Focus on the Family Commentary
1,123 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 36 ratingsIn just 90 seconds, get practical marriage and parenting help from Focus on the Family president Jim Daly. The biblical wisdom from this podcast provides bite-sized encouragement that helps busy Christian families thrive together in Christ.
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Episodes
Love Doesn’t Demand
April 05, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBIf there’s a secret to marriage, it’s this: Love doesn’t demand its own way. It denies itself and focuses on the needs of others. But that’s not always easy to do. Jim Daly shares a personal story that illustrates what love is all about. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Are You Afraid to Live?
April 04, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHow do we live in the shadow of absolute loss and still enjoy a happy, fulfilled life? Jim Daly explains why not fearing death is rooted in not being afraid to live. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Kids Can’t Ride Two Horses
April 03, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHow does the image of a circus performer standing atop two horses illustrate passing on values to your children? Jim Daly explains why it’s important for parents to share a similar worldview. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Fight It Out
April 02, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBSome people say, “You shouldn’t argue with your spouse.” Hear why Jim Daly says, “The key is disagreeing in ways that move your relationship forward.” Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
April Fool’s Day
April 01, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBYears ago on this day, Burger King promoted their “left-handed Whopper.” Also on this day in the 1990s, Richard Nixon announced a run for the presidency. Jim Daly explains why off-the-wall events happen on this day, and how similar thinking can improve your marriage. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
When to Have Kids
March 29, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBChoosing when to have kids is a very personal decision, and couples wait for a lot of reasons. Jim Daly explains why waiting for the perfect time to have children may not be the best idea. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
God Loves You
March 28, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBThe next time you feel lost or underappreciated, remember that you are created in God’s image. Jim Daly shares why no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, God loves you. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
When Life Hits
March 27, 2024 23:04 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWhen life seems to be crashing in on us, one of the worst things we can do is try to handle it on our own. Jim Daly explains why we need the support of a trusted community when times get tough. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
The Core of Marriage
March 27, 2024 23:03 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBOne of the best ways to build a healthy marriage is to talk about your relationship. Jim Daly shares how to connect at a deeper level by remembering the acrostic CORE, which stands for commitment, openness, repentance, and empathy. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Communication Is a Two-Way Street
March 25, 2024 17:41 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBSometimes what you say and what other people hear can be two very different things. Jim Daly explains why, whether you’re the one speaking or the one listening, effective communication is a two-way street. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Remember the Little Things
March 22, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAre you busy? Hard work is important, but Jim Daly offers an important word of caution: Don’t lose focus on the little things in life. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Meaning of Life
March 21, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBSome say life has no meaning until we give it one. Jim Daly explains why every one of us has immeasurable worth. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Life Balance
March 20, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAre your job, your marriage, and your responsibilities as a parent pulling you in too many directions? Jim Daly offers helpful advice for finding balance when life gets hectic. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Step on Your Heart
March 19, 2024 06:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBMany parents feel heartache because a child has lost their way. Jim Daly shares a few things to remember if your heart is breaking over a broken relationship with a child. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Questions for Remarriage
March 18, 2024 13:45 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHow soon is too soon to get married after a divorce? Jim Daly shares helpful ideas for dramatically increasing the chances that your next relationship will thrive. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Five Secrets of a Happy Marriage
March 18, 2024 13:45 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBJim Daly shares the top five marriage secrets of couples whose marriages have stood the test of time. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Integrity Checkmate
March 18, 2024 13:43 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBIntegrity is a paradox. It’s subtle, but it’s also profound. Jim Daly shares why integrity is essential to our well-being as individuals and communities. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Facebook Envy
March 13, 2024 06:16 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBIf you’re feeling discouraged with life, research shows your problem may be what you’re not seeing on social media. Jim Daly shares how to engage with social media while remembering that things aren’t always what they seem. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Marriage Checkup
March 12, 2024 06:12 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBIf your marriage has seen better days, don’t ignore your trouble. Jim Daly shares why now is the best time for a marriage checkup. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Making Moments
March 12, 2024 06:11 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAre you “making moments” with your children? Jim Daly explains why investing in your kids’ lives now could pay off down the road as well. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Late in Life
March 08, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAre you where you’d thought you’d be at this point in your life? If not, take heart. Jim Daly explains why, no matter your age, the best may be yet to come. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Rules of Engagement
March 07, 2024 07:19 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBConflict in marriage can be painful, but handled well, it can also have a bright side. Jim Daly explains why learning to disagree well creates an opportunity for couples to create a better relationship. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Alone in the Dark
March 06, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHas darkness swallowed up some part of your life? Jim Daly offers three suggestions that will help the light of hope return. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Principles, Not Rules
March 04, 2024 10:49 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBSometimes parents think household rules are a foolproof way to transform unruly children into mature young people. But that’s not always the case. Jim Daly shares why and explains what to do about it. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Hurt? Don’t Hate
March 04, 2024 10:48 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBForgiveness isn’t easy. Or fair. Nevertheless, it’s our only hope for leaving the pain of our past behind and moving forward. Jim Daly explains why we find healing not by hurting somebody else, but by making ourselves whole again. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Leap Year
March 04, 2024 10:47 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHave you ever thought, “If only I had more time”? Well, today’s your day! It’s leap year. The question is, what are you going to do with the 24 hours that have been tacked onto your calendar? Jim Daly has ideas for you. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Where Is God?
