Marriage, Suffering, and Lasting Hope

Impact of Attachment Styles

Doug begins Part 1 of looking into childhood attachment wounds and how they can negatively impact your marriage.   Listener questions and comments: * Natalie - How can I create a secure attachment style in friendship? (38:29) * Julia - What is advice for a couple when one of them has problems and they blame the other? (46:58)   Resources: Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/ [https://iceeft.com/]   Secure attachment style 1. Ability to regulate your emotions 2. Easily trust others 3. Effective communication skills 4. The ability to seek emotional support 5. You are comfortable being alone 6. Comfortable in close relationships 7. Ability to self-reflect 8. Easy to connect with 9. Ability to manage conflict well 10. High self-esteem 11. Ability to be emotionally available   Avoidant attachment style 1. Persistently avoid emotional or physical intimacy 2. Strong sense of independence 3. Uncomfortable expressing your feelings 4. Tendency to be dismissive of others 5. Difficulty trusting others 6. Tend to be threatened by people getting to close 7. Spend more time alone 8. They believe they don’t need others 9. Tendency to have commitment issues

Intimacy and Eternity

Deacon Patrick Conley joins Doug to discuss his faith journey that led him to the Deaconate. Doug also goes to the mailbag. What can a couple do if the husband is no longer physically able to fulfill his role in the bedroom?   Listener questions and comments:   * Joan – Congratulations to Deacon Patrick Conley! (9:12)   Resources: NaPro Technology https://naprotechnology.com/ [https://naprotechnology.com/]

Prioritizing Your Spouse

Doug continues his discussion on how cognitive distortions harm marriages. He also shares how to not resent a husband for spending too much time at work. Plus: The Friday rant!   Listener questions and comments: * Michael - My wife’s therapist confirmed that my wife’s feelings were reality even when it wasn’t the truth and I had to fight him on that. (16:50) * David - I am civilly divorced but married in the Church. I am wondering if the marriage was valid or not from the beginning. (22:04)   Resources: Cognitive Distortions in Marriage https://relevantradio.com/2026/06/cognitive-distortions-in-marriage/ [https://relevantradio.com/2026/06/cognitive-distortions-in-marriage/]   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/marriage-tune-up [https://www.marriageunhindered.com/marriage-tune-up]

Money Management in Marriage

Have you and your spouse ever disagreed about money? Today, Doug is joined by Kevin Smith to discuss practical money management strategies. Kevin shares tips for creating and sticking to a budget, and explains the difference between good debt and bad debt—and how understanding that distinction can help you make smarter financial decisions.   Listener questions and comments: * Deedee - My daughter recently graduated and she has federal loans but she can’t find a job. If she has to file for bankruptcy, how does this impact the federal loan? (45:08)   Resources: Kevin Smith https://ethoslogosinvestments.com/ [https://ethoslogosinvestments.com/]

Faith Begins at Home

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Doug to discuss his book Forming Families, Forming Saints. Together, they explore how human and spiritual formation help cultivate virtue and shape families into communities of faith, fostering the growth of future saints.   Listener questions and comments: * Len - I just bought the book! Lots of wisdom. I will order 8 more! (37:39)   Resources: Forming Families, Forming Saints https://stpaulcenter.com/store/forming-families-forming-saints [https://stpaulcenter.com/store/forming-families-forming-saints]