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Dr. Greg Bottaro shares his incredible story of discerning out of formation for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and into a marriage with his bride! And the turning point of his discernment that happened while watching The Truman Show. Yes, for real! This story is awesome! I can’t wait for you to hear it!! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Dr. Greg’s book: The Mindful Catholic Ep 7: Mindfulness and Therapy with Dr. Greg Bottaro Dr. Bottaro is a clinical psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, a graduate school in Arlington, VA that integrates Catholic philosophy and theology with sound, empirically validated psychology. Before his degree, Dr. Bottaro discerned a religious vocation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He lived four years in the Bronx, serving the poor in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. He learned how to discern God's voice and live a life in service to others. Six years after leaving NYC as a friar he returned as a psychologist. The CatholicPsych Institute began there in 2012 and has since grown to 5 offices with 12 therapists serving clients around the globe. Website: https://www.catholicpsych.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholicpsych/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CatholicPsychInstitute A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

One of the topics that I often get emails and IG messages about is online dating. This method of meeting people is increasingly utilized as a way to connect with people outside of your immediate community, and thousands of people have met their spouse online (including one of our closest couple friends!!). I wanted to have a podcast episode to be able to direct interested people to, so I’ve invited Content Manager of Catholic Match Kateri Bean to discuss some helpful tips and tricks of how to build the foundation for a successful relationship with someone that you’ve met online. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Catholic Match Website where anyone can create a free CatholicMatch profile Podcast Episode about Breakups! Kateri Bean is a newly married cradle Catholic living in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. As the Content Manager of CatholicMatch, she has a special interest in supporting single Catholics as they navigate their journey to the Sacrament of Marriage. Instagram (the best place to learn more about them!): @catholicmatch A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Sometimes people will have a supernatural prayer experience where God gives them the assurance of who their spouse is going to be: “I just knew it was her!” Often, though, God works through a person’s reason and free will and allows them to choose whom they want to marry. This episode’s discernment story is an example of the latter. Christina Jaloway spent her 20s longing for her spouse and didn’t get married until she was 33, but man oh man did the Lord do big beautiful things during her wait! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Dear Single Reader: God is Not Going to Force You Into The Convent or Seminary Ep 14: Thriving While Single with Christina Jaloway Christina Dehan Jaloway is a wife, mother of two, and considers herself Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s biggest fan. Before getting married in 2016, she taught high school theology (her dream job) for nine years, and was a blogger and speaker at Catholic events. She lives with her husband Kristian and two boys in beautiful Austin, TX. https://www.theevangelista.com/ Instagram: @christinajalowa A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

For starters, this episode is for both men and women! 🙂 Back in the 1990s, St John Paul II wrote a Letter To Women, breaking open the beauty of femininity and completely busting the myth that women are less than men. On this episode, I’m joined by Liv Harrison to discuss a critical topic that St JPII discussed in that letter: the feminine genius. Both men and women need to understand the dignity and worth of the feminine heart in order to discern marriage well, and we hope this episode helps bring some clarity and springboards good discussions about femininity in this broken world. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes St. John Paul II’s Letter to Women The Genius Collective on Instagram Liv Harrison is known for being a professional speaker and emcee with a gift for humor, storytelling, and wisdom. People are her passion. She connects with everyone from junior high students to seasoned adults. Liv was the 2018 Host/Emcee to hundreds of Catholic youth at the Austin music festival, Godstock. Her work in marriage ministry keeps her connected with couples around Texas. Not only has Liv spoken all over Texas, but she has also spoken across the nation. She is presently serving the Junior League of The Woodlands as an active leader who often speaks to the 500 members. In May 2019 Liv successfully wrote, launched, and emceed the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference outside of Austin, TX. In December, of 2019 the Talitha Koum Initiative, LLC was formed to produce the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference. In