Episodes

April 1, 2024

Submitting Your Money to God

What does it practically look like to trust God with your money? Bob and Linda Lotich join Jim Daly to discuss a phrase that helps them manage their money - Assets Under Management. Also, John and Greg address the need to practice financial stewardship in your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Simple Money, Rich Life for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Coping With Financial Cri...
March 27, 2024

Pornography Hurts True Intimacy

Sadly, many marriages today have at least one spouse who's struggling with pornography. Jim Daly speaks with Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn about the great damage porn can do to a marriage. Then, John and Greg discuss some practical steps a person can take towards wholeness if he or she is struggling with pornography. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book the Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on M...
March 25, 2024

When Spouses Have Differing Sexual Desires

Sex is a wonderful gift for marriage, and yet, it can also be complicated. John and Greg address how physical intimacy is a top issue many couples fight over. You'll also hear Jim Daly talk with Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma about how couples can work through scenarios where one spouse wants sex more than the other. Finally, Erin Smalley will offer a helpful perspective on how to ask your spouse for sex. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Re...
March 20, 2024

Remembering the Story of How You Met

It's wonderful to reflect on how you and your spouse fell in love. John asks the Smalley's to share their fun love story. Then, you'll hear Jim Daly talk to Matt and Lisa Jacobson about how their first meeting didn't go so well, and why God still used it anyway. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the two book bundle Loving Your Husband/Wife Well for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Improve Your Marria...
March 18, 2024

Marriage and Children with Special Needs

For couples that have a child with special needs, the challenges are very real. John, Erin and Greg address what it's been like for each of their marriages to raise a child who has special needs. Plus, Jim Daly talks with Lisa Jacobson about how she and her husband Matt kept their marriage strong, even during some challenges with their daughter. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book The Flirtation Experiment for your donation of any amou...
March 14, 2024

Repeat Back Your Spouse’s Interests

When your spouse shows genuine interest in something you enjoy, it's like good medicine for the heart. Bill and Pam Farrel talk with Jim Daly about how they've encouraged couples to express curiosity in something your mate likes doing. Also, John and the Smalley's cover a common communication struggle many husbands deal with in marriage. 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...
March 11, 2024

Communication Mistakes Spouses Make

How do you and your spouse work through your different communication styles? Jim Daly is joined by marriage experts, Bill and Pam Farrel, and they'll share common mistakes men and women make in communicating. Plus, John and the Smalley's give some tips to help you avoid miscommunications in your marriage. 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 Marria...
March 6, 2024

Getting on the Same Page Financially

The discussions you have about money early in your marriage help set the tone for your financial habits as a couple. Jim Daly speaks with Linda and Bob Lotich about some of the conversations they had about money when they were a young couple. Plus, John talks with the Smalley's about some money rules they've implemented in their marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Simple Money, Rich Life for your donation of any amount! Focu...
March 5, 2024

Being Honest About Your Financial History

What were some of your financial habits going into marriage? Jim Daly talks to Bob and Linda Lotich, who get very honest about how they handled money before walking the aisle. Also, John, Greg and Erin bring up why it's important for you and your future spouse to talk about your money habits before getting married. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Simple Money, Rich Life for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment...
Feb. 29, 2024

How Often Should We be Intimate?

It's common for married couples to ask, "how often should we be physically intimate?" While there's no rule, Jim Daly speaks to Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn on why many couples struggle to agree on frequency. You'll also hear John and the Smalley's offer encouragement to couples who are struggling to enjoy sex. 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 A...
Feb. 27, 2024

Three Types of Sexual Desire

How do you deal with a situation where you and your spouse have differing desires regarding sex? Jim Daly talks with Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn about three kinds of sexual desire that most couples deal with. Also, John and the Smalley's discuss what couples can do if one or both spouses are resistant to sexual intimacy. 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...
Feb. 22, 2024

When Your Childhood Impacts Your Marriage

Undealt with pain from your childhood can sometimes come up unexpectedly in the ways you treat your spouse. John, Erin and Greg will encourage you to deal with wounds from your childhood. You'll also hear Jim Daly talk with Lisa Jacobson and Phylicia Masonheimer about the need for getting difficult things out in the open. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book The Flirtation Experiment for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage A...
Feb. 19, 2024

