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Marriage Champions

by Forever Adventure

Forever Adventure exists to identify, encourage, and equip individuals and couples to be marriage champions in every church and community around the world. This is our podcast called, Marriage Champions, welcome!

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Episodes

  1. #57: Steve Harris: Professor, U of MN. Discernment Counseling. Reasons for Divorce. Cohabitation.

    Introduction and Steve Harris's background 0:00 Faith, family, and his work at the University of Minnesota 4:46 The state of marriage in society today 6:12 Cohabitation: sliding into marriage versus deciding 8:33 Why couples come apart: the slow drift 12:04 Rising expectations of what a spouse...

  2. #56: Daniel Lancaster: Editor of Book - Adam Loves Eve. Husbands Loving Wives like Christ Loves the Church.

    Introduction and Background of Daniel Lancaster 0:00 Significance and Supernatural Nature of Marriage 6:03 Challenges Facing Marriages Today 12:20 Selfless Love and Spiritual Unity in Marriage 16:14 Men as Givers and Women as Receivers 25:39 Spiritual Headship and Leadership in Marriage 39:57...

  3. #55: Josh & Mandy Shaarda: Work in East Africa. Freedom in Christ Ministries. Discipleship - Identity, Renewing One's Mind, Seven Steps to Freedom. Steps to Setting Marriages Free.

    Background and Introduction (0:00) Journey to East Africa (1:14) Discipleship and Freedom in Christ Ministries (2:45) Discipleship Programs and Marriage in Uganda (5:51) Importance of Marriage (6:29) Freedom in Christ Ministries' Teachings (14:34) Identity and Discipleship (22:24) Seven Steps to...

  4. #54: Richard Albertson. Founding President, Live the Life. Marriage Communication & Conflict. Daily Temperature Reading. Adventures in Marriage . Start Smart. Church & Community Marriage Initiatives.

    00:00 – Background: From politics to marriage ministry. 08:44 – Origins of Live the Life, statewide, Florida marriage organization. Its vision. Growth. 13:23 – State of Marriage in US. 15:35 – Major challenges facing couples today. Communication. Conflict. 19:36 – Adventures in Marriage course,...

  5. #53: Travis & Stephanie Armstrong. Director of Grace Church's Marriage Ministry. Challenges facing couples. Priorities & practices. Marriage & outreach. Getting help. Starting marriage ministry.

    00:24 – Backgrounds. How they met. Journey to marriage ministry. 03:14 – Biggest challenges facing couples. 10:59 – Importance of marriage for children. 12:25 – Priorities and practices in a marriage, e.g. grace, dates nights, prayer times. 22:20 – Impact of pornography on marriages. Getting…

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  6. #52: John McGee. Watermark Church. Marriage Ministry in Churches. Marriage and Discipleship. Re|engage Program. Four C's for Married Couples.

    03:17 – John’s experience with unexpectantly getting into marriage ministry. 07:14 – Advice for starting a marriage ministry. Know where your church is at. 12:12 – State of marriages in church. Changing societal expectations for marriage. 15:34 – Marriage is a mechanism for discipleship. Church...

  7. #51: Mike & Ann Cerney. Retrouvaille. Uniqueness. Community of Disciples. "Secret Sauce." Three A's. Forgiveness. Pornography.

    00:24 – Background. Involvement with Retrouvaille. Divorce plans 02:27 – Overview of Retrouvaille program. Uniqueness of Retrouvaille. Community of disciples. 11:49 – Secret sauce of Retrouvaille. 14:48 – History of Retrouvaille. Follow up. Core groups. 19:32 – Overview of weekend. 24:41 – The...

  8. #50: Raul Rodriguez. Pastor. Marriage inventory meetings, retreats, prayer times. Mentors. Role of marriage ministry in church. Engagement with community.

    00:21 – Background. Faith journey and impact on marriage. 06:59 – Investing in his marriage. 10:50 – Monthly marriage inventory meetings. 14:49 – Semi-annual couple retreats. Prayer times. 16:41 – Responsibility for marriage. Personal mentors. Outside accountability. 19:56 – How to find a mentor....

