How to Co-Regulate in Marriage and Become Each Other’s Safe Place

Ever feel like you and your spouse are constantly missing each other emotionally?
In this episode, we’re talking about the powerful (but often overlooked) practice of co-regulation—and how it can transform your marriage into a place of emotional safety, healing, and connection.

We'll explore what it means to not just regulate your own emotions but to be a calm, supportive presence for your spouse—and how this reflects the love and comfort of Christ in your marriage.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• ✅ What co-regulation is (and how it’s different from self-regulation)
• 💔 How emotional disconnection and little “t” traumas show up in everyday marriage moments
• 📖 The biblical foundation for becoming a safe place: Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 17:17, Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, Romans 12:10
• 💡 Real-life examples of how co-regulation can show up in your marriage
• 🛠 Practical steps to create emotional safety and healing—without needing to fix everything
• ❤️ Why your tone, presence, and patience may be the most healing tools you have

💬 Quote from the Episode:
"There’s enough loss in the world—let’s not contribute more of it in our homes."

🎯 Call to Action:

1. Try to implement co-regulation into your marriage this week: a soft word, your presence, or a listening ear. Tune yourself into your spouse. Look for ways to show up for them. Be the soft place for them to land in this harsh world.
2. Ask your spouse: “Do you feel emotionally safe with me?”—and truly listen.
3. Share this episode with a friend or couple who could use some emotional connection and support.
4. Visit expeditionmarriage.org for more tools, devotionals, and resources to build a safe and God-honoring marriage.

You don’t have to heal alone—and you weren’t designed to do marriage alone.
Let’s build homes of safety and healing—together.

https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-147-safe-and-sound-how-to-co-regulate-in-marriage-and-become-each-others-safe-place

⛈️ In This Episode:

What’s your marriage really built on?

In today’s episode, Chris and Jamie explore what it means to build a marriage that can withstand life’s storms. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, they’ll help you identify if you’ve unknowingly been building on shaky ground—and show you how to rebuild on the rock-solid truth of Christ.

Whether you're facing hardship right now or just want to prepare for whatever comes your way, this episode will give you biblical insight and practical steps to storm-proof your marriage.

📖 Scriptures Mentioned:

• Matthew 7:24–27 – Building on the rock
• Galatians 2:21 – Rejecting performance-based love
• Proverbs 3:5 – Trusting in God over worldly wisdom
• John 15:5 – Staying connected to Christ
• Ephesians 5:25–33 – Loving like Christ
• 1 Corinthians 13 – Living out godly love

🔍 You'll Learn:

• Why storms don’t have to destroy your marriage
• 3 subtle signs you’re building on the wrong foundation
• How to recognize and surrender self-reliant patterns
• Four practical ways to start rebuilding on Christ
• Why spiritual intimacy is key to long-term strength
• Real-life encouragement for couples in every season

💬 Reflection Questions:

• What storms have tested your marriage recently?
• Did they reveal any weak spots—or strengthen your foundation?
• What is one way you can re-center your marriage on Jesus this week?

📥 Resources & Next Steps:

👫 Talk with your spouse about what your marriage has been built on—and what step you’ll take together this week to build on Christ.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode—and if today’s conversation encouraged you, please leave a quick review!

Have you ever found yourself snapping, shutting down, or numbing out—and not even sure why? You might be experiencing emotional flooding.

In this episode, Chris and Jamie unpack what emotional flooding is, how it silently impacts your marriage, and what you can do to find healthy release instead of letting it explode or bury you. Just like a 10-gallon bucket can only hold so much water, our hearts can only hold so many emotions before they spill over—and that overflow shows up in our marriages.

💥 In This Episode, We’ll Cover:

🔹 What emotional flooding is
🔹 Real-life signs your emotional bucket is full
🔹 Why some of us have “coffee cups” while others have “buckets”
🔹 Practical ways to poke holes in your bucket before it spills

📖 Biblical Encouragement:

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
—Psalm 62:8

✅ Helpful Takeaways:

• Learn how to identify when you or your spouse are emotionally flooded
• Explore practical tools like walking, journaling, or talking it out
• Create space in your marriage for healthy emotional release and empathy
• Reframe emotional overload not as weakness—but as an invitation to connect

💛 Want More Support for Your Marriage?

Check out more free tools and biblical resources at ExpeditionMarriage.org

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode encouraged you!

https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-144-is-your-emotional-bucket-overflowing-how-to-recognize-and-release-emotional-flooding-in-marriage/