FamilyLife Today®

• Restore the Table - Ryan Rush

  In this episode of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson discuss the profound importance of family meal times, a topic that resonates deeply with both the hosts and their guest, Dr. Ryan Rush. The conversation begins with a heartfelt recollection from one of the hosts about the special memories they have of their childhood dinner table, where laughter, stories, and a sense of security thrived. Dr. Rush shares his own passion for the family dinner table, emphasizing how the simple act of sitting down together can have a lasting impact on relationships, mental health, and overall family cohesion.Dr. Rush, who pastors in Katy, Texas, explains his approach to family life through the lens of intentionality, highlighting how meals together offer families a unique opportunity to connect and foster relationships. He references his book Restore the Table, which explores how families can cultivate meaningful, distraction-free meals, even in today's fast-paced world. According to Dr. Rush, studies have shown that families who share meaningful meals regularly (about five times a week) experience better mental health, improved academic performance, and stronger relationships. These meals, while seemingly simple, serve as a place for connection and bonding.Dr. Rush also discusses how his own family’s journey shifted when they embraced Christ, which brought about a deeper commitment to intentional family time, especially around the table. His upbringing in a busy household with a father who worked hard and was often absent contrasts with the transformative shift they experienced when they began prioritizing shared family meals.The conversation dives into practical advice on how families can make meals meaningful, emphasizing the importance of setting aside distractions (such as phones and TV), scheduling regular meal times, and creating an environment where meaningful conversations can happen. Dr. Rush gives examples of simple conversation starters and shares tips on how to make mealtime a time for connection, even for families that may have struggled in the past or are dealing with conflict.The hosts and Dr. Rush also discuss the broader impact of mealtime discussions, particularly for teens, who may seem distant but still deeply desire connection with their parents. Dr. Rush stresses that family meals can be transformative, even if it initially feels awkward or forced, and encourages parents to be intentional in carving out this time. He also highlights how this approach has led to restored marriages and reconnected families in his church, demonstrating how powerful family meals can be in the healing process.The conversation also touches on the role of single parents or families with different dynamics, noting that meaningful meal times are not exclusive to traditional family units. Dr. Rush shares his experiences mentoring young people, illustrating that even if a child lacks one or both parents, meaningful connection over a meal can still have a profound impact.In conclusion, the podcast episode emphasizes the transformative power of shared family meals. Through intentional time at the table, families can foster deep relationships, create a culture of meaningful conversation, and experience spiritual growth. The episode serves as a call to action for families to make mealtime a priority and restore the tradition of connection that can strengthen bonds and build lasting memories. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Ryan Rush on his website. Download conversation starters for the family table at familylife.com/tabletalk. Get Ryan's book "Restore the Table" on our shop. Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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  24:51
• 9 Days to a Better Sex Life (Part Two) - Dave and Ashley Willis

  In this podcast episode, Dave and Ashley Willis return to discuss their ministry, Naked Marriage, with hosts Dave and Ann Wilson, focusing on the importance of emotional and spiritual openness within marriage. The episode starts with an update on their four children, including the unique characteristics of each child and how they keep the couple both young and old at the same time. The conversation then dives into the topic of “secrets” in marriage, specifically addressing the issue of pornography and its impact on relationships. The Willises explore the emotional pain caused by hidden secrets, especially when one partner reveals something like pornography use, which feels like a betrayal. Ashley shares her personal experience of battling anxiety, which she kept hidden from Dave, and the impact it had on their relationship. A major point of discussion centers around how couples can navigate such revelations, with Dave sharing his past struggles with pornography and how he dealt with them. He discusses how keeping secrets, particularly regarding pornography, can lead to guilt and shame, and how the act of keeping such secrets can create a cycle of deceit in relationships. Ashley offers advice to women who are dealing with the revelation of such secrets from their husbands, emphasizing the need to feel and process emotions like anger and grief, but also not to let those feelings dictate the future of the relationship. She underscores that it’s important for couples to face the truth and the pain together. The couple also talks about how boundaries and accountability tools are critical in relationships to avoid temptation, especially in today's digital age. The conversation also touches on the importance of open communication with children about pornography and the necessity of setting up safeguards, like filtering software, to protect young minds. Dave and Ashley emphasize how their open dialogue about sex with their children has been crucial to creating a safe space for them to ask questions without shame. Finally, the episode delves into the broader theme of healing from past trauma and secrets, encouraging listeners to bring the truth into the light for healing and freedom. They discuss the importance of not keeping any secret that might weigh heavily on the relationship, with both partners sharing their past struggles and the power of vulnerability in marriage. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dave and Ashley Willis and sign up for their 9 Days to Great Sex eBook at their website. Listen to the "Marriage on the Line" podcast. Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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  28:44
• Bonus: Naked Marriage: Unveiling Vunerability and Healing Hidden Struggle

