Focus on Marriage Podcast

By Focus on the Family

Society & Culture

What's Focus on Marriage Podcast about?

If you’re married — or soon to be — you’ve got questions. What makes this relationship work? How do I fix it when it breaks? Where do I go when I need help? Host John Fuller and marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley help answer those questions with practical, down-to-earth insights based on God’s design for marriage. Find answers and inspiration in every short episode of this Christian marriage podcast.

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Two Lessons from Hard Times

06.06.2023

When your marriage faces a storm, it can either make your relationship stronger or hurt it. Jim Daly talks with author and pastor Gary Thomas about lessons couples can learn from storms, plus John Fuller and Greg Smalley address how ...

Focus on Marriage Podcast episodes:

06.06.2023 Two Lessons from Hard Times When your marriage faces a storm, it can either make your relationship stronger or hurt it. Jim Daly talks with author and pastor Gary Thomas about lessons couples can learn from storms, plus John Fuller and Greg Smalley address how ...
06.01.2023 Communicating About Adventure Trying new things can be a wonderful way to add adventure to your marriage. Jim Daly talks with Chris and Jenni Graebe about some adventures they've had. Plus, John Fuller speaks with the Smalley's about which one of them is ...
05.30.2023 How Can You Serve Your Spouse? Truly loving your spouse will result in showing loving actions. John and Greg discuss how husbands can do things to help their wives, and Jim Daly talks with Chris and Jenni Graebe about how men can give their wives a ...
05.25.2023 Recovering from Trauma and Improving Your Relationship Sadly, many people walk into marriage with trauma in their past. John and Erin provide some hope to those who've faced trauma, and Jim Daly speaks with Dr. Juli Slattery on how to help your mate emotionally heal from past ...
05.23.2023 When a Wife Isn't Enjoying Sex In many marriages, one or both spouses admit to not feeling fulfilled sexually. John and Erin offer some advice for husbands on how to pursue their wives emotionally, and Jim Daly talks with Dr. Juli Slattery on how wives can ...
05.18.2023 Negotiating Money with Your Spouse Money is a common thing married couples fight over. John talks with the Smalley's about financial conflicts they've experienced, and Jim Daly speaks with Bill and Pam Farrel about three different approaches people have with money. Find us online at ...
05.16.2023 Three Components of a Marriage Meet Up A great habit to establish is consistent communication with your spouse. To help you achieve that, Jim Daly talks with marriage experts Bill and Pam Farrel about three things you can discuss in a weekly meeting with your mate. Plus, ...
05.11.2023 A Sure Foundation for Your Marriage God's love is meant to be the foundation of a successful marriage. Greg talks with John about a couple he admires, and Erin shares how to lean on God's love, even if you're disappointed in your spouse. Also, Jim Daly ...
05.09.2023 A No Break-Up Policy for Your Marriage Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Receive the book "The Fundamentals of Marriage" for your donation of any amount! Counseling Department Focus on Marriage Assessment Listen Anytime Covenant: The Heart of the Marriage Mystery If you've listened to ...
05.04.2023 Not Making Fun of Your Spouse Finding reasons to laugh with your mate is healthy, but making fun of your spouse can be very bad for your relationship. Greg talks with John about a lesson he learned in his own marriage on this topic, plus Erin ...
05.02.2023 When a Fun Activity Doesn't Work for You Have you ever tried something you expected to be fun as a couple, but it didn't work out? John talks with the Smalley's about how it's happened in their own marriage, and Jim Daly speaks with Chris and Jenni Graebe ...
04.27.2023 Asking Your Husband to Lead Well How can a husband step up and lead well? Erin Smalley addresses common complaints she hears from wives about their husbands, and John and Greg discuss ways wives can be an encourager. Plus, Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery share ...
04.25.2023 When and When Not to Listen to Your Husband Have you ever had a moment where you thought your husband was right about something, only to find out he was wrong? Greg shares a story with John and Erin about a time he made a mistake as a husband, ...
04.20.2023 The Power of Consistency Being intentional about consistent communication is vital to the overall health of your marriage. Jim Daly talked with Bill and Pam Farrel about how they a weekly meeting with each other, and John speaks with Greg and Erin about establishing ...
