

Focus on the Family Strengthening 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

Dec 13, 2023 • 10min
Is Sex Really That Important?
Sometimes, one spouse desires sex more than the other. When that happens, how can you and your spouse talk about it? John and the Smalley's address why it's good to put your spouse's needs above your own. Also, Jim Daly talks to Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn about why it matters that you and your spouse have a good sex life. Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Find Questions You Can Ask Your Spouse About Sex Contact our Counseling Department If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Dec 12, 2023 • 12min
Respecting Your Past and Each Other
How can blended families show each other grace, when they reveal difficult details about their pasts? Jim Daly and Ron Deal share about how couples can have healthy conversations on their past histories. Also, John and the Smalley's offer hope to people who didn't have good marriages modeled to them by their parents. Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Find Questions You Can Ask Your Spouse About Sex Getting to Know You If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Dec 5, 2023 • 8min
How to Have Good Conversations About Sex
When was the last time you and your spouse talked about sex? The truth is, many couples struggle to discus it at all. Jim Daly speaks to Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma about why many couples face challenges regarding physical intimacy. Plus, John and the Smalley's address why you need to talk about physical intimacy. Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Find Questions You Can Ask Your Spouse About Sex Contact our Counseling Department If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 30, 2023 • 13min
Navigating Toxic Friendships
Your marriage needs friendships. But how can you discern if your friendships are truly helping your relationship? Greg Smalley talks with John and Erin about ways you can tell if a friendship is toxic. Plus, Jim Daly speaks to Dr. Randy Schroeder on how friendships influence a marriage. Receive the book Simple Habits for Marital Happiness for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime How to Help a Friend Who Has Marriage Problems Contact our Counseling Department If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 28, 2023 • 12min
Practicing Dialogue, Not a Monologue
You thought you were making such a good point to your spouse, but instead, your mate got annoyed by how much you talked! Sound familiar? Jim Daly speaks with Counselor, Dr. Randy Schroeder about the need for couples to practice dialogue. Also, John and the Smalley's will encourage you to make dialoguing a habit in your conversations with your spouse. Receive the book Simple Habits for Marital Happiness for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Positive Communication in Marriage Four Types of Communication to Strengthen Your Marriage If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 27, 2023 • 13min
How Affairs Get Started
Many affairs get started with something that seems innocent - a nice text, a friendly conversation, etc. John, Greg and Erin will encourage you to notice the warning signs, so you can prevent an affair from happening. You'll also hear Jim Daly talk to Rick and Tiffany Bulman, as they address how she developed a seemingly innocent friendship that led her down a dark road. Receive the book Mended for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime Counseling How to Recognize Where Your Marriage Is Vulnerable to an Affair If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 21, 2023 • 13min
Warning Signs That Can Lead to an Affair
Small things left unchecked in your marriage might make your relationship more vulnerable to an affair. John, Erin and Greg discuss how you can guard your marriage from an affair. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Pastor Rick Bulman and his wife Tiffany about a season where they didn't heed the warning signs in their marriage. Receive the book Mended for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime The Billy Graham Rule: Should You Have Opposite-Sex Friendships? How to Know When Your Marriage Is in Trouble If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 16, 2023 • 11min
A Wedding for Blended Couples
For couples facing remarriage, what's the way to do a wedding right? John and the Smalley's share how they've seen God restore people, even after an unwanted divorce. Also, Jim Daly and Dr. Ron Deal talk about ways kids can be involved in a blended family wedding. Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime How Remarriage Affects Kids Remarriage Doesn’t Wipe Away Memories and Old Habits If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 14, 2023 • 14min
Blended Couples and Kids
We all need God's grace for our past mistakes. But what does that look like if you've gotten remarried? John, Greg, and Erin provide hope to those in a blended marriage. Then, Jim Daly and Dr. Ron Deal explain the need for spouses to prioritize their marriage, even when kids are involved. Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Living in a Stepfamily Contact our Counseling Department If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Nov 9, 2023 • 10min
Designed for Passionate Pleasure
Do you see sex in your marriage as a gift? John and the Smalley's explain some of the benefits of physical intimacy in marriage, and why it's a gift from God. Plus, Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery discuss why sex is designed by God for passionate celebration. Receive the book God, Sex, and Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Contact our Counseling Department How Important is Sex in a Relationship? If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.


