Episodes

July 10, 2024

I’m So Offended! Now What?

You didn't mean anything by what you said, but your mate seems offended. Sound familiar? Greg tells John about a time he unintentionally said something offensive to his wife Erin. Then, you'll hear Matt and Lisa Jacobson talk about how they worked through a misunderstanding in their relationship. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment ...
July 9, 2024

We All Want to Be Listened To

When your mate shares something vulnerable, many times, he or she just wants a listening ear. Matt and Lisa Jacobson join Jim Daly to share how wives need to listen to their husbands. Plus, John and the Smalley's explain why husbands need to hear what their wives are saying without trying to fix every problem. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriag...
July 3, 2024

Even if You Didn’t Start Well

When a couple is dating, it's common for people to say things like, "Don't move too fast?" But what if you and your spouse didn't get off to the best start? Jim Daly speaks with Dr. Ron and Jan Welch about how they dealt with a poor beginning. Plus, John and the Smalley's will provide hope to couples who didn't start well. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book 10 Choices for a Better Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on M...
July 1, 2024

It’s About Us, Not Me

How do you stay on the same team, even when you are upset at each other? Erin and John discuss some of the underlying reasons why spouses can be competitive against one another. Also, Bill and Pam Farrel speak with Jim Daly about a time they worked through a season where they felt spread thin in their relationship Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation of any amount! Focus...
June 26, 2024

A Divorce Isn’t What I Want

Have you ever felt like giving up on your marriage? You are not the only one. Carey and Toni Nieuwhof share with Jim Daly about the night they hit rock bottom in their marriage. Also, Erin Smalley talks with John and Greg about why some couples struggle to keep fighting for their marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Before You Split for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Marriage Intensives Audio Download: "Rejectin...
June 25, 2024

When Things are Bad at Home

It may seem to others like you have it all together, but inside, you know your marriage is struggling. Carey and Toni Nieuwhof join Jim Daly to share how they reached a crisis in their marriage, even though they were leading a growing church. Also, John and the Smalley's will provide a word of hope if you feel like you have nowhere to turn. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Before You Split for your donation of any amount! Hope Rest...
June 21, 2024

Why Negative Thoughts About Yourself Hurt Your Marriage

How you talk to yourself is a good indicator of the ways you'll treat others. John and Erin bring up how negative mindsets toward yourself can hurt your other relationships. Then, Ted Lowe and Jim Daly speak about overcoming self-doubt in your head so you can bless your marriage. \ Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Us in Mind for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Control Negative Mindsets fo...
June 18, 2024

Trading in the Negative for the Positive

Are your thoughts about your spouse mostly positive or negative? Jim Daly and Ted Lowe give you a filter from the book of Philippians to help you choose positive thoughts about your spouse. Also, John and the Smalley's share how thinking good thoughts about your mate can bless your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Us in Mind for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Crazy Little Thing ...
June 12, 2024

Working Through Conflict and Misunderstandings

Every marriage faces conflict, but the key is learning to fight well. Erin shares with John and Greg on how to recognize if you're fighting well or poorly in your marriage. Plus, Jim Daly talks with Lisa and Matt Jacobson about a conflict they worked through in their marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Spiri...
June 11, 2024

When Your Marriage Faces Spiritual Warfare

We have an enemy, Satan, who hates God's design for marriage. Greg Smalley talks with John and Erin about how to recognize when your marriage may be facing a spiritual attack. Then, Matt and Lisa Jacobson speak with Jim Daly about why we need to take spiritual warfare seriously in our marriages. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Li...
June 6, 2024

Seeking to Serve and Honor

True love seeks to serve rather than to get all the time. To help you do that, Bill and Pam Farrel discuss how they've learned to serve each other by working better together. Also, John and Erin share how a husband can encourage his wife to become who God has called her to be. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime...
June 4, 2024

The Ways You Handle Stress

Every marriage faces stressful moments. The key is how you manage them when they come. Bill and Pam Farrel join Jim Daly to address the different ways men and women handle stress in marriage. Plus, John and the Smalley's offer ideas for how to discern if you're stressed due to being overcommitted. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Asses...
May 29, 2024

Your Spouse Wants Out. Now What?

