When roles shift at home and at work, even strong couples can feel the strain. In this episode, returning guests Shay and Phil Bynes (Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur) pull back the curtain on their four-year journey of transitioning Shay out of the CEO seat and Phil in—while raising three kids and continuing to lead a global movement. They share what changed, what didn’t, and how they protected connection through it all.

You’ll hear how they navigated identity, authority, and expectations as spouses and co-leaders—without letting business tension become marital tension. From hearing God’s nudge to act, to wrestling with control, to defining new decision rights, Phil and Shay explain the practical guardrails (and plenty of grace) that made the handoff work.

We also get tactical about staying close during busy seasons: weekly “marriage board meetings,” spontaneous micro-check-ins, and simple, intentional fun that doesn’t require a plane ticket. If you’re a married entrepreneur aiming to grow your business without shrinking your marriage, this conversation is a masterclass in change done together.

12 Powerful Questions to Connect You with God's Heart & Mind in Business:

https://kingdomdrivenentrepreneur.com/usccc

Free Chapter of Shae's Book, Grace Under Pressure: A Story About Leadership and the Hidden Cost of Ambition

https://shaebynes.com/gupbook

Grace over Grind https://kingdomdrivenentrepreneur.com/our-books/

Key Takeaways:

• Transitions need clarity: Decide who owns which decisions now (vision, people, money, operations) and write it down.

• Step back—then calibrate: Founders often swing too far away after a handoff; expect to iterate until the advisor/CEO rhythm fits.

• Protect a weekly marriage meeting: Same time, same day, non-negotiable. Use ground rules so issues get resolved before they fester.

• Honor design differences: Lead styles will differ by God’s design; resist the urge to “correct” your spouse into your style.

• Let things “sputter” (strategically): Maturity sometimes requires leaders to stop rescuing, so teams learn to think and own outcomes.

• Friendship fuels connection: Micro-moments (10-minute check-ins, pausing a show to talk) keep intimacy alive during busy stretches.

• Serve first leadership: Out-serving one another at home creates safety and teamwork that shows up in the business.

• Plan fun on purpose: Comedy nights, simple dates, and kid-care logistics belong on the calendar like any key meeting.

Phil Bynes is CEO of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, a global movement equipping entrepreneurs to partner with God in business and create greater Kingdom impact in the marketplace. He is also the owner and lead therapist at Crazy Good Massage, where he has served clients with excellence for over 20 years.

Shae Bynes, affectionately known as the Chief Fire Igniter, equips leaders to build grace-empowered cultures where people and results flourish. She has impacted over one million people worldwide through her books, courses, podcasts, and speaking. In her executive advising work, she brings a unique blend of strategic clarity, spiritual intelligence, and transformational insight.

High school sweethearts since age 16, Phil and Shae have been married for 26 years and are the proud parents of three daughters.

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https://marriedentrepreneur.co/5-daily-habits-download

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

Get on the waitlist for a Thriving in Tandem event near you. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/marriage-and-business-events

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https://marriedentrepreneur.co/5-daily-habits-download

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

Every married entrepreneur knows the challenge of managing different energy levels—especially when one spouse is ready to go full throttle and the other needs to pace themselves. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee get real about how this dynamic plays out in their own relationship, from social events and vacations to business strategy sessions and conferences. They reflect on their early frustrations and how intentional communication helped them transform energy differences from a source of conflict into a strength.

They share practical tips for managing expectations, planning ahead, and respecting each other’s rhythms—whether you're attending a networking event, hosting a retreat, or simply planning your weekend. From code words to separate cars, from downtime gaps on vacation to avoiding heavy convos at bedtime, this episode offers insight into how married couples can honor each other's needs while still pursuing shared goals.

Plus, they announce new in-person events—like their upcoming wine pairing dinner, concerts in the park, and even a ski trip in 2026. If you’ve ever wished your spouse could just keep up (or slow down), this is the episode that will help you find peace, pace, and partnership.

• Don’t assume your spouse should match your energy—discuss your needs and make a plan ahead of time.

• Rest isn’t always about sleep; it can also mean freedom from rigid schedules or overstimulation.

• Schedule important conversations when you’re both alert—avoid conflict-heavy talks late at night or during busy moments.
  Protect the bedroom as a place of intimacy and peace, not stress or business talk.

• Even high-energy spouses benefit from margin; intentional rest improves clarity, focus, and connection.

When was the last time you and your spouse really laughed together? In this week’s episode of Thriving in Tandem, Robert and Kay Lee dive deep into a topic too many married entrepreneurs overlook—fun. After returning from an 18-day dream vacation in Italy and hosting their first “Thriving in Tandem Date Night,” they realized just how many couples have stopped making space for joy. Between business demands, family responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, fun often gets pushed aside.

Robert and Kay Lee share creative, budget-friendly ways to bring fun back into your marriage without waiting for the “perfect” time or a big trip. From driveway date nights to free concerts in the park, they remind us that joy isn’t about extravagance—it’s about intentionality. They also reveal how planning events for their married entrepreneur community has given them built-in reasons to prioritize their own date nights and adventures.

This episode is full of practical ideas, relatable laughs, and a powerful reminder that fun is essential for a thriving marriage and business. Whether it’s putting date nights on the calendar, joining in-person gatherings, or even “forcing” fun through memberships or pre-paid trips, Robert and Kay Lee challenge you to stop waiting and start creating shared memories now.

Join our Thriving in Tandem event waitlist https://marriedentrepreneur.co/event-waitlist

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https://marriedentrepreneur.co/5-daily-habits-download

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

Key Takeaways:

• Fun fuels connection – Laughter and shared experiences lower stress, boost creativity, and strengthen your bond.

• Intentionality is everything – If it’s not on the calendar, it probably won’t happen.

• Fun doesn’t have to be expensive – Explore free and local activities; creativity counts more than cost.

• Community matters – Being around other married entrepreneurs creates instant understanding and encouragement.

Sometimes you have to “force” fun – Pre-committing with reservations, memberships, or events helps ensure you follow through.