We all have things we want from our spouse. But there's an important distinction between a need and a desire. John, Greg and Erin will explain what true needs are in marriage.

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

Get Dr. Kevin Leman's book "The Intimate Connection" for your donation of any amount: https://secure.anedot.com/focus-on-the-family/don-fofm-podcast-2021-03-09?source_code=1076004&donation_pledge_code=FRIENDSFAM

Get more episode resources: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/focus-on-marriage-podcast/what-your-spouse-really-needs/#featured-resource-cta

If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey

We all have things we want from our spouse. But there's an important distinction between a need and a desire. John, Greg and Erin will explain what true needs are in marriage. Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast</a> or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Get Dr. Kevin Leman's book "The Intimate Connection" for your donation of any amount: <a href="https://secure.anedot.com/focus-on-the-family/don-fofm-podcast-2021-03-09?source_code=1076004&donation_pledge_code=FRIENDSFAM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://secure.anedot.com/focus-on-the-family/don-fofm-podcast-2021-03-09?source_code=1076004&donation_pledge_code=FRIENDSFAM</a> Get more episode resources: <a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/focus-on-marriage-podcast/what-your-spouse-really-needs/#featured-resource-cta" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/focus-on-marriage-podcast/what-your-spouse-really-needs/#featured-resource-cta</a> If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey</a>

If you’re married — or soon to be — you’ve got questions. What makes this relationship work? How do I fix it when it breaks? Where do I go when I need help? Host John Fuller and marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley help answer those questions with practical, down-to-earth insights based on God’s design for marriage. Find answers and inspiration in every short episode of this Christian marriage podcast.

Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

What Your Spouse Really Needs

Introduction

Love & Seasons

Your Spouse Changes You

Marriage Resources for You

One of the beauties and challenges of marriage is that your spouse is always changing. Greg and Erin join Jim Daly and his wife Jean to explain how you can learn to love your spouse more with time. Also, John asks the Smalley's about how Greg's introversion has had a positive impact on Erin.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!

 

Focus on Marriage Assessment

 

Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple 

 

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage 

 

Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

One of the beauties and challenges of marriage is that your spouse is always changing. Greg and Erin join Jim Daly and his wife Jean to explain how you can learn to love your spouse more with time. Also, John asks the Smalley's about how Greg's introversion has had a positive impact on Erin.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast</a> or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2025-12-25?refcd=2403708">Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/qgz40o">Focus on Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/five-ways-to-grow-closer-as-a-couple-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2403708">Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/idjmeu">Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/hxmyvb">Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2403708">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/cyey4q">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

When Your Love Changes

Don't Rely on a List

Focus on the Positive

Our Marriage Resources

Have you told your spouse how much you appreciate him or her recently? It can be easy to get caught up in the to-do lists of life, and miss telling them "thank you." Jim Daly and his wife Jean, along with the Smalley's, encourage you to make your mate feel valued through very simple gestures. Plus, John Fuller asks Erin Smalley why focusing on the best aspects of your spouse is good for your relationship.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!

 

Focus on Marriage Assessment

 

Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple 

 

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage 

 

Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Have you told your spouse how much you appreciate him or her recently? It can be easy to get caught up in the to-do lists of life, and miss telling them "thank you." Jim Daly and his wife Jean, along with the Smalley's, encourage you to make your mate feel valued through very simple gestures. Plus, John Fuller asks Erin Smalley why focusing on the best aspects of your spouse is good for your relationship.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast</a> or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2025-12-23?refcd=2403601">Receive the book The Healthy Marriage Devotional for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/2ed74r">Focus on Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/five-ways-to-grow-closer-as-a-couple-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2403601">Five Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/5z2p9r">Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/pys0t2">Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2403601">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/cyey4q">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

Say "Good Morning" Before Giving Your To-Do List

Boundaries Help

Don't Play with Temptation

How Do I Flee?

If You're Feeling Tempted

Focus on the Family

When you set a boundary, it can lead to deeper intimacy with your spouse. John and Erin will encourage you to be intentional about setting boundaries in your marriage. Then, Jim Daly and Jerry Jenkins discuss ways you can practically eliminate some types of sexual temptation.

 

Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

 

Receive the book Hedges for your donation of any amount!

 

Hope Restored

 

How to Guard Your Marriage From Temptation 

 

Contact our Counseling Team 

 

The Hedges Challenge

 

Support This Show!

 

If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

Focus on the Family
When you set a boundary, it can lead to deeper intimacy with your spouse. John and Erin will encourage you to be intentional about setting boundaries in your marriage. Then, Jim Daly and Jerry Jenkins discuss ways you can practically eliminate some types of sexual temptation.
&nbsp;
Find us online at <a href="http://focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast" data-callout-id="edit_links_in_description">focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast</a> or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-fofm-podcast-2025-12-18?refcd=2399701">Receive the book Hedges for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/n1k21y">Hope Restored</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/how-to-guard-your-marriage-from-temptation-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2399701">How to Guard Your Marriage From Temptation</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/5x2s9x">Contact our Counseling Team</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/ycreer">The Hedges Challenge</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2399701">Support This Show!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/cyey4q">If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.</a>

What Your Spouse Really Needs

In 1 playlist(s)

Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips