Podcast
One Degree Marriage: a Christian Marriage Podcast
Hosted by Nathaniel & Xan Sibley · EN
A Christian marriage podcast for couples who want to grow. Hosted by Nathaniel and Xan Sibley. A thriving marriage doesn't happen by accident... it's built one intentional choice at a time.
How do we stay connected when life feels busy and disconnected? What rhythms help us handle conflict with grace instead of frustration? How do we grow spiritually together? What does it look like to bring fun, intimacy, and purpose back into our marriage?
On the One Degree Marriage Podcast, Nathaniel and Xan get real about the everyday struggles and joys of marriage. With biblical wisdom and practical tools, we'll help you take small, one-degree shifts that lead to lasting transformation in your relationship.
Grab a seat on our cozy virtual couch and join the conversation. Then take one step today toward the Christ-centered, flourishing marriage you've been longing for.
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Follow along on Instagram @onedegreemarriage!
48episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
150: 7 Habits of Deeply Connected Couples (That Anyone Can Start This Week)
Mar 1600:26:46Tap to summarizeWhat separates couples who feel truly close from those who are just coexisting? In this episode, we're (and by we I mean... me. Just Xan this week) breaking down 7 practical habits that deeply connected couples actually practice. No fluff, no theory, just things you can implement today.From the High-Low-Buffalo daily check-in to non-sexual physical touch, praying together, the Weekly Marriage Meeting™, expressing specific gratitude, protecting against slow drift, and having a real conflict plan, we're gonna cover it all.Whether your marriage feels disconnected right now or you're simply looking to go deeper, there's something here for you.Grab the free Weekly Marriage Meeting™ template at https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
Transcribe →149: Feeling Disconnected? Why We Do a Yearly Marriage Retreat (And How You Can Too)
Mar 800:31:03Tap to summarizeFeeling disconnected from your spouse or stuck in the daily grind of work, kids, and responsibilities?In this episode, we talk about one simple rhythm that has helped our marriage stay intentional: taking a yearly marriage retreat.You don’t need a fancy vacation, a huge budget, or even overnight childcare to make it happen. A marriage retreat can be as simple as a weekend away, a staycation, or intentionally setting aside time to reconnect and reflect on where your marriage is headed.In this conversation, we share why we started doing annual marriage retreats, what actually makes them meaningful, and how you can plan one that strengthens your relationship.We also talk about:• Why thriving marriages don’t happen by accident• How to plan a marriage retreat with any budget• The most important conversations to have during your retreat• How to align your marriage, faith, and family vision for the future• Practical ways to reconnect when life feels busy or overwhelmingWhether you’ve been married one year or ten, intentional time together can make a huge difference in building a strong, Christ-centered marriage.Resources & Links📥 FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Guide: https://onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
Transcribe →148: How to Be a Godly Wife: What does Ephesians 5 Say to Wives?
Mar 200:43:25Tap to summarizeWhat does it really mean for wives to “submit” to their husbands in Ephesians 5?In this episode, we unpack one of the most controversial passages in the Bible about marriage: “Wives, submit to your husbands.”Is submission blind obedience?Does it mean tolerating sin or abuse?Is it outdated or oppressive?Or is it something deeper, and actually freeing?We explore:What biblical submission is notWhy this passage must be read alongside the call for husbands to love like ChristWhat submission looks like on an ordinary TuesdayHow respect, encouragement, and trust play out practicallyWhy submission is ultimately an act of worship to ChristIf you’ve wrestled with this passage (or avoided it altogether) this conversation will help you think biblically, clearly, and courageously about your role in marriage.📖 Scripture referenced: Ephesians 5:22–33, 1 Peter 3, Genesis 2k5jLIHDjFaRtJ9pH3hPCMentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
Transcribe →147: How to Be a Godly Husband: What Does Ephesians 5 Say to Husbands?
