Building a Virtuous Friendship in Your Marriage (Marriage Unhindered)

Catholic therapist Doug Hinderer explores what it means to build a virtuous friendship in marriage –one rooted in genuine love, emotional safety, and a desire for each other’s good. Responding to a listener who felt she and her husband “never built that kind of friendship,” Doug offers a hopeful reminder: it’s never too late to start over. He encourages couples to invest just 15 minutes a day – a “daily 1% investment” – to reconnect and grow closer. Using tools like Dr. John Gottman’s Love Maps and Open-Ended Questions, spouses can deepen their understanding of one another’s inner world. Doug also stresses the importance of emotional safety, which begins by eliminating criticism and replacing it with affirmation, gratitude, and simple words of encouragement like, “I’m proud of you.” Through small, consistent efforts and a renewed focus on empathy and curiosity, Doug shows that every couple can rebuild trust, rekindle connection, and form the kind of friendship that sustains lifelong love. Listen to Marriage Unhindered with Doug Hinderer on the Relevant Radio app, LIVE each weekday at 5pm CT.