In this episode of Heart & Soulution, hosts Mike and Kristen tackle a thoughtful listener question building on the Season 2 finale ("Because of You"): What do you do when your spouse isn't interested in growing emotionally or spiritually, or chooses not to mature?

When one partner undergoes a spiritual awakening or emotional growth spurt while the other remains stagnant, a "faith gap" opens in the marriage. Grounding the conversation in biblical wisdom and real-life experience, Mike and Kristen explore how to navigate a spiritually mismatched marriage with grace, wisdom, and steadfast love—without turning your spouse into a "conversion project."

© 2025-2026 All Music by Mike and Kristen Jones for use by Heart and Soulution, including "Heart and Soulution theme (feat. Mike Jones)", "Card of the day", "Get to Know You Theme", "If We're Asking Other People Theme" and all background music; written and created by Mike Jones; produced and mastered with Suno.com.

Scripture & References Mentioned:

• 1 Corinthians 7:12–13 — Directives on remaining married to an unbelieving spouse
• John 16:8–11 & John 6:44 — The Holy Spirit's role in conviction and calling
• Matthew 6:14–15 — Extending forgiveness and grace
• Ephesians 4:29 — Speaking words that build others up
• Quote Highlight (Larry Crabb): Maintaining commitment to obey God and ministering to your spouse through every opportunity.
• Featured Book: Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage by Lee and Leslie Strobel (2002), which serves as the core resource for the episode's 12 practical steps.
• Podcast Reference: The Heart and Soulution podcast show page on Apple Podcasts, featuring Mike and Kristen Jones's episode archives, including the Season 2 episode "Because of You: Navigating Relationships with Emotionally Immature Parents".

Connect with Heart and Soulution: Follow on Instagram and join the conversation @heartandsoulution.

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones interview an engaged couple, Joe and Mali, who share their journey from a chance meeting in a college commuter lounge to preparing for their wedding. The couple discusses the evolution of their relationship, highlighting how they built a strong foundation through deep conversations, shared faith, and effective conflict resolution. They also address the realities of wedding planning, noting that navigating guest lists and family boundaries brought unexpected challenges alongside the excitement of their upcoming marriage. Furthermore, Joe and Mali emphasize the importance of intentional boundaries, explaining how mutual respect, open communication, and maintaining purity have strengthened their bond and prepared them for the future.

© 2025-2026 All Music by Mike and Kristen Jones for use by Heart and Soulution, including "Heart and Soulution theme (feat. Mike Jones)", "Card of the day", "Get to Know You Theme", "If We're Asking Other People Theme" and all background music; written and created by Mike Jones; produced and mastered with Suno.com.

Reference material and Resources to dive deeper:

• Song referenced in this episode:

• • Title: From The Ground Up;
  • Authors: Dan + Shay
  • Album: Obsessed; 2016
  • ⁠Listen on Spotify

• Previous episode referenced: Don't Get Coldplayed; Season 1, Episode 2; August 13, 2025. Listen on any podcast platform including Apple, Amazon, iHeart and of course, Spotify.

Connect with Heart and Soulution:

• Follow on Instagram: Join the conversation ⁠⁠⁠⁠@heartandsoulution.

In this episode, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the importance of intentional dating and spiritual intimacy in marriage using the resource "10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love, and Marriage." They acknowledge that many couples struggle with spiritual differences and the fear of vulnerability, noting that research links strong faith-based connections to higher relationship satisfaction. To overcome these hurdles, the hosts recommend being teachable, practicing compromise, and recognizing that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey rather than a competition. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that regularly pursuing your spouse and scheduling intentional dates will reignite passion and deepen your bond as a couple.

© 2025-2026 All Music by Mike and Kristen Jones for use by Heart and Soulution, including "Heart and Soulution theme (feat. Mike Jones)", "Card of the day", "Get to Know You Theme", "If We're Asking Other People Theme" and all background music; written and created by Mike Jones; produced and mastered with Suno.com.

Reference material and Resources to dive deeper:

• Book Featured in Episode:

• • Title: 10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love, and Marriage; Authors: Peter Larson, Heather Larson, David Arp, and Claudia Arp
  • You can find it on Amazon.

Articles & Research Mentioned:

• Title: "Do 'Church Ladies' Really Have Better Sex Lives?"

• • • Authors: Matthew Saxey and Hal Boyd[3][4]
    • Publisher: Institute for Family Studies (November 16, 2020)
    • Link: Institute for Family Studies Article

• Title: "New Study Finds Spiritual Intimacy Tied To Greater Satisfaction And Commitment In Dating Couples"
• • Author: Susan Johnson (reporting on research by Daniel D. Flint & Annette Mahoney in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality)
  • Publisher: Cottonwood Psychology (November 27, 2025)
  • Link: Cottonwood Psychology Article

Connect with Heart and Soulution:

• Follow on Instagram: Join the conversation ⁠⁠⁠@heartandsoulution.