

Focus on Marriage Podcast
Focus on the Family
If you’re married — or soon to be — you’ve got questions. What makes this relationship work? How do I fix it when it breaks? Where do I go when I need help? Host John Fuller and marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley help answer those questions with practical, down-to-earth insights based on God’s design for marriage. Find answers and inspiration in every short episode of this Christian marriage podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2025 • 13min
The Dangers of Not Engaging Emotionally
To not try to understand your wife's emotions can do great damage in your marriage. John asks Erin Smalley about how it makes a wife feel if her husband dismisses her emotions. Then, Jim Turner and Jim Daly explain why loving your wife is more than just doing nice things for her. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "The Disconnected Man" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing With Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Humility in Marital Conflict Makes a Difference Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Oct 7, 2025 • 14min
When Your Husband is Emotionally Distant
What do you do if your husband is not connecting with you emotionally? Jim Daly interviews Jim Turner about how he struggled with being emotionally distant in his first marriage. Also, Greg Smalley shares how he's learned to be more open to sharing his feelings with Erin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "The Disconnected Man" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing With Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Humility in Marital Conflict Makes a Difference Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Oct 2, 2025 • 10min
Too Busy to Date Your Spouse?
You want fun dates with your spouse, but what if you simply don't have much time on your plate? Jay and Laura Laffoon speak with Jim Daly about how you can still make date nights a priority, even if you have a demanding schedule. Then, John asks Greg about how incremental changes in your relationship can have a major impact on having more time with your mate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage: 365 Daily Devotions for Busy Couples for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Make Date Night with Your Spouse a Weekly Habit Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 30, 2025 • 10min
Don't Skip Date Night
Date nights should be a part of every couple's schedule no matter how long you've been married. Jay and Laura Laffoon, who've been together for four decades, speak with Jim Daly about why their marriage is better because of date nights. Plus, Dr. Greg Smalley talks about some of the best dates he and Erin have been on. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage: 365 Daily Devotions for Busy Couples for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage Conversation Starters for Date Nights How Important is Sex in a Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 25, 2025 • 11min
Sexual Issues & Erasing Shame
The statistics on how many Christian men are viewing porn regularly are very sad. Jim Daly talks with Sherri Mueller and Erin Smalley on how sexual sin is having negative consequences on young people. Also, John and the Smalley's offer hope to people who are feeling shame over past sexual sin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Pursuing Intimacy with a Reluctant Husband Contact our Counseling Team How Important is Sex in a Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 23, 2025 • 12min
Enjoying Physical Intimacy Regularly
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages couples to not go too long without physical intimacy. Jim Daly talks to Erin Smalley and Sherri Mueller on why it matters for a couple to not neglect sex in marriage. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley encourages families to talk about sex in healthy ways. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Pursuing Intimacy with a Reluctant Husband Contact our Counseling Team How Important is Sex in a Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 18, 2025 • 12min
Don’t Play the Blame Game
When you're upset, one of the worst things you can do is fixate too much on blaming your spouse. Dr. Greg Smalley shares a story about a time he snapped at Erin, and how he learned from it. Plus, Jim Daly joins Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde on why it's important to not give your spouse too much power over how you feel. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage You Both Love Contact our Counseling Team Take the Reactive Cycle Assessment Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 16, 2025 • 12min
When a Button is Pushed, and Self Care
How do you respond well when one of your buttons gets pushed in marriage? Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde talk with Jim Daly about examining the reasons why your buttons get pushed. Also, John Fuller asks Erin Smalley about how couples can practice effective types of self-care. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Loving the Spouse God Gave You for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage You Both Love Contact our Counseling Team Take the Reactive Cycle Assessment Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 11, 2025 • 9min
When a Friend Calls You Out
Having supportive friends is one of the best ways to keep your marriage strong. Jim Turner tells Jim Daly a story about a time a friend called him out on something. Plus, Erin Smalley shares what women need from friends who love them. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Humility In Marital Conflict Makes A Difference Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Sep 9, 2025 • 14min
Emotional Distance in Marriage
Allowing your spouse to share their feelings is one of the best ways to make your marriage safe. Jim Turner and Jim Daly talk about how men tend to compartmentalize their emotions. Also, John and the Smalley's will give some ideas on how to make sure you and your spouse are connecting frequently. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Humility In Marital Conflict Makes A Difference Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.