Honoring Vows Through Hardship

Marriage Across Different Seasons

You be the therapist as Doug shares the stories of two couples—one celebrating 30 years of marriage and the other just beginning their journey as newlyweds.   Listener questions and comments: * Joe - My wife has decided to leave the Church and had a sterilization without my consent. What do I do? (5:02) * Mary - Comment for Joe: His wife did what she did because she felt like she had no control over her pain. She needs to feel like she is in control. (16:57) * Joe - Is it a bad idea to elope? I want it to be valid but I want my parents not to know. (20:58) * Mary - Comment: if I had ever met a man like Doug, I would be happily married but I should have never got married. My husband is dead but he was a pain in the butt. (34:34) * David - For the 30-year marriage one of them or both have given up hope on communicating with each other. There needs to be a safe place to go where they can share the pain and get through it. (39:57) * Jennifer - For the younger couple they need to sit down and have a clear goal about what they are doing to get out of the house and maybe doing more things that get them out of the house. (43:39)   Resources:   Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/ [https://catholictherapists.com/]   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/ [https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/]   Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/ [https://iceeft.com/]

Self-Love in Marriage

Does self-love harm a marriage? Do you struggle with the idea or think that marriage is all about selfless service? Today, Doug looks at self-love in marriage through the lens of Luke 10:27 and Matthew 5:44.   Listener questions and comments: * Anne - I agree with you and I would add that respect for yourself is respecting God because he made us out of love. (9:13) * Deedee - What does it mean to be made in the image and likeness of God? (37:42) * Ron - I have some examples of how I help myself when my wife starts to become my enemy. I also loved that litany. (39:56)   Resources: Litany of Self-Love https://www.thefaceofmercy.org/blog/litany-of-self-love [https://www.thefaceofmercy.org/blog/litany-of-self-love]   Showing unconditional love 1. Smile when you don’t feel like it 2. Say a kind word 3. Give a compliment every day 4. Refrain from criticism or harsh words 5. Serve your spouse without announcing it 6. Apologize quickly 7. Forgive immediately 8. Pray for your spouse every day   5 elements to a good apology 1. Regret 2. Rational 3. Responsibility 4. Repentance 5. Repair

Overcoming Anxiety

Catherine DiNuzzo joins Doug to discuss anxiety from a Catholic perspective. They define good vs bad anxiety, the problem of guilt and how to manage anxiety as a Catholic.   Listener questions and comments: * Jasmine - How do I fight my mind that triggers anxiety even if I’m doing okay? (10:19) * Rose - I get anxiety around my kids but I don’t want to share with my kids. What do I say? (35:21) * Judy - I have had anxiety when other people are driving. What should I do? (39:59)   Resources: Sacred Heart Mental Wellness https://www.sacredheartmentalwellness.com/ [https://www.sacredheartmentalwellness.com/]

When Divorce Seemed Inevitable

Did you have doubts before you got married? Did you worry that divorce was a possibility? Today, Doug shares another case study of an impossible marriage that was redeemed.   Listener question and comments: * Jenny - I am struggling in my marriage with my husband’s anger issues and his unwillingness to work. (13:05) * Joe - Comment: I want to say that we as men need to get it together and provide! (23:18)   Resources: Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Marriages-Redeemed-Didnt-Middle/dp/0997989327 [https://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Marriages-Redeemed-Didnt-Middle/dp/0997989327]

Father’s Day Tribute to Mothers

In honor of Father’s Day, Doug pays tribute to the women who made us fathers.   Listener questions and comments: * Christine - I had the most optimistic father of all time. He used to say 'when you come from nothing, you appreciate everything'. (23:28) * Constantine - My mother was not supposed to make it in childbirth and neither was I but I lived and she did too. I was able to tell my dad I loved him on the day of his death. (28:06) * Caesar - I grew up in a Catholic family and my dad was sure we were brought up as good Catholic men. (4:34)   Resources:   Pope Leo’s advice to fathers 1. “Don’t be afraid of this adventure” 2. “It takes courage to choose life” 3. “Your kids are not yours to keep. You are raising saints for the kingdom”