Marriage Unhindered

How should you handle an out-of-town family reunion when one of your grandchildren wants to share a room with their live-in boyfriend? Why can’t my wife see that I have changed for the better? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Rosie - I am in a second sacramental marriage and in the eyes of God and the Church, but not the sta...

Dr. John Bergsma joins Doug to discuss his book,  Love Basics for Catholics.   Listener questions and comments: Sharon - I have two children who are good Catholics but are unmarried. They don’t have good places and ways to meet. (21:52) Bob - My daughter runs speed dating in Arizona. There has been some success with it. (41:22) Ralph - I think these kids should be looking for Chris...

Are you in a difficult marriage? Are the people around you encouraging you to get a divorce? Today, Leila Miller joins Doug to discuss fidelity to your marriage vows even when it’s difficult.   Listener questions and comments: Joe - I have a friend who is considering an annulment. What should I say to him? (18:42) Vinnie - America is a throw-away culture, so it encourages this problem....

Rachael Killackey of Magdala Ministries joins Doug to discuss the often-overlooked issue of pornography addiction among women. Together, they explore why women struggle with pornography, the underlying factors that can contribute to addiction, and the hope available for healing. They also discuss the role of forgiveness in the recovery process and offer practical guidance for husbands who want to...

Should you change your name after a divorce? What do you do when your wife has a chronic, incurable illness, and most of the responsibilities at home fall on you and your children? How do you cope when your wife feels guilty and worries about the burden placed on you? Do struggles with pornography make it difficult to give full consent to marriage? Doug goes to the mailbag, answering these questio...

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Doug to discuss his book Forming Families, Forming Saints . Together, they explore how human and spiritual formation help cultivate virtue and shape families into communities of faith, fostering the growth of future saints.   Listener questions and comments: Len - I just bought the book! Lots of wisdom. I will order 8 more! (37:39)   Resources: Forming Families,...

Should your daughter be allowed to wear a bikini? Is it possible to be too busy to work on your marriage? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Renee - I grew up in a strict dressing household, especially swimwear. It's a parent's responsibility to teach modesty in girls. (14:30)   Resources: Men, Women and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from...

Doug explores two very different perspectives on marital intimacy. On one side is a young woman who is terrified of consummating her marriage. On the other is a couple who is cohabitating because they fear divorce.   Listener questions and comments: Connie - I have been married for 30 years and debate whether divorce is an option. We have three adult kids and my husband is an alcoholic. (10:0...

Doug unpacks the challenges of getting married after the death of your spouse and what to do when it feels like everything is going wrong.   Listener questions and comments: Karen - My spouse has drug and alcohol problems and is not able to get help for himself. I'm exhausted from this. (5:30)   Resources:   Searching for and Maintaining Peace https://bit.ly/4wkqb7F   Trustful...

Doug shares practical guidance on how individuals and couples can begin the difficult process of recovering from an affair, rebuilding trust, navigating the emotional challenges, and working toward healing and restoring their relationship. Doug also shares ten classic novels boys should read and unpacks dating advice for men.   Listener questions and comments: Daniel - How do you go about dat...

Are you married to someone with an explosive temper? If so, how do you deal with it? Today, Doug unpacks what it’s like to live with someone diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder.   Listener questions and comments: Joe - My wife has a bad temper. Do you have any helpful suggestions? (20:44) Tilly - I have a 53-year-old nephew who lives at home and he has anger management issues...

Doug shares 6 things that happily married men do well. He also gives dating advice and unpacks the four types of love.   Listener questions and comments: Steve - My wife doesn’t feel an emotional connection. What should I do? (30:50) Mary - Start by complimenting your spouse and kiss each other for 10 seconds and dance in front of your family. (47:00)   Resources:   6 things h...

