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Mark Merrill
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.
The post #143: How to Overcome Obstacles in Life with Faith appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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
The post #142: What I Learned about Perseverance and Trust from Case Keenum appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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?
The post #141: 4 Things to Do When You’ve Failed appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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!
The post #140: There’s More to the Song, “I Can Only Imagine” appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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 post #139: The Star with DeVon Franklin (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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.”
The post #138: Every Man’s Bible with Tony Dungy appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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.
The post #048: 5 Ways to Be Your Daughter’s Hero (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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).
The post #137: 10 Questions to Ask Your Spouse Every Year appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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
The post #136: 5 Ways to Break Free from the Pornography Trap appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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.”
The post #135: Trust: The Key to Unlock Intimacy in Marriage appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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.
The post #133: Is This the Root Cause of Your Marriage Problems? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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
The post #132: 4 Ways to Fight for Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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…
The post #131: You Married for Better, but What about for Worse? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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.
The post #130: Why You Need a Relationship Bucket List (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Expectations: It's a huge word in marriage and something that many couples, ourselves included, struggle over. We oftentimes have unfair and unrealistic expectations when we go into marriage or even throughout our marriage. When we were writing our two new books Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love By for Busy Wives, we found that this was a common denominator that was present in many of the historic blogs as well as current blog posts. People were looking for what should I expect from my husband, what should I expect from my wife, and what should I expect from our marriage. Expectations in marriage could be the biggest threat to your relationship
The post #129 Unfair Expectations You May Have of Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It's been said that we should never say never in our marriage and we should never use the word always, because, usually, they are unhelpful in navigating through issues or through conflict, but today we are going to talk about things you should always do in your marriage or that you should never do in your marriage. This is a list from our Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love By for Busy Wives books, and it talks about 7 Must Do's and Don'ts for Your Marriage.
The post #128: 7 Must Do’s and Don’ts for Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Today we have an exciting show because we are going to be talking about things that spouses wish the other knew. In List #8 of our newly released books, Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love By for Busy Wives we have things wives wish husbands knew and husbands wish wives knew. We wish for our spouses to know our heart. We both learned that knowing what your spouse desires is key to investing your time wisely and getting the greatest return for your marriage. We will share a few of those today.
The post #127: 5 Things Husbands and Wives Wish the Other Knew (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Susan and I recently released our new books, Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love By for Busy Wives and we both felt it very necessary to have our first list in both of our books be about truths. For today’s podcast, we will share with you 7 truths about marriage that we have come to know to keep us grounded and have become particularly important when we experience rough patches in our relationship.
The post #126: 7 Truths About Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When we initially think about what we should do for our kids every day, we think of things like help with homework, make their lunches, take them to school, but really it’s the relational things that they will remember. For today’s podcast, we will go much deeper with the things we should be doing for our kids!
The post #125: 8 Things Parents Should Do for their Kids Every Day (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
There are lots of not-so-great choices families make once in a while with no major consequences. But when those choices become habits, you’ve got a problem. Such is the case with most of these 8 negative habits to kick. If you see them making regular appearances in your family’s life, act fast to correct them. […]
The post #124: Top 8 Habits to Break as a Family (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Toxic words poison, and sometimes even kill relationships. I confess there have been too many times when harsh, harmful words have come out of my mouth toward my wife, Susan. It grieves me. I’m continually working hard to choose my words wisely.
The post #123: What Not to Say to Your Spouse During a Fight (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
This can be a challenge for both husbands and wives. When your spouse is feeling down, it’s hard to put yourself in their shoes. There used to be days where Susan would vent to me about an issue with one of our children and really needed my support. Instead of showing her that support, I felt I needed to fix the problem and move on.
I would always want to fix the problem but that never works to resolve anything. So I’m learning how to uplift Susan when she’s down.
On today’s show, we will be discussing 4 things to do when your spouse is feeling down.
The post #122: 4 Things To Do When Your Spouse is Feeling Down (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We are in the month of November and some may not realize that this month is National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month hits home for both Susan and I because we have two adopted children as part of our family and are so blessed to be their parents.
The post #121: Impacting a Child’s Life – Mentoring, Fostering, Adopting (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
One of the hallmarks of this year's presidential campaign has been plain rudeness on both sides, from the primaries to the conventions. We also see that lack of basic courtesies and manners on television, online, social media, and in life. Manners really have taken a back seat.
The post #120: 5 Manners You Must Teach Your Children (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
During last week’s podcast, we started discussing the trigger points of conflict that Susan and I have and how we try to disarm them. We will continue with a few more this week.
The post #119: Prickly Spouse? Prepare for the Porcupine Part 2 (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In our 28 years of marriage, Susan and I have had our fair share of conflict. What causes marital conflict, you ask?
Well, a root cause is our selfishness. It’s frustrating because it seems like a constant struggle that will always be there no matter how hard we try.
The post #118: Prickly Spouse? Prepare for the Porcupine Part 1 (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It’s been almost 20 years, and it’s amazing what God has done with the organization of All Pro Dad. All Pro Dad is one program under Family First, the non-profit organization that provides parenting, marriage and relationship resources that help people love their family well, along with iMOM, the Family Minute, MarkMerrill.com and this podcast. I'm in the studio today with the co-founder of All Pro Dad and NFL Hall of Famer, Coach Tony Dungy.
The post #117: Celebrating Family and Fatherhood with Tony Dungy (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
A leader is simply someone who has followers-followers they influence. Susan and I have tried to raise all 5 of our children to be leaders. We’ve taught them it’s not just what you do, it’s who you are at the core.
