God Loves Blended Families

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley revisit the topic of second marriages and blended families and delve deeper into the complexities and challenges that second marriages often face, including emotional baggage, communication issues, and the blending of children from previous marriages. Scott and Deana Thayer share their experiences and strategies for successfully blending their families and share the importance of preparation, managing expectations, establishing household rules, and prioritizing the couple’s relationship amidst the dynamics of a blended family. We also answer a listener question about potential red flags in a spouse’s behavior.   Building Love Together In Blended Families   It's Not About The Nail Video   Connect with our Counseling Department 1-800-A-FAMILY   Hope Restored   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 discuss narcissism in marriages with Dr. Dewey Wilson. What does it look like, what is it's impact on relationships, and how can we help both those exhibiting narcissistic behaviors and those living with narcissistic individuals? He provides insights from his research on clinical and subclinical narcissism, particularly among millennials. Greg & Erin also explore common communication misunderstandings between spouses using humorous 'wife-initions' and 'husband-itions'. They'll answer a question from a wife struggling with guilt over changing domestic responsibilities due to work demands, too. Get ready for lots of practical advice on managing expectations and encouraging open communication on this edition of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage!   Rescue Your Love Life   Nurturing the Heart Of Your Spouse Collection   Support this Show!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Did you know that one in two Americans feel significantly lonely weekly? On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Becky Harling shares how loneliness leads to increased anxiety, depression, and physical health risks. The conversation covers the differences in how introverts and extroverts experience loneliness and the importance of feeling connected in marriage. We'll give you practical advice to rekindle emotional connections, maintain empathy, avoid a critical spirit, and bringing fun back into relationships.   Cultivating Deeper Connections In A Lonely World   Hope Restored   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin speak with marriage counselors, Dr. Jorge and Danisa Suarez as they share their marriage journey, including the challenges they faced, such as dealing with expectations from others and maintaining their commitment to God. They emphasize the importance of commitment to one another, communication, and setting boundaries of safety to protect and strengthen marriages. We'll offer insights on dealing with infidelity, highlighting the necessity of hope, grace, and the willingness to rebuild trust in your marriage.   Hedges – 7 Ways To Love Your Wife   Protect Your Marriage. Recovering From An Affair   Greg Smalley sits down with Jerry Jenkins one on one for a special deep dive into ways to set appropriate boundaries in your marriage   Dr. H. Norman Wright's interview with Jim Daly   Are you facing challenges in your marriage? You are not alone. Focus on the Family's Hope Restored is a great resource for you. Discover a great path forward.   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the work required to maintain a healthy and fulfilling marriage. They talk about their personal experiences and delve into the idea of 'happily ever after,' exploring how expectations evolve over time. They are joined by Tanner and Whitney Lowe, who share insights from their eight years of marriage, addressing challenges such as conflict, and communication styles. The conversation also touches on the impact of Hollywood's portrayal of sex and intimacy, emphasizing the importance of adhering to a biblical perspective. The episode concludes with a Q&A session, offering advice to a listener struggling with trust issues due to her husband's spending habits.   Marriage Assessment   Resist the Drift Conferences   Plugged In   Hope Restored   Healing Separation   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin Smalley explore the complexities of remarriage, focusing on issues such as recurring relationship challenges and the importance of internal evaluation before remarrying. Guest counselors Ron and Nancy Keller share their insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of grieving and dealing with emotions post-divorce for a successful remarriage. The episode also covers practical advice for blended families and navigating relationships with adult children.   The book that Dr. Ron Keller mentioned, Reconnected, written by Greg & Erin Smalley is also available as a digital experience. For more on the book and the videos available, click here.   Send us your Date Night Disaster stories via voicemail.   If you need to speak to a counselor, just give us a call atn 1800AFAMILY.   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

On this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin speak with Billy and Dani Coker, an interracial couple who navigated their spiritual differences and various life challenges. The discussion covers how Billy and Dani's backgrounds impacted their marriage, and how they managed family traditions and expectations. Additionally, we answer a listener question on encouraging spiritual leadership in marriage and offer tips on relationship 'spring cleaning' to keep marriages vibrant and connected.   Take the first step toward a stronger, more fulfilling relationship with our Marriage Assessment. This insightful tool helps you and your partner identify strengths, address challenges, and deepen your connection.   Help your child navigate identity and belonging with wisdom and grace. Our expert insights offer guidance for parents of interracial children facing challenges related to race, culture, and self-acceptance.   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

In this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage, Greg and Erin discuss how couples can maintain a thriving marriage while caring for a special needs child with Evan and Karen Reedall. Greg and Erin also talk about personal experiences of navigating responsibilities in the kitchen and teamwork. We'll share tips on taking care of your heart during challenging times and answer a listener's question on the same topic. The episode also includes conversation starters for couples, and a special recipe in the show notes.   Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage mentioned. Article on encouraging social and behavioral development by Tyler Sexton, MD in the show notes.   We are going to put a link in the show notes for a recipe that is featured in the booklet Conversation Starters For Couples. You can find the booklet and more conversation starters here.   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

In this episode Greg and Erin discuss the importance of investing in marriage and personal growth with Arlene Pellicane, who talks about her latest book 'Making Marriage Easier' and outlines four key decisions to improve marriage: playing by God's rules, giving thanks, serving one's spouse, and prioritizing fun. The episode covers effective communication strategies, such as discussing sensitive topics with humility and respect, and the importance of self-care. A listener's question regarding a sexless marriage leads to advice on breaking harmful patterns and seeking professional counseling. The episode emphasizes open communication, mutual support, and the significance of having fun in marriage.   Click the show link to get a copy of Making Marriage Easier by Arlene Pellicane   Visit the Marriage Champions Homepage to to sign up for the Marriage Newsletter   Learn More about Healing from Seperation from this article from Erin Smalley   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Romance, sacrifice, and what it means to be a Godly man. These are just a few of the things Jim & Shanna Ramos will help couples understand as they challenge listeners with the responsibility of making their marriage extrordinary.   Click here to receive the book Dialed-In for a gift of any amount!   Go to the Show Notes to link to the full Ted Cunningham presentation.   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.