Doug explores modern relationships from every angle—from the dangers of creating an AI soulmate to offering practical dating advice for those seeking a real human connection. PLUS: The Friday rant.   Listener questions and comments: Tracey - Monica said that people with personality disorders have trouble with relationships. Could you expand on that a little? It speaks to our daughter an...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how parents unknowingly harm their relationship with their adult children.   Listener questions and comments: Carolyn - What do you do when your child is in a same sex relationship and looking at marriage? (18:43) William - I have a daughter getting involved with a man who thinks he is a woman. She has threatened to cut us off. (27:41...

Steven Hemler joins Doug to discuss his book - The Busy Parent's Guide to the Catholic Faith: Short Answers to the Big Questions. They unpack the scientific proof for God, stages of faith, and bringing adult children back to the faith.   Listener questions and comments: Ed - I have been reading Fr. Spitzer’s book 'Faith, Science, and Reason' and it is really great on this topic. (29:06)...

Doug discusses forgiveness after the discovery of a secret pornography addiction. He also shares the journey of rebuilding a marriage that was nearly destroyed by years of alcoholism.   Listener questions and comments: Carol - I have two friends who are married 30 years and the man called me crying because his wife had an affair for 3 months. She wants to go on a Retrouvaille weekend but he t...

Doug explores lessons on marriage from the saints. Yesterday, the Church celebrated the feast of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin. Today, we commemorate the feast of Saint Henry II and his wife, Saint Cunigunde. Doug also examines what can be learned from Blessed Charles of Austria and his witness to married life.   Listener questions and comments: Amy - You can surprise your spouse with...

Doug answers listener questions about contraception, intimacy, and openness to life in today's mailbag. He also tackles questions about past trauma and prudence in family planning and closes the show with the Friday Rant on no-fault divorce. Listener questions and comments: Marie – My husband and I discovered a beautiful way to have date nights while traveling in Italy. May I share our exper...

What happens when a seemingly perfect marriage ends in divorce? Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller, discussing the impact of selfishness on a marriage and how daily prayer can save your marriage. He also continues his commentary on the 5:1 ratio you need to practice to keep love alive. [ENCORE]   Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.leilamiller.ne...

Doug discusses the writings of Arthur Brooks as he talks about death, emotional distress and attractiveness.   3:43-On Death  and How it Relates to Happiness 12:47- On Emotional Distress 24:15 Leah-What are your thoughts are for having a dating relationships with someone who has an eating disorder that is undiagnosed and untreated? 36:43 Deedee-Regarding Arthur Brooks. I remember se...

Doug answers numerous questions from emailers ranging from non practicing son coming home with his family; how to live with an alcoholic spouse and fatherly relationship compared to God the father relationship 3:45-How to handle a son who got married outside the Church and wants to bring his family home for a visit 12:14-How to live with an alcoholic spouse  24:44 Susan-I have a friend w...

Adam Lane Smith joins Doug as they talk about exploring how to form secure attachment bonds with your spouse, children and friends.  Ben--My biggest challenge is coming to my wife and she turns things on me. I don't want things to blow up but they always do.  How do I prevent that?  (26:09) Gene-My wife ignores me and I'm avoidant because it always leads to an argument. (30:06) Mary...

What do you do when your future father-in-law is getting in between you and your fiancé? Should you talk to your daughter about concerns you have with her 11-year-old? Should you be concerned that your daughter is dating a single dad? Doug goes to the mail bag.   Listener questions and comments: Brenda - I am a single mother and I think that it takes a lot of discernment. It’s ha...

Doug shares tips for surviving the 4th of July picnic with family while avoiding arguments.   Listener questions and comments: Doug - At the family functions there is an emphasis on the drinking during the 4th. I can’t drink because my dad is an alcoholic so I want to know what I should do. (29:27) Jane - My son in law's father died from alcohol and I find that he drinks too much....

Are you a victim of a no-fault divorce? Today, Mary Bowan joins Doug to discuss her efforts to overturn the no-fault divorce law in Texas.   Listener questions and comments: Patrick - I went through a no-fault divorce and my wife threatened to say 'cruel and unusual punishment' which just means she is mean to me. (23:46) Karen - This happened to me and they called it irreconcilable difference...