Doug unpacks traits women most admire in their husbands. He shares the need for emotional support, showing respect, and the power of building trust.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Reyna - My husband leaves me notes, buys me flowers, and introduces me as one-in-a-trillion. (18:52)
• Lori - My husband and I would dedicate songs to each other. (29:45)
• Julia - My husband has started praying the rosary before we go to bed…NO MATER WHAT. (36:28)

 

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/

 

Traits women most admire in their husbands

1. Emotional support
2. Respect
3. Humor
4. Honesty
5. Dependability
6. Affection
7. Patience
8. Ambition
9. Kindness
10. Shared values
11. Good communication

Doug shares what to do when your spouse has become just a roommate, and what a wife should do when there is an incident of physical abuse. Doug also gives advice to a man who has discovered his fiancé is using contraception.

Listener questions and comments:

• Vicki - There's a single mom who's been asking for me to help take care of her children at our house. I'm starting to get uncomfortable about it. My husband wants to continue helping, but I don’t. What should I do?
• Teri - I was thinking why would lady be checking her cycle before she is married?
• Debbie - I know a couple who are expecting a baby. They want to get married for the baby, and also college would be cheaper. Should they get married by the Church or Justice of the Peace?
• Dean - I disagree with Doug and his concern about sexual activity.
• Mary - We've been married for four years. There are times when my husband is in the mood for relations, but I'm not. I've gone through hormonal changes, especially with having babies. What does the Church say about this?
• Dee - Are non-Catholic weddings at the courthouse or justice of the peace recognized by the Church, or are those invalid marriages?

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 this? (17:30)
• Kelly - What do you think about kids who are high functioning special needs and need to be protected more, in regards to resilience? He's 19 years old. (23:56)
• Chris - I have a 6-year-old daughter who gets upset easily. What is the best way to handle this? (27:52)
• John - What helps with peace within the family is the Novena to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother. (35:11)
• Jeanie - I think that encouraging the 6-year-old to ignore her siblings is a bad idea. (38:51)
• Mary - How should I approach a situation when I see a child’s caregiver raise them in an inappropriate way? (41:32)

Resources:

Relevant Radio Dad’s Pack

https://relevantradio.store/collections/merch/products/dads-pack

Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle

https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle

What does it take to have a happy marriage? What can take away from a happy marriage? Today, Doug discusses the virtues that make for a happy marriage. He also shares three tips for a successful marriage. PLUS: The Friday Rant!

Listener questions and comments:

• Tessa - My husband and I started dating in high school. We have been working out together, and it is so much fun. 
• Jerry - Can those with dementia and Alzheimer's have a viable marriage? 

Resources:

Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle

https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle

Three tips for a successful marriage

1. Start your sentences with “I love it when”.
2. Write down what you appreciate about each other.
3. Build up your partner.

Doug examines a case study of a struggling marriage that found restoration and hope. He also addresses listener questions about infidelity, broken trust, and how to persevere when family pressures strain relationships.

Listener questions and comments:

• Susan – My husband has been with his mistress for five years. I nursed him back to health, but he returned to her, even though we have been married since 1997 with five children and four grandchildren. (17:24)
• Frank – My wife was unfaithful with another woman. We have tried therapy and Retrouvaille, but I cannot move past it. (25:00)
• Caller – I have been married 22 years, but my wife feels like we are just roommates. With stepchildren and a special needs child, how do I see this marriage in light of so much division? (30:05)

 

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/

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 red flag.
• Miriam - A friend is pregnant and she's marrying the father of their baby. She has two other children from a previous relationship. How should they set up their finances?
• Tom - I do marriage preparation. I'm blown away by the fact that the preparation programs are not even mentioned.
• Michael - My wife and I are separated. I am a recovering sex addict and 10 months sober. I am struggling to communicate with my wife because she just walks away when we are not getting anywhere. What should I do?

Resources:

Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle

https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle

 

Red flags couples ignore

1. Differences in core values
2. Unresolved family trauma
3. Both partners handle conflict in different ways

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to help parents respond to the Minnesota mass shooting while also facing tough family struggles, including children wrestling with gender identity, strained relationships, and fear after violence.

Listener questions and comments:

• Priya – I fear families may leave this parish after the shooting, and that the priest could lose parishioners. (08:55)
• David – My autistic son wants to become female, and it has been deeply traumatic for my wife and me. (20:50)
• Mary – My daughter identifies as they/them, eloped, and is now planning a ceremony. Should I go, even though I regret saying yes? (36:09)
• Amelia – Why do we have to tiptoe around calling the shooter what he is instead of making excuses for him? (43:25)

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/

Doug reflects on the faith and perseverance of St. Monica, whose prayer brought her prodigal son to sainthood. Its not easy being a parent but looking to the lives of the saints can help us navigate our journeys by following the example of those who came before us. 

• Listener questions and comments:
• Theresa – Should I share my inheritance with a non-Catholic grandchild? (14:20)
• Sharron – What book would you recommend for a newly married couple who aren’t Catholic? (21:38)
• Mary – How can I lovingly suggest to my daughter and her boyfriend that they might benefit from listening to your program, without sounding bossy? (34:52)

 

Resources:

Fr. Robert J. Altier   - God’s Plan for Your Marriage

https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Plan-Your-Marriage-Exploration/dp/1644136929

 

John Gottman – The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0553447718

 

Sue Johnson - Hold Me Tight

https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/031611300X

 

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/

Doug responds to letters about a controlling wife and a lazy husband, reflects on the role of shared values in marriage, and considers how men can keep their identity in family life. He also takes on a heartfelt question from a wife supporting her husband through parenting challenges and financial stress.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Bobby – After my divorce, I’ve realized how essential it is to marry someone with the same core values. (19:53)
• Mike – Can a man keep his identity without getting lost in his wife? (27:06)
• Addison – My husband feels like a bad father because of our autistic son and money struggles. how can I best support him? (37:34)
• Doug - When it comes to giving in, the key is communicating how important an issue really is. (43:49)

 

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/

 

Doug unpacks Pope Leo’s advice on how to move forward with dignity after betrayal. PLUS: Doug shares advice for a wife living with an emotionally abusive husband.

 

Listener questions and comments:

• Luz - I have been dating this person online for 4 months and he seemed perfect over the phone but every time we try to get together he comes up with some excuse. (23:46)
• Jason - Can you elaborate on forgiving someone even if they deny the forgiveness. (31:45)
• Emily - We have been married for 30 years and my parents just can't deal with my husband. What do I do? (45:23)

 

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/

 

Primal Loss

https://www.leilamiller.net/digitalbook