Podcasts about marriage podcast

Kids are a blessing, but they also require you to be more intentional to spend time with your spouse. John and the Smalley's open up about times they felt disconnected in their marriages when raising children. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Dave and Ashley Willis about making time for dates with your spouse, even if you have little kids. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Focus on Marriage Assessment How To Avoid Bad Influences On Your Marriage Practice Makes Parent Podcast Hope Restored Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this episode of The Ultimate Intimacy Podcast, Nick and Amy dive into one of the most important questions in marriage: What does true love actually look like in marriage?Real love is about so much more than attraction, romance, or grand gestures. It's revealed in the everyday moments, through kindness, sacrifice, emotional connection, commitment, physical intimacy, and the way spouses continue choosing each other through every season of life.Whether your marriage feels strong right now or you're working to reconnect, this episode will encourage you to nurture the habits that create deeper intimacy and lasting connection.The strongest marriages are not perfect marriages, they are marriages where two people keep learning how to love each other better every single day.

Kids are a blessing, but they also require you to be more intentional to spend time with your spouse. John and the Smalley's open up about times they felt disconnected in their marriages when raising children. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Dave and Ashley Willis about making time for dates with your spouse, even if you have little kids. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Focus on Marriage Assessment How To Avoid Bad Influences On Your Marriage Practice Makes Parent Podcast Hope Restored Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

Send us Fan MailHave you ever found yourself wondering, "What else can I do?"In this episode, Christine shares a powerful insight from a recent marriage roundtable that challenged the way she thinks about couples who are struggling. The speaker made a simple but profound statement:"Most people don't want to get divorced. They just don't know what else they can do."Together, we'll explore what happens when one spouse is leaning into the marriage while the other is leaning out, why traditional marriage counseling isn't always the right starting place, and how gaining clarity can sometimes be more important than finding immediate solutions.If you're feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure of what your next step should be, this conversation will offer hope, perspective, and a reminder that there may be more paths forward than you realize.In this episode you'll learn:• Why some couples struggle to engage in marriage counseling• The difference between fixing a marriage and finding clarity• The three paths explored in discernment counseling• How self-reflection can create movement when you feel stuck• Why many people considering divorce are actually searching for hopeIf you'd like support navigating your own marriage crossroads, schedule a Courageous Love Conversation using the link in the show notes.CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving RelationshipDoes communication feel hard in your marriage? Get my Gentle Start Communication Guide, where I share a gentle daily practice that helps you stay present, name what's true for you, and build connection without escalation or problem-solving.Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings....

What if some of the best date nights didn't cost money? Jim Daly talks with Jay and Laura Laffoon about how you can have a wonderful date with your spouse for not much money. Also, John asks Greg and Erin how they're learning to still have dates together, in a season with grown adult children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Fundamentals of Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Discovering God's Design for Your Marriage Is Your Husband or Wife Your Best Friend? 3 Ways to Create a Godly Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

What if some of the best date nights didn't cost money? Jim Daly talks with Jay and Laura Laffoon about how you can have a wonderful date with your spouse for not much money. Also, John asks Greg and Erin how they're learning to still have dates together, in a season with grown adult children. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Fundamentals of Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Discovering God's Design for Your Marriage Is Your Husband or Wife Your Best Friend? 3 Ways to Create a Godly Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

