Worth Repeating: How To NOT Fight With Your Spouse About Money with Julie Baumgardner
Release Date: 12/16/2025
Awesome Marriage Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Kim talks with author and pastor Heath Hardesty about his new book, All Things Together. Heath shares how his time apprenticing under his earthly father became a living picture of what it means to be an apprentice of our Heavenly Father. They discuss what it looks like to live as image bearers in a fragmented world, why discipleship is more than “extra credit,” and how God redeems, not erases, our humanity. Together, they unpack how to see with wonder again, order our imagination around Christ, and live a whole, beautiful life that reflects Him. Episode...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
We’ve all heard the proverb that pride comes before the fall—but is there a place for pride in our relationships at all? Today, Dr. Kim takes an honest look at pride in marriage: its roots, its power, and its ability to divide even the strongest relationships. You’ll be encouraged to recognize where pride may be creeping in, what it’s actually revealing about your own heart, and practical ways to get it under control. Dr. Kim also addresses how to love and set healthy boundaries with a spouse who is struggling with pride—without enabling, escalating conflict, or losing yourself in...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
Marriage has a way of bringing our imperfections to the surface—and if we’re honest, that can feel frustrating, discouraging, and even isolating at times. But what if those struggles aren’t something to hide…what if they’re actually where God’s grace shows up most? In this episode, we’re talking about how the imperfect stories we see throughout Scripture mirror our own and remind us that we’re not alone in the mess. We’ll unpack what it really looks like to build intimacy through vulnerability, why accepting each other’s brokenness matters more than having it all together,...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
Most couples are unintentionally at risk of making one decision that can change their marriage forever. Jim Ramos shares the powerful guardrails that protect and strengthen your marriage, drawing from personal stories, biblical wisdom, and decades of ministry experience. His insight will challenge everything you thought you knew about love, trust, and biblical fidelity—showing you how to avoid costly mistakes and build an unbreakable, joy-filled partnership. You’ll discover: Why most problems in marriage boil down to one choice and how guardrails can save you The crucial boundaries...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
We’ve explored the spectrum of narcissism, now it’s time to dive into what you can do when those patterns show up in your marriage. Dr. Kim shares how to discern when to speak up and when to self-reflect, how to cultivate an atmosphere for healthy conversation, and why boundaries are essential for meaningful connection. Episode Takeaways: Forgiveness is not pretending something didn’t happen. Trust has to be built consistently over time. Being a good christian spouse does not mean absorbing pain. When you see the same behaviors repeatedly, it’s time to do...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
Are you caught in a maze and don’t even know it? Today, Dr. Kim is joined by Ryan Wekenman to talk about the maze of self-centeredness we all have to navigate. When we begin living for applause, appreciation, or validation, we can easily drift out of sync with the Lord and into a life focused on serving ourselves—the exact opposite of what God calls us to. In this powerful conversation, Ryan and Dr. Kim challenge us to recognize the pull toward self-focus and invite us to shift our attention back where it belongs: fully on Jesus. We pray this episode encourages you to take the focus off...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
Today, Dr. Kim is joined by his bride, Mrs. Nancy, to talk about the freedom that comes from allowing yourself, your spouse, and your marriage to have a bad day without making it something bigger than it is. They share how they navigate the hard days, avoid the spiral of negative thoughts, and bounce back with grace and compassion toward one another. Your marriage is a gift—be encouraged to let bad days simply be days without letting them erode your view of your marriage. Episode Highlights: Everyone has bad days. Early warning signs that you're starting to spiral. The danger of...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
What if your marriage isn’t falling apart, but just missing a key insight? In this powerful conversation, we explore “Light Bulb Moments”- the sudden realizations that can transform a relationship almost instantly. Emerson Eggerichs, author of Light Bulb Moments in Marriage and the bestselling Love and Respect, shares how couples who feel miles apart are often just inches away from breakthrough. You’ll learn how understanding gender differences, taking responsibility for your responses, and applying a faith-centered perspective can lead to deeper connection and lasting change. ...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
We are quick to label selfish or defensive behavior as “narcissism,” but what if the issue runs deeper than personality? In this episode, we explore how disordered desires, our need for control, comfort, or validation, shape the way we relate to others and quietly erode connection. This conversation unpacks the difference between healthy self-awareness and self-absorption, why freedom begins when we stop defending ourselves, and how real change doesn’t come from trying harder—but from surrendering deeper. You’ll be challenged to look beneath behavior and consider what your heart is...
info_outlineAwesome Marriage Podcast
Blended families are beautiful—but they’re also complex. When two lives, two histories, and often two sets of kids come together, figuring out what “family” looks like can feel overwhelming. From divided loyalties and differing parenting styles to navigating ex-spouses, finances, and faith, blended families face unique challenges that many couples aren’t prepared for. In this episode, we’re joined by Ron Deal, director of FamilyLife Blended and author of The Smart Stepfamily. Ron shares practical wisdom, biblical insight, and deep encouragement for couples navigating stepfamily...
info_outlineThe Awesome Marriage Podcast is on winter break, and over the next four weeks we’ll be sharing some of our favorite past episodes with you.
First up: Finances! No one loves talking finances, but we do think you’ll love today’s conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses’ separate financial backgrounds and “money stories” can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value.
Listen to this episode if you’re ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season - without fighting about them!
Episode highlights include:
-
Questions to start a productive conversation about finances with your spouse
-
How to uncover the hidden money lessons you learned growing up, then to get on the same page with your spouse.
-
What recent research says about the connection of money and marital happiness
-
How to learn more about your spouse’s perspective about money
-
Ways to work together toward shared values around money in your marriage
QUOTES:
-
“You have different perspectives about money. You don’t necessarily talk about what it means to you, how you think about it, therefore you argue about it.” - Julie Baumgardner
-
“You can have conversations about money without having to be methodical about every single penny.” - Julie Baumgardner
-
“If you can’t figure out how to live within your means with a little, it will be very complicated to figure out how to live within your means with a lot.” - Julie Baumgardner
-
“It isn’t ‘You’re right, I’m wrong,’ you’re being curious. And in being curious, you’re learning.” - Julie Baumgardner
-
“If you can tell that money is creating stress, what is it about money that’s stressful?” - Julie Baumgardner
-
“Keep your eyes wide open for where God is calling you to join Him in his work. Be aware, and where you see a need, be a Kingdom builder. ” - Julie Baumgardner
QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
-
What matters most to the two of you when it comes to money? It’s never too late to define your core values around money in your marriage.
-
What is it about money that’s stressful? If it’s “what ifs," then name the what-ifs and talk through them.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
-
We found Julie’s article on this topic SO helpful: Do finances in childhood impact your marriage? Research says yes
-
Winshape Marriage online and on Instagram
-
Find the Money Habitudes game online
- 6 your best married year yet with 12 Marriage Resolutions for the New Year! Click though for all the details of this uplifting resource
-
You can be part of the Awesome Marriage mission by helping to get marriage content to the hurting marriages across the globe. Join our mission today!