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Doug discusses what is and is not permissible in the bedroom. He also shares tips for those who feel like giving up on their marriage.   Listener question and comments: Matthew - I don't condone coercion but I don't think it should be kept from the other. I wonder if there is a traditional teaching that keeps those two things in harmony. (21:02) Mary - How do I communicate using the 4 four horsemen method. I need help doing it correctly. (38:23) Ron - Can I be forgiven for hurting my wife even when I’ve been to confession for it. Can I receive or do I have to go back to confession? (46:37)

Mary Bowen joins Doug to give an update on her lawsuit against the Texas no fault divorce law.   Listener questions and comments: Ronnie - My parents got a divorce when I was in my 30s and it hurt me. (17:05) Patrick - When you go through divorce, you feel like a criminal. I went through it and it was humiliating. (19:36) John - If you have a marriage partner that has a mental illness (bipolar), how do you work with that in a Catholic marriage? (23:08) Marilyn - My granddaughter wants a divorce. As a grandma, what should I do? They've been married for 14 years and have 4 boys. (39:32) Don - My wife left me legally and I have tried reaching out to redeem the marriage. It’s been 6 years so what do I do? (44:40) Jose - My wife decided she wants a divorce and she says this is what God wants. (47:40)   Resources: Primal Loss https://www.leilamiller.net/primallosspdf

Doug shares how to handle the challenges when and elderly parent moves in with you.   Listener questions and comments: Matt - I have been married for 20 years. I have a continued pattern of not telling the truth. My wife has had enough. What should I do? (6:22) Addison - We moved in with my father-in-law. He's 86 now. It has been hard, but really beautiful since our son is 8 years old. My biggest advice is to have those memories, and try and have your own time. Sit around the table and have dinner together. (11:51) Rose - Mom moved in with me. I feel called by God to take care of my mom.  I fell back on that when stressed. My mom is 98 and I am grateful. (21:47) Mary - It was my mother who lived with my whole family and it was a great experience. (26:20) Gina - My mom is in a private home, I only had her for a month. She had bathroom issues, and drove husband crazy. She loves the private home. (29:37) Liz - My mom lived with us and had dementia. My husband and kids helped take care of her.   Don't lose that connection with your wife. We are struggling to be back with each other. (34:29) Gloria - Since my mom’s cancer was terminal, we made the decision that I would travel 500 miles to stay with mom and my husband stayed at home. Our son stayed with my husband and our daughter stayed with me. (37:08) Sylvia - When my mom came three months ago, she underwent trauma emotionally, and now is in comfort care. (41:06)   Resources   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss toxic empathy. They also discuss questions on marital infidelity, and healing past wounds.   Listener questions and comments: Juan - I have been married for 15 years and my wife thinks I'm cheating. (4:04) Joe - Does marriage counseling help heal past wounds such as infidelity? (18:37) Don - I've experienced toxic empathy and also the other marital issues fueled by toxic empathy. (41:13) Gloria - My husband was unfaithful, but doesn't want to go to counseling. Should I still go to counseling myself? (47:51)   Resources: Monica Hinderer https://www.monicahinderer.com/   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

Bear Woznick joins Doug to discuss his two books; 12 Rules for Manliness, and Men of Grit and Grace.   Listener questions and comments: John - I have family history of the cowboy code! (36:28)   Resources: School of Manliness https://www.bearschoolofmanliness.com/

Sam Hodges joins Doug to discuss grief. They explore practical ways to support someone who is grieving, how people process grief differently, and what grief can look like in marriage and everyday life. They also take listener calls from people sharing their own experiences with grief.   Listener questions and comments: Sophie - My husband is mad at God and got away from his faith. Should I stay with this person? We are both Catholic and didn’t get married in the Church. (22:08) Mare - The best thing I ever did was get involved in a Catholic group for grief. My grief was due to my father not really being my biological father. (31:07) Stephen - I lost my son in 2023 and I feel God and the Church has brought me through this. (37:16) Brian - My daughter was killed several years ago and I am dealing with the pain. I ended up having an affair and almost lost my marriage. (41:36) Judy - I attended grief share and I am now helping run it at my church It helps so many people! (45:56)   Resources: GriefShare https://www.griefshare.org/

Doug shares the number one rule in dating and discusses questions that must be answered to really get to know someone well.   Listener questions and comments: Leslie - My husband died on April 2nd and we didn’t end on a good note and I don’t have closure. (12:17) Ray - I have noticed that girls will talk very loosely and tell stories about their sex lives. What should we do to address it or ignore. (18:03) Patricia - I am dealing with strife between multiple generations in my family. (22:52)   Resources: Catholic Christianity https://ignatius.com/catholic-christianity-cachp/   Highlights of the Catholic Faith https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948139847?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback   Why We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683570243?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback   Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307720519?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Doug talks with his daughter Emily about seeing the beatification of Bishop Sheen in person. Doug also covers a few listener emails before getting into dating advice, including conversion to Catholicism within a marriage, jealousy in relationships, and navigating purity while dating. Listener Questions and Comments: Matt - Should I pursue conversion to Catholicism at the expense of my marriage? He has been married for seven years but is being drawn to Catholicism, and his wife is not very happy about it. (11:51) Mark - Words of encouragement for Matt. As a CCD teacher married to a Jewish woman, Mark shares how his wife eventually converted after 30 years and how they have had a beautiful marriage. (29:01) Ray: How should you approach jealousy? He suggests having Doug and Timmerie together on a show to offer both the male and female perspectives on dating and marriage. (31:07) Samantha - How do you maintain purity while dating when you and your partner are not on the same page? She asks when it is time to walk away while also wanting to get engaged and married sooner rather than later because living purity is becoming difficult. (34:48)   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/

