How do you overcome a broken heart? What do you do when your husband is in denial? How do you help adult children who aren’t pulling their weight? Should you make your children play sports? Why is there a decline in intimacy in my marriage? Doug answers these questions and more. Listener questions and comments: Jessica - Am I doing harm to my son by making him play sports even though he hates it? He is 12. (16:08) PJ - I am dealing with failure-to-launch adult children. How do I help them? (22:2...
Aug 20, 2025•54 min
Are you in need of marital conversion? Today on Marriage Unhindered, Doug shares steps in a religious conversion and applies them to marriage. PLUS: Doug shares advice for handling in laws who are too involved in your marriage. Listener questions and comments: Jeff - Are we looking to convert or for conversion? My wife and I are recent converts and it has saved our marriage. (13:16) Judith - What if you change and the other person doesn’t like the change and doesn’t care? (32:48) Resources: Marr...
Aug 19, 2025•54 min
Greg Schutte joins Doug discussing his Building a Eucharistic Marriage course, built off of a therapeutic model for change, which connects 7 areas for therapeutically strengthening our marriage with 7 areas of deepening our relationship with Christ through the Eucharist. Listener questions and comments: Rose - I recently found some bad texts on my husband’s phone. He is texting a woman who is married and our families know each other. (20:57) Mary - How do I extend forgiveness when the person doe...
Aug 18, 2025•54 min
What can Mary’s Assumption into heaven teach us about marriage? Doug shares how sacramental marriage is a preparation for perfect union with God in heaven which Our Lady now enjoys. PLUS: A celebration of everything that is good about marriage. Listener questions and comments: Ray - Let's say you have a spouse and you were to meet another person, better than the spouse you have... how would God look at you, or is that the devil? (8:33) Raul and Marilyn - I want to brag about my wife. We have bee...
Aug 15, 2025•50 min
Doug unpacks the dangers of screens and the impact of smart phones on child development. He shares a study that reveals the extent of smartphones’ damage on brains, responsibility and self-control. Doug also gives tips for putting together a family mission statement on how phones and other screens should be used in the home. Listener questions and comments: Gary - My wife did research in 2014 that the phones are bad for kids, so we don't let our kids use them. (13:13) Joe - Parents should go to ...
Aug 14, 2025•51 min
Are you or your spouse struggling with pornography? Is pornography destroying your marriage? Today, Dann Aungst joins Doug discussing how pornography use harms marriages. They share how the increase in couples viewing pornography together leads to higher divorce rates and offer concrete solutions to overcome the scourge of pornography. Listener questions and comments: Ron - With all the porn around, why does anyone pay for it? Where does the money for this industry come from? (24:12) Doug helped...
Aug 13, 2025•50 min
Anastasia Northrop joins Doug to discuss the importance of preparing for marriage while you are single. They share the importance of prayer and living in the present moment while being open to the vocation of marriage. Listener questions and comments: Cathy - After on and off online dating, I finally found the one. (36:46) Andrew - My wife and I met on online. I was very broken but God worked on me and led me to the woman who became my wife. (44:02) Resources: National Conference for single Cath...
Aug 12, 2025•50 min
Fr. Joe Hinderer joins Doug sharing highlights from his recent ordination to the priesthood. Doug also shares advice for those who are married to an emotionally challenged spouse. Listener questions and comments: John - I have been married for 30 years. My wife and I are at emotional odds. (39:27) Linda - What do I do if I cannot find a spouse? (45:41) Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books...
Aug 11, 2025•50 min
Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Doug to share tips for how to date well. They discuss the proper age for children to start dating, and how to instill virtue in your children so they can exercise the virtue when the time comes for them to date. Listener questions and comments: Mary - I have a 17-year-old son who wants to a date a 16-year-old. I'm against it, but he has a driver's license. I don't want them to be alone. What should I do? (12:51) Joe - My daughter is 16-years-old and goes to a Catholic Scho...
Aug 08, 2025•50 min
Doug continues exploring what we can learn from mentally strong people by focusing on how their mindset and habits can transform the way we respond to hardship, especially in marriage and family relationships. Listener questions and comments: Maria - My daughter cut me off almost four years ago. What should I do? (11:00) Resources: Monica gray – article: https://homeaddict.io/i-study-and-train-mentally-strong-people-for-a-living-here-are-27-things-they-never-do/ Marriage Unhindered https://www.m...
