Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast

What if the thing you're most afraid to share with your spouse is exactly what could bring you closer together? Ryan and Selena Frederick join Jim Daly to talk about how honesty and vulnerability transformed their marriage — from buried childhood shame to a deeper emotional connection than ever before. See-Through Marriage Letting God's Light Shine Through Your Marriage

Today, counselor Darby Strickland helps us unpack the difficult topic of domestic abuse. Learn how to distinguish between normal conflict and a pattern of coercive control, recognize the signs of emotional and verbal abuse, and find out when and how to get help. Is it Abuse? - Gift with Donation Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage

When trust is broken in a marriage can it ever be restored? John Fuller sits down with Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Erin Smalley to explore how couples can move past broken trust and toward healing. They share practical wisdom from Dr. Henry Cloud on unprompted transparency, self-trust, and the ongoing work of repair. Get "Trust" free with your gift Learning to Build Healthy Trust

When you hear "boundaries in marriage," it might sound like building walls between you and your spouse. But what if the right boundaries actually keep your hearts more open? In this episode, John Fuller sits down with Greg and Erin Smalley to unpack why healthy boundaries are essential for emotional safety in marriage, from protecting your couple time to maintaining financial transparency and avoiding harmful opposite-sex friendships. Then, Dr. John Townsend, explains the biblical case for bound

Grief is inevitable in every marriage — but how you and your spouse process loss can look very different. In this episode, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley join John Fuller to explore how couples can support each other through grief, even when their coping styles and timelines don't match. Holding On to Love After You’ve Lost a Baby Embracing Hope and Love After a Loss

We're wired to crave our spouse's affirmation more than anyone else's, yet too often, we become their chief critic. In this episode, Dave and Ann Wilson share a candid story about the moment Ann realized her husband needed encouragement, not criticism, and how that shift transformed their marriage. Dr. Greg and Dr. Aaron Smalley unpack what true biblical encouragement looks like and how understanding your spouse's unique encouragement "language" can breathe life back into your relationship. How

Up to 70% of couples in counseling say they feel emotionally disconnected from their spouse. In this episode, Jim Daly opens up about the blind spots that cost him his first marriage, and Jim Turner shares what it looks like for men to finally lean in emotionally. Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley unpack the pursuer-withdrawer dynamic, explain how to spot your spouse's bids for connection, and offer practical steps you can take today even if your partner isn't on board yet. The Disconnected Man Hop

When anger flares or worry takes over, there's usually something deeper underneath. John Fuller, Dr. Greg, and Erin Smalley unpack a conversation with counselor Debra Fileta about what's really driving our emotions and share practical habits to help couples connect beneath the surface. Nourish Your Family’s Mental Health Bundle Speak with a Counselor How to Nourish Mental Health in Your Family

This month's theme is emotional safety. John Fuller, Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley, and guest Karen DeArmond Garner unpack the many forms abuse can take physical, verbal, and emotional why it's so hard to recognize, and how faith has been misused to keep victims trapped. A compassionate guide toward help and healing. Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse Speak with a Counselor Finding Hope In The Aftermath Of Domestic Violence (Digital Download)

No couple signs up to lose at marriage but without a game plan, many marriages drift. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Greg Smalley talk with George and Tondra Gregory, authors of The Marriage Game Plan, about a five-part strategy for marital success. From defining what "winning" looks like to knowing your opponents and creating vision together, this conversation offers practical hope for couples at every stage even those who feel hopelessly behind at halftime. The Marriage Game Plan Marria