Podcast
Marriage Unhindered
Hosted by Relevant Radio · EN
Marriage Unhindered is a sincere exploration of the joys and challenges within the realm of marriage. Hosted by the seasoned Doug Hinderer, this one-hour, caller-based show is scheduled to air Monday through Friday at 5PM CT, and will offer listeners an authentic journey into the complexities of marital relationships.
125episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Guiding Without Pushing Away
4w ago00:50:30Tap to summarizeMonica Hinderer joins Doug to continue their discussion on how parents unknowingly harm their relationship with their adult children. Listener questions and comments: Carolyn - What do you do when your child is in a same sex relationship and looking at marriage? (18:43) William - I have a daughter getting involved with a man who thinks he is a woman. She has threatened to cut us off. (27:41) Julie - I prefer to have birthday parties one on one with my daughters and so I like to leave their spouse behind sometimes. (39:28)
Transcribe →Helping Children Understand Catholicism
4w ago00:50:27Tap to summarizeSteven Hemler joins Doug to discuss his book - The Busy Parent's Guide to the Catholic Faith: Short Answers to the Big Questions. They unpack the scientific proof for God, stages of faith, and bringing adult children back to the faith. Listener questions and comments: Ed - I have been reading Fr. Spitzer’s book 'Faith, Science, and Reason' and it is really great on this topic. (29:06) Mary - My son is not receptive to the faith and he is an engineer. He says he is an atheist. What can I do to bring him back? (39:24) Resources: The Busy Parent's Guide to the Catholic Faith: Short Answers to the Big Questions https://bit.ly/4wON1UM The Reality of God: The Layman's Guide to Scientific Evidence for a Creator https://bit.ly/4bF5lr1
Transcribe →Finding Freedom and Forgiveness
Jul 1400:50:31Tap to summarizeDoug discusses forgiveness after the discovery of a secret pornography addiction. He also shares the journey of rebuilding a marriage that was nearly destroyed by years of alcoholism. Listener questions and comments: Carol - I have two friends who are married 30 years and the man called me crying because his wife had an affair for 3 months. She wants to go on a Retrouvaille weekend but he thinks it’s too soon. (37:07) Angela - Our daughter is gay, estranged and had a second IVF baby. We haven’t been able to meet him. What should we do? (44:06) Pete - I have seen couples go right to Retrouvaille and it is life changing. (47:08) Constantine - We were married outside of the Church and I treated my wife badly. She divorced me but when we reconnected a couple years later, we discussed reconciliation. (48:53) Resources: Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/ The Forgiveness Institute https://internationalforgiveness.com/ Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/ Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/ Emotionally Focused Therapy https://iceeft.com/ Dr. John Gottman https://www.gottman.com/ Retrouvaille https://helpourmarriage.org/
Transcribe →Holy Examples of Marriage
Jul 1300:50:29Tap to summarizeDoug explores lessons on marriage from the saints. Yesterday, the Church celebrated the feast of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin. Today, we commemorate the feast of Saint Henry II and his wife, Saint Cunigunde. Doug also examines what can be learned from Blessed Charles of Austria and his witness to married life. Listener questions and comments: Amy - You can surprise your spouse with a Mass said in their name. You can leave little notes. (30:25) Resources: 5 things we can learn from Blessed Charles of Austria and his wife Zita The primary goal of marriage is to get your spouse to heaven. Entrust your marriage to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After the wedding day it’s not only ‘me’ but ‘we’. They continually fan the flame of love. Love each other with a love that endures through hardship. 8 Ways to say I love you without saying the words ‘I love you’ I admire how you handle tough situations. Your perspective always gives me a new way of looking at things. You have such a calming presence. I really trust your judgement on this. You are so easy to talk to. I love the way you’re so passionate about your interests You have a knack for making people feel included. I’m grateful for your honesty even when it’s hard.
Transcribe →Contraception and the Friday Rant
Jul 1000:50:32Tap to summarizeDoug answers listener questions about contraception, intimacy, and openness to life in today's mailbag. He also tackles questions about past trauma and prudence in family planning and closes the show with the Friday Rant on no-fault divorce. Listener questions and comments: Marie – My husband and I discovered a beautiful way to have date nights while traveling in Italy. May I share our experience? (29:20) Charlie – Is it a mortal sin for an elderly couple with health issues to have marital relations if they are no longer able to conceive? (39:30)
Transcribe →Power of Prayer in Marriage
Jul 900:50:25Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a seemingly perfect marriage ends in divorce? Doug shares a case study from Impossible Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller, discussing the impact of selfishness on a marriage and how daily prayer can save your marriage. He also continues his commentary on the 5:1 ratio you need to practice to keep love alive. [ENCORE] Impossible Marriages Redeemed https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf
Transcribe →On Death, Emotional Distress and Attractiveness
Jul 800:51:07Tap to summarizeDoug discusses the writings of Arthur Brooks as he talks about death, emotional distress and attractiveness. 3:43-On Death and How it Relates to Happiness 12:47- On Emotional Distress 24:15 Leah-What are your thoughts are for having a dating relationships with someone who has an eating disorder that is undiagnosed and untreated? 36:43 Deedee-Regarding Arthur Brooks. I remember seeing him on Oprah. I remember he said happiness is not a destination but a direction. Can you expound on that? Is this true? 40:49- On what women and men find attractive in each other. https://www.arthurbrooks.com/ https://www.arthurbrooks.com/blog-posts/why-contemplating-your-death-might-make-you-happier
Transcribe →How to deal with non-practicing children and other topics
Jul 700:51:09Tap to summarizeDoug answers numerous questions from emailers ranging from non practicing son coming home with his family; how to live with an alcoholic spouse and fatherly relationship compared to God the father relationship 3:45-How to handle a son who got married outside the Church and wants to bring his family home for a visit 12:14-How to live with an alcoholic spouse 24:44 Susan-I have a friend who was married in city hall. She and her spouse are Catholic. Do they have the same obligation to stay in that marriage as Catholics who marry in the Church? 28:20 Catherine -Our son was married outside the church and we didn't attend his wedding. He left the faith. Was it wrong for us not to go? 39:07-How does one's relationship with her earthly father affect how she views God the father. 44:41- Kate-Our son married outside the Church 17 years ago. We did attend the wedding and embraced her. 6 years into the marriage she converted and became devout. 47:23-Should we break the family up if our child is not practicing the faith and wants to get married outside the Church?
Transcribe →Attachment Styles
Jul 600:50:55Tap to summarizeAdam Lane Smith joins Doug as they talk about exploring how to form secure attachment bonds with your spouse, children and friends. Ben--My biggest challenge is coming to my wife and she turns things on me. I don't want things to blow up but they always do. How do I prevent that? (26:09) Gene-My wife ignores me and I'm avoidant because it always leads to an argument. (30:06) Mary-My husband has become very distant in the last couple years. Last night he said we don't want to married anymore. (38:51)
Transcribe →Relationships Parenting & Perspective
Jul 200:50:30Tap to summarizeWhat do you do when your future father-in-law is getting in between you and your fiancé? Should you talk to your daughter about concerns you have with her 11-year-old? Should you be concerned that your daughter is dating a single dad? Doug goes to the mail bag. Listener questions and comments: Brenda - I am a single mother and I think that it takes a lot of discernment. It’s hard because my son’s feelings matter as well if he gets attached to a guy and I break up. (19:56) Resources: Prior Propper Planning is Critical https://relevantradio.com/2026/07/prior-propper-planning-is-critical/
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