The Importance of Having Friends

Whether you’re seeking new friends or wanting to deepen existing relationships, this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage will help women and men build their respective friendships. Erin and her friends discuss how deep, supportive female friendships are vital for navigating life’s challenges, providing encouragement, and fostering spiritual and emotional growth. Then, Greg and his friend Bill discuss the unique challenges men face in forming deep friendships, such as busyness, reluctance to be vulnerable, and prioritizing family. We also answer a listener’s question about a sexless marriage.   The Friendships of Women   A Free Digital Download: The Skit Guys - Building Healthy Friendships Among Men   Find out more about Hope Restored   Support this Show!   ENGAGE WITH US   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 various aspects of marriage preparation, adjustment, and conflict resolution with four young married employees of Focus on the Family. They share their insights and experiences about preparing for marriage, dealing with marital changes, finances, and communication styles. Whether you've been married for a long time or a short while, there's useful advice on understanding conflict as an opportunity for growth, maintaining individual emotional health, and continuing to learn about each other in a relationship.   Ready To Wed   Call our Counseling Line at 1-800-A-FAMILY   Take The Free Marriage Assessment!   Support this Show!   ENGAGE WITH US   If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley delve into the importance of men adopting lion-hearted characteristics in today's culture, inspired by Brandon and David Lindell's book 'Lion Hearted: A Man's Guide to Living Focused, Fulfilled, and Fearless.' We'll talk about the challenges faced by men stepping into leadership roles within their families, the significance of intentional living, and the need to understand and guard the heart. We'll also look at animal behaviors, illustrating lessons applicable to strengthening marriages. Then we'll answer a listener question about their spouse's weight gain.   Lionhearted: A Man's Guide To Living Focused, Fulfilled, and Fearless   Truth Rising   Support this Show!   ENGAGE WITH US   If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

Join us as we continue to discuss how to deal with conflict on Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, with part two of our discussion with Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde. They'll share their experiences of dealing with reactive cycles in their marriages, emphasizing the importance of self-control. Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley ask about conflict styles like fight-fight, fight-flight, and flight-flight, detailing how unresolved issues can amplify present conflicts. We also go over the 'Care Cycle,' a five-step tool to help individuals manage their emotions. Plus, we'll give you some Marriage History, and answer a listener email about a husband who doesn't take his wife's advice.     Empowered To Love: Discovering Your God-Given Power to Create a Marriage You Both Love   Hope Restored   Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter!   Breaking the Reactive Cycle Article   Take The Reactive Cycle Assessment   Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage   Support this Show!   ENGAGE WITH US   If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

In this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss the importance of personal responsibility with Dr. Bob Paul and Tara Lalonde, who share their extensive experience in marriage counseling through the Hope Restored program. Bob and Tara explain concepts like the reactive cycle and the importance of seeing your spouse through the eyes of God. They also provide actionable tips for balancing family expectations and maintaining a strong marital connection, even during challenging times. We'll also introduce you to the concept of Micro Moments, as well as answer a listener voicemail about balancing marriage and family obligations during a family crisis.   Hope Restored   Sign up for our FREE Marriage Newsletter!   Breaking The Reactive Cycle Article   Take The Reactive Cycle Assessment   Connect With the Community!   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.   If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

Greg and Erin discuss maintaining a strong marriage during the transition to the empty nest phase with the one and only Dr. Gary Chapman, author of 'The Five Love Languages' and 'Your New Life with Adult Children.' We explore the emotional challenges couples face as children leave home, and the importance of communication, intentionality, and empathy in navigating this transition. Dr. Chapman shares insights on balancing personal and marital growth, and the need for parents to listen and validate their children's experiences. We'll also help you rekindle connection and affection through a fun game idea called 'Jazzed Up Jenga'! Share this episode with anyone you know who has children that will soon leave the nest.   Your New Life With Adult Children   Questions For Jazzed Up Jenga   Learn more about The 5 Love Languages   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.   If you enjoyed listening to Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Patricia Ashley shares a deeply personal testimony about how her marriage, once perceived as dead and nearly at the point of collapse, was revived through their mutual journey and commitment to Christianity. Over time, through shared prayer and a growing understanding of God's intentions for marriage, the Ashley's rebuilt their relationship, focusing on mutual respect and love. We also answer a listener email about how often 60+ year olds should be having sex. And we share a great idea involving a Time Capsule Love Letter to draw you and your spouse closer.     Nurturing The Heart of Your Spouse Collection   Hope Restored   10-Day Couples Prayer Text Campaign   Truth Rising   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley have a great conversation with Dr. Joannie DeBrito, about the common differences between partners that impact marriage, such as intellectual and processing differences, emotional versus logical thinking, and varying approaches to stress and grief. She emphasizes understanding and leveraging these differences to strengthen your marriage, and highlights the contrast in how men and women multitask, manage stress, and handle sexual differences. Practical advice includes recalling initial attraction, managing discussions during non-stress times, and using therapy when needed. We'll also answer a listener question about what to do about an ongoing addiction.   His Brain, Her Brain   How to Pursue A Healing Separation   The Perception Questions Exercise   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

On this episode of 'Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage' Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley celebrate our troops and their families, and talk with Beth Runkle about the challenges military spouses face and the dynamic of military home life -- which includes frequent moves, loneliness, saying goodbye for deployments, and the emotional strain of maintaining relationships. Beth shares personal experiences about resentment towards military life, the importance of communication, and how finding faith helped her marriage survive. We'll give you practical advice on self-care, forming community, and supporting mental and emotional health, too. We also will take a question from a listener who is dealing with anxiety.   Another Move God?   Here are resources to help military families!   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Personal anecdotes, including stories about resolving conflicts, handling crises, and supporting each other through tough times, illustrate the broader points of a strong marriagfe. The importance of empathy, communication, and long-term commitment is highlighted, as is the notion of using marriage as a means to grow more like Christ and to support one another in becoming the best versions of themselves.   The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer Together   If you'd like to talk with a Christian Counselor, call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY   Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage   Additional Premarital Resources   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.