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

Guy and Amber Lia: Marriage Stress Help 26.02.2024

How does stress affect marriage? On today's episode, Greg and Erin talk to Guy and Amber Lia about how they learned to respond to stress in marriage. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk through some conversation starters!   Get Guy and Amber's book for a gift of any amount!   Check out these conversation starters to use on date night!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicem...

Ted Cunningham: Making Marriage Work with Intentionality 19.02.2024

What makes a marriage work? Ted Cunningham joins Greg and Erin to discuss how you can avoid marital drift. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk about how to build a firm foundation for your marriage!   Get a copy of Ted's book for a gift of any amount!   Want to learn more about the sacred pathways Greg mentioned? Click here to get the book!   Need some help with your marriage? Contact our counseling tea...

Valentines Day Date and Gift Ideas 12.02.2024

Need some Valentine's date ideas? Today, Greg and Erin host a roundtable with some married friends to share some Valentine's day ideas!   Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses as a couple by taking our free Marriage Assessment!   Check out these conversation starters to use on date night!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Levi and Jennie Lusko: Pride and Marriage 05.02.2024

How can we overcome pride in marriage? Today, Levi and Jenni Lusko join Greg and Erin to talk about how pride destroys a marriage and some practical tips to practice humility with your spouse. Plus, Geremy Keeton stops by to share some thoughts on how to defend your marriage against pride!   Get a copy of the book The Marriage Devotional for a gift of any amount!   Need some help with your marriag...

Dave and Ann Wilson: Happiness in Marriage with God at the Center 29.01.2024

How can you have a marriage with God at the center? Dave and Ann Wilson join Greg and Erin to share their story of how they found happiness in marriage. Plus, we'll hear from newlyweds Kennedy and Olivia Unthank about how they have formed a Christ centered marriage!   Get a copy of the book Vertical Marriage for a gift of any amount!   Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses as a couple by...

Jason and Tori Benham: A Solution to Rekindle Your Marriage 22.01.2024

How do you reignite your spark in marriage? On today's episode, Greg and Erin talk with Jason and Tori Benham how to recognize signs your marriage is under spiritual attack and how to rekindle a marriage! Plus, we'll hear a devotion from our friend, Bill Arbuckle.   Get a copy of Jason and Tori's book for a gift of any amount!   Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses as a couple by taking...

Safa and Tovares Grey: The Fruit of the Spirit in Marriage 15.01.2024

How do we show the fruit of the Spirit in marriage? Today, Safa and Tovares Grey join Greg and Erin to talk about what a strong Christian marriage can look like. Plus, we'll hear some good tips from Greg and Erin on how to correct your spouse with love!   Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses as a couple by taking our free Marriage Assessment!    The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness   We'd...

Why Every Church Needs a Solid Marriage Ministry 08.01.2024

Why is marriage ministry important? On today's episode, Greg and Erin talk with Jay and Laura Laffoon about how important things like premarital counseling, marriage mentoring, and marriage activities are essential to a thriving marriage. Plus, Greg and Erin will give some practical tips for couples who want to serve together in church! Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses as a couple by...

Using "Heart Talk" to Improve Communication and Save Your Marriage 01.01.2024

Are you struggling with communication in marriage? Today, Greg and Erin are joined by Matt and Angel Rigsby to discuss what they learned about how to improve communication in marriage by using heart talk. Plus, we'll hear some inspiring stories from some of our Hope Restored alumni!   Wondering if the Hope Restored intensive is for you? Check out the details here.     Want to take the Focus on the...

Christmas Stories from the Early Years of Marriage 25.12.2023

Merry Christmas! On today's special holiday episode, Greg and Erin talk with some friends here at Focus on the Family about some early marriage stories from Christmas. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk through some holiday conversation starters!   Check out some more conversation starters for the holiday season!   Want to hear more about Greg's Furby story? Click here!

Overcoming Selfishness in Marriage 18.12.2023

Do you struggle with selfishness in marriage? Dino and Ashley Petrone join Greg and Erin to talk about moving away from family after marriage and how that season taught them lessons about emotion connection in marriage. Plus, counselor Jerry Jones stops by to discuss some practical tips for overcoming selfishness in marriage!   Receive the book Designed to Last for your donation of any amount!   A...

Loving a Fierce Woman 11.12.2023

How can a husband lead a fierce woman? Kimberly and LeRoy Wagner join Greg and Erin to talk about fierce women and biblical leadership in marriage. Plus, we'll hear some amazing impact stories from our Hope Restored intensive and our amazing listeners!   Receive the Fierce Women/Men Who Love Fierce Women bundle for your donation of any amount!   Wondering if the Hope Restored intensive is for you?...

How to Love Better in Your Marriage 04.12.2023

How can you build a love that lasts? Today, Pastor Kevin Thompson joins Greg and Erin to discuss his practical advice around humility and embracing hurt together as a couple. Plus, Greg and Erin give some tips for listening better in your relationship!   Want to get Kevin's book? Click here to get it for a gift of any amount!   Want to get the book Greg co-wrote with Dr. Bob Paul? Check it our her...

