February 25, 2024 — Episode #8

Jerry and Becky dig into a chapter of their marriage book on the power of complimenting — rather than criticizing — a spouse in front of others.

They discuss how public praise builds confidence while public put-downs, even ones played for laughs, wound a marriage, and walk through the well-known “five love languages” framework of acts of service, gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, and physical touch. Becky shares how Jerry has served her through illness and how small, consistent gestures communicate care. They also revisit how they had to intentionally step back so their daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Josh’s marriage wouldn’t be undermined by too much parental involvement, and close with an exercise: each spouse lists ten of their own best qualities and compares notes.

Topics discussed:

• The impact of public compliments versus public put-downs
• The five love languages: service, gifts, time, words, touch
• Serving a spouse through illness
• Small, consistent gestures that build a marriage
• Respecting a spouse’s position of leadership
• An exercise in listing your own top ten qualities

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