

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

Aug 7, 2023 • 38min
Loving Your Spouse Well
How do we love our spouse like they've never been loved before? This week, Greg and Erin talk with Gary Thomas about how to show your husband or wife that you love them. We'll also hear some great conversation starters about tenderness and learning to cherish your spouse! Click here to get Gary Thomas's book about loving your spouse well! Do you want to ask your spouse the same questions from today's episode? Check out these conversation starters! Want more from Gary Thomas? Click here to watch his video series about cherishing your spouse! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 31, 2023 • 38min
Building a Safe Relationship
Are you struggling to have tough conversations in your marriage? Today, Greg and Erin discuss the importance of boundaries in your marriage with Mo Isom Aiken. She also dives into managing expectations around sex and the importance of healing from brokenness. Plus, we’ll hear from a Christian counselor about how couples can manage expectations around intimacy! Then, Greg and Erin answer a question about how to repair broken trust in marriage. Want to learn more about creating safety in your marriage? Check out this article! Feel like you need to talk to someone? Connect with one of our Christian counselors today! Click here to read about how you can set healthy boundaries in your relationship. Is your marriage in a crisis and you need some help? Click here to learn more about our Hope Restored Intensive. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 24, 2023 • 44min
Handling Transitions in Marriage
What should you and your spouse be doing during transitions in marriage? On today's episode, Sean and Lanette Reed join Greg and Erin to talk about how we can unpack the lies the enemy tells us. They also give tips on positive talk about your spouse. Then, Christian counselor Glenn Lutjens stopped by to discuss the best way couples can handle stressful marriage transitions. Click here to get the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection Through Uncontrollable Change for a gift of any amount! Feel like you need to talk to someone? Connect with one of our Christian counselors today! There are lies the enemy tells you that can destroy your marriage. Check out this free video series to learn more! Get your copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage today! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 17, 2023 • 33min
What is a Healthy Sex Life?
Discover the importance of emotional connection and avoiding objectification in a marriage. Explore the concept of intimacy beyond the physical and learn tools for building true intimacy. Join Greg, Erin, and Dr. Juli Slattery in this engaging conversation about improving your sex life.

7 snips
Jul 10, 2023 • 42min
In Sickness and in Health
What are you really committing to when you vow to love a spouse “in sickness and in health?” Greg and Erin talk to Dave and Ashley Willis about supporting your spouse's personal health, whether its physical, mental, or spiritual. Dave and Ashley share about the importance of letting your spouse join you in health struggles, or on the other side, being there to listen and encourage them as you walk through health difficulties together. Plus, hear Greg and Erin demonstrate using conversation starters to connect with your spouse. Get the book Naked and Healthy for a gift of any amount! Start this free video series to become a more effective and loving communicator. The goal of a great marriage conversation is to affirm what your spouse is doing right, to exchange ideas and to offer suggestions for the future. Use these questions to get that process started. Reactive Cycle Test We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 3, 2023 • 34min
Ashley and Dino Petrone Discuss Outserving Your Spouse
How can you serve your spouse better? Today, Greg and Erin talk with Dino and Ashley Petrone about how important it is to serve your husband or wife in everyday life. They even made a game of it! Plus, we’ll hear from some friends in the ministry on how they have learned to be more intentional with their spouses. Get Ashley and Dino's book for a gift of any amount! Are you and your spouse more like roommates? Click here to get a copy of Greg and Erin's book Reconnected! Want to know some of your strengths and weaknesses as a couple? Take our free marriage assessment to find out. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 26, 2023 • 32min
How to Use Your Love Style
Do you know your love style? Greg and Erin talk with Milan and Kay Yerkovich about the different types of love styles and how they can affect your marriage. Plus, we’ll hear a devotion from Bill Arbuckle on the importance of loving your spouse well! Get a copy of the Yerkovich's book today! Want to learn more about The Comfort Circle? Click here! Find out your love style by taking this quiz. Want to learn more about how to use your love style? Listen to the Yerkovich's on the Focus on the Family Broadcast. Click here to connect with one of our counselors today! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

7 snips
Jun 19, 2023 • 35min
Learning to Let Go
Is it possible to have unity in marriage when you keep having the same arguments over and over again? On today’s episode, Greg and Erin talk to Jim Burns about how there are some things that are worth letting go in conflict and how important it is that we are different from each other. Plus, Greg and Erin will break down how you can repair conflict in your marriage! Focus on the Family wants to give you and your spouse some real, practical help for the moments after conflict. So we’ve developed a 5-part video series called “From Anger to Affection,” featuring relationship experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley. Visit our store for a copy of the book Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: 12 Secrets for a Lifelong Romance. 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? We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 12, 2023 • 35min
What Do You Do Before You Get Married?
How can you prepare for marriage well? Greg and Erin see to answer that question in the episode by talking about premarital and some practical things Christian couples should do before marriage! Dr. David Gudgel joins them to talk about the importance of commitment. Plus, we’ll hear from newlywed, Megan Seeley about what questions she had before marriage! Receive the book Ready to Wed 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? Visit our store for a copy of the book Sacred Pathways. What questions should you ask a young man who wants to marry your daughter? Answers to these 12 big, important, overarching questions might hold the key to your daughter's future happiness. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

6 snips
Jun 5, 2023 • 28min
The Importance of Marriage Mentoring
Who do you go to when you want help with your marriage? In this episode, Greg and Erin talk with Walt and Barb Larimore about the importance of marriage mentors and how important they are when you are struggling in marriage. Plus, you’ll hear from some friends of the ministry about who they go to for marriage advice! Receive the book Fight Your Way to a Better Marriage for your donation of any amount! Visit our store for a copy of the book Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: 12 Secrets for a Lifelong Romance. Invest in Your Marriage with Mentors We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.


