Spend Smarter in Marriage: Winston & Rachel Cruze

In a world where the currents of culture and the busyness of life can pull a marriage apart, how does a couple stay unified and on mission? It's easy to drift into living like roommates, a challenge Gabe and Rebekah know well. That's why they were so excited to sit down with their dear friends, David and Lori Benham.The Benhams share a powerful story of building a marriage that doesn't just survive cultural pressure, but thrives in the midst of it. In this conversation, they discuss the essential rhythms they've built to protect their connection, the importance of maintaining a Kingdom-first mindset, and the practical steps they take to ensure their family is a light in their community.For any couple looking for wisdom on how to live with intention, pursue holiness together, and build a lasting legacy, this conversation is a wellspring of encouragement.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why building your marriage on a shared, Kingdom-first mission is essentialDaily rhythms that protect your unity and purpose as a coupleWhat biblical submission and servant leadership truly look like in practiceHow to tackle problems from the ‘same side of the table’ to resolve conflictThe power of living with hospitality and on mission as a familyResources:The Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to HaveReserve your spot now for Rhythms Retreat November 21-22 in Franklin, TN. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.More from the THINQ Podcast Network:THINQ Media Podcast with Gabe LyonsThe InFormed Parent with Suzanne PhillipsNextUp with Grant SkeldonNeuroFaith with Curt ThompsonUnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

Gabe and Rebekah continue The Rhythm of Us series with special guests Rachel and Winston Cruze. What does it look like to find harmony in marriage through wise money habits? Rachel and Winston share their journey—from spender-vs-saver tensions to practical tools for auditing spending and building unity as a team. They laugh about shared anniversaries, unpack origin stories around finances, and offer encouragement for couples seeking to steward resources with intention and grace. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize spender-saver dynamics and turn them into strengths for your marriage. Practical steps to audit subscriptions, cut unnecessary costs, and align on a budget together. Why understanding your "money origin story" fosters empathy and deeper connection. Simple rhythms like weekly money dates to keep communication open and fun. The role of generosity and contentment in building a legacy of financial peace. This conversation will equip you to approach money not as a battleground, but as a shared path toward freedom and unity in your home. RResources: Learn more about Rachel Cruze’s work, including her book "Know Yourself, Know Your Money": https://store.ramseysolutions.com/mon... and podcast "The Rachel Cruze Show":    / @rachelcruze  The Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have: https://a.co/d/j1xmS4QReserve your spot now for Rhythms Retreat November 21-22 in Franklin, TN: https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreat/Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at https://www.thinqmedia.com/Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom:THINQ Summit Oct 2-4 in Nashville, TN: https://events.thinqmedia.com/2025summitMore from the THINQ Podcast Network: UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons:  / @gabe_lyons  The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips:  / @informedparent  NextUp with Grant Skeldon:  / @grantskeldon  NeuroFaith with Curt Thompson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Gabe and Rebekah Lyons continue The Rhythm of Us series with special guests Josh and Christi Straub, authors of Famous at Home and hosts of the Famous at Home podcast. Together, they dive into one of the most challenging—and rewarding—rhythms couples face: parenting. Drawing from their counseling practice, research, and their own journey as parents, the Straubs share how to build emotional safety, create intentional rhythms, and nurture resilience in kids while keeping marriage strong.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to recognize and defuse tension in parenting before it escalates.Why predictable rhythms at home help kids feel secure and loved.The role of emotional intelligence in raising children and strengthening marriage.Simple daily practices that help your kids flourish without losing your joy.Whether you’re raising toddlers or teens, this conversation will encourage you to parent with grace, intentionality, and rhythms that last.ResourcesLearn more about Josh and Christi Straub’s work, including their book: Famous at Home: 7 Decisions to Putting Your Family Center Stage in a World Competing for Your Time Attention and Identity.The Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to HaveReserve your spot now for Rhythms Retreat November 21-22 in Franklin, TN.Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom:THINQ Summit Oct 2-4 in Nashville, TNMore from the THINQ Podcast Network:THINQ Media Podcast with Gabe LyonsThe InFormed Parent with Suzanne PhillipsNextUp with Grant SkeldonNeuroFaith with Curt ThompsonUnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

Gabe and Rebekah Lyons sit down with author, speaker, and podcast host Madison Prewett Troutt to unpack themes from her new book Dare to Be True. In light of the recent death of Charlie Kirk, they discuss what it means to stand firm in God’s truth, live with bold faith, and walk in freedom during a cultural moment filled with confusion and compromise.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why bold faith is essential in a culture filled with lies.How to find freedom in Christ by living vulnerably and truthfully.Why prayer and accountability matter for married couples.How to pursue holiness together in a world that pulls toward compromise.Ways to courageously live out truth in today’s cultural moment.Tune in to hear Madison share how vulnerability, accountability, and holiness are vital to following Jesus—whether in marriage, friendships, or public witness.ResourcesPre-order Madison's book, Dare to Be True, here: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Be-True-Defeat-Truth/dp/0593445279/See Madi give her "Called and Confident" talk at THINQ Summit in Nashville, Oct. 2-4. Register at thinqsummit.com.Get The Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have: https://www.amazon.com/Journal-Us-Conversations-Every-Couple/dp/0310365503/Reserve your spot now for Rhythms Retreat November 21-22 in Franklin, TN: https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreat/Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at https://www.thinqmedia.com/Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom:THINQ Summit Oct 2-4 in Nashville, TNMore from the THINQ Podcast Network:UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons: https://www.youtube.com/@gabe_lyonsThe InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/@InFormedParentNextUp with Grant Skeldon: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantSkeldonNeuroFaith with Curt Thompson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neurofaith-with-curt-thompson-md/id1613240148

