How do you set boundaries with in-laws? Today, Dave and Ashley Willis join Greg and Erin to discuss setting boundaries with in-laws. Plus, Sterling Knight-Pinneo joins to share his thoughts on setting biblical boundaries!



Get Dave and Ashley's book for a gift of any amount!



Interested in the book Boundaries Ashley mentioned? Click here to get it!



We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

How do you set boundaries with in-laws? Today, Dave and Ashley Willis join Greg and Erin to discuss setting boundaries with in-laws. Plus, Sterling Knight-Pinneo joins to share his thoughts on setting biblical boundaries!
 
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2024-04-08?refcd=2052601" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Get Dave and Ashley's book for a gift of any amount!</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/Bd4Axu" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Interested in the book Boundaries Ashley mentioned? Click here to get it!</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/cltcm-voicemail">We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.</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.

Dave and Ashley Willis: Boundaries with In-Laws (Part 1)

Welcome & Overview

Authentic Masculinity

Listener Q&A: Talking to a Defensive Husband 

Creating Your Family Motto

Drs. Greg and Erin Smalley welcome Pastor Seth Troutt, author of Authentic Masculinity, to discuss God’s design for masculinity in marriage and parenting, while contrasting it with “the manosphere” counterfeits. If you want to collaborate with your spouse, encourage and understand Biblical leadership, as well as cherish and nurture your life choice in new ways, Seth explains how men and women can work together and live as Godly examples. In a Q&A, we answer a wife's question on how to address a defensive husband. We'll also share how to create a family motto.

Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God’s Design

Marriage Assessment

Reactive Cycle Assessment

Join Our Facebook Community

Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

Speak With A Counselor

Drs. Greg and Erin Smalley welcome Pastor Seth Troutt, author of Authentic Masculinity, to discuss God&rsquo;s design for masculinity in marriage and parenting, while contrasting it with &ldquo;the manosphere&rdquo; counterfeits. If you want to collaborate with your spouse, encourage and understand Biblical leadership, as well as cherish and nurture your life choice in new ways, Seth explains how men and women can work together and live as Godly examples. In a Q&amp;A, we answer a wife's question on how to address a defensive husband. We'll also share how to create a family motto.
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-10-12?refcd=2542703">Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God&rsquo;s Design</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/grll18">Marriage Assessment</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/mm3e2r">Reactive Cycle Assessment</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/pj641f">Join Our Facebook Community</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/ccdhbg">Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/96gg52">Speak With A Counselor</a>

Men Embracing Chivalrous Marriages

Dr. Erin and Dr. Greg Smalley continue their discussion with Debra Fileta about emotional awareness, warning against “spiritual bypassing” that skips hard feelings with spiritual phrases. We also talk about the impact of trauma as either muting emotions or creating hypervigilance and “false alarms.” Healing your emotions can happen. Listen to this conversation and honestly ask "Where am I in all of this?" Reach out to our counseling department if you need more help.

Get the Book: Are You Really OK?

Reactive Cycle Assessment

Article on Healing Separation

Enjoying music together can draw you closer as a couple.
Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster.

Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

Speak With A Counselor

Marriage Assessment Tool

Marriage Health In America Study

Check Out Hope Restored

Dr. Erin and Dr. Greg Smalley continue their discussion with Debra Fileta about emotional awareness, warning against &ldquo;spiritual bypassing&rdquo; that skips hard feelings with spiritual phrases. We also talk about the impact of trauma as either muting emotions or creating hypervigilance and &ldquo;false alarms.&rdquo; Healing your emotions can happen. Listen to this conversation and honestly ask "Where am I in all of this?" Reach out to our counseling department if you need more help.
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-20-05?refcd=2542702">Get the Book:&nbsp;Are You Really OK?</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/j6c0dd">Reactive Cycle Assessment</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/v3zyll">Article on Healing Separation</a> Enjoying music together can draw you closer as a couple. <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/1tnuxq">Check out Focus Live,</a> powered by Godcaster. <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/lruj34">Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/kobjdk">Speak With A Counselor</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/4tnm4r">Marriage Assessment Tool</a> <a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/state-of-the-family/">Marriage Health In America Study</a> <a href="https://hoperestored.focusonthefamily.com/">Check Out Hope Restored</a>

Your Emotions Matter (Part 2 of 2)

Introduction

Understanding Emotions

Why Your Emotions Matter

Practical Takeaways

Do you prioritize spiritual health while neglecting emotional health? Have you intentionally aligned with the Holy Spirit when it comes to your feelings? Drs. Erin and Greg Smalley discuss cultural stigmas around expressing emotions with Debra Fileta, author of Are You Really Okay? They outline conversational levels, how to check in with your spouse, and what NOT to talk about on date nights. The listener Q&A involves a stressed out wife who hasn't set clear boundaries. This is just the beginning of this important conversation.

Get the Book: Are You Really OK?

Reactive Cycle Assessment

Article on Healing Separation

Enjoying music together can draw you closer as a couple.
Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster.

Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

Speak With A Counselor

Marriage Assessment Tool

Marriage Health In America Study

Check Out Hope Restored.

Do you prioritize spiritual health while neglecting emotional health? Have you intentionally aligned with the Holy Spirit when it comes to your feelings? Drs. Erin and Greg Smalley discuss cultural stigmas around expressing emotions with Debra Fileta, author of <a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-20-05?refcd=2542702">Are You Really Okay?</a> They outline conversational levels, how to check in with your spouse, and what NOT to talk about on date nights. The listener Q&amp;A involves a stressed out wife who hasn't set clear boundaries. This is just the beginning of this important conversation.
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-20-05?refcd=2542702">Get the Book:&nbsp;Are You Really OK?</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/j6c0dd">Reactive Cycle Assessment</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/v3zyll">Article on Healing Separation</a> Enjoying music together can draw you closer as a couple. <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/1tnuxq">Check out Focus Live,</a> powered by Godcaster. <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/lruj34">Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/kobjdk">Speak With A Counselor</a>
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/4tnm4r">Marriage Assessment Tool</a> <a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/state-of-the-family/">Marriage Health In America Study</a> <a href="https://hoperestored.focusonthefamily.com/">Check Out Hope Restored.</a>

Dave and Ashley Willis: Boundaries with In-Laws (Part 1)

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