Marriage Unhindered

Prioritizing Your Spouse 05.06.2026 50min

Doug continues his discussion on how cognitive distortions harm marriages. He also shares how to not resent a husband for spending too much time at work. Plus: The Friday rant!   Listener questions and comments: Michael - My wife’s therapist confirmed that my wife’s feelings were reality even when it wasn’t the truth and I had to fight him on that. (16:50) David - I am civilly divorced but married in the Church. I am wondering if the marriage was valid or not from the beginning. (22:04)   Resources: Cognitive Distortions in Marriage https://relevantradio.com/2026/06/cognitive-distortions-in-marriage/   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/marriage-tune-up

Money Management in Marriage 04.06.2026 50min

Have you and your spouse ever disagreed about money? Today, Doug is joined by Kevin Smith to discuss practical money management strategies. Kevin shares tips for creating and sticking to a budget, and explains the difference between good debt and bad debt—and how understanding that distinction can help you make smarter financial decisions.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - My daughter recently graduated and she has federal loans but she can’t find a job. If she has to file for bankruptcy, how does this impact the federal loan? (45:08)   Resources: Kevin Smith https://ethoslogosinvestments.com/

Faith Begins at Home 03.06.2026 50min

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Doug to discuss his book Forming Families, Forming Saints. Together, they explore how human and spiritual formation help cultivate virtue and shape families into communities of faith, fostering the growth of future saints.   Listener questions and comments: Len - I just bought the book! Lots of wisdom. I will order 8 more! (37:39)   Resources: Forming Families, Forming Saints https://stpaulcenter.com/store/forming-families-forming-saints

Order Within Family Chaos 02.06.2026 50min

Mike and Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project join Doug discussing how to handle the chaos of family life.   Listener questions and comments:   Cindy - My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year and we are talking about money. My concern is that he isn’t 100% open to support me. Should it be 50/50? (8:39) Jean - We have been married 60 years and We share the money. (22:10) Jack - I am 62 and my daughter is 22. I am seeing some similarities between what I did with my ex-wife. How involved with this should I be? (38:01)   Resources:   Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pompeo Batoni https://relevantradio.store/products/sacredheart   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Messy Family Project https://messyfamilyproject.org/

Cognitive Distortions in Marriage 02.06.2026 50min

Doug discusses how cognitive distortions can harm marriage. Listener questions and comments: Teresa - I have been married for 36 years and after living with this for so long we had to get different living situations. (19:24)   11 Cognitive distortions Filtering Discounting the positive Over generalization Jumping to conclusions Catastrophizing Personalization Fallacies The blame game “Should” statements Emotional reasoning Always being right

When Your Spouse Says No to Intimacy 29.05.2026 50min

What should you do if your spouse always says no to marital intimacy? What if there is conflict about abstaining from intimacy to avoid sin? Doug goes to the mailbag, answering these questions and more.     Listener questions and Comments: Ray - I am seeing the biggest hindrance in marriage being unrealistic expectations. (21:57)

Marriage, Suffering, and Lasting Hope 28.05.2026 50min

Doug discusses suffering in marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Jennifer - How much suffering is too much? (8:44) Candy - I have been married for 40 years. My husband goes into funks and won’t talk to me for a day or up to 3 months. I start getting upset and I don’t know what to do. (19:37) Elaine - I was divorced in 1991, and he was having an affair with his secretary since 1989. It was awful and I wanted to save the marriage, but I had lost to this woman. I wonder what would have happened if I had stuck around. (27:46) Rocco - Mary at the Wedding of Cana might have said what she said to the servants because of her perspective as a married woman. She was invested in the wedding going well and starting the marriage off well. (34:51) Mike - I suffer from depression myself and one thing I find is that medication helps. Prayer life will also help. (37:41) Deedee - What is the difference between the 6th and 9th commandments? Which is worse? (41:45) Anthony - My wife revealed trauma from her childhood (incest and rape) and she told me ten years after we got married. We divorced because of it. She kept this from me before marriage. (44:09)   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

