What is holding you back from seeing a marriage counselor? Doug shares reasons couples resist marriage counseling and why just about every married couple can benefit from therapy. Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I've been using my sister as my therapist and she's an Atheist. Could you recommend a Catholic group of therapists in my area? (28:38) Rico - My son has a baby out of wedlock. The baby’s mom has a significant other. Should my son and the mom see a counselor? (30:32) Resources: ...
Jul 09, 2025•51 min
Doug shares reasons why people fall back in love when they get into their 50's. From maturity and self-awareness to an increase in appreciation and self-confidence Doug encourages listeners to rediscover the spark in marriage through prayer, forgiveness and acts of service. Listener questions and comments: Donna - My husband and I were married for 37 years. We fell in love again while in our 50’s. He developed a disease in 2008 and died in October 2024. (18:15) Josie - Today my husband and I are...
Jul 08, 2025•50 min
JL Marti joins Doug to discuss the devotion to Our Lady of Fair Love sharing how her intercession helps heal marriages and broken families. Doug also goes to the mailbag giving marriage advice on words of affirmation, reconciliation in marriage, and building a strong foundation of communication. Resources: Fairest Love Family Project https://www.fairestlovefamilyproject.org/ Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/colle...
Jul 07, 2025•51 min
Are you worried that you have a child that never seems happy? Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their conversation on raising happy children. Listener questions and comments: Mary - How do I respond to my husband when he gives me the cold shoulder and doesn't respond to me? (13:38) Gabby - I have a 10-year-old boy who gets really explosive and angry constantly. He blames others for what happens to him. How can I deal with this situation? (22:08) Ashley - I am having trouble forgiving and am...
Jul 03, 2025•50 min
Have you ever wondered why some couples fight so much? Are you looking for ways to avoid conflict? Doug shares tips for breaking the cycle of endless arguments and fighting. He shares that even successful marriages aren’t conflict free, but that these couples are better at managing the conflict and repairing the relationship. Listener questions and comments: Carlos - As couples, we tend to argue or fight because we don’t know how to communicate. (10:42) Linda - My husband has a problem with mone...
Jul 02, 2025•50 min
Doug unpacks the importance of emotional intelligence in marriage. He defines emotional intelligence, and identifies 5 core components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Doug also explains what to do if your spouse lacks emotional intelligence which includes avoiding sarcasm and sharing how you truly feel. Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I've been married and divorced twice. Should I consider a third marriage if the man lacks emotional intelligenc...
Jul 01, 2025•51 min
Bai Macfarlane joins Doug to discuss Mary's Advocates, where she works to reduce unilateral no-fault divorce and support those who have been unjustly abandoned. They unpack the history of no-fault divorce in the United States, Church teaching on divorce, and the challenge of annulments. Listener questions and comments: Joe - How do I get the Church to intervene with separation in my situation. (41:21) Anthony - I'm very happy to hear about help for the abandoned spouse and I feel I'm in that cat...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min
Doug shares 9 "pink flags" to pay attention to when dating. Doug discusses how success often depends on what flaws and defects you can live with and speaks to the importance of standing firm with your non-negotiable standards. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mary - How do you tell as an older woman that a man isn't just dating you for your money? (36:47) Mark - I lost my wife five years ago. I met a woman who is ten years younger than me. She still wears her wedding ring....
Jun 27, 2025•50 min
Are you worried that you have an unhappy child? Are you curious how to help a child who is unhappy? Today, Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to raise happy children. Listener questions and comments: Greg - I disagree a little. It doesn't seem like you had a hard enough stance on when a child says he's gay. (37:20) Marissa - I have two sons in their twenties and they are moving back home. What rules should we have? I fear conflict with them. (40:20) Resources: Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bu...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min
What should a husband do when he discovers his wife is reading sexually explicit books? What should a wife do when her husband stops practicing the faith? Doug tackles these questions and more. Listener questions and comments: Rose - Advice about annulments. Take it at one hour a day. (23:38) Mary Anne - I've been through an annulment. I spoke to a priest who said to focus on the one way that it had a bad effect on you. Focus on that and try to keep your and his dignity. Try not to be cruel. (26...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
Dr. Sean Tobin joins Doug to discuss the role the devil plays in disrupting harmony in marriage. Listener questions and comments Sarah - When I get in fights with my husband he will say, 'the devil made me do it.' It sounds like a scapegoat to me. (29:30) Deedee - I was married to a man from the middle east and I’m Hispanic. Our cultures have different levels of affection. What should we do about this? (37:30) David - I am divorced but I am staying faithful to my marriage because I believe it wa...
