Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage
Did you know the Hebrew root word for marriage is the same as mess? Okay, maybe not, but it wasn’t a stretch to believe, right? This is the podcast for Christian married couples who are in the middle of a messy moment. They need to laugh. They need clear, practical advice. And they need to hear from someone with an actual degree in this thing. Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley are those people. They have reached millions of couples through their counseling practices, books, events, and work at Focus on the Family.
Episodes
Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of placing more faith in God rather than your spouse with Dr. Gary Thomas. They address various marital challenges, including the impact of adversities, providing both spiritual guidance and practical advice, and they offer recommendations for self-care and self-compassion. Dr. Thomas emphasizes the significance of drawing strength from God and uses personal anecdotes to illu...
Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of couples working together on their goals, which research shows leads to higher levels of happiness and progress. We discuss the Marriage Champions program that you can get involved in to coach and support other couples. Our guests are the leaders of Marriage Team, Matthew Zoller and Alan & Autumn Ray. They share key coaching techniques involving communication skills, ha...
This is a Crazy Little Thing that you have GOT to listen to with your spouse! Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of identifying emotional triggers and managing conflict in marriages with Ron and Nan Deal, who share their personal journey of overcoming repetitive arguments and emotional pain. The Deals recount their transformative experience with a counselor who helped them address their pride and underlying pa...
Whether you're newlywed or if you've been married for years, you may have unspoken and sometimes unrealistic expectations that can lead to disappointment, conflict, and resentment. On this episode, Greg and Erin help couples develop better conflict resolution techniques such as pausing during escalated arguments, leaning in during moments of conflict, and utilizing empathy in apologies with Christian counselors Chris and Jamie Bail...
MERRY CHRISTMAS from everyone at Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage! This episode features a special presentation by Liz Curtis Higgs, who shares faith-filled stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and the miraculous births in the Bible, emphasizing that nothing is impossible for God! Greg and Erin encourage you to look for the love languages of your friends and family at Christmas, and we answer an email from a listener who wonder...
We're continuing our conversation with Dr. Juli Slattery on how God designed sex and sexuality. We're going to discuss the detrimental effects of pornography on both individuals and marriages, as well as highlight the importance of addressing sexual issues through a Christ-centered identity and real, accountable recovery programs. Have you ever thought about how Christians need to differentiate discussions about sexual ethics based...
How do you have sex? What does it really symbolize in your marriage? Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley delve into a deeper conversation that contrasts 'how' with 'why' with Dr. Juli Slattery. Understanding the purpose and significance of sex from a Christian perspective is crucial. We talk about the covenantal significance of sex in marriage, reflecting God's covenant with his people, and how couples can better communicate about their sexu...
Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley delve into the critical issue of supporting friends in abusive or oppressive marriages with Darby Strickland, an expert counselor and author. Darby explains an insightful definition of abuse as 'oppression,' framing it as the antithesis of God's design for marriage. The discussion addresses the common mistakes helpers make, identifies the patterns of abuse, and offers practical advice for those who...
Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley continue with the great conversation they had with Dr. Randy Schroeder about simple habits couples can adopt to strengthen their marriage. Starting with the critical role of forgiveness in healing and sustaining relationships, with specific language that you can use. We also touch on managing conflict, expressing kindness, and the value of having specific disagreement guidelines. If your marriage needs hel...
Want some practical habits for happiness in your marriage? Enter, Dr. Randy Schroeder, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over three decades of counseling experience. Dr. Schrader's key topics include the importance of meeting each other's expectations, the power of small daily habits like meaningful hugs and eye-contact with conversations. As always, we emphasize the need for continuous learning and growth in marriage, ...
Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of maintaining relational skills in marriage with Roger and Kathy Lipp, who discuss their blended family and their adventures in team-building. We delve into the importance of carving out couple time, how chronic illness can reshape a marriage, and the importance of gratitude and flexibility.
How to Fight Busyness in Marriage
Do you think repairing your marriage is hopeless? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin feature a presentation by Bob and Jenni Paul, who explain that underneath all marital conflicts is a common cycle of reactive behavior triggered by deeper, often unrecognized wounds or buttons. Our goal is to bring awareness to these patterns so that couples are able to respond with understanding, and improve their...
No matter how long you've been married, there's some great advice in this episode! Greg and Erin discuss the challenges and opportunities in the middle years of marriage, focusing on issues like health struggles, retirement, and caring for aging parents with Larry McCall. They emphasize the importance of preventing boredom, pursuing wonder in marriage and life, and the value of counsel. Larry shares his journey of understanding the...
On this episode, Greg and Erin discuss the importance of communication, romance, and navigating challenges within marriage with Jess and Ryan Ronne; who also share their journey of dealing with grief after losing their first spouses. The Ronnes offer insights into how they balance their relationship while caring for eight children (including one with special needs), and the strategies they use to maintain intimacy and satisfaction.
...Greg and Erin welcome renown British evangelist and author, J.John and his wife Killy as they reflect on their 42-year marriage, discussing early challenges, the importance of communication, and the essential values they've embraced: respect, responsibility, romance, and resilience. They emphasize the significance of intentionally nurturing their relationship despite the demands of work and life, and share their daily routines that...
Greg and Erin know that every marriage goes through a crisis. That's why we invited Todd and Kristin Evans to share their personal journey from enjoying life as a young, carefree couple to facing the challenges of raising a child with severe disabilities, including emotional strain, grief, and marital disconnect. No matter what your challenges might be, you'll hear ways to get through the storms. We talk about the importance of com...
Get ready for a passionate edition of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage. Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley share a message from Dan and Jane Seaborn about how their personality and lifestyle choices are completely opposite in their marriage.
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Are you thinking about divorce? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss overcoming crises in marriage. They dive into the difficulties of rebuilding trust after infidelity, dealing with shame, and managing resentment. Our guests, Monty and Jeannine Mora, share their personal journey from their early years as a young pastoral couple, through a major crisis involving misaligned priorit...
Whether you’re seeking new friends or wanting to deepen existing relationships, this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage will help women and men build their respective friendships. Erin and her friends discuss how deep, supportive female friendships are vital for navigating life’s challenges, providing encouragement, and fostering spiritual and emotional growth. Then, Greg and his friend Bill discuss the uniqu...
Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss various aspects of marriage preparation, adjustment, and conflict resolution with four young married employees of Focus on the Family. They share their insights and experiences about preparing for marriage, dealing with marital changes, finances, and communication styles. Whether you've been married for a long time or a short while, there's useful advice on understanding conflict as an oppo...
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