Marriage Unhindered

Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Doug to discuss the gift of marriage. They unpack the sacramental nature of marriage and the importance of emotional intimacy in marriage. Listener questions and comments: Patty - I need advice for my marriage. How can I be more emotionally intimate with my husband of 31 years? Maria - What about marriages without God as a foundation? How do I give advice to them? Shirley -...

Are you unsure if your child has autism? Today, Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss how to raise children with autism? They share statistics that point to the increase in autism diagnosis and the contributing factors. Listener questions and comments: Mary - I have a child diagnosed with autism. Intervention does work and she's in college now. She was diagnosed at 4 years old. (20:23) Sally - I h...

"You be the therapist". What counsel would you give a wife who is deciding if she should tell her husband about an affair she had years ago? Should you even try to fix a marriage that has been dead for a dozen years? Listener questions and comments: Lori - I would have the woman go to spiritual direction. The truth has to come out. I also recommend a 12 step program. Mary - They can't have intimat...

Doug unpacks a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. In this case, the couple fought every day for 40 years but after prayer and effort saved their marriage. Doug shares how toxic contempt and stonewalling are in marriage. Doug also discusses how to apply the message of Divine Mercy in marriage. Listener questions and comments: Julie - My husband and I visited my sister an...

Carolyn Klika joins Doug to discuss her divorce support organization - Abounding Joy Ministry. They unpack the importance of working to save marriages and offer support for victims of divorce. Listener questions and comments: Evelyn - I am separated from my husband who is suffering from mental illness. How can I save my marriage? (18:43) Michael - My wife told me she wanted to leave 3 weeks ago. I...

What happens if you lose faith in your husband? What do you do if there is physical abuse in your marriage? What do you do when you learn secrets about your spouse's past? Doug answers these questions and more. Plus: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Rebecca - My husband is going through a midlife crisis and left the family. What should I do? (21:00) Erica - Why would adultery...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to raise happy children. They share how shielding your children from negative emotions can lead to over protection and how navigating unhappiness can teach your children resilience. They also explain how to model happiness through parental behavior and unpack the importance of focusing on emotional connection over striving for perfection.

Doug helps a wife who appears to be the sole provider for the family and what to do in that situation. (3:47)   Doug answers an email from a wife who is thinking about giving up in their marriage (8:32)   Doug answers an emailer who thinks a pre-nup is okay. (13:56) Doug answers a question about how to approach counseling with a fragile narcissist.(31:40)   Doug answe...

Doug shares a positive email from a wife bragging about her husband. (3:05) He helps an individual who has been dating her boyfriend for nine years. (10:00)  Doug gives advice to a mother who's daughter who co-habitating and how to ask about marriage. Listener questions and comments: Michael-How do I make sure to get a good Catholic marriage counselor. (7:11)    Monica- How do you d...

Doug is joined by his daughter Katie as she is currently in Rome when she heard the news that Pope Francis died and gives her perspective of the atmosphere there (6:18). Doug then discusses Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation about marriage, "Amoris Laetitia" (Joy of Love).  (20:26) Listener questions and comments: Austen -Shares his thoughts on Pope Francis and the inspiration he gave to him...

Is suffering a good thing? Doug explores the role of suffering in sanctifying marriages. He unpacks the value of redemptive suffering for the conversion of sinners and points to the importance of sharing in Christ’s cross to bring healing in our marriage. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Stephanie – Do you have any advice for spiritual warfare in marriage? (38:52...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on what kids notice about adults without the adults being aware of it. They also address parent and child interaction related to early childhood struggles.   Listener questions and comments: Gracie - I am a lactation consultant and want to clarify that cortisol is not passed through breast milk. (10:45) Martha - Does the Church allow sep...

Doug continues his discussion on how to be happy in your marriage. He reviews what St. Thomas Aquinas said about happiness and shares the importance of exercising the 4 Cardinal virtues. Doug unpacks the scientific approach to happiness: mother nature does not care if you are happy; lasting happiness comes from happiness, not hacks; happiness is love. Listener questions and comments: Lisa - We've...

Is it possible to be happy in a difficult marriage? Today Doug discusses how to be happy in your marriage. He shares wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas and shares how living a virtuous life leads to happiness. Listener questions and comments: Joe - Is it possible for someone with borderline personality disorder to heal and have a happy marriage? (10:29) Bob - My wife and I have different ideas about s...

Jim and Maureen Otremba join the show to discuss how couples could use the Easter Triduum to strengthen their marriages.  They also talk about the importance of charity in marriages.   And then they take questions about marriages.   Listener questions: Sarah:  I have a friend whose husband does not respect her. How can I respect her and support her? Michelle:  My...

In addition to respect, acceptance, trust, affection, and words of affirmation, Doug continues to unpack men’s emotional needs including intimate fulfillment, physical desire, honesty, security, prioritization, and support. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Sarah - I'm single and I wanted to be married and have children. Why would God want me to not be married? (20:28)...

Do your kids learn more about what you say or what you do? Today, Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss things kids notice about adults without the adults being aware of it. Listener questions and comments: Teresa - My son is 30 years old, but when he was 7 years old, I was fighting with my husband and said quietly 'I hate you' about my husband. My son was not happy. (18:53) Teresa - Our communica...

Doug unpacks men’s emotional needs in relationships including respect, acceptance, trust, affection, and words of affirmation. Listener questions and comments: Edward - I think men's emotional needs are fulfilled with physical intimacy. (9:30) Mary Alice - What do you do when your husband is bragging about you in public, but not at home. There's verbal abuse, almost like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. H...

Doug shares a story from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. After 20 years of her husband’s lies, infidelity and pornography addiction the wife in this case knew that divorce was not an option. While this wife wanted to run the other way, she realized that her husband needed healing and conversion. The husband committed to sobriety and the wife committed to forgiveness. Doug stre...

Doug and Monica Hinderer give advice on childhood emotions and discuss the importance of stressing that the intellect controls the emotions and it is critical to teach children to think the right way. Doug and Monica also share what to do if you were raised in a highly critical home and give tips for what to do if you are in an abusive relationship. Listener questions and comments: Jack – I...

Doug unpacks unrealistic expectations that can destroy your marriage. Whether you expect constant romance, to agree on everything, or have the same parenting style, Doug gives insight into the importance of healthy communication and the ability to be honest about your relationship. PLUS: The Friday Rant!   Listener questions and comments: Martha - We've been married quite a while and my husba...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing the impact of chatbots on children. They share the importance of children using their imagination but point to the danger of chatbots due to the difficulty in differentiating between an online program and a real person. Monica speaks to the underlying problem of loneliness in our culture and the anecdote of giving our children real life experiences of feeling...

Doug unpacks what spiritual healing looks like when childhood trauma warps your view of God. He shares an article from Jaimie Eckert who gives tips for healing including: recognizing that God is not your past, healing past wounds through biblical meditation, forging healing connections in the Body of Christ, and seeing God as He is. Listener questions and comments: Dominic - I'm getting married th...

Do you feel comfortable talking to your spouse about sex? Renzo and Monica Ortega join Doug to discuss their book, Lovemaking: How to talk about sex with your spouse. Listener questions and comments: Ed - I got married young. My wife said 'Spank Me', and I didn't want to do that. I found out she was molested when she was younger.  Mary - What do you do when your spouse is an alcoholic? Resour...

Doug unpacks 12 ways to keep your spouse deeply in love with you. From making your spouse feel like the most important person in the room, to surprising each other in the ways that matter, these tips will help to keep your love from growing stale. 12 ways to keep your spouse deeply in love with you Make your spouse feel like they are the most important person in the room. Don’t let life get...