

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

Sep 9, 2024 • 41min
Having Fun Together
In this lively discussion, Ted Cunningham, a pastor, comedian, and author of 'Fun Loving You,' shares tips on breaking the monotony of married life. He emphasizes the importance of inject humor and fun into relationships, offering playful activities like skating and trampoline jumping. The conversation dives into maintaining physical attraction and the significance of open communication, especially when faced with challenges. Listeners get valuable insights on addressing intimacy issues with empathy and keeping joy at the forefront of marriage.

Sep 2, 2024 • 53min
Becoming Marriage Champions
You don't have to be married for decades to become a Marriage Champion; you can start right now! Join Greg & Erin as they sit down with blossoming Marriage Champions JC & Saundra Mena to discuss how young married couples can strengthen their relationship, and pour into others. Later, we interview counselor Geremy Keeton about why marriage mentorship is important, and then we answer a question from a listener who wants to know what the bible means when it says she should submit to her husband. Are you and your spouse interested in counseling? 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.

Aug 26, 2024 • 42min
Why Get Married?
Did you know that 75% of modern couples live together before they get married? Did you also know that 75% of couple who live together before they get married end in divorce? Join us as Dr. David Gudgel outlines the negative effects of cohabitation. Later, we debunk a popular marriage myth, and then we answer a question from a listener who wants to know if she should tell her husband that is she attracted to his best friend. Check out the book Before You Live Together for a donation of any amount! Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Aug 19, 2024 • 48min
Becoming Marriage Mentors
Marriage mentors are extremely important in helping married couples develop strong marriages Join us as Greg & Erin sit down with Marriage 911 mentors RG & Karen Yallaly to talk through how, and why, you should consider mentoring other couples. Later, we hear a devotion from Bill Arbuckle, then we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how she can bring up sensitive issues with her husband without starting a fight. Check out Marriage 911 to help hurting couples find restoration and hope Become Marriage Champions! Click here to download the free Marriage Champions e-book Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Aug 12, 2024 • 56min
Stress & Love Styles
World-renowned love experts Milan & Kay Yerkovich join us for a deeper dive into love styles. Listen to discover your love style, and how it impacts your reaction to stress. Later, we interview marriage counselor Glenn Lutgens on how you can reconnect with your spouse. Then, we hear a question from a listener who wants to know how he can navigate his wife's codependent relationship with her son. Check out Milan & Kay's book - How We Love Take the free Love Styles quiz! Learn more about the "Comfort Circle" Take our free Marriage Assessment! Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Aug 5, 2024 • 49min
Marriage Friendships: Accountability & Fellowship
Are you and your spouse cultivating meaningful relationships with our couples? Marriage experts Matt & Lisa Jacobson join Greg & Erin to discuss the importance of marriage friendships. Later, listen for Conversation Starters: Double Date Edition! Then, we'll hear a question from a listener who wants to know if she should sign a prenup. Click here to receive a bundle of Matt & Lisa's devotionals, 100 Ways to Love Your Wife and 100 Ways to Love Your Husband, for a gift of any amount! Click here for a list of Conversation Starters! And don't forget to leave us a voicemail with your answers to this week's questions... What do you do for fun? What has God been teaching you lately? What do you value in a friendship? 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 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.


