Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Focus on the Family
Become a champion for your family in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee! Every episode of the Focus on the Family Christian podcast helps you confidently guide your loved ones through the unique challenges faced by today’s Christian families. With over 40 years of trusted, compassionate stories of redemption, hosts Jim Daly and John Fuller connect you to biblically sound marriage and parenting help that is relatable, practical, and interesting. Listen/Learn/Apply/ThriveInChrist!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 19, 2026 • 27min
Eight Critical Needs Every Mother of Young Boys Should Know (Part 1 of 2)
Molly DeFrank, author, speaker, and mother of six who wrote Mothering Boys, offers practical, faith-centered parenting for young sons. She discusses building belonging and identity, teaching relationship skills and eye contact, using conflict to foster empathy, setting loving authority with clear why explanations, and the power of shared fun to shape character.
11 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 26min
Preventing Heartbreak: Strategies to Stop an Affair Before It Starts (Part 2 of 2)
Gary Thomas, author and pastor who writes about Christian spirituality and marriage, explains how affairs develop and why they destroy relationships. He discusses how flattery and emotional neglect open doors, the common pathways that draw men into infidelity, and practical faith-based steps to stop temptation. He outlines the four needs that feed relationships and offers actions to rebuild long-term connection.
9 snips
Feb 17, 2026 • 27min
Preventing Heartbreak: Strategies to Stop an Affair Before It Starts (Part 1 of 2)
Gary Thomas, author and pastor who writes on Christian marriage, reflects on how infatuations form and why they can threaten family security. He outlines early warning signs and the gradual steps that lead to affairs. He discusses spiritual and practical defenses, including transparency, boundaries, and proactive romance.
Feb 16, 2026 • 27min
How Heart Surgery Gave Me a New Perspective on Life and Faith
Ken Kington, comedian, speaker, and author of Every Day is a Bonus, shares his near-death open-heart surgery story and spiritual turnaround. He discusses how comedy grew from pain, the shock of an emergency diagnosis, and the role of friends and provision. He talks about deepened prayer life, new empathy learned from his wife, and three lasting gifts he found through the crisis.
9 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 27min
How to Speak the Love Language Your Spouse Needs Most (Part 2 of 2)
Dr. Leslie Parrott, a marriage and family therapist, offers practical relationship tips. Dr. Les Parrott, a clinical psychologist, highlights patterns and progress. Dr. Gary Chapman, pastor and author of The Five Love Languages, breaks down love-language dialects. They discuss moving from knowing to doing, family-of-origin obstacles, quality-time and gift-giving dialects, and nuanced acts of service.
10 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 27min
How to Speak the Love Language Your Spouse Needs Most (Part 1 of 2)
Dr. Gary Chapman, pastor and author of The Five Love Languages; Les Parrott, clinical psychologist and bestselling marriage author; and Leslie Parrott, marriage therapist and researcher. They explore identifying a spouse’s primary love language, the subtle dialects within each language, and practical ways to become intentional, curious, and authentic in expressing love.
Feb 11, 2026 • 27min
An Olympic Champion’s Journey to Real Life and Meaning (Part 2 of 2)
Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medal figure skater, author, and cancer-survivor advocate, shares his journey from fame to faith. He discusses searching for meaning after success, how meeting Tracy and baptism reshaped his identity, and why medals felt empty once he embraced Christ. He also talks about turning accomplishments into service, balancing family, and his ongoing health battles.
Feb 10, 2026 • 27min
An Olympic Champion’s Journey to Real Life and Meaning (Part 1 of 2)
Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medal figure skater and author who overcame illness and personal loss. He recounts his adoption and search for identity. He tells how skating became renewal, the sting of early failure, climbing to championships, and why victory still left him restless. He shares the start of his faith journey and the life reset after battling cancer.
Feb 9, 2026 • 28min
Guiding Your Preteen Daughter to Find Her Identity in Christ
Dr. Heather Holleman, author and professor who writes for women and middle-grade readers, helps parents understand middle school life. She discusses why this time shapes identity. She shares the inspiration behind her Alita Brown series. She covers building a Christ-centered identity, handling emotional outbursts, journaling to ease anxiety, and the harms of screens and comparison.
6 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 27min
Understanding Sexuality and Intimacy from a Christian Perspective (Part 2 of 2)
Dr. Juli Slattery, Christian psychologist and author of Surrendered Sexuality, explores sexuality, sexual identity, and true intimacy from a faith perspective. She contrasts surrendered sexuality with control or compromise. She discusses compassion toward those with gender confusion, contentment in singleness and marriage, and trusting God even when questions remain.