Connecting Well in the Evening

When you've had a long day, it's easy to pull out your phone and not talk with your spouse. John and Greg emphasize why it's important to be disciplined with your screen-time in marriage. Plus, Jim Daly speaks with Lisa Jacobson about how she learned to stop watching shows with her husband every evening. Also, Phylicia Masonheimer shares about a time that praying with her husband before bed helped her marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Recei...
Feb. 14, 2024

Respecting Your Spouse’s Brain Wiring

One of the biggest factors in how husbands and wives communicate is the unique ways each of your brains are wired. Bill and Pam Farrel join Jim Daly to address the different ways God designed men and women's brains. Plus, John, Greg and Erin share why your understanding what your mate needs can help you be a better communicator. 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 ...
Feb. 13, 2024

The Ways Men and Women Process Information

Do you ever get frustrated by the different ways and your spouse communicate? Jim Daly talks with marriage experts, Bill and Pam Farrel about the differences in how men and women talk. You'll also hear John and the Smalley's share why it's best to show appreciation to your mate, even in spite of your differences. 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 o...
Feb. 8, 2024

Don’t Hide from the Pain

How do you handle painful memories? While it's not fun to think about them, we encourage you to not hide from them either. Jim Daly and Dr. Ron Deal encourage blended families to work through painful situations from the past. Plus, John and the Smalley's encourage you to give yourself grace, even when you get something wrong today. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriag...
Feb. 6, 2024

The Ripples of Grief for Blended Families

Sadness and pain happen in every family. How do you pick up the pieces, even when you can't shake painful memories? Jim Daly and Dr. Ron Deal address some of the ways sadness and grief impact blended families. Also, John and the Smalley's explain how practicing vulnerability can help heal past wounds. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Listen Anytime Contact our Coun...
Feb. 1, 2024

If Your Spouse Doesn’t Receive Positive Affirmations

Have you tried to be encouraging to your spouse, but he or she wasn't receptive to it? Jim Daly talks to Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma about some healthy perspectives on if your spouse isn't receiving your kind words. Plus, John and the Smalley's discuss how positive affirmations can help a couple build trust and have more enjoyable intimacy. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of a...
Jan. 30, 2024

Owning Your Responsibility to Feel Good

Being affirmed by your spouse is great, but do you need it to survive? John, Erin and Greg explain why affirming your spouse is healthy, and discuss the difference between a need and a strong desire. You'll also hear from Jim Daly and Dr. Michael Sytsma on why feeling good about yourself is your decision, and should not be dependent on what your spouse says. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donatio...
Jan. 25, 2024

Maintaining Joy When Your Plate is Full

What your marriage is in a busy season, how can you make time for fun and laughter? Jim Daly speaks to Lisa Jacobson and Phylicia Masonheimer about how they've learned to be joyful during busy seasons. John also talks with Greg and Erin about how they maintain joy, even with a taxing schedule. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book The Flirtation Experiment for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime A ...
Jan. 23, 2024

When Your Husband Doesn’t Initiate Romance

What can you do if you desire romance, but your spouse isn't the romantic type? Jim Daly talks with Lisa Jacobson and Phylicia Masonheimer about a concept they call, "biblical flirtation." Plus, John and the Smalley's share about why it's good for men to be romantic toward their wives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book The Flirtation Experiment for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Contact ou...
Jan. 18, 2024

Openness That Leads to Healing

Pretending like you've got it all together is not good for your your marriage. John and Greg address why it's not okay to act like your relationship is perfect, especially when there are issues going on. Also, Jim Daly talks with Pastor Rick Bulman about how he and his wife Tiffany don't hide from their broken past, and ways they've seen God heal their marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Mended for your donation of any amount...
Jan. 16, 2024

A Wedding for Blended Couples

For couples facing remarriage, what's the way to do a wedding right? John and the Smalley's share how they've seen God restore people, even after an unwanted divorce. Also, Jim Daly and Dr. Ron Deal talk about ways kids can be involved in a blended family wedding. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime How Remarriage Affects Kids Remarriage...
Jan. 11, 2024

When You and Your Spouse Don’t Agree on Discipline

How do you and your spouse find agreement on ways to discipline your kids? John, Erin and Greg address how this is a common tension point for couples, and why having kids can help you be a better spouse. Also, Dr. Ron Deal and Jim Daly discuss what healthy discipline can look like for blended families. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book Preparing to Blend for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime ...