

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

Aug 29, 2023 • 11min
3 Building Blocks for Emotional Connection
How do you maintain a strong connection with your spouse when you are going through a storm? Jim Daly and Gary Thomas will offer you three ways you can do that. You'll also hear John Fuller and the Smalley's share about tough times they faced, and how to keep your communication strong when life gets stressful. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book "Making Your Marriage a Fortress" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Finding Stability Amidst Marriage Stressors Contact our Counseling Department Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 24, 2023 • 13min
Can We Start Over?
When you're in the middle of an argument with your spouse, there's tremendous value in learning to pause and start over. John and the Smalley's discuss how taking a moment to stop can help resolve an argument in your marriage. You'll also hear Jim Daly chat with Danny Ray and Kimberly Thompson, as they address ways they've learned to start over in the midst of conflict. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book "No, I Can’t Make Your Wife Disappear" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department Relationship Rituals: 20 Ideas for Staying Connected to Your Spouse Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 22, 2023 • 10min
Doing Whatever it Takes
At some point in your marriage, you'll make a mistake or handle a situation poorly. Danny Ray and Kimberly Thompson share a funny story with Jim Daly about a time something went awry in their marriage. Erin Smalley and John Fuller will also give some tips for how to forgive yourself, even after you make a mistake. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book "No, I Can’t Make Your Wife Disappear" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department Relationship Rituals: 20 Ideas for Staying Connected to Your Spouse Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 17, 2023 • 13min
How God Can Redeem Your Sexual Brokenness
Sex is meant to be a gift from God', but how can you see it as a blessing when you've made many mistakes? Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery share how the gospel can redeem you from sexual brokenness. You'll also hear a powerful story from Dr. Greg Smalley, as he chats with his wife Erin and John Fuller. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book "God, Sex, and Your Marriage" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department An Interview With A Post-Abortive Father Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 15, 2023 • 11min
Two Wrong Perspectives About Sex
Many of us enter marriage with a distorted view of God's design for sex. To give you some hope, Jim Daly talks with Dr. Juli Slattery about two wrong perspectives about sex, and how God can redeem them. You'll also hear John Fuller chat with the Smalley's about why there's a spiritual battle regarding our sexuality. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the "God, Sex, and Your Marriage" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department Rekindling Intimacy Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 10, 2023 • 14min
Sarcasm: Helpful or Harmful to Your Marriage?
Explore the effects of sarcasm on marriage through personal anecdotes, including a humorous reconciliation after a heated argument. Learn about the negative impact of sarcasm on relationships and the importance of leaving and cleaving in marriage. Discover the concept of taking a leave of absence during the first year of marriage for building a strong foundation.

Aug 8, 2023 • 10min
Making Appreciation a Habit
Telling your mate how much you appreciate him or her is very life-giving to your relationship. John talks with Greg and Erin Smalley about reasons they appreicate each other. Also, Focus President Jim Daly and Dr. Randy Shroeder address why it's healthy to develop a habit of showing gratitude to your spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the "Simple Habits for Marital Happiness" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department How to Appreciate Your Spouse's Unique Personality Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 3, 2023 • 12min
Don’t Isolate Your Marriage
It's easy for many people to feel isolated in their marriages today. John and the Smalley's discuss factors that can lead to feeling disconnected in your relationship. You'll also hear Jim Daly and Gary Thomas address why isolation is so bad for your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the "Making Your Marriage a Fortress" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department Three Ways Your Imperfect Marriage Can Bless Others Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Aug 1, 2023 • 13min
Overcoming Anger and Financial Hardships as a Couple
Tension in your marriage can be caused by a number of factors. But what if the real reason you're upset is not what you think it is? Gary Thomas speaks with Jim Daly about a couple who's worked through challenges and frustrations in their marriage. Plus, John Fuller and the Smalley's address how finances can be the cause for friction in your relationship. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the "Making Your Marriage a Fortress" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Contact our Counseling Department Money and Marriage – How to Thrive in Love and Money Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Jul 27, 2023 • 14min
God Works in the Messiness of Marriage
It's freeing when you can learn to love your spouse even when things are not perfect. But what do you do in the seasons of life deal you a bad hand? John and the Smalley's will share about a couple who handled a hard season of life well. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Danny Ray and Kimberly Thompson about how God can use messy situations in your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the "No, I Can’t Make Your Wife Disappear" for your donation of any amount! The Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment is designed to evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage. Do you know your marriage's strengths and weaknesses? Relationship Rituals: 20 Ideas for Staying Connected to Your Spouse How to Rekindle a Relationship with Your Spouse Listen Anytime If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.


