Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley
Focus On The Family With Jim DalyDid 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.
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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.
Videos
- 1The Manosphere (Part 2 of 2) | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageWe'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.
- 2The Manosphere (Part 1 of 2) | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss the Manosphere and the “Christian Manosphere." This is a program that you want to share with all the men in your life. Greg shares research from months of reading forums and explains the first three of six lies that many men are believing. We also go into what submission means for women.
- 3Laying the Foundation for Your Legacy | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss what it means to leave a marital legacy by building a healthy foundation -- with intentional core values -- rather than living by default. Guest Lain McCanless of Rally Your Family describes practical tools to guide decisions, unify spouses, and model faithfulness across generations. This is something you can start today!
- 4Don't Let the Weight of the Past Crush Your Marriage | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley are joined by Bob Lepine to discuss how guilt, shame, and past wounds affect marriage. If unresolved hurts are triggering conflict in your relationship, listen to this episode and then share it with your spouse. We also talk about building a healthy sexual relationship and adjusting unrealistic expectations shaped by culture.
- 5Adaptability in Marriage | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDoes it feel like your life is being interrupted? Financial issues, health concerns, and disagreements with family members can all throw a wrench into our plans. Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley talk with Julie Plagan, who describes common interruptions in her life. We address the need for control, people-pleasing, and messages from how a strict faith background fueled anger and unforgiveness.
- 6Affair Prevention & Recovery | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley focus on infidelity with Brad and Tammy Miller. They discuss how couples drift through busyness, unmet emotional needs, validation-seeking, social media connections, and contrast emotional vs. physical affairs.
- 7Support For An InterFaith Marriage | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageYou're really going to be blessed by this program, even if you and your spouse share the same faith. Greg and Erin talk with David McIver, author of Looking For The One. David teaches that loving a spiritually different spouse means seeing them through Jesus’ eyes and praying about where the trust was first broken rather than focusing on behavior.
- 8Rapid Fire Q & A | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley host a rapid-fire episode answering common marriage questions from both a husband and a wife perspective - with timed responses! They discuss whether spouses should check in when apart, address hidden purchases as “financial infidelity,” evaluate location sharing and phone/social media access, and other common questions couples have.
- 9Marrying Into Madness - Dealing with In-laws | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageHow is your relationship with your in-laws? Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discuss what research and experience reveals about in-law relationships, prompted by Erin being asked to speak to a moms group. If conflict, enabling behavior, and parenting disagreements with in-laws seem to take away the PEACE in your family - this is the podcast for you!
- 10Anger Triggers in Marriage | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDo differences between you and your spouse trigger tension in your marriage? Greg and Erin talk with Amber Lia and offer tips to respond well and explore how miscommunication fuels anger. They discuss common conflict points like “chore wars,” the invisible mental load, and backseat driving, while emphasizing teamwork, communication, and going the extra mile.
- 11Sparking the Marriage Fires, Pt. 2 | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageGet ready for Part Two of how to spark the fire in your marriage! Want to make your spouse feel special? Todd and Carolyn Petka share the "rocket fuel” for thriving marriages, and describe obstacles like unrealistic expectations, busy lives without margin, conflict styles, and family-of-origin wounds, that naturally leak energy and require intentional refueling.
- 12Sparking the Marriage Fires, Pt. 1 | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley speak with Pastors Todd and Carolyn Petkau about their Relationship Rocket Formula, comparing marriage to a rocket needing navigation, fuel, and spark! They encourage looking into Scritpture, deep “fuel and spark” questions, and creating safety through active listening and saying, “tell me more.”
- 13Celebrating Fathers with Ken Davis | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageWhat was your dad like growing up? Do you have good memories, or could things be better between you? Greg and Erin celebrate all dads with a special presentation from Pastor Ken Davis, who shares four important reminders based on Scripture in Malachi. We hope you'll be encouraged by this message, and that you'll share this podcast with those you love.