04.18.2023 Keeping Humor Alive in the Hard Times Having a sense of humor can help your marriage, even if you're facing a difficult season. John speaks with Greg and Erin about keeping laughter alive in your marriage during hard moments. Plus, Jim Daly talked to Jeff and Sarah ...
04.13.2023 Maintaining a Healthy Friendship with Your Mate A healthy marriage is built on a great friendship. John talks with the Smalley's about what has kept their friendship strong, and if you need to have common interests to be friends. Also, Jim Daly spoke with Howard and Danielle ...
04.11.2023 When Your Communication Style is Different It's likely that you and your spouse have differing styles for how you handle conflict. John and the Smalley's explain how they've seen this play out in their own marriages. Plus, Jim Daly talked with Howard and Danielle Taylor about ...
04.06.2023 What On Your Table? Several people would say their wedding day was very special. But a great marriage is about the journey afterwards. John, Greg and Erin discuss how to have a long-term perspective for your marriage, and Jim Daly talked with Chris and ...
04.04.2023 Returning to Your First Love Many married couples, as they gain experience, tend to experience a slow drifting apart. John, Erin and Greg address how drifting can occur, and ways you can rekindle your love. Plus, Jim Daly talked with Jason and Tori Benham about ...
03.30.2023 What is Real Submission in Marriage? What does a healthy view of submission in marriage look like? Greg and John discuss that topic, and Erin offers encouragement to wives who have a difficult time seeing submission as good thing. Plus, Jim Daly spoke with Dr. Juli ...
03.28.2023 Maintaining Emotional Intimacy in the Empty Nest Years Reaching the empty nest years will create a lot of changes for your marriage, Greg addresses how couples can feel distant in the empty nest years, and John and Erin offer hope to couples who feel far apart. Plus, Jim ...
03.23.2023 Finding Hope When You Feel Resentment Many spouses today feel as if there's a wall of resentment between each other. If you're in that situation, John, Erin and Greg will share about maintaining a sense of hope. Also, Jim Daly spoke with Sarah and Jeff Walton ...
03.21.2023 When Your Spouse's Mind Won't Change What do you do when you're facing a crisis in your marriage and it feels like you're drifting apart? John and the Smalley's offer encouragement to struggling couples, and Jim Daly talks with Jeff and Sarah Walton about how they ...
03.16.2023 Finding a Common Purpose with Your Mate How do you find a common purpose in your marriage, even if you work completely different jobs? John and the Smalley's answer that question, and Jim Daly speaks with Howard and Danielle Taylor on how couples can find a purpose ...
03.14.2023 Common Problems and Letting Go of Selfishness Unrealistic expectations are common for young couples, but they're also a set up for disappointment. John, Greg and Erin share about common expectations couples have entering marriage, and how to practice selflessness in the relationship with your spouse. Featuring Mr. ...
03.09.2023 Three R's for Overcoming Temptation Our choices today will impact our marriage tomorrow. That's especially true with how we respond to temptation. John, Greg and Erin discuss how to respond when you're tempted to believe lies about your spouse. Featuring Mr. Jason and Mrs. Tori ...
03.07.2023 How Conflict Can Make a Marriage Better How do you feel about conflict? John and the Smalley's share how they feel about it, and also describe ways conflict can actually make your marriage stronger. Featuring Mr. Jason and Mrs. Tori Benham. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or ...
03.02.2023 Two Needs Wives Have One of the best gifts a husband can give his wife is to understand what she needs. John talks with Erin about how much it means when a wife feels valued and protected by her husband. Featuring Dr. Juli Slattery. ...
02.28.2023 The Respectful Helper Wife An encouraging wife is something every husband longs for. Yet, what do you do when your husband is getting on your nerves a lot? John, Greg and Erin share about the power of encouragement and how to correct your husband ...
02.23.2023 How Pain Can Purify Your Marriage The New Testament reminds us to count it all joy when we face difficulties. Greg and Erin share with John about difficult times they've walked through in marriage, and provide some ideas for how to be patient with your mate ...
02.21.2023 Responding Well to a Crisis When you and your spouse are facing a crisis, it can either make your marriage stronger or create further challenges in your relationship. John talks with Greg and Erin about showing grace to your mate during a tough time, and ...
02.16.2023 Enjoying Sex in Your Marriage Sex is an exclusive gift meant for you and your spouse. But what do you do when physical intimacy becomes more of a challenge than a pleasure? John, Erin and Greg discuss common sexual struggles and how couples can be ...
