Authentic Marriage Podcast

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Brooke and Chris reflect on their daughter’s wedding and the joy of watching her begin a new chapter of marriage. Their conversation becomes a reminder of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and the ways He has carried their family through every season.

Looking at the Old Testament, they discuss how God's people intentionally marked celebrations and milestones to remember His faithfulness and His promises. Brooke and Chris share how grateful they are for the people God brought into their daughter’s life and the blessing of welcom...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Brooke sits down with Allesha Childress, wife, mother, and cofounder of Rock Bottom Hope, a ministry she leads alongside her husband, Danny, to bring hope and support to individuals and families affected by addiction. Allesha joins Brooke for an honest conversation about marriage, personality differences, priorities, and the importance of creating space for the people and things that matter most.

The conversation explores the importance of understanding your spouse’s needs and making intentional space for one another. Allesha shares how she balances her need for solitude with a fu...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Chris and Brooke welcome Danny and Allesha, founders of Rock Bottom Hope, for an honest conversation about marriage, vulnerability, and intentionally knowing your spouse.

Danny and Allesha share how they met and how important it is to be completely open with your spouse. Marriage creates a space to be known fully, and hiding parts of ourselves can keep couples from experiencing deeper connection and trust.

The conversation also explores how the differences that initially attract us to our spouse can sometimes become sources of frustration in marriage...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Chris sits down with Danny Childress, founder of Rock Bottom Hope, to discuss addiction, biblical brotherhood, and the importance of authentic conversations among Christian men. Danny shares the heart behind Rock Bottom Hope and how the ministry exists to bring hope, healing, and restoration to those struggling with addiction and life's hardest seasons.

Together, they talk about why many men tend to keep conversations at the surface and how true healing begins when we are willing to be honest, vulnerable, and show genuine brotherly love. Chris also asks what...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, record from the beautiful island of Eleuthera, Bahamas, as they reflect on the biblical gift of rest. Surrounded by God's creation, they discuss why stepping away from the routines and distractions of everyday life is essential for our spiritual, emotional, and relational health.

The conversation explores how true rest is more than taking a vacation. It is intentionally creating space to meet with God. Whether at home or away, spending daily time in His presence allows us to experience the...

On this episode of Girls Corner, Brooke and Lauren talk about the importance of protecting your marriage while raising children. Parenthood is one of life's greatest blessings, but it can also become easy to unintentionally place your marriage on the back burner. The hosts encourage wives to remember that one of the greatest gifts they can give their children is a strong, healthy, Christ centered marriage.

Looking to Scripture, Brooke and Lauren reflect on Psalm 127:4, which says, "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth," and Proverbs 22:6, "...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, begin a two part conversation on one of the most important dynamics in marriage: love and respect. Drawing from biblical principles, they unpack what it looks like to intentionally respect one another and why understanding your spouse's needs can strengthen your relationship.

The hosts discuss how many men are deeply encouraged by respect, while women often respond most strongly to love. Although respect may not always come naturally, especially during difficult seasons, choosing to honor your spouse is a powerful...

On this episode of Guys Garage, Chris and Shawn have an honest conversation about seasons when God feels distant. Whether you are walking through unanswered prayers, unexpected hardship, or moments of helplessness, these seasons can test your faith and leave you wondering where God is at work.

The hosts remind listeners that while our circumstances may change, God's presence never does. They discuss how the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, often using discouragement and doubt to pull us away from the Lord. Through Christ, however, believers have authority over the enemy and can stand firm...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, discuss the importance of pursuing shared goals, dreams, and God's purpose together. From the beginning, God designed marriage to be a partnership, calling husbands and wives to walk in unity as they follow Him.

Chris and Brooke share how a difficult season with their daughter strengthened their marriage as they surrendered their circumstances to the Lord. Their story is a reminder that shared hardships can deepen faith and bring couples closer together when they lean on God.

Shawn...

On this episode of Girls Corner, Brooke and Lauren have an honest and encouraging conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in marriage: biblical submission. Looking to God's Word, they discuss how submission was never intended to be viewed as something negative or demeaning, but as a beautiful part of God's design for marriage.

The conversation explores how God created marriage to reflect unity, with both husband and wife fulfilling unique roles that honor Him. Brooke and Lauren share how a godly marriage flourishes when a husband first submits himself to the Lord, leading...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, discuss the power of our words and the impact they have on our marriages, families, and everyday relationships.

Drawing from Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," the hosts explore how our words are like seeds. Every conversation, encouragement, criticism, or affirmation has the potential to produce fruit. The question is: what are we planting?

The conversation highlights the importance of intentionally speaking life over our spouses. Whether through encouragement, gratitude, or words of...