The post #116: How to Raise Your Child to be a Leader (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Today we will be sharing with you a little bit about a very important topic that we all have faced and we are all trying to figure out, and that issue is anger. Nobody likes it, but everybody deals with it. Why? Because anger has a way of sneaking up on us. Somehow small moments of frustration can quickly escalate into anger. But there's hope! I believe that getting to the root of anger will help us deal with emotions in a healthy way.
The post #115: Anger: Face It, Find It, Figure it Out (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
For many years, our family went to the lake house of our close friends. We always did a lot of water skiing there. My parents were part of a water ski show when they were young and I inherited their love for the sport. When it was my turn to ski, I always wanted Susan to go.
The post #114: 4 Secrets You Must Know About Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
The topic we will be discussing today is increasingly becoming more of an issue in relationships and in marriages – a lot of it has to do with technology and this is what it is: comparison.
If you feel like the marriage grass is greener on the other side when you look at other couples, it could be that you’re not watering your own lawn enough and spending too much time looking at theirs.
The post #113: 4 Ways to Crush Comparison in Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Think back to when you first started to pursue your spouse. It required commitment, hard work, and imagination. If winning them over required that back then, why does it surprise us when neglect hurts our relationship after we walk down the aisle? They wouldn’t have married you if you took them for granted. Why risk everything now?
The post #112: 4 Strategies to Help Solve Your Marriage Problems (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Every husband and wife want to feel connected with one another…but sometimes busyness, the daily grind, stress and strain can get in the way and cause a feeling of NOT being connected…and when that happens, “marriage drift” sometimes occurs and you drift farther and farther apart without even knowing it.
The key to staying connected is to be intentional. 6 things you can be intentional about…
If your marriage is good, these six things can help you grow closer. If your marriage is so-so or even worse, they could help you give it a push in the right direction towards bonding time with your spouse. It’s important to stay connected as a couple and Susan and have learned these 6 things in our 27 years of marriage…
The post #111: 6 Things That Keep Couples Connected (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As parents, we always wonder if we’re doing this thing, called parenting, right…doing everything we should. And what do you do when your child starts exhibiting some bad habits and behaviors at a very young age? Lying, cheating, showing disrespect…
Dealing with those bad habits can take thought and energy that can wear parents out. However, if left unchecked, they can grow into major problems down the line. It is important to engage the problem now in order to save them and us from more intense pain in the future. Here are some bad kid behavior issues that you need to break early.
It’s important to break bad behaviors early so Susan and I will be discussing 5 bad behaviors your kids must conquer on today’s show:
The post #110: 5 Bad Behaviors Your Kids Must Conquer (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Today's topic is one that affects really every marriage if you've been married for any length of time. It's about loneliness.
As humans, we are not meant to be isolated. We all crave deep and lasting connections with other people. But we know it’s possible to feel alone in the middle of a crowd, and it’s possible to sleep in the same bed with someone for years and still feel lonely. Many of us never expect to be lonely in marriage, hoping that our spouse will be the lifelong companion who saves us from loneliness.
The post #109: How to Overcome Loneliness in Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
So, let’s say that you’ve been wronged…wronged by your spouse, child, close friend or coworker. You thought you could count on them. You thought you could trust them. They let you down. It hurts. The pain runs deep inside you. What makes things worse, you didn’t deserve it. You didn’t deserve the deed. It wasn’t your fault. Every day the painful video plays inside your head. You cannot erase it from your mental hard drive. Bitterness, resentment, and anger all start to flood your emotions.
The post #108: Forgiveness: What It Is and What It Isn’t (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s podcast, Susan and I are going to be talking about a topic that affects each and every one of us.
Many couples we’ve talked to through the years, especially newlyweds, assume that arguing in marriage is bad, counterproductive, and to be avoided at all costs. In reality, conflict is unavoidable, and how a couple fights during their arguments is actually more important than if a couple fights. We want to discuss some "sucker punches" you must stop throwing when fighting with your spouse. And, don't hit below the belt.
The post #107: 7 Things to Avoid When Fighting with Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Over the years, Susan and I have learned that all 5 of our children , now all in their 20s, all need one thing and that’s encouragement. We have good intentions and try to help; and, as parents, we may think we’re encouraging our children, but it can actually feel like criticism to them. Sometimes their every desire is to please us and we, in turn, crush their spirit. Susan and I both have made these mistakes so we want to share those with you.
As you try to help your kids be their best, be sure you’re not actually implementing one of these 4 ways of discouraging your kids.
The post #106: 4 Ways Parents Discourage Their Kids (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It’s so easy to push your spouse away without even realizing it. On several occasions, I’ve pushed Susan away and created a distance between us with my critical and condescending words. And Susan would tell you that she’s pushed me away by texting and posting when I wanted her attention.
So we hope that by listening to these 6 ways to push your spouse away on today's podcast, you’ll actually learn how to pull your spouse toward you---not push away.
The post #105: 6 Ways to Push Your Spouse Away (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
How well do you really know your spouse? I don’t mean the color of their hair and eyes, or where they were born and went to school. That’s their biography, their exterior. But what about their inner life: thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears? Do you know them in a way that builds the relationship? If you know your spouse well, you will be able to love them well.
So it's important to be a student of your spouse, to study them and really know who they are! Today, Susan and I are going to go through some questions that will help you with the must-knows for your spouse.
The post #104: 5 Things You Must Know About Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Over the years, we have worked with teens and adult children of divorce who were raised in two homes. Many times, they literally wanted to shout, “STOP PUTTING ME IN THE MIDDLE!!!” Unfortunately, most kids never have the courage to speak up and share their voice on these matters. - Tammy Daughtry
A few months ago, we posted a blog on iMOM and had an outpouring of comments and responses in regards to children of divorced parents. We wanted to dig a little deeper into the issue and have asked the writer of that blog, Tammy Daughtry, to join us today. Susan, Tammy and I will discuss 4 things kids of divorce wish they could say to their parents!
The post #103: 4 Things Kids of Divorce Wish They Could Say to Their Parents (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Did you know that your marriage may be better than you think? Too many couples don’t appreciate the good marriage they have because they are too focused on the perfect marriage they want. Susan and I have experienced this in our own marriage and have to continually remind ourselves of the good, and great, we have together.
Two things are typically true in marriages:
1) Those other “great” marriages are rarely as good as they look from the outside.
2) Your own marriage is not always as bad as you may think from the inside.
On today's podcast, Susan and I will address 8 reasons why your marriage may be better than you think.
The post #102: 8 Reasons Why Your Marriage May Be Better Than You Think (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Expectations. They are a very important part of marriage and we all have them, don't we? Husbands and wives should be able to expect certain things from one another; there are nonnegotiable marriage expectations that should be the same for all spouses. These are much deeper than leaving your socks on the floor. These are foundational expectations such as being a trustworthy spouse that every marriage needs.
On today's podcast, Susan and I will address 3 things your spouse should expect from you.
The post #101: 3 Things Your Spouse Should Expect from You (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When I wrote about the 7 things that husbands and wives should stop doing in their relationship awhile back, some spirited comments and conversations resulted. On today's podcast, Susan and I want to address 6 things that you should stop doing in public---things that can harm your spouse and hurt your marriage.
The post #100: 6 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Spouse in Public (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Susan and I have raised 5 children through the teen years. Teenagers are trying to figure out life…who am I? Where am I going? Do I have what it takes? Am I beautiful?
Teens have a lot going on under the surface that they either haven’t identified, are afraid to say, or don’t know how to tell you. So it remains inside, alone and unattended. What if we did know? It might change the way we parent teens. What do you think? Do you want to know how to parent a teenager better?
The post #99: 7 Things Teenagers Secretly Want You to Know (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Too many marriages end in divorce. One of the reasons for this is couples today are not prepared for all the good and bad that may happen in marriage. So are you prepared? On today’s podcast, Jackie and Stephana Bledsoe will be discussing with us three of the seven stages, or 7 Rings of Marriages, […]
The post #98: The 7 Rings of Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Joy: We all want it, but few of us have it. Why? Because every day, people and circumstances overwhelm our lives and steal our joy. Things like fear, anxiety, jealousy, death, loneliness, and illness sneak in. These difficulties consume our thoughts and drain our energy until we're left feeling incapable of joy. But in spite of these setbacks, I believe joy is still possible. And I believe you deserve to find that joy!
So on today’s podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 ways to find joy in the daily grind.
The post #97 How to Find Joy in the Daily Grind (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
The difficulties we face in life have the power to break or strengthen our marriage...the choice is up to us. We can choose to harbor resentment and unforgiveness or we can choose to embrace love and restoration. It all comes down to one thing: if we have faith that our marriage is worth fighting for. Luckily, God offers us this faith and works alongside us to restore our marriage no matter how difficult the trial.
Even after experiencing the pain of adultery, failure, and loss, Justin and Trisha Davis made the decision that their marriage was worth fighting for. This husband and wife duo founded RefineUs Ministries---a church movement to build healthy marriages and families. They currently live in Nashville as speakers and teachers. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with this couple about how faith restored their marriage.
The post #96: Restoring Your Marriage Against the Odds (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Presents...snow...mistletoe...There's nothing better than the holiday season! Except when you throw in angry shoppers, long lines, and sleepless nights wrapping gifts. That's when the chaos has a way of overwhelming the cheer. And Christmas becomes more stressful than peaceful. But not this year! Because this year, my wife, Susan, and I pledge to be better elves.
The post #95: My Pledge: Be a Better Elf This Christmas (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Sometimes the storms of life are quiet rain showers that barely faze us. Other times the storms of life are more like hurricanes with 100 miles per hour winds! But whatever type of storm we may be facing, it's important that we learn how to be resilient in our most important relationship: our marriage. Why? Because being resilient empowers us to conquer any storm.
In his newest book Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life, Sheridan Voysey who is an Australian-born, Oxford-based writer, speaker, and broadcaster discusses the tough topic of resilience based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be discussing the 4 factors of resilience
The post #94: How to be Resilient in Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Does your child believe they deserve certain things? That they are entitled? An entitlement is something that is granted to someone without them having to earn it. It is given without any effort. It is a right. And unfortunately, our culture is encouraging our children to pursue this sense of entitlement.
But with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seems fitting to discuss how to replace our children's sense of entitlement with a spirit of thankfulness. Well, on today's podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing how to break your child's sense of entitlement.
The post #93: How to Break Your Child’s Sense of Entitlement (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
I'll be the first to admit that patience has never been a strength of mine. I function best when things go on time and according to plan. So when that doesn't happen, my natural reaction is to get frustrated and become impatient. Impatience is a common trait that many of us struggle with in our lives and in our marriages. So is there any solution?
Well, on today's podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 key ways to practice patience in your marriage.
The post #92: 3 Ways to Practice Patience in Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We've all heard the common phrase: Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. So how can we create successful marriages between two opposite people? Well, it's all about recognizing and understanding the needs of women versus the needs of men.
So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with keynote speaker and best-selling author Rick Johnson about the needs of women versus the needs of men based on his most recent book, Romancing Your Better Half.
The post #91: Needs of Women Vs Needs of Men (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Martin Luther King Jr. told us what greatness is all about when he said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” One of our jobs as parents is to talk to our kids about the significance of serving others and show them how to do it. Today, we’re going to talk about some places you and your kids can serve others…in your home, your neighborhood, your community, your country, your world.
