Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast

Getting Rid of Unhealthy Assumptions

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

False assumptions about your spouse are toxic. If left undealt with, they can lead to mistrust. Erin and John offer hope to couples struggling with re...

Saying NO to Lesser Important Things

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John, Greg and Erin discuss how saying "No" to lesser important things can benefit your marriage, and leave room for more important things. Featuring ...

Small Steps, Big Results

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to think that your marriage needs a big breakthrough when you want to reconnect with each other. But, that's not always the case. John, Greg...

When the Distance Feels Too Big

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John, Greg and Erin discuss how to best reconnect with your spouse when you feel distant in your relationship. Featuring Dr. Kevin Leman and Mrs. Jean...

Working Through Different Financial Priorities

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a marriage, one spouse tends to save money while the other prefers to spend it. When that's the case, how can you work together? John, Greg and Eri...

Why You Must Talk About Money

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Financial stress is one of the most common reasons for conflict in marriages today. But, it's also something that many couples are uncomfortable talki...

Lies That Will Close Your Heart

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever believed something untrue about your spouse? It's an uncomfortable question, but believing lies will always prevent your heart from bein...

What Your Spouse is Not

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your spouse might be amazing, but he or she cannot meet every expectation you have. In some way, he or she will fall short. John, Greg and Erin discus...

The Danger of Assumptions

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A lack of communication can open the door to all kinds of unhealthy assumptions about your spouse. John, Greg, and Erin give some ideas for how to dea...

Rules for Marriage Communication

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just like a professional sport needs rules to be played well, your marriage needs boundaries for effective communication. John talks with the Smalleys...

Moving on From Miscommunication

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Greg and Erin talk with John about how they've learned to get passed misunderstandings, and why working through miscommunication is worth it.Find us o...

Don't Run From the Problem

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As problems come up in your relationship, it's essential to deal with them. But the big question is, how? John, Erin and Greg explain why you shouldn'...

Letting God Work on Your Spouse

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When your spouse has an annoying habit, it's easy to snap at him or her. How can you show love and patience to your mate when he or she is getting on ...

How Integrity Leads to Intimacy

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Integrity is for a marriage what a foundation is for a house. Without it, your relationship will fall apart. John, Greg and Erin discuss what genuine ...

What God Says About Love

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As time rolls on in your marriage, the feelings of love will come and go. Whether you feel in love with your spouse today or not, you've come to the r...

A Healthy Perspective on "Becoming One"

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scripture tells us that two spouses "become one," in marriage. But what does that mean? John, Greg and Erin provide some ideas for how to live in unit...

Letting Go of Control in Your Marriage

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

All of us want to feel the freedom to be ourselves when we're with our mate. But, if one spouse is always trying to control the other, it can weigh a ...

The Dangers of a Controlling Spouse

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As you're getting to know your spouse, it's easy for things to come up that you weren't expecting. John talks with Greg and Erin about struggles they ...

Marriage is Not a Competition

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you and your spouse do life as a team, it's amazing what you can accomplish together. But if you compete against each other, things will go terri...

A Safe Place to Talk

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"When it's been a long day, having a considerate spouse to share your feelings with is a wonderful gift. But how can you tell your mate what's really ...

How God Wants to Use Your Imperfect Marriage

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marriage has a way of revealing some of our deepest fears. But no matter what you're afraid of today, God can help you overcome it. Greg, Erin and Joh...

The Difference a Helpful Friend Makes

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When your marriage faces challenges, having a supportive friend to turn to can be so helpful. But how do you know if someone is a safe person to share...

A Great Goal for Your Marriage

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the early stages of your relationship, it was easy to dream of the perfect marriage. But over time, as your expectations meet reality, it's easy to...

Developing Spiritual Strength in Your Marriage

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marriage was created by God to reflect His character to the world. But at the same time, we do have a spiritual enemy, the Devil, who hates God's prec...

