Episodes

Oct. 2, 2024

Ways to Evaluate a Potential Spouse

When someone wants to get married, what are some qualities to look for in a potential mate? Greg and John address why having a perfectionist mindset isn't helpful in trying to find a spouse. Then, Jim Daly meets with social media influencers, Tovares and Safa Grey, to discuss what a truly godly person looks like. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Godly Dating 101 for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen...
Sept. 30, 2024

Maturing Together as a Team

Teamwork is essential for the success of your marriage. Tovares and Safa Grey speak with Jim Daly about healthy mindsets to help you and your spouse be a strong team. Also, Greg and Erin talk to John about why there is joy in learning to make healthy compromises for the sake of your marriage Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Godly Dating 101 for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Soul Mates o...
Sept. 25, 2024

A Balance of Light-Hearted and Serious

Healthy marriages need serious conversations, but also laughter and fun too. Greg shares with John about how he and Erin have learned to have fun together, even with a very demanding schedule. Plus, Ron and Jan Welch talk with Jim Daly about three marriage moments every couple needs to help bring a balance of fun and serious in your relationship. 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...
Sept. 24, 2024

Make Time for One Another

When life is crowded with kids, activities, and errands to run, it's easy to make your marriage less of a priority. Jim Daly joins Dr. Ron Welch and his wife Jan to encourage you to keep your marriage a priority, even when life is busy. Also, you'll hear from John and Greg about how even small investments can help your marriage in the long run. 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 a...
Sept. 18, 2024

Make Laughter a Goal for Your Marriage

Laughing together is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to enjoy your marriage. John asks the Smalley's how laughter has played a part in making their relationship better. You'll then hear from Jim Daly and Ted Cunningham about how you can make laughter a goal for your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Greater Joy TWOgether for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Crazy Littl...
Sept. 17, 2024

“My Spouse Isn’t Changing! What Should I Do?”

Fixating solely on things you want your spouse to change isn't good for your marriage. Jim Daly speaks with Toni Nieuwhof about the dangers of focusing too much on your spouse's problems. Plus, John and Erin share how owning your faults can help you make it through marital challenges. 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 ...
Sept. 11, 2024

Sacrificial Love and Emotional Connection

The word tells you to focus on loving yourself, but God calls us to sacrifice for one another. Dr. David Gudgel and Jim Daly talk about two types of love that can bless your marriage - unconditional (agape) and friendship (phileo). You'll also hear John and the Smalley's explain how husbands can love their wives by making emotional connections. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Enjoy Your Marriage More for your donation of any amoun...
Sept. 9, 2024

Biblical vs. Worldly Definitions of Love

How would you define the word "love?" The Bible has a lot to say about it, and how to sacrifice for your spouse. Jim Daly and Dr. David Gudgel explain the biblical definitions of love, and how they can positively impact your marriage. Plus, John and the Smalley's discuss how to love your mate by serving each other. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Enjoy Your Marriage More for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessme...
Sept. 4, 2024

We All Bring Some Baggage

Every person who's been married for a while will tell you there are moments your spouse does something you didn't expect. Tovares and Safa Grey share how they've learned that relationships are more complicated than we anticipate. Also, Greg and John talk about the dangers of a perfectionist mentality in romantic relationships. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Godly Dating 101 for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Asse...
Sept. 3, 2024

What Defines Your Relationship?

Dating methods have changed, but the principles that make for a great marriage still stand. Erin Smalley discusses how dating is different since she and Greg were in the dating scene. Then, Jim Daly talks with social media influencers, Tovares and Safa Grey, about about how single adults can be a good marriage candidate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Godly Dating 101 for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment...
Aug. 28, 2024

What is Real Repentance in Marriage?

Repentance is sometimes the key you need to take your marriage to the next level. Greg Smalley defines what true repentance is. Then, Jim Daly talks with Dr. Ron Welch about a time he realized he needed to change the way he was treating his wife Jan. 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 Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Contact our Counseling Department Sup...
Aug. 26, 2024

Commitment and Becoming Better

There will come a moment where the commitment you've made to each other will be tested. Dr. Ron Welch and his wife Jan discuss how they've gotten stronger, even through some very challenging moments. You'll also hear Erin Smalley explain why it's good for couples to reflect on how you've made progress in your marriage. 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 Marri...
Aug. 21, 2024

Forgiveness and Justice for a Struggling Marriage

How do you forgive your mate, when it seems like your marriage is filled with hurt? Jim Daly speaks with Toni and Carey Nieuwhof, who faced many difficulties in their relationship, about forgiveness and restoration. Plus, John and Greg talk about how restoration comes when you own your mistakes and flaws. 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 C...
Aug. 20, 2024

Persevering Through the Almost Giving Up Season

Many struggling couples are asking, "Can our relationship survive?" Carey Nieuwhof joins Jim Daly to share about how he's seen divorce negatively impact people. You'll then hear John ask Greg and Erin Smalley about how they persevered through some challenging times in their own 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 Listen Anytime Contact our Counseling Departme...
Aug. 14, 2024

Follow the Truth, Not Your Feelings

"Follow your heart," is promoted advice throughout our culture. Yet, John and Greg explain why it's a bad marriage strategy. Also, Jim Daly and Dr. David Gudgel share how your feelings are not the best indicators of what's right and wrong. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Enjoy Your Marriage More for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Sacrificial, Agape Love in Marriage Strengthen Your Emot...
Aug. 13, 2024

Reset Your Mindset About Your Mate

Have you ever been listening to a sermon, or a lecture and thought, "my spouse should hear this?" Many of us have. John Fuller and Erin Smalley share why fixating on your spouse's issues can lead to other problems. Then, you'll hear Jim Daly and Ted Lowe share how to reset your mind when you're constantly frustrated at your mate. 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 Assessm...
Aug. 8, 2024

Doing Marriage God’s Way, Not Yours

Marriage is designed by God to help you become a better person. Matt and Lisa Jacobson share with Jim Daly about how doing marriage God's way requires maturity. You'll also hear John and the Smalley's discuss why it matters for you keep your focus on God as a couple. 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 How to Truly L...
Aug. 6, 2024

Can People See Your Love for Each Other?

Do you remember what first attracted you to your spouse? John and Greg share what drew them to their wives. Plus, Jim Daly speaks with Matt and Lisa Jacobson about how they've learned to still be romantic to each other in public. Then, Erin Smalley offers hope to couples who've lost the romantic spark. 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 Assess...
July 31, 2024

Failure is Part of the Process

In marriage, we all make many mistakes. A key to success is to keep trying. Ron and Jan Welch talk to Jim Daly about how failure doesn't have to be the end of your marriage. Then, John and the Smalley's address how to tell if a couple is truly learning from failure. 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! Hope Restored Listen Anytime Strengthening Your Marriage Through D...
July 29, 2024

Your Conflict Style in Marriage

How you and your spouse handle conflict is one of the best indicators of whether your relationship will thrive or not. John talks with Greg and Erin about ways they manage conflict in their relationship. Plus, Dr. Ron Welch and his wife Jan speak with Jim Daly about how you can discover your mate's conflict style. 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! Hope Restored List...
July 24, 2024

From a Divorce Attorney’s Perspective

The pain of divorce is regarded as one of the hardest things a person can face. Carey and Toni Nieuwhof join Jim Daly to share about ways they've seen divorce negatively impact others. Also, John, Greg and Erin offer hope to couples who've been in a desparate season for a long time. 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 Why and How to Pursue a Healing Sepa...
July 22, 2024

When Childhood Wounds Reappear in Your Marriage

Sometimes, when spouses lash out at each other, it's actually rooted in childhood wounds. Toni Nieuwhof nearly lost her marriage with her husband Carey, and she talks with Jim Daly about how wounds from growing up negatively impacted her marriage. Then, John and the Smalley's discuss first steps spouses can take toward wholeness if they have undealt with childhood trauma. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the Before You Split for your donati...
July 17, 2024

Holding Your Tongue, and Small Celebrations

It's easy to say something you regret when you're exhausted. Jim Daly and Ted Lowe share how to respond when you feel triggered. Plus, Greg, Erin, and John address how celebrating small wins in your relationship can reframe your perspective. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the Us in Mind for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Cherish Your Spouse, Change Your Marriage Part 1 - Gary Thomas Control Ne...
July 15, 2024

Healthy Self-Talk and Reassurance

When you face something difficult in your marriage, how can you remind yourself of the truth? Ted Lowe shares a helpful phrase he and his wife use to remind themselves to persevere. Then, Greg and Erin talk with John on what helps them make it through hard times. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the Us in Mind for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Cherish Your Spouse, Change Your Marriage Part 1 - G...