Making Your Marriage Fun Again!

The WinShape Marriage Podcast

It’s time to get up, get moving, and play with your spouse! What?! What does it mean to “play” as an adult? Isn’t that something kids do? Spoiler—play is not just for toddlers, elementary school kids, or even teenagers. Play is for adults, too, and it’s a healthy and vital part of your marriage relationship. Marlee Arnold is back with Julie Baumgardner, senior director of WinShape Marriage, and Bradley Joseph, a team leader of facilitation at WinShape Foundation, aka an expert on play. Together, they talk about what playing looks like in a marriage context, what the benefits are, and personal examples as well as detail different play personalities. It’s a great conversation where you are certain to learn something new.

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Time Stamps:

(1:17) Introduction to Bradley Joseph and his role at the WinShape Foundation

(2:30) What we mean when we say at WinShape Marriage Retreats we bring experiential learning into our experiences

(9:10) What does “playing” in marriage look like; what are some examples

(12:00) The definition of play

(12:20) What are some benefits for your marriage of playing with your spouse

(17:00) Breaking down “play personalities”—collector

(20:28) Competitor

(22:30) Creator

(23:18) Director

(24:34) Explorer

(27:28) Joker

(27:57) Kinesthete

(28:38) Storyteller

(30:08) How can you engage with your spouse in play if you have different play personalities

(34:10) How to have time to have fun and play with your spouse

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Links:

National Institue for Play https://nifplay.org/

Play Personalities https://nifplay.org/what-is-play/play-personalities/

Identify Your Play Nature https://nifplay.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/take-your-play-history-2023.08.02.pdf

The Importance of Play in Couple Relationships https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/research/the-importance-of-play-in-couple-relationships

90 Date Ideas for Couples https://marriage.winshape.org/resource/90-date-ideas-for-couples/

260 Free Printable Conversation Starters for Couples https://marriage.winshape.org/resource/conversation-starters-for-date-night/

60 Free Printable Would You Rather Questions https://marriage.winshape.org/resource/free-printable-would-you-rather-questions/

“The Body Keeps the Score” https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748

Pastor & Ministry Leader Retreats https://marriage.winshape.org/ministry-retreats/

WinShape Marriage Website https://marriage.winshape.org/

WinShape Marriage Instagram https://www.instagram.com/winshapemarriage/

Spark deeper conversation with your spouse related to the episode with our free discussion questions.

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Discussion Questions

Ep 4: Wanna Play?! The Importance of Playing Together in Marriage

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word, “play?”

After hearing Bradley’s examples of playing with his wife, what are some examples of ways we can play together?

Are we setting a good example for our kids of what it looks like to have fun in marriage?

Have you ever heard of the different play personalities before?

What did you naturally feel drawn to when hearing the play personalities?

When you are free to do what you choose, what do you do?

Do you think we are the same or different?

What is your favorite way to play with me?

What is something new you want to try with me?

How can we incorporate playing together into what we are already doing?