Merry Christmas! On today's special holiday episode, Greg and Erin talk with some friends here at Focus on the Family about some early marriage stories from Christmas. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk through some holiday conversation starters!



Check out some more conversation starters for the holiday season!



Want to hear more about Greg's Furby story? Click here!

Merry Christmas! On today's special holiday episode, Greg and Erin talk with some friends here at Focus on the Family about some early marriage stories from Christmas. Plus, Greg and Erin will talk through some holiday conversation starters!
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/christmas-conversation-starters-for-couples" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Check out some more conversation starters for the holiday season!</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/how-to-navigate-the-stress-of-the-family-holiday-road-trip" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Want to hear more about Greg's Furby story? Click here!</a>

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Christmas Stories from the Early Years of Marriage

Importance of Marriage Coaching

Interview with Marriage Team Founders

Reflecting on Communication & Listening

Planning for Relapse and Future Goals

The Rose Communication Analogy

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, handling anger, resolving conflict, and planning for relapses. We also will share some practical exercises for couples to evaluate their relationship, appreciate each other, and plan for the future. Plus we answer a listener question what to do when your spouse walks away from their faith.

 

Learn More About Marriage Champions

 

Take Our FREE Marriage Assessment

 

Take the Free Reactive Cycle Assessement

 

Contact the show!

 

Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter

 

Send us your email or voice mail here!

 

Send Us A Review!

 

Support the show!

 

Suicide Prevention Hotline

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

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 &amp; Autumn Ray. They share key coaching techniques involving communication skills, handling anger, resolving conflict, and planning for relapses. We also will share some practical exercises for couples to evaluate their relationship, appreciate each other, and plan for the future. Plus we answer a listener question what to do when your spouse walks away from their faith.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/8b6id5">Learn More About Marriage Champions</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/lhspnf">Take Our FREE Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/eg6zfl">Take the Free Reactive Cycle Assessement</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/85xhzn">Contact the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/t4slv4">Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/jf3fuy">Send us your email or voice mail here!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/g0zeh0">Send Us A Review!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/8sqqst">Support the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/4pkdgi">Suicide Prevention Hotline</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/mrt11x">If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.</a>

Coaching Your Marriage

Introduction and Overview

Ron and Nan's Story: The Ultimatum

Finding Hope and Trust in Relationships

Petty Fights Hall of Fame

Q & A

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 pain points, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and understanding relationship.

 

The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself

 

Take Our FREE Marriage Assessment

 

Take the Free Reactive Cycle Assessement

 

Contact the show!

 

Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter

 

Send us your email or voice mail here!

 

Send Us A Review!

 

Support the show!

 

Suicide Prevention Hotline

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

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 pain points, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and understanding relationship.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-01-05?refcd=2373907">The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/7h3f3t">Take Our FREE Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/44sf1e">Take the Free Reactive Cycle Assessement</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/85xhzn">Contact the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/t4slv4">Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/jf3fuy">Send us your email or voice mail here!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/g0zeh0">Send Us A Review!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/8sqqst">Support the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/4pkdgi" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Suicide Prevention Hotline</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/mrt11x">If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.</a>

Emotional Triggers In Marriage

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 Bailey. They underscore the importance of mutual support, adjustment to changing life circumstances, and maintaining fun and friendship throughout marriage. We also have a tool to help you set boundaries in your marriage, and we answer a listener question about how to encourage a husband to lead his family.

 

Newlywed Couple's Devotional

 

12 Pieces of Advice I'd Tell Newlywed Me

 

5 Traditional Marriage Vows: What They Mean & Why They're Still Important

 

Contact the show!

 

Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter

 

Send us your email or voice mail here!

 

Send Us A Review!

 

Support the show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

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 Bailey. They underscore the importance of mutual support, adjustment to changing life circumstances, and maintaining fun and friendship throughout marriage. We also have a tool to help you set boundaries in your marriage, and we answer a listener question about how to encourage a husband to lead his family.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2025-12-29?refcd=2396305">Newlywed Couple's Devotional</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/9x18us">12 Pieces of Advice I'd Tell Newlywed Me</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/xfv9jk">5 Traditional Marriage Vows: What They Mean &amp; Why They're Still Important</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/85xhzn">Contact the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/t4slv4">Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/jf3fuy">Send us your email or voice mail here!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/g0zeh0">Send Us A Review!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/vf03ds">Support the show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/mrt11x">If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.</a>

Christmas Stories from the Early Years of Marriage

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