Monica and Doug discuss postpartum depression and psychosis, what can be done to treat them, and how to equip children who hear about these difficult cases. Listener questions and comments: Celeste: I experienced psychosis two years ago and struggled with a split personality. (11:20) Rose: I experienced postpartum depression and want to share my happy ending. (29:35) Cynthia: I never planned to have children and did not have a maternal instinct. My husband wanted seven children, and after having children, natural births, and breastfeeding for two years each, I became very maternal and developed a strong bond with my children. I never experienced postpartum depression. (41:06)

Are you married to someone struggling with an addiction that is damaging your marriage? Doug welcomes Scott Weeman, founder of Catholics in Recovery, to explore the roots of addiction and how people can begin the path toward healing and freedom. Listener questions and comments: Charlie – I have been in Al-Anon and found a “Letter to an Alcoholic” especially helpful. I want to share how it helped me. (18:26) Joe – I spent 12 hours on YouTube yesterday and realized I am addicted. How can I break this habit? (26:39) Dawn – I am in a 12-step program and want to share how it has helped me recognize the ways my own behavior has affected my family. (39:09) Resources:  Al-Anon https://al-anon.org/ AA https://www.aa.org/ Catholics in recovery https://catholicinrecovery.com/

Doug discusses several marriage topics including: complaining, where to find a good husband, and female breadwinners. He also shares several quotes to strengthen marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - My wife and I have been married for 20 years and I have a problem where I lie about small things. (11:18) Jade - I found out my boyfriend is cheating. He says he wants to marry me. Should we continue? (23:28) Mark - Comment: Jade seems like the forgiving type but she can’t trust him until he gives her time to show it. (40:33) Josh - The Bible says that men are to be the providers for the home so when people go against what God already set up it, doesn’t go well. (42:38)   Resources: Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/

Dr. Bobby Jakucs joins Doug to discuss insomnia and nightmares and their impact on marriage.   Listener questions and comments:   Monique - I have long days starting at 2 AM and ending at 9 PM so I have a lack of sleep. Is there anything I can do because I am burned out. (11:50) Dave - I am semi-retired. I feel like I am over sleeping. What should I do? (22:05) Joanne - I have a nightmare where someone is chasing me and I scream in my dream but I wake up my husband. (25:16) James - My son is going through mental issues and is taking melatonin but it’s giving him bad side effects and it’s not his favorite. What other options are there? (32:02) Frank - I fall asleep quick but I wake up every hour or so. (40:01) Rich - When I can’t sleep, I start praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I fall asleep before it’s over. (42:23) Laura - Seroquel is known to cause nightmares. (44:03) Mary - I only sleep 5 hours a night and I am 73 years old. I used to work nights and I wonder if that’s ok? (46:22)     Resources:   Take Courage Resilience Center https://www.takecouragerc.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

Doug unpacks a case study of an impossible marriage redeemed. In his story, the wife is shocked to learn that her husband was having an affair with a “friend”. Doug also responds to an email from a man whose wife refuses forgiveness and respect. PLUS: The Friday Rant!   Listener questions and comments: Jane - One good way to go about asking a man out is through mutual friends and having a mutual gathering. (33:32)   Resources: Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086FS9XCW?lv=shuf&language=he&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

How can pornography destroy a marriage? Should a couple get married in the Church after an 11-year civil marriage? What should you do if your wife is withholding forgiveness? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments:   John - I have been married for several years and my wife was unfaithful. We separated physically but then got back together. Now there is a separation on my part mentally that I can’t get over. (15:37) Mary Ann - When there is someone dressed immodestly my husband doesn’t distance himself and I wish he would. (22:26) Melissa - My daughter is a hoarder and her husband yelled at her and pushed around because of it. (28:47)   Resources:   Loving Him Through Sexual Addiction https://relevantradio.com/2026/09/loving-him-through-sexual-addiction/   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/   God’s Plan for Your Marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/   10 Lessons to transform your Marriage https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K3L7FLC?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback   Hold Me Tight https://www.amazon.com/dp/031611300X?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Special guest Bishop Michael Burbidge joins Doug to discuss his pastoral letter, The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - I have been in a state of spiritual complacency. Is this a spiritual or mental issue? (37:08)   Resources: The Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2026/01/20/the-divine-physician-and-a-christian-approach-to-mental-health-and-wellbeing/   El Médico Divino y un enfoque cristiano de la salud mental y el bienestar. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/es/2026/01/20/the-divine-physician-and-a-christian-approach-to-mental-health-and-wellbeing/   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/   When you need to see a therapist When you are stuck Your emotions become difficult to manage Your normal life functioning is off The relationships are suffering Your normal coping methods are not working