When a Spouse Expects Perfection

Perfectionism & Eating Disorders

The Need for Grace

We're Here to Help

Perfectionism is something many people struggle with. It's also very bad for your marriage. Jim Daly talks to David & Krista Dunham on how her struggles with perfectionism led to an eating disorder. You'll also hear from Greg Smalley, who will share about giving yourself grace, even if you mess up.

 

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

 

Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!

 

Hope Restored

 

Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder 

 

Contact our Counseling Team 

 

Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders

 

Support This Show!

 

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

Perfectionism is something many people struggle with. It's also very bad for your marriage. Jim Daly talks to David &amp; Krista Dunham on how her struggles with perfectionism led to an eating disorder. You'll also hear from Greg Smalley, who will share about giving yourself grace, even if you mess up.
&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-2026-01-06?refcd=2410001">Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/9i9z88">Hope Restored</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/healing-my-life-and-marriage-after-an-eating-disorder-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2410001">Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/n7ue2q">Contact our Counseling Team</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/1upbwq">Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2410001">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>

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

Why Perfectionism is Dangerous for a Marriage

Introduction

David & Krista's Story

If My Spouse Doesn't Want Help

Resources to Help

How are you dealing with the baggage you've brought into your marriage? We all bring some, but the key is taking appropriate action to address it. David and Krista Dunham talk to Jim Daly about how they discovered Krista had an eating disorder while they were dating. Also, Erin Smalley discusses what you can do if your spouse has a serious problem, but is not seeking help.

 

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

 

Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!

 

Hope Restored

 

Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder 

 

Contact our Counseling Team 

 

Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders

 

Support This Show!

 

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

How are you dealing with the baggage you've brought into your marriage? We all bring some, but the key is taking appropriate action to address it. David and Krista Dunham talk to Jim Daly about how they discovered Krista had an eating disorder while they were dating. Also, Erin Smalley discusses what you can do if your spouse has a serious problem, but is not seeking help.
&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-2026-01-08?refcd=2410901">Receive the book Table for Two for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/xe0cnz">Hope Restored</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/healing-my-life-and-marriage-after-an-eating-disorder-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2410901">Healing My Life and marriage After an Eating Disorder</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/orko9k">Contact our Counseling Team</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/lj3ly7">Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2410901">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 an Underlying Issue Becomes a Big Problem

How was God working in your heart before you met your spouse? Jim Daly talks to Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie Fink on lessons God taught them and ways they stayed active before they walked down the aisle. Plus, John asks Greg how God can redeem your story, even if you don't like how your marriage is going.

 

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

 

Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!

 

Focus on Marriage Assessment

 

Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life 

 

Practice Makes Parent 

 

Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website

 

Support This Show!

 

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

How was God working in your heart before you met your spouse? Jim Daly talks to Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie Fink on lessons God taught them and ways they stayed active before they walked down the aisle. Plus, John asks Greg how God can redeem your story, even if you don't like how your marriage is going.
&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-2026-1-1?refcd=2408002">Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/xmehhy">Focus on Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/finding-gods-love-in-marriage-and-life-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2408002">Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/s0k7fa">Practice Makes Parent</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/gv39pg">Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2408002">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>

God Was Working Before You Got Married

Are My Motives Right?

Letting Go of People-Pleasing

Guard Your Energy

Marriage Resources

As Christians, we're called to please God. So, how do you balance that with trying to make your spouse happy? Dr. Greg Smalley will help you discern if your goal is to obey God, or if you're focusing too much on your mate's happiness. Also, Rebecca St. James joins Jim Daly to explain how she learned to let go of people-pleasing tendencies before she got married.

 

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

 

Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!

 

Focus on Marriage Assessment

 

Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life 

 

Practice Makes Parent 

 

Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website

 

Support This Show!

 

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

As Christians, we're called to please God. So, how do you balance that with trying to make your spouse happy? Dr. Greg Smalley will help you discern if your goal is to obey God, or if you're focusing too much on your mate's happiness. Also, Rebecca St. James joins Jim Daly to explain how she learned to let go of people-pleasing tendencies before she got married.
&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-2025-12-30?refcd=2406105">Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount!</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/zfxrv4">Focus on Marriage Assessment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/finding-gods-love-in-marriage-and-life-i-ii-digital/?refcd=2406105">Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/e7u7ek">Practice Makes Parent</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://sf.fotf.com/bw87pr">Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/24fom-donate/?refcd=2406105">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>

Why Perfectionism is Dangerous for a Marriage

In 1 playlist(s)

Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips