The Family First Podcast

Scars. We all have them, whether they are the time we fell off our bike when we were young or the emotional ones we carry with us as an adult. Every scar has a story! On today’s show, we will hear from former NFL player Devon Still, and how his life has been a journey from one scar to the next.

How many of us struggle with trust? I know I do. Sometimes you just have to persevere. But it can still be hard to believe what you cannot see. Trust is something I have to work on daily. I am always up for a conversation that is going to inspire me to trust and persevere even when I don't know the outcome. That is why I was excited to have this discussion with NFL quarterback Case Keenum

What is your lifelong dream? Is it to be the parent of a star athlete or have your own business? Whatever it is, having a dream energizes you (even on Monday mornings) as you passionately drive closer and closer to reaching it. Unfortunately, not all dreams happen. When a dream dies, it can be devastating. What can you do to get over the slump when you fail and find a new goal to pursue?

Based on the incredible true-life story that inspired the beloved, chart topping song, I Can Only Imagine is a song that brings ultimate hope to so many often in the midst of life’s most challenging moments.  Amazingly, the song was written in mere minutes by MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard.  On today’s show we have the privilege of talking to Bart and how those lyrics in reality, took a lifetime to craft. I Can Only Imagine is in theaters March 16th!

For centuries one story has touched the lives of people across the world. This holiday season you’re invited to discover the story of the first Christmas from an entirely new perspective, and today on our show we have DeVon Franklin, one of the executive producers of the new movie The STAR in theaters November 10th.

The great thing about integrity is that it is truly no respecter of position or wealth or race or gender.  It is not determined by shifting circumstances, cultural dynamics, or what you’ve previously achieved.  From the moment you are born, you –and you alone-determine whether you will be a person of integrity.  Integrity does not come in degrees-low, medium, or high.  You either have integrity or you don’t.”

When my daughters were young, it was easy to be their hero. All I had to do was carry them around the house on my shoulders, read them their favorite story, or play with them in the yard. But as my daughters have grown up, I’ve found that my relationships with them aren’t so simple. Between school and friends and boys, things have become way more complicated. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get back on track in my relationships with my daughters. So join me on today’s show as we share 5 ways to be a hero to your daughter.

Good conversations lead to connection and intimacy. The best way to facilitate a good conversation is to ask great questions. Whether you feel like you know your spouse well or not, there are questions that will be helpful. The spouse who becomes an expert in the art of asking questions is the spouse who will win their spouse’s heart. Susan and I will be going through ten questions to ask your spouse every year (or more often if you’d like).

Pornography is a beast that kills – kills the soul and ravages relationships. No one is immune to pornography. Everywhere you turn, it’s becoming more and more available. At the same time, men are becoming less and less aware of its harmful nature and its lasting impacts. It’s an addiction that squelches intimacy. Intimacy takes an investment of time and energy, while pornography is a way to manufacture cheap, fleeting thrills instantaneously. Those manufactured feelings begin to replace actual intimacy with a spouse, even when a couple watches it together. Meanwhile it makes a wife feel insecure and betrayed

If someone were to ask you the question: What is the key to intimacy in a marriage? What answers do you think you’ll receive? I can imagine a lot of words that might be racing through your mind. Sexual compatibility. Time. Romance. Open Communication. Compromise. Forgiveness. Kindness. All of those are good answers, but on today’s show, Susan and I would like to suggest that there’s a strong case to be made that TRUST is an important key that unlocks the door to emotional and physical intimacy in marriage. Trust is an essential ingredient in the two of you becoming one flesh. In List 5 of our new books, Lists to Love by for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love by for Busy Wives, we mention “If trust is the door to intimacy, then there are three keys to opening that door.”

NFL athlete and Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson knows a thing or two about big games. But he says the biggest game in life—parenting, specifically fatherhood—is one for which there is no playbook. Watson shares, "I could find clearer direction for putting together a baby swing than for taking care of a newborn child,”. His new book, The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life solves this problem by sharing parenting tips, wisdom and practical advice for new dads.

What is the opposite of love? If you said hate, well, I hate to disagree with you, but I’m convinced that the opposite of love is really selfishness. And in marriage, selfishness often makes you the worst threat to your marriage and can become the root cause of your marriage problems.

You and your spouse are allies, not enemies. We must fight for our marriage because we love. We must fight for who we love. We must make war to make love last in marriage. Make war against those things that could divide our union. Fight for those things that will protect and preserve our union. Make love our highest priority as we pursue a selfless, sacrificial, and more perfect union. Here are 4 ways to fight for your marriage

When I got married…I didn’t expect conflict, financial pressures, or challenges with children. I always thought the tough part about marriage was finding the right girl. I thought that once I found her, being married was the easy part. When I said my vows I EXPECTED it would always be better. I never EXPECTED that there would be a worse. And there was…

Busyness is a thief that steals meaningful time and lasting memories. Creating a relationship bucket list will be helpful; it will work in all phases of your life and all relationships. Being INTENTIONAL is the key to having a strong relationship bucket list.