Ep. 227 - Dealing With Changing Roles As Husband and Wife and Business Partners with Phil and Shae Bynes

When roles shift at home and at work, even strong couples can feel the strain. In this episode, returning guests Shay and Phil Bynes (Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur) pull back the curtain on their four-year journey of transitioning Shay out of the CEO seat and Phil in—while raising three kids and continuing to lead a global movement. They share what changed, what didn’t, and how they protected connection through it all.

You’ll hear how they navigated identity, authority, and expectations as spouses and co-leaders—without letting business tension become marital tension. From hearing God’s nudge to act, to wrestling with control, to defining new decision rights, Phil and Shay explain the practical guardrails (and plenty of grace) that made the handoff work.

We also get tactical about staying close during busy seasons: weekly “marriage board meetings,” spontaneous micro-check-ins, and simple, intentional fun that doesn’t require a plane ticket. If you’re a married entrepreneur aiming to grow your business without shrinking your marriage, this conversation is a masterclass in change done together.

12 Powerful Questions to Connect You with God's Heart & Mind in Business:

https://kingdomdrivenentrepreneur.com/usccc

Free Chapter of Shae's Book, Grace Under Pressure: A Story About Leadership and the Hidden Cost of Ambition

https://shaebynes.com/gupbook

Grace over Grind https://kingdomdrivenentrepreneur.com/our-books/

Key Takeaways:

• Transitions need clarity: Decide who owns which decisions now (vision, people, money, operations) and write it down.

• Step back—then calibrate: Founders often swing too far away after a handoff; expect to iterate until the advisor/CEO rhythm fits.

• Protect a weekly marriage meeting: Same time, same day, non-negotiable. Use ground rules so issues get resolved before they fester.

• Honor design differences: Lead styles will differ by God’s design; resist the urge to “correct” your spouse into your style.

• Let things “sputter” (strategically): Maturity sometimes requires leaders to stop rescuing, so teams learn to think and own outcomes.

• Friendship fuels connection: Micro-moments (10-minute check-ins, pausing a show to talk) keep intimacy alive during busy stretches.

• Serve first leadership: Out-serving one another at home creates safety and teamwork that shows up in the business.

• Plan fun on purpose: Comedy nights, simple dates, and kid-care logistics belong on the calendar like any key meeting.

Phil Bynes is CEO of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, a global movement equipping entrepreneurs to partner with God in business and create greater Kingdom impact in the marketplace. He is also the owner and lead therapist at Crazy Good Massage, where he has served clients with excellence for over 20 years.

Shae Bynes, affectionately known as the Chief Fire Igniter, equips leaders to build grace-empowered cultures where people and results flourish. She has impacted over one million people worldwide through her books, courses, podcasts, and speaking. In her executive advising work, she brings a unique blend of strategic clarity, spiritual intelligence, and transformational insight.

High school sweethearts since age 16, Phil and Shae have been married for 26 years and are the proud parents of three daughters.

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https://marriedentrepreneur.co/5-daily-habits-download 

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk