What is an emotional affair?

Break 1

Limiting teenage dating 

Break 2

Fear of divorce 

The Friday rant

Doug goes to the Mailbag. Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? Should you marry someone who does not want to have children? Doug gives advice on these questions and more. PLUS: The Friday Rant! 

 

Listener questions and comments:
Jamie - Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? (3:55)
Jessica - Do you have any ideas for how I can motivate my spouse? (10:15)
Kerry - I have a son who is married and has a young child. He and his wife are on the verge of a divorce. Is there anything I can do? (35:05)

 

Resources:

 

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

 

Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle

https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle

 

Happy Marriage for Life

https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/

Doug goes to the Mailbag. Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? Should you marry someone who does not want to have children? Doug gives advice on these questions and more. PLUS: The Friday Rant!&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Listener questions and comments:
<ul>
<li>Jamie - Is it considered an emotional affair if you haven't had contact with the person and it is more of a fantasy? Should you tell your spouse about it? (3:55)</li>
<li>Jessica - Do you have any ideas for how I can motivate my spouse? (10:15)</li>
<li>Kerry - I have a son who is married and has a young child. He and his wife are on the verge of a divorce. Is there anything I can do? (35:05)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Resources:
&nbsp;
Marriage Unhindered
<a href="https://www.marriageunhindered.com/">https://www.marriageunhindered.com/</a>
&nbsp;
Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle
<a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle</a>
&nbsp;
Happy Marriage for Life
<a href="https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/">https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/</a>

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 every Saturday from 11am – 12pm CT, and will offer listeners an authentic journey into the complexities of marital relationships.

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 every Saturday from 11am – 12pm CT, and will offer listeners an authentic journey into the complexities of marital relationships.

Marriage Unhindered

Emotional affairs & avoiding divorce

Impact of emotional distance in marriage  

Building emotional safety	

Common causes for emotional distancing 

4 strategies

The power of nonverbal communication 

Spouse wants more kids 

Doug shares the importance of establishing a strong emotional connection in marriage. PLUS: The Friday rant!

 

Listener questions and comments:
Mary - Contraception gets in between a husband and a wife. (8:36)
Anita - Everything you are saying are things I've said to my husband. I feel like I've been so distant. (22:43)
Lorraine - Would you agree that once the honeymoon is over that you should make an effort to think 'what would my life be without them?' Be grateful. My husband died and now I’m grateful for the time I had with him. (46:01)

 

Resources:

 

Marriage Unhindered

https://www.marriageunhindered.com/

 

Happy Marriage for Life

https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/

 

The Gift of NaPro Technology

https://relevantradio.com/2025/03/the-gift-of-napro-technology/

 

4 Strategies for rebuilding emotional intimacy
Prioritize purposeful communication
Reignite shared interests and activities
Integrate rituals of connection into your daily routine
Embrace the power of nonverbal communication

Doug shares the importance of establishing a strong emotional connection in marriage. PLUS: The Friday rant!
&nbsp;
Listener questions and comments:
<ul>
<li>Mary - Contraception gets in between a husband and a wife. (8:36)</li>
<li>Anita - Everything you are saying are things I've said to my husband. I feel like I've been so distant. (22:43)</li>
<li>Lorraine - Would you agree that once the honeymoon is over that you should make an effort to think 'what would my life be without them?' Be grateful. My husband died and now I&rsquo;m grateful for the time I had with him. (46:01)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Resources:
&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>
&nbsp;
The Gift of NaPro Technology
<a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/03/the-gift-of-napro-technology/">https://relevantradio.com/2025/03/the-gift-of-napro-technology/</a>
&nbsp;
4 Strategies for rebuilding emotional intimacy
<ol>
<li>Prioritize purposeful communication</li>
<li>Reignite shared interests and activities</li>
<li>Integrate rituals of connection into your daily routine</li>
<li>Embrace the power of nonverbal communication</li>
</ol>

Building Emotional Safety

My girlfriend broke up with me

Living with a hoarder

Practical tips for living with a hoarder

Can AI help your marriage?

Was my marriage valid?

Light a candle at dinner 

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/

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.
&nbsp;
Listener questions and comments:
<ul>
<li>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)</li>
<li>Mike - I am a hoarder and I would like to tell you how it is good. (28:56)</li>
<li>Rita - I am a retired therapist and my suggestion is that for the things you feel you can&rsquo;t throw away, taking pictures help. (30:51)</li>
<li>Ken - I have a first communion garment that I don&rsquo;t want to give to my nephew. Am I a hoarder for this? (35:00)</li>
<li>Jason - I think AI is a good mediator. It&rsquo;s like a father but doesn&rsquo;t get mad. (37:00)</li>
<li>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)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Resources:
&nbsp;
Marriage Unhindered
<a href="https://www.marriageunhindered.com/">https://www.marriageunhindered.com/</a>
&nbsp;
International OCD Foundation
<a href="https://iocdf.org/">https://iocdf.org/</a>
&nbsp;
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
<a href="https://www.nami.org/">https://www.nami.org/</a>

Living with a Hoarder

Wife saw that divorce was an option

Husband's turning point - leadership

Is there a chance we can reconcile?

Importance of physical touch

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 a case study from&nbsp;Impossible Marriages Redeemed&nbsp;by Leila Miller. When getting married, the wife&rsquo;s backup plan was divorce. After years of arguing and the husband&rsquo;s alcohol abuse, hope seemed grim.
&nbsp;
Listener questions and comments:
<ul>
<li>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)</li>
<li>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&rsquo;s dead. I want them to love their father after his death. (43:23)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Resources:
Impossible Marriages Redeemed
<a href="https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf">https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf</a>
&nbsp;
The Forgiveness Institute
<a href="https://internationalforgiveness.com/">https://internationalforgiveness.com/</a>

Emotional affairs & avoiding divorce

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