Jun 24, 2025•51 min
Doug answered questions about different marriage related issues Doug answers a email about a verbally abusive husband in a blended marriage, even while the husband goes to mass regularly and even goes to adoration. (3:30) Brendon (Caller)-Ask how to keep his girlfriend secure as it's a long distance relationship and he's a Division 1 athlete. (8:26) Henry (Caller)-My wife has asked for annulment. She is praying for a job only because she wants to leave me. I have been asked not to come to the ap...
Jun 24, 2025•51 min
Do you feel like you and your spouse are just roommates? Is your spouse emotionally unavailable? Today, Doug discusses loneliness in marriage. He shares the signs and science of loneliness, and offers concrete solutions for overcoming loneliness. PLUS: The Friday rant! Listener questions and comments: Mirna - I can relate to loneliness in marriage. I think my husband might be asexual and my kids have special needs. (19:58) Christina - I have a friend whose husband just cheated. His reason for ch...
Jun 20, 2025•51 min
Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to raise happy children. They give tips on building self-esteem and also share advice for dating and relationships. Listener questions and comments: Martha - My 7-year-old son can get down on himself. How do I build up his self-esteem? (14:05) Lisa - I'm in a relationship and my fiancé cheated on me. He's cheated on me for a third time after I've forgiven him twice. It's been a 13-year relationship and he became Catholic two Easters ago. What am I to do?...
Jun 20, 2025•51 min
Are you dating someone and having doubts? Today Doug shares signs you are trying to force a relationship to work. Listener questions and comments: Rose - My sister is starting a relationship and I'm not sure it’s a good idea because they seem to be moving fast. My sister is 29 and her boyfriend is 35. (9:53) Chris - I was dating a young lady. She asked me to bring back a plastic container. I said I was going to throw it away after I used it and her mother said that was a a red flag. (28:08) Lois...
Jun 18, 2025•50 min
Doug continues his discussion on parenting adult children. Listener questions and comments: Suzette - My adult son doesn't respond to my texts or calls. (9:24) Juan - My son is in his 30s, lives out a homosexual lifestyle and contracted HIV. His health has improved but I am struggling to communicate. How do I talk to my son regarding his lifestyle? (15:28) Frank - I've been sober for over 5 years and what worked for me, was I went to church every day. I exercised and listened to Relevant Radio. ...
Jun 17, 2025•50 min
Are you looking for guidance for developing relationships with your children? Today, Doug shares tips for parenting adult children. Listener questions and comments: Flo - Parenting adult children is harder to navigate than toddlers which is more intuitive. My adult kids range from age 23-30. (10:31) Marie - There are differences in how I parent and how my husband parents our adult children. (13:10) Julie - I've raised three boys in their late teens and early 20s. It’s more difficult raising litt...
Jun 16, 2025•51 min
Doug discusses the 4 different types of dads; PLUS: A tribute to all the dads in the world. Listener questions and comments: Pete - As a father, the best moment of my life was when my first child was placed in my hands and nestled up to me. (12:15) Mary Frances - My dad died 5 years ago. When I was little, he was my rock, especially when my mom was sick. He'd come home late and do evening prayers with us. However, my parents divorced. I wish my siblings had known that same devotion that I saw fr...
Jun 13, 2025•50 min
Should I marry my baby's father? My husband won't show me his bank account. What should I do when marriage advice doesn't work? Doug goes to the mailbag. Listener questions and comments: Vera - My boyfriend and I had a baby and we did break up. Then after 6 months we started dating, and now have been married for 44 years. We went to Confirmation classes together and got married in the Church. (14:47) Jean - How is the girl with the baby ever going to get her boyfriend out of the house. I don't t...