Gabe and Rebekah Lyons kick off Season 12 with a brand-new theme: The Rhythm of Us. After a season focused on their book The Fight for Us, they now tee up the top conversations that couples need to have to build a healthy communication rhythm in their marriages. Fresh off family milestones—including celebrating their son’s engagement—Gabe and Rebekah reflect on how every season of life requires new rhythms, and why conversations are the heartbeat of staying connected. They share the five practical skills to guide those conversations well: active listening, mirroring, empathy, disarming defensiveness, and telling the truth in love.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why rhythms—not just good intentions—shape the health of your marriage.How to practice active listening, empathy, and mirroring for deeper connection.Ways to disarm tension and tell the truth without tearing down.The conversations every couple needs to have in order to grow through change.How simple practices can reset and re-center your relationship.This season also introduces two new resources to help you live these rhythms beyond the podcast:The Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have – releasing September 23, 2025 – a practical companion for reflection and intentional conversations.The Fight For Us Curriculum – releasing October 7, 2025 – a perfect guide for small groups or couples wanting to build stronger foundations together. Join Gabe and Rebekah as they set the stage for a season filled with honest and practical conversations with special guests like Josh & Christi Straub, Winston & Rachel Cruze, Jon Tyson, Ann Voskamp, Mark Batterson and many others. Tune in and get equipped to strengthen your marriage, family and friendships!ResourcesThe Journal For Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to HaveReserve your spot now for Rhythms Retreat November 21-22 in Franklin, TN. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom:THINQ Summit Oct 2-4 in Nashville, TNMore from the THINQ Podcast Network:THINQ Media Podcast with Gabe LyonsThe InFormed Parent with Suzanne PhillipsNextUp with Grant SkeldonNeuroFaith with Curt ThompsonUnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

Is marriage still relevant in today's culture? In this illuminating conversation, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome sociologist Dr. Brad Wilcox, author of "Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization." Dr. Wilcox presents compelling research that challenges the prevailing cultural narrative that marriage hinders personal fulfillment and success.Drawing from his research as director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, Dr. Wilcox shares how marriage significantly impacts not just individual happiness but society as a whole. He explains how the shift toward "expressive individualism" since the 1970s has undermined marriage, and dispels common myths about marriage including the "flying solo myth," the "family diversity myth," and the "soulmate myth." The data is clear: contrary to popular belief, married people report greater happiness, experience better financial outcomes, and contribute to stronger communities.Rebekah and Dr. Wilcox also discuss the challenges women face in "having it all" and the importance of recognizing different seasons of life. For young adults contemplating marriage, Dr. Wilcox offers practical advice about finding someone with shared values, faith, and dreams—emphasizing that couples who build a foundation of friendship before marriage tend to experience more stable and fulfilling relationships. Whether you're married, single, or parenting young adults, this episode offers valuable insights about why the institution of marriage remains crucial for personal happiness and societal flourishing.Order The Fight for Us:https://a.co/d/aJehu4fJoin the Marriage May Challenge:https://www.rebekahlyons.com/marriagemayRegister for the Marriage & Parenting Retreat:November 20-21, 2025 at: https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreatParticipate in the THINQ resource, Let's Talk Relationships: https://events.thinqmedia.com/relationships

Are you intentionally building your marriage, or just letting it happen? In this insightful episode, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons share the practical rhythms and intentional habits that have helped them cultivate a thriving 28-year marriage. As they near the conclusion of their seven-week series on "The Fight for Us," they reflect on the importance of proactively creating structure rather than simply letting marriage unfold on its own.Drawing from their own experience of marriage transformation after an intensive retreat in year 19, Rebekah and Gabe emphasize how establishing regular rhythms—daily, weekly, and annual—creates the foundation for a lasting relationship. From sharing calendars and locations to scheduling 15-minute daily connection times and regular date nights, these practical disciplines help couples stay intentionally connected through every season of life. The Lyons also announce their upcoming marriage journal project, "The Journal for Us: 10 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have," designed to guide couples through essential discussions about money, sex, career, calling, and more.Throughout the episode, Rebekah and Gabe offer encouragement to listeners at every stage of marriage—whether newly wed or decades in—reminding them that the fight for a thriving marriage is worth it not only for themselves but for their children, grandchildren, and legacy. With vulnerability and wisdom, they emphasize that these practices didn't come naturally in their early years of marriage but have become the essential scaffolding that allows their relationship to continue growing and flourishing.Order The Fight for Us:https://a.co/d/aJehu4fJoin the Marriage May Challenge:https://www.rebekahlyons.com/marriagemayRegister for the Marriage & Parenting Retreat:November 20-21, 2025 at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreatParticipate in the THINQ resource, Let's Talk Relationships: https://events.thinqmedia.com/relationships

