune in to this episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement to find out. Episode 74 - Top 10 Complaints of Unhappy Wives by Kellie and Brett Hurst:

The 1970 film "Love Story" contained an infamous line that perpetuated a ludicrous mindset. "Love means never having to say you’re sorry". Gag! Anyone who’s been married for longer than, say, ten minutes knows how absurd that idea is. No matter how much we love someone, we make mistakes. And when we make mistakes, we need to know how to apologize well. If you need help with crafting more artful apologies, listen to today’s episode with Kellie and Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement. Episode 73 - The Art of Apology by Kellie and Brett Hurst

We all want our marriages to be the safest place on earth. Physically safe, of course. But emotional safety is key as well. How do you build emotionally safety into your relationship? Listen now as Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement dialogue about how to better connect emotionally. Episode 72—Is Your Marriage Emotionally Safe? by Kellie & Brett Hurst

While most of us rely heavily on our smartphones and devices to help us run our lives more efficiently, are they getting in the way of our most personal relationships? Listen in on today’s episode while Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss the research-based information around technology, and how you can take steps to ensure it doesn’t invade your love life. Episode 71 - "technology Intruder" by Kellie & Brett Hurst

It’s been said that we spend a third of our lives either earning or worrying about money. One of the most common questions we hear from engaged couples is, “How do we handle money together when we’re just starting out?”. It’s true that the way you navigate your finances together can be a barometer for the rest of your relationship. Finances are a huge part of our lives, and managing our money is a big part of marriage. But don’t panic. Today’s episode will encourage you as Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss ways to get on the same financial page, even as a brand new couple. Episode 70—Tackling Money As A New Couple by Kellie & Brett Hurst

No one really desires to be in a long distance relationship. Marriage is challenging enough when you live in the same house and see each other every day! Is it possible to be far apart while still remaining intimately connected? Listen in on today’s conversation as Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement talk about tips for remaining close while you’re miles away. Episode 69 "Can Long Distance Relationships Thrive?" by Kellie & Brett Hurst

What does the term “in-law” bring up for you? Tension? Anxiety? Full on craziness? Before we break out the bad mother-in-law jokes, remember that in-law relationships go both ways. You may think your mother or father-in-law is totally cray cray … but what kind of daughter or son-in-law are you? It’s not always easy to get along. But honoring your in-laws is not only possible, it’s recommended. So how do you do it well? Listen in on today’s conversation as Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement talk about ideas for learning to walk out love and respect with your in-laws. Yeah… it’s possible. Episode 68 - Loving Your In-laws Well by Brett & Kellie Hurst

How in the world do you work on your marriage relationship when you have small children who demand every last ounce of your time, energy, and attention? Is it even possible? Yes! It takes a little planning, a lot of grace, and sometimes requires thinking outside of the box. Listen today as Kellie & Brett Hurst of Home Encouragement talk about ideas for keeping you and your spouse close while the "little ones" grow up. Episode 67 - Keeping Your Marriage Strong While Raising Little Ones by Brett & Kellie Hurst

When sorting laundry, why is there so often a lone sock that ends up without a mate? Such is the world of topics for podcasts. Once in a while we get an idea to discuss, and it’s sort of like an odd sock. It doesn’t really go with anything, and it doesn’t stand on its own to fill out an entire episode. So we’ve come up with a few of those lone ideas and combined them into one complete episode. Like that odd sock, it’s random. But that’s okay. Hope you enjoy it. Episode 66 - Odd Sox by Brett & Kellie Hurst

Sometimes it’s helpful to turn something on its head. Marriage tools can be like that. Instead of talking about what we should be doing to make our marriages better, this episode turns things upside down and discusses what you can do to ensure your marriage spirals downward! In this episode, Brett and Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement discuss certain patterns that married couples can find themselves in that will guarantee disaster. Listen in on their conversation now. Episode 65 - How to Kill Your Marriage by Brett and Kellie Hurst