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Doug continues his discussion on how the devil tries to destroy your marriage, and shares two very interesting emails: one about a married son going through a divorce who wants to bring his new girlfriend around for the holidays, and another from a wife who wants to help her husband navigate a prolonged period of abstinence due to a difficult pregnancy.   Listener questions and comments: Rich - On first email: Invite his wife and children, but NOT him (17:57) Mary - On first email: You can’t always get what you want. It’s a matter of praying about it but you need to protect the feelings of the children. (18:50) Deedee - Are ‘homewreckers’ in league with the devil? (36:30) Santiago - I'm 15 months sober after three years of trying to quit. My wife is pregnant, and I've been trying to go to church tremendously. Addiction is everywhere. (38:20)   Resources: Four Common Tactics of the Devil https://spiritualdirection.com/2025/11/16/four-common-tactics-of-the-devil

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how children impact marriage. Today they focus on conflicts over parenting styles.   Listener questions and comments: Mark - My folks were united but pretty strict, and I rarely saw them disagree about how to raise their children. Maybe being united isn’t always what it seems. (20:27) Pete - As I got older, I began to understand the discipline and sacrifices my parents made for me. That’s what motivated me to step up and work harder. I came from a family of seven kids. (26:18) Joan - My husband and I had different parenting styles. Three of our children are gay, and they barely talk to us anymore. I resent my husband because I tried to raise our kids in the faith, but he didn’t share that commitment. Do you think that made a difference? (27:35) Monica - My daughter is overprotective in her parenting. She has two girls, ages 3½ years and 1 month old. (38:48) Julie - For those of us who are remarried in the Church, with children from previous marriages and different parenting styles, navigating family life can be challenging. (42:15) Tom - To help defuse tension between parents, I pray to my guardian angel to help facilitate communication with their guardian angels. (45:14)   Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Monica Hinderer https://www.monicahinderer.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

Doug answers a listener’s email about ending a relationship with someone who may have a behavioral disorder, then continues a series on how the devil attacks marriages. He also discusses the Four Horsemen of relationship conflict and when to seek professional help. Listener questions and comments: Kim: My 20-year-old son is dealing with a situation similar to the man in the email. What should I do? (17:36) Maria: My husband and I are separated because we do not get along. He frequently talks to other women, makes new friends, and seeks platonic relationships with them. (38:03) Resources: The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapyhttps://iceeft.com/Four Common Tactics of the Devilhttps://spiritualdirection.com/2025/11/16/four-common-tactics-of-the-devilhttps://catholictherapists.com/https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/

Doug begins a two-part series on the 4 tactics the devil uses to destroy marriages.   Listener questions and comments: Mary - My husband is considering divorce after an affair, saying the other woman gives him “a feeling” he can’t explain. Our hearing is Friday, and I’ve asked him to pause and reconsider, but he’s unsure what to do. (20:48) Sebastian - How can I apply this concept of the devil’s influence to my situation, where my wife and I seem divided in our views of marriage and family life after several years of marriage and raising five children? (34:39) Nancy – My second husband and I have been married for 31 years; both having come from difficult marriages. A quote by Bonhoeffer about marriage deeply resonated with me, giving me a beautiful sense of its purpose: not just romantic love, but a commitment to responsibility, mutual support, and the greater good of the world. (44:57)   Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Four Common Tactics of the Devil https://spiritualdirection.com/2025/11/16/four-common-tactics-of-the-devil   4 ways the devil deceives us The devil deceives us with many false and empty promises. The devil also deceives us by suggesting all sorts of complexities. The devil also seeks to deceive us with “wordsmithing.” The devil also deceives us through the manipulation of data.

Mary Bruno joins Doug to discuss her book, Twelve Stripes Deep: How Infertility & Other Suffering Delivered My Greatest Joys.   Resources: Mary Bruno https://marygbruno.com/   NaPro Technology https://naprotechnology.com/   FAbM Base https://fabmbase.org   Twelve Stripes Deep: How Infertility & Other Suffering Delivered My Greatest Joys https://bit.ly/47vFyPP

Dr. Pamela Patnode joins Doug to discuss her book, Beyond Burnout: Learning Balance from the Rule of St. Benedict. They define burnout, discuss the impact of burnout on marriage and share practical solutions.   Listener questions and comments: Simon - I struggle with procrastination and when I try to put it off it will make it worse instead of doing it quick. (24:00) Deedee - Did St. Benedict believe in perfect order? (36:11)   Resources: Beyond Burnout: Learning Balance from the Rule of St. Benedict https://orderosv.com/product/beyond-burnout-learning-balance-from-the-rule-of-st-benedict?ga_ref_list_id=taxonomy_3_term_94ga_ref_list_name=Taxonomy%20Term:%20Books

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their conversation about how children impact marriage, focusing on how busy moms can maintain a prayer life while still focusing on raising their children.   Steve - My son is getting married to his live-in protestant girlfriend and they are not getting married in the Church. Her mother is also a pastor. (12:25) Mary - Find the moments in the day where you can pray even in busy times. (28:35) Kristen - I have 9 kids and I battle this as well. I pray a morning offering just in case I don’t get anything else done. (32:43) Mariana - I am a mom of 3 under 4 and I have some advice. (38:48)   Resources: Should I Attend THAT Wedding? https://relevantradio.com/2026/10/should-i-attend-that-wedding/

