Marriage, Suffering, and Lasting Hope

Faith, Family & Radio

Mark Swartzberg joins Doug to discuss his conversion to the Catholic Church, family life, and his journey to Relevant Radio.   Listener questions and comments: Brian - What are the specifics on the validity of the marriage and sacramentality of marrying a non-Catholic? (40:32)

Making Jesus Christ the Center of your Marriage

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Doug to discuss marriage and spousal love from his book Highlights of the Catholic Faith.   Listener questions and comments: * Josephina - I went to confession and I was able to apologize to my husband. It opened up the world of forgiveness. (19:55) * Deedee - I have been married twice and both men are deceased. What is the Catholic position on getting married a third time? (37:24) * Walter - The world we live in is so materialistic and disposable. It’s also happened in marriages. People use their spouse and then throw them away. (38:51) * Angel - I was on a few weeks ago talking about my fiancé who is a general oversees and he has issues that are getting worse. What do I do? (44:30)   Resources: Highlights of the Catholic Faith https://scepterpublishers.org/products/highlights-of-the-catholic-faith?srsltid=AfmBOop9iajSrMyZXnB-F1IOgNAr4ds-bYR_aYazTW52vhQd5KlqrQkp [https://scepterpublishers.org/products/highlights-of-the-catholic-faith?srsltid=AfmBOop9iajSrMyZXnB-F1IOgNAr4ds-bYR_aYazTW52vhQd5KlqrQkp]

What Dads Need for Father’s Day

What do dads really need on Father’s Day? Doug offers seven powerful reminders of how love, respect, and gratitude can make a father feel seen and valued.   Resources: The Bible and Marriage: The Two Shall Become One Flesh (A Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments) https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-bible-and-marriage-the-two-shall-become-one-flesh-a-catholic-biblical-theology-of-the-sacraments [https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-bible-and-marriage-the-two-shall-become-one-flesh-a-catholic-biblical-theology-of-the-sacraments]   Marriage Tune-Up: https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ [https://www.marriageunhindered.com/]   What dads really need on Father’s Day 1. I love watching you be a father. 2. I love the way you show up even when it’s hard. 3. You make this family better in ways you don’t even realize. 4. I trust your judgement as a father. 5. You teach our kids things I never could. 6. I’m proud of the man you’ve become. 7. I still choose you every day.

Marriage Unhindered Lightning Round

Doug discusses how married people are living their best lives and how married women are increasingly the happiest women.   Listener questions and comments: * Denise - My boyfriend has stopped talking to other women but he has a friend who is a woman. She is married but he doesn't want to hurt the friendship. It bothers me. (10:34) * Dana - It seems like Catholicism encourages marriage when Paul advises against it. Why? (21:00) * Rita - I am in a relationship with a man after being widowed. I want to get married but he won’t move forward with it. Should we go to therapy? (25:49) * Adela - I have seen two instances where the men have left their fiancés for their best friends. (30:24) * Ann - I know a man who adopted some children and now has a problem with them and doesn’t want to live with them. (35:35) * Regina - the context of Paul’s writing is that Paul believed that the second coming would be within the year or two so it wasn’t worth having kids because we have so little time. (42:27) * Danielle - I am married and we are both Catholic and I am still learning about the faith and he has abused me so I am asking about a divorce. He wants to go to therapy. What do I do? (44:17)

Attachment Needs That Strengthen Marriage

Doug unpacks the 5 attachment needs every married person has. PLUS: The Friday rant!   Listener questions and comments: * Liza - My daughter is 28, lives at home and will never help me with any chores. Her father won’t make her help and she ignores me. (37:36)   Resources:   5 attachment needs in marriage 1. To be seen, known, heard and understood 2. To feel safe and secure 3. To be comforted, soothed and reassured 4. To be cherished, rejoiced and delighted 5. To believe that my spouse wills my good