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