Aaron and Jennifer Smith share reflections from a full and meaningful summer—homeschooling adventures, the value of preserving memories, and the encouragement they received at a recent homeschool conference. They open up about the bittersweet transition of leaving their home church and how gardening has become a personal metaphor for growth. Through prayer, community, and faith, they embrace the process of change, finding joy in transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritizing relationships with family.
• Creating tangible memories.
• Homeschooling thrives with intentional planning.
• Transitioning from a church community can be emotional but necessary.
• Gardening illustrates personal growth and consistent effort.
• Prayer and support from friends are vital during hard times.
• Change requires patience, communication, and faith.
• Joy can be found in the journey of transformation.

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

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• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
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Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: marriage, parenting, homeschooling, planning, family, growth, change, prayer, community, memories, encouragement

This week Aaron Smith sits down with Jay Holland, husband to Emily, and the biological, adoptive, and foster father of four children. For over 25 years he’s served as a pastor in college and student ministries and has personally navigated seasons of special‑needs parenting within his own family, and is the voice behind the Let’s Parent on Purpose podcast. Together, they discuss the intersection of marriage, parenting, and youth ministry. Jay shares powerful insights on raising children in today’s culture, the importance of rites of passage in shaping manhood and womanhood, and how parents can intentionally model faith and humility in their homes.

Whether you’re navigating the challenges of parenting or seeking to strengthen your marriage in the midst of raising kids, this episode is packed with biblical wisdom and practical encouragement.

• Marriage and parenting in a digital age
• The importance of rites of passage for boys and girls
• Building community and mentorship for youth
• Technology’s effect on mental health and connection
• Modeling repentance and humility in parenting
• Encouraging bravery and risk-taking in the physical world
• Teaching children their identity in Christ
• Prioritizing joy and intimacy in marriage

Connect with the Jay Holland:

• Let’s Parent on Purpose podcast:
• Things for Thursday Newsletter: text THINGS to 66866
• letsparentonpurpose.com

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: marriage, parenting, youth ministry, rites of passage, manhood, womanhood, community, technology, anxiety, spirituality

In today’s episode, Aaron Smith sits down with Ashton and Spencer Draper to share their inspiring journey of adoption, faith, and perseverance. Spencer and Ashton met through a mutual friend at a youth conference, drawn together by their shared love for Jesus and a heart for faith-filled living. Through the ups and downs of a difficult adoption journey and ongoing health challenges, they’ve learned to walk in grace, patience, and purpose—anchored by God’s faithfulness. Spencer works as a planner in manufacturing, while Ashton is a sign language interpreter and author of the book “Big Yellow House.” Whether playing games, watching movies, or raising their family, they’re committed to living faithfully and using their lives to serve Christ’s Kingdom.

From their early years of marriage, to adopting their son Bismarck from Ghana, the Drapers open up about how God has worked through health challenges, biblical counseling, and their passion for adoption to strengthen their marriage and deepen their faith.

Key Topics:

• The Drapers’ early marriage and decision to adopt
• Ashton’s lifelong passion for adoption and its roots
• The challenges and blessings of adopting Bismarck
• Navigating health struggles and their impact on marriage
• The transformative power of biblical counseling
• Encouragement for couples considering adoption

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Big Yellow House by Ashton Draper – Purchase on Amazon
• Gobena Coffee – Adoption fundraising support
• Parenting by Paul Tripp
• Forgive by Tim Keller

Connect with the Drapers:

• Follow Ashton Draper on Facebook
• Purchase The Big Yellow House https://a.co/d/4IEmWCd

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: adoption, marriage, parenting, faith, family, communication, fundraising, counseling, health challenges, community support

In this episode, Aaron welcomes bestselling author and speaker Vicki Courtney to share wisdom from her new book Motherhood Is Not Your Highest Calling. Vicki Courtney is a speaker, author, wife of 38 years, and mom of three grown children. With over 25 years in ministry, she encourages women to pursue biblical truth in a modern world. Together they explore how moms can resist cultural pressure, embrace a Christ-centered identity, and keep their marriage and faith first.

Key Takeaways:

• Identity in Christ over cultural expectations
• Navigating mom guilt and social media pressure
• Prioritizing marriage in the parenting years
• Faith-filled conversations with kids

Connect with Vicki Courtney

• Website: https://vickicourtney.com/
• Book: https://a.co/d/dWaVrgt
• Instagram: @vickicourtney

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: Christian motherhood, Christian parenting, Identity in Christ, Faith and motherhood, Biblical womanhood, Christian marriage and parenting, Motherhood, calling

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Dan and Sam, a couple passionate about weaving adventure and faith into every part of family life. They share how parenting hasn’t stopped their pursuit of exploration—it’s deepened it. Together, they talk about the importance of viewing marriage as a ministry, prioritizing family as your first disciples, and how community and faith sustain their journey. They also discuss the heart behind their book Always Choose Adventure, encouraging listeners to live with purpose and intentionality, no matter the season.

Takeaways:

• Marriage is a ministry, and your family is your first mission field.
• Adventure doesn’t end with kids—it becomes even more meaningful.
• Community and faith are foundational to a strong marriage.
• Always Choose Adventure challenges families to pursue God’s calling with courage and joy.

Connect with Dan & Sam:

Authors of Always Choose Adventure https://a.co/d/i3IPPep

Follow them on Instagram: @DanAndSam

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: adventure, marriage as ministry, family discipleship, intentional parenting, faith, community, purpose, exploration, Christian living

In today’s episode, Aaron chats with Ron Deal, licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and speaker, who specializes in blended families and stepfamily dynamics. Together they explore the unique challenges and opportunities within blended families. With over 30 years in family ministry, Ron shares wisdom on how humility, emotional regulation, and a shared sense of "usness" can transform marriages. He unpacks how neuroscience supports biblical truths about relationships and encourages the church to better support couples in every season.

Key Takeaways:

• Blended families need intentional care and support.
• The church must invest in stronger marriage ministries.
• Emotional dysregulation often fuels conflict cycles.
• Humility is a pathway to healing and unity.
• “Usness” strengthens a couple’s shared identity.
• Neuroscience affirms biblical principles of connection.
• Awareness can help couples rewrite their conflict patterns.
• Relationship struggles can deepen our dependence on God.

Connect with Ron Deal

• Website: https://rondeal.org/
• Reactive Coping Style Assessment: https://rondeal.org/reactivecopingstyle
• Podcast: FamilyLife Blended Podcast

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: blended families, marriage ministry, spiritual growth, conflict, humility, usness, neuroscience, discipleship, church support

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Vince Revo as he shares his powerful testimony of transformation—from addiction and unbelief to redemption through Christ. Vince opens up about the challenges of church planting, the weight of online ministry, and how his marriage and family have been central to his walk with God. This conversation highlights the role of conviction, repentance, and grace in the process of sanctification.

Key Takeaways:

• Church planting affects the whole family—intentionality is key.
• Online ministry requires clarity and healthy boundaries.
• Redemption stories reveal the power of the gospel.
• Marriage is a refining ground for sanctification.
• Conviction and repentance fuel spiritual growth.
• Fix your eyes on Jesus—daily grace sustains us.

Connect with Vince Revo:

• Instagram: @vincerevo
• Youtube: RevoReport
• Resources: https://www.patreon.com/vincerevo

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords: faith, marriage, church planting, online ministry, testimony, redemption, sanctification, conviction, repentance, family dynamics summary

In today’s episode, Aaron chats with author and Bible teacher Zach Windahl about faith, family, and biblical literacy. They dive into Zach’s personal journey—from wrestling with doubt during college to embracing a deeper understanding of Scripture. The conversation explores the power of homeschooling, the value of entrepreneurship in raising kids, and how reading the Bible in context transforms lives. Zach shares insights from his new book The Bible Simplified and offers encouragement for families to make God’s Word central in their homes.

Key Takeaways:

• Zach’s early faith was shaped by his mom’s perseverance through health challenges.
• College brought doubts, revealing how environment can influence belief.
• Homeschooling provides freedom to blend education with faith.
• Teaching kids to think critically—and entrepreneurially—is essential.
• Reading the Bible aloud can deepen both understanding and belief.
• Context is key: knowing the Bible’s background brings clarity and meaning.
• Many Christians haven’t read the entire Bible—and they’re missing out.
• Families are encouraged to grow together in Scripture and prayer.

Connect with Zach Windahl:

• Instagram: @zachwindahl
• Book: The Bible, Simplified https://a.co/d/0YAtsna
• Website: https://zachwindahl.com/

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

Keywords:

faith, Bible study, Christian living, homeschooling, education, entrepreneurship, scripture, family, devotionals, personal growth