Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

Focus on the Family
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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