What's the secret to a lasting marriage? This week, join Greg & Erin as they sit down with marriage champions Diane & Roger Ingolia, who share wisdom from their 47 years of marriage. Later, we engage in some date night conversation starters. Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how her & her husband can make love, instead of just having sex.



Click here for a free list of date night conversation starters from Greg & Erin!



Interested in one of our marriage seminars? Click here to check out Resist the Drift from Focus on the Family!



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

What's the secret to a lasting marriage? This week, join Greg &amp; Erin as they sit down with marriage champions Diane &amp; Roger Ingolia, who share wisdom from their 47 years of marriage. Later, we engage in some date night conversation starters. Then, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know how her &amp; her husband can make love, instead of just having sex.
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/89a0pg" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Click here for a free list of date night conversation starters from Greg &amp; Erin!</a>
 
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/qri4dd" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">Interested in one of our marriage seminars? Click here to check out Resist the Drift from Focus on the Family!</a>
 
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24cltcm-donate-page?refcd=2182501">Donate Now!</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.

Together for the Long-Haul

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>

Your Emotions Matter (Part 1 of 2)

Intro

Pseudo Sense Of Connection

Equation of Us

A Healthy Thriving Marriage

Good Dependence & Healthy Attachment

Marriage Attention Deficit

The Box of Us

Greg & Erin's Critique

Phases of Marriage

Q & A and Close

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley interview Pastor Kevin A. Thompson about his book The Creation of Us. Kevin emphasizes that marriage is its own entity where both spouses maintain individuality while building shared rhythms, mission, and unity. We talk about good dependence versus independence or enmeshment, how marriage reveals and can help heal attachment wounds, and “marital attention deficit.” We'll outline the phases of marriage and we answer a listener question about weaponizing sex.
The Creation of Us: How To Build A Great Marriage Without Losing Yourself

Marriage Assessment Tool

Reactive Cycle Tool

Love Styles: Why You Love The Way You Do (And How to Change It)

Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

Speak With A Counselor

Marriage Health In America Study

Check Out Hope Restored. 

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley interview Pastor Kevin A. Thompson about his book The Creation of Us. Kevin emphasizes that marriage is its own entity where both spouses maintain individuality while building shared rhythms, mission, and unity. We talk about good dependence versus independence or enmeshment, how marriage reveals and can help heal attachment wounds, and &ldquo;marital attention deficit.&rdquo; We'll outline the phases of marriage and we answer a listener question about weaponizing sex. <a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-09-21?refcd=2534402">The Creation of Us: How To Build A Great Marriage Without Losing Yourself</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/4tnm4r">Marriage Assessment Tool</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/y03343">Reactive Cycle Tool</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/1xr308">Love Styles: Why You Love The Way You Do (And How to Change It)</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/zyl1zy">Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/kobjdk">Speak With A Counselor</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>

Marriage: The Creation of Us

Why The Podcast Matters

Emotions & Godly Call To Men

Do As Christ Did

Manosphere Lie v Scripture

Weaponizing The Bedroom

All 6 Manosphere Lies

Share This Podcast!

We're continuing our discussion of the “manosphere,” reviewing how it distorts headship and submission and focusing on three additional lies: that emotional vulnerability is weakness, that women are biologically untrustworthy, and that a wife’s body belongs to her husband. Greg and Erin contrast these ideologies with scriptures calling husbands to sacrificially love, cherish, nourish, honor, and create safety so a wife can flourish. We'd love to hear your thoughts on these episodes, so click on the show notes to get in touch with us.
Bearded Gospel Men: The Epic Quest for Manliness & Godliness
What Is Biblical Leadership Articl
Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and hear contemporary Christian worship music!
Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
Speak With A Counselor

We're continuing our discussion of the &ldquo;manosphere,&rdquo; reviewing how it distorts headship and submission and focusing on three additional lies: that emotional vulnerability is weakness, that women are biologically untrustworthy, and that a wife&rsquo;s body belongs to her husband. Greg and Erin contrast these ideologies with scriptures calling husbands to sacrificially love, cherish, nourish, honor, and create safety so a wife can flourish. We'd love to hear your thoughts on these episodes, so click on the show notes to get in touch with us. <a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-crazy-little-thing-2026-09-14?refcd=2535802">Bearded Gospel Men: The Epic Quest for Manliness &amp; Godliness</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/wpgliz">What Is Biblical Leadership Articl</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/7wdf26">Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It&rsquo;s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and hear contemporary Christian worship music!</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/lz09nj">Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email</a> <a href="https://sf.fotf.com/fklxkn">Speak With A Counselor</a>

Together for the Long-Haul

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Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

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