Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk
Midwest Book Review
Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk
Al Ray and Autumn Ray
Independently Published
9798266729308, $9.99, PB, 96pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Jane-Learn-Listen-Married/dp/B0FTLZJCL3
Synopsis
Build a stronger marriage through the power of effective communication with “Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk” by Al and Autumn Ray. This is the first volume in an eight volume ‘Rick and Jane Learn to be Married‘ series.
In this engaging and practical story, you will learn with Rick and Jane, a fictional but very relatable couple, how to truly listen to understand and talk openly about your negative feelings without creating a fight, Sam and Sally are Rick and Jane’s coaches and provide practical tools that transform their relationship.
Through the relatable examples and actionable steps comprising “Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk“, you will learn how to:
- Overcome common communication roadblocks
- Express your feelings without starting an argument
- Listening for understanding
- Build trust and intimacy through honest conversation
- Use a Listening Self-Assessment to improve your skills
- Create new agreements and accountability for the changes you want
Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk is for
- Couples who may have lost hope and are really struggling
- Couples who want a better marriage
- Newlyweds who want to get off on the right foot
- Ministry leaders who want practical tools for the couples they are helping
Critique
Impressively well written and exceptionally ‘reader friendly’ in organization, presentation, and style, “Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk“ by the husband and wife team of Al and Autumn Ray is an ideal DIY tool for enhancing the quality of marital relationship and effectively dealing with the strains and pressures that have result in a 50% marriage rate failure as expressed through divorce and emotional/physical separation. While expressly and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Marital Counseling collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that this paperback edition of “Rick and Jane Learn to Listen and Talk” is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note
Al and Autumn Ray met in college and were married in 1970. Al was an Air Force officer for over 27 years. They were not Christian when they were married and came to faith after a decade of marriage. While always committed to their relationship, they struggled with their differences. They went to everything that was related to creating a stronger marriage, but when the mountain top experience was over, they were still stuck in their old habits. Upon retiring Al worked in several different consulting and training jobs while Autumn was working as a Volunteer Manager in county government. In 2001, they started a marriage ministry that in 2006 was incorporated into MarriageTeam. The Lord used their talents in leadership, training, and curriculum development to create the MarriageTeam program that provides Christian marriage coaching across the U.S. and internationally. The program has been very successful with over 85% of the couples considering divorce deciding to stay together after completing coaching.
With years of experience coaching and equipping couples as coaches, Al and Autumn have seen firsthand the transformation that happens when husbands and wives learn to truly listen, forgive, and appreciate one another. It was out of this experience that the Rick and Jane Learn to Be Married series was born – a set of engaging, story-driven books designed to help couples tackle real-life challenges in marriage with humor, honesty, and biblical wisdom. Al and Autumn have personally walked alongside countless couples, and these stories reflect both their heart for marriage and the proven tools that bring change. When not writing, coaching or leading church activities, they enjoy traveling and family activities. They have two children and two grandchildren and live in WA.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129