What does it actually look like to disciple your kids in their faith – from the early years all the way through launching them into adulthood? In this episode, Amy and Sara sit down with Jeff and Courtney Osborn, parents of two grown daughters who love the Lord, care deeply for others, and still have a strong relationship with their family. Jeff and Courtney share honest reflections from their parenting journey – the things they did well, the things they'd do differently, and how they learned to trust God with their kids every step of the way. You'll hear practical wisdom and encouragement on: Letting go of the “perfect parenting formula” Balancing grace with expectations Praying intentionally for your kids Navigating the shift from authority to influence in the teen years Creating meaningful moments and traditions that shape faith over time Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, this conversation will remind you of a freeing truth: you don't have to get everything right—God is at work in your kids' lives. Resources: Family Camps and Parent/Child Weekends at WinShape Camps -- Question of the Week: How were you a blessing today? -- Hosts: Amy Lowe & Sara Jones Guests: Jeff Osborn and Courtney Osborn  Producers: Emily Alters & Cody Braun -- Learn more about WinShape Camps at WinShapeCamps.org! Instagram: @WinShapeCamps TikTok: @WinShapeCamps Facebook: @WinShapeCamps Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes the biggest relationship red flags are not loud at first. They show up in the small choices, like canceling your girlfriend's birthday dinner for a female coworker, letting your mother disrespect your wife, or pretending money does not matter when dating starts getting serious.In Our 2 Cents Vol. 34, Nesha G and Moelethal bring their honest, funny, and seasoned perspective to a new round of relationship dilemmas. They talk through whether a man in his 40s with no money for dates deserves patience or concern, why financial transparency can be both admirable and uncomfortable, and how pride can ruin a good dating opportunity before it even gets started.The episode also digs into deeper marriage territory, including work-wife boundaries, old-school expectations around men driving, and what happens when a husband refuses to defend his wife from his mother. Through every story, Nesha and Moe bring that real twenty-year chemistry, mixing jokes, truth, and life experience in a way that makes the listener laugh first and think deeper after.Send us Fan MailSupport the show Thanks for rocking with us! Don't forget to follow Life After I Do so you never miss an episode. Got a relationship situation you want us to weigh in on? Hit us at https://beacons.ai/laidpodcast — we just might talk about it in a future episode. 

Are you and your mate best friends? Howard and Danielle Taylor join Jim Daly to make the case for why friendship in marriage is necessary for a thriving relationship. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley shares the most important thing you can do to keep your friendship alive. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Fundamentals of Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Discovering God's Design for Your Marriage Is Your Husband or Wife Your Best Friend? 3 Ways to Create a Godly Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Every couple starts with a spark, entering marriage with the grand promise of a lifelong partnership. But over time, millions of well-intentioned partners find themselves running on auto-pilot, sharing a roof and a routine but completely losing their emotional intimacy.  Renowned marriage expert and "Thriveologist" Dr. Lee Baucom joins the show to expose why complexity is the enemy of clarity in love. The data and daily realities show that a staggering number of marriages silently fracture not from a lack of love, but from creeping, unaddressed disconnection. However, mainstream relationship advice will tell you that fixing a marriage requires overcomplicating your life with endless, exhausting therapy cycles that focus entirely on past wounds. We've been conditioned to believe that when a relationship struggles, it's an absolute, irreversible failure. In reality, the modern world drains our relationship energy, leaving everyday couples stranded in a cycle of unspoken expectations and deep resentment.  We unpack the three levels of connection, detail how to transition from competition to fierce teamwork, and provide a simple, actionable blueprint to "unpause" your relationship and reclaim your shared joy. In this podcast, you will learn: Why adding layers of rules to your relationship destroys clarity and simple intimacy. How to audit and sync your physical, emotional, and spiritual bonds. Why ignoring minor emotional distance early on creates a massive crisis later. How unspoken expectations silently breed resentment, and how to build clear agreements instead. Practical tools to stop competing with your spouse and start operating as a true alliance. How to leverage early interventions, like the "Unpause" framework, before hitting a breaking point. Video Chapters 0:00 - The Adulthood Trap: Why Hard Work Isn't Enough 2:03 - The Thread That Led Lee From Magic to Human Psychology 3:29 - Misdirection in Magic and Society—What's Really Fooling Us? 4:43 - Why Complexity is the Enemy of Clarity in Relationships 6:16 - How Outside Influences Drain Your Relationship Energy 7:41 - The Marriage Lifecycle: Attraction, Connection, and Hitting Pause 13:56 - The Three Levels of Connection: Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual 16:56 - How Disconnection Sneaks in and How to Spot It Early 18:21 - Practical Steps to Rebuild Connection and Shared Values 22:40 - The Chaos Theory of Relationships: Regulating Small Variances 24:42 - Moving From Competition to True Teamwork Mode 29:04 - How Disconnection Manifests as 'Symptoms' Misidentified as Problems 30:47 - Moving From Crisis to Early Intervention Tools 36:42 - The Hidden Roots of Expectations and Resentment 40:06 - Why Modern Therapy Often Misses the Mark 45:55 - Communication is a Delivery: Focusing on the Message 47:34 - The Magic of Simple, Consistent Connection 54:14 - Empathy and Curiosity Across the Human Experience 58:07 - Keeping Your Eyes Wide Open to Your Marriage   About Our Guest:    Dr. Lee Baucom is an experienced relationship expert, author, and "Thriveologist" dedicated to helping couples transform struggling relationships into thriving partnerships. As the creator of the "Save the Marriage" system and the "Unpause Your Marriage" app, he specializes in practical, forward-looking strategies that cut through the noise of traditional therapy to rebuild authentic human connection   Our Mission:    Eyes Wide Open is a space for honest communication. Our goal is to remove the stigmas around mental health, holistic lifestyles, culture, and free speech so you can show up as your authentic self with your eyes wide open. By having real conversations about difficult truths, we move toward collective healing. Find Dr. Lee Baucom here:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leebaucom/  YouTube: https://leebaucom.com/  Website: https://leebaucom.com/  Save the Marriage Podcast: http://savethemarriage.com/ Unpause Your Marriage App: https://unpauseyourmarriage.com/    Find Nick Thompson here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/ UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/ Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/  