  In this episode of "Naked Marriage" with Dave and Ashley Willis, the conversation delves into the often sensitive and crucial topic of sexual intimacy in Christian marriages. The episode is described as unfiltered and raw, with the couple tackling a wide range of questions and issues surrounding sexual intimacy from a biblical perspective. They begin by discussing common questions that arise in Christian marriages, such as whether certain sexual acts are biblically acceptable, and how to navigate sexual intimacy in a world that can be sexualized and confusing. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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  32:55
• 9 Days to a Better Sex Life (Part One) - Dave and Ashley Willis

  In this episode, Dave and Ashley Willis, alongside hosts David and Anne Wilson, share their journey of navigating marriage, mental health, vulnerability, and the struggles that come with facing hidden struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and pornography. The conversation is deeply personal as they explore the challenges they've faced in their own marriages, offering listeners practical advice and powerful stories of grace and healing.The episode opens with a humorous and warm exchange between the hosts and guests. Dave and Ashley Willis drive down from Atlanta to Orlando and talk about their marriage ministry, which has flourished through Facebook, podcasts, and other online resources. They began with a simple Facebook page called "Marriage," later rebranded as “Naked Marriage.” This title, while provocative, is grounded in the biblical concept of "naked and unashamed," emphasizing the importance of emotional intimacy in marriage. They highlight the idea that marriage should be a place of full vulnerability, where secrets are laid bare, and trust is developed.Ashley shares a personal story about the struggles with anxiety and depression she faced early in their marriage. For years, she kept her anxiety a secret from Dave, feeling deep shame. However, after a painful moment of realizing she couldn’t carry the burden alone, she finally confided in Dave. His patient, understanding response played a pivotal role in her healing process. This moment is a beautiful example of what it looks like when partners support each other in marriage, choosing presence over the need to fix.The conversation then turns to the topic of pornography, which, despite its prevalence in society, remains a taboo subject in many marriages. Dave shares his own battle with pornography, acknowledging the secrecy and shame he felt, and how it became a significant obstacle in his marriage. He describes his initial decision to keep his struggles hidden from Ashley, believing he could overcome them on his own. However, when Ashley discovered his secret years later, the initial confrontation was intense, filled with emotions of betrayal, anger, and shame. Over time, with grace, accountability, and the support of each other, they worked through the difficulty together.The couple discusses the ongoing challenges that many couples face regarding pornography in their relationships, and they emphasize that it is a problem in and out of the church. They point out that while it’s a difficult issue to confront, bringing it into the light is the key to finding freedom and healing.The episode wraps up with an invitation for listeners to access their free eBook, Nine Days to Great Sex, a resource designed to help couples break free from barriers like pornography and rediscover intimacy. It’s clear from this conversation that both Dave and Ashley, and David and Anne, have made it their life’s mission to help married couples build trust, communicate openly, and develop deeper emotional intimacy. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dave and Ashley Willis and sign up for their 9 Days to Great Sex eBook at their website. Listen to the "Marriage on the Line" podcast. Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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  26:41
• Six Ways to Lead and Love Your Wife: Dave and Ann Wilson

  In this episode, Dave and Ann Wilson dive into the concept of how husbands can lead and cherish their wives, focusing on advice from Brad Merchant, a pastor from Indianapolis, who wrote a blog titled "Six Ways to Lead and Love Your Wife." The hosts discuss what makes wives feel cherished and loved, offering both humor and practical advice for husbands.The episode opens with the hosts highlighting the importance of this topic, especially for wives who might be multi-tasking—whether at home or at work. One of the hosts introduces Brad Merchant’s blog, and they begin to walk through the six ways mentioned in it. The main focus is on encouraging husbands to ask meaningful questions that show care and interest in their wives' feelings and experiences. These questions could include things like, "How are you doing?" "How can I help you?" and "What’s the heaviest thing you're carrying emotionally?"Incorporating a faith-based perspective, the hosts discuss how the Apostle Paul’s teachings in Ephesians 5 about self-sacrifice and love can be applied to relationships. They unpack the meaning of cherishing a wife, which goes beyond the traditional idea of buying gifts; it’s about truly treasuring and caring for her deeply. The hosts share some humorous and personal stories, including one about a husband's obsession with his guitars and how it connects to his lack of attention to his wife’s needs.The episode also touches on the idea of a husband humbling himself and leading in a way that empowers his wife. They discuss practical ways to serve wives, like doing household chores, asking for their input in decisions, and giving them quality time. The hosts also provide examples from their own marriages of how asking questions and listening can strengthen a relationship. One host shares an insightful story about realizing how his love and attention to his daughter’s car was a reflection of how he should treat his wife with the same care.The show concludes with a reminder for husbands to act on these principles, even if they don’t announce them, and to consider the impact of simple actions in showing love. They suggest that wives might want to share the podcast with their husbands as a subtle way to encourage growth in their relationships. The episode wraps up with mentions of other FamilyLife resources and encouragement to visit their website for more relationship advice. Show Notes and Resources Purchase Vertical Marriage at the FamilyLife shop. Purchase the Vertical Marriage small group workshop book online. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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