The post #90: How You and Your Kids Can Serve Others (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In today’s culture, divorce has become an all-too-common word. Why? Because marriages are falling apart left and right. So if someone were to ask you the secret to saving a marriage, what would you say? Feeling “in love”? Having less conflict? Creating more passion? In an all-new, updated edition of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, […]
The post #89: 3 Questions to Ask Before and After You Marry with Dr. Les Parrott (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Picture this: You’ve just finished an hour long argument with your spouse. There was yelling, name-calling and fingerpointing. But then came apologies and reconciliation. So everything was good…until 5 minutes later when you began arguing about the dirty dishes still laying in the sink. And so it goes. Sometimes marriage begins to feel like one conflict […]
The post #088: How to Lead through Conflict in Marriage with Michael Hyatt appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It’s easy to find a fair-weather friend. But how do we find someone to stand by us through the storms? Authentic relationships require evaluation, reconciliation, and restoration. We must evaluate where we may have wronged someone, reconcile that issue, and then restore the relationship through faith and healing. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking […]
The post #087: How to Form Authentic Relationships with Producer Jon Erwin appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We all wish marriage communication was like a proverbial walk in the park. Oftentimes though, it’s more like a blindfolded sprint through the middle of the jungle! Emotions run high and feelings get hurt. And so we’re left wondering if healthy marriage communication is even possible. Well, Susan and I are here to tell you […]
The post #86: Why Spouses Don’t Listen and What You Can Do About It (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
All marriages go through good seasons and not-so-good seasons. Good seasons mean easy communication, stable finances, and obedient kids. On the other hand, not-so-good seasons mean hairpulling, name-calling, and plenty of misunderstandings. So how can we persevere through life’s most challenging times? Well, it all begins with recognizing the challenges in marriage and creating a […]
The post #085: 8 Challenges Every Marriage Will Face (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Every year the earth goes through four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. In the same way, our marriages go through different seasons. Some are warm and easy like an April afternoon. Others are as cold and difficult as a December night. So how do we make the most of whatever season of marriage we’re […]
The post #084: 4 Seasons of Marriage with Dennis Rainey (Podcast – Part 2) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
All great things have to start somewhere. And marriage is no exception! The joy, love and intimacy of marriage begin with patience and truth and plenty of hard work. But despite the difficulties, we want the seasons of your marriage to be as smooth and healthy as possible. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking through […]
The post #083: 4 Seasons of Marriage with Dennis Rainey (Podcast – Part 1) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Living a life of purpose means 3 things: It begins with passion, grows into success, and overflows with kindness. Living with passion means chasing after what you love. Living with success means aiming for wins in your family, your work, and your relationships. Living with kindness means always being ready and willing to give back. […]
The post #082: A Life of Purpose with Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback Kurt Warner (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Life is demanding. No one can debate that! We’re constantly being asked to help with this or volunteer for that. Our first instinct is to say yes to every opportunity—yes to more work hours, yes to another activity for the kids, yes to helping with a new charity. Sure. These are good things, but they become […]
The post #081: Your Sacred Yes: Sometimes the Wisest Yes is a No (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We all face battles in life and in marriage. So how do we fight these battles well? In the new movie War Room, we’re reminded of our most important weapons…humility, sacrifice, and prayer. So on today’s show, we’ll be talking with former NFL coach and current sports analyst Tony Dungy about how to use these […]
The post #080: How to Fight Your Most Important Battles with Tony Dungy (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Building a strong family is like building a house: it requires hard work. To help make that work a bit easier, you’ll need to be equipped with the right tools. So on today’s podcast, author Jon Gordon and I will be your handymen. We’ll provide you with 3 tools for building a stronger family based on his new book, The Carpenter. Jon is a best-selling author and inspirational speaker. He and his wife have two teenagers.
The post #079: 3 Tools for Building a Stronger Family with Jon Gordon (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We’ve all heard this saying: Let’s agree to disagree. It’s an easy way for people to keep their own opinions. But when it comes to a healthy marriage, there are certain things couples MUST agree on: children, money, and life goals. Agreeing on such crucial things doesn’t require compromising your morals…it simply means adjusting your mindset and working together with your spouse because, at the end of the day, you and your spouse should be on the same team!
The post #078: What Every Husband and Wife Must Agree On (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Oftentimes, to put family first is easier said than done…especially when you’re an award-winning, international music sensation! But that hasn’t stopped Michael W. Smith from maintaining a strong relationship with his wife, kids, and grand kids.
The post #077: Putting Your Family First with Michael W. Smith (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Recently, I had Dr. Meg Meeker in to discuss her book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know. We discussed 3 secrets, and we had such a great time. So I invited her back to go through three more! A man will face many challenges in his lifetime. But one of his […]
The post #076: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters with Meg Meeker (Podcast – Part 2) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
A man will face many challenges in his lifetime. But one of his biggest challenges will be building a strong relationship with his daughter. With more and more research revealing the incredible influence a dad has over his little girl, the time to build that relationship is now.
The post #075: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters with Meg Meeker (Podcast – Part 1) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
News flash: No one is perfect. And that means no marriage is perfect either. Every marriage is full of relationship mistakes. Husbands get lazy, break promises, and put their work before their families. Wives say hurtful things, start nagging, and can be disrespectful.