Is your marriage missing the crucial element of community? In this heartfelt conversation, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome Jeff and Alyssa Bethke to discuss how inviting others into your relationship can transform your marriage from isolated to thriving. The Bethkes, who recently moved from Hawaii to Franklin, Tennessee, share their journey of building community in each new season of life and the vulnerability required to make those connections meaningful.Jeff reveals three research-backed elements that create strong relational bonds: proximity, unplanned interactions, and vulnerability. Throughout the conversation, both couples share powerful personal stories of how having trusted friends to process challenges with has been pivotal in their marriages. They discuss the courage it takes to initiate relationships, the healing that happens when others help you gain perspective on your conflicts, and practical ways to build community even when you feel isolated.Whether you're in a thriving marriage looking to pour into others, feeling stuck in marital drift, or desperately needing support through a difficult season, this episode offers hope and practical guidance for fighting for your marriage by building relationships that can help carry you through the challenges all couples face.Order The Fight for Us:https://a.co/d/aJehu4fListen to Pierce’s Song “It is Well (In the Wilderness)”: https://open.spotify.com/track/4KbSkLkzQ8lbhgu1jn6ptL?si=KBschBMrQ4amNMYmkPgmpwFollow Pierce on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ibYqSMIViWj9BJUHznMMR?si=HfJ7C4pZQdqe3GpSDnTStwJoin the Marriage May Challenge:https://www.rebekahlyons.com/marriagemayRegister for the Marriage & Parenting Retreat: November 20-21, 2025 athttps://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreatParticipate in the THINQ resource, Let's Talk Relationships: https://events.thinqmedia.com/relationships

Are you trying to navigate marriage challenges without support? In this insightful episode, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons delve into why community is crucial for a thriving marriage. Celebrating both Rebekah's birthday and their son's college graduation, the couple reflects on the importance of having other trusted couples around you who can speak truth, offer perspective, and create a safe space for vulnerability.Rebekah and Gabe share from their own experiences how moving to Nashville, after living in Manhattan, was partially motivated by their desire for a deeper community. They describe how the couples they've surrounded themselves with over the past decade have been crucial during challenging seasons, offering guidance when they couldn't see clearly. The conversation offers practical advice on building community, including establishing regular check-ins with other couples, leading with vulnerability, and being intentional about who you spend time with.The episode also touches on Mental Health Awareness Month, with Rebekah reflecting on her pioneering work in bringing mental health conversations into Christian spaces. They address how mental health challenges in marriage should be approached with the same commitment as physical illness—"in sickness and in health"—and why turning toward rather than away from one another during difficult seasons is essential for healing. Whether you're feeling isolated in your marriage struggles or looking to strengthen your community connections, this episode offers hope and practical guidance for fighting for your marriage with the support of others.Order The Fight for Us:https://a.co/d/aJehu4fJoin the Marriage May Challenge:https://www.rebekahlyons.com/marriagemayRegister for the Marriage & Parenting Retreat: November 20-21, 2025 at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreatParticipate in the THINQ resource, Let's Talk Relationships: https://events.thinqmedia.com/relationships

Do you ever feel the weight of an invisible to-do list burdening your relationship? In this illuminating episode, Rebekah and Gabe Lyons welcome Dr. Morgan Cutlip, psychologist and author of "A Better How: Couples Can Tackle the Mental Load for More Fun, Less Resentment, and Great Sex." Dr. Cutlip breaks down how the mental load—that seemingly endless list of tasks, responsibilities, and emotional calculations we carry—affects intimacy and connection in marriage.Dr. Cutlip explains the three domains of tasks that make up the mental load (physical, mental, and emotional labor) and why women typically carry a disproportionate share in home and family life. She offers practical insights on how couples can better understand each other's needs when it comes to sex and connection, including the differences between spontaneous and responsive desire. The conversation reveals how scheduling intimacy, creating margin for emotional connection, and practicing appreciation can transform a relationship from resentment to joy.Whether you're struggling with a relational rut or simply want to deepen your connection, this episode provides actionable steps for fighting for your marriage by tackling the mental load together. As Rebekah and Gabe honestly share from their own journey, you'll be encouraged that healing and growth are possible when we understand each other more deeply.Order The Fight for Us:https://a.co/d/aJehu4fJoin the Marriage May Challenge:https://www.rebekahlyons.com/marriagemayRegister for the Marriage & Parenting Retreat:November 20-21, 2025 at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreatParticipate in the THINQ resource, Let's Talk Relationships: https://events.thinqmedia.com/relationships