Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

Get ready for Part Two of how to spark the fire in your marriage! Want to make your spouse feel special? Todd and Carolyn Petka share the "rocket fuel” for thriving marriages, and describe obstacles like unrealistic expectations, busy lives without margin, conflict styles, and family-of-origin wounds, that naturally leak energy and require intentional refueling. We'll look at the animal king...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley speak with Pastors Todd and Carolyn Petkau about their Relationship Rocket Formula, comparing marriage to a rocket needing navigation, fuel, and spark! They encourage looking into Scritpture, deep “fuel and spark” questions, and creating safety through active listening and saying, “tell me more.” Greg and Erin also apply ideas to TV couples, then a...

What was your dad like growing up? Do you have good memories, or could things be better between you? Greg and Erin celebrate all dads with a special presentation from Pastor Ken Davis, who shares four important reminders based on Scripture in Malachi. We hope you'll be encouraged by this message, and that you'll share this podcast with those you love.   The Good Dad: Becoming The Father You W...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley continue their discussion on how couples can use finances to strengthen marriage, featuring guest Matt Bell of Sound Mind Investing. If you and your spouse have money conflicts, THIS is the podcast for you! Matt explains that spenders often marry savers. He warns that debt can be a “cancer on marriage,” and urges couples to stop taking on new debt. Greg and Er...

How are you with money? Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley get advice from Matt Bell, about biblical money principles. He explains the Parable of the Talents as a stewardship framework, contrasting consumer vs. steward mindsets, while urging couples to serve the Lord. We'll also challenge you to turn your home into a mini carnival for an at-home date night. The listener Q & A is about motivating a husb...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley emphasize that a strong marriage rests on friendship! Author and speaker, Becky Harling discusses how a past breast cancer diagnosis reshaped her priorities toward intentional friendships. She highlights bringing fun and adventure back, expressing gratitude, avoiding complacency, practicing wise vulnerability, and setting boundaries to prevent over-functioning or controll...

Do you feel like your prayer life with your spouse could be better? Do you usually pray about circumstantial things? Mike and Melissa Kruger share about 5 Things to Pray for Your Spouse that will transform your marriage and draw you both closer to Christ.   5 Things To Pray For Your Spouse   Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email   Contact the show!   Send Us A Review! &nb...

How do you and your spouse handle conflict? Greg and Erin share insights from Dave and Ann Wilson today. They discuss common conflict styles (e.g., yielding, defending, resolving) and emphasize that conflict is often driven by deeper emotions and desires, requiring an open heart, slowing down, listening, and sometimes choosing to “solve or sleep” when exhausted. In the Q&A, they ad...

Greg and Erin talk about what each of us wish our spouse knew about our inner most secrets and desires in marriage. Sometimes it's hard to express our feelings. Greg and Erin share ideas on how to access our emotions, and share them with our spouse. This is a program that both wives and husbands need to hear! We also give you specific scripture to pray over various situations, and we are encourage...

Erin and Greg share their thoughts on the value of women and we hear excerpts from author and former CEO of Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS), Elisa Morgan. She shared how women should find their beauty by looking through God's eyes. We'll also talk about the upcoming Mother's Day podcast series from Focus On The Family called Legacy of Love.   Hello, Beauty Full   Listen to the Legacy of L...

This special edition encourages moms on their journey of motherhood, and it's hosted by Whitney Lowe and Erin Smalley. We're covering why becoming a mom is a gift, finding your identity in Christ, hope for tired moms, and ways to celebrate Mother's Day!   Praying The Scriptures For Your Children: Discover How To Pray God's Purpose For Their Lives   Listen to the Legacy of Love podcast se...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley have a treat for you today! Get ready for a presentation from Pastor Ted Cunningham, highlighting humorous, scripture-based encouragement to revere marriage. Greg and Erin give a “Share and Compare” date-night exercise, an a Q&A, from a husband whose wife feels “touched out” after caring for five young kids. Share this show link with friends! &...

