As newlywed couples, you may be wondering “what’s next”. After the excitement of your engagement, wedding, and honeymoon, it’s important to keep that excitement going! Over the years we have heard from so many newlywed couples who are ready to connect sexually and yet they’re not sure what to do. Make sure to grab 19…

“You either want it or you don’t. If you want it you have to work hard for it.”—Anonymous It’s amazing that the idea of working on your marriage has such a negative connotation these days. As a married couple, you need to realize all relationships, those with parents, in-laws, children, friendships, etc., are a “work…

“Create an atmosphere in which anything is possible.”—Raymond Kelly Think back to the last time the two of you had sex… What was the mood like? Romantic? Whimsical? Lighthearted? The truth is what things looked like the day you first had sex might be different than what things look like now when you have sex. 

“There are things we don’t know we don’t know. “—Donald Rumsfeld An orgasm is an amazing experience.   For a man, the stereotype of having one is it’s “one and done.” Meaning one orgasm and then there is a waiting period until he can orgasm again. Yet, there are instances of men having multiple orgasms…

“Intentional living means making your choices based on your greatest values, not the habits of others.” —Anonymous The need to be intentional in what you say and do has never been more important. It could be because we’re all mainly at home right now. Or maybe it’s because we’re having fewer recreational opportunities and simply…

“The most important thing is to never stop asking.” —Anonymous It seems so simple. If you want something, you ask for it.  When it comes to your marriage, it is actually not always that simple. 

“Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.” —Anonymous Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t know if I like you right now,” when you are talking to your spouse? Depending on what your spouse is doing, AND what you are going through, liking can…

“If you think well of others, you will also speak well of others AND to others. From the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks. If your heart is full of love you will speak of love.” —Mother Theresa The way you honor your spouse doesn’t just impact your spouse. It impacts you, those around…

“That moment when you kiss someone and everything around becomes hazy…” —Never Been Kissed You’ve been exploring what kissing looks like in your marriage. You may have learned more about your own kissing behavior and the things that keep you and your spouse from kissing. You may have also explored what it would take for…

“Just because you are struggling doesn’t mean that you are failing.” —Anonymous This has been a season unlike any other season we’ve known. We’ve had challenges created by COVID-19; from stay-at-home orders to the uncertainty as to what education will look like for your kids… whatever is on your plate, it’s all taking a toll…

“That’s why no kissing. It’s too intimate.” —Pretty Woman Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what keeps you from kissing your spouse?   Since kissing your spouse does not automatically mean you’ll be ripping your clothes off and jumping into bed together, why don’t you do it more? Why are you not maximizing your…

“For true success ask yourself these questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?” —James Allen That’s not me. It’s a pretty powerful statement when you stop to think about it. 

“I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.” —Bull Durham A psychologist at Butler University found that most folks can recall up to 90% of the details of a first romantic kiss. In fact, most people remembered this experience more vividly than their first sexual encounter. That’s because there is…

“At times both words and actions are irritating.” —Anonymous Raise your hand if you have ever gotten irritated at something your spouse has done or said. Did you also make a comment, either to yourself or possibly out loud to them, regarding it? Being married is challenging. You more than likely have had times when…

“Hershey’s makes a million kisses a day. I’m just asking for one.” —Anonymous Lips on lips.  That intimate moment means so much, and yet, this intimate moment can change over the years. 

“Seeing things from a different point of view can help us understand why people act the way they do. We too often judge people without having all the facts.” —Sean Covey Not everyone has the same views about sex. Although you want it a handful of times each week your spouse may want it a…

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” —Albert Einstein Let’s talk about your dating game as a married couple. Your “recreational intimacy” is the way the two of you spend your time together. Maybe this is an area of your marriage where you can really see an…

“Track your small wins to motivate big accomplishments.” —Teresa Amabile To celebrate something means you honor and recognize achievements or “wins” you have experienced in your life.  In marriage, it’s important to celebrate the wins you experience together. Sadly, we live in a world where there is so much negativity that we need to be…

“The only time that you are growing is when you are uncomfortable.” —T. Harv Eker Were you raised in a home where religion, finances, politics, or sex was not discussed? For many, the big 4 didn’t get discussed as openly as needed to be able to share with your spouse. Due to this, you may…

“Instead of being a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.” —Stephen Covey Dealing with premature ejaculation is not a new thing for many men. However, discussing how it makes a man feel, is important. Before getting further into the conversation, let’s start by defining what premature ejaculation is.

“Sex is perfectly natural? It’s something that is pleasurable. It’s something that is enjoyable and it enhances a relationship.” —Sue Johanson At times it’s easy to fall into a rut. Falling into a rut happens for a lot of reasons. Mainly because it’s comfortable there; it’s easier to go with the flow, or maybe you…

“Some pain you can distance yourself from but a headache sits right where you live.” —Mark Lawrence Headaches can happen right before orgasm and last until after sex. Sometimes it’s a quick headache and other times it can last for a while. If you’ve tried to do an online search on the topic, you’ve more…

“Sometimes it’s not about the money but rather the process of managing the money.” —Anonymous As you move through the seasons of marriage, it’s easy to fall into a comfort zone. It’s easy for the different intimacies to become a routine, and for you to become complacent. One of those intimacies, prone to falling into…

“God is not color blind or culture blind.” —John Gray * This is a topic that we have never discussed on the show, and we want to say from the beginning that we might not get it right but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to tackle it. Color and race are being seen and…

“Get a feedback loop and listen to it. When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it.” —Randy Pausch A comfort zone is a behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes your stress and risk. It’s something that provides you a state of mental security.  As much…

“It’s amazing how one little conversation can change things forever.” —Anonymous Sexual intimacy can be a tough conversation for couples to have at times. Many will agree that the topic of oral sex is even more difficult to talk about. Oral sex has a different level of intentionality to it because it’s a conversation that…

“I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart we will always find our way back to one another.” —The Vow Romance is one of those words that is often just thrown around with little understanding of what it means for each person in the relationship. So often you hear,…

“Tears are words the heart cannot express.” —Anonymous Crying during sex, or “post-coital dysphoria,” happens to many women (42% of women in the ONE family have had this happen). There can be several reasons why a woman might cry during sex or after orgasm: From the intensity of her orgasm to reliving past sexual trauma. …

“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.” —Notting Hill Romance has a lot of different definitions. It’s also a word often shaped by the images you see either on the big screen or the little screens you hold all day long. As we go deeper in this…

“When a woman tells you she started her period the correct response is NEVER “well that explains it”.” —Anonymous A women’s cycle is often an overlooked topic in marriage.  Beyond how long it lasts, there’s a lot more to it. Including the impact of her cycle on your marriage. 

“So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.” —The Notebook Romance. Although it can be tricky for some to define, it’s important…

“Your blessings may come in unexpected ways.” —Neil Andersen In marriage, there are times when life happens. It also happens in ways you may have never imagined.  You may find yourself having conversations or asking or doing things you’d never imagined you would be doing for your spouse.

