Expedition Marriage with Chris + Jamie Bailey

06/08/2026

🛑 making your spouse wait!

Saying “I love you and hope you have a good day!”, is such an easy way to encourage your spouse.

And sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference!

Take the 3 seconds it takes and do it today!

06/05/2026

If this ain’t the truth!!

The only question is, does this still count as a date night? 🤣

But for real, can you stay awake during late movies?

06/03/2026

Stop 🛑 talking to everyone but your husband!

If you have a problem, don’t be silent and don’t go to anyone, besides Jesus, before you go to your husband.

If you are really struggling with how to talk to him, go ahead and go to a trusted friend or mentor, but ultimately, you need to work it out with him.

And if that idea scares you or makes you feel like it won’t matter, well then, it’s time to get some help.

So how about you… is your man stuck with you?!

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

The answer is YES, wives!

If you’ve got a great husband who loves you and provides for you and your family, then you should also have great intimacy!

A good s3x life is an important part of a healthy marriage.

It’s okay if you hit a season where it’s a struggle, but you don’t want to stay there too long.

Babies, pregnancy, vaginismus, perimenopause, menopause, mental health, medication side effects, and the list can go on, can ALL be issues. And if you need help or encouragement with one of these areas, let us know. I bet we’ve got some resources for you!

God’s design for s3x is for it to be pleasurable and connecting for BOTH of you. It’s not meant to be something you just put out for your husband.

Even if you’re struggling in that area right now, go ahead and send the text letting him know he’s appreciated.

05/26/2026

I thought the problem was that my husband didn't care.

He was always a fun, energetic guy, but during conflict or anything serious, he got quiet.

He seemed checked out. And the more I pushed, the further away he moved.

What I didn't understand at the time was that his silence wasn't indifference. It was struggle. And my pushing wasn't helping him engage. It was making it worse.

So I had to do some things differently:

⚪️I gave him space instead of crowding him.
⚪️I stopped pushing harder when he went quiet.
⚪️I stopped assuming he didn't care and started seeing that this was actually hard for him.
⚪️And I began inviting him in instead of demanding he show up. I'd ask his thoughts, his opinions, his desires.

And little by little he started to show up more.

None of this was automatic. And I'm not saying it's all on the wife to fix. But I can only speak to what I had the power to change.

But trust me, he did the work too! I just made it easier by supporting him instead of demanding from him.

If your husband seems passive or disengaged, it might not mean he doesn't care.

If you think your husband is passive, comment PASSIVE below and we’ll send you an episode that will help!

05/22/2026

If you buy the Bible, read it and apply it, it will work for your marriage.

This doesn’t mean your marriage will be perfect and without problems.

But, if two of you are in pursuit of Jesus and follow His ways in how you live and how you treat one another, you’re marriage will be one that is for God’s glory and your good.

The fine print warning: Additional side effects may include a change in your heart, more patience, more self control, less selfishness, and unshakable joy and a fuller understanding of who God is, just to name a few.

And, for what it’s worth, it gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from us!

05/20/2026

There is so much safety in a marriage where you know that you won’t ever give up on each other.

This is where having a marriage that has had conflict, hard times and struggles can actually be beneficial.

Because it’s a marriage that’s been tested and is still standing.

It’s a marriage that has proven that together you can do hard things.

Be willing to link arms and fight for your marriage together! And if you’re really stuck, send us a DM or an email, we’re happy to help!

10/02/2025

When chronic illness enters a marriage, it doesn’t just affect one person—it touches everything. Routines shift, intimacy changes, energy drops, and even the way you see each other can be altered. In this honest and hope-filled episode, we talk about the silent grief couples carry, the changes they face, and how to begin healing and reconnecting in a new, grace-filled way. We even share our own personal story.



Whether you’re the one facing health challenges or the one walking alongside, there is hope for restoration—not necessarily of the “before” life, but of connection, intimacy, and partnership in the “now.”



What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The unspoken losses chronic illness brings into marriage—and why it’s okay to grieve them
How to rebuild connection and intimacy in new and meaningful ways
Practical steps for healing together and making space for honest conversations
Encouragement and Scripture to remind you that you’re not alone in this journey


Key Takeaways & Scriptures:
💬 “When chronic illness enters a marriage, it doesn’t just affect one person—it touches everything. But it doesn’t have to define everything.”
📖 Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
📖 1 Corinthians 13:7 – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
📖 Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 – “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”



Links & Resources:

Download the Couples Conversation Worksheet (https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-155-healing-your-marriage-after-chronic-illness)– Use this free guide to start meaningful conversations about healing and connection in your marriage after chronic illness.


Check out Jackie Hill Perry’s teaching on In Defence of Hope. We know it will be an ecnouragement for you. https://youtu.be/pdXu23RLCE8?si=ymhPjOd2V8XKr107


Need more support? Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for coaching, resources, and tools.


Share this episode with a friend or couple who’s navigating chronic illness—they need encouragement too!


Let’s Connect:
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it. Together, we can spread hope and equip more marriages to thrive—no matter the season they’re in. https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-155-healing-your-marriage-after-chronic-illness

09/25/2025

Does your relationship ever feel like it swings from intense connection to deep frustration—and then back again? If so, you may be married to a Vacillator. In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it’s like to live and love with this emotional love style, and how you can find more stability and connection together.

💬 “Being married to a Vacillator can feel like navigating emotional whiplash—passionate connection one moment, frustration and distance the next.”

This episode is all about understanding the why behind the ups and downs—and learning how to build trust and steadiness in a sensitive, emotionally-charged marriage.

🧭 What You’ll Learn:
* What defines the Vacillator Love Style and where it originates
* Why Vacillators often feel disappointed or emotionally overwhelmed
* The impact this love style has on a marriage
* What a Vacillator truly needs from their spouse
* How Vacillators themselves can grow emotionally and spiritually

💡 Key Traits of a Vacillator:
* Craves deep connection, but fears rejection
* Easily feels hurt or let down by perceived distance
* Struggles with waiting, emotional regulation, and trust
* Idealizes, then devalues their spouse when expectations aren’t met

📖 Scriptures Mentioned:
* Isaiah 30:18 – “The Lord longs to be gracious to you…”
* 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 – “Love is patient, love is kind… it is not easily angered…”
* Psalm 62:5–6 – “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence… He only is my rock…”

❤️ 3 Practical Things Vacillators Need:
1. Consistent and Predictable Connection�→ Small follow-throughs build trust and soothe abandonment fears.
2. Attuned Listening Without Defensiveness�→ Validation and reflection are more healing than explanation.
3. Grace When They Emotionally Escalate�→ Compassion in their emotional moments creates safety, not shame.

💬 “Vacillators heal when love stops being unpredictable and starts becoming trustworthy.” https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-154-when-love-feels-like-a-roller-coaster-understanding-the-vacillator-in-marriage/