We're continuing our conversation on selfless sex with Pastor Doug Hanna, who shares his encouragement to pursue sexual satisfaction. He goes into how self-forgetful sex is a lifestyle, an attitude, its patient, and it seeks pleasure. Greg and Erin also have an exercise with foods around the world and date nights. We also answer a listener question about a spouse's lies and affairs.   Sex and...

On this episode, we're talking about Christian married sex with Pastor Doug Hannah, author of Sex and Self Forgetfulness. Does your sex life reflect covenant love through self-forgetfulness rather than selfishness transactional “getting what I’m owed"? We'll talk about serving your spouse, sinning against conscience, and even losing one’s voice. Boundaries matter, and sex is desi...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley welcome guests Ashley Durand and Kristen Roush authors of Mothering on Empty. We'll talk about the pressures that can leave spouses depleted, and how joy, identity in Christ, and an eternal perspective anchor marriage without idolizing it. We'll give practical tips for husbands of exhausted wives: empathy over fixing, initiative without being asked, avoiding competitions...

What makes a successful marriage? Today, Greg and Erin feature a presentation by best-selling author Shaunti Feldhahn. She offers insights from research she's conducted on what makes for a happier, more fulfilling marriage. She also outlines practical ways to develop a more Christ-like relationship with your spouse. We'll challenge you to recreate your first date, and we'll answer a listener quest...

Pastor Dan Seaborn returns for more great conversation on reflection in marriage. When was the last time you asked yourself, "What caused me to do that?" when you responded to your spouse in a not-so-productive way? Greg and Erin also have an exercise to build connection that will open up your spouse's inner world, and we answer a listener question about how often to have sex in a healthy marriage...

Join Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley with their guest, Pastor Dan Seaborn as he describes how he and his wife transformed their marriage over the last three years. There's clinical wisdom for serious issues, but shared in casual and productive ways on this episode. We also share some questions to open up your spouse's inner world, as well as answer a listener's question on how often married couples shou...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of making marriages strong enough to withstand life's challenges. We're bringing back one of our best friends, Dr. Gary Thomas, who talks about his book 'Making Your Marriage a Fortress.' The conversation covers how sin, temptations, and life trials can erode a relationship. We also discuss the significance of spiritual growth, community, and emotio...

There's something exciting happening and you could call it an Adventure In Odyssey! This is a special release to talk about the brand new animated feature film that will release in the Fall of 2026.   Listen to Adventures in Odyssey   Donate To The Making Of Journey Into the Impossible!   Contact the show!   Send us your email or voice mail here!   Send Us A Review!  ...

We're doing a Question/Answer Show again because you are part of our community—addressing real questions, exploring fresh perspectives, and continuing the dialogue together! Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley share on a variety of marital challenges. From persuading a husband to give family trips another chance to discussing sensitive issues like pornography in marriage, emphasizing boundaries and se...

In this engaging conversation, Luke and Courtney Smallbone share the story of their 16-year marriage, reflecting on their love story that began with a chance meeting at a shoe store. (Luke and his brother Joel make up the band For King And Country.) Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley delve into the unexpected challenges and growth that marriage brings, sharing insights on leadership, conflict resolution, a...

We continue the conversation with Kait and JJ Tomlin, but we dive deeper into understanding ways to be more intimate with our spouse. Calling out our feelings, checking ourselves, and seeking God's truth as you walk through tough times. They delve into the surprises and challenges they faced and the importance of pre-engagement and premarital counseling. JJ shares his journey of overcoming resentm...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley talk with the founder of Heart of Dating, Kait Tomlin, with her husband JJ about our mindsets when we're dating before marriage, versus the reality of what we each bring into our married life. They emphasize the importance of being open to changes and the significance of individual growth and self-examination to maintain a healthy marriage. Our hurts, our issues, our expe...

Get ready for a GREAT conversation with Micah E. Davis, author of the book Three Strikes, You're Forgiven! He delves into the profound concept of forgiveness, emphasizing it as a deliberate decision rather than merely a feeling. Greg and Erin share strategies for beginning the forgiveness process, as well as God's grace in the journey as they share the story of someone close to their family that t...