Doug unpacks a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. Overcome by grief from her sister’s death, the wife in this story decided to file for divorce. After her husband’s remarriage, and much prayer. the couple ultimately reconciled.

Doug discusses how big emotions can lead to bad decisions and that the secret to overcoming grief is focusing on helping other people. He speaks to the power of prayer and how the intercession of Mary can thaw the coldest of hearts.

Listener questions and comments:

• Joe - My wife won’t work with me at all. What advice do you have for this situation where my wife focuses only on herself? She wants to get a divorce and is getting advice from coworkers.

Resources:

Impossible Marriages Redeemed

https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf

 

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

Happy Marriage for Life

https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/

 

Catholic Therapists

https://www.catholictherapists.com/

Doug discusses how marriage is affected when the wife is the primary breadwinner. Callers weigh in with their perspectives and experience. Doug shares the pros and cons when the wife is the primary breadwinner

Listener questions and comments:

• Mike - My wife has made more money for the last 40 years. Why would that be perceived as a problem?   Is there any Catholic position on this?
• Sarah - I was the sole breadwinner, and my husband wasn't working at all. I got a ton of backlash, he accused me and we are now separated.
• Carol - I stopped working when I had my twins. My husband was always at work and now my children resent me. Talks about the “Turkey Plate”
• Janet - I have worked to be the breadwinner of my house. It went very well, but seven years into it, I stopped and I'm now divorced.

Doug shares possible reasons why a husband has no interest in intimacy, how a wife can overcome procrastination, and what to do if your husband is a party animal. Doug unpacks the value of suffering and shares how it can unite us with the love of Christ.

Listener questions and comments:

• Frank – I’m not married but I enjoy the program. How do I know God’s plan in my life?
• John – I am not Catholic. I want to save my marriage. She is Catholic but does not want to work on the marriage anymore. I can’t go into my own home. I have not done anything to warrant this treatment.
• Mabel – I think I found evidence of cheating. How do I bring it up with my husband?

Doug shares first date red flags, his list of what to avoid, and what to look for on a first date. PLUS: The Friday Rant!

First date red flags: arriving late, using the phone too much, high jacking the conversation, talking about your ex, debating everything, being overly touchy, expecting intimacy, complaining about everything, and splitting the bill.

Listener questions and comments:

• Susie - I am single and looking for Mr. Right. I have no Valentine and am looking for one. I am perturbed. Can you help me?
• Dee - Men should always pay the bill, not just on the first date.
• Lane - Valentine's Day is a ploy for selling candy, cards, and jewelry.
• Sarah - I have been married for 3 years - the best 3 years of my life. I prayed to St. Valentine for my husband.
• Debbie - I use Valentine's day to do self-development and do something for myself. I know how to be single with love.
• Liz - Valentine's Day is just another Day. My husband bought flowers the first two years but we don’t celebrate anymore.
• Ricardo - I am 23 years old and listening. This is very refreshing to hear you say all this about relationships.
• Sheila - I also try to bow to God's will. I am getting married at the age 60.

Resources:

Rekindled Hearts

https://relevantradio.store/products/rekindled-hearts-book

Monica Hinderer joins Doug discussing how to make sure your children know you love them. They share the importance of affirmation, setting boundaries, and being honest and authentic. Doug tackles a listener email in which a mom asks if it is OK for her daughter to go on an overnight trip with her boyfriend’s family. Doug and Monica weigh the pros and cons. Callers share their opinions.

Listener questions and comments:

• Julie - We are missing a much bigger picture here. It’s likely that this boy will have a different outlook. I think that this is a bad situation. You shouldn’t be dating if this boy is not in a position to marry.
• Maria - Should a parent have to reveal that they learned the hard way to their kids when telling them why they shouldn’t do something?
• Maureen - I disagree with allowing a daughter to stay overnight. I think temptation will increase each time.
• Juanita - How long have these two been dating? If this is just a boyfriend/girlfriend thing I disagree.
• Marcel - This child is way too young. The families need to get to know each other better.

Doug unpacks the qualities of a good husband. He stresses the importance of a wife’s primary place in her husband’s life, husbands being emotionally available, mutual love, and respect. Doug also unpacks the 5 intimacies in marriage.

How do you honor your father and mother and still honor your wife and children? Doug answers this email question reminding the listener that it is important to protect your wife physically, emotionally and spiritually from everyone. This does not mean you disown your parents but that the wife comes first before everything else

Listener questions and comments:

• David - What's the best way to find a good marriage therapist?
• Connie - My husband has to go to California once in a while for work. He doesn't want to tell me when he's coming back and now he hasn't talked to me in five days.
• Mario - My girlfriend lives with her parents and her son from a previous relationship. They're a higher priority than me and we all live together. What should I do?

 

Resources:

 

Catholic Therapists

https://www.catholictherapists.com/

 

Catholic Psychotherapy

https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

 

The Bible and Marriage: The Two Shall Become One Flesh

https://stpaulcenter.com/product/the-bible-and-marriage-the-two-shall-become-one-flesh-a-catholic-biblical-theology-of-the-sacraments/

On day two of National Marriage Week, Doug discusses the qualities of a good wife. From spending quality time with her husband to showing unwavering respect for her husband, Doug unpacks these qualities a man should hope for in a good wife.

Listener questions and comments:

• Cooper – My wife was unfaithful so I filed for divorce. Should I have stayed in the marriage and tried to make it work?

Jim and Maureen Otremba join Doug to discuss Worldwide Marriage Day and contemporary difficulties in marriage. They unpack Colossians 3:12-17 and speak to God’s love for His people and to the heartfelt compassion we should have for our spouse.

Listener questions and comments:

• Nick - I've been married for 20 years. My wife feels that the way we follow each other on the phone location is a controlling thing. What do you think about tracking? I feel it's more for safety, but she has turned off location services.
• Matthew - My wife and I are newlyweds and are trying to bring life into this world, but struggling. How can I show compassion with her when she’s struggling?
• Irene - My husband wanted to track me so I asked him if I could track him, and he said no. He's tracking me, but I can't track him. What's your advice?
• Joe - I've been married for 35 years and my wife has a tendency to badmouth people. I don't really want to know the gossip. What should I do?

Resources:

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

  

Banquet of Love program

https://banquetoflove.org/

Doug reads an email from a man who struggles with sexual addiction and wants to save his marriage. Doug shares the importance of divine intervention through confession, mortification, and prayers of deliverance.

Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. In this situation, the husband was living a double life and having an affair. The marriage was healed through the power of confession, the rosary, and 12-step programs.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Deedee - Given the rise of porn among men, how does a woman live a life of chastity?

 

Resources:

Impossible Marriages Redeemed

https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf

 

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

 

Happy Marriage for Life

https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to explore the dangers of raising children to be overly self-reliant. Self-reliance can be a good thing but sometimes becoming overly independent can lead to a lack of trust and missed opportunities for growth. Doug and Monica discuss the spiritual dimension and how hyper independence can lead to a lack of trust in God.

Listener questions and comments:

• Jessica – We're working on our marriage. I grew up in an extremely critical household and my husband did not. We find ourselves having both issues in our marriage and with parenting also. How can we prevent these negative effects?
• Sam – How do we correct our children who are overly critical of themselves?
• Tom – I'm a father, and I need a strategy for helping my adult son with anger.