Dealing With the Root of Marriage Problems

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John, Greg and Erin discuss how letting go of selfishness makes a big difference for when you face conflict as a couple. Get Today's Featured Resource...

Addressing a Sexual Struggle in Your Marriage

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many times, current sexual problems are related to something painful we've experienced. Whether it was abuse, pornography or past sexual experiences, ...

What Your Spouse Really Needs

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all have things we want from our spouse. But there's an important distinction between a need and a desire. John, Greg and Erin will explain what tr...

Early Birds & Night Owls

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A common difference between many husbands and wives is where one likes to wake up early and the other prefers to sleep in late. If left unaddressed, t...

Rebuilding Trust in a Broken Marriage

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many marriages have been hurt by the sting of broken trust. If the relationship with your spouse is clouded by distrust, where do you turn to for help...

Contrasts in Communication

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In marriage, it's very common for you and your spouse to have opposite communication styles. As our differences become more evident, it's easy for us ...

Doing Life in the Same Boat

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If we're honest, we all have annoying habits. In marriage, it's very common for those same habits to get on our spouse's nerves. John and the Smalleys...

Love Styles & Your Sex Life

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A good sex life is built on a foundation of trust. But achieving trust in your marriage requires intentional effort. John, Greg and Erin explain how p...

Overcoming Sexual Obstacles in Your Marriage

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The sexual relationship with your spouse is one of the most important parts of your marriage. But having a good sex life requires intentional and hone...

When You Misunderstand Your Mate

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every marriage faces misunderstandings. While they can be awkward in the moment, they can also be something you laugh about it in the future. John, Er...

Serving Your Special Someone

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Serving your spouse is a wonderful thing. But what would your marriage look like if you served your mate without expecting anything in return? John, G...

Recovering a Broken Relationship

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When trust has been shattered in your marriage, the recovery process can take months or even years. Is there hope when your relationship is hanging on...

Avoiding an Affair

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most affairs can be traced back to something small. A tiny compromise, a little white lie, and before you know it, your marriage is in serious trouble...

Marriage is Like a Canoe

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When your spouse gets on your nerves, it hits much closer to home than when someone else does. If left unchecked, those little annoyances can become s...

Having Fun With Your Differences

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's common for spouses with completely different personalities to find each other. The early bird marries a night owl, and an extrovert marries an in...

God's Plan for Your Sex Life

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

God designed sex to be a wonderful gift for you and your spouse. Yet, many couples are trying to work through a sexual struggle. If that's you today, ...

Making Space for Humor

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some of the sweetest memories with your spouse will probably involve laughing together. The truth is, appreciating each other's sense of humor can be ...

Being There for Your Spouse

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all want our spouse to be there for us. No matter what happens in life, having a faithful mate through the good and bad times can be so comforting....

Adjusting With Changing Seasons

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's been said before that as the seasons change, so do we as people. The truth is, as years come and go, you and your spouse won't be the same people...

Helping Your Marriage Through Little Changes

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's fair to say you and your spouse are not the same person. When your differences become more evident, it's easy to get into arguments over things l...

Healthy Ways for Wives to Discuss Sex

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Talking to your spouse about sex can be very awkward and uncomfortable. If you are trying to work through a sexual struggle in your marriage, you're n...

Picking the Right Fights

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you and your spouse run into conflict, the key to success is knowing which battles to fight and which ones to avoid. John, Greg and Erin offer so...

Choosing Forgiveness, Even When It's Hard

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When your spouse hurts you, your knee-jerk reaction might be to hold on tightly to unforgiveness. But choosing not to forgive can cause even more dama...

Laughing Together as a Couple

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What were some things that attracted you to your spouse? Maybe, it was his or her sense of humor, or the way he or she laughed? Greg and Erin tell Joh...

Finding Reasons to Laugh

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A moment that goes wrong can turn into one of your funniest memories. The truth is, learning to laugh together can be one of the greatest blessings in...

Preparing for Transitions

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As your kids grow up, changes will happen in your marriage. No matter how much you love your children, your marriage must remain a priority. Greg, Eri...

