Focus on the Family

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

Society EN ↓ 177 episodes

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.

Author

Focus on the Family

Category

Society

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

What Your Marriage Can Be 04.08.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Patricia Ashley shares a deeply personal testimony about how her marriage, once perceived as dead and nearly at the point of collapse, was revived through their mutual journey and commitment to Christianity. Over time, through shared prayer and a growing understanding of God's intentions for marriage, the Ashley's rebuilt their relationship, f...

His Brain & Her Brain: The Differences and the Delights 28.07.2025

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley have a great conversation with Dr. Joannie DeBrito, about the common differences between partners that impact marriage, such as intellectual and processing differences, emotional versus logical thinking, and varying approaches to stress and grief. She emphasizes understanding and leveraging these differences to strengthen your marriage, and highlights the contrast in how...

My Spouse Is On The Spectrum 21.07.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin speak with Dr. Stephanie and Dan Holmes about being in a marriage effected by autism. They discuss the evolving dynamics of their relationship, the importance of communication strategies, and how neurodivergence impacts their daily lives. Stephanie highlights the significance of understanding and valuing each other's strengths, w...

The Ultimate Date Night Show 14.07.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of regular date nights for marital happiness, stability, and sexual satisfaction with Jay and Laura Laffoon. They share personal anecdotes about their own date nights provide insights from their 40-year marriage on keeping the spark alive through dating. You'll learn how to overcome barr...

Trading Trauma For Truth 07.07.2025

So, what HAVEN'T you told your spouse? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the impact of past trauma and secrets on marriage and relationships. We'll also hear from Elizabeth Good who discusses her book 'Speak the Unspeakable,' exploring the impact of adverse childhood experiences, or ACES. Greg and Erin encourage you to play a movie-themed game...

Supporting Military Marriages 30.06.2025

On this episode of 'Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage' Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley celebrate our troops and their families, and talk with Beth Runkle about the challenges military spouses face and the dynamic of military home life -- which includes frequent moves, loneliness, saying goodbye for deployments, and the emotional strain of maintaining relationships. Beth shares personal experiences abou...

Myths Wives Believe 23.06.2025

On this episode of 'Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage,' Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss common myths about marriage. Do you have misconceptions about what makes a marriage successful? We'll talk with Rhonda and Steve Stoppe who discuss Rhonda's book 'If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy.' We'll hear stories about their marital challenges and how they resolved them through faith and open com...

Better Marriage - Better Life 16.06.2025

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley interview Dr. Gary Chapman, renowned author of 'The Five Love Languages' and other marriage-related books. On this episode we discuss practical insights from Chapman's new book, 'A Simple Guide for a Better Marriage.' Highlights include addressing common communication issues in marriage, the importance of humility, techniques for handling conflicts, and the role of apolog...

Covenant Conditions: A Father's Challenge To A Future Son-In-Law 09.06.2025

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...

Let's Talk About Marriage Pt .2 02.06.2025

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 them...

Let's Talk About Marriage Pt. I 26.05.2025

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 p...

Sports Analogies for Marriage 19.05.2025

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...

Stormie Omartian - The Power of Prayer for Marriage 12.05.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing called Marriage, Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the benefits of prayer in relationships with the one and only Stormy Omartian, an award-winning author known for her 'Power of a Praying' series. Stormy shares her personal story, highlighting the role of prayer in overcoming marital challenges like depression, anger, and PTSD. You'll learn how prayer...

Restoring Marriage After an Affair 05.05.2025

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 pornograph...

Joy In Marriage 28.04.2025

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 pivota...

God Loves Blended Families 21.04.2025

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 s...

I May Have Married A Narcissist 14.04.2025

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, particular...

Connecting In A Lonely World 07.04.2025

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 practi...

Guarding Your Vows: Affair Prevention 31.03.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin speak with marriage counselors, Dr. Jorge and Danisa Suarez as they share their marriage journey, including the challenges they faced, such as dealing with expectations from others and maintaining their commitment to God. They emphasize the importance of commitment to one another, communication, and setting boundaries of safety t...

The Work of Happily Ever After 24.03.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the work required to maintain a healthy and fulfilling marriage. They talk about their personal experiences and delve into the idea of 'happily ever after,' exploring how expectations evolve over time. They are joined by Tanner and Whitney Lowe, who share insights from their eight years of marriage, addressing cha...

Before You Marry Again 17.03.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin Smalley explore the complexities of remarriage, focusing on issues such as recurring relationship challenges and the importance of internal evaluation before remarrying. Guest counselors Ron and Nancy Keller share their insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of grieving and dealing with emotions post-divorce for a s...

United In Love 10.03.2025

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin speak with Billy and Dani Coker, an interracial couple who navigated their spiritual differences and various life challenges. The discussion covers how Billy and Dani's backgrounds impacted their marriage, and how they managed family traditions and expectations. Additionally, we answer a listener question on encouraging spiritual...

Keeping Your Marriage Strong While Parenting Special Needs Children 03.03.2025

In this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin discuss how couples can maintain a thriving marriage while caring for a special needs child with Evan and Karen Reedall. Greg and Erin also talk about personal experiences of navigating responsibilities in the kitchen and teamwork. We'll share tips on taking care of your heart during challenging times and answer a listener's ques...

Loving and Liking Your Spouse For Life 24.02.2025

In this episode Greg and Erin discuss the importance of investing in marriage and personal growth with Arlene Pellicane, who talks about her latest book 'Making Marriage Easier' and outlines four key decisions to improve marriage: playing by God's rules, giving thanks, serving one's spouse, and prioritizing fun. The episode covers effective communication strategies, such as discussing sensitive to...

Men in The Marriage Arena 17.02.2025

Romance, sacrifice, and what it means to be a Godly man. These are just a few of the things Jim & Shanna Ramos will help couples understand as they challenge listeners with the responsibility of making their marriage extrordinary.   Click here to receive the book Dialed-In for a gift of any amount!   Go to the Show Notes to link to the full Ted Cunningham presentation.   Donate...

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