The post #074: 4 Common Mistakes Husbands and Wives Make in Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Life is full of blitzes that can really hit us hard. Loss of a job, a health issue, a marriage issue. So how do we turn those trials or blitzes into triumphs? Former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp knows how the worst moment in football can turn into the best. And he reminds us: “The quarterback […]
The post #073: 3 Strategies for Turning Trials into Triumphs appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Do you find tough decisions in your marriage challenging? Well, every marriage has conflict and is full of tough decisions. Whether or not to move. How to discipline your children. Whether or not to accept a new job. How to spend your money. The list goes on and on. Tough decisions like these often lead […]
The post #072: How to Agreeably Disagree with Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
What does it mean to be a family guy? Comedian Jeff Foxworthy shares how you might be a family guy if…you are intentional about spending time with your kids. And that you may need to stop doing things for a season in order to make being a dad your priority. Jeff Foxworthy reminds us: “Life […]
The post #071: You Might Be a Family Guy if…with Jeff Foxworthy (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Do you need to win the war on sexual temptation? What do you say to a man who thinks calling it a battle is taking it a bit too far? In reality, pornography is the short-sighted process of self-gratification. And, unbeknownst to the pornography user, they are also funding the sex industry. Therefore, pornography is the […]
The post #069: Every Man’s Battle with Steve Arterburn (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
I just don’t love him anymore. She doesn’t make me happy. We fight all the time. The kids are grown and we have nothing in common. Those are some of the words that are often spoken by a husband or wife when they’re ready to throw in their marital towel. But there are a lot of reasons why couples […]
The post 6 Questions to Ask Before You Call It Quits in Marriage appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
There is nothing more devastating than a spouse considering calling it quits in their marriage. They ask things like, “What if I’m the only one putting in any effort?” “Why am I so lonely?” and “Should I just give up and call it quits in my marriage?” Well, rather than begin down the painful path […]
The post #068: What to Remember Before You Call It Quits in Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Being a dad is our most important job and, when something is our job, we need to understand our mission. So what is our mission as fathers? To love and lead our families well. On today’s podcast episode, New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson shares the 3 keys to family leadership: love, trust, and […]
The post #067: How to Lead Your Family Well with New Orleans Saints Tight End Benjamin Watson (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
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. So how can you live honorably in a sex-driven culture? How can you avoid taking that “second look”? Well, on today’s episode, Kevin Delaney will answer these questions as we discuss the dangers of pornography. Everyone needs to know the truth about porn.
The post #066: The Truth about Pornography (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
There’s nothing simple about marriage conflict. It’s messy, it’s moody, and it’s mostly a misunderstanding. Many couples think they’re arguing about one thing, when they’re actually arguing about something completely and totally different! So how can you get on the same page as your spouse and lessen the amount of conflict in your marriage? On […]
The post #065: How to Identify Your Real Marriage Issues (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
There’s nothing funny about marriage or parenting stress…or is there? We crave order, stability, and peace. But life is crazy, loud, and always changing. So it’s easy to see why we get overwhelmed by the unpredictable moments in life. Sometimes getting through life’s messes requires us to step back and enjoy the incredible family we’ve been given.
The post #064: Persevering through the Perils of Marriage and Parenting with Comedian Tim Hawkins (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
All children are seeking validation. They seek validation in their classes by working as hard as they can. They seek validation in their friendships by striving to be popular and well-liked. They even seek validation in their athletic abilities by aiming for perfection on the field. But the best place to receive true validation is […]
The post #063: The Father Factor with Kenny Luck (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Being married to someone means knowing all the incredible things about them. But it also means knowing all their flaws: their impatience, their mistakes, their lack of self-control...the list goes on and on. So it’s no wonder that knowing our spouses’ imperfections makes showing them respect a challenge.
The post #062: RESPECT (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When you think of parenting, the difficulties may come to mind first: the arguments and accidents, the messes and the madness. But what if I told you that parenting was never meant to be solely difficult—it was meant to be exciting and enjoyable too!
The post #061: 4 Virtues to Teach Your Kids (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As parents, we are deeply committed to raising our kids well. This means loving them well, caring for them well, providing for them well, and teaching them well. But, unfortunately, no parent is perfect. We all mess up—probably more often than we’d like. So how can we work to avoid some of the bigger parenting mistakes? Well, on today’s show, best-selling author of more than 25 books—Tim Elmore—is going to share some wisdom with us from his new book 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid.
The post #060: 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Let’s face it: All couples fight. Sometimes, we fight over little things—like over the TV remote or whose turn it is to take out the trash. Other times, we fight over big things—like how to parent well or how to spend our money wisely. But, whether it’s a small disagreement or a huge argument, it’s […]
The post #059: How to Fight Conflict in Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
While most parents are concerned with the lies their teenagers are telling, parents often forget to consider the lies their teens may be hearing. Each day when they leave for school, sports, or social outings, they are marching into a world that doesn’t always encourage the truth. Instead, this world is whispering lies to our […]
The post #058: 8 Lies Your Teen Believes (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As parents, there are many times our teens frustrate us. However, we need to remember that they are struggling with their identity, acceptance, attention, control, and freedom. So the reverse is often true as well: Our teens get frustrated with us. So how can we, as parents, avoid being on our teenager’s list of frustrations and […]
The post #057: 5 Ways Parents Frustrate Their Teens (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
You are your child’s best teacher—more so than their friends, their siblings, or even their favorite TV show. And as our children’s biggest influence, we need to take every opportunity to instill valuable truths within them. These truths include virtues like selflessness, servant-hood, and perseverance.
The post #056: Lessons Kids Need to Learn with David Staal (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Sometimes, it’s as if siblings were born not getting along with each other. From the bickering and blaming to the wailing and whining, it can be a nightmare for parents! And who can forget their cries of “Daaaaad, Luke isn’t being nice!” Times like these can leave us thinking that our kids’ quarreling will never end. But I’ve found that there are certain practical ways that parents can encourage their children to grow into friends. So on today’s show, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 ways to foster friendships between your kids.