Having Couple Friends

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your spouse might be your best friend, but doing life with other couples can make your marriage even stronger. None of us are meant to go through life...

Finding a Fun Activity

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As your children come and grow, it's good for you and your spouse to have fun activities you enjoy doing together. Whether they're big or small, the u...

Recapturing Romance in Busy Times

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You come home from a busy day, and instead of looking forward to a romantic candlelit dinner with your spouse, you're having to watch the kids for the...

Choosing Right When Your Spouse Chooses Wrong (Part 2 of 2)

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone wants a good marriage, but having one takes a lot of work. Sometimes, a change in perspective is what you need to take your relationship to t...

Choosing Right When Your Spouse Chooses Wrong (Part 1 of 2)

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you and your spouse face a challenge, how you respond can mean the difference between solving the problem or letting it cause weeks of tension. T...

Making Time for Each Other

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Time is a precious gift, but in a non-stop world, finding a few minutes together is hard to do. When your schedule is full, having a deep conversation...

Learning to Resolve Conflict

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the heat of an argument, it's easy to say something to your spouse that you later regret. When you're angry after a conflict, it's critical to deal...

Spiritual Maturity in Your Marriage

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Growing together spiritually in your marriage doesn't happen by accident. Sometimes, asking your spouse questions is one of the best ways to start. Jo...

Facing Hard Seasons Together

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every couple faces hardship. Whether it's a financial struggle, a strong disagreement, or problems with a child, conflict can strengthen your marriage...

Overcoming the Bad With Good

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's not an uncommon marriage problem: one spouse is working hard, but the other is indifferent. When this scenario happens, it can be easy for the ma...

Shake Out the Selfishness

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the work in your marriage, but your spouse isn't giving anything back? The truth is, we've all been selfish a...

Keys for Compromising Well

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Having a great marriage sometimes requires not getting your way. Without healthy compromise, selfishness can rob your relationship of strength and joy...

Showing that You Care

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all desire to be heard by our spouse. But in our technology saturated world, it can be easy to get distracted and tune your spouse out. John, Erin ...

Don't Do This in an Argument

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How you handle conflict in your marriage can help or hurt your relationship. Sometimes, before you get into an argument, it's good to have rules for h...

When Your Marriage Isn't Pretty

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Marriage is far from perfect. We've all faced a misunderstood comment or a tough season with our spouse. What do you do when your spouse says or does ...

Finding Real Happiness in Your Marriage

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Your spouse may be trying to do a good a job, but he or she can only do so much. What do you do when your spouse isn't meeting your expectations? John...

Handling Conflict with Kindness

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that a small act of kindness could diffuse an argument with your spouse? While it's not a guarantee, choosing kindness in the midst...

Rules for Confrontation

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every married couple has to have difficult conversations from time to time. In those moments, it's important to choose your words carefully and not us...

When Your Spouse Overracts

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you or your spouse overreact to a problem, it can lead to hurt feelings and stress in your relationship. As emotions run high, diffusing the tens...

Rekindling the Romance

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you don't feel those warm, romantic feelings, it can be a great time to remind yourself of how you fell in love with your spouse. John, Greg and ...

The Importance of Laughing Together

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best ways to have fun with your spouse is to laugh together. John talks with Greg and Erin about how laugher has benefitted their marriage....

Fighting for Your Marriage

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A fight with your spouse can be very uncomfortable. But after working through a conflict, your marriage can be stronger. John, Erin and Greg describe ...

Marriage and Your Family of Origin

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's been said before, "you don't just marry your spouse, you marry his or her family." The truth is, the family you come from will influence your mar...

Getting Past Negative Emotions

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you aren't in a good mood, it's easy to be rude to your spouse. As negative emotions come, how do you respond? Greg and Erin talk with John about...

Honey, How Are You?

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Communicating your feelings to your spouse is critical for maintaining a healthy marriage. It's especially important when raising little children toge...

