Marriage Unhindered

Doug shares phrases you can say to your spouse that will breathe new life into your marriage. Listener questions and comments: Dan - There is a tiny fraction of a second to make a decision, and say 'I feel this' and 'I feel that', and step back and evaluate before screwing up. (19:35) Dave - I'm having marital issues and we're about to separate. We have been together 14 years and my adult stepchil...

Can you have too much laughter in marriage? Doug unpacks a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book By Love Refined , sharing that while laughter is important, it can be superficial and a relationship should not be solely based on it. Love and service are the true hallmark of a real marriage. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mary - After 30 years of marriage, I couldn't...

Doug shares why you should have children before you are ready, how to raise emotionally intelligent children, and how to help your sons overcome laziness. Listener questions and comments: Sharla - I'm and nurse and I see younger families come in and they roll with things and are more relaxed as the years go by after having more babies, as opposed to those who waited longer. (19:09) Resources: Rele...

Are these the tough years? What happens when married life becomes boring? What happens when a husband doesn’t provide enough financial support for his wife? You be the therapist! Callers weigh in and Doug shares his advice on what to do in these situations. Listener questions and comments: Sue - The couple in the first situation should make sure to have a date night every week. It’s al...

Doug shares highlights from Pope Leo’s homily from the Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the elderly stressing the importance of maintaining unity within marriage. Doug encourages listeners to let their marriage be an example to the world as a representation of God’s love for all mankind. Doug also unpacks a chapter from the book The Spiritual Combat , sharin...

Do you or your child struggle with anxiety or scrupulosity? Is it having a negative effect on you or your marriage? Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss what scrupulosity is, is not and how to treat it. Listener questions and comments: Barbara - I have had OCD all of my life. What helps me is the Surrender prayer Which I pray every day. Also what helps me are the first three steps of 12...

Are you in a relationship and wondering if you are compatible? Doug discusses what couples should know before they tie the knot. He identifies red flags couples ignore that could lead to a difficult marriage or even divorce. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mark - If you're going to marry someone and you're a Catholic, you should marry another Catholic. You would think that...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how to teach children the virtue of resilience. They address the idea of the “perfect parent” sharing the impact of acknowledging our imperfections as parents, learning from mistakes, and modeling resilience and accountability for our children. Listener questions and comments: Maria - I'm a mother of a 2-year-old. The doctor sa...

Doug discusses how to be a good and virtuous man. He unpacks 6 qualities of a good man sharing the importance of man’s role to protect their wives physically, emotionally and spiritually. Listener questions and comments: Lydia - We lead marriage enrichment retreats and share the importance of patience, kindness, and gentleness. They are marriage healers. (20:01) Barbara - My husband and I fe...

Doug shares how to recover and heal from a fight. He unpacks the 5-step process for healing which includes sharing how you felt during the fight, describing your perception of what happened during the fight, sharing what escalated the interaction for you, taking responsibility, and coming up with constructive plans. Mary & Joe - Just minutes ago, my husband came up to me and shared that he wan...

What does it take to have a happy marriage? What can take away from a happy marriage? Today, Doug discusses the virtues that make for a happy marriage. He also shares three tips for a successful marriage. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Tessa - My husband and I started dating in high school. We have been working out together, and it is so much fun. (19:32) Jerry - Can those...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to teach your children the virtue of resilience. They stress the importance of having consistent loving caregivers and responsive attention at an early age. Listener questions and comments: David - How do I help my daughter forgive and move on? (8:02) Kathleen - I have a 22-year-old who's constantly arguing. He has ADHD, and I'm wanting to know how to hand...

Doug discusses the importance of setting boundaries in marriage. He shares how boundaries are like property lines and help to protect your values, energy, time and let your spouse learn how he or she can love you more and bring more joy into your life. Doug unpacks the types of boundaries: emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual and shares where God set boundaries in the Bible. Listener questio...

Doug unpacks a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. In this case, the young couple were married at a very young age after the woman found out she was pregnant. Faced with numerous challenges including marital infidelity, and separation this couple overcame many obstacles through patience, understanding and ultimately the grace of God. Listener questions and comments: Davi...

Are you looking for ways to become your spouses’ best friend? Today Doug unpacks companionate love as a key to a great marriage. Doug also discusses the healing nature of the annulment process, jealousy in marriage, and why people become defensive. Listener questions and comments: Aaron - I'm a fallen away Catholic and thinking about coming back. Do I need to go through the annulment process...

Doug gives advice on the appropriate age to start dating, the purpose for dating, and shares standards that will help couples have a holy and chaste relationship. Doug also discusses red flags indicative of a narcissist: love bombing, false empathy, gas lighting and lack of boundaries. Plus: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mary - My daughter has been dating someone for a couple o...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss the importance of listening to your children, talking to your children, and setting boundaries. They share how to affirm emotions, what to do with a bossy child, and how to help your child learn to to apologize. Resources: Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle

Doug continues to unpack ways to say I love you without saying the words. He shares the importance of working together and affirming one another to build a firm foundation in your marriage. Listener questions and comments: Annie - I share a selfie text with my husband and he responds with an “I love you”. (15:22) Caesar - I cook for my wife to show her I love her. (17:03) Carol - Shut...

Do you tell your spouse that you love them every day? Today, Doug shares 11 ways to say I love you without saying the words. Listener question and comments: Keri - I used to leave little notes in my husband’s socks or in his suitcase, sharing what he means to me. (14:04) Resources: Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle  ...

Doug unpacks necessary skills for conflict management. He shares the importance of knowing how to calm down, breath slowly, and pray about the conflict at hand. Listener questions and comments: Carol - My husband and I went to marriage counseling and it helped. A tip I learned: Grab an object, and as long as you are holding this object, it's a safe zone and you can't lose your temper. (39:59) Dian...

Doug shares the single most important habit for a strong marriage and discusses how to build an emotional connection with your spouse; Plus: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Marissa - Prayer as a couple and doing things as a couple will save your marriage. (8:43) Marci - Advice for marriage: If you're wrong admit it, and if you're right, shut up. (10:41) Sylvia - Doug and his wife...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss ways to show your children you love them. Listener questions and comments: Nora - A memory my daughter shared with me was from when she was 5. She explained to me how I made her feel safe by playing with her hair. Erin - My child's father is deceased and the grandfather has passed as well, so there's no other men in the family. How can I find her a male role m...

Are you looking to be a better husband? From making your wife laugh, to showing your wife you love her in a meaningful way, Doug unpacks 11 ideas for husbands to make their wives feel well loved. Listener questions and comments: Bree - I love the list that you gave. This could also be applied for a wife to a husband. I struggle with procrastination. My husband is early to everything. (43:10) Resou...

Doug unpacks ways women can connect with their husbands on an emotional level. He takes a deep dive into the male psyche and unpacks the importance of compliments, physical touch, interest in hobbies, being thoughtful, listening, flirting, and revealing yourself and thoughts. Listener questions and comments: Resources: Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/...

Doug unpacks things you can say during a fight to calm the waters when things get heated. Plus: One minute to a Rekindled Heart. Listener questions and comments: Dee - My husband and I are separated due to his drug addiction that he kept from me. I thought he was sober the last four years. There are anger issues and he's accused me of stuff. He wants me back. What am I supposed to do? (20:19) Al -...