10 Keys to a Happy Marriage 27.05.2026 50min

Doug shares 10 practical habits that can help couples build a happy and successful marriage. The conversation also touches on infidelity, hoarding, forgiveness, and mental health struggles that can impact relationships. Resources: https://internationalforgiveness.com/  https://www.internationalhoardingalliance.org/   https://www.nami.org/  

Can Marriage Survive Infidelity? 26.05.2026 50min

Doug looks at the marriage of Al and Lisa Robertson from Duck Dynasty and their journey through infidelity and reconciliation. Listeners also share stories of addiction, emotional affairs, and fighting to save a sacramental marriage. Listener questions and comments: Ron – How should I guide my son after his arrest for drug-related charges? Al – My sister and brother-in-law survived infidelity, and I encouraged her to keep fighting for their sacramental marriage. Supporting her gave her hope to work through it. Caller – My husband had an emotional relationship with a coworker, and even though we stayed married, the doubts still linger in the back of my mind. Resources:  St. Mark Ji Tianxiang: opium addict, martyr and saint--Aleteia https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/how-duck-dynasty-star-al-robertson-s-wife-regained-his-trust-after-affair-i-changed-the-way-i-dressed-talked/ar-AA23iEfE

Managing Family Finances Together 22.05.2026 46min

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 wife and I have a big family, and we have no credit card or debt, but also no savings. We rely on divine providence, hoping everything works out month to month, but it’s getting old. What do we do? (18:26) Kathy - My husband and I paid our kids’ deposit and a month's rent to help them launch. (29:49)   Resources: Catholic Legacy https://catholiclegacy.com/  

The Perfect Apology 21.05.2026 50min

Doug discusses forgiveness. He also shares how to make the perfect apology and give the perfect compliment.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I like the idea of being specific with compliments. It shouldn’t be just in marriage but all your friendships. (38:56) Jeff - What you just went through and outlined for couples, could you also apply this to singles? Is the Christian life best lived in community? (43:01)   Resources:   Lovemaking: How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse - A Guide for Everyday Catholics https://www.amazon.com/Lovemaking-Talk-about-Your-Spouse/dp/164680371X   God’s plan for your marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/   Holy Sex https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Sex-Toe-Curling-Mind-Blowing-Infallible/dp/0824524713   Making a good apology Acknowledge the offense Express remorse Make amends   Giving an effective compliment Be specific Name a particular virtue Tell your spouse why it mattered A good compliment should be timely It’s all about them not about you

Can Marriage Survive Without Love? 20.05.2026 50min

What should you do if your Mother’s Day was a bust? What should you do if after 35 years there is no love left and you wish you had never married your husband? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more.   Listener question and comments: Chris - My wife says I don’t speak to her kindly. She will ask me to explain something and I won’t be super nice, I guess. (24:28) Felipe - I have recently been introduced to Agape Love and it completely changed my outlook of marriage. (27:28)   Resources:   The Forgiveness Institute https://internationalforgiveness.com/

Honoring Vows Through Hardship 19.05.2026 50min

Are you in a difficult marriage? Are the people around you encouraging you to get a divorce? Today, Leila Miller joins Doug to discuss fidelity to your marriage vows even when it’s difficult.   Listener questions and comments: Joe - I have a friend who is considering annulment. What should I say to him? (19:11) Vinnie - America is a throw-a-way culture so it encourages this problem. (29:09) Annie - Fr. John Hardon and marriage (31:02) Marci - I was married and I got a divorce and then we got remarried and I wonder which marriage is the valid one. (38:51) Rita - The basis of psychological reasons is overused but I think it’s still a valid argument. Sometimes it really prevents you from fulfilling your vows. (44:10)   Resources:   Leila Miller https://www.leilamiller.net/   Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997989327/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_U_Co5EEb40NF6EJ?fbclid=IwAR28wrf8nNEkRoZwVENtRanjxAEuY7Xah8PuqKvUweuM7aNWcTwddgVg-CM   Divorce, annul, move on? Let's return to the mind of the Church https://www.leilamiller.net/blog/2020/3/24/impossible-marriages-redeemed-the-introduction   God’s Plan for your Marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/   Marriage Problems by Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_5qNVfeYA