Are you and your mate best friends? Howard and Danielle Taylor join Jim Daly to make the case for why friendship in marriage is necessary for a thriving relationship. Then, Dr. Greg Smalley shares the most important thing you can do to keep your friendship alive. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Fundamentals of Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Discovering God's Design for Your Marriage Is Your Husband or Wife Your Best Friend? 3 Ways to Create a Godly Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

Send us Fan MailYou love your spouse.But do you actually like them? This reel sparked a HUGE reaction!In this episode, Chelsey Holm unpacks why so many marriages slowly drift from friendship, fun, and genuine enjoyment—and why simply staying married is not the same thing as flourishing together.You'll learn why resentment quietly kills friendship, how survival mode changes connection, and what creates the kind of marriage where you genuinely enjoy being together again.Because marriage was never meant to be endured.It was meant to reflect something much deeper. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."Ready for a next step? If this episode stirred something deeper and you're ready to move from insight into surrender, I created a short guided experience called From Awareness to Surrender.

What if a small change you made had the biggest impact on your marriage? Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey share four steps you can take to improve your relationship. Also, Greg and Erin explain why it's good to make time for having fun, even if you are very busy. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Filling Your Marriage With Joy Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Unhappy Marriage? Fix it With These Simple Habits for Marital Happiness Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

What if a small change you made had the biggest impact on your marriage? Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey share four steps you can take to improve your relationship. Also, Greg and Erin explain why it's good to make time for having fun, even if you are very busy. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Filling Your Marriage With Joy Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Unhappy Marriage? Fix it With These Simple Habits for Marital Happiness Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

Today, we honor the sacrifices of our military and spouses of veterans. Erin Smalley shares some of the statistics of how military families battle loneliness. You'll also hear from Jessica Manfre, who joins Jim Daly to share about how you can reach out to those serving in the armed forces. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Never Alone for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Hope and Encouragement for Military Families Resources: Military Issues Counseling Consultation and Referrals Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Today, we honor the sacrifices of our military and spouses of veterans. Erin Smalley shares some of the statistics of how military families battle loneliness. You'll also hear from Jessica Manfre, who joins Jim Daly to share about how you can reach out to those serving in the armed forces. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Never Alone for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Hope and Encouragement for Military Families Resources: Military Issues Counseling Consultation and Referrals Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