Feb 2300:35:27Tap to summarizeEphesians 5 might be one of the most debated passages in marriage conversations, especially when it comes to submission. But what about the calling placed on husbands?In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we unpack what it actually means for husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church.” And spoiler alert: the bar is Jesus.We break down:What servant leadership really means (and what it doesn’t)Why authority in marriage is meant for sacrifice, not controlPractical, everyday examples of loving your wife wellHow husbands can initiate spiritual leadership at homeThe difference between passivity and Christlike leadershipIf you’ve ever wondered what Ephesians 5 looks like on a Tuesday night, this episode is for you.Next week, we’ll tackle the other half of the conversation.Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meetingMarch Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Transcribe →Strengthening Intimacy in Marriage When You Feel Disconnected
Feb 1600:32:09Tap to summarizeFeeling disconnected in your marriage, even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, we talk about the three kinds of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, physical) and why surface-level fixes like date nights don’t work if you don’t address the root.We’ll walk you through the starting point that changes everything: an honest conversation to diagnose what’s actually driving the drift (busyness, unresolved conflict, unmet expectations, stress, trust, spiritual stagnancy). Then we share simple, practical rhythms that rebuild connection over time, including prayer, Weekly Marriage Meetings, and daily check-ins.RESOURCES:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal™Conflict Resolution Episode: Our Favorite Way to FightMentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
Transcribe →How to Love Your Spouse the Way They Actually Feel Loved
Feb 900:25:03Tap to summarizeHave you ever gone all out to love your spouse, only to be met with a lukewarm response? You meant well. You put in real effort. And somehow, it still missed the mark.In this episode of One Degree Marriage, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to love your spouse in the way they feel most loved, not just the way that comes naturally to you. Using real-life examples, biblical truth, and practical questions you can ask this week, we unpack why love is meant to be self-giving and sacrificial rather than self-expressive.We discuss love languages, why gratitude and intention both matter, how seasons of life change the way love is received, and why regular check-ins (like a Weekly Marriage Meeting) are key to staying connected. If you want to move from well-intentioned effort to meaningful connection, this episode will help you take that next step.Mentioned in this episode:March Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=prerollDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meeting
Transcribe →5 Rules for Healthy Conflict in Marriage (Without Damaging Trust or Connection)
Feb 200:27:32Tap to summarizeConflict isn’t the enemy in marriage. How you handle it is.In this episode, we walk through five practical rules for healthy conflict in marriage—rules that help couples stay connected, communicate clearly, and resolve disagreements without damaging trust.We talk about why conflict can actually strengthen your relationship, how subtle habits like “always” and “never” language sabotage communication, and what it looks like to approach hard conversations as teammates instead of opponents.You’ll hear real-life examples from our own marriage, a simple framework for bringing up difficult topics, and why having a conflict plan matters more than you think.If you want better communication, healthier conflict, and a marriage that grows stronger over time, this episode is for you.Episode Show NotesMentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meetingMarch Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Transcribe →How to Bring Up Hard Conversations Without Starting a Fight
Jan 2600:27:05Tap to summarizeHard conversations don’t usually fail because of the topic—they fail because of how they start.In this episode, we share a simple, practical framework for bringing up difficult topics in marriage without triggering defensiveness or conflict. Learn how the first minute of a conversation can change everything and how to invite your spouse into connection instead of control.🔗 Resources MentionedThe Communication Toolkit (digital PDF): A practical set of tools and scripts to help couples navigate hard conversations with clarity, calm, and connection.Mentioned in this episode:Download the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateDownload the FREE Weekly Marriage Meeting Template at onedegreemarriage.com/meetingMarch Marriage Challengehttps://onedegreemarriage.com/challenge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=preroll
Transcribe →No. 136: 4 Ways We're Building a Healthier, Christ-Centered Marriage
Dec 100:33:25Tap to summarizeWe're pulling back the curtain and sharing the real areas we're actively working on in our marriage right now. Not from a "we've got it all figured out" place—but from a posture of humility, honesty, and a desire to grow together. We walk through four rhythms we want to strengthen as we head into a new season: • Praying together daily (and why it matters more than we realize) • Actually finishing our weekly marriage meetings—mission statement, core values, and all • Being more intentional about serving in our local church • Slowing down and soaking up this sweet (and chaotic) season with our kids If you want a practical, Christ-centered conversation that feels like friends on the couch figuring out marriage together... this one's for you. Resources Mentioned Weekly Marriage Meeting™ Journal (structure + accountability for the meeting) Expositional preaching (definition + example explained)
Transcribe →No. 135: 5 Keys to Christlike Conflict in Marriage
Nov 1700:40:57Tap to summarizeConflict is inevitable when two sinful people share a life, a home, and a very full playroom. In this episode, we unpack a real conflict from our Sabbath (yes, we handled it poorly at first) and use it as a springboard to talk through five components of healthy, Christ-centered conflict: soft start-ups, ditching "always/never" language, having a conflict resolution plan, regularly debriefing in a weekly marriage meeting, and humbly apologizing and asking how to better serve each other. If you've ever thought, "We just keep fighting about the same things," this one's for you. Resources Mentioned: Free Weekly Marriage Meeting Guide Episode Mentioned: No. 119: Our Favorite Way to Fight
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