  9. #49: Bob Leinberger. Pastor. Author - The Relational Map. Connecting. Listening for longings. Managing emotions. Changing Habits.

    00:40 – Why marriage is important. Start of marriage ministry in church. 09:16 – Why marriage not priority in many churches. 10:40 – His background in learning marriage skills. 20:34 – Reason for writing book, Relational Map. It’s main message. 32:27 – Sources of marital problems. Approach to...

  10. #48: Cindy & Henri Chastanet. Advice for married couples. Starting church-based marriage ministry. Small groups. Date nights. Mentoring.

    00:30 – Background. Understanding backgrounds, temperament, dealing with conflict, and communication challenges. 05:38 – Forgiveness. Learning to apologize. Honor one another in speech, healthy communication. Practical steps to grow in unity – finances, soclal media accounts, vacations. 11:39 –...

  11. #47: Mary Jackson. Director, Marriage Encounter. History of Marriage Encounter. Enrichment retreat. Relationship to Retrouvaille. Elements of weekend. Spiritual divorce. Engagement Encounter.

    00:44 – Introduction to Marriage Encounter. Opposites attract. 08:16 – Origins of Marriage Encounter. It came to Minnesota in 1971. 11:43 – Relationship and differences between Marriage Enrichment and Retrouvaille. 13:57 – Elements of Marriage Encounter weekend. Role of Team Couples. 16:46 –...

  12. #46: Dr. Brad Wilcox. Professor. Author-Get Married. State of marriage today. Impact of marriage on men, women, & children. Myths about marriage. Marriage & church. Advice to young people. Resources.

    00:58 – Background. How he got into marriage research. State of marriage in US. Good news and bad news. Impact of cohabitation. 05:15 – How did we got to this point. Secularism. Men floundering. Expressive individualism. Bad government policies. 07:10 – Growing skepticism and negativism towards...

  13. #45: Chris Thayer. Discipleship Pastor. Assessments for marriage resources & needs. Relational health. Discipleship & marriage. www.beautifulmarriages.org

    00:30 – Passion for discipleship and impacting the community. Impact schools by impacting families. Beautiful Marriage Initiative. https://www.beautifulmarriages.org/ 05:39 – So many issues in society are impacted by marriage and family brokenness. Example of God's love for us is shown by…

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  14. #44: Caesar & Tina Kalinowski. Everyday Discipleship. Image Bearers of God: Children/Family, Servants, & Missionaries. 6 Rhythms: Story formed, Listen, Celebrate, Eat, Bless & ReCreate.

    00:00 – Background. Team K. Family Identity. Outpost of Kingdom. 04:53 – Origins of everyday discipleship. Seeing the church overseas like in book of Acts and comparing to traditional church in US. 07:17 – Discipleship: Process of moving from unbelief to belief in light of Gospel in every area of...

  15. #43: Dr. Bill Harley. Author, His Needs, Her Needs. Marriage-Relationship of Mutual, Extraordinary Care. Emotional Needs. Love Busters. Policy of Mutual Agreement. 15-hrs. of Undivided Attention.

    00:28 – Background. PhD in psychology. Positive personal experience of marriage. Book, His Needs, Her Needs originated in a Sunday school class. 11:07 – Learned how to help couples fall in love. In love couples don’t get divorced. 16:44 – Successful marriage counselors: Have program which works....

  16. #42: Mike Sharrow. Pres./CEO of C12. Ministry to Christian Business Owners & CEOs. Business as ministry. Strengthening marriage & family relationships through workplace.

    00:17 – Family Background. Mission of C12. Network of Christian CEOs, Business owners around the world. 03:47 – Business as a mission, a ministry. Biblical view of business, work. 06:03 – 85% of Christian business leaders haven't integrated faith and work. Workplace is unique place, opportunity…

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  17. #41: Bob Thornton. Marriage. Importance Practices. Communication. Men's Discipleship Meetings. Share on Three "P"s. Prayer, Purity, and Partner.

