Marriage Unhindered

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 a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. Overcome by grief from her sister’s death, the wife in this story decided to file for divorce. After her husband’s remarriage, and much prayer. the couple ultimately reconciled. Doug discusses how big emotions can lead to bad decisions and that the secret to overcoming grief is focusing on helping other peopl...

Doug discusses how marriage is affected when the wife is the primary breadwinner. Callers weigh in with their perspectives and experience. Doug shares the pros and cons when the wife is the primary breadwinner Listener questions and comments: Mike - My wife has made more money for the last 40 years. Why would that be perceived as a problem?   Is there any Catholic position on this? Sarah...

Doug shares possible reasons why a husband has no interest in intimacy, how a wife can overcome procrastination, and what to do if your husband is a party animal. Doug unpacks the value of suffering and shares how it can unite us with the love of Christ. Listener questions and comments: Frank – I’m not married but I enjoy the program. How do I know God’s plan in my life? John &nd...

Doug shares first date red flags, his list of what to avoid, and what to look for on a first date. PLUS: The Friday Rant! First date red flags: arriving late, using the phone too much, high jacking the conversation, talking about your ex, debating everything, being overly touchy, expecting intimacy, complaining about everything, and splitting the bill. Listener questions and comments: Susie - I am...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to make sure your children know you love them. They share the importance of affirmation, setting boundaries, and being honest and authentic. Doug tackles a listener email in which a mom asks if it is OK for her daughter to go on an overnight trip with her boyfriend’s family. Doug and Monica weigh the pros and cons. Callers share their opinions. Liste...

Doug unpacks the qualities of a good husband. He stresses the importance of a wife’s primary place in her husband’s life, husbands being emotionally available, mutual love, and respect. Doug also unpacks the 5 intimacies in marriage. How do you honor your father and mother and still honor your wife and children? Doug answers this email question reminding the listener that it is importa...

On day two of National Marriage Week, Doug discusses the qualities of a good wife. From spending quality time with her husband to showing unwavering respect for her husband, Doug unpacks these qualities a man should hope for in a good wife. Listener questions and comments: Cooper – My wife was unfaithful so I filed for divorce. Should I have stayed in the marriage and tried to make it work?

Jim and Maureen Otremba join Doug to discuss Worldwide Marriage Day and contemporary difficulties in marriage. They unpack Colossians 3:12-17 and speak to God’s love for His people and to the heartfelt compassion we should have for our spouse. Listener questions and comments: Nick - I've been married for 20 years. My wife feels that the way we follow each other on the phone location is a con...

Doug reads an email from a man who struggles with sexual addiction and wants to save his marriage. Doug shares the importance of divine intervention through confession, mortification, and prayers of deliverance. Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. In this situation, the husband was living a double life and having an affair. The marriage was healed through t...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to explore the dangers of raising children to be overly self-reliant. Self-reliance can be a good thing but sometimes becoming overly independent can lead to a lack of trust and missed opportunities for growth. Doug and Monica discuss the spiritual dimension and how hyper independence can lead to a lack of trust in God. Listener questions and comments: Jessica – We...

Doug reviews ways to reconnect with your spouse. Today he shares the value of exploring various forms of intimacy. He unpacks the 5 forms of intimacy in marriage which are physical, emotional, intellectual, experiential and spiritual. Doug reads an email from a listener whose ex-boyfriend struggled with an alcohol addiction. After some time of sobriety, he wants to get back together. Doug shares t...

Doug goes to the mailbag and shares advice for a woman who is struggling because her husband is not sexually attracted to her. Doug details the destructive nature of pornography. Another email presents a husband who wants to take a break to pursue his meaning in life. Doug speaks to the importance of selfless love and how the power of prayer can bring through through this difficult time. Listener...

Doug continues to unpack ways to reconnect with your spouse. He shares the importance of gratitude and making a daily effort to let your spouse know how important they are in your life. Listener questions and comments: Martha - I've been to counseling with my husband. Everything Doug says, I do, and my husband says he'll do, but he doesn't. He says that 15 minutes a day too much time. What should...

Feeling disconnected from your spouse is a common problem many experience after years of marriage. Today, Doug unpacks ways to reconnect with your spouse. Doug shares the importance of investing one percent of the day with your spouse and taking the time to actively listen to your spouse. PLUS: The Friday Rant. Listener questions and comments: Mary – How to I practice reflective listening wi...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on being raised in a highly critical home. In this episode, they unpack how overly critical parents can lead children to become people pleasers. They share how people pleasers tend to suppress their own emotions and have lower self-esteem and offer solutions to help those who struggle with people pleasing.   Listener questions and commen...

Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug discussing how to parent an anxious child. He includes common differences between mom's approach, dad's approach and why they are both wrong. Dr. D’Souza shares resources to help parents with children struggling with anxiety and speaks to the importance of avoiding parental accommodations, showing empathy, and restoring confidence. Listener questions and c...

Doug continues his discussion on reasons why couples fall out of love. He shares the importance of putting God first, then your spouse, then your children. Doug speaks to the value of rekindling the love of friendship with your spouse, reconnecting on shared hobbies, and keeping the commitment of time with your spouse by planning regular date nights.   Listener questions and comments: Mary -...

Doug shares reasons why people fall out of love. He stresses the importance of staying connected through regular prayer, date nights and communicating about your hopes and dreams.   Listener Questions and comments: Maria - I have been married about 40 years and have had a good friend for 15 years. I sacrificed my friendship for my marriage. How can I save both? Rick - I'm in the process of a...

Greg Schutte joins Doug to continue their conversation on the Building a Eucharistic marriage course , a 7-part video series, which connects 7 areas for therapeutically strengthening your marriage with 7 areas of deepening your relationship with Christ through the Eucharist. Doug and Greg discuss the importance of listening to the heart of your spouse and how this leads to better communication and...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug for part 6 of their series on the negative effects of excessive criticism on children. They discuss hyper defensiveness when a child always feels like they are always under the microscope and share key insights into how you can criticize the behavior and not the child.   Listener questions and comments: David - I was getting beaten up in school at 3rd grade. I was w...

Doug unpacks the importance of forgiveness in marriage. He shares that while forgiveness is an act of the will, our faith can motivate us to make the right decision. Doug discusses why it is so difficult to forgive and gives reasons to forgive your spouse. Listener questions Art - How do you show mercy to someone when they're flawed and about to end the marriage? Barbara - My husband passed away 6...

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. Doug and Dr. Sacasa give advice to callers. 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?...

Doug answers listener emails and calls, giving advice on a variety of topics ranging from divorce and defects in marriage to working on having an overall stronger marriage. Doug encourages those in troubled marriages to focus on the positive aspects of their marriage and to use therapy to help fix what they cannot fix on their own.   Listener calls: Joseph - I have been married for 35 years a...

What are the dangers of porn and how does it destroy marriages? Doug discusses how to help someone with a porn addiction and how to love them through it. Plus: the Friday rave.   Pornography Resources   Catholic Resources Websites: Roadtopurity.com  IntegrityRestored.com MattFradd.com Catholic.com – Overcoming Porn Addition Covenanteyes.com Instituteformaritalhealing.com Recla...