Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

Have you or your spouse ever had an unexpected outburst? It might be that there are unrealistic expectations underneath the surface. Greg and Erin talk to Jim and Jean Daly about how they've worked through expectations and misunderstandings. Plus, John asks the Smalley's how you can practice genuine honesty for the sake of your marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!   Focus on Marriage Assessment   Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple    Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage    Contact our Counseling Team   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this conversation with Jerry Jenkins, an accomplished author, he shares his insights on prioritizing family time. He introduces his concept of creating 'hedges' around family moments to protect them from distractions. Jenkins emphasizes that children thrive on both quantity and quality time, revealing common regrets parents have about neglecting family. He also discusses setting boundaries at work and the importance of accountability among men in maintaining family connections. It's never too late to start repairing relationships, according to Jenkins.

Flirting might seem harmless. But, it's dangerous to flirt with someone who isn't your spouse. Jerry Jenkins tells Jim Daly a poignant story of how flirting led to an affair with a couple he knew at church. He'll also discuss importance of keeping your wedding vows. Then, John and the Smalley's encourage you to remember and think about your wedding vows, even if you've been married for a long time.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Hedges for your donation of any amount!   Hope Restored   How to Guard Your Marriage From Temptation    5 Traditional Marriage Vows: What They Mean and Why They're Still Important    The Hedges Challenge   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

How are you dealing with the baggage you've brought into your marriage? We all bring some, but the key is taking appropriate action to address it. David and Krista Dunham talk to Jim Daly about how they discovered Krista had an eating disorder while they were dating. Also, Erin Smalley discusses what you can do if your spouse has a serious problem, but is not seeking help.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!   Hope Restored   Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder    Contact our Counseling Team    Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Perfectionism is something many people struggle with. It's also very bad for your marriage. Jim Daly talks to David & Krista Dunham on how her struggles with perfectionism led to an eating disorder. You'll also hear from Greg Smalley, who will share about giving yourself grace, even if you mess up.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!   Hope Restored   Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder    Contact our Counseling Team    Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

How was God working in your heart before you met your spouse? Jim Daly talks to Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie Fink on lessons God taught them and ways they stayed active before they walked down the aisle. Plus, John asks Greg how God can redeem your story, even if you don't like how your marriage is going.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!   Focus on Marriage Assessment   Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life    Practice Makes Parent    Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

As Christians, we're called to please God. So, how do you balance that with trying to make your spouse happy? Dr. Greg Smalley will help you discern if your goal is to obey God, or if you're focusing too much on your mate's happiness. Also, Rebecca St. James joins Jim Daly to explain how she learned to let go of people-pleasing tendencies before she got married.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!   Focus on Marriage Assessment   Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life    Practice Makes Parent    Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Dr. Greg Smalley, a marriage expert and leader of the Focus Marriage team, and Erin Smalley, a marriage counselor, share insights on navigating the ever-evolving nature of marriage. They discuss how spouses influence each other's growth and the importance of personal responsibility in managing expectations. The couple explores the dynamics between introversion and extroversion, highlighting how Greg's introversion has positively shaped Erin's appreciation for quiet time. Their practical advice helps couples blend traits and grow closer together.

Have you told your spouse how much you appreciate him or her recently? It can be easy to get caught up in the to-do lists of life, and miss telling them "thank you." Jim Daly and his wife Jean, along with the Smalley's, encourage you to make your mate feel valued through very simple gestures. Plus, John Fuller asks Erin Smalley why focusing on the best aspects of your spouse is good for your relationship.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!   Focus on Marriage Assessment   Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple    Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage    Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation   Support This Show!   If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Joining the conversation are Jerry Jenkins, bestselling author and speaker on marriage and faith, and Dr. Greg Smalley, marriage expert known for his practical counseling insights. They delve into the importance of setting boundaries in marriage to foster deeper intimacy. Jenkins shares wisdom from his book, Hedges, emphasizing how to guard against temptation with a strong biblical foundation. Smalley introduces his HALT acronym to identify vulnerability cues and offers actionable tips for resisting temptation while strengthening marital bonds.