Focus on the Family Commentary

Is wisdom important to the culture? Jim Daly shares why wisdom empowers us to be strong in ways that not only benefit us, but the people around us.

How can people of different racial backgrounds come together and offer the dignity they each deserve? Jim Daly explains where that process starts. (Original air date: July 27, 2018)

You and your spouse set goals, make plans, and work hard every day. But what do you do when life is beyond your control? Jim Daly explains why being flexible with life but firmly committed to each other is one of the secrets to a happy marriage.

If you're a parent, you'll want to know about a sculptor named Korczak Ziolkowski, who's life’s work has stood in the shadow of Mount Rushmore for decades. His story can teach you a lot about passing on a meaningful legacy to your children and grandchildren. (Original air date: August 8, 2017)

What should you do if your child looks you in the eye and says, "No. I won’t do what you tell me to do"? Jim Daly explains why it's wise for parents to look at the motive underneath their child's behavior before taking action.

In an age of social distancing, it's easy to forget the importance of face-to-face interaction. Jim Daly explains why people who enjoy meaningful relationships are healthier and happier than those without a thriving social life.

A home that swirls with love, fun, and laughter is a home your children will want to come back to again and again for the rest of their lives. If your home is a little too serious, Jim Daly shares tips for turning your home into a place of joy. (Original air date: June 6, 2016)

Good and bad are both important to understanding our nation's history. Jim Daly explains why building a stronger nation won't come from erasing ugly reminders of our past, but by remembering the mistakes, so we don't repeat them.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The way to a father's heart is through hand-written notes. Jim Daly shares the good that comes when families put pen to paper and tell dad, "I love you." (Original air date: Nov. 8, 2018)

When the answers to our country’s problems aren't what we want them to be, are we still willing to accept the answers? Jim Daly explains why pride seeks to be right, but a humble nation seeks truth.

False expectations about marriage get the better of couples all the time. Jim Daly explains why successful couples make their spouse more important than their plans.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Parenting can be peaceful and serene. Other times, moms and dads do their best to hang on through the rough patches. Jim Daly shares about a ski trip that taught him the importance of sticking with your children through tough times. (Original air date: May 26, 2016)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

When the culture erupts into chaos, and violence breaks out in 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.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Husbands and fathers often need to be challenged to strengthen their marriage and their relationship with their children. Jim Daly shares why guys are males at birth, but men by choice. (Original air date: July 5, 2017)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Death is a difficult subject to talk about, especially with children. When a loved one dies, what should parents say? Jim Daly has answers.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

A lot of couples find home improvement a mystery, whether it's fixing a water leak, or fixing a marriage. Jim Daly shares why nothing in your relationship will get done unless you roll up your sleeves and put your plans into action.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Would you like your kids to embrace your values? Then remember this: "Values aren't taught; they're caught." Jim Daly explains what that means. (Original air date: Dec. 2, 2013)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

When life gets tough, where do you find the strength to keep going? Jim Daly shares why just getting to the next tree is one of the secrets to success.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Today's technology allows couples to be easily accessible to one another ... maybe too much. Jim Daly explains why relationships are at their healthiest when there's a good balance between togetherness and separateness. (Original air date: Oct. 3, 2014)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Are logic and reason the only realties? Jim Daly explains why we need a third – the transcendent – to experience life at its fullest and most meaningful.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

What could make it possible for an orphan girl to face her future with optimism and hope for the first time? Jim Daly explains why love has the power to reach into someone’s heart and change it from the inside out.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Would you like your kids to live with more freedom? Then give them boundaries. Sound counterintuitive? Jim Daly shares why it actually makes perfect sense. (Original air date: Dec. 9, 2013)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

When was the last time you and your spouse enjoyed a date night? Has it been a while? Jim Daly shares how couples can come together and reconnect – even in the midst of a busy schedule.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Are you buried under never-ending to-do lists? Are you always thinking ahead to the next thing? Jim Daly explains how distractions cost one working mom almost two years of her life ... and how you can avoid the same fate. (Original air date: April 8, 2016)If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Have you talked to your kids about sex? Jim Daly explains why children are much more likely to adopt a healthy view of sex and sexuality when their parents give them one.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Sometimes 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.