    00:00 – Background. Faith. Family. Involvement with marriage and men's discipleship groups. 04:26 – Things he learned from his own marriage. Importance of communication, and listening. Importance of a supportive environment for marriage. 06:46 – Purpose of marriage. Vocation. Gift. Calling. 09:26…

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  18. #40: Pieter & Melinda Lagaay. Authors. Founders, Arise & Shine Today Ministries. Overcoming pornography & sexual addictions. Deliverance, inner healing, and counseling. Vulnerability & humility.

    00:25 – Background. Childhood exposure to pornography. Addiction. Broken people bring problems into marriage. 03:41 – Experience with pornography addiction. Pornography symptomatic of underlying problem. Family problems. 13:04 – Pornography as addiction and coping mechanism. 14:50 – Supernatural...

  19. #39: David Ferguson. Founder, Great Commitment Network & Relational Values Alliance. Intimacy Therapy. Marriage & family discipleship & outreach. Taking relational skills into businesses & community.

    • 00:00 – Background. Education. Nuclear physics. Computer science. Counseling. Theology. • 03:44 – Marriage ministry. Counseling degree. Struggles in own marriage. • 05:40 – Reasons for marriage. First human need – not being alone. • 08:42 – Intimacy therapy. Not being alone from God and others....

  20. #38: Todd Biermann. Pastor. Author. Relational priorities - thumb's up, hand image. Triangle - three principles of healthy relationships. Family-centered, church-supported local church paradigm.

    01:06 – Background. Pastor. Interest in marriage. Speaking around the world on marriage. 05:07 – Book, Handing Out Life. Three key principles of relationships: self sacrifice, unconditional commitment, and physical care. 12:53 – Priority of relationships: God, spouse, family, church, and others....

  21. #37: Mike Shaughnessy. Founder, Grandly. Being a Strategic Grandparent. Unique role grandparents play in grandchildren's lives. Opportunities and challenges. Youth worker skills. www.grandly.org

    00:27 – Background. 45 years of youth leadership work. Principles and practices learned. 11:46 – Importance of and unique role grandparents play in lives of grandchildren. Deut. 4:9. Challenges of today's youth culture. 17:06 – What's lost when grandparents don't influence their grandchildren....

  22. #36: Brad Rhoads. Cofounder, Grace Marriage. Grace paradigm shift for marriage. Keys to good communication. Marriage discipleship. Time blocking for couples. Quarterly marriage meetings.

    0:24 – Personal story. Struggles in first year of marriage. Didn't invest in marriage. Jesus became priority in their lives. 04:39 – What is grace? God's unmerited favor. Ongoing blessing and good God gives us. 05:34 – What a grace marriage looks like. Love one another as Jesus loves us.…

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  23. #35: Dennis Rainey. Cofounder, Family Life marriage ministry. State of marriage. Advice for people pursuing marriage, young married couples, husbands and wives. More information - www.theraineys.org.

    00:48: Background - Becoming a Christian. Established Family Life in 1976. Weekend to Remember Conferences - sharing biblical blueprint for marriage with thousands each year. 11:08: State of marriage today. Marriage falling out of favor in culture. Evidenced by postponement of marriage,...

  24. #34: Roger Thompson: Lead Pastor. Author. Weekend to Remember Speaker - 20 years. Ministry to Men - Importance, Challenges. Advice for Couples, Husbands, & Wives. Starting Marriage & Men's Ministries.

    00:29 – Rock climbing as a metaphor for Christian discipleship. 02:51 – Path to becoming a pastor and pastoring for 40 years. Experiencing various ministry opportunities. Working with well-known church growth leader, Frank Tillapaugh. 09:58 – Experience speaking at Family Life’s Weekend to…

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  25. #33: Jeff Kemp. Founder, MenHuddle. Former NFL QB. Leader of Marriage & Men's Ministries. Purposes of marriage. Level 5 Friendship. Engaging men. Starting marriage & men's ministries in churches.

