The Marriage Mentor Podcast

Is your marriage dealing with a lack of intimacy? In this episode, Eric and Jolene Engle tackle one of the most-requested topics they receive: why a wife may not want to have sex with her husband — and what to do about it.

They break down 20 reasons across four categories.

Eric and Jolene share practical, biblically grounded advice for both husbands and wives — including how to have honest conversations, seek proper help, and protect your marriage bed from becoming a source of division.

If you've been struggling with intimacy in your marriage, this episode is a starting place to identify the root issue and take real steps toward healing.

Also watch: What's Okay and Not Okay in the Christian Marriage Bed — available on Jolene's YouTube channel.

Who handles the budget? Who leads, who follows, who apologizes first? Most couples fight over these questions — but rarely stop to ask what God actually says about it.

In this episode, Eric and Jolene dive into God's blueprint for husbands and wives, straight from the Bible. They break down the roles God designed for marriage — not as a power grab, but as a beautifully crafted structure meant to make your marriage thrive.

If the word "roles" just made you tense up, this episode is especially for you.

In this episode:

• Why most marital conflict isn't really about the dishes
• What Genesis and 1 Corinthians say about roles in marriage
• Why following God's design isn't about ranking — it's about function
• How ignoring God's blueprint leads to a marriage that falls apart (like a house with no headers)

📖 Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 2:24 | 1 Corinthians 11:3

🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes every week and follow along as Eric and Jolene share practical, Bible-based wisdom for your marriage.

Is your marriage feeling more like a roommate situation than a romance? In this episode, Eric and Jolene tackle a listener question from a wife who feels her husband has lost interest — no dates, no intimacy, and no spark. Sound familiar?

They dig into what's really going on when a marriage starts to feel stale, including the major life shifts that pull couples apart (hello, toddler life), why husbands and wives can end up on completely different pages, and practical ways to start pulling your marriage back to the front burner.

Whether you're in the thick of new parenthood or just feeling disconnected from your spouse, this episode is full of honest conversation and real advice.

Eric and Jolene Engle discuss a listener question about Genesis 2:18 and why a wife’s attempts to “help” can feel like criticism to her husband. They emphasize that “helper” looks different for each man and each season, so the wife should ask her husband what support looks like to him, use the right tone and timing, and “read the room,” especially when he’s stressed or tired. They share that help may be practical (tasks, keeping kids quiet, errands) or relational (encouragement), and that needs can change over time. They encourage exploring questions like what felt critical, when he feels most supported, and what help would look like in a perfect world, while noting husbands shouldn’t respond harshly and that marriages require ongoing tending and self-examination.

How to Walk with God (and Influence Without Criticism)

Eric and Jolene Engle discuss what a wife can do when her believing husband shows little interest in reading Scripture together or growing in Christ, noting the question can carry accusations but may reflect real expectations from dating and biblical roles. They advise wives—especially those dating—to discern genuine faith by whether a man pursues church and God apart from the relationship. For marriages, they recommend using a wife’s influence by starting very small (e.g., seven minutes once a week) and building habits through encouragement and affirmation rather than criticism, acknowledging men’s insecurity, lack of modeling, and comparison. They emphasize running one’s own race with Jesus.

Eric and Jolene Engle address a wife’s question about two Christians who later feel their marriage “wasn’t from God” and what they should do.

Eric and Jolene Engle discuss a listener question about being called “contentious” when disagreeing and when not submitting becomes quarrelsome. They define “contentious” as arguing or provoking strife, warn husbands against using Bible verses to shame or spiritually manipulate their wives, and emphasize servant leadership that listens rather than rules. They explore why a wife may feel unheard, how emotions can escalate conflict, and how fear, pride, or lack of knowledge can drive quarrels. They encourage both spouses to self-examine, communicate outside heated moments with humility, and ask honest questions that build trust.

A wife's question opens this episode: is it wrong to grieve the marriage she thought she'd have, even while loving and staying committed to the husband she actually has? Jolene and Eric explore the difference between grief that moves toward healing and grief that calcifies into resentment, and offer a path toward grieving honestly without getting stuck.

How to Build a Closer Marriage: 8 Intentional Practices (Marriage Mentor Podcast)

Eric and Jolene define what a close marriage looks like from a man’s and a woman’s perspective, emphasizing that closeness is built over time through intentional maintenance rather than “found” by luck. They discuss a husband’s desire to feel valued and supported and a wife’s need to feel seen, heard, and loved, including the importance of listening without dismissing emotions