Every marriage experiences moments of hurt. A sharp tone, a careless joke, a distracted silence after a long day — these small wounds can slowly chip away at intimacy if they are left unaddressed. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer explains why learning to apologize well is one of the most important skills a husband and wife can develop.

Doug reminds listeners that apology should be a regular part of marriage because no spouse is perfect. “We all have flaws and defects,” he says. “And those flaws and defects are like little dents in our relationship.”

A meaningful apology begins by taking responsibility. Vague statements like “mistakes were made” or “I’m sorry you feel hurt” fail to acknowledge the real offense. Instead, Doug encourages couples to be specific: “I’m sorry for my tone of voice,” or “I’m sorry I embarrassed you.”

He also warns against overexplaining. Too many explanations can sound defensive or like excuses. Often, the best apology is simple and sincere: “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

But true repentance does not stop with words. Doug explains that good apologies include efforts to repair the damage and a genuine commitment to change.

Finally, he reminds listeners that forgiveness is just as important as apology. “If you build your marriage on ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I forgive you,’ you’re going to have a pretty good marriage.”

Marriage flourishes when mercy becomes a habit. In a world that often encourages pride and resentment, Doug’s advice is a reminder that humility, forgiveness, and love remain the foundation of lasting relationships.

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.

Every marriage experiences moments of hurt. A sharp tone, a careless joke, a distracted silence after a long day &mdash; these small wounds can slowly chip away at intimacy if they are left unaddressed. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer explains why learning to apologize well is one of the most important skills a husband and wife can develop.
Doug reminds listeners that apology should be a regular part of marriage because no spouse is perfect. &ldquo;We all have flaws and defects,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;And those flaws and defects are like little dents in our relationship.&rdquo;
A meaningful apology begins by taking responsibility. Vague statements like &ldquo;mistakes were made&rdquo; or &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry you feel hurt&rdquo; fail to acknowledge the real offense. Instead, Doug encourages couples to be specific: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry for my tone of voice,&rdquo; or &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry I embarrassed you.&rdquo;
He also warns against overexplaining. Too many explanations can sound defensive or like excuses. Often, the best apology is simple and sincere: &ldquo;I am sorry. Please forgive me.&rdquo;
But true repentance does not stop with words. Doug explains that good apologies include efforts to repair the damage and a genuine commitment to change.
Finally, he reminds listeners that forgiveness is just as important as apology. &ldquo;If you build your marriage on &lsquo;I&rsquo;m sorry&rsquo; and &lsquo;I forgive you,&rsquo; you&rsquo;re going to have a pretty good marriage.&rdquo;
Marriage flourishes when mercy becomes a habit. In a world that often encourages pride and resentment, Doug&rsquo;s advice is a reminder that humility, forgiveness, and love remain the foundation of lasting relationships.
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The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

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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.