Discerning Marriage
Discerning Marriage
Theology of the Body Institute
Discerning Marriage is a weekly podcast hosted by Elizabeth Busby, MTS, MS, LMFT. Regardless of your state in life, you can begin preparing for marriage right now. Whether you are single, dating, seriously dating, engaged, on a break, or grieving a breakup, you can make use of this time for fruitful growth toward becoming a healthy and holy spouse. Intentional discernment of marriage starts today, even if you haven't given or received an engagement ring.
Why You Self-Sabotage Relationships + Why Therapy Matters Before Marriage + Healing Porn Wounds
What if the patterns sabotaging your relationships began long before you met the person you want to marry? Dr. Gerry Crete shares how trauma, attachment styles, and unresolved wounds can shape the people we pursue, the relationships we struggle to sustain, and even the ways we turn to pornography or other behaviors for comfort. Elizabeth and Dr. Crete also unpack Internal Family Systems and its compatibility with Catholic faith. They discuss healing before marriage, recognizing self-sabotage, learning to love imperfect people, and using prayer and therapy to move toward secure attachment with Christ and others.Souls & Hearts: https://www.soulsandhearts.com/Pateris Agape: https://www.youtube.com/@PaterasAgapeIgnite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Sep 22
52 min
Anticipating Infertility + The Abundant Fruit of Our Infertility + ā€œJust Adoptā€ Isn’t That Simple
Lance and Nicole have been married for 30 years, but their story of marriage and family didn't unfold the way they expected. They open up about infertility, miscarriage, grief, and the temptation to become bitter when the future you've imagined disappears. They also challenge the common advice to simply ā€œadoptā€ and explain why adoption and infertility require very different discernment. Along the way, they share how suffering unexpectedly led to deep relationships with spiritual sons and daughters, including priests and young people they helped accompany through life. This is a conversation about loss, trust, parenthood, marriage, and discovering what God can bring from suffering.Nicole's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolerodriguezoffical/Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Sep 8
53 min
Raising Kids Who Choose Faith + Let Them Rebel at Home + Stop Parenting From Fear
How do you raise children who don’t just inherit your faith, but actually choose it for themselves? AngĆØle and AndrĆ© Regnier share what they learned raising five children while building a Catholic movement for university students. We talk about why parents should model prayer instead of simply demanding it, what to do when your children don’t want to pray, why the people your kids admire can shape them more than you realize, and how to intentionally create that influence. We also explore respecting teenagers, giving children real freedom, teaching them to make decisions, responding to suffering, and why parents should stop parenting from fear of the world.AngĆØle and AndrĆ©'s book: Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Aug 25
1 hr 6 min
Don’t Pray at the Bedroom Door + Stop Dating for a Title + Forgiveness Isn’t Forgetting
What can Hamilton teach us about dating, chastity, suffering, forgiveness, and marriage? Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress joins Elizabeth Busby to explore why discernment is about faithfully taking the next step, not having your entire future figured out. They discuss why marriage is not a finish line, how couples can avoid waiting until temptation becomes overwhelming, and why we should not be scandalized by our own humanity. Drawing from pivotal moments in Hamilton, they also examine how suffering can draw us closer to Christ, why forgiveness does not mean forgetting, and what it means to choose a person, not simply the role they can play in your life.https://godsplaining.org/Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage: https://rosarypilgrimage.org/join-us-for-the-2026-novena-dominican-rosary-pilgrimage/Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Aug 11
1 hr
Unfaithfulness to Spouse & Annulment + Dating Women Felt Safer + This Moment Changed Everything
Kim Zember shares the extraordinary story of searching for love everywhere she could find it—same-sex relationships, success, missions, marriage, and even becoming someone she no longer recognized. She opens up about cheating on her husband, living with deep shame, and why none of it brought the peace she longed for. In this conversation with Elizabeth Busby, they explore unwanted singleness, same-sex attraction, healing, the difference between knowing about God and truly encountering Him, why so many people see God as a judge instead of a Father, and how discovering Christ transformed every desire without erasing the struggle.Restless Heart by Kim ZemberKim Zember’s IGKim’s website Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Jul 28
1 hr 7 min
