In this episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron Smith interviews Austin J. Holt about the intersection of marriage, ministry, and personal growth. Austin is a Christian entrepreneur, coach, and ministry leader dedicated to helping couples build thriving, Christ-centered marriages. Together with his wife, Rachel, he co-founded The Conscious Christian Marriage, a coaching program that integrates biblical principles with psychological insights to support high-performing Christian couples in deepening their connection and purpose .

During our conversation, Austin shares how he and his wife Rachel transitioned from wedding photography to marriage ministry, driven by a desire to strengthen their own relationship and help others do the same. Married for 14 years with four children, they’ve learned to prioritize marriage as their first ministry, especially in the face of challenges like Rachel’s parents’ divorce.

In this conversation we explore:

• The power of humility, grace, and obedience in marriage and faith.
• The difference between biblical prosperity and the prosperity gospel.
• Why ministry starts at home and why marriage should come before other obligations.
• The impact of encouragement, appreciation, and speaking life into one another.
• The importance of taking responsibility and making it easy for your spouse to love you.

Austin emphasizes that every marriage can grow with intentionality, mentorship, and faith at the center. Whether you're in a season of growth or struggle, this conversation will encourage and equip you to pursue a Christ-centered marriage—starting right where you are.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback means the world to us!

Connect with Austin J. Holt:

• Instagram: @consciouschristianmarriage
• Website: https://www.consciouschristianmarriage.com/

Follow Marriage After God:

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

Support this podcast:

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

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

KEY WORDS: marriage, ministry, coaching, family, relationships, faith, personal growth, wedding photography, entrepreneurship, continuous learning, humility, obedience, biblical prosperity, marriage ministry, encouragement, appreciation, relationship advice, spiritual leadership, family focus, personal responsibility

In today's episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron interviews Amanda Hayhurst, author of "Pray for Him" and seminary graduate whose marriage was restored after infidelity. Through her personal journey of reconciliation, healing from father wounds, and walking through her son's cancer diagnosis, Amanda shares how prayer transformed her approach to marriage and relationships.

In this vulnerable conversation, we explore:

• How attempting to be the Holy Spirit in our spouse's life creates frustration instead of change
• The transformative power of surrendering control and praying consistently for your husband
• Why authentic community was crucial to Amanda's marriage surviving infidelity
• The freedom that comes when we stop trying to fix others and start interceding for them
• How suffering can create a raw dependency on God that we often miss in comfortable seasons
• The importance of feeling our emotions before God rather than numbing them
• Practical ways to discern when to give advice versus when to simply listen
• The healing journey from carrying father wounds into marriage to finding identity in Christ

Whether you're struggling with a desire to change your spouse, walking through a season of betrayal, feeling isolated in your pain, or simply wanting to deepen your prayer life, this conversation offers hope and practical wisdom for surrendering control and trusting God with your relationships.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback mean the world to us!

Connect with Amanda Hayhurst:

• Book: "Pray for Him"
• Website: https://amandahayhurstwrites.com/
• Instagram: @amandahayhurstwrites

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

KEY WORDS: Marriage After God, Aaron Smith, Amanda Hayhurst, prayer in marriage, infidelity restoration, authentic community, father wounds, healing, reconciliation, marriage struggles, surrender, control issues, comparison, Holy Spirit, marriage transformation, suffering, child's illness, vulnerability, spiritual leadership, self-publishing

In today's episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron interviews Caleb and Stefanie Rouse, authors of "Wholehearted Love" and founders of a thriving relationship ministry. After walking through personal transformations, career shifts, and profound loss, the Rouses now help couples discover how to love with their whole hearts by addressing the masks and pain that prevent genuine connection.

In this vulnerable conversation, we explore:

• How past wounds create masks that block our ability to love others wholeheartedly
• The powerful journey of grieving the loss of their twin boys while simultaneously writing a book about wholehearted love
• Why bringing our pain to God instead of hiding behind masks leads to healing and freedom
• The importance of celebrating life at every stage, even after pregnancy loss
• How stretching our "obedience muscles" transforms our relationship with God and others
• The transformative practice of daily prayer for your spouse and its impact on marriage
• Why helping singles and pre-married couples creates maximum impact for future marriages
• How to discern when God is calling you to surrender comfortable paths for greater purpose

Whether you're healing from past wounds, navigating grief in your marriage, struggling with identity, or simply wanting to love more wholeheartedly, this conversation offers biblical wisdom and practical insights for removing masks and embracing genuine connection with God and your spouse.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback mean the world to us!

Connect with Caleb & Stefanie Rouse:

• Book: "Wholehearted Love" - https://www.stefanieandcaleb.com/book
• Prayer Books: "52 Prayers for Your Husband" and "52 Prayers for Your Wife"
• https://www.stefanieandcaleb.com/52prayersformyspouse
• Instagram:
• https://www.instagram.com/stefanie.rouse
• https://www.instagram.com/calebjasonrouse/
• Podcast: The Wholehearted Love Podcast
• https://www.stefanieandcaleb.com/podcast
• Website: https://www.stefanieandcaleb.com/

Follow Marriage After God:

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

Support this podcast:

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

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

KEY WORDS: Marriage After God, Aaron Smith, Caleb Rouse, Stefanie Rouse, Wholehearted Love, prayer in marriage, grief, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, masks in relationships, healing, obedience, identity in Christ, social media ministry, pre-marriage counseling, spiritual transformation, vulnerability, transparency, worship, celebrating life