Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast

It's easy to fixate on what your spouse is doing wrong. But real courage many times is focusing on what you need to work on. Erin Smalley addresses how a lot of couples in her counseling are too focused on their spouse's issues. Then, Jim Daly speaks to Tara Lalonde and Dr. Bob Paul, who will encourage you to work on yourself.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1...

Have you ever reached a point in marriage where you didn't think you'd make it? John asks Greg Smalley about how he and Erin persevered through a challenging time in their relationship. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde on what helps couples go the distance in their marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive th...

When you and your spouse are in an argument, it can be pretty intense. Ryan Frederick talks with Jim Daly about how he's learned to be more gentle when in conflict with his wife. Then, Erin Smalley explains why it's good for wives to keep learning about how their husbands think.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book How a Husb...

It's not just about what you say to your spouse, but it's also about how you say it. Ryan Frederick and Jim Daly address why it's important to watch your tone as a husband. Plus, John and Greg offer encouragement to husbands who are more introverted and don't feel like talking much.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book How a...

Every person, based on your birth-order, has strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Kevin Leman and Jim Daly address some of the biblical examples of how birth-order influences someone's personality. Plus, Erin and John discuss perfectionist spouses, and why striving for perfectionism is a bad idea for any marriage.     Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY...

Many couples tend to marry someone outside of their birth-order. But what about the scenario where people of the same birth-order get married? Dr. Kevin Leman talks with Jim Daly about when middle children and babies of the family get married to each other. Then, Erin and John discuss why it's important to not assume your spouse is a certain personality, based on if he or she is a first-born, midd...

In the moments you feel frustrated, how do you look past the annoyances in your marriage? Sean and Lanette Reed speak to Jim Daly about how they've learned to ask for help as a couple. Then, John and the Smalley's bring up how to work through tough times together.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Marriage in Transition: C...

Every marriage needs a bit of toughness to help weather the difficult times. Jim Daly talks to Sean and Lanette Reed about why your marriage needs grit. Plus, John asks Greg how he and Erin have benefitted from developing resilience as a couple.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection...

No matter how hopeless things might feel in your marriage, God can still restore you. Jim Daly speaks to Josh and Katie Walters about how a trip to the Grand Canyon brought hope to their marriage. Also, John and Erin will encourage you that a tough situation doesn't have to be the end of your relationship.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.  ...

How does a marriage recover from trauma? If you or a couple you're close to is experiencing a major challenge, you'll be encouraged by John, Greg and Erin's insights. Plus, Josh and Katie Walters bring up how they regained a sense of vision after Katie had an affair.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book New Marriage, Same Cou...

The Bible tells men to love your wives as Christ loved His church. Greg talks with John about some of the sacrifices he's learned to make as a husband. Also, Jim Daly and Ryan Frederick explain why being a good husband means choosing sacrificial love continually.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book How a Husband Speaks for y...

For husbands, the ways you communicate to your wife is very different than how you talk to other men. Jim Daly and Ryan Frederick open up about how they've struggled at times in communicating with their wives. Also, Erin Smalley brings up things wives need to say to their husbands.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book How a H...

Anyone who's been married for a while will tell you that you and your spouse will have different perspectives sometimes. Dr. Kevin Leman and Jim Daly explain how you need to learn to see things through your spouse's eyes. Also, the Smalley's provide some hope if your temperament was negatively impacted by a critical-eyed parent growing up.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodc...

The old adage "opposites attract," is very common for a lot of couples. Jim Daly and Dr. Kevin Leman explain how marrying someone who's of a different birth order from you can be a good thing. Plus, Greg and Erin Smalley open up to John Fuller about how they've seen birth order influence their marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Re...

How do you show your mate kindness when you don't feel like it? Sean and Lanette Reed speak with Jim Daly about how all of us need grace and a chance to grow sometimes. Also, John asks Greg Smalley about how grace has strengthened his marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Marriage in Transition for your donation of a...

When was the last time you and your spouse discussed where you want to be in 3 - 5 years? Erin Smalley addresses how a lot of couples are struggling with a sense of vision today. Also, Jim Daly speaks to Sean and Lanette Reed about how they've learned to set goals in their marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book Marria...

If you've gone through something traumatic, it can take months or even years to regain your sense of direction. Erin Smalley talks with John and Greg about how it's common for couples to feel disoriented after trauma. Then, Jim Daly speaks with Josh and Katie Walters about how they went through a recovery process in their marriage.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or c...

If your marriage is in trouble, one of the best solutions is getting help from a couple who will support you. Josh and Katie Walters speak with Jim Daly about how another couple helped them through a dark time. Also, John and the Smalley's share where you can look to find support.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the New Marriage,...

How do you look beyond the ways your spouse has hurt you? Ashley Willis and her husband Dave open up to Jim Daly about how they had to work through feelings of betrayal, when Dave admitted he had a pornography problem. Then, Erin Smalley speaks about how to let go of shame even if you've blown it in your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. &nbsp...

What can you do if you discover your spouse has a problem with pornography? Jim Daly talks with Dave and Ashley Willis, who faced that very question in their marriage. Plus, John and Greg will encourage people to not give up the fight against sexual temptation.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the 7 Days to a Naked Marriage Bundle...

Your birth order might influence your marriage more than you think. John, Greg and Erin share where each of them are in their respective birth orders. Plus, Jim Daly sits down with Dr. Kevin Leman to explain why birth order can help you understand your mate.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book The Birth Order Book for your d...

Is there hope for your marriage when you feel depleted? Brad and Marilyn Rhoads open up with Jim Daly about how they learned to be hopeful again. Then, John and the Smalley's share about where you can go if you're struggling in your relationship.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.   Receive the book The Grace Marriage for your donation of any...

Most couples experience turbulence during the first few years of marriage. John, Greg and Erin open up about struggles they faced during the newlywed phases, and how they made it through. Then, Jim Daly joins Sean and Lanette Reed about how they had to rely on God, even during some very challenging situations in their relationship.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or c...

How do you handle seasons where it feels like you and your spouse are dealing with multiple crises at a time? Sean and Lanette Reed talk to Jim Daly about how one of their kids faced health challenges, while they were having another baby. Plus, John and Erin will encourage you and your spouse to give each other grace when you're in a tough season.   Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marr...

If your relationship has been through something traumatic, it's critical to have a couple who will walk with you through your recovery. Jim Daly sits down with Katie and Josh Walters on how they found support through community after their marriage was hurt by an affair. Also, John and the Smalley's will address how having supportive friends can help your marriage heal.   Find us online at foc...