    00:02 – Background – Career as NFL quarterback. Faith experience. Impact of father and others on his life. Marriage experience. 14:43 – Leaving NFL career. Getting into marriage and family ministry. 20:10 – Foundation of marriage. His marriage is example of very different, strong willed…

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  26. #32: Todd LaVine. Founder, Agape Pastoral Services. Key struggle areas. 90/10 rule. Systemic problem - selfishness. Using social media to reach struggling marriages. Seek help first sign of problems.

    00:21 – Background - business, church, and consulting. 03:36 – Start of marriage work. Role models. 10:17 – Premarital counseling is sweet spot for marriage work. Difference between mentoring, coaching, and counseling couples. 12:22 – Vision for helping premarital couples. Marriage is second most...

  27. #31: Ben Freudenburg. Founder, Concordia Center for the Family. Family Friendly Churches. Family Discipleship. Vital role of pastor. Healthy marriage and parenting practices.

    · 00:25 – Background. Upbringing impacted family friendly church work. · 06:35 – Impact of children not continuing in faith after leaving the church impacted thinking. · 09:27 – Value of marriage and family in church and society have declined. Strong families are prerequisite for strong churches...

  28. #30: Ron McLain. Founder, Healthy Marriages Coalition. Key challenges facing marriages. Marriage mentors - recruitment, content, and training. Starting church marriage ministry and its components.

    · 00:36 – Background. First involvement with marriages. Helping young married couples. Pastor of family life. Marriage Counselor. Training marriage mentor couples in churches. · 08:23 – Difference between a marriage mentor, coach, and counselor. · 10:04 – Developing marriage mentoring program....

  29. #29: John Stonestreet. President, Colson Center & Breakpoint. Importance of marriage. Marriage's nature and purpose. Priority of marriage for church. Procreation. Sexual identity confusion.

    · 00:00 – Background and family. · 02:09 – State of marriage and consequences for society. GK Chesterton quote. · 07:12 – Ubiquitous understanding of marriage throughout time and societies. Destruction of family. · 12:35 – State of marriage in church. Failure to adequately communicate purpose and...

  30. #28: Jeeva and Sulojana Sam. Marriage Mentors, Authors - "The Unbreakable Marriage". Personal v. marriage problems. Spiritual atmosphere. Spiritual blockages. Communication. Time, Finances, Sex.

    · 00:29 – Backgrounds of Jeeva and Sulojana Sam. · 04:35 – Personal experience with arranged marriage. Thoughts on premarital process. · 09:28 – Experience with marriage mentoring. Going through 40 Day Marriage Dare. Working with businessmen, entrepreneurs and their marriages. · 19:04 – Approach…

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  31. #27: Greg Smalley. Author. VP for Marriage, Focus on the Family. Challenge of busyness/growing apart. Connecting questions & daily practices. Finding help. Start a church marriage ministry. Resources.

    · 00:30 – Background. Interest in law. Path to marriage ministry. · 04:09 – Marriage ministry passions - counseling, events, and helping couples honor their marriages. · 06:44 – Practical steps for helping other couples. Pray for specific couple. Reach out and befriend a couple. Take out for...

  32. #26: Scott Kedersha: Author, Ready or Knot? Marriage ministry challenges. Advice for different stages of marriage. Effects of pornography. Foundational marriage skill - ability to communication.

    • 00:16 – Background – family, marriage ministry. Impact of men's groups on life. • 04:51 – Watermark Church’s impact on vision for marriage ministry. • 05:58 – Why so few churches have marriage ministries. Importance and impact of marriage ministries. • 08:30 – Raising awareness of importance of...

  33. #25: Dr. John Van Epp. President and Founder of Lovethinks. Author, "How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk". RAM Model: Relationship elements : know, trust, rely, commit, and touch. Couple check in meetings.

    · 00:00 Background of How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk book and title. · 05:25 Background as church planter, pastor, marriage counselor, creator of relationship programs for singles, dating and married couples in and outside churches. Training military chaplains working with singles. · 18:59 Impact…

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  34. #24: JP De Gance. Founder & President, Communio. Healthy marriages key to healthy churches & communities. Cohabitation's impact. Felt need in society is relational health. Effective marriage ministry.

