056: Marriage Holding You Back? "Why I Didn’t Chase Dreams—Until My Marriage Fell Apart"

I’m David Fenwick, founder and host of Next Third Best Third, and this episode goes deep—really deep—into whether marriage holds you back. My buddy and producer Taylor asked me a hard question: “Would you have pursued your dreams if you’d stayed married?” I paused—and the honest answer hit me like a freight train: probably not. Coming out of my divorce, I was broken, but that fracture gave birth to this mission: to intentionally design a life fueled by purpose and passion.

In this episode, Taylor and I unpack the tension between marriage and self-discovery. We dive into how I got complacent, how painful endings forced me to rediscover me, and how God whispered back those childhood dreams through wilderness trips, global storytelling, and therapy. We draw from statistics—millennials marrying later, divorce rates hovering around 40%—to challenge assumptions and replace “growing apart” with reconnecting apart with purpose.

We also confront the uncomfortable: conflict isn’t the enemy—it’s the gateway to growth. Whether you're married, divorced, single, or dating, this episode is for you. We chart a roadmap: self-examination, honest appraisal, intentional alignment with your spouse, and underpinning it all with vulnerability. Marriage isn’t the roadblock—it’s the crossroads. Let’s chart a path that honors you, your partner, and that childlike spark still whispering for your attention. 

Connect with Taylor: Jesusoneveryscreen.com

Timestamps You'll Enjoy:

00:00 – Episode kick-off

02:19 – Millennials are skipping “spouse,” opting for “partner”—what does that shift mean?

04:02 – Divorce ignited Next Third Best Third—how brokenness birthed purpose

06:44 – Two marriages, two approaches: What I learned about red flags and prepping for success

12:14 – 2025 Marriage stats: Average first marriage age 32, 40–41% divorce rate

16:14 – Treasure & love: Why ‘where your treasure is, your heart will be’

20:15 – Intentional goal-setting: Family goals + business alignment = connection

23:42 – Self-care vs. selfish: Doing hobbies in ways that build marriage, not escape it

28:45 – Therapy & community: Why vulnerability and seeking help saved us

33:22 – Dreams rediscovered: When God reignites childhood whispers in marriage

Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:

- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.
- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.
- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.
- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.

Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!

Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)