Aug 07, 2025•51 min
Doug reflects on what we can learn from mentally strong people and how their habits can strengthen our marriages. He also responds to listeners facing deep family struggles, from broken communication with adult children to navigating separation and betrayal in marriage. Listener questions and comments: Juan – My daughter got married 5 years ago and completely changed. We rarely see the grandkids or hear from her, and I’m worried since she used to be close to the Church. (23:46) Alec – We’ve been...
Aug 07, 2025•50 min
Doug discusses how our attachment styles shape our marriages and how the desire for connection can sometimes leave us feeling lonelier when those needs go unmet. He explains how the way we were raised influences how we love and impacts our relationship with our spouse. Listener questions and comments: Jane – My daughter and her boyfriend are having issues but are talking about marriage. How much should I be involved? (46:05) Resources: Primal loss - PDF https://www.leilamiller.net/primallosspdf ...
Aug 05, 2025•51 min
Doug tackles the details of a marriage pulled from the brink of divorce. What happened and what did they do to fix it? Listener questions and comments: Matthew - I called in April, my wife and I were having fertility issues, and it was affecting our marriage. After a devotion to Mary, we have finally conceived (16:42) Gabriela - My husband and I have been fighting as my husband wants to look for a new job, but I don't think he should, especially with finances. (28:32) Jerry – Is it okay to marry...
Aug 04, 2025•51 min
Doug unpacks 10 ways you know you have found the one. Doug also shares common misconceptions and practical steps to understand if the person you are dating is the right person to spend the rest of your life with. PLUS: The Friday rant! Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/ Reasons you know you have found...
Aug 01, 2025•51 min
Monica Joins Doug to discuss how to deal with pesky teens. It’s a tough time for the teen and the parent so meet them where they are and remember to take a deep breath or two. Listener questions and comments: Lynda - When I was raising children, I started having a family meeting and gave the children a chance to speak. It helped build trust. (20:47) Nick - There was a Catholic psychiatrist Conrad Baars who spoke of affirmation. I am a big fan because when I was a child I had issues with overly c...
Jul 31, 2025•50 min
Do you or your child struggle with anxiety or scrupulosity? Is it having a negative effect on you or your marriage? Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss what scrupulosity is, is not and how to treat it. Listener questions and comments: Barbara - I have had OCD all of my life. What helps me is the Surrender prayer Which I pray every day. Also what helps me are the first three steps of 12 steps program. (20:56) Paul - I'm emotionally abusive toward my wife and need direction about that. (29:49...
Jul 30, 2025•50 min
Doug explains how forgiveness is an act of the intellect and will regardless of how you may feel. He shares how boundaries are a vital part of forgiveness and aid in the healing process. Forgiveness is like cleaning a wound and establishing boundaries is like keeping infection away. Doug also gives advice on a number of topics including disproportionate anger, loving an angry husband who is a disabled veteran, and helping a husband who has left the faith. Listener questions and comments: Alfredo...
Jul 29, 2025•51 min
Doug takes a deep dive into practicing forgiveness. He outlines the process for forgiveness sharing that forgiveness is not optional but a command from God in the Our Father. Listener question Al - I disagree with you. If someone breaks into my house, I forgive you. If it comes to murder, I think its delusional to think you can forgive a murder. (20:14) Sebastian - I am struggling to forgive someone. I have been renting from close family members and they have decided not to have kids but judge u...
Jul 28, 2025•51 min
Doug goes to the Mailbag. Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? Should you marry someone who does not want to have children? Doug gives advice on these questions and more. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments : Jamie - Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? (3:55) ...
Jul 25, 2025•51 min
Monica Hinderer joins Doug sharing more ways to show your children that you love them. Listener questions and comments : Norma - I have a 2-year-old grandson who kicks me a lot. What should I do to stop this? Time outs don't work. (19:18) Michelle - I don't agree with them on authoritative parents. My dad was a battalion fire chief (25:40) Thomas - In 1 Timothy it elaborates that parents should not antagonize their kids. (31:55) Thomas - How do you know you are ready to date after a breakup? (35...
