Every marriage walks through dry seasons, times when connection feels absent, emotions run low, and apathy sets in. But a dry season doesn't mean your marriage is dying; it often means God is doing deep, unseen work beneath the surface.

In this episode, we're digging into how to recognize, remain in, and receive from the wilderness seasons of marriage, and how to come out stronger on the other side. Using the story of Jesus' 40 days in the desert and a five-step framework, we'll help you find perspective, peace, and purpose in the desert places.

If your marriage feels weary or disconnected, this episode will remind you that God never wastes the wilderness—and new life can always come from dry ground.

🎧 Listen now and start walking toward renewal—together.

💧 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What a "dry season" in marriage really is, and why it's normal
• How to tell when you're in one (and what not to do about it!)
• The five steps to navigate the wilderness season well:
• What Jesus' own time in the wilderness can teach us about endurance and spiritual growth
• How God often uses silence, struggle, and stillness to deepen love and faith

🕊️ Key Scriptures Mentioned:

• Matthew 4:1–11 — Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness
• Luke 4:14 — Jesus returns "in the power of the Spirit"
• James 1:2–4 — Growth through testing produces perseverance
• Psalm 77:11–12 — "I will remember the deeds of the Lord…"

❤️ Takeaway Truth:

"Dry seasons don't mean dead seasons.
They're often where God prepares you for the next good thing He's about to do."

📣 Resources & Next Steps:

• 💾 Download the free Five Steps to Navigate a Dry Season in Marriage Worksheet: https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-164-dry-seasons-in-marriage-how-to-navigate-the-wilderness-together
• 🎧 Check us out on YouTube for video episodes on faith-filled marriage growth: https://www.youtube.com/@expeditionmarriage/featured
• 💌 Join our weekly marriage encouragement emails for practical tips and biblical truth at ExpeditionMarriage.org/subscribe

💬 Connect With Us:

Follow along on social media:
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest → @ExpeditionMarriage
Visit: ExpeditionMarriage.org

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