Are you married to someone with an explosive temper? If so, how do you deal with it? Today, Doug unpacks what it’s like to live with someone diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Joe - My wife has a bad temper. Do you have any helpful suggestions? (20:44)
• Tilly - I have a 53-year-old nephew who lives at home and he has anger management issues. (48:15)

Doug shares 6 things that happily married men do well. He also gives dating advice and unpacks the four types of love.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Steve - My wife doesn’t feel an emotional connection. What should I do? (30:50)
• Mary - Start by complimenting your spouse and kiss each other for 10 seconds and dance in front of your family. (47:00)

 

Resources:

 

6 things happily married men do well

1. You listen to her
2. You express appreciation often
3. You prioritize quality time with her
4. He champions her dreams and supports her growth
5. He takes responsibility and repairs the damage early
6. He embraces evolution and adapts together

 

Ways to show you are listening

1. Repeat the heart of what she says
2. Ask questions with genuine curiosity
3. You do not immediately defend yourself
4. Your body language says you are present
5. You respond to the emotion, not just the facts
6. You remember what matters later

Doug explores modern relationships from every angle—from the dangers of creating an AI soulmate to offering practical dating advice for those seeking a real human connection. PLUS: The Friday rant.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Tracey - Monica said that people with personality disorders have trouble with relationships. Could you expand on that a little? It speaks to our daughter and we want to know how to approach her. (23:35)
• Victor - We deal with AI cases in law enforcement and lots of it leads to self-harm and even suicide. (35:51)
• Danielle - I have a relative who has taken a half million dollars from her husband and hid it from the IRS. He is saying he didn’t know anything about it. They want help. What should I do? (42:03)

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how parents unknowingly harm their relationship with their adult children.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Carolyn - What do you do when your child is in a same sex relationship and looking at marriage? (18:43)
• William - I have a daughter getting involved with a man who thinks he is a woman. She has threatened to cut us off. (27:41)
• Julie - I prefer to have birthday parties one on one with my daughters and so I like to leave their spouse behind sometimes. (39:28)

Steven Hemler joins Doug to discuss his book - The Busy Parent's Guide to the Catholic Faith: Short Answers to the Big Questions. They unpack the scientific proof for God, stages of faith, and bringing adult children back to the faith.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Ed - I have been reading Fr. Spitzer’s book 'Faith, Science, and Reason' and it is really great on this topic. (29:06)
• Mary - My son is not receptive to the faith and he is an engineer. He says he is an atheist. What can I do to bring him back? (39:24)

 

Resources:

 

The Busy Parent's Guide to the Catholic Faith: Short Answers to the Big Questions

https://bit.ly/4wON1UM

 

The Reality of God: The Layman's Guide to Scientific Evidence for a Creator

https://bit.ly/4bF5lr1

Doug discusses forgiveness after the discovery of a secret pornography addiction. He also shares the journey of rebuilding a marriage that was nearly destroyed by years of alcoholism.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Carol - I have two friends who are married 30 years and the man called me crying because his wife had an affair for 3 months. She wants to go on a Retrouvaille weekend but he thinks it’s too soon. (37:07)
• Angela - Our daughter is gay, estranged and had a second IVF baby. We haven’t been able to meet him. What should we do? (44:06)
• Pete - I have seen couples go right to Retrouvaille and it is life changing. (47:08)
• Constantine - We were married outside of the Church and I treated my wife badly. She divorced me but when we reconnected a couple years later, we discussed reconciliation. (48:53)

 

Resources:

 

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

 

The Forgiveness Institute

https://internationalforgiveness.com/

 

Catholic Therapists

https://catholictherapists.com/

 

Catholic Psychotherapy

https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

 

Emotionally Focused Therapy

https://iceeft.com/

 

Dr. John Gottman

https://www.gottman.com/

 

Retrouvaille

https://helpourmarriage.org/

 

Doug explores lessons on marriage from the saints. Yesterday, the Church celebrated the feast of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin. Today, we commemorate the feast of Saint Henry II and his wife, Saint Cunigunde. Doug also examines what can be learned from Blessed Charles of Austria and his witness to married life.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Amy - You can surprise your spouse with a Mass said in their name. You can leave little notes. (30:25)

 

Resources:

5 things we can learn from Blessed Charles of Austria and his wife Zita

1. The primary goal of marriage is to get your spouse to heaven.
2. Entrust your marriage to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
3. After the wedding day it’s not only ‘me’ but ‘we’.
4. They continually fan the flame of love.
5. Love each other with a love that endures through hardship.

 

8 Ways to say I love you without saying the words ‘I love you’

1. I admire how you handle tough situations.
2. Your perspective always gives me a new way of looking at things.
3. You have such a calming presence.
4. I really trust your judgement on this.
5. You are so easy to talk to.
6. I love the way you’re so passionate about your interests
7. You have a knack for making people feel included.
8. I’m grateful for your honesty even when it’s hard.

Doug answers listener questions about contraception, intimacy, and openness to life in today's mailbag. He also tackles questions about past trauma and prudence in family planning and closes the show with the Friday Rant on no-fault divorce.

Listener questions and comments:

• Marie – My husband and I discovered a beautiful way to have date nights while traveling in Italy. May I share our experience? (29:20)
• Charlie – Is it a mortal sin for an elderly couple with health issues to have marital relations if they are no longer able to conceive? (39:30)

What happens when a seemingly perfect marriage ends in divorce? Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller, discussing the impact of selfishness on a marriage and how daily prayer can save your marriage. He also continues his commentary on the 5:1 ratio you need to practice to keep love alive. [ENCORE]

 

Impossible Marriages Redeemed

https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf

Doug discusses the writings of Arthur Brooks as he talks about death, emotional distress and attractiveness.  

3:43-On Death  and How it Relates to Happiness

12:47- On Emotional Distress

24:15 Leah-What are your thoughts are for having a dating relationships with someone who has an eating disorder that is undiagnosed and untreated?

36:43 Deedee-Regarding Arthur Brooks. I remember seeing him on Oprah. I remember he said happiness is not a destination but a direction. Can you expound on that? Is this true?

40:49- On  what women and men find attractive in each other.  

https://www.arthurbrooks.com/

https://www.arthurbrooks.com/blog-posts/why-contemplating-your-death-might-make-you-happier