Marriage Unhindered

Doug shares what wives wish their husbands understood. From realizing that romance doesn’t have to be expensive to learning that she often wants to be heard not fixed, Doug offers practical advice to help men become the husbands their wives truly need.   Listener questions and comments: Rich: A conversation with his wife of 25 years about intimacy and emotional safety helped open honest...

Can a marriage survive without trust? Can you have trust in one area of marriage and not the other? Today, Doug shares tips for building trust in your marriage. He unpacks the benefits of trust and explores the difference between emotional, intimate, financial and parental trust.   Listener questions and comments: Adrianna - My adult daughter is in a relationship but it is not good. They figh...

How should you relate to a father who abused you emotionally and physically as a child? Does a pornography addiction invalidate a marriage?  Doug opens up the mailbag and shares advice on these questions and more. Plus: The Friday rant! Listener questions and comments: Cindy - I've been dating a man for three months and not heard an 'I love you'. My boyfriend is not very affectionate. We do h...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their conversation on raising happy children. Listener questions and comments: Lori - When my mother disciplined my brothers, instead of getting mad she would cry.  It was the worst punishment ever. (17:40) Donna - I have a son who's older, and making a career choice. I was worried about him and he went into a trade and he's so happy. (35:45) Mark - My m...

What is holding you back from seeing a marriage counselor? Doug shares reasons couples resist marriage counseling and why just about every married couple can benefit from therapy.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I've been using my sister as my therapist and she's an Atheist. Could you recommend a Catholic group of therapists in my area? (28:38) Rico - My son has a baby out of wedl...

Doug shares reasons why people fall back in love when they get into their 50's. From maturity and self-awareness to an increase in appreciation and self-confidence Doug encourages listeners to rediscover the spark in marriage through prayer, forgiveness and acts of service.   Listener questions and comments: Donna - My husband and I were married for 37 years. We fell in love again while in ou...

JL Marti joins Doug to discuss the devotion to Our Lady of Fair Love sharing how her intercession helps heal marriages and broken families. Doug also goes to the mailbag giving marriage advice on words of affirmation, reconciliation in marriage, and building a strong foundation of communication.   Resources: Fairest Love Family Project https://www.fairestlovefamilyproject.org/   Marriage...

Are you worried that you have a child that never seems happy? Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their conversation on raising happy children. Listener questions and comments: Mary - How do I respond to my husband when he gives me the cold shoulder and doesn't respond to me? (13:38) Gabby - I have a 10-year-old boy who gets really explosive and angry constantly. He blames others for what happe...

Have you ever wondered why some couples fight so much? Are you looking for ways to avoid conflict? Doug shares tips for breaking the cycle of endless arguments and fighting. He shares that even successful marriages aren’t conflict free, but that these couples are better at managing the conflict and repairing the relationship.   Listener questions and comments: Carlos - As couples, we te...

Doug unpacks the importance of emotional intelligence in marriage. He defines emotional intelligence, and identifies 5 core components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Doug also explains what to do if your spouse lacks emotional intelligence which includes avoiding sarcasm and sharing how you truly feel. Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I've been m...

Bai Macfarlane joins Doug to discuss  Mary's Advocates,  where she works to reduce unilateral no-fault divorce and support those who have been unjustly abandoned. They unpack the history of no-fault divorce in the United States, Church teaching on divorce, and the challenge of annulments. Listener questions and comments: Joe - How do I get the Church to intervene with separation in my si...

Doug shares 9 "pink flags" to pay attention to when dating. Doug discusses how success often depends on what flaws and defects you can live with and speaks to the importance of standing firm with your non-negotiable standards. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mary - How do you tell as an older woman that a man isn't just dating you for your money? (36:47) Mark - I lost my wi...

Are you worried that you have an unhappy child? Are you curious how to help a child who is unhappy? Today, Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to raise happy children.   Listener questions and comments: Greg - I disagree a little. It doesn't seem like you had a hard enough stance on when a child says he's gay. (37:20) Marissa - I have two sons in their twenties and they are moving back...