On this episode of Guys Garage, Chris and Shawn have an honest conversation about the pressures men face in today's world. From providing for their families and leading spiritually to protecting those they love, men often carry significant responsibility and accountability. While these roles are important, the weight of them can sometimes feel overwhelming.

The discussion explores how many men are expected to lead without ever being shown how. For some, there was no father or godly mentor to model biblical leadership, leaving them to navigate marriage, fatherhood, and responsibility through trial and error. Chris and Shawn...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, share the story of how they met at a marriage retreat and found an unexpected friendship that would grow into a meaningful biblical community. Through God's timing and faithfulness, what began as a simple connection became a source of encouragement, accountability, and support.

The hosts discuss the importance of being plugged into a community of believers who can walk alongside you through every season of life and marriage. God never intended for us to do life alone. Having people who...

On this episode of Girls Corner, Lauren and Brooke talk about what it means to be a helper in marriage according to God’s design. Looking at Genesis 2:18, they explore the Hebrew word ezer, the same word used throughout Scripture to describe God as our helper. Rather than being a lesser role, helping reflects a beautiful characteristic of God Himself and the way He cares for His people.

The conversation highlights how being a helper requires intentionality, humility, and attentiveness within marriage. Lauren and Brooke share that one of the best ways to support your spouse is by...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, have an honest conversation about parenting and the responsibility of raising children in a Christ-centered home. They share how important it is for couples to seek the Lord together, knowing that children notice from a young age what truly matters to their parents.

The hosts discuss how parenting is a journey of growth and learning, reminding listeners that no parent will do it perfectly. Through every season, God continues to shape and teach us as we lead our children. Using...

On this episode of Guys Garage, Chris and Shawn discuss biblical leadership in marriage and what it truly means to lead as a husband according to God’s design. Using Ephesians 5:21 as a foundation, they talk about how God is a God of order and how leadership within marriage is meant to reflect Christ through love, humility, and service.

The conversation challenges common misunderstandings about the husband being the “head” of the household. Rather than viewing leadership as control or authority over someone, Chris and Shawn encourage listeners to think of it more like the headwaters of a rive...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, talk about the importance of listening to God and seeking His direction within marriage. As couples grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord through prayer, Scripture, and time spent in His presence, they begin to recognize His voice more clearly.

The conversation highlights how important it is for both husband and wife to seek God together when making decisions and navigating different seasons of life. The hosts share that while couples may not always hear the same thing immediately...

On this episode of Girls Corner, Brooke and Lauren share a life-giving conversation about respect in marriage and the beauty of living out the call found in Ephesians 5:33. They explore what it looks like to honor your husband in a way that reflects God’s design and strengthens your relationship.

Through personal insight and biblical truth, they highlight that respect is a voluntary, intentional heart posture that honors your husband’s God-given role, rather than something based only on his performance. Choosing respect in this way creates a foundation of encouragement, unity, and connection within marr...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, come together to talk about God’s design for marriage and how His Word serves as our ultimate guide. In a world full of conflicting messages about relationships, Scripture gives clarity, direction, and purpose for how marriage is meant to be lived out.

Referencing the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, the hosts reflect on the powerful idea that marriage is designed to make us holy, not just happy. This perspective shifts the focus from personal fulfillment to spiritual growth, ch...

On this episode of Guys Garage, Chris and Shawn have an honest and practical conversation about what it means to love your wife in a biblical way. Using Ephesians 5:33 as the foundation, they unpack God’s design for marriage and the calling for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, with sacrifice, consistency, and humility.

The discussion explores the different expressions of love found in the Greek language, including agape (God’s unconditional love), ludus (playful and romantic love), eros (passionate love), and philia (deep friendship and...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, dive into the importance of identity and how it shapes both our personal lives and our marriages. So often, we place our identity in things like our careers, accomplishments, children, or even our emotions. While these things may matter, they were never meant to define us.

The conversation brings listeners back to the foundation of true identity, which begins with the love of God. As Scripture reminds us in John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us,” and in Romans 5:8, God...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, dive into the importance of identity and how it shapes both our personal lives and our marriages. So often, we place our identity in things like our careers, accomplishments, children, or even our emotions. While these things may matter, they were never meant to define us.

The conversation brings listeners back to the foundation of true identity, which begins with the love of God. As Scripture reminds us in John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us,” and in Romans 5:8, God...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Chris and Shawn have an honest and powerful conversation about pride and its impact on marriage, specifically from a husband’s perspective. While men are called to lead their families, biblical leadership is rooted in humility, not control or self-reliance.

