Marriage Unhindered

Sociologist Dr. Brad Wilcox joins Doug to discuss the state of marriage in the U.S.       Resources: Brad Wilcox https://ifstudies.org/about-us/brad-wilcox

Do the problems in your marriage seem insurmountable? Today, Doug continues his discussion on discouragement and despair in marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Alexander - How do I convince my wife to become Catholic? (3:05) Colby - I want to recommend that Alexander looks into the Byzantine rite of the Catholic Church. (16:47) David - What do you do if you were raised in an all-male...

Doug takes calls from listeners struggling with discouragement, resentment, and distance in long-term marriages. He offers guidance on staying faithful to your vows and finding hope when relationships feel strained. Plus, the Friday rant!    Listener questions and comments: Jennifer – My marriage is in despair after 31 years, and my husband is distant and sleeping separately. How d...

Is money causing stress in your marriage? Today, Doug is joined by Preston Allex to talk through practical ways to manage family finances. They cover why creating a family budget matters and how to support college-aged kids as they transition into independence. They also share the value of Catholic Legacy: Faithful planning for a peaceful tomorrow.   Listener questions and comments: Tony - My...

Doug examines the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the damage they do to a marriage: criticism, contempt stonewalling and defensiveness.   Listener questions and comments: Ray - Can you give the steps of what to do once you meet a girl? (16:37)

What should you do when your spouse won’t quit drinking? How do you pass on the faith to your children when your spouse is resistant?   Listener questions and comments: Stephanie - My husband wants to stop drinking and my son doesn't believe that he will. I've seen my son cry about this. My son has prayed for his father. What should I do? (9:59) Jane - I have two teenage boys. Their dad...

Nathan Bartel, founder of Cana Feast joins Doug to discuss things men need to know about their wives and the marital embrace.   Listener questions and comments: Mary - What should a wife do if the wife is not wanting or willing to have sex so she is in the other bed room for days and days. (33:47)   Resources: Cana Feast https://canafeast.com/ https://canafeast.com/holydesires

Kathy Burkes and Fr. John McNamara join Doug to discuss Project Rachel and post abortion healing.   Julia - So many people pushed me to get an abortion when I was 22 and I didn’t go through with it. I’m so glad I didn’t. (18:12) Walt - When we separate the word ‘mother’ from the term 'woman who had an abortion' we go nowhere. People who have abortions are still m...

Doug unpacks a case study about a “stander” from Impossible Marriages Redeemed. A “stander” is a victim of divorce who chooses to continue to live a life faithful to their wedding vows.   Listener questions and comments: Jeannie - We are called to faithfulness, not happiness. (20:40) Jennifer - Thank you for the 'standers' and for what you promote. We can always offer...

Should you get involved to help your parents’ marriage? What can you do if your reversion to the faith is causing more tension in the marriage? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Hellen - My husband and I have been married for 42 years and the Holy Spirit finally got a hold of him and he just converted after all this time. (21:54) Jessica - I also...

Doug takes calls from listeners facing difficult family and marriage situations, including divorce, a child marrying outside the faith, and helping a spouse who spirals into worst-case thinking. The conversation also touches on emotional affairs and second marriages outside the Church. Listener questions and comments: Brian – My brother was just served divorce papers and his wife will not ex...

Doug welcomes Jason Craig to discuss the history of adolescence and how modern culture lost the idea of rites of passage for boys. They explore how families can reclaim the path that forms boys into strong, virtuous men.   Listener questions and comments: Joe – As a 55-year-old man, I struggle with how feminism has shaped attitudes toward men and marriage. How can men and women rediscov...

Doug continues his discussion of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians on the meaning of love [Encore]   Listener questions and comments: Andrea - My parents have marital problems and I feel like I am getting sucked in. I want to balance helping them without crossing the line into their relationship. (11:12) Jamie - I am a practicing Catholic and my wife is having an affair. She wil...

    Doug explores how couples can face change, rebuild trust, and recommit to their marriage when relationships feel broken. With guest Greg Schutte, the conversation also looks at forgiveness, the Eucharist, and why some spouses resist change or struggle to remain faithful to their vows.   Listener questions and comments:   Michelle – My husband believes I am the problem...

Doug explores how conspiracy theories can create division and distrust in marriage and how couples can stay grounded in truth. He also answers a question about dating again after the loss of a spouse. Listener questions and comments: Jo – I am a widow who began dating again, but the relationship ended when he began discerning whether to remain single. Why would someone pull away after things...

How do you deal with unresolved childhood trauma?  How do you set boundaries with the grandparents? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Kyle - My parents are on the verge of divorce. How much should I stay out of it when they try to involve me? (24:56) Deedee - What if the people who harmed you are dead? Are these people aware that they have been for...

How do you heal a broken heart? How do you deal with unresolved childhood trauma? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Christine - I am reading a story of a woman in the Nazi camps who forgave the Nazis for what they did to her. it was so inspiring and reminded me of what you’re saying about forgiveness. (23:17) Jimmy - I was sexually abused by an ol...

Dr. Beth Plachetka joins Doug to discuss the intersection of faith and good mental health.   Listener questions and comments: Adriana - My husband has acute psychosis and he is really unstable. How can I help him? (7:14) Suzie - I was recently diagnosed with depression and I want thoughts on medication. (33:53)   Resources: Dr. Beth Plachetka https://www.safeharboril.com/

Doug goes to the mailbag. One listener disagrees with Doug’s advice and another listener’s husband told her he loves her but wants a divorce.   Listener questions and comments: Jane - In 2016 I was divorced. My husband was in a pervious Catholic marriage. Is it ok for me to go to communion? (34:00) Nancy - Comment on the email: I don’t think the wife is being helpful to her...

Dr. Ed Sri and his wife Beth join Doug to discuss their book - The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.   Listener questions and comments: John - I have a porn addiction that my wife found out about and it led her to discovering inappropriate messages and a past affair. I suffered domestic violence from her this past month, and I'm now in a domestic...

Doug unpacks marriage as a school of love   Listener questions and comments: Allison - I have two children under three and I stay at home. I am wondering what is fair to ask of my husband when he gets home? (19:49) Gabriela - My husband and I went to a therapist and have started spending 10 minutes together and it has really helped. (37:32) Deedee - Why are narcissists unable to show affectio...

Doug discusses codependency in Marriage. He defines codependency and shares the importance of healing yourself before you can heal your marriage, and that finding the right therapist is key in the healing process.   Listener questions and comments: Lupe - I was in this situation and I got out...That girl needs to run! (22:41) Sharon - Your advice frightens me. I wonder what the husband has to...

Doug continues his discussion of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians on the meaning of love   Listener questions and comments: Andrea - My parents have marital problems and I feel like I am getting sucked in. I want to balance helping them without crossing the line into their relationship. (11:12) Jamie - I am a practicing Catholic and my wife is having an affair. She will not go to th...

Does science support or refute St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians when he writes on the meaning of love?   Listener questions and comments: Patsy - I have been married for 47 years and it has been very difficult. He wasn’t present and in the past 10 years I’ve started to saying things and it’s been bad. (8:12) Samantha - Comment for the last caller: There is a book a...

On this episode of Marriage Unhindered, Matt Young joins Doug to discuss suicide prevention.   Listener questions and comments: Elizabeth - I had postpartum depression and I was feeling suicidal at the time. This was 20 years ago. (22:47) Jim - When I served in Vietnam, a soldier was reading a letter, and then immediately killed himself. It was because his girlfriend was breaking up with him....