#480 | Making Marriage Easier - Arlene Pellicane

·48 min·4 clips

Marianne reveals a huge blow-up fight with her husband over a lamp in their first years of marriage.

The episode begins with co-host Marianne Howard sharing a personal story about an early-marriage argument over a lamp, highlighting common marital tensions. Host Ron Hunter introduces guest Arlene Pellicane, author of 'Making Marriage Easier' and host of the Happy Home podcast. Pellicane discusses the misconception that marriage should bring everlasting happiness, emphasizing that spouses cannot fulfill that role—only God can. She advises on distinguishing between minor annoyances, like coffee cups, and serious issues that need discussion. Pellicane shares a humorous story about her fiancé suggesting electrolysis for facial hair, demonstrating the importance of openness and humility in communication. She provides strategies for avoiding defensiveness, such as praying to see a spouse's perspective. The conversation covers forgiveness, with Pellicane encouraging quick reconciliation for small offenses and patience for rebuilding trust after major ones. She explains the difference between helpful routines and being 'root-bound' in marriage, suggesting trying new activities together. Pellicane addresses the challenge of devices acting as a 'third wheel' and offers tips like limiting screen time on consecutive nights. She concludes by discussing how trials can strengthen marriages if couples unite against problems rather than each other, sharing her experience with miscarriage. The hosts reflect on key takeaways, including avoiding unspoken expectations and fostering humility.

As heard by us

A bedroom-lamp fight opens into a grounded conversation about conflict, forgiveness, friendship, and what children absorb.

Marriage comes across as a practiced form of discipleship, shown less in grand statements than in ordinary household tension: a bedroom lamp, a recurring argument, the awareness that children are learning from what they see.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want marriage encouragement that starts with a lamp fight and turns toward forgiveness, repair, and ordinary home life.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The D6 Family Ministry Podcast