
Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 29, 2024 • 52min
Healing After Divorce
We discourage every couple from divorce, but sometimes there isn't a choice. Join Greg & Erin as they sit down with author Susan Birdseye as she shares her story about facing infidelity, divorce, and the goodness of God. Later, we hear a devotion from Bill Arbuckle about famed explorer Ernest Shackleton. Then, we hear a question from a listener who wants to know how they can have emotional conversations with their unemotional spouse. When Happily Ever After Shatters - for a gift of any amount! Interested in our marriage intensive program? Click here to learn more about Hope Restored. Call Focus on the Family at 1(800) 232-6459 or click here to be connected with one of our licensed counselors. Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 22, 2024 • 50min
Supporting Your Spouse's Independent Pursuits
Do you find yourself wondering how you balance dependence & independence in your marriage? Join Greg & Erin as they sit down with Dr. Juli Slattery and her husband Michael, to talk about how they've maintained an intimate connection supported through successful, time consuming, independent careers. Later, we debunk the popular marriage "prepare for sex to become boring." Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how to fix her marriage if her spouse is unwilling to go to counseling. Finding the Hero in Your Husband Take the free Marriage Assessment! Interested in our marriage intensive program? Click here to learn more about Hope Restored. Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 4min
Supporting a Disabled Spouse with Ken & Joni Eareckson Tada
Join Joni Eareckson Tada, a renowned author and quadriplegic advocate, and her husband Ken, a dedicated caregiver, as they share their incredible love story filled with resilience and faith. They discuss the emotional complexities of caregiving and the vital role of open communication and empathy in their marriage. Counselor Joannie DeBrito lends her experience to explore how to support a grieving spouse. Together, they inspire listeners to embrace vulnerability, navigate struggles, and deepen trust through shared challenges.

Jul 8, 2024 • 46min
Dr. John Townsend: Boundaries in Marriage
In marriage, two are supposed to become one, right? How then do you have healthy boundaries in marriage? Join us as Greg & Erin sit down with world renowned boundaries expert Dr. John Townsend to discuss how creating boundaries in marriage can actually bring you closer together. Later, we hear the beautiful marriage story of newlyweds, Emerson and Ruth. Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how he can encourage his spouse to pray with him. The Secret Language of Successful Couples .Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jul 1, 2024 • 35min
A Season for Everything with Kathi Lipp
Do you find that managing life with children keeps you from your spouse? Join us as Greg & Erin sit down with author and speaker Kathi Lipp to discuss balancing marriage and parenting. Later, we hear a question from a listener who wants to know how she and her husband can improve their relationship with their new daughter-in-law. Take the free Marriage Assessment! Parenting Assessment Happy Habits for Every Couple Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 24, 2024 • 45min
Bill and Pam Farrel: The Code to Unlock Your Spouse (Part 2)
Greg & Erin conclude their discussion with Bill and Pam Farrel on the code to unlock your spouse, taking a detailed look at what husbands need in a marriage. Later, we sit down with newlywed couple, Alex and Megan. Then, we hear a question from one of our listeners who wants to know how she can deal with feelings of jealousy towards her husbands friendships outside of the marriage. The Secret Language of Successful Couples Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 17, 2024 • 36min
Bill and Pam Farrel: The Code to Unlock Your Spouse (Part 1)
Are you yearning for deeper connection with your spouse? Join us as Greg & Erin sit down with authors and relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel as they share their secret on how you can unlock a better relationship. Then, we debunk a popular myth about kids! Later, we hear a question from a listener who wants to know how his spouse can help him depression and anxiety. Hey! Get Bill and Pam's book, The Secret Language of Successful Couples, for a gift of any amount. Take the free Marriage Assessment! .Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 10, 2024 • 43min
Celebrating Dads!
It's our Father's Day celebration! Greg and Erin celebrate Dad's and talk about the challenges facing Fathers with Dr. Danny Huerta. Then Bill Arbuckle shares a wonderful Father's Day devotional. Later we answer a question about tips and trick as your family welcomes a newborn. Practice Makes Parent Podcast We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Jun 3, 2024 • 41min
Jerry and Kate Angelo: Reconnecting with Your Spouse Through Prayer
What do you do when you are feeling emotionally abandoned in your marriage? Is your husband or wife ignoring you? Greg and Erin talk about how to tackle this subject with your spouse, and Jerry and Kate Angelo demonstrate how praying together can bring you back together in your marriage. Then we get into one of our favorite segments, Conversation Starters. Later we answer a question from a listener about her spouse's job conflicting with her beliefs. Marriage Assessment Conversation Starters 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And The Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

May 27, 2024 • 46min
Mark and Rosie Makinney: Fighting Porn in Marriage Part 2
How do we fight against pornography in marriage? Greg and Erin wrap their conversation with Mark and Rosie Makinney on this important topic.. Also we continue our conversation with Focus on the Family Counselor Geremy Keeton. Geremy discusses setting boundaries and what counseling looks like in dealing with porn in a marriage. Later we get a question from one of our listeners about dealing with conflicting personalities in their marriage. Receive the book Aftershock for your donation of any amount! Help for Pornography Addiction Restoring Trust After a Confession of Pornography Addiction We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.