Catholic Parenting and Sexual Identity 18.05.2026 50min

April Readlinger, Executive Director of Cana Vox joins Doug to discuss Courageous Conversations: Tips for Talking to Kids About Sexual Identity and Attraction.   Listener questions and comments: Joseph - My daughter thinks she’s a boy. She is 27. (46:00)   Resources: Cana Vox https://canavox.com/   Courageous Conversations: Tips for Talking to Kids About Sexual Identity and Attraction https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Conversations-Identity-Attraction-Parenting/dp/B0FGZG5H5P

Sacrificial Love, Forgiveness & Gratitude 15.05.2026 53min

Doug finishes discussing Ephesians 5:25. He also discusses gratitude and forgiveness.    Listener questions and comments:   Michelle - My daughter died a few years ago from cancer. My husband has treated me terribly since she died. He's even called girlfriends from high school. It's hard to live like this. What am I to do? I need some help dealing with this. (37:33) Mary - How do you get over a broken heart from your husband's porn and social media addiction? He lusts over much younger women. (44:10)   Resources: The Forgiveness Institute https://internationalforgiveness.com/

Fix what you can and sanctify the rest 14.05.2026 53min

Doug continues his discussion on suffering in marriage. He also talks about St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and a husband’s obligation to love his wife as Christ loved the Church.   Listener questions and comments: Rocky - Is there a resource for mothers who are dealing with stress? We have kids ages 2-6. (20:25) Nick - In our vows we say “until death do us part.” Is marriage the only sacrament with an expiration date? (27:59)   Resources:   The Cana Rosary https://www.amazon.com/Cana-Rosary-Couples-Prayer/dp/1502392232  

Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 13.05.2026 53min

Emily Jaminet joins Doug to discuss enthroning our homes to the Sacred Heart.   Listener questions and comments: Mary – I would like to share the power of the First Friday Devotion and how it's been influential in my faith. (32:17)   Resources: Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pompeo Batoni https://relevantradio.store/products/sacredheart   Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart https://welcomehisheart.com/   Emily Jaminet https://www.emilyjaminet.com/

From Heartbreak to Healing 12.05.2026 53min

Are you divorced and dealing the painful aftermath? Carolyn Klicka joins Doug to discuss Abounding Joy Ministry and healing after divorce.   Patty - I was divorced and I feel like the Church hasn’t helped divorcees who feel stuck by these processes. It’s given me PTSD. (28:10) Walt - I have an aunt who married a man with PTSD and she knew, but she stayed with him. I feel that people give in too easily. (43:03)   Resources: Abounding Joy Ministry https://www.aboundingjoyministry.com/

Hope for Modern Marriages 11.05.2026 53min

Damon Owens joins Doug for a conversation about the growing crisis facing marriage in today’s society and culture. Together, they discuss the importance of strengthening Catholic marriages by forming and supporting spouses as they navigate the daily challenges of married life.   Joanna - Is it wrong to tell my kids that I hope they marry Catholic spouses? I want them to love who they are supposed to be with. (18:15)   Resources:   Communio https://communio.org/parish/   Development Coach Melanie Owens https://paperbell.me/melanieowenscoaching   Joyful Ever After https://www.joyfuleverafter.org/  

Demonic Influence in the Family 09.05.2026 51min

Kathleen Beckman joins Doug for a conversation about the demonic influence in the family as she also talks about her book, "A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare". Walt-If belief in Universal Salvation leads to demonic influence (38:37) Anne-Is married to a Hindu and is wondering if that could lead to evil spirits (42:35) Sources: https://kathleenbeckman.com/ Foundation of Prayer for Priests: https://www.foundationforpriests.org/