In a culture that blurs truth and deception, marriages can easily absorb beliefs that slowly damage connection and trust. In this episode, Dr. Greg Smalley joins us to uncover the lies that are hitting marriages the hardest—and the truths that can set couples free.

We talk about why marriages are so vulnerable to these lies, how stress and unmet expectations make them worse, and how emotional distance and internal narratives shape the way we see our spouse. Dr. Smalley also shares practical ways to recognize and replace these lies with truth, plus insight from his own marriage.

If you've ever felt stuck in negative patterns or discouraged in your relationship, this episode will help you reset your perspective and refocus on what's true.

Episode Highlights:

Why marriages are especially vulnerable to believing harmful lies—and when that risk is highest
How stress, unmet expectations, and emotional distance distort the way we see our spouse
Practical ways to recognize lies, replace them with truth, and rebuild connection

Quotes from this Episode:

Quotes from Dr. Kim

"Marriage is an adventure full of highs and lows, good and bad."
"We live in a culture that tells us we should be happy above all."
"The greatest marriage advice is to ask how can I be a better husband."
"I think if you do the things that we, if couples do the things we're talking about today, you are laying the foundation for those empty nest years to be something very, very special."

Quotes from Greg Smalley:

"Differences are never the problem. The truth is differences are beautiful."
"What creates true connection, what creates intimacy, is safety."
"I want to be the one to love her in that way by affirming her."
"The key is for you to become that perfect person to marry."
"I want my wife's heart rendered open to me."
"It changes our marriages when we start caring about how our spouse felt."
"I want to create a campfire with my wife that we just want to linger around and just enjoy each other."
"Instead of thinking about resolving conflict, think about how do we repair conflict."

Time to Talk About it:

What's a negative thought or assumption I've been believing about you or our marriage lately—and is it actually true?

When we're stressed or things aren't going how we expected, what stories do we tend to tell ourselves about each other?

What's one simple thing we could do this week to feel more safe, connected, and quick to repair things when they go sideways?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Check out Greg Smalley and Focus with the Family
Get a copy of 9 Lies that will Destroy Your Marriage
Awesome Marriage is on Instagram!
Make sure you're checking in with your spouse every week with our FREE Weekly Marriage Check in Guide!

Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Dr. Kim takes everyday 'traffic signs' that we all encounter and applies them to growing your marriage relationship in this plan: Traffic Signs and Your Marriage - Part 1
If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !
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