The discussion highlights how pride can often be rewarded in the workplace, yet damaging at home. As they share, pride may make you strong in the boardroom, but it can leave you disconnected in your marriage. True leadership within the home requires laying down that pride in order to lo...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, have a powerful conversation about forgiveness and its essential role in a Christ-centered marriage. When living closely with someone, selfishness must be laid aside, and forgiveness becomes not just an option, but a command.

The hosts reflect on how Jesus has forgiven us and how we are called to extend that same grace to our spouse. They discuss how unforgiveness allows conflict to fester, creating division and opening the door for the enemy to work within a marriage.

...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Brooke and Lauren have an honest conversation about the impact of a critical spirit in marriage and how it can quietly create distance between spouses. Through Scripture and personal reflection, they discuss how criticism often stems from our own insecurities and how allowing it to take root can build walls in our relationships.

Brooke shares a passage about David worshipping the Lord freely and wholeheartedly, while his wife responded with judgment rather than encouragement. This example opens a deeper discussion about how easy it can be to become critical...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, talk about the importance of remembrance in both our faith and our marriages. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to remember His faithfulness. From Passover to communion and the many festivals found in the Bible, remembrance helps us reflect on what the Lord has done and give Him the glory He deserves.

The hosts encourage couples to intentionally look back on the ways God has been present in their lives and relationships. Writing down moments where you see God moving...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, lead a heartfelt conversation about prayer and the role it plays in a Christ-centered marriage. Prayer is not meant to be scripted or performative. It is simply a conversation with the Lord, where couples can bring both the big burdens and the smallest daily concerns before Him.

The hosts share how prayer requires intentional effort and a shift from self-reliance to complete dependency on God. Rather than leaning on our own understanding, we are called to trust Him fully. Prayer...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Shawn and Lauren, along with Chris and Brooke, share how God speaks to us through reading His Word and how Scripture impacts every part of our lives and marriages. As couples spend time in the Bible, prayer deepens, hearts are softened, and God’s voice becomes clearer in everyday life.

The hosts discuss how the Lord often reveals different truths to each spouse through Scripture and how those revelations can strengthen unity as couples learn from one another. While reading the Bible may look different for every couple, th...

On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, hosts Chris and Brooke, along with Shawn and Lauren, lead a Christ-centered conversation on intentionality in marriage and God’s design for oneness. This episode reminds listeners that marriage is not meant to be lived on autopilot, but pursued with purpose, prayer, and commitment.

The hosts discuss how strengthening a marriage takes time and intentional effort from both spouses, along with the importance of encouraging one another in every season. They share why it is never too late to invest in your marriage and how loving your spouse in th...

In marriage, unity isn’t about losing your individuality—it's about creating something entirely new together. On this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, join us as we dive into the powerful concept of oneness and explore why genuine partnership goes far beyond simply coexisting.

We talk openly about how true oneness requires sacrifice, intentionality, appreciation, and a commitment to seeing your spouse as a partner rather than just another person in your life. Whether you’re trying to navigate busy schedules, prioritize quality time, or deepen your emotional connection, this conversation offers practical insights and honest encour...

In this episode of the Love for a Lifetime Podcast, we’re diving deep into the power of healthy communication, conflict resolution, and how to navigate disagreements in a way that strengthens your marriage rather than divides it.

Whether you're facing everyday misunderstandings or bigger marital challenges, learning to communicate with love, patience, and intentionality can transform your relationship.

What does it really mean to cherish your spouse—not just love them, but value them deeply?

In this heartfelt episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Shawn, Lauren, Brooke, and Chris open up about what cherishing looks like in their own marriages. From rekindling the intentionality of courtship to expressing gratitude in everyday moments, this conversation is full of insight, encouragement, and real talk.

You’ll hear stories, struggles, and practical ideas for:
💛 Showing your spouse they are seen, appreciated, and pursued
💬 Bringing back the beauty of courtship—no matter how long you’ve been...

What do wisdom, mercy, and gratefulness have to do with a strong and lasting marriage? A lot more than you might think!

In this episode of the Authentic Marriage Podcast, Shawn, Lauren, Brooke, and Chris dive deep into these three powerful words and how they shape their relationships. Together, they share personal insights, real-life experiences, and faith-driven wisdom on:

✨ How wisdom helps couples navigate challenges with grace
✨ Why mercy is essential for growth, forgiveness, and unity
✨ The power of gratefulness in keeping love strong through every season

Marriage isn’t just about th...

What makes a marriage truly thrive? How do you navigate the ups and downs with love and faith? Welcome to the Authentic Marriage Podcast, where real conversations lead to stronger relationships.

In this first episode, we’re diving into:

If you’ve ever searched for: