On Doug Hinderer’s podcast Marriage Unhindered, you'll hear about the four stages of marriage with Pete and Carol Tomaselli, who are Retrouvaille coordinators. You can check out the whole conversation <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2024/10/getting-away-to-heal-your-marriage/">here</a>.   Spoiler alert: marriage isn’t just rainbows and butterflies (shocker, right?). Here’s the gist of the conversation, and it might hit close to home. Let’s talk about those four stages:    Romance    The first stage is the "honeymoon" phase. You know it: butterflies, hearts, and all the "we're going to be this happy forever" feelings. Pete and Carol call this the phase where you're infatuated with your spouse, where even their little quirks are endearing (for now).   Disillusionment    And then, bam! The real world hits, and suddenly that "adorable" thing your spouse did is... not so cute anymore. It's the phase where you realize, "Wait, my spouse is an actual human with flaws!"   Misery    Now, this is where things can get dark. If you don’t address the disillusionment, it festers, and boom: you’re miserable. This is where couples start acting more like roommates than lovers. Things like avoiding communication or drifting apart become way too common. The Tomasellis even mentioned a concept called the "Married Singles Lifestyle," where spouses are busy with everything (work, kids, volunteering) except each other.   Awakening    Finally, there’s hope! The awakening is where you both realize that it's not over, and there’s more to come if you put in the work. It's like a "lightning bolt" moment for some, but for most, it’s a gradual shift where you stop focusing on what’s wrong and start seeing the good. If you stick it out past the misery stage, the chances of having a joyful marriage skyrocket.   Doug shared about a husband who admitted his own mistakes when his wife had an affair. He said he neglected her while being busy with work and other commitments. That realization saved their marriage.   So, what’s the takeaway here? Selfishness is the enemy. If you're both stuck thinking, “You’re supposed to make me happy,” you're in trouble. Marriage is about both of you giving, compromising, and remembering that God needs to be the center.

From Disillusionment to a Deepening of Love (Special Podcast Highlight)

"When you love someone, you want to know all about his life and character, so as to become like him." ‚Äì St. Josemaria 
 St. Josemaria spoke these words about the Lord Jesus, but they also apply to his Blessed Mother, Mary. The more we love Mary, the more we will want to know everything about her so as to become like her. 
 The Maiden of Nazareth is a delightfully imaginative story that will help you get to know the Blessed Virgin Mary -- not as a statue in a church -- but as a living, breathing, human being. It follows her life from her immaculate conception and birth, up through her assumption into heaven, and it introduces you to the various characters that accompanied her along the way: her parents Joachim and Anne, various cousins and relatives, her husband Joseph, Jesus, his apostles, and various disciples and friends. You will feel like you know all of them much better after having read this book! 
 This book is the fruit of many years of contemplating the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its primary source is the author's imagination ‚Äì an imagination fired by the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Maiden of Nazareth

In this episode of the Fairest Love podcast, we explored the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence with Katie Hinderer of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.rosebudsocial.com/">Rosebud Social Strategies</a>. The conversation examines the promises and pitfalls of AI—how it’s changing education, shaping relationships, and influencing family routines. Katie offers thoughtful insights into how parents can approach AI with discernment, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and protecting real-life connection. We also discussed how families can foster creativity, virtue, and intentional time together in an increasingly tech-driven world.

S5 Ep. 31 - Managing AI and Protecting Family Time in a Digital World with Katie Hinderer

February is the season of love, so this week we are talking with Jordan Langdon from Families of Character to discuss how we can cultivate a giving mindset in ourselves, with our spouses and in our children!Find Jordan at: <a href="https://www.familiesofcharacter.com">https://www.familiesofcharacter.com</a>Extra Resources:<a href="http://www.familiesofcharacter.com/">"The Best Me I Can Be" Kids Journal</a> for kids age 5-11 to develop a GIVING Mindset<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThriveCommunitybyFOC">The Thrive Community by Families of Character</a> Private Parenting Facebook Group<a href="http://www.familiesofcharacter.com/">Subscribe to our email newsletter</a> for FREE weekly printables like our Giving Mindset printable, Grit Interviews, Date Night Ideas