The post #055: 3 Ways to Foster Friendships Between Your Kids (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Nowadays, there are so many things that can pull a marriage apart. Some come from outside sources: adultery or financial troubles. And yet, many fatal variables come from internal sources: criticism or control. These internal factors that contribute to a relationship going into a downward spiral are what we call — marriage killers. On today’s […]
The post #054: Marriage Killers and How to Slay Them (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
All couples fight. Most of the time, these fights we have with our spouses are like little fires—they come out of nowhere and overwhelm us with flames. And just like a real fire, the fires in our marriages require us to do three things: stop, drop and roll. On today’s show, my wife, Susan, and […]
The post #053: How to Stop, Drop and Roll in Your Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On our last episode, we talked about 5 Parenting Speed Bumps. These are challenging things in life that sneak up on us to tell us that we need to slow down. On today’s show, my wife, Susan, and I will shift gears to focus on 4 marriage speed bumps. And while these speed bumps in […]
The post #052: 4 Marriage Speed Bumps (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We all hate speed bumps. So often we’re flying through life at incredible speeds—attempting to balance a million things at a million miles per hour. But then life hits us with a natural speed bump. This speed bump usually comes out of nowhere, sneaking up on us to tell us we need to slow down. […]
The post #051: 5 Parenting Speed Bumps (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Life is an adventure. But in the midst of great moments, we constantly face demands, dangers, and disappointments. Luckily, there’s one person we can always trust to be on our team through it all—and that’s our spouse! On today’s show, Tony Dungy and I will talk about what it means to be a good teammate […]
The post #050: Uncommon Marriage Adventure with Tony Dungy (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
We live in a culture of choices. Everywhere we turn, new opportunities are thrown our way and demand our attention. But if we can’t say “yes” to everything, how will we know when to say “no”? On today’s show, New York Times best-selling author Lysa Terkeurst will be sharing insights on wise decision making from her new book, The Best Yes
The post #049: How to Make Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When my boys were young, I couldn’t imagine what they’d be like as men. But before I knew it, they were growing up. Learning to catch in the backyard turned into Friday night touchdowns. The spelling bee turned into the SAT. And chasing girls on the playground turned into chasing girls down to be their […]
The post #047: 7 Ways to Equip Your Son for Manhood (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In our culture, Christmastime means Santa and stockings, reindeer and ribbons, greetings and gifts, and Baby Jesus. But when we’re all wrapped up in the holiday season, we tend to miss what Christmas is all about. On today’s episode, VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer will discuss our holiday traditions and the true meaning of Christmas. Specifically, he’ll be […]
The post Why Do We Call It Christmas? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Everyone loves a good superhero. There’s something incredible about the way heroes have the ability to somehow always save the day---no matter how difficult the circumstances. In the same way, we often face difficult circumstances in our marriages---from raising rebellious kids to losing jobs to simple miscommunication. And we wish we knew how to swoop in and save the day.
So while I can’t give you superpowers, I can give you the power of insight regarding your spouse. On today’s podcast, I’ll be sharing 7 ways to be a hero to your husband.
The post #046: 7 Ways to Be a Hero to Your Husband (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Most kids have to be told more than once to do things. They have to be constantly reminded over and over to clean their room, or to be nice to their siblings, or finish their homework. After all of this, it’s no wonder parents are exhausted! This big problem that all parents face in some […]
The post #045: How to Motivate Your Child (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In a lot of ways, the Merrill family is like any other family. We’ve had our triumphs and our tragedies, our good times and our hard times. But there are two huge ways in which our family is unlike any other and their names are Hannah and Grant. Ten years ago, we chose to expand […]
The post #044: Our Crazy Adoption Story, Part 2 (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When we talk about what a good marriage takes, we like to focus on the basics. We talk about loving our spouse, caring for our spouse, and spending time with our spouse. And while those things are certainly important, there’s a huge part of marriage that we tend to leave out…and that’s sex! On today’s […]
The post #043: What to Do When You’re Not in the Mood (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode, I talk with Mr. Keith Lawless, Deputy Director of Intelligence at U.S. Special Operations Command about fighting for your family. Keith was recently appointed to the Senior Executive Service which is a general officer level rank for civilians. Before becoming a civil servant, Keith served 30 years in the United States Marine Corps […]
The post #042: Fighting for Your Family – a Veteran’s Perspective (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
One of the seasons of life that calls us to invest well in our relationship with our child is when they make the leap from childhood to adulthood. But as they leave home and pursue their dreams, this easily becomes a time when they find themselves wrapped up in the world of friends. So if […]
The post #040: How to Invest in Your Adult Child’s Friendships (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In 2010, a study by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology was done that revealed people’s fear of change. Students were given a choice between a typical curriculum and a new curriculum. Though the new curriculum required much less work, time and time again, the students chose the more typical curriculum — especially when they were […]
The post #039: 5 Reasons Why We Don’t Want to Change (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Today, I’d like to share with you something that has forever changed me and my family: adoption. There are plenty of adoption stories out there and every one of them is unique. Here is our story.
My wife, Susan and I had the great privilege of adopting two children from Russia over ten years ago. With my wife’s encouragement, we talked a lot about it, prayed about it, and ultimately came to the conclusion that we needed to add to our family of three kids already. We wanted to train, instruct, and encourage children who came from broken homes; we wanted to help them to grow in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man. So that’s exactly what we did. Join me on our show today as Susan and I share with you our crazy adoption story.
The post #038: Our Crazy Adoption Story (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Whether it’s Batman, Superman, or Spiderman, these superheroes all have one thing in common: they know how to show up at just the right time and in just the right way. So if you’re looking to save the day in your marriage, then you’re in the right place. Check out the 7 best ways to be a hero to your wife by listening to my podcast on today’s show.
