Marriage Unhindered

What does it mean to be joined together in matrimony? What is the difference between natural and sacramental marriage? Fr. Robert Altier joins Doug to tackle these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - If the wife concealed the fact that she was infertile, is that grounds for an annulment? (12:45) Susie - We were married by a protestant minister as non-practicing Cat...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss tips for dealing with a grumpy teenager.   Listener questions and comments: Clara - How do you handle balancing your emotions and venting while dealing with teens? (22:38) Sarah - You both are super helpful. How do we speak to teens about helping around the house and being attentive to the needs of people and the household? (32:29) Len - There is a great...

Whose responsibility is it that you are in a good marriage? Doug continues to share common phrases that can help each spouse take responsibility in strengthening their marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Michelle - My husband is in recovery for drug and alcohol addiction right now, and he has taken on the addiction of working, and I want to navigate through this while he can’t...

Have you ever used ChatGPT to gain a deeper understanding of your spouse? Have you used AI to help you understand your spouse's emotions? Today, Doug discusses the harm ChatGPT is doing to marriages.   Listener questions and comments: John - My friend used ChatGPT to do therapy, but he kept it from his girlfriend. It led to the end of their relationship. (21:34) Angelica - I used AI to be pla...

Dr. Christine Bacon joins Doug to discuss her book,  The Super Couple . PLUS: 6 faulty assumptions of a super marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Kimberly - My husband was in a substance abuse program, and I didn't know about it. I found out the hard way. How can I support him from a spouse's perspective? He's not Catholic, and he's adamant about divorcing me but also wants to b...

Dr. Alexandra Marcotte joins Doug to discuss why couples fight and how to rebuild trust.   Listener questions and comments: Julia - How can you regain trust after it’s been lost? I lied to my future husband to help a friend, and I lost his trust. (11:21) Kathy - I am a graduate of DMU, and I can’t speak more highly of it. I am actually in the EFT class! (20:54)   Resources: &...

The holiday season is here, and with it comes stress and anxiety. Today on Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss the concept of Optimal Work and how it can reduce anxiety in your life.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - If you lack prudence, do you end up with depression or anxiety? (24:05) Zizi - How do I let God take care of all my worries so I don't w...

Doug explores the Knights of Columbus booklet, God’s Plan for Love and Marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Liz - I am in a marriage where my husband is not a Christian and he sees my faith as exclusive and a wedge. How do I address this? I have been married for 26 years. (21:06) Bobby - How do you connect with someone who is selfish? (39:27)   Resources: God's Plan for Lov...

Joe Sikorra joins Doug to discuss his book  Defying Gravity.  They also discuss post traumatic growth, sharing how we can heal through finding purpose and meaning in suffering and trusting in God’s will for us.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - Is there such a thing as one type of suffering being more valuable than the other, such as spiritual over physical? (18:05)...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss tips for dealing with a grumpy teenager.   Listener questions and comments: Clara - How do you handle balancing your emotions and venting while dealing with teens? (22:24) Sarah - You both are super helpful. How do we speak to teens about helping around the house and being attentive to the needs of people and the household? (32:15) Len - There is a great...

Conor Gallagher joins Doug to discuss his book:  Raising Blue-Collar Kids in a White-Collar World.   Listener questions and comments: Ilene - What do you have to say about kids who are great in public, getting tons of praise but at home are really bad. (18:14) Paul - My mom always said 'offer it up' to any problem my kids have and we can link it to the Mass. (24:15) Brother John - Do you...

Is it healthy to never argue with your spouse? What should you do if you discover your father is having an affair? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Samantha - My friend wants to get married but the guy is not Catholic or a US citizen. What's good advice for my friend without being a know-it-all? (18:14) Stefano - How do you deal with lust in a dating r...

Doug takes on a difficult mailbag question facing many parents: whether it is better for children to divorce or endure a home marked by emotional abuse. He also explores how parenting styles can unintentionally foster narcissism in children. Listener questions and comments: Sandra – I ended a 40-year marriage after realizing staying caused psychological harm to my children. Was leaving the r...

Doug goes to the mailbag and tackles topics such as premarital relations for seniors, narcissistic sisters-in-laws, and emotional affairs.    

Doug continues to share how to solve communication problems in your marriage. He also gives advice for a woman who is fed up wither husband’s constant criticism of her little flaws.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - My wife is dealing with alcohol and your points don’t seem like they would apply to our situation. (35:49) Brenda - I have been married for 32 years. We are...

Do you feel as if there is no hope left in your marriage? Today, Bill and Carol L’Esperance join Doug to discuss their book, Road Trip: Journey of Friendship, Love, Marriage, Divorce, and Redemption.   Resources: Road Trip: Journey of Friendship, Love, Marriage, Divorce, and Redemption: Our Story for His Glory https://bit.ly/3KVnTJB   Rekindled Hearts https://relevantradio.store/pr...

Are you frustrated that you and your spouse cannot communicate without getting upset or hurt feelings? Today, Doug shares how to solve communication problems in your marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - I didn't sign the divorce papers and I want to stand by my marriage vows. How do I proceed? (21:18) George - Is it better to not say anything or is it better to sleep in the l...

Pete and Carol Tomaselli join Doug to share a message of hope and healing for couples. They share their experience of healing and forgiveness through Retrouvaille.     Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Retrouvaille https://helpourmarriage.org/

Dr. Alexandra Marcotte joins Doug to discuss why couples fight, and how to rebuild trust.   Listener questions and comments: Julia - How can you regain trust after it’s been lost. I lied to my future husband to help a friend and I lost his trust. (11:07) Kathy - I am a grad of DMU and I can’t speak more highly of it. I am actually in the EFT class! (20:39)   Resources:  ...

What do you do when marriage therapy is not working? What do you do when your parents receive a decree of nullity and start dating other people? Doug answers these questions and more. PLUS: Mary at the Crossroads of History.   Listener questions and comments: Pepper - I have done a lot of therapy and it was not going well. My therapist friend told me to 'do what the therapist tells you'. I ha...

Whose responsibility is it that you are in a good marriage? Doug continues to share common phrases that can help each spouse take responsibility in strengthening their marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Michelle - My husband is in recovery for drug and alcohol addiction right now and he has taken on the addiction of working and I want to navigate through this while he can’t fu...

Doug shares phrases that will instantly strengthen your marriage.   Listener questions and comments: John - I had a stroke and my wife is my caregiver. She is struggling to take care of me. How do I help her help me? (23:59)   Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Phrases to instantly...

The holiday season is here and with it comes stress and anxiety. Today on Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss the concept of Optimal Work and how it can reduce anxiety in your life.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - If you lack prudence do you end up with depression or anxiety? (24:34) Zizi - How do I let God take care of all my worries so I don't wor...

Courtney Brown joins Doug to discuss how to pass on the major themes of the Theology of the Body to junior high aged children.     Resources: Ruah Woods Institute https://www.ruahwoodsinstitute.org/

Doug answers an email from a problematic marriage as the wife is lonely and unhappy and the husband is selfish.   Doug  explores how to survive and even thrive a Thanksgiving with relatives and family members who you don't like   Listener Questions and Comments:  Doug answers email: Schedule time to have this conversation and say "I'm lonely and that you're concerned...