What do you do if your spouse is making unhealthy lifestyle choices? Dave Willis talks with Jim Daly about how his wife Ashley encouraged him to go to the doctor and deal with his health issues. Plus, Greg and Erin address how to respond well if you've tried talking to your mate about their diet and lifestyle, but he or she hasn't listened yet. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Naked and Healthy for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Taking a Health Journey With Your Spouse Counseling Consultation and Referrals Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

What do you do if your spouse is making unhealthy lifestyle choices? Dave Willis talks with Jim Daly about how his wife Ashley encouraged him to go to the doctor and deal with his health issues. Plus, Greg and Erin address how to respond well if you've tried talking to your mate about their diet and lifestyle, but he or she hasn't listened yet. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Naked and Healthy for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Taking a Health Journey With Your Spouse Counseling Consultation and Referrals Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

The midlife years of marriage are filled with changes, but can also be very rich. Lisa-Jo Baker joins Jim and Jean Daly to address some of the ways she had to adjust to the middle years of life. Then, Greg Smalley opens up about struggles men usually face during that time-period. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Middle Matters for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Thriving as a Wife and Mom in the Middle Years Abounding Midlife Living Breaking Free of Midlife Boundaries Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

The midlife years of marriage are filled with changes, but can also be very rich. Lisa-Jo Baker joins Jim and Jean Daly to address some of the ways she had to adjust to the middle years of life. Then, Greg Smalley opens up about struggles men usually face during that time-period. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book The Middle Matters for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Thriving as a Wife and Mom in the Middle Years Abounding Midlife Living Breaking Free of Midlife Boundaries Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

Does it feel like conflict sets your marriage back instead of making it stronger? Erin opens up about how her and Greg struggled to get along early on in their marriage. Then, Jim Daly chats with two couples - Milan and Kay Yerkovich and Marc and Amy Cameron - on how to be honest about your emotions with your spouse, in ways that don't lead to big arguments. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How We Love for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Love Styles Can Help You Grow Closer as a Couple - I-II Counseling Consultation and Referrals Learn to Identify Your Emotions in Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Does it feel like conflict sets your marriage back instead of making it stronger? Erin opens up about how her and Greg struggled to get along early on in their marriage. Then, Jim Daly chats with two couples - Milan and Kay Yerkovich and Marc and Amy Cameron - on how to be honest about your emotions with your spouse, in ways that don't lead to big arguments. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book How We Love for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Love Styles Can Help You Grow Closer as a Couple - I-II Counseling Consultation and Referrals Learn to Identify Your Emotions in Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

When have you last examined your own flaws instead of fixating on your spouse's? Greg describes how distressed couples have a tendency to focus too much on their mate's issues instead of their own. Plus, Les and Leslie Parrott share how to tell if you're a healthy or an unhealthy spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Healthy Me, Healthy Us for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Improve Yourself, Improve Your Relationships Counseling Consultation and Referrals Hope Restored Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

When have you last examined your own flaws instead of fixating on your spouse's? Greg describes how distressed couples have a tendency to focus too much on their mate's issues instead of their own. Plus, Les and Leslie Parrott share how to tell if you're a healthy or an unhealthy spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Healthy Me, Healthy Us for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Improve Yourself, Improve Your Relationships Counseling Consultation and Referrals Hope Restored Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

Most couples go through a season where you're overwhelmed by many challenges all at once. How do you persevere? Greg explains about a time where he and Erin felt like they went through the perfect storm. You'll also hear Jim Daly chat with Dr. Josh and Christi Straub about how they worked together through a number of unforeseen circumstances. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Famous at Home for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Putting Your Family First During Busy Seasons Counseling Consultation and Referrals Why Teammates Shouldn’t Help Each Other Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Most couples go through a season where you're overwhelmed by many challenges all at once. How do you persevere? Greg explains about a time where he and Erin felt like they went through the perfect storm. You'll also hear Jim Daly chat with Dr. Josh and Christi Straub about how they worked together through a number of unforeseen circumstances. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Famous at Home for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Putting Your Family First During Busy Seasons Counseling Consultation and Referrals Why Teammates Shouldn't Help Each Other Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