Ep. 6 Cultivating a Giving Mindset in the Family with Jordan Langdon

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ. [ <a href='http://stjosemaria.org/ipray-were-not-ten-cleansed'>Transcript</a> ] Subscribe to our NEW Devotions channel where we share audio recordings of our popular novenas and devotions available at www.stjosemaria.org to accompany you in your time of prayer, whether at home or on the go. Click here to subscribe on <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/devotions-on-the-st-josemaria-institute-podcast/id1895870885'>Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href='https://open.spotify.com/show/1rpuXHM94Y06ouU37iIMHH?si=6508be06971e4324'>Spotify.</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Let us know that our podcast is important to you:<ul><li>Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review.</li><li>Stay connected with us on <a href='https://www.facebook.com/stjosemariainst/'>Facebook</a> and <a href='https://www.instagram.com/stjosemariainst/'>Instagram</a>. </li><li>Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/subscribe/'>www.stjosemaria.org</a></li></ul>Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/subscribe/'> </a>

"Were Not Ten Cleansed? Where are the Nine?" | iPray with the Gospel

DISCLAIMER: This episode contains the discussion of sensitive topics regarding pornography and addiction. Discretion is advised.Forgiveness is not one moment in the course of your relationship. It happens everyday and requires the conscious decision to allow the pain and hurt to be overcome by charity and healing.On today’s show, we are joined by Mary Lenaburg, author of&nbsp;Be Brave in the Scared&nbsp;and&nbsp;Be Bold in the Broken,&nbsp;as well as a mentor for women dealing with loss, addiction, and trauma.Mary shares with us how through the many trials and sufferings within marriage, forgiveness is possible. She explains how by the inspiration of her children and the help of friends and spiritual directors, she and her husband were able to heal from their addictions and come to better love each other.Learn more about Mary’s story and the mentorship program that she is providing for women by visiting her website at&nbsp;<a href="http://marylenaburg.com/">marylenaburg.com</a>You can listen to the Mary &amp; Jerry Podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://marylenaburg.com/_podcast/">here</a>.

S4 Ep. 11 The Daily Choice to Forgive with Mary Lenaburg

"Why have the gentiles raged and the people devised vain things?" Psalm 2:1Hosts Jake, Louis, and Pat dive headfirst into the captivating depths of Verse 1, where they unravel the futility of our human habit of standing against the divine will. They delve into the exhilarating journey of trusting in God’s unwavering protection, highlighting the hollow endeavors of evil that try to distract us. They draw striking parallels between the powerful narratives of the Old Testament and the transformative tales of the New Testament, especially as they relate to the passion of Christ. This exploration emphasizes the timeless and epic battle between good and evil, reminding us that, against all odds, God's steadfast presence is always by the side of His people! Buckle up for a profound discussion rich with excitement and insight!

Verse 1 Part 1 - The Futility of Opposing God

He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons.¬†
Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known "silent" character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him.
In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways‚ÄîKing Herod the Great.
Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph‚Äîan heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was‚Äìa sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia.
Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph's education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel's visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple?
Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph's world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ.

St. Joseph and His World

Adolescent therapist, Monica Hinderer, joins us again this week to talk about the best ways to navigate the start of a new school year. This is an opportunity for a fresh start, not just for the school-aged children but for the whole family. She shares three words to keep in mind: Patience, Schedule, and Balance.

S4 Ep. 32 – Navigating The New School Year With Your Family With Monica Hinderer (Rebroadcast)

DISCLAIMER - This episode contains discussion of sensitive content. Please be advised. As we continue to discuss freedom, Steve Pokorny, founder of Freedom Coaching, joins us on the show to talk about finding freedom from pornography and maintaining it.Steve’s insights are powerful and help us to understand the difference between addiction and compulsion. His coaching-based program highlights the importance of strengthening the understanding of human sexuality in order to work against a compulsion to pornography. You can learn more about Steve’s program by visiting his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://freedom-coaching.net">website</a> or by reading his book, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Redeemed-Vision-Setting-Pornified-Culture/dp/0999670506">Redeemed Vision</a>.

S4 Ep. 29 - Pursuing & Maintaining Freedom from Addiction with Steve Pokorny

What do you do when marriage therapy is not working? What do you do when your parents receive a decree of nullity and start dating other people? Doug answers these questions and more. PLUS: Mary at the Crossroads of History. &nbsp; Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Pepper - I have done a lot of therapy and it was not going well. My therapist friend told me to 'do what the therapist tells you'. I hadn't been because it seemed silly. But you have to do it because it makes a huge difference. (20:00)</li> </ul> &nbsp; Resources: &nbsp; Mary at the Crossroads of History <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/mary-at-the-crossroads-of-history">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/mary-at-the-crossroads-of-history</a> &nbsp; Rekindled Hearts <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/rekindled-hearts-book">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/rekindled-hearts-book</a> &nbsp; Marriage Unhindered <a href="https://www.marriageunhindered.com/">https://www.marriageunhindered.com/</a> &nbsp; Happy Marriage for Life <a href="https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/">https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/</a>

Mary at the Crossroads of History

Three of the seven &ldquo;prophets&rdquo; presented in this book&mdash;Descartes,Rousseau, and Nietzsche&mdash;provoked or facilitated, through their intellectual activity, great upheavals.
The others&mdash;Pascal, Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, and Soloviev&mdash; predicted these very upheavals but showed us the way to overcome them.
If we study all seven of these philosophers in depth, we will have an easier time grasping the essence and origin of the universal drama now unfolding before our eyes and we will make wise and courageous choices for a better future.
Alex Havard walks us through the hills and valleys of recent history: the philosophical pitfalls embraced by the world, and the transcendent values and virtues that will help us overcome them.
This book is our way forward, as a collective community&mdash;a way to understand where the intellectual confusion began, so that we may find our way out of it.

Seven Prophets and the Culture War (audiobook)

The first in the Douglings Adventures Series (for ages 9-12) 
Join the fun and brave Douglas siblings Liam,¬†Christian, Allora, Mary, Angelica, and Serena as they go on an adventure that leads them to an encounter with St. Pio of Pietrelcina better known as Padre Pio. They will come to love this¬†wonderful saint, learn from his amazing knowledge of good and evil, help¬†fight against the powers of a dark and looming enemy, and learn lessons¬†about God's love, forgiveness, and mercy.

Mystic Informant

Dr. Stephanie Kafie joins Doug Hinderer to discuss her book: Totally Yours: The Catholic Natural Family Planning Handbook. She details the benefits of Natural Family planning including: being open to life, strengthening marriages and growing in marital chastity.   Resources: Totally Yours: The Catholic Natural Family Planning Handbook <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Totally-Yours-Catholic-Planning-Handbook/dp/1068936606">https://www.amazon.com/Totally-Yours-Catholic-Planning-Handbook/dp/1068936606</a>

Benefits of Natural Family Planning

Grace is a fundamental concept for¬†the Christian life. But what exactly does 'grace' mean? This book offers an introduction to this vital area for theology and for the lived experience of faith. 
 The theme of grace is placed within the area of theology known as¬†Theological Anthropology. Theological Anthropology studies what God has revealed to us about the meaning of the human person. This particular work focuses on how the action of the Holy Trinity transforms man and raises him to the new dignity of being a son of God. 
 Topics covered include the relationship between the natural and the supernatural, as well as the meaning of grace in Sacred Scripture and in the theological tradition. Special attention is given to the thought of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Paul II, as well as to the insights of biblical scholarship. 
 Particular chapters deal with various aspects of the mystery of grace, including the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the soul of the Christian, divine filiation in Christ, and the interior transformation of the soul brought about by God's saving action. This book also explores how grace operates in relation to human freedom, and in the good works which are the fruit of God's action and human cooperation. Finally, the book closes with a chapter on the way grace operates in the Christian's everyday spiritual journey towards eternal life.