March 04, 2024 10:46 - 1 minute - 1.41 MB“Where is God when we suffer?” That is one of the most frequently asked questions in a crisis. Jim Daly offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking answer. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Keep the Date Alive
March 04, 2024 10:45 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWhen we’re dating, romance is intentional and purposeful. After the wedding, romance often becomes secondary. Jim Daly shares how to lift your marriage above the mundane and infuse it with renewed energy. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
You’ll Need Tenacity
February 26, 2024 12:03 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAn important characteristic of good parenting is tenacity. Jim Daly shares a humorous story about Franklin Graham, the son of Billy and Ruth Graham, who learned the hard way how tenacious his parents could be when he misbehaved. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen
February 26, 2024 12:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBFor some couples, the kitchen is the heart of their home. For others, it’s where differences emerge and trouble starts. Jim Daly explains how to put your differences to work in service of your relationship. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
A Shared Vision for Your Home
February 26, 2024 11:59 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBIf your household doesn’t run smoothly, maybe it’s time for you and your spouse to create a shared vision for your home. Jim Daly shares how moms and dads can get on the same page with each other. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Taking and Giving
February 26, 2024 11:58 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBJim Daly shares the unlikeliest fish story you’ve ever heard, involving a young boy who had the maturity to see beyond himself and recognize that character is more important than material wealth. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Build a Bridge
February 19, 2024 09:48 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWhat makes a marriage healthy and happy instead of mired in conflict? Jim Daly explains the difference between couples who build bridges and those who dig moats. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Prepare Your Kids for Marriage
February 16, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBEvery parent wants their teenager to learn important life lessons. But there’s one area that’s often overlooked: marriage! Jim Daly explains why conversations about marriage should be a common occurrence in the teen years. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Invisible Things
February 15, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAlbert Einstein believed that we can see beneath the fabric of reality. Jim Daly shares why we are more than bones and brain chemistry. We are spiritual beings, in touch with the transcendent and capable of love, faith, and worship. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Loved from the Inside Out
February 14, 2024 16:36 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBHow does an orphan girl learn to face her future with optimism and hope? Jim Daly explains why love has the power to reach into someone’s heart and change it from the inside out. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
The Economics of Marriage
February 13, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBThe National Marriage Project published a comprehensive report that outlined the damage inflicted by bad economics on married couples. Jim Daly explains what to do if your marriage has been negatively impacted by an economic crisis. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
The Ol’ Ball and Chain
February 08, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBNegative stereotypes about marriage frequently pop up on social media. Jim Daly explains why the most certain path toward happiness for both men and women is getting married, staying married, and raising a family. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Power of Community
February 07, 2024 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBA fun day at the beach nearly turned tragic for a young mom until other people got involved. Jim Daly shares her story to illustrate why communities can do amazing things when everybody agrees to the same goal. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Resiliency in Marriage
February 05, 2024 20:57 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWould you accept marriage advice from someone with no professional credentials? You might if the couple had been married for 80 years like John and Ann Betar. Jim Daly shares their most important tip for a successful marriage. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Sexting
February 01, 2024 15:28 - 1 minute - 1.41 MB“Sexting” – a term that describes the electronic transmission of sexually explicit images – is a troubling problem for parents. Jim Daly shares two things moms and dads can do to protect their children. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Harassment in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
February 01, 2024 15:27 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBOur culture confuses young people with mixed messages about when romantic gestures become inappropriate. Jim Daly shares boundaries parents can teach to protect both their boys and their girls. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Reconnection After Deployment
January 30, 2024 12:13 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBEnding a long military deployment can be difficult for couples. Jim Daly explains how to turn your long-awaited reunion into a time of renewal and reconnection. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
When Your Parenting Needs to Change
January 29, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBTeenagers change so quickly it can feel like living with a stranger in the house. That’s why parenting the same way today as you did a few years ago may not be effective. Jim Daly shares how to adjust. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Have Some Backbone
January 26, 2024 10:19 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBPassive men ask their wives to choose, then complain about the choices they make. Jim Daly explains why women don’t want overbearing, controlling husbands, but they do want a guy with some backbone. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
A Hero Among Us
January 25, 2024 08:16 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWhat does a hero look like? Jim Daly explains why, to see a person’s true worth, we must look beyond what we see on the surface and explore more deeply. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Righteous Anger
January 24, 2024 10:20 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWhen the culture erupts into chaos and violence spills into the streets, anger usually gets the blame. Jim Daly shares why America’s hope for the future lies not in ridding ourselves of anger, but in channeling it toward positive choices. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Parenting Platitudes
January 24, 2024 10:19 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBYou can’t reduce parenting to witty phrases and step-by-step formulas. Jim Daly shares why effective parenting is an art as much as it is a science and an adventure that’s worth every challenge you face. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Al Capone’s Vault
January 22, 2024 14:45 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBThe term “Al Capone’s vault” describes anything that begins with hope but is, ultimately, proven empty. Jim Daly explains why “Al Capone’s vault” is an apt description for many people’s life choices. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
Because I Said So
January 19, 2024 17:41 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBAfter receiving clear instructions, some children ask, “Why do I have to?” How should you respond? Jim Daly explains why “Because I said so” is often the best response. Support Family Ministry If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.