“Stay on top of your finances. Don’t leave that to others.” —Leif Garrett We’ve reached May 2020 and are collectively navigating the pandemic together. There’s so much to “unpack” when it comes to being thrown into a situation where you cannot really leave your house. Although we are all navigating at the same time, how…

“What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful.” —Brene Brown Do you watch your spouse get undressed? Do they enjoy this? The answer to this question might surprise you.

“We cannot accomplish all that we need to without working together.” —Bill Richardson You’ve been navigating your best through what is becoming your “new normal.”  Dealing with this pandemic as either an introvert or an extrovert more than likely has had its challenges. 

“Sleeping naked is good, to sleep naked with you is the best.” —Anonymous Have you ever slept naked? Yep, we are talking no clothes. If you have never explored this as an option, or if you’ve done it in the past and have forgotten how much you loved it, you may want to consider it…

“The best part of being with a group is that you don’t have to do everything alone. You are with your friends.” —Justin Timberlake Extroverts are amazing people.  Now if you are introverted, don’t stop listening. As we all navigate our new normal,  you might just be married to an extrovert and need a little…

“It’s the little details that are vital. The little things make the big things happen.” —John Wooden Sometimes we forget that the little things are what count the most in marriage. So much is made of the big things we do for each other: The trips, gifts, and grand gestures that surprise us.  It’s easy…

“Solitude matters and for some people it is the air they breathe.” —Susan Cain As we continue navigating this new normal of life in a pandemic, one of the areas you need to explore is how the introverts and extroverts in your family are handling this time. Each side of this personality dynamic handles things…

“When you are really in need you think of creative solutions to your problems.” —Anonymous Like many, you may be faced with a similar, but also extended, set of obstacles during the coronavirus pandemic. Similar to summer break or Christmas break, you may now realize that as everyone is always around, there is a whole…

“As you move outside of your comfort zone what was once unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” —Robin Sharma As of March 2020, most of the United States is under some sort of stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order. Across the globe, we have all found ourselves in the same situation.  The speed at which orders…

“To be creative you must create a space for yourself where you can be undisturbed… separate from everyday concerns.” —John Cleese Your bedroom should be your space. It should be a place for you to retreat to as a sanctuary from the stresses of the world. It’s also the space for you and your spouse…

“Plan your work and work your plan.” —Napoleon Hill When it comes to conflict in your marriage, you should consider creating your own conflict plan. Many couples live in a reactionary place when conflict happens. Think about what can happen if you sit down with your spouse and create a plan of how you are…

“Excuses will always be there for you, opportunity will not.” —Anonymous I’m too tired… I don’t feel like it… I’m not in the mood… I don’t get anything out of sex… I have to get some work done… Those are just a few of the excuses you and/or your spouse may have used when it…

“Strive for continuous improvement instead of perfection.” —Kim Collins When discussing conflict, it’s impossible to avoid taking a moment to discuss the person that stares back at you in the mirror: YOU. It’s easier to look at others in our lives and know what you want or need them to change. It’s not always the…

“Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.” —Maya Angelou There are many places in the world right now that are being impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). It’s creating a lot of change for everyone.  Businesses are shut down for the interim. Kids are all now home schooled. Supplies are low or…

“Sometimes I wish that you were able to read my mind so that I wouldn’t have to explain myself.” —Anonymous Conflict is a part of marriage. For some, it happens multiple times a week. For others, it’s over big issues. You may be fighting about money, kids, your in-laws, sex, and all the other things…

“The easiest thing to do is to react. The second easiest thing to do is to respond. The hardest thing to do is initiate.” —Anonymous Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what keeps you from initiating sex in your marriage? Depending on who you ask, there can be a lot of reasons why initiating…

“You get in the biggest fights with the people you care the most about because those are the relationships you are willing to fight for.” —Anonymous Conflict is a part of any marriage. You are two different people, with different histories, different opinions, different ways of doing things. How you react and engage with that…

There’s been a lot of media attention given to the coronavirus and a lot of people have been impacted by the concerns of spread of germs. First, take a deep breath.

“I truly don’t mind my husband playing video games. It’s when he makes them a priority over me that I have a problem.” —Anonymous These days, video games are everywhere. More people than ever are playing them. Recent research has shown that children as young as two are playing digital games.  Video games are not…

“Love is about growing as a couple, learning about each other, and sticking together.” —Anonymous Starting a sex challenge is not just about having sex. It’s about setting yourself and your marriage up for success so you experience a new connection both emotionally and physically.  For some, in the early years of marriage, sex can…

When it comes to your sex life, even the most deeply committed and head-over-heels-in-love couples can go through periods when intimacy happens less or not at all. Many times there is an obvious and logical reason it occurs. These can be for the birth of a baby, a financial setback or a hectic schedule that…

“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” —Thomas Jefferson The 2020 elections are beginning in the United States. Political ads, political rallies, caucuses, debates, primaries are in full swing until the election in November. Of course, as with any election, they are…

“I can give you a six word formula for success. Think things through – then follow through.” —Eddie Rickenbacker Committing to a sex challenge means committing to more than having sex. It means talking about what a sex challenge will look like for you as a couple.  Although there’s something amazing about just jumping into…

“Rebuilding trust when it has been broken is not dependent only on the person who has broken the trust.” —Doe Zantamanta Trust is a funny thing. We don’t realize how much we need it until we don’t have it. Once lost in your marriage, it can be especially painful. You may in fact, no longer…

It was the fall of 2008 and our marriage was at a crossroads. We’d been married for 11 years, had a 2 and a 5 year old and felt more like roommates than lovers. IF (and that’s a big if) we had sex it felt more like a quick transaction than anything romantic. When we…

“Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” —Joshua J. Marine With all the different challenges that life offers, have you ever considered a sex challenge? You may have thought about it and yet a common question is… Is it only about the sex?

“Vulnerability is the only bridge to build connections.” —Anonymous When it comes to a husband giving his wife an orgasm, there are a number of emotions attached to this act. Being able to experience this moment with his wife is very important to him. When it doesn’t happen, husbands tend not to feel very good…

“There’s nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” —Jane Austen When it comes to date nights, there are many options. From expensive and extravagant to budget-friendly, “date” is a state of mind.  That’s why you should also remember that you don’t even have to leave your home to have an amazing date. 

“Grooming is the secret of real elegance. The best clothes, the most wonderful jewels, the most glamorous beauty don’t count without good grooming.” —Christian Dior How do you feel about “hair down there?” This is one of those discussions that every couple should have.  Talking about not only what you like, but what your spouse…

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” —Chris Grosser When it comes to planning dates, there is no shortage of ideas for how to spend money and create fun as a couple.  However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun. You also don’t have to use not having funds as an…

“You are a thousand miles away and yet no one is closer to my heart than you are.” —Anonymous There will be times when, as a married couple you may have distance between you. Being the spouse of a serviceman or service woman is a reality for many people. It’s also a tricky season to…

“Life can change in an instant, don’t take anyone or anything for granted.” —Anonymous No marriage is perfect.  You have challenges just like everyone else. What we often forget is that life truly is short and we cannot take it for granted.

