Welcome to Thrive Marriage Lab
A yearlong formation for couples who don’t want to drift
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What if God has more for your marriage?
Not more effort, but deeper formation?
Thrive Marriage Lab is a yearlong, guided rhythm for couples who want to stay awake to their marriage—cultivating connection, communication, and shared practices that sustain love over time.
This is not a quick fix. It’s formation for couples who want their marriage to keep growing.
Does this sound like you?
You’re not in crisis, but you’re not on autopilot either…
▶︎ You want your marriage to feel more connected, more honest, more alive.
▶︎ You’re tired of drifting into old patterns.
▶︎ You believe marriage is formed over time, not fixed in a moment.
▶︎ You don’t need weekly therapy, but you do want guidance and structure.
▶︎ You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, maybe even done counseling, but you want something consistent, like a roadmap.
If that resonates, Thrive may be the next faithful step.
What does Thrive do?
Thrive is built around a simple conviction:
Marriages do not change with information alone.
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That’s why, each month in Thrive we guide couples to:
▶︎ Speak (and listen) with more curiosity and less defensiveness.
▶︎ Stay connected to each other when things feel tender or unresolved.
▶︎ Learn and practice intentional presence instead of default patterns.
▶︎ Grow together without waiting for something to be “wrong”.
Don’t take our word for it
Hear how Thrive Marriage Lab impacts the lives of couples.
How the Lab works: A monthly rhythm of formation
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LIVE Group Gatherings
Marriage Coaching with ReStory Experts
Start the month by gathering virtually with our ReStory Marriage Experts and other couples for teaching and guided conversations that introduce a relational theme and offer practical ways to connect in real life (facilitated in private with videos turned off). These are recorded for you to watch if you can't make it.
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LIVE Spouse Groups
Monthly Opportunities to Engage as Wives/ Husbands
Members join a wives-only and a husbands-only gathering with ReStory staff to dive deeper into the unique marriage dynamics for men and women. These conversations are recorded and made available upon request.
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Expert Interviews
Learn From Top Marriage Experts
We take each month’s marriage theme and dive deep with some of our nation’s leading relationship experts. We ask them the hard questions so that you might grow together from their wisdom.
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Ignite Guides
Practical Roadmaps To Help You Ignite Your Marriage
Designed around each month’s marriage theme, we lead you into the deeper conversation and connection. Loaded with questions, suggestions, and practical steps, these guides are perfect for meaningful date nights.
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Community
A Steady, Safe Space to Belong
You’re not doing this alone. Thrive is a place where marriages are seen, supported, and honored. Some of the most rewarding experiences come from simply feeling, “you, too?”
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Plus Much More
Members also get:
▶︎ instant access to mini-courses
▶︎ weekly video tips from us
▶︎ weekly conversation prompts
▶︎ access to our members-only marriage intensive
Learn from the nation’s leading Christian
marriage experts
Who is Thrive for (and who is it not for?
Thrive is ideal for couples who:
▶︎ Want to invest proactively in their marriage
▶︎ Are willing to practice, not just consume content
▶︎ Value formation over quick fixes
▶︎ Want faith and psychology infused marriage care
Thrive is not for couples who:
▶︎ Need Crisis Counseling
▶︎ Want a “do this” and all will be fixed program
▶︎ Treat it as a last attempt before divorce
Who we are:
Thrive Marriage Lab is led by Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson and joined by a team of ReStory Storywork Coaches, all longtime guides for couples seeking deeper, story-informed care.
Our work integrates:
Narrative and trauma-informed wisdom
Christian spiritual formation
Decades of experience walking with couples
We believe marriages are shaped slowly, faithfully, and in community.
Chris Bruno
Tracy Johnson
Lisa Russell
Rob Bremer
Jeremy Williamson
Mallory Redmond
Three Ways to Enter Thrive
Every couple is different and has different needs on the journey toward a great marriage. Explore our offerings and determine which level of support works best for you and your spouse.
Start Here: Thrive Roadmap (On Demand)
$249
A self-paced introduction to the Thrive framework.
Perfect if you:
Want to discern whether Thrive is a good fit
Prefer to start privately
Are curious but not ready for a yearlong commitment
Most couples who join the live Lab begin here.
Included:
✔️12 recorded teaching modules
✔️12 curated date guides
✔️12 expert interviews
Most Couples Choose This: Thrive Marriage Lab (Live Community)
$149/month ~ Yearlong Formation
NEXT COHORT STARTS APRIL 12, 2026
A guided, relational rhythm designed to be practiced over time.
Twice-monthly live gatherings
Spouse groups
Monthly practices and guides
Deep Immersion: Thrive Journey
Same Cohort + Counseling + Group Intensive
$6999
NEXT COHORT STARTS APRIL 12, 2026
For couples who want deeper containment and accelerated growth.
Includes:
Everything in the live Lab
One monthly counseling session
A 5-day in-person group marriage intensive (Oct. 19-23, 2026)
This option is offered very selectively and space is limited to six couples.
Common Questions
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No. Thrive is a formation-based marriage lab, not clinical therapy.
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Yes. Thrive is designed for couples to practice together.
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All teachings are recorded and available in the library.
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We offer 3 plans for Thrive: the Roadmap is a one-time payment for all access. The Community is designed as a 12-month journey and members choose to pay monthly. The Journey includes both the 12-month cohort, 12 monthly 60-minute marriage counseling sessions, and the marriage intensive in October.
We do not offer refunds.
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Lots of people are asking about pre-marital membership! When is it right for a not-yet-married couple to join? The answer is YES. If you're engaged or certainly headed toward engagement soon, Thrive is for you, too.
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Thrive is a faith informed program. Most of our members are currently involved in a Christian community and we will dip into the theological basis for a variety of topics. However, this is not a bible study. We will not be praying or opening the bible or having heavy spiritual conversations. Please reach out if you have more questions.
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We have three options for you:
Option 1: We would be happy to help connect you with a marriage specialist. Our team is ready to serve you, and can do so virtually from anywhere or in-person in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Option 2: Tracy and Chris offer 3-Day Marriage Intensives. Please see ReStory Intensives for more details.
Option 3: Once a year we offer a 4-day group intensive for members only in Colorado. Only 6 couples join Chris and Tracy.
Your Next Step:
You don’t need to wait for a crisis to care for your marriage.
You just need a rhythm—and a place—to keep showing up.