Doug shares tips for what to do if your wife refuses to forgive you. He also discusses how faith filled marriages produce the happiest couples.   Listener questions and comments: Lucy - We have been married for 5 years but we don’t have children. It gets depressing during the holidays. (3:39) Marie - My ex-husband says that I like to bring up the past. What do I do to talk about this stuff? (10:14) Rachel - Comment for Lucy: I wanted to share Springs in the Desert that helps infertile couples. (16:43) Lydia - I think healing has to happen sometimes before the problem can be forgotten. (18:51) David - My wife and I have been married for 5 years and we have been dealing with infertility but we bonded in our faith by trusting God. (25:00) Beth - How can I address things that continue to happen. How do you avoid bringing up the past when addressing a current issue. (39:56)   Resources: Springs in the Desert https://springsinthedesert.org/   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/   Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/

Doug talks about a senior citizen with cancer using contraception.  AND could a relationship between a devout churchgoer and lukewarm believer stand a chance?  Listener questions and comments: Mary-Worries about radiation spread in regards to condom use for senior citizen (7:22) Mark-Clarifies about condom use for senior citizen with cancer in regards to bodily fluid (8:31) Mark - Using condoms to prevent genetic defect being passed on to  next generation (10:17) Anna-My spouse is refusing to go to mass. Everytime I ask him he puts up a fight and the priest said to make mass a cheerful event rather than a fight. (21:48) Anna-Husband being alone with another woman (25:02) Mary-I have been married for 40 years but my husband never went to church and we got a dispensation. He is now catholic though! (28:55) Elaine-I think there is a possibility that this is a problem of spiritual loneliness, when only one spouse goes to mass. (33:58) Jo-I am leaving my parent's house to go live at the homeless shelter. I am going through some issue with that relationship and need prayers. Also i just found RR this week. (38:08) Mary-I married a Christan man not catholic. I just want to say we made it work but it would have been a lot easier if he was catholic! (48:09)

Doug discusses the challenges and suffering that can arise in marriage, emphasizing the importance of redemptive suffering and the need to find meaning and purpose in our suffering rather than waste it.   Listener questions and comments: Leslie - My husband died of cancer and we didn’t end on a good note. I wonder if he loved me. I need some closure. (19:26) Heidi - I am in a difficult marriage but what helps is to offer up the things that he does to me and then maybe he will suffer less later. (29:50) Mark - Can you clarify the question about children and offering up suffering. (35:02) Joseph - You gave a great answer when somebody was going through suffering and you suggested that she 'be saintly' and suffer well. (37:00) Lara - I don’t think people realize that when you ask for prayer you are hoping to help someone else in your life. (41:35)   Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Rekindled Hearts https://relevantradio.store/products/rekindled-hearts-book

Is it possible for a young bride to be happy in serving her husband? Today, Doug shares advice from Alice Von Hildebrand in her book By Love Refined.   Listener question and comments: Jean - My son sent me a no-contact text. How do I respond? (4:07) Irene - I'm in a no-contact situation with two of my boys, and it's been going on for four years. It's just heartbreaking and I can't see my grandchildren. (24:20) Elena - My daughter recently got engaged after dating her fiancé for three years. As they began planning their wedding, he told her that his fear about her mental health and the possibility of it worsening is greater than his love for her. How can I help her navigate this situation? (30:15) Nancy – I was married and was in a very abusive relationship. I learned later that he was addicted to pornography. (48:00)   Resources: STRIVE: 21-Day Porn Detox for Men https://www.covenanteyes.com/strive/   Integrity Restored  https://integrityrestored.com/   RECLAIM Sexual Health  https://www.reclaimsexualhealth.com/   Road to Purity   https://roadtopurity.com/   Catholics Fight Porn   https://www.catholicsfightporn.com/

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss how children impact a marriage. They discuss relationship challenges including the effect on intimacy, finances and identity shifts.     Listener questions and comments: Pete - Having kids gave me a reason to work harder. It was the proudest moment of my life. Having people around to support you is helpful. (13:19) Cindy - My sister has been friends with a guy for three years and recently started dating him. They’re already talking about getting married in December. What are your thoughts? Should they date longer? She no longer practices the Catholic faith, and they met at a nondenominational church. (20:56) Mark - What is the best advice I can give to a married couple struggling with sleep deprivation? (46:49)   Resources   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Monica Hinderer https://www.monicahinderer.com/   Bringing Baby Home https://www.gottman.com/bringing-baby-home-for-parents/

Steve O’Conner joins Doug to discuss how we can fight pornography use.   Listener questions and comments: Mary - From the girlfriend’s side of things what were some things she did to help with your relapse. What were the things that helped him heal before they got married. (21:14)   Resources: Catholics Fight Porn https://www.catholicsfightporn.com/   Magdala Ministries https://www.magdalaministries.org/

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