A couple's game sounds harmless until the answers start telling the truth. In Finish the Sentence: Marriage Edition, Nesha G and Moelethal use humor, honesty, and twenty years of chemistry to unpack the small marriage moments that reveal bigger relationship dynamics.The episode begins with love notes, birthday reflections, gym wins, and the kind of tired-parent banter that feels real because it is real. But once the sentence prompts begin, the conversation opens up into affection, money pressure, procrastination, parenting fatigue, deep cleaning, quality time, and the question of whether both people are truly carrying their part of the marriage.What makes this episode work is the balance. One minute they are laughing about lunch notes and corny habits, and the next they are debating what it means to be a provider, whether staying out of the way counts as support, and why invisible labor can become a source of resentment when it is not acknowledged. The “Our 2 Cents” segment closes the episode with a staycation dilemma that will definitely start a conversation.Send us Fan MailSupport the show Thanks for rocking with us! Don't forget to follow Life After I Do so you never miss an episode. Got a relationship situation you want us to weigh in on? Hit us at https://beacons.ai/laidpodcast — we just might talk about it in a future episode. 

How are you being intentional to make your marriage better? Rhonda Stoppe and Jim Daly will encourage you with 3 Rs - remember, repent, return. Also, John, Erin and Greg bring up how to respond well if your spouse is caught in unrepentant patterns of sin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Reframing Your Perspective Can Transform Your Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals The Power of Grace-Filled Words in Strengthening a Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

How are you being intentional to make your marriage better? Rhonda Stoppe and Jim Daly will encourage you with 3 Rs - remember, repent, return. Also, John, Erin and Greg bring up how to respond well if your spouse is caught in unrepentant patterns of sin. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment How Reframing Your Perspective Can Transform Your Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals The Power of Grace-Filled Words in Strengthening a Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1196/29?v=20251111

What's the difference between a contract vs. a covenant type of love? Dr. Greg Smalley answers that question. Then, Jim Daly talks with Dr. Gary Chapman on what real commitment in your marriage looks like. At the end, Erin and John will share what you can do if you're in a tough spot as a couple. 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! Hope Restored Finding New Ways to Thrive in Your Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals 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.

Pastor Troy Smothermon introduces the Joy Marriage Podcast and interviews Josh and Brianna Dowdy about their 16 years of marriage, how they met serving on the youth worship team, started dating, and got engaged in an unplanned car proposal. They discuss early expectations of marriage, learning to live selflessly, and prioritizing respect and love in their roles as husband and wife. The couple shares key boundaries like full transparency with phones and social media and intentionally setting time aside to date each other, including annual anniversary trips. They also recount overcoming miscarriages and a high-risk pregnancy where doctors urged abortion, believing God for healing that led to their son's full lung development. They close with advice to keep priorities in order, honor God, and consistently date your spouse.

Prayer is one of the key ingredients to helping you experience a deeper relationship with your mate. Kathi Lipp joins Jim Daly to discuss the difference prayer can make in your marriage. Also, Erin Smalley shares about couples she's seen persevere through serious challenges by relying on God. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Praying God’s Word for Your Life for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Bringing Purpose and Power to Your Prayer Life Counseling Consultation and Referrals Learning from the Prayer Life of Jesus Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this powerful episode, Nick and Amy dive into a bold and insightful quote they read."By God's good design, a man's sex drive is strong. If it is harnessed and intensified within marriage, it can be an incredible force fastening a man's affections and passions to his wife. I believe that it is right and godly to claim your husband's sexual desire as a potent source of influence in your marriage. This power was intended for you and for no one else. Unfortunately, if you don't claim it, someone or something else will."Nick and Amy unpack the deep truth behind these words, not only about sexual desire but also about the emotional intimacy in marriage as well. They explore how neglecting to intentionally claim your spouse's affection, emotionally and physically, leaves your marriage vulnerable to distractions, temptations, or outside influences.If you want to strengthen your marriage and guard the precious bond between you and your spouse, this episode is a must-listen.Tune in now and discover how to claim what's yours to protect, cherish, and celebrate your spouse like never before.If you haven't already, go check out the Ultimate Intimacy App in the app stores, or at ultimateintimacy.com to find "Ultimate Intimacy" in your marriage. It's FREE to download and so much fun! Find out why close to 1M people have downloaded the app and give it such high ratings and reviews!Check out the new UandI App we just released after a year in development.WANT AMAZING PRODUCTS TO SPICE THINGS UP? YES PLEASE... CLICK HEREFollow us on Instagram @ultimateintimacyapp for app updates, polls, giveaways, daily marriage quotes and more.If you have any feedback, comments or topics you would like to hear on future episodes, reach out to us at amy@ultimateintimacy.com and let us know! We greatly appreciate your feedback and please leave us a review.Enjoy the podcast or have some feedback for us? Shoot us a message!