If your marriage seems dead, you may believe there's no hope of bringing it back to life. But sometimes the willingness to try is all you need. Jim Daly explains how to heal your marriage by turning your "I can't" to an "I can." (Original air date: Sept. 2, 2014)

If you suddenly died, what would your family discover on your smartphone? Jim Daly shares why there's no greater gift to offer your family than the certainty of how much you love them.

Many couples would rather fight about who's right and who's wrong instead of solving their problem. Jim Daly explains how couples can reduce their conflict by getting on the same page. (Original air date: Aug. 22, 2014)

If your boss offered you a big raise, would you turn it down? Jim Daly shares a story about a man who sacrificed his own wealth in order to benefit the people around him.

These days, everybody seems to be upset about something. Jim Daly explains why overreacting to issues doesn't bring about positive change. Instead of a culture of outrage, we need a culture of focus.

If you are considering remarriage and you or your fiancée have children, there's an important step you don't want to overlook to get your new stepfamily off to a great start. Jim Daly shares what it is. (Original air date: Jan. 5, 2015)

A quick tip for a happy life is to follow the law ... the moral law. Jim Daly explains why the moral law fills life with peace – even when your decisions cost you.

Fixing stuff is a useful skill for men when it comes to cars and broken lamps. But it's useless when it comes to their wives. Jim Daly helps husbands understand what to do when their wives share their feelings.

Bad things happen when you lose sight of what's important. Jim Daly explains how parents can teach their children to succeed by focusing on what truly matters.

"The Great Gatsby" is considered one of the greatest novels in American literature. But did you know it took years to become successful? Jim Daly shares why it can take weeks, months, even years to see the fruit of your labor.

Building friendships is a process. That can be tough for women who are busy with a career and a family. Jim Daly shares steps that women can take to make the process of developing friendships a little easier. (Original air date: Aug. 31, 2016)

What does a marriage need to be successful? Jim Daly explains the ingredients every couple needs for their marriage to thrive.

Nobody wants problems on their family vacation. But what do you do when they happen? Jim Daly will help you turn life's flat tires into a vacation your family will never forget. (Original air date: Aug. 24, 2017)

To enrich the lives of the people you love, remember this: you can't pour from an empty cup. Jim Daly explains why if you want to give love, grace, and happiness to others, you must first be filled with them yourself.

When there's an elephant in the room, people can't see or hear each other very well. How do you get rid of it? Jim Daly has the answer. (Original air date: May 22, 2018)

Getting to the heart of a matter can be difficult. Our biases get in the way. Jim Daly explains why our culture struggles to solve disputes because none of us are completely objective.

We'll never solve problems like racism by pointing accusing fingers at one another. Jim Daly explains why we can only create a world of love and hope by becoming people of love and hope ourselves.

Racism is a complex problem with no simple answers. But there is one solution that lies at the center of all the others. Jim Daly explains.

Protecting your child from everything disturbing online is impossible. There’s too much bad stuff to avoid it all. So, what’s a parent to do? Jim Daly explains how to help your child navigate the real world and the digital one successfully.

When couples are asked what it takes to have a great marriage, issues like kids and finances usually rise to the top. But do you know what ranks third on that list? Jim Daly shares the answer. (Original air date: Aug. 4, 2014)

When couples are asked what it takes to have a great marriage, issues like kids and finances usually rise to the top. But do you know what ranks third on that list? Jim Daly shares the answer.

“Where is God when we suffer?” is one of the most frequently asked questions in a crisis. Jim Daly offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking answer. (Original air date: March 26, 2014)

Does an activity have to be productive for you to consider it worthwhile? That mindset is great for the business world, but not so much for parenting? Learn what your kids really expect from their time with you.

As good as you may be at seeing your spouse’s shortcomings, there’s probably room to better see yours, as well. Jim Daly explains why pride seeks to be right, but humility seeks to reconcile.