Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast

Episodes

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  Respecting Your Spouse’s Brain Wiring 10.11.2026 9m

  One of the biggest factors in how husbands and wives communicate is theunique ways each of your brains are wired. Bill and Pam Farrel join Jim Daly to address thedifferent ways God designed men and women's brains. Plus, John, Greg and Erin share whyyour understanding what your mate needs can help you be a better communicator.Find us online at or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Get more resources hereReceive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation ofany amount!Focus on Marriage AssessmentListen AnytimeUnderstanding the Differences Between You and Your SpouseIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.  
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  Communication Mistakes Spouses Make 05.11.2026 13m

  How do you and your spouse work through your different communicationstyles? Jim Daly is joined by marriage experts, Bill and Pam Farrel, and they'll share commonmistakes men and women make in communicating. Plus, John and the Smalley's give sometips to help you avoid miscommunications in your marriage.Find us online at or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Explore more episode resourcesReceive the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti for your donation ofany amount!Focus on Marriage AssessmentListen AnytimeUnderstanding the Differences Between You and Your SpouseWhy are Men Like Waffles? Why are Women Like Spaghetti?If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.  
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  How Often Should We be Intimate? 03.11.2026 12m

  It's common for married couples to ask, "how often should we be physicallyintimate?" While there's no rule, Jim Daly speaks to Dr. Michael Sytsma and ShauntiFeldhahn on why many couples struggle to agree on frequency. You'll also hear John and theSmalley's offer encouragement to couples who are struggling to enjoy sex.Find us online at or call 1-800-A-FAMILY Get more resourcesReceive the book Secrets of Sex & Marriage for your donation of any amount!Focus on Marriage AssessmentListen AnytimeContact our Counseling DepartmentThe Best Ways to Deal with Mismatched Libidos in MarriageIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
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  The Key to a Closer Marriage 29.10.2026 10m

  What if the thing you're most afraid to share with your spouse is exactly what could bring you closer together? Ryan and Selena Frederick join Jim Daly to talk about how honesty and vulnerability transformed their marriage — from buried childhood shame to a deeper emotional connection than ever before.  See-Through Marriage Letting God's Light Shine Through Your Marriage
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  Identifying Abuse in Marriage 27.10.2026 9m

  Today, counselor Darby Strickland helps us unpack the difficult topic of domestic abuse. Learn how to distinguish between normal conflict and a pattern of coercive control, recognize the signs of emotional and verbal abuse, and find out when and how to get help. Is it Abuse? - Gift with Donation Friends Helping Friends: Identifying Abuse in Marriage
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  Rebuilding Trust in Marriage 22.10.2026 16m

  When trust is broken in a marriage can it ever be restored? John Fuller sits down with Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Erin Smalley to explore how couples can move past broken trust and toward healing. They share practical wisdom from Dr. Henry Cloud on unprompted transparency, self-trust, and the ongoing work of repair. Get "Trust" free with your gift Learning to Build Healthy Trust  
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  Why Boundaries Make Your Marriage Stronger 20.10.2026 14m

  When you hear "boundaries in marriage," it might sound like building walls between you and your spouse. But what if the right boundaries actually keep your hearts more open? In this episode, John Fuller sits down with Greg and Erin Smalley to unpack why healthy boundaries are essential for emotional safety in marriage, from protecting your couple time to maintaining financial transparency and avoiding harmful opposite-sex friendships. Then, Dr. John Townsend, explains the biblical case for boundaries. Boundaries in Marriage How To Set Healthy Boundaries In Your Marriage  
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  Navigating Grief Together in Your Marriage 15.10.2026 10m

  Grief is inevitable in every marriage — but how you and your spouse process loss can look very different. In this episode, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley join John Fuller to explore how couples can support each other through grief, even when their coping styles and timelines don't match. Holding On to Love After You’ve Lost a Baby Embracing Hope and Love After a Loss  
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  From Critic to Cheerleader: The Power of Encouraging Your Spouse 13.10.2026 8m

  We're wired to crave our spouse's affirmation more than anyone else's, yet too often, we become their chief critic. In this episode, Dave and Ann Wilson share a candid story about the moment Ann realized her husband needed encouragement, not criticism, and how that shift transformed their marriage. Dr. Greg and Dr. Aaron Smalley unpack what true biblical encouragement looks like and how understanding your spouse's unique encouragement "language" can breathe life back into your relationship. How to Speak Life to Your Husband Revive Your Marriage By Becoming Your Husband’s Biggest Cheerleader
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  When You Feel Like Married Roommates: Overcoming Emotional Disconnection 08.10.2026 11m

  Up to 70% of couples in counseling say they feel emotionally disconnected from their spouse. In this episode, Jim Daly opens up about the blind spots that cost him his first marriage, and Jim Turner shares what it looks like for men to finally lean in emotionally. Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley unpack the pursuer-withdrawer dynamic, explain how to spot your spouse's bids for connection, and offer practical steps you can take today even if your partner isn't on board yet. The Disconnected Man Hope Restored Dealing with Emotional Disconnection in Marriage  
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  Finding the Root of Your Anger and Worry 06.10.2026 13m