“Do something today that your marriage will thank you for.” —Anonymous Since when did date night mean dinner out without the kids and then home by 9 pm? Have you ever stopped to think that a date doesn’t have to ONLY be dinner? What if you had ideas on what your spouse might like to…

“Spontaneity is an infinite number of rehearsed possibilities.” —Peter Drucker Some say scheduling sex takes all of the spontaneity and creativity out of it. The idea of putting sexual intimacy on their calendar just like we schedule play dates and medical appointments is just plain crazy.  You may be telling yourself that scheduling sex ruins…

“Chase her. Chase her when she’s already yours. That’s the only way you’ll be assured to never lose her.” —Anonymous As a society, there is an understanding of what’s supposed to happen when you are in the dating phase of a relationship. Do you remember those days before you got married? There were dinners, drives…

“Our goal should be to understand our differences.” —James D. Watson Desire has been a word that’s created havoc in many marriages, more than likely since the beginning of time. Desire can be amazing or disappointing and stressful if it’s not fulfilled. That’s because in a marriage it’s often used in reference to sexual appetite,…

“I no longer believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I believe in daily resolutions.” —Anonymous Seeing a resolution to reality can be tricky. Depending on what you’ve chosen, there may be many challenges associated with a resolution. Part of the problem for many is that they make a resolution but don’t create a plan to see…

Did you know that every year over 50 million roses are given for Valentines Day? If you want your spouse’s gift to feel as unique as THEY are… you may want to consider something other than candy and flowers. Feeling stumped?

“Celebrations of your accomplishments raise your awareness of what you’ve done.” —Palma Poscillico Dear ONE Family, The ONE Extraordinary Marriage Show is 10 years old! You know how significant it is when your kid turns “double digits”? This feels just like that, now that this “baby” is in the double digits.

“Resolutions require only words. Results take action.” —Tony Robbins It’s that time of year. The world is focused on resolutions. Lots of people make resolutions but fail to recognize that results take action. Resolutions just don’t happen on their own.   This is where the challenge lies. For many people, there’s a disconnect between what you…

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” —Peter Drucker A new year (and new decade) is upon us. It is during this time that we are filled with a lot of expectations. Expectations about life, love and what our future looks like.  When it comes to your marriage, you may have…

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of 365 page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley We are all at the start of a brand new year.  It’s a blank slate. An empty book ready to be written. You may be thinking about what you want your year to look like. Maybe you are focused on…

“Leave the past behind it’s time to move on to bigger and better things.” —Anonymous Tomorrow starts a new year, and a new decade. There is so much focus on new beginnings and yet… You may have unfinished business. You may have hurts and disappointments lingering from this past year that you need to let…

“Sex is more than an act of pleasure, it’s the ability to be able to feel so close to a person, so connected, so comfortable that it’s almost breathtaking to the point that you feel that you can’t take it and at that moment you are a part of them.” —Thom York We’ve talked a…

“Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it… You feel it. You know it. You believe it.” —Anonymous It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year And with it comes Christmas Eve festivities.

“The best gift you could ever give someone is your time because you are giving them something you can never get back.” —Anonymous Time spent together looks different for every couple. What you consider time together might look very different from your other “couple” friends. What they love doing, you may not.   It doesn’t matter…

“I already have what I want for Christmas and it’s you.” —Anonymous Happy Holidays! During this time of year, you are rewarded with lot’s of good cheer as well as a host of distractions that can cause sex to take a back seat to all of the other must dos. You’ve got to shop, there…

The presents are all gift wrapped and under the Christmas tree. Many that have your name on them and you are so excited to see what your spouse got you. As Christmas gets closer you get more and more excited and I know that feeling because I get that way every year too. On one…

“It’s a shame when things that are on your mind or in your heart never reach your lips.” —Anonymous The power of dreaming is important not only to you but within your marriage.  As you move through the various seasons in your lives, there are many areas in which you need to dream again. For…

“You’ve upgraded your technology but you’ve not upgraded yourself.” —Eric Thomas It seems everyone these days is looking for an upgrade. From iPhones to cars, everyday we are presented with messages that tell us there is something better.  This is because we live in an upgrade society.

“Man alone has the power to transform his thoughts into a physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true.” —Napoleon Hill Dreams are so important, not just for you as an individual but also for your marriage. You should have dreams for your marriage and your life together.  Without dreams, your days…

“One cannot plan for the unexpected.” —Anonymous There will always be times in your marriage that you know are going to be a challenge. This is because sometimes, life simply gets in the way. We can’t plan for the unexpected, especially when it comes to injuries. When it happens, it quickly turns life upside down. Tough…

“All I want for Christmas is you.” —Mariah Carey It’s that special time of year when giving and receiving gifts brings joy. As the Christmas season approaches some of the best presents are the ones you give your spouse with nobody else around. This year you can pick the best gifts for your spouse and…

“When “I” is replaced with “WE” even Illness becomes Wellness.” —Anonymous As much as we try to control it, life is pretty unpredictable.  Illness happens. Accidents happen. Our bodies do not always work the way that we want them to. You can be the healthiest person in the world and then something happens that sends your…

“Happiness isn’t getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it.” —Anonymous There is tremendous power in voicing what you are thankful for in your marriage. It’s more than just saying words, it’s truly acknowledging someone with your whole heart.  During November, you are often reminded what…

“It would be irresponsible in this day and age not to talk to our kids about sex.” —Katrina Farmer There’s something that we, as the adults in the world need to work to change. We need to get comfortable about how to talk to our kids about sex. Kids see sex on TV or movies, internet…

“The minute you start keeping score you’re destroying the relationship.” —Tony Robbins Do you keep score in your marriage? Maybe something along the lines of “I do more than you” or “you never do this”? Like it or not, you’re keeping score. Maybe without even realizing it.  Is this normal behavior? Yes.

“You’re not learning anything unless you are having the difficult conversations.” —Gwyneth Paltrow Kids change everything in a marriage.  It doesn’t matter if you gave birth to your kids or adopted them sex after kids changes. It’s normal to feel that your sex life after kids was worse than before kids came along. 

“Life presents many choices, the choices we make determine our future.” —Catherine Pulsifer What happens when you’re done having kids and want to make sure that you never have another one? Well, you’re left with a decision.  Does he get a vasectomy or does she get a tubal ligation?

This year make time to open up something sexy that only you and your spouse will enjoy. 🙂 There are many gift idea guides that will help you have the perfect gift under the tree for your spouse. We know because we even have a number of those guides. You can check our other guides below.

“Not every part of your personal life needs to be public.” —Anonymous There are so many people in our lives that we could talk about our sex life with and yet each one seems to have its own set of rules and own potential pitfalls. The idea of talking (or not) about intimacy with your…

“Expectations can be premeditated resentments.” —Anonymous If you loved me you would… Have you ever found yourself saying or thinking that when it comes to your spouse? When you get married it’s easy to assume that your spouse has ESP and that they will be able to read your mind. 