We often talk about the important of both emotional intimacy and sexual intimacy and how they go hand in hand. But which comes first? For many men, they need the physical connection to become more emotionally connected to their wife. And for most women, they need to be emotionally connected before desiring the physical connection. So which comes first?We took a poll and asked the following questions: "Could your marriage use more emotional intimacy?"53% said Absolutely YES! 30% said they need a little bit more - That means 83% of wives polled said they need more emotional intimacy in their marriage!Then we asked: "Do you agree that strong emotional intimacy comes 1st (Before sexual intimacy?) 94% said YES!So 83% of wives want more emotional intimacy and 94% said it should come 1st, before sexual intimacy! We hope the husbands are hearing this.In this podcast episode we talk with marriage therapist Austin Ellis about why strong emotional intimacy is the key to having good sexual intimacy. If you are a spouse that is frustrated with your intimate life, or want more emotional intimacy in your relationship, then this episode is for you!If you haven't already, go check out the Ultimate Intimacy App in the app stores, or at ultimateintimacy.com to find "Ultimate Intimacy" in your marriage. It's FREE to download and so much fun! Find out why close to 1M people have downloaded the app and give it such high ratings and reviews!Check out the new UandI App we just released after a year in development.WANT AMAZING PRODUCTS TO SPICE THINGS UP? YES PLEASE... CLICK HEREFollow us on Instagram @ultimateintimacyapp for app updates, polls, giveaways, daily marriage quotes and more.If you have any feedback, comments or topics you would like to hear on future episodes, reach out to us at amy@ultimateintimacy.com and let us know! We greatly appreciate your feedback and please leave us a review.Enjoy the podcast or have some feedback for us? Shoot us a message!

Most couples go through a season where you're not connecting like you want. Erin Smalley addresses how spiritual connection matters, and that a lot of couples are struggling in this area. Plus, Jim Daly and Debra Fileta give some thoughts for getting on the same page spiritually again. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Love in Every Season for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Loving Your Spouse Through the Seasons of Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals Conversation Starters for Date Nights Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

You weren't trying to blow it up. You weren't trying to say the thing that sent everything sideways. And yet — there you were, reactive and regretful, wondering how you got there so fast. That's dysregulation. And it is not a character flaw. It's not weakness. It's your nervous system doing exactly what it was wired to do — except it can't tell the difference between a threat in the wild and a look from your spouse across the kitchen. On this episode of the Save the Marriage Podcast, I sat down with EJ and Tara Kerwin, founders of Relationship Renovation, hosts of the Relationship Renovation Podcast, and a couple who — despite being trained therapists — found themselves in the thick of their own marriage crisis. They know this territory from the inside out. Here's what struck me most in our conversation: dysregulation doesn't always look like losing your temper. Sometimes it looks perfectly calm. Controlled. Logical, even. EJ describes how he would shut down internally — fully convinced he was being reasonable — while Tara's system was spinning. Two very different presentations of the same problem. And neither of them could see it clearly in the moment. That matters for you — even if you're navigating this alone. Because you can't control what your spouse does. But you can get much better at catching yourself before you're too far gone to course-correct. In this episode, we talk about: What it actually feels like in your body before you tip over the edge — and how to recognize the early signals Why a trigger is neutral until you assign meaning to it (and what that means for how you respond) The difference between facts and assumptions — and why that distinction can interrupt a spiral before it starts Why curiosity is the path back to empathy, and how your brain is actively working against you getting there This one is worth a listen. Not because every piece of it maps perfectly to working on a marriage alone — but because understanding your own regulation is the starting point for everything else. RELATED RESOURCES Relationship Renovation Save The Marriage System

