Episodes

Nov. 11, 2025

She Climbed Out a Window

It's common for you and your spouse to have different styles for trying to resolve conflict. Jim Daly joins Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde, who both open up about times they worked through conflict with their spouses. Then, John Fuller asks Erin and Dr. Greg Smalley how you can make things right with your mate after a bad argument. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Empowered to Love for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Lo...
Nov. 6, 2025

“I Messed Up! Can My Story Be Redeemed?”

It's easy to believe the lie that things won't get better. But, we serve a God who's in the business of redemption. Jim Turner sits down with Jim Daly to explain how God has healed his story, even after his first marriage failed. Also, Greg Smalley offers encouragement to couples who don't feel like persevering through a rough season. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Resto...
Nov. 4, 2025

Going for a Heart Walk

When was the last time you and your spouse went for a walk together? Erin Smalley discusses how the simple activity of going for a walk can help you and your spouse connect. Then, Jim Daly interviews Jim Turner on something called a Heart Walk Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Developin...
Oct. 30, 2025

The Words You Say to Your Mate

Do your words encourage or tear down your spouse? Jim Daly speaks to Jay and Laura Laffoon on how they've learned to be more encouraging to each other. Then, Erin Smalley gives some pointers for the person who recognizes they need to be a better encourager to their mate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage ...
Oct. 28, 2025

Getting Rid of Hurry-Syndrome

Saying "yes," to too many things is really bad for your marriage. Greg opens up about how he's learning to try and pull back from too many commitments. Also, Jay and Laura Laffoon join Jim Daly to share why prioritizing your spouse and kids matters more than career accomplishments. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate You...
Oct. 23, 2025

Run from Pornography!

Jesus tells us in the New Testament that looking lustfully at someone is equivalent to committing adultery in your heart. Greg Smalley explains why watching pornography will do serious damage to your marriage. Plus, Jim Daly and Jerry Jenkins discuss why porn also causes feelings of shame. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "Hedges" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored How to Guard Your Marriage From Temptation Contact o...
Oct. 21, 2025

When Temptation is Still Around

When you got married, it was easy to believe sexual temptation might disappear. John and Erin explain why temptation still needs to be dealt with even after you get married. Then, Jim Daly and author Jerry Jenkins share why God calls us to flee from sexual temptation, not just fight it. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "Hedges" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored How to Guard Your Marriage From Temptation Contact our ...
Oct. 16, 2025

Stay Curious About Your Spouse

How do you stay curious about your spouse, even if you've been married for a long time? Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde speak to Jim Daly about why there's always something new to learn about your mate. Also, John talks with Erin Smalley about how a couple can regain curiosity, even if you've lost that romantic spark. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "Loving the Spouse God Gave You" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Em...
Oct. 14, 2025

Why Codependency is so Toxic

If you're focused too much on your spouse's issues, that might be a sign of codependency. Jim Daly talks with Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde, on how you need to deal with your own problems first before trying to fix your spouse. Also, John and the Smalley's bring up how to discern if you're not focusing on your own maturity enough. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "Loving the Spouse God Gave You" for your donation of any amount! Ho...
Oct. 9, 2025

The Dangers of Not Engaging Emotionally

To not try to understand your wife's emotions can do great damage in your marriage. John asks Erin Smalley about how it makes a wife feel if her husband dismisses her emotions. Then, Jim Turner and Jim Daly explain why loving your wife is more than just doing nice things for her. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "The Disconnected Man" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing With Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Co...
Oct. 7, 2025

When Your Husband is Emotionally Distant

What do you do if your husband is not connecting with you emotionally? Jim Daly interviews Jim Turner about how he struggled with being emotionally distant in his first marriage. Also, Greg Smalley shares how he's learned to be more open to sharing his feelings with Erin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book "The Disconnected Man" for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing With Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact ou...
Oct. 2, 2025

Too Busy to Date Your Spouse?