Giving and Receiving Comfort

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A comforting spouse can be a great gift as you're going through a hard season. When you receive comfort from him or her, it's also important to give i...

When Your Spouse Gets Stressed

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has a reaction to stress. In stressful moments, how do you and your spouse respond? John, Greg and Erin talk about things that have brought t...

Overcoming Roadblocks to Intimacy

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all long for emotional intimacy, but the journey toward it is usually met with challenges. How can we overcome them? John, Erin and Greg discuss so...

Having the Hard Conversations

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When a hard conversation is needed, it's critical to show your spouse a lot of grace. Greg, Erin and John talk about ways they've learned to make the ...

When Issues Go Unaddressed

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

All of us have baggage. The key is to not sweep it under the rug, but to deal with it. Greg, Erin and John will help couples talk about and deal with ...

Getting Past the Baggage

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all have things we're not proud of, but how much of your past should you share with your past? John, Erin and Greg give some advice for how to talk...

How to Avoid Growing Apart

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There are times where every couple doesn't feel as close as they desire. How do you handle those moments? John, Greg and Erin talk about their own exp...

Balancing Your Family and Work in Busy Seasons

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every couple faces times of feeling disconnected. That can especially be true when you're trying to balance the demands of raising children and your c...

Making Your Marriage a Safe Place

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, having a spouse to support you is one of life's greatest gifts. But in those tough seasons, your relat...

When Your Spouse Comes from An Abusive Home

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when your spouse comes from an abusive home? The pain can last for years, but it doesn't have to be the end of your story. Erin, Greg a...

The Difference God Makes in Marriage

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You can try your best, but some things in marriage are only doable with God's help. Without His influence, your efforts to be kind to your mate will o...

The Ways You and Your Spouse Communicate

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

News flash: you and your spouse communicate differently. With such stark contrasts, you'll eventually run into a misunderstanding. John, Erin and Greg...

Qualities to Look for in a Spouse

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The search for a godly spouse is a journey unlike any other. The key is in knowing what to look for. John, Erin and Greg give some helpful tips on wha...

Getting Back on Track Spiritually

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Most Christian couples at some point will feel like they're not growing spiritually. How do you get out of those ruts? John, Greg and Erin lend some h...

Marriage Struggles & Your Birth-Order

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're a first-born or the baby of the family, we all have a common struggle—selfishness. How do you get rid of it? John and the Smalley's t...

Understanding Your Spouse's Personality

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Appreciating your spouse's personality can prevent a lot of arguments. But what if your birth order and personality were connected? Erin, Greg and Joh...

Dealing with Your Past

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all have something from our childhood that can negatively affect our marriage. Whether it was a painful event or an unhealthy habit, we must deal w...

Modeling a Good Marriage for Your Children

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you treat your spouse well, you're setting a good example for your kids. No matter what it seems like, your son or daughter is watching how you t...

Working Through a Miscommunication

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every wife wants a listening husband. By listening, he shows her how much he cares about her heart. Greg talks with John about how he's learned to lis...

Getting Your Spouse to Listen

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Misunderstandings are part of marriage sometimes. How you respond to a misunderstanding can lead to weeks of tension or better conflict resolution wit...

Being a Godly Husband

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a husband, it's critically important to lead your wife and children toward God. But the big question is, how? Greg and John give advice for leading...

Making Intimacy a Priority

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Meaningful connection with your spouse can be very special, but finding it takes intentional effort from both spouses. It can also be easy to let thos...

The Conflict of Opposites

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"There's an old saying that in marriage, opposites attract. But what do you do when those same qualities that attracted you start driving you crazy? G...

Using Your Personality to Bless Your Marriage

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding your spouse's personality can improve the quality of your relationship. Greg, Erin and John will explain how a taking a personality test...

Responding to Stress in Your Marriage

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Unchecked stress will burn your marriage out. But having supportive, godly friends can make a huge difference in your relationship. Greg, Erin and Joh...