You want to find a Christmas gift that says “you are special to me” can be hard to find at times. Sure there are the tried and true gifts and yet you want a unique Christmas gift that will bring a smile to your spouse’s face on Christmas morning. Heck, you want them to have…

“Sex is… perfectly natural. It’s something that’s pleasurable. It’s enjoyable and it enhances a relationship.” —Sue Johnson Learning to talk about sex as a newlyweds is a skill. It doesn’t matter what your sexual experience is or isn’t, this is one of the most important topics that the two of you will be talking about…

“Challenges (or a sex challenge) are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” —Joshua J. Marine There are a lot of questions around the idea of couples doing a sex challenge and this show is an opportunity for you to get your questions answered. Maybe this is something you are considering…

“To make progress you have to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.” —Anonymous When the topic of sex comes up, how you talk about it more than likely depends on whom you are talking too. You talk about sex differently with friends than you do with your spouse or your kids. And yet, all of…

“All great change in America (and the world) begins at the dinner table.” —Ronald Reagan There’s a funny meme floating around these days that says “The one thing no one told me about being an adult was that I would have to answer the question ‘What’s for Dinner’ for the rest of my life.” It’s…

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.” —Napoleon Hill What do you think of when you hear “acts of love”?  For some, it means sacrificing your comfort and loving in a way that your spouse needs even if it is different from your own. 

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have NO control over the outcome.” —Brene Brown Vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. Having the confidence to expose a part of…

“One difficult conversation is better than a bunch of conversations that avoid the truth.” —Anonymous As you continue to walk your faith, it’s important to begin talking about beliefs around your spiritual intimacy as a couple.  No matter what your faith journey is or has been from this point, there can be struggles around faith…

“Often when you are rejected you think that you are not good enough. The truth is that they weren’t ready for all you have to offer.” —Anonymous Rejection in marriage is one of those sticky areas that no one likes to talk about. The subject is uncomfortable but we need to change that because 77% of…

“Our faith becomes stronger as we express it.” —Billy Graham Although we often explore our own spiritual needs, we rarely stop to think about those same needs as it applies to being a couple.  When times get tough, your faith and your marriage will be the foundation that you need to get through it all. 

“We assume that others show love in the same way that we do and if they don’t we worry the love isn’t there.” —Anonymous Have you ever heard of the love languages?  You may have heard of the book written by Dr. Gary Chapman, The 5 Love Languages, but maybe you haven’t read it yet. According…

“Getting older is an adventure not a problem.” —Betty Friedan Many look at getting older as a problem. They do everything to avoid getting older. The truth is that getting older is an adventure, not a problem. Most see the golden years as a season full of endings, but in reality, every end also starts a…

“A change of scenery can help everything.” —Drew Pomeranz Although there are several rooms in your home, most people tend to use certain rooms for certain things. The idea of having sex someplace other than the bedroom might be out of the norm for you.  What would happen if you decided to change things up?

“Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about and the hardest thing in the world to do.” —Matt Walsh Today, many couples are marrying later, starting families later. People are also living longer, so there is a real scenario happening for people in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s.  Simultaneously caring for…

“When you’re in a marriage you should cuddle and kiss. Often. And a lot.” —Anonymous Cuddling in bed is essential for so many of you. Having that opportunity to cuddle for even just a few minutes before you go to sleep can be beneficial for you both.  But what happens when you’re feeling a little off…

“You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get old.” —George Burns We’re all getting older.  There is no way to stop the aging process. However you do have the choice, will you get older or will you get old? 

“Sex is an art form not a chore.” —Anonymous For just a minute, think back to those “we can’t keep our hands off of each other” early days of your marriage. The sex back then might have been filled with sexual desire, tons of energy, and a connection that made you want more and more. …

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” —Deepak Chopra When married, we all have “moving days” from moving into your first home, moving on to a new job or moving into a new season in your life with kids. Every couple has to face at least one type of moving day in their lives. For some…

“Identity cannot be found or fabricated but emerges from within when one has the courage to let go.” —Doug Cooper From time to time, you may experience periods of uncertainty and confusion that fuel your insecurities. As a result you question what exactly you’re doing and where you are in life. If you’re feeling like this…

“Work is a rubber ball, if you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls-family, health, friends, integrity-are made of glass. If you drop one of these it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” —Gary Keller [powerpress] There have been billions of articles written on work-life balance. It’s so elusive. It’s also…

“When eagles are silent, parrots begin to chatter.” —Winston Churchill When life gets busy, it’s easy to let the thoughts of the day or even your inner voice impact your ability to be truly intimate. That “chatter” in your head can be loud. This noise becomes a distraction to intimacy and prevents you from being fully…

“Marrying is easy it’s housework that’s hard.” —Anonymous As your marriage evolves and grows, you’ll feel not only shifts in intimacy but also shifts in the roles and responsibilities that you have in your marriage. When navigating how your marriage changes during these seasons, you’ll quickly realize that where you were five years ago is more…

“You learn something every day IF you pay attention.” —Ray LeBlond It’s that time of year again… back to school season.  It’s the time of year when kids across the country, say goodbye to endless hours of play and get back into a schedule.

“Our children are not going to be just “our children” – they are going to be other people’s husbands and wives and the parents of our grandchildren.” —Mary Calderon Having kids brings a whole new layer to your marriage.  You weren’t given an owners manual on how to raise your kids during these child rearing years.…

“Sometimes the most important conversations are the most difficult to engage in.” —Jeanne Phillips Masturbation can be a difficult topic in marriage and the idea of mutual masturbation even more challenging. The thought of this word alone can make you feel uncomfortable.  This word has a lot of power to influence people’s thoughts and attitudes.…

“A wedding is an event, a marriage is a lifetime. Invest more in your marriage than your wedding and success is inevitable.” —Anonymous Marriage has many seasons. As the years pass, your marriage will see ups and downs, wins, and challenges. That’s why equipping yourself on how to have an extraordinary marriage no matter how…

“Coming together is a beginning. Staying together is progress. Working together is success.” —Henry Ford When you got married, you had a vision of what your marriage would be like and how your marriage would change your life. As you brought your lives together the two of you were no longer playing on different teams but coming together…

“Love begins by taking care of the closest ones-the ones at home.” —Mother Theresa Estate planning is difficult to talk about. Even the thought makes us face the reality that all of us will die someday. Because we are not able to predict when our time here on Earth will end, everyone must take the time to…

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” —Mother Theresa Loneliness is sometimes a topic that is hard to bring up because it has more causes than solutions. In marriage it is a real thing, and it is more common than people think.  Loneliness is more than a feeling that lies on…

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” —Alan Lakein It’s no secret that nurturing your marriage is always a work in progress and that it takes time. Couples often forget that every couple has financial challenges no matter what their level of wealth may be.…

“Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.” —Anonymous When it comes to married couples communicating about their sex life it can be difficult to get started talking about it.  This is because conversations about sex are not normalized. So many of us feel uncomfortable or maybe even worried that our spouse might not understand…

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” —Estee Lauder How would your family benefit from an extra $200, $500 or even $2,000 a month? It does not matter if you are looking for a little extra cash, planning for a big vacation or wanting to see your bank balance be just a little…

