If you've ever sent a text, meant it to be NBD, and suddenly found yourself in a heated battle, you are so not alone. 😅 On this episode of Marriage Unhindered, therapist dream team Doug and his daughter Monica Hinderer take a call from Mary, a wife of 33 years, who's just trying to go camping... without emotional landmines. 🚐

 

 

The Conflict: Trailer Trouble & Radio Silence

 

Mary shared a pic of their busted trailer floor in the family group chat. Her husband totally lost it. 🙈 He shut down, started name-calling, and hasn’t spoken to her in five hours.

 

Why the meltdown?


Doug and Monica help Mary (and us!) break it down:

 

💢 His likely triggers:

 

-Disrespect (He felt like she should’ve checked with him first.)

 

-Failure (That photo made him feel like a bad handyman in front of the whole family.)

 

Doug explains that men can be super sensitive about these two things, and this little moment was a perfect storm. ⛈️

 

 

Monica’s Advice: Don’t Chase, Don’t Explode

 

Monica gives calm, Christ-centered advice for conflict repair:

 

✅ Let him cool off. (Stonewalling means he is trying to self-soothe, even if it’s immature.)

 

✅ When things calm down, say something like:

 

“I’m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention. I’d like to talk when you're ready.”

 

✅ When he’s open, gently ask:

 

“Help me understand what triggered you, because I didn’t see it the same way.”

 

But also: Don’t ignore his bad behavior.

 

“Swearing and name-calling aren’t okay. That hurt me.”

 

It’s about growing together. 🙌

 

 

💡 Doug’s Take: Conflict = Opportunity

 

Doug shares this gem 💎:

 

“Conflicts are great chances to learn how to love your spouse better... and for them to learn to love you better.”

 

Let’s be honest: every married couple has their weird, recurring conflict patterns (read: landmines you keep stepping on 🙃). The trick is learning from them... not just surviving them.

 

 

The final advice:


➡️ Start with humility.


➡️ Be curious, not accusatory.


➡️ Keep boundaries around disrespect.

 

 

💕 Your Takeaway:

 

If your spouse overreacts... don’t retaliate. Slow down. Breathe. Ask questions. Apologize if needed, but don’t excuse sin or verbal abuse.

 

Marriage = sanctifying chaos with sacraments. 😂💒

 

You can listen to the whole hour with Doug and Monica Hinderer here!

 

 

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.

If you've ever sent a text, meant it to be NBD, and suddenly found yourself in a heated battle, you are so not alone. 😅 On this episode of Marriage Unhindered, therapist dream team Doug and his daughter Monica Hinderer take a call from Mary, a wife of 33 years, who's just trying to go camping... without emotional landmines. 🚐
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="532" data-end="535">
&nbsp;
The Conflict: Trailer Trouble &amp; Radio Silence
&nbsp;
Mary shared a pic of their busted trailer floor in the family group chat. Her husband totally lost it. 🙈 He shut down, started name-calling, and hasn&rsquo;t spoken to her in five hours.
&nbsp;
Why the meltdown?
 Doug and Monica help Mary (and us!) break it down:
&nbsp;
💢 His likely triggers:
&nbsp;
-Disrespect (He felt like she should&rsquo;ve checked with him first.)
&nbsp;
-Failure (That photo made him feel like a bad handyman in front of the whole family.)
&nbsp;
Doug explains that men can be super sensitive about these two things, and this little moment was a perfect storm. ⛈️
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1169" data-end="1172">
&nbsp;
Monica&rsquo;s Advice: Don&rsquo;t Chase, Don&rsquo;t Explode
&nbsp;
Monica gives calm, Christ-centered advice for conflict repair:
&nbsp;
✅ Let him cool off. (Stonewalling means he is trying to self-soothe, even if it&rsquo;s immature.)
&nbsp;
✅ When things calm down, say something like:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1451" data-end="1545">
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn&rsquo;t my intention. I&rsquo;d like to talk when you're ready.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
✅ When he&rsquo;s open, gently ask:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1579" data-end="1658">
&ldquo;Help me understand what triggered you, because I didn&rsquo;t see it the same way.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
But also: Don&rsquo;t ignore&nbsp;his bad behavior.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1706" data-end="1762">
&ldquo;Swearing and name-calling aren&rsquo;t okay. That hurt me.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s&nbsp;about growing together. 🙌
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1828" data-end="1831">
&nbsp;
💡&nbsp;Doug&rsquo;s Take: Conflict = Opportunity
&nbsp;
Doug shares this gem 💎:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1907" data-end="2022">
&ldquo;Conflicts are great chances to learn how to love your spouse better... and for them to learn to love&nbsp;you better.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s be honest: every married couple has their weird, recurring conflict patterns (read: landmines you keep stepping on 🙃). The trick is learning from them... not just surviving them.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2218" data-end="2221">
&nbsp;
The final advice:
 ➡️ Start with humility.
 ➡️ Be curious, not accusatory.
 ➡️ Keep boundaries around disrespect.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2515" data-end="2518">
&nbsp;
💕 Your Takeaway:
&nbsp;
If your spouse overreacts... don&rsquo;t retaliate. Slow down. Breathe. Ask questions. Apologize if needed, but don&rsquo;t excuse sin or verbal abuse.
&nbsp;
Marriage = sanctifying chaos with sacraments. 😂💒
&nbsp;
You can listen to the whole hour with Doug and Monica Hinderer <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/07/emotional-safety-for-children/">here</a>!
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
The 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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