Marriage Unhindered

Why do break ups happen? How do you live with a hoarder? Can AI improve your marriage? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more. Listener questions and comments: Christine - I want to give you a solution: A friend of mine said that they made a very small area and her husband could be messy there. (17:41) Mike - I am a hoarder and I would like to tell you how it is good. (28:56) Rita - I am a retired therapist and my suggestion is that for the things you feel you can’t throw away, taking pictures help. (30:51) Ken - I have a first communion garment that I don’t want to give to my nephew. Am I a hoarder for this? (35:00) Jason - I think AI is a good mediator. It’s like a father but doesn’t get mad. (37:00) Mike - It depends how you use the AI. If you put in negative prompts it will skew towards what it thinks you want. (37:50) Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ International OCD Foundation https://iocdf.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/

Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller. When getting married, the wife’s backup plan was divorce. After years of arguing and the husband’s alcohol abuse, hope seemed grim. Listener questions and comments: Ted - My wife filed for divorce about a month ago and I am wondering how to keep her here or if I need to let her go. (35:11) Angel - I was a military wife and my husband had a cheating and drug problem. He kept it from my children until right before he died. They are angry and hurt even though he’s dead. I want them to love their father after his death. (43:23) Resources: Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf The Forgiveness Institute https://internationalforgiveness.com/

Doug shares 6 New Year’s resolutions to help marriages thrive. He also gives rules for how to limit your teens social media use and screen time. Listener questions and comments: Tracey - My daughter took my granddaughter’s car. They think she was drunk driving but she was not and now my granddaughter is angry and wants to come live with me. What should I do? (21:59) Resources: The Anxious Generation https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036 6 New Year’s resolutions for your marriage I will use the daily pinpricks in married life to grow in virtue. Every day I will pray for, and about my spouse. I will give my spouse one compliment a day. I will use 'the formula' to talk with my spouse to let them know when they hurt me. I will use the words “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” as many times as needed. I will limit my use of screens, especially when my spouse and I are together.

What are some ways you would like to strengthen your marriage? Today on Marriage Unhindered, Doug shares how to stay focused on God’s love in your marriage. He discusses the importance of growing in virtue as a couple. Listener questions and comments: Maria - I am struggling because I don’t receive the love and gratitude for all that I do for my family. (19:14) Hugh - My thought on the quote from St. Francis De Sales: it's a call for married people to take every problem in their marriage and offer it up to God. (23:56) Tom - I once told my wife that I was her cross. It didn't go over well. She divorced me and we received a declaration of nullity. (26:04) Michelle - My marriage has been struggling since we got married. I started listening to your show just when I thought it was over. I utilized what you're talking about. I started seeing a Catholic therapist. I want my marriage to be holy and I want my husband to be more engaged in the Catholic faith. (40:08) John - I have been married for 5 years. In terms of finding a fault, I'm bad at time management and my spouse tells me to work on it. (45:58)

What does it mean to be joined together in matrimony? What is the difference between natural and sacramental marriage? Fr. Robert Altier joins Doug to tackle these questions and more. Listener questions and comments: Robert - If the wife concealed the fact that she was infertile, is that grounds for an annulment? (12:45) Susie - We were married by a protestant minister as non-practicing Catholics. What is the status of our marriage? (23:30) Patrick - What does the Church think about prenuptials? Does the Church frown on that? (29:21) George - Two people are 70. Can they be married if they cannot consummate the marriage? They are open to adoption. (34:58) Richard - If mental illness is not diagnosed until after marriage, is the marriage valid? (38:23) Amy - Is it true that someone who cannot conceive won’t be married by a priest? (40:38) Resources: Marriage Bundle https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle God’s Plan for Your Marriage https://godsplanforyourmarriagebook.com/