Episodes

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 communication. The episode concludes with advice on dealing with chronic illness in marriage and the im...

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 apologies and forgiveness. Dr. Chapman shares his wisdom from 60 years of marriage, emphasizing the need f...

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 growth in order to handle the biblical requirements of a marriage. Greg and Erin also address a list...

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 themselves. The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer Together If yo...

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 program on June 5, 2025. The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer...

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 communication differences, and the importance of intentional growth through life transitions. The e...

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 will foster unity, commitment, and positive change in your marriage. We also address a listener ques...

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 pornography use, the impact of shame, and the importance of rigorous honesty and transparency in recovery. Ha...

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 pivotal role in their marriage. The episode showcases the importance of enduring difficulties, seeking cou...

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 successfully blending their families and share the importance of preparation, managing expectations, ...

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, particularly among millennials. Greg & Erin also explore common communication misunderstandings between spouse...

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 practical advice to rekindle emotional connections, maintain empathy, avoid a critical spirit, and bringin...

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 to protect and strengthen marriages. We'll offer insights on dealing with infidelity, highlighting th...

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 challenges such as conflict, and communication styles. The conversation also touches on the impact of H...

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 successful remarriage. The episode also covers practical advice for blended families and navigating r...

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 leadership in marriage and offer tips on relationship 'spring cleaning' to keep marriages vibrant a...

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 question on the same topic. The episode also includes conversation starters for couples, and a special r...

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 topics with humility and respect, and the importance of self-care. A listener's question regarding a s...

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 Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

In this episode of 'Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage,' Erin and Greg Smalley dive into various aspects of marital life, from the joys of music and family bonding to the dynamics of handling disagreements and difficult seasons. Their guests, Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie Fink, provide insights from their book 'Lasting Ever,' reflecting on their personal struggles and the therapeutic journey of writing their life story. They emphasize humility, vulnerability, and the power of conflict...

Healthy habits in marriage develop only when you are intentional about them. Greg and Erin will continue to share their 12 Romance Secrets that you can incorporate into your relationship to keep the love alive in your marriage. Click here to receive Greg & Erin's, Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, for a gift of any amount! Call Focus on the Family at 1(855) 771-4357, or click here, to receive free counseling consultation. Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave ...

100th episode! Greg and Erin will cover the importance of Romance Secrets and how to implement them into your marriage. We'll also have a special "Blooper" segment that you won't want to miss! Click here to receive Greg & Erin's book, Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, for a gift of any amount! Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Are you curious how prayer can come alive in your marriage? Are you and your spouse seeking ways to grow in spiritual intimacy? Join Greg & Erin this week as they sit down with author Jodie Berndt to talk about the benefits of praying together. Later, we hear the love story of a blended family. Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know she can encourage her husband's new faith. Click here to receive Jodie's book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, for a gift of any amo...

Sex is one of the best parts of marriage, but navigating the challenges that accompany it can be difficult. Join Greg & Erin as they sit down with Christian sex experts Dr. Cliff & Joyce Penner to talk about how you and your spouse can approach sex in the way God designed. Later, we talk to counselor Rob Jackson about healing from a sexual past. Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how her and her husband can best divide up responsibility for the kids. Click here to rece...