Marriage Unhindered

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss how growing up in a highly critical home can produce hyper critical children. They share the importance of teaching empathy in daily family life and understanding one another’s emotions. Doug and Monica also tackle listener emails and give advice on topics ranging from gender dysphoria to age gaps in relationships. Listener questions and comments: &middo...

Doug reads a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book: By Love Refined. In this letter, Alice shares the importance of emotional safety and protecting your spouse in marriage. Doug unpacks 4 behaviors that erode trust and 3 behaviors that nurture trust in marriage. Listener questions and comments: ·         How can I balance being positive about a...

Doug shares instances ranging from premarital sex to marital infidelity and asks listeners to call in and share the advice they would give in these situations. Callers weigh in, and Doug gives his advice on how to better communicate in marriage and unpacks the power of forgiveness and regular confession.   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy...

Doug unpacks 3 common mistakes couples make when they are arguing: you think your spouse is the one who needs to change; you protest louder than your spouse; one person checks out and shuts down. Doug discusses ways to avoid these mistakes and what to do if you are victim to these mistakes.   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for L...

Doug answers listener emails and discusses unconditional love and if it’s achievable, checked out husbands, dealing with grief, and how to get help when you need it. Plus, the Friday rant.

What is reverence and how does it apply to your marriage? Doug reads another letter from Alice Von Hildebrand where she discusses the need to have reverence for your spouse.

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...

Doug discusses 15 Clear signs your spouse loves you unconditionally. He speaks of the agape love in marriage and how it ties into how your spouse prioritizes your needs ahead of their needs. He shares that external pressures should not impact your bond in marriage and that forgiveness is the key to unconditional love in marriage.   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunh...

Want to improve your marriage this year? What are some good resolutions you can make? Doug discusses a set of resolutions to help grow your marriage as well as how to continue them further into the year.

Are you married to a selfish person and unsure what to do? Doug unpacks characteristics of selfishness which include: self-centered behavior, lack of empathy, and an unwillingness to compromise. Doug discusses the Christian perspective of selfishness and offers practical tips for those who are married to a selfish person. Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ Happy Mar...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss excessive criticism in children and the problems that it can cause in the future. Plus, how to help your child build up their confidence and push them to be their best.

Doug talks about how to heal family tensions now that the election is over. He reads an email from a listener whose son refuses to come home for Thanksgiving because of the outcome of the election. Doug exhorts listeners to pray for peace, and avoid trying to change their spouse or loved ones. Callers share experiences of political tension in their families. Plus: The Friday Rant!

Are you single and hoping to get married? Are you unsure whether you should marry the person you are dating? Elizabeth Busby, LMFT joins Doug to discuss the importance of discernment before marriage. They also unpack the Theology of the Body and share how to overcome past mistakes related to chastity. Resources: Discerning Marriage https://www.discerningmarriage.com/ Theology of the Body https://t...

Are you considering a divorce and wondering how it might affect your children? Are you trying to heal from a divorce? Bob Atwell joins Doug to share his experience of the tragedy of divorce as a child and as an adult. Bob talks about how real the pain of divorce is, but also shares how sweet the grace of God is when you turn to His healing love. Resources mentioned: Getting away to heal your marri...

Do you ever feel anxious? Do you have trouble making decisions? Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss anxiety and its effect on marriage. Dr. D’Souza shares insight into what can help a person who struggles with anxiety.   Resource mentioned: Values First Therapy https://www.valuesfirsttherapy.com/  

John Edwards joins Doug to share his work of introducing the person of Jesus Christ to the person in the pew. He shares his inspirational conversion from drugs and alcohol to now leading other men closer to Christ in the Catholic Church.   Resource mentioned: Just a Guy in the Pew https://justaguyinthepew.com/

Are you concerned about the number of young people who are abandoning the faith? Are you afraid of forcing the faith on your children? Monica Hinderer, LCPC joins Doug to discuss the importance of passing on the faith to your children. They unpack tips for passing on the faith and the importance of parents leading by example.   Resources:   The Weight of a Mass https://holyheroes.com/pro...

Catholic therapist Greg Schutte joins Doug to discuss the link between the sacraments of matrimony, and the Eucharist – the source and summit of our Faith.      Eucharistic Marriage: https://www.eucharisticmarriage.org/

Doug reads a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book  By Love Refined. In this letter, Alice gives advice on deepening friendships. Doug also unpacks things you should know if you decide to go to marriage therapy. He discusses the importance of gratitude and how it helps keep the focus on the positive. RESOURCES: By Love Refined https://sophiainstitute.com/product/by-love-refined/?srslti...

Doug is joined by Monica Hinderer to continue their discussion about the damage criticism does to children: They share how damaging negative self-talk can be in raising children and the value of positive affirmation to combat the negativity. Doug and Monica tackle listener questions and comments on the following: ·         Doug goes to the mailbag and...

Pete and Carol Tomaselli join Doug to share their experience of healing through Retrouvaille, a marriage help program for struggling couples. They share the origins of Retrouvaille, and discuss the life changing conversions couples have through the Sacraments on Retrouvaille weekends.   Resource mentioned: Retrouvaille Website: https://helpourmarriage.org/

What do you do when your spouse hurts your feelings? Doug unpacks a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book: By Love Refined. In this letter, Alice addresses a young bride who is feeling hurt by something her spouse said. Doug discusses the negativity bias and how to overcome this through prayer, and good communication. Doug gives advice to a listener who is struggling amidst her spouse&rsquo...

Doug unpacks 14 nonnegotiable rules for a lasting marriage. He discusses the importance of respecting boundaries, talking through difficulties, forgiving, embracing differences, and practicing patience. Listener questions: ·         My husband and I got divorced but we never got an annulment. My husband has been remarried and I'm wondering if I'm sinn...

Doug discusses 4 steps forgiveness as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas. He talks about what forgiveness is, is not, and unpacks the value of forgiveness and its impact on mental health.   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://www.catholicther...

Did you grow up in a critical home? Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss how criticism can affect children even into adulthood and how to talk to your children, in a loving way, when you need to correct them.