    00:02 Background. Work in politics and policy. Family experiences. Community wide marriage initiative in Jacksonville, FL. Start of Communio. 08:05 Foundational importance of marriage and family to society and church. Impact of marriage on church participation. Youth work is a “search and rescue”...

  35. #23: Ed & Leslie Gross. Lay Leaders with Community of Christ the Redeemer. Discuss their two-year, young married program, prayer, husband/wife meetings, couples' groups, and priority of parenting.

    · 08:05 Importance of community to strengthen marriage and family. Challenges of early marriage years. Time of discovery, reorientation. · 14:09 Grace of God, Holy Spirit to get through hard times. Importance of forgiveness. · 18:42 Importance of role models and children who help us to change. ·...

  36. #22: Benjy MacNaughton: What is prayer evangelism? Praying for neighborhood. Practical experiences in neighborhood and condo building. Involving family and children. Marriage strengthening practices.

    00:01 Background - Raised in Canada. Experience with God. Involvement with Transform Our World. 05:26 Jesus' approach to evangelism in Luke 10 - bless, fellowship, minister, and proclaim. 13:33 Prayer evangelism - changing spiritual climate of neighborhood and community. A lifestyle. Talk to God...

  37. #21: Carl Caton. Founder & President San Antonio Marriage Initiative, Starting movements. Challenges facing marriage leaders. Practices for strong marriages. Starting a marriage ministry in a church.

    · 00:36 Background. Family, friends’ divorces sparked concern for marriages. Moved to San Antonio. · 03:44 Impetus for San Antonio Marriage Initiative. Great marriage resources nationally but missing grassroots, community initiatives. Learned from Mike McManus and Community Marriage Policies. ·...

  38. #20: Ted Lowe. Founder, Married People. Author, "Marriage People: How Your Church Can Build Marriages That Last." Proactive v. Reaction. Programs v. Experiences. Crawl, Walk, Run Approach.

    00:33 Background. Marriage Ministry in Church. Starting ministry to help marriages be real, fun, and simple. 03:26 Started Married People to help smaller churches find resources and make materials their own. 05:19 Helping churches move from reactive to proactive marriage ministry. 06:48 Challenge...

  39. #19: Alan Ray. Cofounder and Executive Director of Marriage Team. Train couples to be marriage coaches. Discuss coaching approach and skills taught.

    00:46 From the Air Force to starting a marriage coaching ministry. 05:50 Struggles in own marriage and impact of parents' lifelong marriage. 07:51 Condition of marriages and families today. 10:03 The vision of Marriage Team. Training volunteer couples to be marriage coaches. 12:47 Difference...

  40. #18: Carey Casey: Founder of Championship Fathering. Former NFL Chaplain. Fathers as role models. Characteristics of good fathers and their impact on children's lives. Leaving a legacy.

    00:37 Experience as Dallas Cowboys chaplain. Relationship with Coach Tom Laundry. 08:01 Background - Family, father as a role model. 15:51 Importance of a father in a child's life. Looking at Scriptures. Raising up next generation. 38:33 Characteristics of a good father. 53:42 Loving, caring,...

  41. #17: Robert Lewis. Author, Teacher, Pastor, and Founder of Men's Ministries: Men's Fraternity and BetterMan. Discusses Manhood, Marriage, and Family.

    00:32 Robert's background and upbringing. 07:58 Growing confusion, challenges facing men in changing culture, society. 11:55 Definition, qualities of a man. God's design for men. Qualities laid out in Genesis. 22:20 Application of four pillars to single men's lives. 25:39 Manhood blessing Jesus...

  42. #16: Toni Daniels. Author - “Joy Fueled Life” & “4 Keys to Parent Fearlessly”. Training Champion - LK10, a global Christian equipping organization.

    00:46 Personal journey taught her about emotional, spiritual and relational health. Gained tools to help others today. 05:22 Challenges and 18 years on mission field led her and husband to coach others about relational and emotional skills. 09:30 Traumas, challenges taught skills for connecting...