What should a husband do when he discovers his wife is reading sexually explicit books? What should a wife do when her husband stops practicing the faith? Doug tackles these questions and more. Listener questions and comments: Rose - Advice about annulments. Take it at one hour a day. (23:38) Mary Anne - I've been through an annulment. I spoke to a priest who said to focus on the one way that it h...

Dr. Sean Tobin joins Doug to discuss the role the devil plays in disrupting harmony in marriage. Listener questions and comments Sarah - When I get in fights with my husband he will say, 'the devil made me do it.' It sounds like a scapegoat to me. (29:30) Deedee - I was married to a man from the middle east and I’m Hispanic. Our cultures have different levels of affection. What should we do...

Doug answered questions about different marriage related issues Doug answers a email about a verbally abusive husband in a blended marriage, even while the husband goes to mass regularly and even goes to adoration.  (3:30) Brendon (Caller)-Ask how to keep his girlfriend secure as it's a long distance relationship and he's a Division 1 athlete.    (8:26) Henry (Caller)-My wife has as...

Do you feel like you and your spouse are just roommates? Is your spouse emotionally unavailable? Today, Doug discusses loneliness in marriage. He shares the signs and science of loneliness, and offers concrete solutions for overcoming loneliness. PLUS: The Friday rant! Listener questions and comments: Mirna - I can relate to loneliness in marriage. I think my husband might be asexual and my k...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to raise happy children. They give tips on building self-esteem and also share advice for dating and relationships. Listener questions and comments: Martha - My 7-year-old son can get down on himself. How do I build up his self-esteem? (14:05) Lisa - I'm in a relationship and my fiancé cheated on me. He's cheated on me for a third time after I've fo...

Are you dating someone and having doubts? Today Doug shares signs you are trying to force a relationship to work. Listener questions and comments: Rose - My sister is starting a relationship and I'm not sure it’s a good idea because they seem to be moving fast. My sister is 29 and her boyfriend is 35. (9:53) Chris - I was dating a young lady. She asked me to bring back a plastic container. I...

Doug continues his discussion on parenting adult children. Listener questions and comments: Suzette - My adult son doesn't respond to my texts or calls. (9:24) Juan - My son is in his 30s, lives out a homosexual lifestyle and contracted HIV. His health has improved but I am struggling to communicate. How do I talk to my son regarding his lifestyle? (15:28) Frank - I've been sober for over 5 years...

Are you looking for guidance for developing relationships with your children? Today, Doug shares tips for parenting adult children. Listener questions and comments: Flo - Parenting adult children is harder to navigate than toddlers which is more intuitive. My adult kids range from age 23-30. (10:31) Marie - There are differences in how I parent and how my husband parents our adult children. (13:10...

Doug discusses the 4 different types of dads; PLUS: A tribute to all the dads in the world. Listener questions and comments: Pete - As a father, the best moment of my life was when my first child was placed in my hands and nestled up to me. (12:15) Mary Frances - My dad died 5 years ago. When I was little, he was my rock, especially when my mom was sick.  He'd come home late and do evening pr...

Should I marry my baby's father? My husband won't show me his bank account. What should I do when marriage advice doesn't work? Doug goes to the mailbag. Listener questions and comments: Vera - My boyfriend and I had a baby and we did break up. Then after 6 months we started dating, and now have been married for 44 years. We went to Confirmation classes together and got married in the Church. (14:...

Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Doug to share tips for how to date well. They discuss the proper age for children to start dating, and how to instill virtue in your children so they can exercise the virtue when the time comes for them to date. Listener questions and comments: Mary - I have a 17-year-old son who wants to a date a 16-year-old. I'm against it, but he has a driver's license. I don't want them...

Doug continues to share things you can say to your spouse that will breathe new life into your marriage. He shares the importance of working on marriage together trusting that with the grace of God you can overcome any obstacle to a good marriage. Listener questions and comments: Mary - My husband likes to look up ladies on the internet. It’s not pornography but swimsuit models. Should I be...