Episodes

You come home from a busy day, and instead of looking forward to a romantic candlelit dinner with your spouse, you're having to watch the kids for the evening. While every season brings blessings, is romance even possible on those days? John and the Smalleys discuss what a husband can do to keep romance alive in the busy times. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Arlene Pellicane's book "31 Days to a Happy Husband": https://donate.focusonthefamily...

Everyone wants a good marriage, but having one takes a lot of work. Sometimes, a change in perspective is what you need to take your relationship to the next level. John, Greg and Erin discuss how having a "long-term lens" perspective can help your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Leslie Vernick's book "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2...

When you and your spouse face a challenge, how you respond can mean the difference between solving the problem or letting it cause weeks of tension. Through God's grace, you can respond to problems in a way that's helpful for your marriage. Greg and Erin share with John about how they've learned to show each other grace when things aren't perfect. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Leslie Vernick's book "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wro...

Time is a precious gift, but in a non-stop world, finding a few minutes together is hard to do. When your schedule is full, having a deep conversation with your spouse can feel like just another checklist item. John, Greg and Erin provide some practical ideas for spending more time with your spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Katharine Hill's book "If You Forget Everything Else, Remember This": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm...

In the heat of an argument, it's easy to say something to your spouse that you later regret. When you're angry after a conflict, it's critical to deal with it rather than stuff it away. John, Greg and Erin will give some helpful solutions for dealing with anger and conflict well. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Katharine Hill's book "If You Forget Everything Else, Remember This": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-12-01?...

Growing together spiritually in your marriage doesn't happen by accident. Sometimes, asking your spouse questions is one of the best ways to start. John, Greg and Erin explain the connection between asking questions and spiritual growth in your relationship. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get the Hortons' book "Enter the Ring" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-24?refcd=1028605 Get more ...

Every couple faces hardship. Whether it's a financial struggle, a strong disagreement, or problems with a child, conflict can strengthen your marriage, or drive you further apart. The Smalleys talk with John about how they've learned to work together in the hard seasons. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get the Hortons' book "Enter the Ring" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-24?refcd=10286...

It's not an uncommon marriage problem: one spouse is working hard, but the other is indifferent. When this scenario happens, it can be easy for the marriage to start coasting rather than growing. John, Greg and Erin give some ideas for how to avoid coasting in your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Get the book "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-17?refcd=1025507 Get ...

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the work in your marriage, but your spouse isn't giving anything back? The truth is, we've all been selfish at some point. Erin, Greg and John describe how they've worked through selfishness in their own marriages. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get the book "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-17?refcd=1025507 Get more episode resour...

Having a great marriage sometimes requires not getting your way. Without healthy compromise, selfishness can rob your relationship of strength and joy. John and the Smalley's explain the difference between good compromise and bad compromise in your marriage. Featuring Katherine Hill. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY If You Forget Everything Else, Remember This: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-12-01?refcd=1022309 Get More E...

We all desire to be heard by our spouse. But in our technology saturated world, it can be easy to get distracted and tune your spouse out. John, Erin and Greg explain how they've learned to get better at listening and provide some helpful ideas for improving your listening skills. Featuring Katherine Hill. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY If You Forget Everything Else, Remember This: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-12-01?re...

How you handle conflict in your marriage can help or hurt your relationship. Sometimes, before you get into an argument, it's good to have rules for how you'll handle it. John, Erin and Greg talk about the rules they have for dealing with conflict well. Featuring Pastor D.A. and Elicia Horton. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Enter the Ring: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-24?refcd=1019806 Get More Episode Resources: ht...

Marriage is far from perfect. We've all faced a misunderstood comment or a tough season with our spouse. What do you do when your spouse says or does something that hurts you? John, Greg and Erin give some helpful tips for dealing with an offense in your marriage. Featuring Pastor D.A. and Elicia Horton. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Enter the Ring: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-24?refcd=1019806 Get More Episode Re...

Your spouse may be trying to do a good a job, but he or she can only do so much. What do you do when your spouse isn't meeting your expectations? John, Greg and Erin talk about letting go of unrealistic expectations and what it means to find true happiness, even when you're facing conflict. Featuring Leslie Vernick. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-202...

What if I told you that a small act of kindness could diffuse an argument with your spouse? While it's not a guarantee, choosing kindness in the midst of a heated conversation can go a long way for your marriage, John asks the Smalley's about how choosing to be kind has helped their relationship. Featuring Leslie Vernick. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podca...

Every married couple has to have difficult conversations from time to time. In those moments, it's important to choose your words carefully and not use them carelessly. John, Greg and Erin discuss the damage that can be done by careless words and explain how tough conversations can actually benefit your marriage. Featuring Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Growing Your Marriage in Times of Stress: https://donate.focusonthefam...

When you or your spouse overreact to a problem, it can lead to hurt feelings and stress in your relationship. As emotions run high, diffusing the tension is critical for the health of your marriage. John, Greg and Erin will provide some help for couples who are facing unresolved conflict. Featuring Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Growing Your Marriage in Times of Stress: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-...

When you don't feel those warm, romantic feelings, it can be a great time to remind yourself of how you fell in love with your spouse. John, Greg and Erin give some helpful ideas for bringing romance back into your relationship. Featuring Katherine Hill. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY If You Forget Everything Else, Remember This: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-05?refcd=1012001 Get More Episode Resources: https://focu...

One of the best ways to have fun with your spouse is to laugh together. John talks with Greg and Erin about how laugher has benefitted their marriage. Featuring Pastor Ted Cunningham. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY A Love That Laughs: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-fofm-podcast-2020-11-03#refcd=1010904 Get More Episode Resources: https://focusonthefamily.com/episodes/focus-on-marriage-podcast/the-importan...

A fight with your spouse can be very uncomfortable. But after working through a conflict, your marriage can be stronger. John, Erin and Greg describe why having God at the center of your relationship can help you work through conflict with your spouse. Featuring Pastor D. A Horton and Elicia Horton. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Enter the Ring: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-fom-2020-9-29#refcd=1007704 G...

It's been said before, "you don't just marry your spouse, you marry his or her family." The truth is, the family you come from will influence your marriage. John and the Smalleys give some practical ways for couples to talk openly and honestly about their families. Featuring Pastor D. A and Elicia Horton. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Enter the Ring: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-fom-2020-9-29#refcd=10077...

When you aren't in a good mood, it's easy to be rude to your spouse. As negative emotions come, how do you respond? Greg and Erin talk with John about how to tell your spouse the way you feel, without being rude. Featuring Dr. Josh and Christi Straub Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY A Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-fofm-podcast-2020-09-24#refcd=1004801 Get More Episode Re...

Communicating your feelings to your spouse is critical for maintaining a healthy marriage. It's especially important when raising little children together. Greg, Erin and John discuss ways they've learned to communicate while raising young kids. Featuring Dr. Josh and Christi Straub Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY A Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-fofm-podcast-2020-09-24#r...

A comforting spouse can be a great gift as you're going through a hard season. When you receive comfort from him or her, it's also important to give it back. John, Greg and Erin discuss some ways they've learned to console their spouse during difficult times. Featuring Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Growing Your Marriage in Times of Stress: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-daily-broa...