If you’re looking for practical advice to strengthen your marriage, this episode of Beyond the Rut is for you. I’m Jerry Dugan, and I’m sharing insights from my recent hiatus and the one powerful piece of advice I gave at my son’s wedding that could transform your relationship.
This episode covers my journey through career changes, voiceover work, and a heartfelt wedding ceremony, all leading to a key tip for building a thriving marriage.
Highlights and Timestamps:
- Introduction and Hiatus Recap [00:00:19] – I’m back after taking a break since June 2024 to focus on personal projects. I’ll share what I’ve been up to, including rideshare driving and efforts to build a sustainable business.
- Career and Business Shift [00:02:19] – I reflect on my transition from the corporate world to starting BTR Impact, a leadership development company. As I pursued this path, I realized I was recreating my old corporate job, which led me to pivot towards more creative and fulfilling work.
- Voiceover Career Progress [00:08:45] – I’ll dive into how I replaced my rideshare income with voiceover projects, including narrating audiobooks and providing voiceovers for YouTube channels, and the steps I’m taking to make voiceover my primary source of income.
- Officiating My Son’s Wedding [00:16:11] – I share the touching experience of officiating my son’s wedding to his high school sweetheart. I recount how they met in high school and became a couple, and the emotions I felt being part of their big day.
- Marriage Advice Shared During the Ceremony [00:17:32] – My advice centered on mutual submission from Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I discuss how treating each other as equals and supporting each other’s needs can strengthen any marriage.
- The Podcast’s New Direction [00:13:39] – I talk about shifting the podcast to focus on solo episodes addressing topics relevant to Christian married men, drawing from my 23-year marriage and experiences as a father and entrepreneur.
- Narrating Audiobooks and YouTube Channels [00:28:32] – I’m excited to share some of my recent voiceover projects, from narrating fiction novels to contributing to YouTube channels focused on true crime, celebrity business, and history.
Show Notes:
In this episode of Beyond the Rut, I’m back after a hiatus to share some updates and practical marriage advice. Over the past few months, I took a step back to focus on creative projects and voiceover work while navigating life outside the corporate world. I had to find a way to pay the bills while still pursuing my passion for creating meaningful content. That’s where rideshare driving came in, helping me stay afloat as I built momentum in voiceover work.
I left my corporate career to start BTR Impact, a leadership development company, but soon realized I was just recreating the same job I had left behind. After an unsuccessful attempt to host a workshop, I decided to shift my focus to more creative and fulfilling pursuits. That’s when I dove deeper into voiceover work, which began to show promise as I replaced my original client with new projects. My goal now is to make voiceover my primary income source, allowing me to reduce my rideshare driving and dedicate more time to what I truly enjoy.
One of the most significant experiences I had recently was officiating my son’s wedding. He married his high school sweetheart, and it was an emotional moment for me. When they asked me to officiate, I was honored and nervous. During the ceremony, I offered them one piece of advice drawn from Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I explained that marriage is about mutual support, shared goals, and treating each other as equals. It’s about putting your partner’s needs on par with your own and fostering an environment of trust, respect, and love.
As for the podcast, you’ll notice a shift in direction. I’m moving towards more solo episodes where I share insights and advice relevant to Christian married men, based on my 23 years of marriage, fatherhood, and entrepreneurial journey. I want to help you create a life that goes “beyond the rut” in your faith, family, and career.
I’m also excited to talk about my voiceover work, which has expanded into narrating audiobooks and working on several YouTube channels. It’s been an interesting ride so far, and I’m finding new ways to express creativity and earn an income outside the traditional 9-to-5.
Whether you’re looking for ways to strengthen your marriage or just want to hear an encouraging story, this episode has something for you. Tune in, and let’s explore how one sentence can make a difference in your marriage. Until next time, go live life beyond the rut.
Resources
Past episodes you may like from Beyond the Rut related to this episode.
SWOT Analysis for a Healthy Marriage – BtR 293
Improve Marriage Communication With Project Management – BtR 368
Must-Have Marriage Tips from Prenup Lawyer Aaron Thomas – BtR 294
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