What can you do when your spouse says, "I want out of this marriage?" Greg tells John the story of how he and Erin reached a difficult time in their marriage. Also Toni and Carey Nieuwhof talk with Jim Daly about how they went to counseling after Toni confessed she wanted to leave. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Before You Split for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime Contact our Counseling Department Is ...
May 28, 2024

They Almost Didn’t Make It!

When a couple reaches a desperate place, they start asking questions like, "Can our marriage survive?" Carey and Toni Nieuwhof join Jim Daly to tell their love story, and when they later reached a crisis in their relationship. Then, John and Erin discuss how couples can still be restored, even if it seems hopeless now. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Before You Split for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime ...
May 23, 2024

Happy Couples Think Differently

Are your thoughts about your spouse positive or negative? Ted Lowe speaks with Jim Daly on why happy couples choose to see the best in their spouses. You'll then hear John and the Smalley's discuss how thinking the best about your mate can help your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Us in Mind for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Control Negative Mindsets for an Improved Marriage ...
May 21, 2024

Resisting the Temptation of Pornography

How does a couple fight for purity when our culture is saturated with pornography? Jim Daly speaks with Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn about encouraging people to resist the temptation to look at pornography. Also, John and the Smalley's explain why porn can have a devastating impact on marriages. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Liste...
May 15, 2024

Look to the Lord, Even When You’re Frustrated

How do you respond when your spouse does something that really frustrates you? Matt and Lisa Jacobson tell Jim Daly the story of their first serious argument in marriage, and how turning to the Lord helped cool their emotions. However, if it feels like your marital frustrations have been going on for years or even decades, John and the Smalley's will offer some good perspectives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving You...
May 13, 2024

Having Fellowship, Showing Respect

One of the best ways to improve your marriage is when you simply appreciate being together. Jim Daly asks Matt and Lisa Jacobson why it's good for your relationship to enjoy fellowshipping as a couple. They'll even discuss the need for respect. Also, John Fuller and Erin Smalley address how a husband can show his wife that he respects her. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the 2-Book Bundle: Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of ...
May 9, 2024

Because It’s Who We Want to Be

It's important to never take your spouse for granted. A great way to do that is to remember how you and your mate fell in love. John, and the Smalley's share why remembering your love story can help your marriage today. Then, Bill and Pam Farrel join Jim Daly to discuss how it's good to take advantage of simple opportunities for romance. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donatio...
May 6, 2024

If Your Spouse Isn’t the Romantic Type

What do you find romantic? Jim Daly joins Bill and Pam Farrel to discuss how men and women desire romance differently. Also, John and the Smalley's encourage you to seek to romance your spouse over getting what you want every time. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Understanding the Differences Between You an...
May 2, 2024

How a Couple Gave Away $1 Million

Small acts of generosity add up over time. Bob and Linda Lotich talk with Jim Daly about how God put it on their hearts to give away $1 million. Then, you'll hear from John Fuller and Greg Smalley who will encourage you and your mate to be generous with even small amounts that you have. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Simple Money, Rich Life: Achieve True Financial Freedom & Design A Life of Eternal Impact for your donation of any ...
April 29, 2024

Should You Tithe as a Couple?

Practicing generosity to your local church is a wonderful thing to do as a couple. John and Greg address how they've learned give regularly to their respective church congregations. Also, Jim Daly speaks with Bob and Linda Lotich on why God wants us to be cheerful givers. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Simple Money, Rich Life: Achieve True Financial Freedom & Design A Life of Eternal Impact for your donation of any amount! Focus ...
April 25, 2024

If Your Spouse Has Experienced Sexual Abuse

Past sexual abuse can be one of the most difficult things to discuss with your spouse. John, Erin and Greg provide hope to people who've been sexually abused. Plus, Jim Daly speaks to Dr. Michael Sytsma about how you can be a source of healing, if your spouse has experienced past sexual trauma. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime Sexual Trauma an...
April 23, 2024

Getting Rid of Unrealistic Sexual Expectations

Unrealistic expectations going into marriage will lead to disappointment. That principle also applies to sex. John, Erin and Greg discuss how unhealthy expectations is something many couples struggle with. You'll also hear Jim Daly talk with Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma about loving your spouse, even when sex isn't going perfectly. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount!...