

Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast
Focus on the Family
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2026 • 10min
Don’t Settle for Control or Manipulation
We all have times of conflict, but what if it feels like your spouse is being controlling or manipulative? Jim Daly talks with Dr. Ron Welch and his wife Jan, who overcame control issues in their own marriage. Plus, John and Erin share how to know if you're truly being the best spouse you can be. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Controlling Husband for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How to Deal With a Controlling Spouse Contact our Counseling Team The Benefits of Losing Control in Your Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 24, 2026 • 13min
Don’t Pretend, Move Forward
Does it feel hard to forgive your spouse when he or she has hurt you? Jim Daly joins Dr. Randy Schroeder to explain why forgiving your mate is necessary for a healthy marriage. Then, John and Greg will encourage you to focus on small improvement points you can make as a couple. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Simple Habits for Marital Happiness for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How to Break Bad Habits and Cultivate a Healthy Marriage How to Forgive Your Spouse When It’s Not Easy Contact our Counseling Team Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 19, 2026 • 11min
“What I’m Hearing You Say Is …”
We've all had moments where we misunderstood our spouse. Greg opens up about some of the ways he's not understood things Erin has said. Then, Jim Daly joins Rob and Gina Flood, who give some practical ways you can clarify a miscommunication with your mate. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book With These Words for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Better Ways to Communicate With Your Spouse Contact our Counseling Team Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 17, 2026 • 12min
3 Questions to Make Your Marriage Better
It's easy to play blame-games in your marriage, but it's better to ask yourself some hard questions. Greg Smalley opens up about some times where he got honest with himself. Then, Dr. Gary Chapman joins Jim Daly to share how three questions can help you have a more Christ-like attitude in your marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book A Simple Guide for a Better Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Finding New Ways to Thrive in Your Marriage Contact our Counseling Team Navigating Marriage Expectations When Marriage Isn’t How You Thought It Would Be Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 12, 2026 • 14min
When a Wife Encourages Her Man
One of the most powerful things a wife can do is encourage her husband. Ann Wilson and her husband Dave talk to Jim Daly about a time where she chose to speak words of life into Dave's heart. Also, Greg opens up about how meaningful it is when Erin encourages him. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How to Speak Life to Your Husband for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Revive Your Marriage By Becoming Your Husband’s Biggest Cheerleader Contact our Counseling Team How to Stop Complaining and Be an Encouraging Spouse Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 10, 2026 • 13min
Laugh When Things Go Wrong
When was the last time you and your spouse laughed at something? Ted Cunningham sits down with Jim Daly to share a few times he and his wife Amy have found reasons to laugh together. You'll also hear from Greg and Erin about how they've learned to find reasons to laugh amidst a very busy season. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book A Love That Laughs for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Bringing Laughter to Your Marriage Humor in Marriage Having Fun in Your Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 5, 2026 • 12min
“What Happened to the Person I Married?”
Most couples go through a tough season where you wonder, "What happened to the honeymoon phase?" Greg Smalley shares some statistics on how many couples are actually struggling today. Also, Jim Daly speaks with Jay Payleitner on how he's helped couples who've drifted from each other. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book 52 Things Wives Need From Their Husbands for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Practical Ideas for Loving Your Wife 6 Tools for Healthy Communication in Marriage New Focus on the Family Report: Marriage Health in America Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Mar 3, 2026 • 11min
Overcome Loneliness by Talking
We're living in a lonely generation today. Dr. Heather Holleman and her husband Ashley join Jim Daly to address the dangers of isolation and how to form warm connections. Then, John asks Erin Smalley about how you can reconnect with your spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Six Conversations for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How To Have Meaningful Conversations With Your Spouse Conversation Starters for Couples Contact our Counseling Team Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Feb 26, 2026 • 11min
Let Go of Control, Open Your Heart
Being successful in marriage sometimes looks like letting go of unrealistic expectations and striving for real connection. Rebecca St. James and Cubbie Fink talk with Jim Daly about a few adjustments they made in their own communication. Also, Greg and Erin provide some hope for husbands who struggle to connect with a really emotional wife. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website Contact our Counseling Team Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Feb 24, 2026 • 14min
When He Popped the Question
What was the moment like when you got engaged? Greg and Erin Smalley tell the story of when he asked Erin to marry him. Then, Jim Daly talks to Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie on how he popped the question on a wintry night in Nashville Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website Leave us a Comment Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.