Jul 24, 2025•50 min
Doug goes to the mail bag to answer questions regarding a clearly narcissistic husband. Can he demand intimacy? Also, Doug addresses how to navigate intimacy for older couples. Listener questions and comments : Mary - I was in a narcissistic marriage and to me this email gives me the impression that there is abuse and it is not a good marriage. (18:15) Sandy - My first marriage was a civil marriage. My second marriage is to a Catholic, but his first marriage was in the Church. I have applied for...
Jul 23, 2025•50 min
Jonathan Marcotte joins Doug discussing the impact of childhood attachment wounds in marriage. Listener questions and comments : John - I have an anxiety disorder that upsets my wife and it causes tension in our marriage. What advice do you have that can help us? (24:09) Maria - Sometimes my husband makes comments that can be demeaning and I tend to shut down. What should I do? (36:55) Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://rel...
Jul 22, 2025•51 min
Conflict in Marriage is unavoidable. So how should you respond? Doug shares ten key behaviors that emotionally mature spouses demonstrate when they've been hurt. Listener questions and comments : Tina - How can I rebuild my relationship with my husband after a conflict that’s left him emotionally unavailable? (8:22) Toni - People often say homemakers aren’t “working”, but homemaking and raising children are some of the most important jobs a parent can do. (26:40) Resources: Person and Identity h...
Jul 21, 2025•51 min
Is teasing acceptable in marriage? How about playful sarcasm? Today, Doug unpacks a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book By Love Refined. Doug shares how humor can be a great thing but can be hurtful if you cross the line and that the key for both spouses is to focus on the other’s virtues and qualities. Doug also shares advice on what to do when you begin to lose friends because your son has come out as gay. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments : Joe - I have a 14-year...
Jul 18, 2025•51 min
Monica Hinderer joins Doug to dissect the differences between disciplining and punishing children. They share that when we punish children, the children often shut down, but when we discipline, we show them the adults we want them to become. Listener questions and comments: Mary - What should I do instead of counting to three or spanking a toddler when they don't understand? (17:44) Jean - When my children were teenagers and they would use ugly language, I would have them write lines. It really ...
Jul 17, 2025•51 min
Doug calls on wives to pick one or two of his points to work on with their husbands. From offering silent support for your spouse to showing emotional and physical affection, husbands need to know their wives love them. Listener questions and comments: Elizabeth - My husband leaves me little notes when I am feeling low. He tells me I'm beautiful every day. He is such a blessing. (18:55) Bob - I have been married for 72 years, and I shared some advice at my granddaughter’s wedding that will help ...
Jul 16, 2025•51 min
Doug shares what wives wish their husbands understood. From realizing that romance doesn’t have to be expensive to learning that she often wants to be heard not fixed, Doug offers practical advice to help men become the husbands their wives truly need. Listener questions and comments: Rich: A conversation with his wife of 25 years about intimacy and emotional safety helped open honest communication in their marriage. (24:44) Larry - He explains that sometimes women just want to be heard, referen...
Jul 15, 2025•51 min
Can a marriage survive without trust? Can you have trust in one area of marriage and not the other? Today, Doug shares tips for building trust in your marriage. He unpacks the benefits of trust and explores the difference between emotional, intimate, financial and parental trust. Listener questions and comments: Adrianna - My adult daughter is in a relationship but it is not good. They fight a lot. It doesn't look healthy and she doesn't want to be with him. (36:48) Maribel - I am married to an ...
Jul 14, 2025•51 min
How should you relate to a father who abused you emotionally and physically as a child? Does a pornography addiction invalidate a marriage? Doug opens up the mailbag and shares advice on these questions and more. Plus: The Friday rant! Listener questions and comments: Cindy - I've been dating a man for three months and not heard an 'I love you'. My boyfriend is not very affectionate. We do hug and kiss, but he won’t show it with his words. (34:10) Deedee - I just recently stopped communication w...
Jul 11, 2025•50 min
Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their conversation on raising happy children. Listener questions and comments: Lori - When my mother disciplined my brothers, instead of getting mad she would cry. It was the worst punishment ever. (17:40) Donna - I have a son who's older, and making a career choice. I was worried about him and he went into a trade and he's so happy. (35:45) Mark - My mom cried when my brother and I had a fight and it really upset her. It was definitely God speaking through...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min
