Episodes

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...
Aug. 19, 2025

Reactions that Make Your Spouse Feel Safe

Every marriage needs to feel safe before both spouses can be open with each other. Erin shares about some ways her husband Greg makes her feel safe. Plus, Jim Daly talks with Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde about how real safety is not just physical protection, but also where you can be vulnerable with your mate. 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...
Aug. 14, 2025

Roadblocks to Effective Communication

Do you think you have your spouse all figured out? The truth is, there's always something new to learn. Ryan Frederick and Jim Daly encourage husbands to work through communication barriers to better understand their wives. Plus, Erin Smalley talks about the right ways to give honest feedback to your spouse, for the sake of improving your relationship. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! F...
Aug. 12, 2025

The Difference 3 Seconds Can Make

If you're ever mad with your spouse, it's good to pause before saying something you regret later. Greg and Erin Smalley talk about the value of pausing before you explode in a marriage argument. Also, Ryan Frederick joins Jim Daly to address how a husband can respond well when he's upset with his wife. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Your Birth Order S...
Aug. 7, 2025

Lean into Your Spouse’s Strengths

How have your spouse's strengths been useful to you? John Fuller opens up a way his wife has helped him be a better man. Also, Dr. Kevin Leman talks with Focus President Jim Daly about how his wife has been good at catching details and encouraging him. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive The Birth Order Book for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Your Birth Order Shapes Your Marriage Recognize Your Spouse’s Value ...
Aug. 5, 2025

The Value of Your Spouse’s Birth-Order

You and your spouse likely have different strengths. God designed it that way. But are you telling your spouse you appreciate their gifts? Dr. Kevin Leman and Jim Daly share about how a firstborn wife, who loves rules, can still respect her husband, even if he's not as strict with rules. Then, Erin Smalley shares what it means to a wife when her husband encourages her. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive The Birth Order Book for your donation ...
July 31, 2025

When Sex Isn’t Frequent

How do you handle seasons where you're not enjoying physical intimacy as much as you want in marriage? Jim Daly speaks to Erin Smalley and Sherri Mueller about when sex isn't happening much for married couples. Plus, Greg Smalley shares how a husband can be a safe place for his wife to talk about 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 Inti...
July 29, 2025

Leaving a Marriage Legacy

What will your kids say about your marriage in the future? Greg and Erin Smalley share how they stay inspired to remember they're building a legacy now. Also, Sean and Lanette Reed address how God wants us to bless not only your marriage but also generations to come after you. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection Through Uncontrollable Change for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriag...
July 24, 2025

What You Control, What You Don’t

It's easy to fixate on what your spouse is doing wrong. But real courage many times is focusing on what you need to work on. Erin Smalley addresses how a lot of couples in her counseling are too focused on their spouse's issues. Then, Jim Daly speaks to Tara Lalonde and Dr. Bob Paul, who will encourage you to work on yourself. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage ...
July 22, 2025

Can God Work a Miracle in Your Relationship?

Have you ever reached a point in marriage where you didn't think you'd make it? John asks Greg Smalley about how he and Erin persevered through a challenging time in their relationship. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde on what helps couples go the distance in their marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Empowered to Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage You Both Love for your donation ...
July 17, 2025

When Two Strong Personalities Clash

When you and your spouse are in an argument, it can be pretty intense. Ryan Frederick talks with Jim Daly about how he's learned to be more gentle when in conflict with his wife. Then, Erin Smalley explains why it's good for wives to keep learning about how their husbands think. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Loving Your Wife with Your Words Enc...
July 15, 2025

Your Temperament as a Husband

It's not just about what you say to your spouse, but it's also about how you say it. Ryan Frederick and Jim Daly address why it's important to watch your tone as a husband. Plus, John and Greg offer encouragement to husbands who are more introverted and don't feel like talking much. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Loving Your Wife with Your Words ...
July 10, 2025

Birth-Order and Biblical Examples

Every person, based on your birth-order, has strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Kevin Leman and Jim Daly address some of the biblical examples of how birth-order influences someone's personality. Plus, Erin and John discuss perfectionist spouses, and why striving for perfectionism is a bad idea for any marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection Through Uncontrollable Change for your donation o...
July 8, 2025

When You and Your Spouse Are the Same Birth-Order

Many couples tend to marry someone outside of their birth-order. But what about the scenario where people of the same birth-order get married? Dr. Kevin Leman talks with Jim Daly about when middle children and babies of the family get married to each other. Then, Erin and John discuss why it's important to not assume your spouse is a certain personality, based on if he or she is a first-born, middle child, or youngest. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMIL...
July 3, 2025

Sticking it Out in Your Marriage

In the moments you feel frustrated, how do you look past the annoyances in your marriage? Sean and Lanette Reed speak to Jim Daly about how they've learned to ask for help as a couple. Then, John and the Smalley's bring up how to work through tough times together. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection Through Uncontrollable Change for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment ...
July 1, 2025

When You Need Grit in Your Marriage

Every marriage needs a bit of toughness to help weather the difficult times. Jim Daly talks to Sean and Lanette Reed about why your marriage needs grit. Plus, John asks Greg how he and Erin have benefitted from developing resilience as a couple. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Marriage in Transition: Creating Connection Through Uncontrollable Change for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Creating a Shared ...
June 26, 2025

God Can Turn It Around So Quickly

No matter how hopeless things might feel in your marriage, God can still restore you. Jim Daly speaks to Josh and Katie Walters about how a trip to the Grand Canyon brought hope to their marriage. Also, John and Erin will encourage you that a tough situation doesn't have to be the end of your relationship. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book New Marriage, Same Couple for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Restoring Your Marr...
June 24, 2025

Regaining Purpose After a Traumatic Event

How does a marriage recover from trauma? If you or a couple you're close to is experiencing a major challenge, you'll be encouraged by John, Greg and Erin's insights. Plus, Josh and Katie Walters bring up how they regained a sense of vision after Katie had an affair. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book New Marriage, Same Couple for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Restoring Your Marriage After an Affair Counseling Consult...
June 19, 2025

The High Calling of a Husband

The Bible tells men to love your wives as Christ loved His church. Greg talks with John about some of the sacrifices he's learned to make as a husband. Also, Jim Daly and Ryan Frederick explain why being a good husband means choosing sacrificial love continually. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Loving Your Wife with Your Words How a Wife Speaks ...
June 17, 2025

The Way You Communicate Matters

For husbands, the ways you communicate to your wife is very different than how you talk to other men. Jim Daly and Ryan Frederick open up about how they've struggled at times in communicating with their wives. Also, Erin Smalley brings up things wives need to say to their husbands. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How a Husband Speaks for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How a Wife Speaks Encouraging You...