The post #037: 7 Ways to be Your Wife’s Hero (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Let’s face it: Teenage rebellion is nothing new. Every child everywhere goes through a season of rebellion against their parents — whether small or serious. So as parents, we are left with a decision to make. We can raise our white flag in surrender. We can go to battle with our kids. Or we can […]
The post #036: Loving Your Child Through Teenage Rebellion (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Some parents do a great job of making their marriage a top priority. On the other hand, some parents do not. Instead, these parents do everything for their kids to the detriment of their marriage. In other words, their kids are running them ragged! I think it’s safe to say that these parents have made […]
The post #035: Are Your Kids Running You Ragged? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode we have Kyle Idleman—the bestselling author, pastor, and movie producer. Kyle’s book, not a fan., sold half a million copies and provided video curriculum for over 10,000 churches. He is also a teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church, working with one of the nation’s largest congregations of nearly 21,000 people. Most recently, Kyle took […]
The post #034: Marriage Wisdom from an Unlikely Source with Kyle Idleman (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode, we have best-selling author and Harvard-trained social researcher Shaunti Feldhahn. Shaunti’s books, which have sold 2 million copies in 22 languages, have equipped readers with eye-opening, life-changing truths. Her research has been featured in the New York Times, Focus on the Family, Cosmo, and The Today Show. Shaunti’s current goal is to […]
The post #033: The Good News About Marriage with Shaunti Feldhahn (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Recently, I said something to my wife that I thought was harmless…I don’t even remember what it was! So when she didn’t respond favorably, I was surprised. When I asked her what was wrong, she explained, “It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it.” Today we are going to talk about something that […]
The post #032: Attitude: Is it Killing Your Marriage? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode, we are going to discuss why character building, not education, is the most important thing. Head knowledge is important, but heart knowledge is even more important and required to lead a productive, meaningful, and significant life. I’m going to share 5 character traits you need to be teaching your children. Later on […]
The post #031: What’s More Important Than Your Child’s Education? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
More often than not, affairs don’t just happen. Sometimes they do, but there are usually things that are said or not said, done or not done over the years that are contributing factors. I’m not suggesting that the husband or wife who has the affair is in any way justified in doing so, but what […]
The post #030: Are You Encouraging Your Spouse to Cheat? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode we have author, speaker, and Heisman trophy winner Danny Wuerffel on the show to discuss some of the life lessons he’s learned. During his time at the University of Florida (my alma mater), Danny set 17 NCAA records. He was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. After playing in […]
The post #029: Life Lessons with Danny Wuerffel (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Are you wandering and stumbling though life, or are you living a life of significance? On today’s episode, we have one of the top broadcasters in the country—three time Emmy award winner, James “JB” Brown. We discussed his book, Role of a Lifetime: Reflections on Faith, Family and Significant Living, and the life lessons and principles you […]
The post #028: Living a Life of Significance with JB Brown (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
At some point, every father and every mother asks themselves these questions, “Am I being a good parent? Am I doing this thing right?” We all question ourselves when it comes to parenting. Well, on today’s episode, we are going to discuss 6 ways to know you’re being a good parent. Listen below as my wife […]
The post #027: 6 Ways to Know You’re Being a Good Parent (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As parents, we want to guide and help our kids make the best choice for one of the biggest decisions of their life...who their lifelong love will be. With today's culture placing so much emphasis on romantic feelings and finding "The One," today's guest Gary Thomas offers insight for choosing a spouse. Gary is an international speaker and author. In this episode, we discuss his book The Sacred Search. So if you are looking to get married, or your kids are in their teens or adulthood and seeking marriage, you’ll want to listen to what Gary has to say.
The post #026: How to Find Lifelong Love with Gary Thomas (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode, we have my longtime mentor and friend Barry Banther. Barry is a leadership consultant who speaks at corporate events across the U.S. and is the author of A Leader’s Gift: How to Earn the Right to Be Followed. This book addresses leadership principles that apply in both your professional and home life. […]
The post #025: Family Leadership with Barry Banther (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today’s episode we have the Head Coach of the University of Georgia football team, Mark Richt. Mark is one of 7 men to record over 102 wins in his first 11 seasons. He also won two SEC titles. Most importantly he is husband to Katharyn and father to Jon, David, Anna and Zach. Coach […]
The post #024: Mark Richt Interview on Parenting (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When it comes to handling money, a lot of you have mapped out clear financial investment strategies and goals for you and your family. Well, many of those same basic financial principles and investment strategies can also apply to parenting our children. So, in today’s episode, we’ll talk about 7 Solid Strategies for Investing in Your Children.
The post #023: 7 Solid Strategies for Investing in Your Children (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It happens to so many couples. Expectation. Expectation. Expectation. And then…disappointment. A couple is really excited and has great expectations of what it will be like to have a child. But then, that dream of getting pregnant and having a child is over. On today’s episode, our guest is actually on the other side […]
The post #022: How to Turn Broken Dreams into New Beginnings with Sheridan Voysey (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
On today's episode we have Fawn Weaver, the founder of The Happy Wives Club. Fawn has traveled to twelve countries and six continents interviewing couples with 25 years or more of marriage experience in order to discover the secrets of a happy marriage.
In the last episode, we talked about the first five secrets of a happy marriage and today we will finishing discussing the remaining seven. Listen below as Fawn and I discuss the rest of the 12 secrets of a happy marriage.
The post #021: Secrets of a Happy Marriage with Fawn Weaver Part 2 (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
What are the secrets of a happy marriage? How do couples stay married for 30, 40, or even 50 years? On today's episode we have Fawn Weaver, the founder of The Happy Wives Club. Fawn has traveled to twelve countries and six continents interviewing couples with 25 years or more of marriage experience in order to discover the secrets of a happy marriage.
