Marriage Unhindered

Managing Family Finances Together

Is money causing stress in your marriage? Today, Doug is joined by Preston Allex to talk through practical ways to manage family finances. They cover why creating a family budget matters and how to support college-aged kids as they transition into independence. They also share the value of Catholic Legacy: Faithful planning for a peaceful tomorrow.   Listener questions and comments: * Tony - My wife and I have a big family, and we have no credit card or debt, but also no savings. We rely on divine providence, hoping everything works out month to month, but it’s getting old. What do we do? (18:26) * Kathy - My husband and I paid our kids’ deposit and a month's rent to help them launch. (29:49)   Resources: Catholic Legacy https://catholiclegacy.com/ [https://catholiclegacy.com/]

The Perfect Apology

Doug discusses forgiveness. He also shares how to make the perfect apology and give the perfect compliment.   Listener questions and comments: * Deedee - I like the idea of being specific with compliments. It shouldn’t be just in marriage but all your friendships. (38:56) * Jeff - What you just went through and outlined for couples, could you also apply this to singles? Is the Christian life best lived in community? (43:01)   Resources:   Lovemaking: How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse - A Guide for Everyday Catholics https://www.amazon.com/Lovemaking-Talk-about-Your-Spouse/dp/164680371X [https://www.amazon.com/Lovemaking-Talk-about-Your-Spouse/dp/164680371X]   God’s plan for your marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/ [https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/]   Holy Sex https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Sex-Toe-Curling-Mind-Blowing-Infallible/dp/0824524713 [https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Sex-Toe-Curling-Mind-Blowing-Infallible/dp/0824524713]   Making a good apology 1. Acknowledge the offense 2. Express remorse 3. Make amends   Giving an effective compliment 1. Be specific 2. Name a particular virtue 3. Tell your spouse why it mattered 4. A good compliment should be timely 5. It’s all about them not about you

Can Marriage Survive Without Love?

What should you do if your Mother’s Day was a bust? What should you do if after 35 years there is no love left and you wish you had never married your husband? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more.   Listener question and comments: * Chris - My wife says I don’t speak to her kindly. She will ask me to explain something and I won’t be super nice, I guess. (24:28) * Felipe - I have recently been introduced to Agape Love and it completely changed my outlook of marriage. (27:28)   Resources:   The Forgiveness Institute https://internationalforgiveness.com/ [https://internationalforgiveness.com/]

Honoring Vows Through Hardship

Are you in a difficult marriage? Are the people around you encouraging you to get a divorce? Today, Leila Miller joins Doug to discuss fidelity to your marriage vows even when it’s difficult.   Listener questions and comments: * Joe - I have a friend who is considering annulment. What should I say to him? (19:11) * Vinnie - America is a throw-a-way culture so it encourages this problem. (29:09) * Annie - Fr. John Hardon and marriage (31:02) * Marci - I was married and I got a divorce and then we got remarried and I wonder which marriage is the valid one. (38:51) * Rita - The basis of psychological reasons is overused but I think it’s still a valid argument. Sometimes it really prevents you from fulfilling your vows. (44:10)   Resources:   Leila Miller https://www.leilamiller.net/ [https://www.leilamiller.net/]   Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997989327/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_U_Co5EEb40NF6EJ?fbclid=IwAR28wrf8nNEkRoZwVENtRanjxAEuY7Xah8PuqKvUweuM7aNWcTwddgVg-CM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997989327/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_U_Co5EEb40NF6EJ?fbclid=IwAR28wrf8nNEkRoZwVENtRanjxAEuY7Xah8PuqKvUweuM7aNWcTwddgVg-CM]   Divorce, annul, move on? Let's return to the mind of the Church https://www.leilamiller.net/blog/2020/3/24/impossible-marriages-redeemed-the-introduction [https://www.leilamiller.net/blog/2020/3/24/impossible-marriages-redeemed-the-introduction]   God’s Plan for your Marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/ [https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/]   Marriage Problems by Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_5qNVfeYA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_5qNVfeYA]

Catholic Parenting and Sexual Identity

April Readlinger, Executive Director of Cana Vox joins Doug to discuss Courageous Conversations: Tips for Talking to Kids About Sexual Identity and Attraction.   Listener questions and comments: * Joseph - My daughter thinks she’s a boy. She is 27. (46:00)   Resources: Cana Vox https://canavox.com/ [https://canavox.com/]   Courageous Conversations: Tips for Talking to Kids About Sexual Identity and Attraction https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Conversations-Identity-Attraction-Parenting/dp/B0FGZG5H5P [https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Conversations-Identity-Attraction-Parenting/dp/B0FGZG5H5P]