“A hug is like a boomerang, you get it back right away.” —Bil Keane It’s time to celebrate!  As we celebrate the 500th episode of the ONE Extraordinary Marriage Show, we know that we’ve all grown as individuals, as couples and as a family. The journey has been incredible, transforming, and filled with so many…

“Just because you can afford the payments doesn’t mean that you can afford the item.” —Anonymous Debt is so prevalent in our society today. We’re encouraged from an early age that if you want it, you should have it, even if you can’t afford it. This has created issues with debt for far too many people. …

“True desire is expressed by action. Only action brings results.” —Anonymous Desire is a beautiful thing. It allows us to express ourselves, tell others what we need, and empowers us to make choices that feed our happiness. Desire is a form of invention in a relationship too. People and relationships can be re-invented by this…

“Almost everyone is uncomfortable talking about money.” —Olivia Mellan There are three things we have all heard you shouldn’t talk about: money, politics and religion. Most of our parents didn’t talk to us about money. And yet we’re supposed to grow up and know what we’re doing.  So what typically happens today is that people…

“Just Play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” —Michael Jordan Using toys in the bedroom for sexual pleasure as a couple has carried a bit of mystique and may have led to an awkward conversation or two between you and your spouse. Sadly, this taboo mindset that far too many people have has made couples who…

“Money is an opportunity to reach unity in marriage. When couples work together they can do anything.” —Anonymous When you come together in marriage, that doesn’t mean everything becomes unified except finances. Maybe you have bad credit history, debt or poor budgeting skills. Maybe you don’t know how much your spouse makes, or where your money…

“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” —Ernestine Ulmer In almost every romantic movie that we’ve seen, the date goes something like this: the man and woman get all dressed up for one another, they go out for a date to dinner and a show, maybe have a few drinks and head home to have hot,…

“Spend more time with people who make you forget to look at your phone.” —Jay Shetty Media is an array of platforms for messages to be distributed –  both good and bad (and sometimes odd). We need to be intentional about how we let media influence us and our marriages. There are dozens of forms…

“Are you lovers or just roommates?” —Anonymous A sexless, or low-sex marriage is defined as a marriage where sex occurs less frequently than 12 times per yer. We all know honeymoon sex patterns don’t typically last 30 years in, but “sexless” isn’t a label many people want on their marriage. Being in a sexless marriage…

“Your diet isn’t only what you eat. It is what you watch, what you listen to, what you read and the people you hang around. Be mindful of the things that you put into your body spiritually, physically and emotionally.” —Anonymous Media is an array of platforms for messages to be distributed –  both good and bad…

“Every action that we take impacts the lives of those around us. The question is are YOU aware of YOUR impact?” —Arthur Carmazzi If you only like to be intimate with your spouse after you’ve had a drink, you’re not alone. But you’re also not opening yourself up to experiencing the extraordinary in your marriage. We’re…

“You are what you listen to.” —Alicia Keyes Media is an array of platforms for messages to be distributed –  both good and bad (and sometimes odd). We need to be intentional about how we let media influence us and our marriages. Suppose a man named Tony came to your house every morning at 7am and…

“The hardest thing about exercise is to start doing it. Once you are doing exercise regularly the hardest thing to do is stop.” —Anonymous We’re not talking major exercise here. No deadlifts, no sit-ups, and you won’t even break a sweat. But this exercise is transformative, and the benefits extend far beyond incontinence and childbirth…

“Most people fail not because of a lack of desire, but because of a lack of commitment.” —Vince Lombardi In the series “Our Marriage Vows” we are stripping away all of the circumstantial topics that get put onto marriages, and diving deep into the core of what marriage is. Maybe you’re like Alisa who, on…

“Marriage is like home maintenance. When the smoke detector starts beeping you fix it. You don’t buy a new house.” —Amy Miller “I need to fix our marriage, what about you???” It’s easy to snap to the defensive when you hear an accusation such as “You need to fix our marriage”, and yet we want you…

“More marriages might survive if partners realized that sometimes the for better comes after the for worse.” —Doug Larson In the series “Our Marriage Vows” we are stripping away all of the circumstantial topics that get put onto marriages, and diving deep into the core of what marriage is. Maybe you’re like Alisa who, on…

“I like kissing, kissing a lot” —Audrey Hepburn Someplace between dating and 30 years into marriage, most couples digress from kissing being a passionate experience to a routine peck on the check. Is that just a reality we should accept? We wholeheartedly disagree.

“There is no my money, his money or her money in a successful marriage.” —Anonymous In the series “Our Marriage Vows” we are stripping away all of the circumstantial topics that get put onto marriages, and diving deep into the core of what marriage is. Maybe you’re like Alisa who, on her wedding day, said…

“Never go on trips with someone you do not love.” —Ernest Hemingway What are your expectations for your upcoming vacation? All of us have them. The more you plan, save for, use vacation days, the more attached you are to your expectations. But most people don’t communicate with their spouse. Maybe you want to splurge on…

“And it’s still true, no matter how old you are, when you go into the world it is best to hold hands and stick together.” —Robert Fulghum In the series “Our Marriage Vows” we are stripping away all of the circumstantial topics that get put onto marriages, and diving deep into the core of what marriage…

“Marriage is two people in love standing in the same bathroom.” —Austin Kleon It should come as no surprise that the fastest growing room in homes being built in America today is the master bathroom. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders have cited a new “must” for many home buyers: a his and hers…

“People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them.” —Anonymous In the series “Our Marriage Vows” we are stripping away all of the circumstantial topics that get put onto marriages, and diving deep into the core of what marriage is. Maybe you’re like Alisa who, on her wedding day, said her vows…

“When we avoid challenging conversations we trade short term discomfort for long term dysfunction.” —Anonymous Even after 11 years of doing the Intimacy Lifestyle, and talking about sex arguably more than anyone else, even we can struggle to have those tough conversations around sex. The reality is that sex is an incredibly intimate experience and this…

Today is the last day of Daily Steps. We’ve enjoyed partnering with you and having you part of the ONE family. Over the last 9 years we have shared about sex, love and commitment on the ONE Extraordinary Marriage Show. Come join us each week for all things marriage and more. Love you guys.