When You Envy Those Getting Married + Protomartyr for Marriage + Desert of Singleness as Preparation
What does it actually mean to live for truth when it costs you something? In this conversation, we explore one of the most misunderstood figures in Scripture: John the Baptist. From his courage to confront powerful people to his willingness to die for the sanctity of marriage, his life challenges our understanding of discipleship, masculinity, and holiness. Along the way, we also hear Fr. Sean’s personal story, discuss discerning God's will, overcoming fear, and discovering joy through prayer. Whether you're wrestling with faith, searching for purpose, or wanting to understand why truth matters, this conversation will leave you thinking differently.Get Fr. Sean's "Prophet of Fire" hereIgnite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Jul 14
1 hr 3 min
Why Looks Matter More Than You Think + Why You're Still Single + Marriage Advice Ruining Dating
What keeps good people single? In this candid conversation, Catholic matchmaker Madigan shares the hard truths she's learned from working with thousands of singles. We discuss unrealistic expectations, dating app culture, ghosting, attraction, self-improvement, and why so many people struggle to find a spouse despite deeply desiring marriage. Madigan also shares her own unexpected love story, practical advice for discerning marriage, and her framework for knowing when you're choosing wisely versus settling. Whether you're single, dating, or helping someone discern their vocation, this episode offers hope, challenge, and a fresh perspective on modern Catholic dating.commitmentism.com/šŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Jun 30
1 hr 3 min
Why Good Catholics Stay Single + The ā€œI Doā€ Test + How to Keep Your Kids In the Faith As Adults
What does it actually take to build a marriage that lasts?In this episode, Dr. Gregory Popcak shares the surprising story of proposing after just two months of dating, how he and his wife Lisa built a 37-year marriage, and why prayer became the foundation of everything they created together. We discuss why so many faithful Catholics struggle to find someone to marry, the difference between piety and genuine devotion, how to identify humility while dating, and the single best predictor of future marital success.We also dive into parenting, why treating children like projects backfires, what causes adult children to drift away from their parents, and the habits shared by families who successfully pass on the faith. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for discerning marriage, building strong relationships, and creating a home where faith truly comes alive.Dr. Gregory Popcak's WebsiteIgnite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfoSpotifyšŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
Jun 16
1 hr 8 min
Should You Pursue Him First? + Men Who Aren’t Ready to Date + The Problem With ā€œTrust Your Feelingsā€
What do you do when you keep making eye contact with someone at Mass… but he never talks to you? Should you wait for someone who ā€œisn’t ready yetā€? Can you discern marriage and religious life at the same time? And how do you know if the peace you feel in a relationship is actually from God — or just emotions?In this Q&A episode, we dive into modern Catholic dating, discernment, masculinity, red flags, vocation anxiety, spiritual clarity, pornography, confession, desire, and the very real fear of making the wrong life decision. This conversation is honest, practical, deeply personal, and full of the kind of advice most people are too afraid to say out loud.Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfoFr. Ambrose Criste episode linkšŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠
Jun 2
30 min
Falling in Love Every 10 Days + "Spicy" Truth on Divorce + Theology of Heartbreak X Fr. Gregory Pine
In this powerful episode, Father Gregory Pine joins Elizabeth Busby to tackle the "spicy" reality of divorce and the permanence of marriage. They navigate the painful process of discerning a breakup, offering a "home run" of practical advice for anyone currently in the trenches of heartbreak. By exploring Thomistic wisdom and the necessity of "training the tongue," Fr. Gregory reveals how to stop catastrophizing and start "recollecting" your soul during times of loss. Ultimately, this conversation calls you higher—challenging you to look beyond your current relational status and anchor yourself in your "uppercase V vocation": partaking in the eternal bliss of the Trinity.Ignite Hope Discerning Marriage Retreat InfošŸ“ø Elizabeth’s InstagramšŸ‘©ā€ā¤ļøā€šŸ‘Ø If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement.Theology of the Body Institute Resources: šŸ”„ ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ šŸ’¬ Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 āš”ļø ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ šŸ“š ⁠Course schedule⁠ šŸ”ļø ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ šŸ›ļø ⁠Store⁠
May 19
47 min
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