As I sit here and think about Before the Yes, I think the thought that will be on everyone’s mind is, “Why another marriage and relationship podcast?” I get it—there are tons out there tackling the same topic. You might be wondering if we need one more, especially with all the crazy challenges we’re dealing with. My response, however, is straightforward: People are still saying “I do,” and unfortunately, people are still saying “I don’t.” That’s why we’re here—cutting through the noise to talk about real stuff that truly makes or breaks a relationship. 

 

So with a thousand and one different podcasts that focus on relationships, what makes Before the Yes different? My firm belief is that Before the Yes offers valuable insights for couples at any point in their relationship, but its main focus lies in providing pre-engagement counseling. It is counseling designed for couples contemplating the significant step of engagement. We’re diving deep into helping out those couples teetering on the edge of taking that big step—whether they’re ready to jump into the engagement pool, figuring out what the future holds, digging into the nitty-gritty of their relationship, or just gearing up for the sacred journey into marriage. We’re your go-to for that crucial time of deciding whether or not to get married.

 

I came across this stat the other day—it says about 25% of marriages within the Christian community end in divorce, and sadly, it’s on the rise. I know 25% might not sound crazy high, but honestly, even one divorce feels like too much, right? I understand that Before the Yes won’t magically fix everything, but I hope that through this podcast, we can help couples with the tools to not only choose right but also to help them navigate the hard times in marriage.

 

One of my goals with Before the Yes is to bring the topic of marriage back into the church. No shade towards the church, I just think we should talk about marriage more often within the church. I mean, many churches touch on it in February, being that Valentine’s Day is during that month. But hey, marriage is a year-round commitment! Only talking about it in one month might leave some married folks feeling a bit left out. This is not every church, some are all about keeping the marriage conversation going strong.

 

I believe that who someone chooses to spend the rest of their life with is the second most important decision that someone will make in their life. Through Before the Yes, we hope to inspire and encourage couples. We’re not here to be the marriage police, telling folks if they should tie the knot or not. We just want to equip them with biblical and practical tools and information to make the best decision for their relationship and themselves.