Recognizing Conflict Cycles to Get to Conflict Resolution 27.11.2023

Are you and your spouse stuck in a conflict cycle? On today's episode, Greg and Erin are joined by Chad and Angela Imhoff who give some great conflict resolution strategies. Plus, Greg and Erin will break down the stages of the conflict cycle and explain some practical steps you and your spouse can take to get out of it!   Want to take the Reactive Cycle quiz? Click here!   Need to talk to a couns...

The Best Choices to Make for Your Marriage 20.11.2023

Are you struggling to work through what choices you should be making in your marriage? Today, Dr Ron Welch and his wife Jan talk about some little things you can do to recognize choices you should be making in conflict. Plus, you'll hear a devotion from our friend, Bill Arbuckle!   Click here to receive the book 10 Choices Successful Couples Make for your donation of any amount!   Want to learn wh...

Tori and Chad Masters Take the Focus on the Family Marriage Assessment 13.11.2023

Are you looking for ways to improve your marriage? Today, Greg and Erin are joined by Chad and Tori Masters to talk about Focus on the Family's free marriage assessment! Plus, Greg and Erin will dive into some conversation starters!   Want to find out your strengths and weaknesses as a couple? Take the free marriage assessment!   Want to ask your spouse the questions Greg and Erin asked in today's...

Shaunti Feldhahn: The Everyday Recipe for Happy Marriage 06.11.2023

Is there a recipe for a happy marriage? On today's episode, Greg and Erin talk with Shaunti Feldhahn about her research on how to have a happy marriage. Plus, you'll hear from Sterling Knight-Pinneo on how he strives to make his wife happier in their marriage!   To learn more about the Fantastic Five for Husbands and Wives, get Shaunti's book for a gift of any amount!   Wondering what you need to...

Marriage After Kids: Keeping God at the Center 30.10.2023

Are you having a hard time keeping your marriage strong with your blended family? Scott and Vanessa Martindale join Greg and Erin to discuss how a union with God at the center is essential to a strong remarriage. Plus, counselor Glenn Lutjens joins to share some tips for marriage after kids!   Click here to get the book Blended and Redeemed for a gift of any amount!    Are you having trouble in yo...

How to Romance Your Wife 23.10.2023

Looking for some new ways to romance your wife? Greg and Erin are joined by Dr. Mike Bechtle to talk about how you can bring romance back to your marriage. Plus, Greg and Erin will give some ideas for intimacy and romance in your marriage!   Click here to get the book I Wish He Had Come With Instructions for a gift of any amount!   Are you having trouble communicating how you feel to your spouse....

How to Love Your Life 16.10.2023

Are you loving your everyday life? Today, Alexandra Kuykendall joins Greg and Erin to talk about her 9-month experiment that helped her learn how to love life more everyday. Plus, newlywed Alex Seeley talks about how he has learned to love his wife better!   Click here to get the book Loving My Actual Life for a gift of any amount!   Want to hear more from Alexandra on her 9-month experiment? Chec...

Surviving Infidelity to Marriage Restoration 09.10.2023

Are you and your spouse struggling to recover from infidelity? Travis and Adelle Graham join Greg and Erin to talk about surviving infidelity and how you can achieve marriage restoration after an affair. Plus, you'll hear from Jenny Coffey about how to work through infidelity in a healthy way!   Are you and your spouse struggling and need help? Check out our Hope Restored marriage intensive.   Not...

Eye Contact and Other Ideas to Strengthen Your Marriage 02.10.2023

What are some little things you can do to build a stronger marriage? Today, Dr. Randy Schoeder joins Greg and Erin to discuss simple tips, like prolonged eye contact, that will help your marriage thrive! Plus, Greg and Erin discuss how you can give good feedback to your spouse!   Click here to get the book Simple Habits for Marital Happiness for a gift of any amount!   Want to hear more from Dr. R...

Debra Fileta: Working Through Seasons of Marriage (Part 2) 25.09.2023

Are you in a dry season? Greg and Erin continue the conversation with Debra Fileta about the seasons of marriage. Specifically, when a spouse is experiencing a marriage without passion and intimacy. Plus, you'll hear a devotion from Bill Arbuckle about the seasons that a marriage can go through!   Click here to get Debra's book for a gift of any amount!   Want to hear more from Debra on this topic...

Debra Fileta: Working Through Seasons of Marriage (Part 1) 18.09.2023

What are the seasons of marriage? Today, Debra Fileta joins Greg and Erin to discuss the four seasons of marriage that couples can go through. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk through some conversation starters about how they started their relationship!   Click here to get Debra's book for a gift of any amount!   Hear some more stories from Greg and Erin on the Focus on the Family Broadcast!   Want t...

Money and Marriage 11.09.2023

Are finances in marriage a trigger point for you and your spouse? On today's episode, Greg and Erin talk with Chuck Bentley and his wife Ann about common money issues in marriage and how you can get on the same page financially with your husband or wife. Plus, you'll hear some great conversations starters about money and marriage!   Click here to get Chuck and Ann's book for a gift of any amount!...

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