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Greg Smalley

Dr. Greg Smalley serves as the vice president of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family.  Prior to joining Focus, Smalley worked for the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University and as president of the National Institute of Marriage, now known as Hope Restored. He is the author of almost 20 books including 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free and Reconnected: Moving From Roommates to Soulmates in Marriage. Smalley and his wife Erin host a popular weekly podcast called Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage.

A close-up of a bride and a groom at the wedding, with the groom putting the wedding ring on the bride's finger.

9 Reasons to Get Married

Since people are getting married less often, it’s important to understand the reasons to get married. There are practical reasons, like the fact that marriage creates stable societies, is the best environment for raising children, and greatly benefits each spouse. There are also spiritual reasons, such as becoming more Christlike and reflecting His love for the Church.

Unrealistic Expectations and Time With Family

When pressure to have the perfect holiday builds relationship tension, we need to change our unrealistic expectations. We need to accept that we cannot change our relatives. But we can set boundaries and not take things personally. Once we do this we can better appreciate the time spent connecting with family members.

A husband and wife lying on their backs on massage tables, enjoying a relaxing self-care session, one of many self-care ideas they enjoy..

40 Self-Care Ideas for Achieving True Rest

Does your busy life leave you feeling exhausted and stretched thin? At some point, our Christian culture has rewritten the greatest commandments from loving God and others as yourself to loving God and others instead of yourself. The goal of godly self-care is to give from a place of abundance.

Close up of a man's hand typing on a laptop as he sits in the dark

How Pornography Impacts Marriage

Pornography — whether used infrequently or as an addiction — is a big deal. And it can have a major impact on a marriage.

Man and women walking in field holding hands

Dealing With Your Child’s Divorce

It’s hard to describe the pain of walking through your child’s divorce. How do you support him or her in this time? Here are some practical ways to deal with your own hurt and come alongside your child.

Couple lying in bed facing opposite directions, each holding a smartphone, symbolizing emotional distance and disconnection in marriage.

What Is ‘Quiet Divorce’ (and How to Avoid One)

Quiet divorce is a growing problem in marriages today. It happens when couples stop paying attention to each other and slowly drift apart—without ever filing for divorce. Every married couple needs to understand what a quiet divorce is and why it matters. As a husband and a marriage counselor, I want to share practical marriage counseling tips and heartfelt advice on how to reconnect with your spouse and stop the drift.