When you fell in love, was it love at first sight, or did attraction grow with time? Jim Daly and Debra Fileta address how a person can fall in love with their mate, and enjoy the spring season of marriage. Also, Erin and Greg Smalley will address why taking care of yourself is good for your relationship Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Love in Every Season for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Loving Your Spouse Through the Seasons of Marriage Spring: Is Your Relationship Growing? God’s Plan for Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In superhero movies, every hero has something unique that makes them powerful, but they do not discover their strength alone and they do not use it randomly. They learn what their power is, how it works, and how it impacts the people they are trying to protect. Marriage is very similar. Each spouse has different emotional needs, different ways they feel loved, and different “super powers” they bring into the relationship.I shared how for many husbands, when a wife initiates affection or makes him feel desired, it is like his entire world shifts. It strengthens his confidence, connection, and emotional bond. For wives, when a husband steps in and says “I've got it” without her having to carry everything alone, it feels like emotional relief, safety, and love. It is like someone stepping in to carry the weight of her “battle,” even for a moment. These small actions often speak louder than words ever could.Think of it like superheroes working together on a team. One hero might have strength, another might have speed, another might have the ability to protect or heal. If they all try to operate the same way, the team falls apart. But when they understand each other's strengths and work together intentionally, they become unstoppable. Marriage works the same way. When spouses learn each other's emotional “powers” and love languages, and then intentionally use them, the relationship becomes stronger, safer, and more connected.This is where love as an action really comes in. Just like superheroes do not just say they will save people, they actually show up and act, love in marriage has to be lived out in real ways. It is expressed through words, service, affection, support, and emotional presence that is tailored to what your spouse actually needs.In this episode, we talk about both sides of this, how masculinity and femininity play into these “super powers,” and how understanding your spouse's emotional needs and love language can completely transform your connection. When couples stop guessing and start intentionally loving each other in the way their spouse actually receives love, marriage stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling like a team working in sync.If you haven't already, go check out the Ultimate Intimacy App in the app stores, or at ultimateintimacy.com to find "Ultimate Intimacy" in your marriage. It's FREE to download and so much fun! Find out why close to 1M people have downloaded the app and give it such high ratings and reviews!Check out the new UandI App we just released after a year in development.WANT AMAZING PRODUCTS TO SPICE THINGS UP? YES PLEASE... CLICK HEREFollow us on Instagram @ultimateintimacyapp for app updates, polls, giveaways, daily marriage quotes and more.If you have any feedback, comments or topics you would like to hear on future episodes, reach out to us at amy@ultimateintimacy.com and let us know! We greatly appreciate your feedback and please leave us a review.Enjoy the podcast or have some feedback for us? Shoot us a message!

How do you know if you're facing spiritual warfare? Dr. Tim Muehlhoff and his wife Noreen joined Jim Daly to discuss 5 real signs that you're actually under a spiritual attack. Also, Greg and Erin open up about times they persevered when they tempted to be discouraged. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Defending Your Marriage for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored The Spiritual Battle for Your Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals Is This a Spiritual Attack, or Is My Spouse Just a Jerk? Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

