Simply Relational

About Simply Relational

Welcome to Simply Relational, the podcast that helps you Elevate Marriages and Equip Parents to lead with faith, wisdom, and purpose. In a world that pulls families in every direction, this show is your reminder to slow down, reconnect, and realign your most important relationships with what matters most. Hosted by Darran and Shelly Crager, Simply Relational brings real conversations to the table—ones that honor authenticity and guide couples toward stronger communication, deeper emotional connection, and Christ-centered parenting. Each episode blends biblical truths with practical strategies drawn from real life—helping you build a marriage that endures and a home that flourishes. Whether you’re navigating the early years of parenthood, rediscovering your rhythm as a couple, or working to balance faith and family in modern life, Simply Relational offers teaching, stories, and expert insights to support you every step of the way. You’ll hear from pastors, family coaches, and parents who have learned hard-won lessons about love, forgiveness, resilience, and joy. Expect heartfelt interviews, actionable guidance, and spiritual encouragement that renews your hope and empowers you to lead your home with grace and confidence. At its heart, this podcast is more than advice—it’s a movement toward healthier communication, intentional parenting, and faith-filled living. Because when marriages grow stronger, families thrive, and communities are transformed.

Publisher

Darran Crager and Dr. Shelly Crager

Category

kids & family · religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jun 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 of 17 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   I'm Bored: The Two Words Every Parent Dreads

   Host Emily Greener explores with parents why children struggle with boredom and offers strategies to foster creativity and resilience through unstructured play.

2. 

   13 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Three Paths: One Marriage

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Smalley about the three paths marriages follow and how couples can intentionally strengthen their connection.

3. 

   6 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Tug of War in Marriage

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Smalley about navigating marital conflict using the PAUSE method to foster grace and strengthen relationships.

4. 

   29 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Don't Pick up the Rope: When your Child says "NO"

   Host Dr. Randy Carlson and guest Dr. Brenda Carlson explore strategies for parents to navigate a child's "no" without escalating into power struggles, fostering consistency and healthy boundaries.

5. 

   22 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Won't My Child Listen: Stop Repeating, Start Following Through

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Smalley about practical strategies to help children listen and follow through the first time.

6. 

   15 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Won't My Child Listen: When It's not Disobedience

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. John Townsend about understanding why children struggle to listen and offers practical strategies for parents to foster better communication and cooperation.

7. 

   8 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Don't Miss the Warning Sign

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Smalley about recognizing and heeding crucial warning signs to achieve goals wisely, not just determinedly.

8. 

   1 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   When the Drift Reaches the Bedroom

   Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Thomas about how intimacy struggles signal marital drift and how open conversation reconnects couples.

9. 

   25 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Keeping the Momentum: Five Rhythms That Prevent Drift

   Host [Host Name] explores five essential marriage rhythms with [Guest Name] that prevent relational drift and strengthen connection.

10. 

    18 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Warning Signs of Drifing in Your Marriage

    Host Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Gary Smalley explore four key danger zones that signal a marriage is drifting, offering insights to strengthen your relationship.

11. 

    11 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The Secret To Raising Wise Decision-Makers

    Dr. Greg Smalley and Bob Paulson discuss practical strategies for cultivating wise decision-making skills in children.

12. 

    4 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Discipline Training Hearts, Not Controlling Behavior

    Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. Gary Thomas about biblically guiding children's hearts through discipline, fostering strong character and a healthy marriage.

13. 

    28 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Parenting Wisdom Why Connection Is the Key to Correction

    Host [Host Name] interviews [Guest Name, Credential] about biblical parenting strategies, emphasizing connection before correction to foster stronger child relationships and effective discipline.

14. 

    21 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Growing Strong Roots Raising Children Who Bear Good Fruit

    Host Dr. Greg Smalley interviews Dr. John Fuller about cultivating resilient children by focusing on strong biblical roots rather than perfect outcomes.

15. 

    14 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    From Me to We Building Lasting Connection in Your Marriage

    Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley explore how personal baggage impacts marriage, offering practical tools to foster lasting connection and build a stronger "we."

16. 

    7 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The Myth of Balance Why Equal Isn't Biblical

    Host Emily Crager interviews Dr. Randy Schroeder about prioritizing relationships biblically, moving beyond the myth of balance to establish a healthy order.

17. 

    30 Jun 2026

    When Priorities Shift Everything

    Dr. Greg Crager and Dr. Carol Crager share how prioritizing faith and relationships fuels their 36-year marriage and successful writing careers in this interview.

Inside a recent episode

I'm Bored: The Two Words Every Parent Dreads

Published 20 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I mean, we say that as well. Although I do feel like sometimes maybe we have gone so far the other way that there's so much fear that we're afraid to let our kids outside and experience some of those things. But what happens is instead of letting that free play structure, which is what you were just describing, We have all organized, structured play for the majority of our kids. I see it every day at school and, you know, asking kids, so, hey, what are you doing today after school? Or what did you do on the weekend? You'll almost always hear, oh, I have soccer practice or I had basketball or we had this event that we were with. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1,843 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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