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” —Joshua J. Marine When you sound more like Eeyore than Tigger, it’s past time to evaluate how you are spending your energy. Just like every other resource, your emotional energy is limited, and like time, you only have a certain amount…

You’re not each other’s parents instead you are each other’s partners. Treat each other with the level of respect and care bestowed upon a married couple. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Don’t fake being OK. You only hurt yourself. Be real with what you are going through but don’t let it consume you.” —Anonymous When saying “OK” all the time becomes the default characteristic of your marriage, you are at the tipping point of marital demise. It’s what precipitates couples on coaching sessions where one spouse wants…

Finances plays a role in every marriage and knowing how to keep it strong through all seasons is vital to long term fulfillment. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Spend your tax return. Because, really…you earned it.” —Dayana Yochim No matter your financial situation, preparing taxes can be a trying time for those of us who are MFJ (married filing jointly). Maybe you will owe money. Maybe there’s tension between who is preparing the taxes and how it’s being done. Or maybe it’s just the…

There will be times when you are traveling together that you’ll need to have a plan for staying consistent with your intimacy lifestyle Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Explain your feelings instead of acting them out and you will find solutions instead of arguments.” —Anonymous Rejection – you’re doing it and you may not even realize it. Most of the time it doesn’t even involve a verbal “no” – you avoid a topic, you come up with an excuse, you bury yourself in work. But…

Touch is an important part of any marriage union and yet when it’s overt or non-existent it can cause tension between you and your spouse. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Nobody is too busy, it’s just a matter of priorities.” —Anonymous Yes, kids are a blessing. Careers are vital. Hobbies and friendships brighten life. But when we focus on so many of these “good” things at the detriment of our marriage, what could be great becomes mundane and burdensome. It seems like almost everyone who…

There are many studies that conclude that going to bed together has a positive benefit on both you and your spouse. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Every couple fights. Just make sure that the make up sex ALWAYS lasts longer than the fights.” —Anonymous Question: Do you use make up sex (and 65% of you do) as a temporary band-aid or an effective tool for growth? Sex is a powerful connection, and especially after an argument when you each have heightened emotions…

As your family grows there are more moving parts which can cause a disconnect when it comes to your sexual intimacy. Even with a large family you can find time to connect. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Isolation is the enemy of improvement.” —Tony Wagner Isolation is a powerful weapon that can destroy even the best of projects, people, and relationships. We were not meant to live in isolation because of how damaging the effects can be. Healthy relationships tie us together with other people who can support, encourage and equip us to…

When work gets in the way of your marriage it may be time to set the vision for your marriage. Doing so can help you and your spouse have a focus other than work. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“The best color in the world is the one that looks good on you.” —Coco Chanel When we first got married, our underwear was nude, white, or black. It was functional and plentiful, but we didn’t give much thought to how to use color to romance our spouse. We’re so glad that has changed.

The time you spend with each other during a challenge serves as a way to break out of the different mindsets each of you have around sex as well as the roll you play as the high desire or low desire spouse. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” —Bono The ONE family totally called us out as we were preparing for this show. As you guys know, we are all about trying again if something doesn’t work great the first time. Years ago, we had sex with music on and it was a…

Prior to starting you want to think about how you can be creative throughout your challenge. This is an opportunity for the two of you to spice up your sex life. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Oral sex can be foreplay, the main course or the dessert!” —Anonymous Stop talking about it with your friends and start the conversation where it belongs – with your spouse! There’s no right or wrong, but don’t let stigmas or myths rob you of better intimacy.

Holidays, celebrations, birthdays are typically a one day event. When you start or finish a challenge on one of these you’ll remember it for years to come. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Going to bed at night saying WE’VE done something wonderful. That’s what matters to me.” —Steve Jobs What does your bedtime routine look like with your spouse? We want to dive into the value you can get from creating your own bedtime routine — together. Our routine has changed over the years. In our early…

Starting a sex challenge isn’t just about sex. It’s about fostering your emotional intimacy, eliminating rejection and trying something new with your spouse. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Treat objections as requests for further information.” —Brian Tracy Life is stressful, but when you are too busy (or tired) to find some time for sexual intimacy, it can really seem unbearable. The end result is that sex is pushed to the back burner until a later date. Problem is that “later date” doesn’t seem…

Honestly… scheduling sex IS spontaneous, intimate and much more! When you schedule sex your giving yourself and your spouse a way to be sexually intimate on a regular basis that is best for the two of you. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Live less out of habit and more out of intention.” —Anonymous While it is an element of marriage, sharing life is no substitute for dating your spouse — it requires an element of intentionality. And dating isn’t just sharing a meal – for something to be considered a date, there must be a romantic interest…

Arousal and what that looks like or means to you both can change over time. Having conversation around this topic is key for husband and wife to to enjoy their sexual intimacy. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Your priorities aren’t what you SAY they are. They are revealed by how you live. What does your life say about the value of your family and marriage?” —Jimmy Evans Fatigue. Nausea. Sex drive changes. Distractions. New obligations. We get it, these are real issues that affect your marriage. But they are just new-to-you challenges…

Anyone who has kids knows that when kids enter the picture your sex life enters a new phase. The key is to change your mindset from “we can’t do this” to “let’s get creative”. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Money problems destroy marriage, get on the same page with your spouse and work together toward a common goal.” —Anonymous We all shy away from talking about money in any meaningful way. By doing this, we discount the value of having good communication on this topic that is central to everything we do. Early in…

Kids are a big conversation for couples and it’s not a one time conversation. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Overthinking ruins you, ruins the situation, twists things around, makes you worry and just makes everything much worse than it is.” —Anonymous Being in the moment, mentally, during sex can be a struggle for everyone. While women tend to be the assumed offender, men can fall prey to this, too. There are seasons in marriage when…

No matter the circumstances you may be facing you can continue to make your marriage extraordinary when your spouse is deployed. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all that you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” —Anonymous The dichotomy between being fully present with your spouse and being two passing ships makes all the difference in your marriage, and that’s why we are dedicating our 2019 theme as #InTheMoment. Being in the…

Toys can enhance sexual pleasure, create a spark and bring excitement to you sex life. Learn how to discuss your comfort level with toys in your bedroom. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“The magic of Christmas never ends and it’s greatest of gifts are family and friends!” —Anonymous As this show is released bright and early on Christmas morning, we are keeping it short and sweet so that you can spend this time with family and friends.  As we share Christmas greetings between spouses on the show,…

The Coffee Break is like a business meeting for your marriage where you talk about everything from love to logistics. You can even do it when you are long distance. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“At the heart of every family tradition is a meaningful experience.” —Anonymous Traditions abound throughout December. We wanted to share with you how to make the traditions that you celebrate meaningful in your marriage and family. The two things that valuable traditions exhibit are: 1) they involve quality time and 2) they require participants to…

No matter where you make love there is the clean up that comes afterwards. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.” —Charles Kettering A lot of people look at us (Tony & Alisa) and think this is just the type of marriage that we have – we got lucky. But there is nothing “special” about us. We have not always been happily…

If you don’t know what you like it’s time to start your own personal sex ed class in your bedroom with your spouse. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” —Bobby Unser Do you want to have a fabulous Christmas season? We certainly do, and we want to equip you to take advantage of the season. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. We thought about what it would look like to build out the 12 days of Christmas…

As a parent make a commitment to answer your children truthfully about sex, even if it means that you have to do a little research to answer their questions. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“The most wonderful time of the year.” —Andy Williams We initially set out to do this show about connecting sexually throughout the Christmas season, but as we heard from you guys we realized that this season throws many different types of weapons and all types of intimacy are under attack. And you won’t connect well sexually…

“The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception in to such an extent that it changes the world you see.” —Dr. Robert Holden We’ve talked about showing thankfulness in other shows, but today we’re going to focus on the need we have as humans to express gratitude. Do you know anyone who complains…

Physical limitations due to injuries can and will happen. Knowing some strategies to approach this will be beneficial to being sexually intimate. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“No one should come between you and your spouse. They should come alongside you but not between you.” —Ashley McIlwain When our son was 4 months old Tony’s dad took our little family out for lunch. Everything was going well until he offered our baby some of his Coca-Cola ®. As Alisa’s eyes were about…

Christmas is that time of year when you place that special present under the Christmas tree, waiting patiently for your spouse to open it with all their excitement. All your searching comes down to this one day for you to enjoy giving something special. This year how about doing something a little different. How about…

Discussing your sex life is not a one and done conversation. Healthy marriages talk about their sexual intimacy and all its many aspects on a regular basis. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“When we invite fear, doubt or worry to occupy seats in the boardroom of our heart, all kinds of things can wreck the joy of our marriages.” —Anonymous Fear is a natural human emotion. It has a biological purpose to enable us to perceive danger and make wise choices. But it creeps way beyond its…

When the path isn’t clear it’s time to cast a vision that both you and your spouse what to reach for together. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

It may sound backwards at first, but the data is clear — couples who have defined, shared boundaries regarding interactions with people of the opposite sex have fewer trust issues than those who don’t. Think of it like installing a fence around the backyard before letting young kids out to play. The fence sets a…

“The only thing better than having an orgasm? Having another orgasm.” —Anonymous There aren’t a lot of hard-numbers on this topic due to the private and self-reported nature, but 45% of married women and 20% of married men say that they can have multiple orgasms in a given sexual encounter (see more stats like that…

The wedding ring is a circle which has no beginning or end and is therefore a symbol of infinity. It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be. And yet what happens when your spouse decides not to wear theirs. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Quality is never the result of an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.” —John Ruskin Many things in life have a trade-off between quantity and quality: the diamond you can get within a budget, the number friendships you can maintain, even the pleasure from an In-N-Out burger will diminish quickly if eaten…

There is a lot that is going on that there are times when the brain has a hard time focusing in on the one next to you. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Never trust a girl who doesn’t fart, you don’t know what else she’s holding back from you.” — Anonymous We know that even reading about this topic makes some people feel uncomfortable. And if you and your spouse feel exactly the same way about your bodily functions you don’t need to read on. However, in…

What you use when having oral sex can help it make it more enjoyable or it can turn you off. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Words are free, it’s how you use them that may cost you.” —Anonymous When a couple is first dating both gals and guys tend to be hyper-aware of their communication — analyzing word choice, pauses and body language. Perhaps reading too far between the lines, we attempt to decipher intention and underlying emotions behind the…

The words you choose to use can have an impact on how your spouse responds to you. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Don’t let the past limit the future.” —Anonymous Many people don’t think that they struggle with forgiveness, especially as it pertains to marriage. Just because you aren’t currently suffering from feelings of resentment towards your spouse doesn’t mean that your “forgiveness muscle” has no work to be done. Are you lacking joy in your marriage?…

Not enough covers or to many covers can sometimes be a question you’re asking each other. Especially when the two of you have different body temperature. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Great things never come from inside the comfort zone.” —Anonymous It’s one thing to say your marriage is a top priority for you (and since you’re reading this post, it probably is). It’s something else entirely when you commit to improving specific areas of your marriage with accountability. Have you discussed with your spouse what…

Discussing the appearence of your spouse can be a touchy topic. We share how you can bring this up to your spouse without having hurt feelings or causing resentment. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Every morning starts a new page in your story. Make it a great one today.” —Anonymous The most popular time for couples to have sex is Saturday at 7:33am. It makes sense that it would be a weekend, most people are off work, many go on dates and outside obligations tend to be minimized. But we…

There may be times when your spouse doesn’t know exactly what you want. Learn how to encourage him to show his love in creative ways. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“When I first met you I honestly didn’t know how important you were going to be to me.” —Anonymous What you don’t know is sometimes better than you ever imagined. That’s what Tony and Alisa learned this weekend at the ONE Marriage Conference.

“So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.” — The Notebook ONE Extraordinary Marriage conducted an anonymous online survey to uncover what’s…

Body image isn’t just about what you see, it’s about how you feel about what you see. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“I fell in love with the way that you touched me without using your hands.” —Anonymous Romance is pretty self-explanatory, right? Wrong! What seems to come so naturally and be more potent than drugs while dating can become elusive as a couple spends years and decades together.

There are a lot of couples in the ONE family with different schedules. If this is your marriage we share what others have done to connect sexually with different work schedules. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“It takes 237 muscles to fake an orgasm, but only 15 to say, “It’s called a clitoris and it’s right here.”” — Viral Meme For all of the great movies that the film industry has produced over the decades, they have done marriages a huge disservice by disseminating lies about female orgasms. Real damage is…

When it comes to morning sex make sure that you discuss what this looks like for you and for your spouse. What you know helps you both to make it happen. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get OLD.” —George Burns How old do you think you will be when you stop having sex? In case no one else has, let us be the first to tell you that there’s no age at which sexual intimacy in marriage ceases to be a…

The process of becoming clean and sober and having a healthy marriage is just that, a process, but like all processes it needs a beginning. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There can be a lot of reasons why the two of you aren’t talking and different seasons of life may lead to this time right now. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

The idea of falling out of love refers to love as a noun but love is a verb. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

The number one thing to keep in mind even from the earliest days is that your marriage is your child’s first model for what marriage looks like. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Giving honest and well intended feedback is often confused with being mean. It’s not mean. It’s nice.” —Robert Kiyosaki Good feedback is like good discipline. The process is not often pleasant, but it yields immensely fruitful results. Poorly communicated feedback is like rotten food — good for nothing and can make you sick. Rather than…

Some people lie out of habit, what started out as “a little white lie” or difficult has now become routine. If this is the case in your marriage it may be time to seek outside help. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Naughty is one of those words that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Sex was designed as a way for a husband and a wife to connect in way that they cannot do with anyone else. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

It might seem unusual for us to answer a question about how to find a man. We have a lot of folks in the ONE family who are divorced, who are single and wanting to know what to do to have an extraordinary marriage the next time. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave…

In dealing with infertility, sex can become a task. It can become all about timing and cycles and body temperature and ovulation. All about the data points and not about the connection. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

You have made it clear that you would like to have more sex and yet your spouse isn’t responding. It’s time to dig deeper into what the two of you envision for your sexual intimacy. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Don’t rush through foreplay. Play with each other until you can’t take it anymore.” —Anonymous Foreplay is probably a lot more than what comes to mind when you hear the word. It is the emotional and physical intimate acts between husband and wife meant to create sexual arousal and desire for sexual activity.