If you're not on the same page financially, please know, you aren't the only couple facing that tension. Greg Smalley shares how many couples actually have a serious disagreement regarding finances. Plus, Jim Daly talks to Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn about how you can get on the same page with money. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Thriving in Love and Money for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Game Changing Marriage and Money Insights End Daily Disagreements About Money Money Choices That Couples Need to Make in Every Season of Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this episode of the Ultimate Intimacy Podcast, Nick and Amy dive into a topic that many couples really struggle with in their marriage, but don't know how to handle... the mental load in marriage. Often invisible and rarely discussed openly, the mental load includes the planning, remembering, organizing, and emotional managing that keeps a household and relationship running smoothly. While it can affect both spouses differently, it is frequently carried disproportionately by one spouse, leading to stress, resentment, and disconnection in the marriage.In this episode, Nick and Amy talk about what the mental load is and what it looks like, why men and women are different in how they handle the mental load, and most importantly, how to communicate about it.If you struggle with holding resentment from the mental load, or you want to keep it from infiltrating your marriage then this podcast episode is for you!If you haven't already, go check out the Ultimate Intimacy App in the app stores, or at ultimateintimacy.com to find "Ultimate Intimacy" in your marriage. It's FREE to download and so much fun! Find out why close to 1M people have downloaded the app and give it such high ratings and reviews!Check out the new UandI App we just released after a year in development.WANT AMAZING PRODUCTS TO SPICE THINGS UP? YES PLEASE... CLICK HEREFollow us on Instagram @ultimateintimacyapp for app updates, polls, giveaways, daily marriage quotes and more.If you have any feedback, comments or topics you would like to hear on future episodes, reach out to us at amy@ultimateintimacy.com and let us know! We greatly appreciate your feedback and please leave us a review. Enjoy the podcast or have some feedback for us? Shoot us a message!

What if you took a second to pray for your spouse before criticizing him or her? Jim Daly joins Ron and Deb DeArmond on why you cannot be your spouse's Holy Spirit. They also tell a beautiful story of how Ron proposed to her again decades after they'd gotten married. Then, Erin explains why it's good to remind your mate, "you're still the one." Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book I Choose You Today for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Making Daily Choices to Love Your Spouse Choosing to Love Your Spouse Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

In this episode, the conversation shifts from humor into a surprisingly grounded discussion on relationships and what makes marriages work long-term. Instead of focusing on conflict and “grievance-based” communication—often reinforced in traditional therapy—the hosts highlight four foundational habits that build connection: Have more fun together – Strong relationships prioritize shared enjoyment over constant problem-solving. Pray or reflect together – Shared spiritual or reflective practices deepen emotional and psychological bonding. Make eye contact – Intentional presence signals respect, attention, and emotional validation. Always be touching – Physical connection fuels bonding hormones and reinforces intimacy. The discussion emphasizes that relationships fail not just from conflict, but from lack of connection, presence, and intentional engagement. The takeaway is simple: small, consistent behaviors matter more than overanalyzing problems. CONNECT WITH US Thanks for joining us — you are the reason we are here. Have questions? Reach out at doc@bsfreemd.com or find Tim and May on Facebook and Instagram.

How do you and your spouse pray together? Greg and Erin Smalley open up about what Bible verses they pray over each other. Plus, Jim Daly speaks with Ryan and Selena Frederick on how The Lord's Prayer from the New Testament can be a good prayer outline for you and your spouse. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book 40 Prayers for My Spouse Bundle for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Making Prayer a Priority in Your Marriage What Research Says About Couples Who Pray Together How Prayer Can Lead to Deeper Intimacy in Your Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

What if a small choice could have a tremendous impact on your marriage? Jim Daly has a conversation with Arlene Pellicane on 4 choices you can make to have a better relationship. At the end, Greg and Erin will give some thoughts on how to have fun together. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Making Marriage Easier for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Four Key Decisions for Loving Your Spouse for Life Three Ways to Invest in Your Marriage (and Have Fun Along the Way) Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Is there a certain amount of time that you have to spend with your spouse on a daily basis? Greg Smalley gives some research-backed information on the right amount of time couples should talk to each other. Also, Jim Daly asks Trey and Lea Morgan about making time together a priority. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book 10 Ways to a Stronger Marriage for your donation of any amount! Focus on Marriage Assessment Secrets to a Strong and Happy Marriage Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage Counseling Consultation and Referrals Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

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.

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.

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.

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.