  43. #15: Dr. Gene Veith. Coauthor with daughter Mary of "Family Vocation: God’s Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood."

    Topics discussed include: · 00:59 Life changing paradigm - Family as a calling, a vocation. Wrote book with his daughter on family vocation. · 07:09 Role marriage and family play in human flourishing. · 14:59 Important element of Protestant Reformation - Revival of marriage and family. · 24:41...

  44. #14: Dr. William Doherty. Professor, Speaker, Researcher, and Author. His books in include: The Intentional Family and Take Back Your Marriage.

    Topics include: · 02:21 Background and origin of his interest in marriage. · 04:31 State of marriage in society today. · 06:27 Implications of marriage and family breakdown today. · 07:51 River metaphor for marriages, e.g. current, being intentional. · 11:57 Key pressures facing marriages....

  45. #13: Tom Blaylock. Coauthor and cofounder with wife Sandi respectively of book, “Marriage on Mission” & Marriage on Mission Ministries. Overcame marriage struggles while in Christian work.

    Topics discussed include: 00:30 Book, Marriage on Mission. Marriage comes before ministry or mission. 04:18 Wrote book sharing marriage struggles to encourage others. 07:37 Background, church planting, burn out, marriage struggles. 10:56 Quit fighting. Reached out for help. Started fighting for...

  46. #12: Vince Miller, speaker and author. Founder of Resolute, a men's ministry. Jesus is leader of marriage. Importance of men's groups for husbands. Five areas men request help.

    00:27 Growing up in broken home. Importance of grandfather as role model. 07:44 His call to start a men's ministry. 10:02 What is manhood? Ways people have tried to define it. Bible and Jesus define it. 25:49 Manhood. Identity in Christ. 33:23 Marriage relationship and God as head of marriage....

  47. #11: Matt Loehr is founder and president of Dare to be Different marriage mentor training. He discusses helping couples identify problems, negotiate, and use scripture to deal with heart issues.

    00:42 Redemptive story of Matt's parents' marriage. 07:28 Matt's background. Dare's creation. Partnership with Love & Respect. 12:22 Biggest challenges facing marriages today. 16:43 Roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives and working that out in marriage. 22:46 Husbands and wives making...

  48. #10: Sheila Qualls, women's marriage mentor and coach on challenges facing marriage today; importance of respect, listening, sending time together; keys for women to have successful marriages.

    01:13: Personal experience with marriage: challenges, frustration and change of attitude. 07:52: Changed perspective on marriage. Important influencers, e.g. Family Life, Tony Evans, developing a biblical perspective on life and marriage. 10:39 Challenges facing marriages today. Impact of…

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  49. #9: Dr. Joseph Atkinson on Marriage as the Domestic Church. Marriage in Scripture. Challenges living in a post-Christian Society.

    00:53 Background and training at John Paul II Institute: Impact of Dr. Francis Martin on His life. 07:59 State of theology on marriage. Impact of unbiblical understanding of human person. Biblical view of marriage. 19:15 Biblical vision of marriage in Genesis. 27:05 Importance of marriage and...

  50. #8: Mark and Pam Johnson, Care Pastors, River Valley Church (MN). Marriage lessons learned. Advice for young marrieds. Dating in marriage. Qualities of Marriage Champions. Marriage small groups.

    01:03 Care Ministry Responsibilities: marriage, prayer, freedom, visitation, meals and missionary care. 02:25 How they met and got married. 04:12 Beginning of marriage ministry work at River Valley Church. 08:05 Lessons learned in own marriage. Any brokenness in our lives is brought into…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Forever Adventure exists to identify, encourage, and equip individuals and couples to be marriage champions in every church and community around the world. This is our podcast called, Marriage Champions, welcome!

HOSTED BY

Forever Adventure

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Marriage Champions have?

Marriage Champions currently has 55 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Marriage Champions about?

Forever Adventure exists to identify, encourage, and equip individuals and couples to be marriage champions in every church and community around the world. This is our podcast called, Marriage Champions, welcome!

How often does Marriage Champions release new episodes?

Marriage Champions has 55 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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