You want fun dates with your spouse, but what if you simply don't have much time on your plate? Jay and Laura Laffoon speak with Jim Daly about how you can still make date nights a priority, even if you have a demanding schedule. Then, John asks Greg about how incremental changes in your relationship can have a major impact on having more time with your mate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage: 365 Daily Devot...
Sept. 30, 2025

Don't Skip Date Night

Date nights should be a part of every couple's schedule no matter how long you've been married. Jay and Laura Laffoon, who've been together for four decades, speak with Jim Daly about why their marriage is better because of date nights. Plus, Dr. Greg Smalley talks about some of the best dates he and Erin have been on. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage: 365 Daily Devotions for Busy Couples for your donation o...
Sept. 25, 2025

Sexual Issues & Erasing Shame

The statistics on how many Christian men are viewing porn regularly are very sad. Jim Daly talks with Sherri Mueller and Erin Smalley on how sexual sin is having negative consequences on young people. Also, John and the Smalley's offer hope to people who are feeling shame over past sexual sin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Pursuing Intimacy with a Reluctant Hu...
Sept. 23, 2025

Enjoying Physical Intimacy Regularly

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages couples to not go too long without physical intimacy. Jim Daly talks to Erin Smalley and Sherri Mueller on why it matters for a couple to not neglect sex in marriage. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley encourages families to talk about sex in healthy ways. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Pursuing Intimacy with a Reluctant Hu...
Sept. 18, 2025

Don’t Play the Blame Game

When you're upset, one of the worst things you can do is fixate too much on blaming your spouse. Dr. Greg Smalley shares a story about a time he snapped at Erin, and how he learned from it. Plus, Jim Daly joins Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde on why it's important to not give your spouse too much power over how you feel. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Empowered t...
Sept. 16, 2025

When a Button is Pushed, and Self Care

How do you respond well when one of your buttons gets pushed in marriage? Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde talk with Jim Daly about examining the reasons why your buttons get pushed. Also, John Fuller asks Erin Smalley about how couples can practice effective types of self-care. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Loving the Spouse God Gave You for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given...
Sept. 11, 2025

When a Friend Calls You Out

Having supportive friends is one of the best ways to keep your marriage strong. Jim Turner tells Jim Daly a story about a time a friend called him out on something. Plus, Erin Smalley shares what women need from friends who love them. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnection in Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Humility In Marita...
Sept. 9, 2025

Emotional Distance in Marriage

Allowing your spouse to share their feelings is one of the best ways to make your marriage safe. Jim Turner and Jim Daly talk about how men tend to compartmentalize their emotions. Also, John and the Smalley's will give some ideas on how to make sure you and your spouse are connecting frequently. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Disconnected Man for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnecti...
Sept. 4, 2025

A Few Minutes of Intentionality

What if a small change in your marriage made the biggest difference? Jay and Laura Laffoon talk about how 15 minutes of uninterrupted conversation has helped couples they've worked with. Then, the Smalley's talk about simple ways you can make your spouse feel appreciated. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage...
Sept. 2, 2025

Simple Celebrations with Big Implications

When was the last time you and your spouse laughed together? Erin Smalley explains why laughter is a sign of a healthy relationship. Then, Jim Daly joins Jay and Laura Laffoon, who bring up why every couples needs to find simple ways to have fun together. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Celebrate Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage 6 Tools for Hea...
Aug. 28, 2025

Good Sex is the Result of Commitment

The best sex is many times the end result of staying committed to your spouse. Jim Daly talks to Sherri Mueller about why sex can get better with time in your marriage. Then, Erin Smalley shares about how your marriage can still be great, even if you're in a season where you and your spouse can't have sex. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book I Want Him to Want Me for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Pursuing...
Aug. 26, 2025

When Sex Isn’t Happening as Often as You Want

There are times where physical intimacy is a regular part of your marriage. But how do you navigate the seasons where it's not? Jim Daly speaks to Erin Smalley and Sherri Mueller on when wives have a husband who's not able to engage in sex. Plus, John and the Smalley's address healthy perspectives for husbands whose wives can't be physically intimate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book I Want Him to Want Me for your donation of any a...
Aug. 21, 2025

When the Reactive Cycle Goes Negative

How are you and your spouse responding to conflict? Jim Daly speaks with Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde about something called, The Reactive Cycle, and when it goes wrong in your marriage. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley will give you some hopeful perspectives if you and your spouse are in a pattern of handling conflict poorly. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Loving the Spouse God Gave You for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Em...