  When anger flares or worry takes over, there's usually something deeper underneath. John Fuller, Dr. Greg, and Erin Smalley unpack a conversation with counselor Debra Fileta about what's really driving our emotions and share practical habits to help couples connect beneath the surface. Nourish Your Family’s Mental Health Bundle Speak with a Counselor How to Nourish Mental Health in Your Family
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  Beyond the Bruises: Naming the Abuse You Can't See 01.10.2026 9m

  This month's theme is emotional safety. John Fuller, Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley, and guest Karen DeArmond Garner unpack the many forms abuse can take physical, verbal, and emotional why it's so hard to recognize, and how faith has been misused to keep victims trapped. A compassionate guide toward help and healing. Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse Speak with a Counselor Finding Hope In The Aftermath Of Domestic Violence (Digital Download)
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  Plan for a Successful Marriage 29.09.2026 11m

  No couple signs up to lose at marriage but without a game plan, many marriages drift. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Greg Smalley talk with George and Tondra Gregory, authors of The Marriage Game Plan, about a five-part strategy for marital success. From defining what "winning" looks like to knowing your opponents and creating vision together, this conversation offers practical hope for couples at every stage even those who feel hopelessly behind at halftime. The Marriage Game Plan Marriage 911 Program Build a Winning Game Plan for Your Marriage
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  If You're Teammates with Different Personalities 24.09.2026 12m

  Your spouse's differences aren't a bug, they're a feature. Kathi Lipp and Sheri Gregory, authors of Overwhelmed, join the Focus on the Family Marriage podcast to explore how personality differences—expressives vs. analytics, introverts vs. extroverts, can clash in marriage yet ultimately complement each other when couples learn to value what each brings to the table. Discover why the traits that first attracted you are the ones that later drive you crazy, and how honest conversations and the right perspective can turn frustration into appreciation‌OverwhelmedPractical Help for When You're Overwhelmed
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  Staying a Team When Kids Come 22.09.2026 12m

  Children are a blessing — but they're also one of the biggest disruptors a marriage will face. In this episode of the Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast, host John Fuller sits down with Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley to discuss how couples can protect their relationship amid the chaos of parenting, navigate disagreements about roles and responsibilities, and stay unified when their parenting styles differ. You'll also hear a candid and humorous conversation Jim Daly had with Pat and Ruth Schwenk, authors of For Better or For Kids, about the unpredictable early years of raising kids — including one unforgettable story involving a yellow umbrella and a Michigan football game — and why fighting for your marriage matters in every season of parenthoodFor Better or for KidsFocus on Marriage AssessmentLoving Your Spouse in the Midst of Parenthood
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  Love that Fuels Decision Making 17.09.2026 9m

  Teamwork takes intentionality. No matter how hard it gets, it's worth the effort. Erin Smalley shares some exciting news about how teamwork has paid off in her marriage. Then, Dr. Randy Schroeder joins Jim Daly to give couples a framework for encouraging each other in your daily lives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYSimple Habits for Marital HappinessFocus on Marriage AssessmentForming New Habits for Your MarriageFilling Your Marriage With JoyListen to Focus Live on Godcaster
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  Jesus Can Restore a Broken Team 15.09.2026 10m

  Do you wish you could go back to the way things were? Have you lost hope? There is good news. Jim Daly joins Vicki Rose to share how God worked in her heart during a separation period with her husband Bill. At the end, Greg Smalley will explain why it's not too late for you and your spouse to be restored. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYEvery Reason to LeaveHope RestoredStaying Together When You Feel Like LeavingCounseling Consultation and ReferralsAn Impossible Marriage
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  Creating Emotional Safety So You Can Work Together 10.09.2026 9m

  Without feeling emotionally safe, it's hard to work together as a couple. Josh Straub and his wife Christi talk to Jim Daly about how he learned to make her feel seen and heard. Also, Greg opens up about why it's so meaningful when Erin encourages him. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYA Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageCheck Out Greg & Erin's PodcastWorking Together as a Team in Your MarriageDeveloping Teamwork in MarriageListen to Focus Live on Godcaster
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  What Makes a Marriage Happy 08.09.2026 12m

  What if you could make your marriage happier? Shaunti Feldhahn joins Jim Daly to share research findings on what happy couples do. Also, if your spouse is getting on your nerves, John and the Smalley's will encourage you to assume the best. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYThe Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy MarriagesFocus on Marriage AssessmentUncovering the Secrets to a Happy Marriage6 Ways to Make Your Marriage HappySpeak to a Counselor
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  If a Spouse is Misusing Money 03.09.2026 15m

  Are you and your mate struggling to work together on money? Chuck and Ann Bentley share with Jim Daly how they struggled to communicate about their finances for two decades. Also, Greg and Erin provide some ideas for couples can get on the same page with your money. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYMoney Problems, Marriage SolutionsFocus on Marriage AssessmentGetting on the Same Page Financially in MarriageFinding Financial Unity in MarriageListen to Focus Live on Godcaster