Getting ready to have a baby is first and foremost about making your marriage relationship strong. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

When you are in a place where you feel you are far apart you may have to start at the beginning and truly get to know your spouse once again. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Cleaning up after another person without any response/help or acknowledgement can easily lead to resentment. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

The most important part of any vacation is to discuss your expectations before you leave so you have an amazing time together.  Submit your question to [email protected]ordinarymarriage.com or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Learning to create your own family unit, with your own traditions, values and ideals is one of the most challenging things that a couple can do and yet one of the most necessary. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Most couples make the mistake of giving each other the remains of the day. The leftover time after every other relationship and task has been attended to. This is not only backwards, but destructive. Stellar partners give each other prime time, and make each other their top priority.” — Dr. Rhoberta Shaler Your schedule is…

Building a spiritual life is a process. It is as important as building your emotional connection, your physical connection and your financial connection. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There is a difference between having an argument and yelling to belittle or demean someone. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

One of the challenges that many couples face is that one spouse wants sex more than the other. When you are the low desire spouse it can feel like every touch from your higher desire spouse is motivated by the fact that they want sex. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

During this time you have to learn how to be married to one another all over again and you have to do it while healing from the hurts. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There are many different ways to spice up your marriage so let’s look at some that you can start using in your marriage today. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” —Dalai Lama When conflict or tension arises, human instinct is to switch into self-preservation mode. Someone hurts us, we close ourselves off. We overspend and then attempt to cover it up.

You and your spouse should be talking about sex. It’s important for couples no matter how long they have been married to talk about their sex lives. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

It’s important to understand where your spouse is coming from and also to understand what they are comfortable with. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Expectations around needs are one of the biggest struggles that a couple faces. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Intimacy does not go on vacation. It doesn’t take a break. It’s something that you are intentional about no matter the season. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Arguments, disagreements and fights are going to happen at times and yet if you want to fight better, consider the tone and timing of your conversations. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“I think grooming is undervalued by men. We expect women to be fully groomed which they do. But I also think it’s just as important for a man to look clean and fresh.” —Lewis Hamilton Manscaping: The removal or trimming of hair on a man’s body for cosmetic effect. This can be any place: his…

Snoring affects 30-40% of people. Because snoring interrupts everyone’s sleep it can have a tremendous impact on a marriage on so many levels. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There are three areas that could be causing delayed ejaculation. Take one step toward identifying the cause and work towards a solution starting today. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

You don’t have to live like this. Make an intentional decision to break the cycle because neither one of you are happy with this situation. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Sleeping naked does make having sex easier because there’s nothing to remove and yet you’ll find that most of the time it’s not about the sex, it’s about the connection. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There are enough barriers to husbands and wives having sex, hygiene doesn’t need to be another one. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Do not be too timid or squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson A topic like having sex while the wife is on her period is such a personal preference that we won’t presume to be prescriptive. But no one is talking about it – in fact we bet that you…

We are in a world where the fear of missing out or fear of disappointing someone drives us to say yes to way more than we are able to handle. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Caught in the comparrison trap with not move you forward in your marriage so it’s time to look at where you are and where you are going. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There is a lot happening when you have kids and yet you can be the sexy wife again. It’s just different than it was before. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

Sex is one of those areas of our lives that the more we practice, the better we know our spouses, the better it becomes. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

There are a number of ways you can share the show so that your spouse is most receptive to listening. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.” —Strachan Hurd “He’s my other child.” What starts out as a joke between a wife and her friend, or a comment in a blog post, or spoken in frustration plants a seed of change in how she sees her husband. While it might seem innocuous…

Getting out and moving can be one of the best things you do for your emotional intimacy. Learn how to make it part of your everyday life. Submit your question to [email protected] or call 858-883-8842 to leave a voice message.

“Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.” —Anonymous Last weekend we did a new type of challenge. We traveled the beaches of San Diego County, from Oceanside to the US-Mexican border. Make no mistake, we’ve been to these places hundreds of times before, but never by foot along the entire coastline. There are…

“Guardrails: No one needs one until they do.” —Anonymous You know the funny “W” shape that most guardrails have? It’s not an aesthetic element: it’s meticulously designed for maximum shock absorption while redirecting the vehicle towards safety. The truth is that no one really loves guardrails. They don’t appear often in art, they aren’t terribly…

There’s probably not many people you speak with about your sex life completely, openly and honestly. Nothing is wrong with that — what you do in the bedroom is between you, your spouse and God. But, because there is a huge knowledge gap, most of us assume everyone else is either just like us, or…

“Being afraid of things going wrong isn’t the way to make things go right.” —Anonymous Despite what today’s culture would tell you, both men and women want to be both desired and pursued: it just looks different to different genders. Hollywood has done marriages today a great disservice, and we want to help couples who…

“A bad habit never disappears miraculously. It’s an un-do-it-yourself project.” —Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby) Humans make over 40% of our daily “decisions” not by calculated choice, but by habit. Habits enable us to be as productive as we are today, and they also hold tremendous power.

“It’s hard to be satisfied with your life (or your marriage), if you are never satisfied with yourself.” —Anonymous Did you know that only 15% of wives are completely satisfied with their sexual arousal? That means that at least 85% of marriages have one spouse (if not both) who desire increased sexual arousal.  

“There is always that one summer that changes you.” —Anonymous “Summer lovin’ had me a blast…” Just about everyone loves summer — it’s filled with so many good things: fireworks, vacations, picnics, gatherings with friends and family, and lots of outdoor fun.   But with all of the good things that come rushing in, it’s easy…

“Never, ever underestimate the power of your words to build up or tear down the fabric of your marriage.” —Anonymous Spoiler alert: Her question has nothing to do with the outfit. No wonder it makes most men’s heads spin. The truth is that negative body image is something that 97% of women and 80-95% of men…

“The greatest enemy of sexual wholeness today, is silence.” —Mark Laaser Did you know that you have been entrusted to raise your kids to be sexually whole? When you equip them for success as a sexual human being, you are impacting generations that will reap the benefits.

“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” —Kevin Trudeau If you heard of one thing you could do that could improve memory, mood, sleep, intimacy, immunity and heart health*, AND it is a gift for your spouse, wouldn’t you want to do it? The truth is that most married…

“Remember that children, marriages and gardens reflect the kind of care they get.” —H Jackson Brown Jr. When you have a baby it’s an impact on you, your spouse and your marriage. There is great joy and yet it’s not all sweet snuggles, blessings and the oohs and aahs.

Welcome to Daily Steps from ONE Extraordinary Marriage! Each day Tony and Alisa outline the simple steps that you can take to have the ultimate marriage adventure. SHOW SPONSOR | SONGFINCH Songfinch is a personalized gifting company that brings stories, feelings and memories to life through one-of-a-kind, radio quality songs. With the option to have a…

“The pursuit of knowledge is never ending. The day you stop seeking knowledge is the day you stop growing.” —Travis Ciaccio It’s a pretty basic understanding that in response to a visual or mental stimuli a man can become aroused and have an erection. But what’s the science behind an erection?

“Money is an opportunity to reach unity in marriage. When couples work together they can do anything.” —Anonymous Money is one of the biggest stressor that you and your spouse can face. Many couples are stressed about money and living paycheck to paycheck.

“The capacity to learn is a gift. The ability to learn is a skill. The willingness to learn is a choice.” —Brian Herbert The Intimacy Lifestyle was first introduced to the ONE Family many years ago in episode 140 – Scheduling Sex. Since that time many of you have implemented your own Intimacy Lifestyle, way…