02.14.2023 Prioritizing Physical Intimacy in Busy Seasons After you and your spouse have kids, it's easy to let things like physical intimacy become less of a priority. John, Erin and Greg address how many couples struggle with making time for romance and intimacy, and why sex is ...
02.09.2023 Subtle Spiritual Attacks Little irritations can creep in your marriage if you're not careful. Those small annoyances might also be something the enemy wants to use to divide you and your spouse. John, Greg and Erin discuss how they've learned to see the ...
02.07.2023 Staying Consistent with Prayer in Marriage Praying for your mate is one of the best practices you can develop with your spouse. But what do you do when prayer feels awkward? John and the Smalley's share things husbands and wives can specifically pray for, and overcoming ...
02.02.2023 What Showing Respect Means Every husband longs to feel respected. Yet, how can wives practically show respect? John, Greg and Erin discuss insecurities men feel and how giving respect to your husband can improve your marriage. Featuring Dr. Juli Slattery. Find us online at ...
01.31.2023 When a Husband Disappoints You Unmet expectations in marriage are where disappointments can start to creep in. John, Erin and Greg bring up common expectations couples have going into marriage, and how working through disappointment can lead to a stronger relationship with your mate. Featuring ...
01.26.2023 Formulas Don't Work for Sex
01.24.2023 Understanding Different Sexual Needs When it comes to how people define "intimacy," it's fairly common for husbands and wives to have different definitions. John and Erin discuss how men and women define "intimacy," and Greg provides some encouragement to couples where one spouse has ...
01.19.2023 Staying Together in the Tough Times When your marriage goes through a trying season, it can either make your relationship better or harder. How you respond to difficulties is what matters. John, Greg and Erin offer hope to couples who are in the middle of a ...
01.17.2023 When Your Relationship Faces Heartbreak Every marriage faces heartbreak at some point. If you or a couple you're friends with is in a challenging season, John, Greg and Erin will share how your marriage can get stronger, even through the tough times. Featuring Mr. Jeff ...
01.12.2023 When You Feel Uncomfortable with Prayer When your schedule is packed, it's easy to put prayer on the backburner. To help you in your marriage, John, Greg and Erin share what reminds them to pray for their mate, and offer hope to those who are struggling ...
01.10.2023 Praying the Lord’s Prayer One of the most famous prayers Jesus prayed is called The Lord's Prayer. John, Erin and Greg discuss how praying with your mate can improve your marriage, and they also share some of their favorite parts of The Lord's Prayer. ...
01.05.2023 Prioritizing Your Marriage in a Blended Family Making a blended family marriage work takes relying on God's love and grace. But what do you do when you're struggling to get on the same page spiritually? John and Greg provide hope to couples in blended families where one ...
01.03.2023 When Children Oppose a Remarriage It can be a very tricky situation if a parent wants to get remarried, but a child is opposed to it. John talks with Erin about how a son or daughter can respectfully speak to a parent about possibly getting ...
12.29.2022 Sex from Your Spouse's Perspective When it comes to sex, it's good to consider what your spouse wants as more important than what you want. John talks to the Smalley's about why it's not good for the marriage if you respond poorly after your spouse ...
12.27.2022 Common Misconceptions About Sex Many couples struggle to talk about sex because they fear being vulnerable. John speaks with Greg and Erin about common struggles and misconceptions couples have about sex. Featuring Mr. Gary Thomas and Mrs. Debra Fileta. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast ...
12.22.2022 When Your Parent's Marriage Wasn't Good How can you be a good spouse if your parents didn't model a healthy marriage for you? John, Greg and Erin offer hope to those who didn't come from a good family. Featuring Mr. Bob Lepine. Find us online at ...
12.20.2022 Love Like a Bulldog The wedding vows are a significant part of the ceremony, and a sign of true commitment. John talks with Greg and Erin about the importance of wedding vows, and how to stay filled with God's love in your marriage. Featuring ...
12.15.2022 Praying Through Marital Struggles Prayer is a powerful tool to help you and your spouse get closer. John speaks with Greg and Erin about the ways they've seen prayer make a difference in a marriage, and how to be honest in your prayers. Featuring ...

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