Listen below as Fawn and I discuss her journey to write her book, The Happy Wives Club in part one of our interview.
The post #020: Secrets of a Happy Marriage with Fawn Weaver Part I (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Last month, we talked about how to discipline your child. Today we want to follow up by discussing creative discipline ideas for kids. If you're in a discipline rut with your child and things aren't working for you, listen below for some new ideas.
My wife Susan joins us to share the 21 Creative Consequences tool that iMOM developed for moms to offer more creative discipline ideas.
The post #019: Creative Discipline Ideas for Kids (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
It’s easy to look at my wife, Susan, and tell her what she needs to do more or less of in our marriage, what to do with the kids, or what to do around the house. Sound familiar? But today, instead of looking at our spouses, let’s look at ourselves and ask, “What can I […]
The post #018: 3 A’s for an Awesome Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Do you and your spouse struggle to discipline your child? Have a strong-willed child who ignores your instructions? What’s the right consequence for an offense?
Well, I can tell you that you must be disciplined to discipline. You and your spouse must really work hard together to effectively discipline your kids. Listen to my wife, Susan, and I discuss how to discipline your child.
The post #017: How to Discipline Your Child (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
When's the last time you said something that lifted up your children? If you had to stop and think for a while this week's episode is for you. David Staal is our guest and he is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear as we discuss some of the crucial phrases you need to say as a parent.
The post #016: Words Kids Need to Hear with David Staal (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Is parenting a challenge for you? Is it a fight for you to be there for your wife, husband, or kids? Are you constantly comparing yourself to other parents? In this episode, I interview film director Jon Erwin about the upcoming movie, Moms’ Night Out. Jon shares his parenting struggles and heart for this movie. Click […]
The post #015: Moms’ Night Out Director Jon Erwin Interview (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Mother’s day is coming up in a couple weeks and today I wanted to do something a little different. My mom, LaRue, had 3 boys and is an incredible mother to us all. Today, I want to honor her and have her share her motherhood journey while providing tips for you.
The post #014: Honor Your Mother this Mother’s Day (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
My wife and I recently went to a beautiful wedding of a family friend. It reminded us of our wedding day—the excitement and expectations of what this new journey would bring.
The post #013: How To Keep Your Marriage On Track When Life Derails You (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
With Easter approaching us this week, I want to talk with you about a very important topic. There’s one question that each and every one of us must answer…”Who or what am I living for?” For you to have real purpose in life—to be the kind of husband, wife, mom, or dad you were created to be—you must know the answer to that question.
The post #012: Who or What Am I Living For? (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As we parent our children, we must constantly guide them and provide them with the right information to become the best possible version of themselves. There are two things every child must know from their parents. The two important questions that children must come to answer: Who am I? What am I good at? This is what we will discuss in today’s episode.
The post #011: Two Things Every Child Must Know (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Winston Churchill once said, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.” Quitting should not be an option except in rare circumstances. So, we should live lives of perseverance and teach our […]
The post #010: When to Let Your Child Quit (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Marriage mistakes are inevitable and, without God’s favor, I’m just one decision away from doing something that could damage or even destroy my marriage of 28 years to my wife Susan.
The post #009: My Marriage Mistakes (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In last week’s episode, we talked about what every father should teach his son. Today, I want to focus on what every father should teach his daughter.
My job as a father is to do my very best to ensure that my daughters hear my voice, hopefully, one filled with truth and love, loud and clear. Why? Because as they grow older, other voices will enter their world - friends, other people, media, television, movies, music - and tell them things that are not good for them and could harm them.
The post #008: What Every Father Should Teach His Daughter (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
As our kids begin to grow, it’s important that we teach them many different life lessons—especially our sons. In this week’s episode, I cover 8 things every father should teach his son. Why? Because what you teach your son could have an impact for generations to come.
The post #007: What Every Father Should Teach His Son (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Did you know your tongue is a wild animal? It can release venom that, if left unchecked, can kill a marriage or relationship. My wife Susan joins me in the studio this week to discuss the harmful effects your tongue can have. I confess, Susan and I struggle in this area but it is something […]
The post #006: How to Chain, Tame and Train Your Tongue (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
People see infidelity as an unforeseen natural disaster that went undetected on the radar screen; it came without warning. However, the reality is that you can often see it coming and there are things you can do to safeguard your marriage.
Listen below for my eight steps to prevent an affair from happening.
The post #005: How to Prevent an Affair From Happening (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
There is one question that impacts your child’s identity: “Do my parents love me?” Maybe you had parents who loved and supported you or perhaps you had completely absent ones. Regardless of your past, it’s important that your child feels loved by you.
The post #004: How to Love Your Child Well (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
In last week’s episode, I talked with Super Bowl winning head coach, Tony Dungy, about his new book Uncommon Marriage that releases today. Part one covered the theme of the book. Today, in part two of our interview, we are going to dive deeper into Tony and Lauren’s marriage. The Dungys have experienced incredible highs […]
The post #003: Uncommon Marriage Book Interview Part 2 (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Movies, social media, and reality television can often make us believe that a grand gesture equates big love. However, I’d suggest that small actions of love add up to a lot more than one big gesture. It’s the little things, day in and day out, that show the love and unwavering commitment you have to […]
The post #002: 7 Love Actions for Spouses (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.
Seventeen years ago I had the privilege of starting the All Pro Dad program with then Buccaneers coach, Tony Dungy. Since then, Coach Dungy won a Super Bowl, provided analysis on Sunday Night Football, and wrote several books. His newest book, Uncommon Marriage, was written with his wife Lauren and releases on February 4th, 2014. Recently, […]
The post #001: Uncommon Marriage Book Interview with Tony Dungy (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.