Jun 12, 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...
Jun 11, 2025•50 min
Doug continues to share things you can say to your spouse that will breathe new life into your marriage. He shares the importance of working on marriage together trusting that with the grace of God you can overcome any obstacle to a good marriage. Listener questions and comments: Mary - My husband likes to look up ladies on the internet. It’s not pornography but swimsuit models. Should I be bothered by this? (6:46) Jerry - I had a discussion with my wife that I wouldn't discipline her children. ...
Jun 10, 2025•51 min
Doug shares phrases you can say to your spouse that will breathe new life into your marriage. Listener questions and comments: Dan - There is a tiny fraction of a second to make a decision, and say 'I feel this' and 'I feel that', and step back and evaluate before screwing up. (19:35) Dave - I'm having marital issues and we're about to separate. We have been together 14 years and my adult stepchildren hate me. (36:35) Resources: Relevant Radio Dad’s Pack https://relevantradio.store/collections/m...
Jun 09, 2025•50 min
Can you have too much laughter in marriage? Doug unpacks a letter by Alice Von Hildebrand from her book By Love Refined , sharing that while laughter is important, it can be superficial and a relationship should not be solely based on it. Love and service are the true hallmark of a real marriage. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mary - After 30 years of marriage, I couldn't agree more with humor. Even during financial difficulties, humor has come out. (12:56) Sylvia - I've...
Jun 07, 2025•50 min
Doug shares why you should have children before you are ready, how to raise emotionally intelligent children, and how to help your sons overcome laziness. Listener questions and comments: Sharla - I'm and nurse and I see younger families come in and they roll with things and are more relaxed as the years go by after having more babies, as opposed to those who waited longer. (19:09) Resources: Relevant Radio Dad’s Pack https://relevantradio.store/collections/merch/products/dads-pack Rekindled Hea...
Jun 05, 2025•50 min
Are these the tough years? What happens when married life becomes boring? What happens when a husband doesn’t provide enough financial support for his wife? You be the therapist! Callers weigh in and Doug shares his advice on what to do in these situations. Listener questions and comments: Sue - The couple in the first situation should make sure to have a date night every week. It’s also a good thing for the couple to write a gratitude list every day. (18:32) Olivia - When things are so stressfu...
Jun 04, 2025•50 min
Doug shares highlights from Pope Leo’s homily from the Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the elderly stressing the importance of maintaining unity within marriage. Doug encourages listeners to let their marriage be an example to the world as a representation of God’s love for all mankind. Doug also unpacks a chapter from the book The Spiritual Combat , sharing the importance of developing virtue in the married life. Listener questions and comments: Christine - What bou...
Jun 03, 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...
Jun 02, 2025•50 min
Are you in a relationship and wondering if you are compatible? Doug discusses what couples should know before they tie the knot. He identifies red flags couples ignore that could lead to a difficult marriage or even divorce. PLUS: The Friday Rant! Listener questions and comments: Mark - If you're going to marry someone and you're a Catholic, you should marry another Catholic. You would think that other religions are similar, but they're not, especially when it comes to contraception. It’s a big ...
May 30, 2025•50 min
Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how to teach children the virtue of resilience. They address the idea of the “perfect parent” sharing the impact of acknowledging our imperfections as parents, learning from mistakes, and modeling resilience and accountability for our children. Listener questions and comments: Maria - I'm a mother of a 2-year-old. The doctor said they want to do a test for autism because they saw some delays in development. How am I supposed to handle th...
May 29, 2025•50 min
Doug discusses how to be a good and virtuous man. He unpacks 6 qualities of a good man sharing the importance of man’s role to protect their wives physically, emotionally and spiritually. Listener questions and comments: Lydia - We lead marriage enrichment retreats and share the importance of patience, kindness, and gentleness. They are marriage healers. (20:01) Barbara - My husband and I feel like we're learning together to deepen our relationship in God. We've been married for 22 years. (23:49...
May 28, 2025•50 min
