

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage
Focus on the Family
Did you know the Hebrew root word for marriage is the same as mess? Okay, maybe not, but it wasn’t a stretch to believe, right? This is the podcast for Christian married couples who are in the middle of a messy moment. They need to laugh. They need clear, practical advice. And they need to hear from someone with an actual degree in this thing. Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley are those people. They have reached millions of couples through their counseling practices, books, events, and work at Focus on the Family.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2025 • 49min
Covenant Conditions: A Father's Challenge To A Future Son-In-Law
What if you went to your girlfriend's father, asking for her hand in marriage, and he says "NO!" What would you do? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley dive into a heartfelt story involving Curt and Tanya Cramer, their daughter Abby, and her future husband, David. This conversation emphasizes the importance of patience, relational growth, and spiritual growth in order to handle the biblical requirements of a marriage. Greg and Erin also address a listener’s question about the biblical perspective on sex in marriage and share humorous marriage tweets. Ready To Wed: 12 Ways To Start A Marriage You'll Love 12 Questions Every Father Should Ask His Future Son In Law Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 2, 2025 • 59min
Let's Talk About Marriage Pt .2
Personal anecdotes, including stories about resolving conflicts, handling crises, and supporting each other through tough times, illustrate the broader points of a strong marriagfe. The importance of empathy, communication, and long-term commitment is highlighted, as is the notion of using marriage as a means to grow more like Christ and to support one another in becoming the best versions of themselves. The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer Together If you'd like to talk with a Christian Counselor, call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage Additional Premarital Resources Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

May 26, 2025 • 59min
Let's Talk About Marriage Pt. I
On this edition of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin have a discussion with Jim and Jean Daly about strengthening marriages, starting with how their differences revealed themselves early in their marriage. We'll explore the key challenges in marriage such as creating safety and understanding each other's needs. This conversation is also featured on Focus on the Family daily radio program on June 5, 2025. The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer Together Marriage Champions Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage Take the Marriage Personality Test Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

May 19, 2025 • 58min
Sports Analogies for Marriage
In this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss strategies to strengthen marriages using biblical principles and sports analogies! We spent some time with marriage coaches George and Tondra Gregory who shared their experiences working with NFL teams and their approach to marriage ministry. Topics include defining a 'win' in marriage, navigating cultural and communication differences, and the importance of intentional growth through life transitions. The episode also provides practical date night ideas using the alphabet, and addresses a listener's question about improving communication and managing emotional triggers. Make sure you share the link with your friends! The Game Plan For Marriage Nurture The Heart of your Spouse Collection The Animal Personality Test Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

May 12, 2025 • 47min
Stormie Omartian - The Power of Prayer for Marriage
Stormie Omartian, an award-winning author of the 'Power of a Praying' series, shares her inspiring experiences on the vital role of prayer in marriage. She discusses how prayer can heal challenges like depression and PTSD, fostering unity and positive change. The podcast also addresses navigating emotional turmoil after a child's divorce and the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries. Expect heartfelt stories and practical advice on integrating prayer into daily life, transforming relationships through spiritual connections.

May 5, 2025 • 56min
Restoring Marriage After an Affair
On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley tackle the sensitive topic of marital betrayal due to physical affairs, emotional affairs, and pornography addiction. Guests Bob and Dannah Gresh share their personal journey through Bob's pornography addiction and the process of healing and restoration they experienced. They discuss the spectrum of pornography use, the impact of shame, and the importance of rigorous honesty and transparency in recovery. Happily Even After - Let God Redeem Your Marriage If you have a problem, listen to the No More Porn Podcast. You’ll learn why pornography hurts a marriage, but there’s hope and freedom found in God’s grace. Whether you’ve struggled with pornography or been hurt by your spouse’s usage of it, this series will help you start a journey toward healing. Marriage Champions How & Why To Pursue A Healing Separation Hope Restored Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
Joy In Marriage
How is your marriage, really? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, we're highlighting key aspects of a long-lasting marriage. The episode discusses maintaining friendship, effective communication, and daily acts of love in marriage with our special guests Brandon and Octavia Cormier. They share their love story, challenges in communication, and how their faith has played a pivotal role in their marriage. The episode showcases the importance of enduring difficulties, seeking counsel, and placing faith in God to navigate marital challenges. The Deep Rooted Marriage: Cultivating Intimacy, Healing and Delight How & Why To Pursue A Healing Separation Send us your Date Night Disaster stories through Voice Mail! Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Apr 21, 2025 • 57min
God Loves Blended Families
On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley revisit the topic of second marriages and blended families and delve deeper into the complexities and challenges that second marriages often face, including emotional baggage, communication issues, and the blending of children from previous marriages. Scott and Deana Thayer share their experiences and strategies for successfully blending their families and share the importance of preparation, managing expectations, establishing household rules, and prioritizing the couple’s relationship amidst the dynamics of a blended family. We also answer a listener question about potential red flags in a spouse’s behavior. Building Love Together In Blended Families It's Not About The Nail Video Connect with our Counseling Department 1-800-A-FAMILY Hope Restored Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Apr 14, 2025 • 58min
I May Have Married A Narcissist
On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss narcissism in marriages with Dr. Dewey Wilson. What does it look like, what is it's impact on relationships, and how can we help both those exhibiting narcissistic behaviors and those living with narcissistic individuals? He provides insights from his research on clinical and subclinical narcissism, particularly among millennials. Greg & Erin also explore common communication misunderstandings between spouses using humorous 'wife-initions' and 'husband-itions'. They'll answer a question from a wife struggling with guilt over changing domestic responsibilities due to work demands, too. Get ready for lots of practical advice on managing expectations and encouraging open communication on this edition of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage! Rescue Your Love Life Nurturing the Heart Of Your Spouse Collection Support this Show! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Apr 7, 2025 • 56min
Connecting In A Lonely World
Did you know that one in two Americans feel significantly lonely weekly? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Becky Harling shares how loneliness leads to increased anxiety, depression, and physical health risks. The conversation covers the differences in how introverts and extroverts experience loneliness and the importance of feeling connected in marriage. We'll give you practical advice to rekindle emotional connections, maintain empathy, avoid a critical spirit, and bringing fun back into relationships. Cultivating Deeper Connections In A Lonely World Hope Restored Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.