Doug kicks off the podcast episode with a great question:

 

❓ "What’s the single most important thing you can do to make your marriage rock solid?"

 

👉 It’s cuddling. Yep. Straight from therapist Mary Jo Rapini and backed by actual studies.

 

Listen to the whole hour about emotional connection here!

 

 

🧠 The Brain-Science Behind the Snuggles

 

Cuddling does more than make you feel warm and fuzzy:

 

-Releases oxytocin (aka the "love hormone") 😍

 

-Activates your smell and touch centers, reminding you of your love

 

-Builds a non-verbal connection without draining energy

 

-Sparks better communication and intimacy

 

Doug drops this truth:

 

“I need to feel loved before I can do love.”

 

 

 

💬 Feelings: Learn 'Em, Name 'Em, Share 'Em

 

Doug explores emotional literacy, especially for people who grew up being told to "stuff their feelings." Here's the playbook:

 

-Name your feelings 


Use an emotion wheel (seriously, Google it and stick it on your fridge).
Emotions are human, not a weakness.

 

-Share your feelings 💬


Your spouse wants to know you. If you’re not sharing what’s inside, they’re playing emotional charades with blindfolds.

 

"Spouses are not mind readers. Help them out."

 

-Validate their feelings 🙏


No mocking, dismissing, or fixing... Just listen, accept, and honor what they’re feeling.

 

 

A Beautiful Bonus from a Caller

 

Marissa from California calls in with a gem:


What’s kept her marriage strong? Praying together. 

 

-They do couple prayer: talking to God together as a team.

 

-They serve and volunteer as one.

 

-It’s made them feel closer than ever.

 

Doug agrees that adoration, prayer, and shared spiritual time can knit your hearts tighter than anything.

 

 

Bottom Line: Emotional Connection > Everything Else

 

So, here’s your takeaway homework:

 

-Cuddle. Every day. Not with an end goal... just to feel close.

 

-Name your feelings. Use tools if you need to.

 

-Share vulnerably. Let your spouse see you.

 

-Pray together. Even quietly, side by side.

 

❤️ A rock-solid marriage isn’t built on grand gestures. It’s built in small, tender, intentional moments.

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Doug kicks off the podcast episode with a great question:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="449" data-end="540">
❓ "What&rsquo;s the single most important thing you can do to make your marriage rock solid?"
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
👉 It&rsquo;s cuddling. Yep. Straight from therapist Mary Jo Rapini and backed by actual studies.
&nbsp;
Listen to the whole hour about emotional connection <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/05/building-an-emotional-connection/">here</a>!
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="720" data-end="723">
&nbsp;
🧠&nbsp;The Brain-Science Behind the Snuggles
&nbsp;
Cuddling does more than make you feel warm and fuzzy:
&nbsp;
-Releases oxytocin (aka the "love hormone") 😍
&nbsp;
-Activates your smell and touch centers, reminding you of your love
&nbsp;
-Builds a non-verbal connection without draining energy
&nbsp;
-Sparks better communication and intimacy
&nbsp;
Doug drops this truth:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1091" data-end="1141">
&ldquo;I need to feel loved before I can do love.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1590" data-end="1593">
&nbsp;
💬&nbsp;Feelings: Learn 'Em, Name 'Em, Share 'Em
&nbsp;
Doug explores emotional literacy, especially for people who grew up being told to "stuff their feelings." Here's the playbook:
&nbsp;
-Name your feelings&nbsp;
 Use an emotion wheel (seriously, Google it and stick it on your fridge). Emotions are human, not a weakness.
&nbsp;
-Share your feelings 💬
 Your spouse wants to know you. If you&rsquo;re not sharing what&rsquo;s inside, they&rsquo;re playing emotional charades with blindfolds.
&nbsp;
"Spouses are not mind readers. Help them out."
&nbsp;
-Validate their feelings 🙏
 No mocking, dismissing, or fixing... Just listen, accept, and honor what they&rsquo;re feeling.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2269" data-end="2272">
&nbsp;
A Beautiful Bonus from a Caller
&nbsp;
Marissa from California calls in with a gem:
 What&rsquo;s kept her marriage strong? Praying together.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
-They do couple prayer: talking to God together as a team.
&nbsp;
-They serve and volunteer as one.
&nbsp;
-It&rsquo;s made them feel closer than ever.
&nbsp;
Doug agrees that adoration, prayer, and shared spiritual time can knit your hearts tighter than anything.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2666" data-end="2669">
&nbsp;
Bottom Line: Emotional Connection &gt; Everything Else
&nbsp;
So, here&rsquo;s your takeaway homework:
&nbsp;
-Cuddle. Every day. Not with an end goal... just to feel close.
&nbsp;
-Name your feelings. Use tools if you need to.
&nbsp;
-Share vulnerably. Let your spouse see you.
&nbsp;
-Pray together. Even quietly, side by side.
&nbsp;
❤️ A rock-solid marriage isn&rsquo;t built on grand gestures. It&rsquo;s built in small, tender, intentional moments.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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