- 14Money and Marriage Part 2 of 2 | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley continue their discussion on how couples can use finances to strengthen marriage, featuring guest Matt Bell of Sound Mind Investing. If you and your spouse have money conflicts, THIS is the podcast for you! Matt explains that spenders often marry savers. He warns that debt can be a “cancer on marriage,” and urges couples to stop taking on new debt.
- 15Money and Marriage, Part 1 of 2 | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageHow are you with money? Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley get advice from Matt Bell, about biblical money principles. He explains the Parable of the Talents as a stewardship framework, contrasting consumer vs. steward mindsets, while urging couples to serve the Lord. We'll also challenge you to turn your home into a mini carnival for an at-home date night.
- 16Making Your Spouse Your Best Friend | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley stress that strong marriages are built on friendship. Becky Harling shares how her breast cancer diagnosis refocused her on intentional relationships—prioritizing fun, gratitude, healthy boundaries, and wise vulnerability. They also encourage flirting and reminiscing, and advise spouses facing perimenopause to stay curious and informed.
- 17What To Pray For Your Spouse | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDo you feel like your prayer life with your spouse could be better? Do you usually pray about circumstantial things? Mike and Melissa Kruger share about 5 Things to Pray for Your Spouse that will transform your marriage and draw you both closer to Christ.
- 18The 5 S's of Conflict Resolution | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageHow do you and your spouse handle conflict? Greg and Erin share insights from Dave and Ann Wilson today. They discuss common conflict styles (e.g., yielding, defending, resolving) and emphasize that conflict is often driven by deeper emotions and desires, requiring an open heart, slowing down, listening, and sometimes choosing to “solve or sleep” when exhausted.
- 19What I Wish My Spouse Knew | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageGreg and Erin talk about what each of us wish our spouse knew about our inner most secrets and desires in marriage. Sometimes it's hard to express our feelings. Greg and Erin share ideas on how to access our emotions, and share them with our spouse. This is a program that both wives and husbands need to hear!
- 20Celebrating The Beauty of Women For Mother's Day | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageErin and Greg share their thoughts on the value of women and we hear excerpts from author and former CEO of Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS), Elisa Morgan. She shared how women should find their beauty by looking through God's eyes. We'll also talk about the upcoming Mother's Day podcast series from Focus On The Family called Legacy of Love.
- 21Get Back Up Singers For Your Marriage with Pastor Ted Cunningham | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley have a treat for you today! Get ready for a presentation from Pastor Ted Cunningham, highlighting humorous, scripture-based encouragement to revere marriage. Greg and Erin give a “Share and Compare” date-night exercise, an a Q&A, from a husband whose wife feels “touched out” after caring for five young kids. Share this show link with friends!
- 22Selfless Sex, Part 2 of 2 with Pastor Doug Hanna | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageWe're continuing our conversation on selfless sex with Pastor Doug Hanna, who shares his encouragement to pursue sexual satisfaction. He goes into how self-forgetful sex is a lifestyle, an attitude, its patient, and it seeks pleasure. Greg and Erin also have an exercise with foods around the world and date nights. We also answer a listener question about a spouse's lies and affairs.
- 23Selfless Sex, Part 1 of 2 with Pastor Doug Hanna | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageOn this episode, we're talking about Christian married sex with Pastor Doug Hannah, author of Sex and Self Forgetfulness. We'll talk about serving your spouse, sinning against conscience, and even losing one’s voice. Boundaries matter, and sex is designed by God to be mutually pleasurable and received with thanksgiving.
- 24Spouse-ing On Empty with Ashley Durand and Kristen Rusch | Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageDr. Greg and Erin Smalley welcome guests Ashley Durand and Kristen Roush authors of Mothering on Empty. We'll talk about the pressures that can leave spouses depleted, and how joy, identity in Christ, and an eternal perspective anchor marriage without idolizing it.
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