March 2020 the unique Genius Catholic Women’s Conference launched in Dallas. Liv serves as President on the Executive Board of The Genius Collective; a non-profit that is in its final stages of development. Liv is currently a co-host on the Forte Catholic Podcast and the Discerning Marriage Podcast. On June 1, 2020 Liv launched her own interview/storytelling podcast titled Talk to Me with Liv Harrison: The Stories Behind Their Success. Lastly, she has been a frequent voice on Sirius XM and various other podcast programs both as a guest and as a co-host. She is married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two. https://www.thelivharrison.com Instagram: @thelivharrison Email: liv@thelivharrison.com A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Join me for this season 1 finale episode where I answer listener questions about the timing of transitioning to engagement, breakups, what to do when there is pornography in your relationship, and questions to ask each other in the pre-engagement phase! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Ep 4: Phases of Discernment Ep 19: Breakups Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about updates to the ministry and Next Step registration opening in 2021! A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...but it can also be the most painful time of the year for some people. This is true for people who have recently ended a relationship, because one of the most underrated sufferings in our current culture is that of breakups. It can be so tempting to just tell someone whom you see going through a breakup to just “move on” / “there are other fish in the sea” / “she was bad for you anyway” / “what a dumpster fire that relationship was, amiright?!” without validating the real pain that the person going through the breakup might be feeling. Breakups often affect the trajectory of a person’s future discernment, so I am incredibly passionate about people being intentional about how they navigate the end of a relationship. Liv Harrison joins me to discuss this critical topic. Note: this is a great episode if you are going through a breakup, have been through a significant breakup in your past, or you know and love someone who is or may at some point go through a breakup. Pretty much, if you or someone in your life is in a commitment and may break up one day, this is a must listen! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Ep 4: Stages of Dating with Liv Harrison TOB Institute Immersion Course Schedule Liv Harrison is known for being a professional speaker and emcee with a gift for humor, storytelling, and wisdom. People are her passion. She connects with everyone from junior high students to seasoned adults. Liv was the 2018 Host/Emcee to hundreds of Catholic youth at the Austin music festival, Godstock. Her work in marriage ministry keeps her connected with couples around Texas. Not only has Liv spoken all over Texas, but she has also spoken across the nation. She is presently serving the Junior League of The Woodlands as an active leader who often speaks to the 500 members. In May 2019 Liv successfully wrote, launched, and emceed the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference (geniuswomensconference.com) outside of Austin, TX. In December, of 2019 the Talitha Koum Initiative, LLC was formed to produce the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference. In March 2020 the unique Genius Catholic Women’s Conference launched in Dallas. Liv serves as President on the Executive Board of The Genius Collective; a non-profit that is in its final stages of development. Liv is currently a co-host on the Forte Catholic Podcast and the Discerning Marriage Podcast. On June 1, 2020 Liv launched her own interview/storytelling podcast titled Talk to Me with Liv Harrison: The Stories Behind Their Success. Lastly, she has been a frequent voice on Sirius XM and various other podcast programs both as a guest and as a co-host. She is married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two. https://www.thelivharrison.com Instagram: @thelivharrison Email: liv@thelivharrison.com A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

As our hearts turn toward Bethlehem and we prepare for the coming of Christ, I want to continue our conversation on what marriage is and what to do to prepare your heart to enter into the sacrament. I’m joined once again by Jeanette Clark to break open St. Paul’s beautiful and sometimes confusing passage in Ephesians chapter 5 about the relationship between husbands and wives. Jeanette’s gentleness and wisdom make for a wonderful discussion on a critical scriptural text for those of us who are called to marriage. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Ep 5: Humility with Jeanette Clark Ephesians 5: 21-33 - Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband. Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West Born to a military family, Jeanette Clark lived most of her life in the Washington, DC area. She received her Master's in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1997 and that same year moved to Denver, Colorado (which she actually considers her home town) where she was hired by the brand new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. She directed the Office of Christian Initiation for the Archdiocese for four years, giving frequent talks and retreats to the community. Jeanette married Jason Clark in 2001 at a little mountain Church in Evergreen, Colorado where their family adventure began. In June they celebrated 19 years as husband and wife. They have 5 children ages 8-17, 4 of whom are boys and they currently live in rural southern Pennsylvania surrounded by Amish neighbors. She is delving deeper and deeper into what it means to be a human being - a woman - who has encountered Christ and what that means on every level of existence. Deep ponderings at the kitchen sink. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Hands down the most helpful clinical resources I have found to help married couples come out of the Gottman Institute. Drs John and Julie Gottman have a research based theory on why marriages succeed or fail, and it is called the Sound Relationship House. Learning these seven “floors” and two foundational “pillars” is invaluable for people discerning marriage as they seek to build a solid foundation for a healthy and happy marriage. I am joined by Florida Marriage and Family Therapist Regina Boyd, who has completed level 2 training (out of 3!) in the Gottman Method, to share with us an introduction to the Gottman’s revolutionary theory. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes The Sound Relationship House Regina’s Counseling Practice Regina is the Founder of Boyd Counseling Services, a Catholic licensed mental health practice that provides in-person and virtual therapy for couples, families, and teens. She works with clients who are experiencing life changes, desire healthy emotional connection, and seek to develop problem solving strategies within their relationships. Regina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is a wife and mother of a delightful toddler. In her spare time Regina enjoys walks with her family, baking, going live for her Facebook and Instagram followers, and listening to Mumford and Sons. Instagram: @boydcounselingservices A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Fr. Blake Britton was born and raised in the Diocese of Orlando, Fla., the oldest of four children. After studying opera at an arts school and the Orlando Opera Company, he applied for the seminary at the age of 18 and earned both a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy as well as a master’s degree in Divinity. He is fluent in English and Spanish and well-studied in classical Latin and biblical Greek. He is a published author and frequent guest speaker for conferences, radio programs, podcasts, retreats and lectures. His writings are published in several national and international outlets including Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire ministries blog and Evangelization & Culture journal. He has also been featured in National Catholic Register _and EWTN. He is a co-host with Brandon Vogt for _The Burrowshire Podcast, a show focused on Catholic culture and millennial evangelization. In 2018, St. Mary Catholic Church & School in Rockledge, Fla., welcomed Fr. Blake as parochial vicar. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes The Burrowshire Podcast Instagram: @frblakebritton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frbritton A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Regina Boyd, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Florida, shares her discernment story, complete with tales from religious community come-and-see weekends to a surprise breakup and the healing that she sought after. We also discuss her take on navigating an interracial relationship with family and friends. This really is a fantastic discernment story, and I’m so excited for you to hear it!! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Regina’s Counseling Practice Regina is the Founder of Boyd Counseling Services, a Catholic licensed mental health practice that provides in-person and virtual therapy for couples, families, and teens. She works with clients who are experiencing life changes, desire healthy emotional connection, and seek to develop problem solving strategies within their relationships. Regina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is a wife and mother of a delightful toddler. In her spare time Regina enjoys walks with her family, baking, going live for her Facebook and Instagram followers, and listening to Mumford and Sons. Instagram: @boydcounselingservices A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

The ache of being single can often leave a person tempted to think that being single is a time of being in a “holding pattern” while you wait for marriage. NO! This is such a lie! I am passionate about helping single people to see the beauty of this season of their lives, and to that end, I’ve invited Christina Jaloway, also known as The Evangelista, to dialogue with me about how to thrive while you’re single! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Mindfulness and Therapy Episode with Dr Greg Bottaro Christina Dehan Jaloway is a thirty-something Catholic Texan with a passion for the True, Good, and Beautiful. She got married in 2016 at the age of 33 to the love of her life, and they have two little boys. She taught high school for 9 years and wrote a blog called The Evangelista. In addition to loving bright colors, being outside in the sunshine, wearing skirts and dresses, kombucha, 85% dark chocolate from Trader Joe's, hiking, and Italy, she’s also a HUGE nerd. She loves, loves, loves to read and learn new things. She also loves to talk about the books she’s read and things she’s learned. And she considers herself Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's biggest fan! https://www.theevangelista.com/ Instagram: @christinajalowa A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

When discerning your vocation, it’s key to know what you’re actually discerning. In this episode, Elizabeth is joined by co-host Liv Harrison to begin the discussion of what goes into living the vocation of marriage. They walk you through the vows that the couple takes on their wedding day and break down the nitty gritty of what each one entails and what that means for your discernment. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Learn more about the TOB Congress Here Elizabeth is speaking at the FREE Catholic Engaged Summit on October 28-30! Find out more here Liv Harrison is known for being a professional speaker and emcee with a gift for humor, storytelling, and wisdom. People are her passion. She connects with everyone from junior high students to seasoned adults. Liv was the 2018 Host/Emcee to hundreds of Catholic youth at the Austin music festival, Godstock. Her work in marriage ministry keeps her connected with couples around Texas. Not only has Liv spoken all over Texas, but she has also spoken across the nation. She is presently serving the Junior League of The Woodlands as an active leader who often speaks to the 500 members. In May 2019 Liv successfully wrote, launched, and emceed the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference (geniuswomensconference.com) outside of Austin, TX. In December, of 2019 the Talitha Koum Initiative, LLC was formed to produce the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference. In March 2020 the unique Genius Catholic Women’s Conference launched in Dallas. Liv serves as President on the Executive Board of The Genius Collective; a non-profit that is in its final stages of development. Liv is currently a co-host on the Forte Catholic Podcast and the Discerning Marriage Podcast. On June 1, 2020 Liv launched her own interview/storytelling podcast titled Talk to Me with Liv Harrison: The Stories Behind Their Success. Lastly, she has been a frequent voice on Sirius XM and various other podcast programs both as a guest and as a co-host. She is married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two. https://www.thelivharrison.com Instagram: @thelivharrison Email: liv@thelivharrison.com A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Revered spiritual director Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, joins us to discuss the ways that St. Ignatius’ 14 Rules for Discernment of Spirits can enrich the lives of lay people, particularly those called to marriage. His new book, Discernment of Spirits in Marriage (Sophia Institute), sets the foundation for this rich discussion on the benefits of studying and digesting these rules. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Fr. Gallagher’s NEW BOOK Discernment of Spirits in Marriage Fr. Gallagher’s book about Venerable Bruno Lanteri: Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement Intro to Ignatian Discernment episode with Fr. David Lugo, SJ Learn more about the TOB Congress Here Elizabeth is speaking at the FREE Catholic Engaged Summit on October 28-30! Find out more [here](www.catholicengagedsummit.com?affiliate_id=2740929) Father Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to giving retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Having obtained his doctorate in 1983 from the Gregorian University, he has taught (Saint John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts; Our Lady of Grace Seminary Residence, Boston), assisted in formation work, and served two terms as provincial in his community. He is a frequent speaker on EWTN, and his digitally recorded talks are used around the world. He has written many books on Ignatian discernment and prayer and on Venerable Bruno Lanteri and the Liturgy of the Hours. He currently holds the Saint Ignatius Chair for Spiritual Formation at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Connect with Fr. Gallagher on Facebook, Instagram, and his website A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Raphy and Sara Feolino discerned marriage while Raphy was in the military and after one of them had a broken engagement. AND Sara’s mom introduced them after meeting Raphy at Church while Sara was out of town! This is a fantastic story of God working through surprising circumstances in order to call this couple to marriage. If you are in a committed relationship with someone long distance, are healing from a breakup, or are a mom who wants to find a good spouse for your child (😉), this episode is a must listen! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here. Shownotes Elizabeth is speaking at the FREE Catholic Engaged Summit, hosted by Raphy and Sara Feolino from Journey to Marriage, on October 28-30! Find out more [here](www.catholicengagedsummit.com?affiliate_id=2740929) Learn more about the TOB Congress Here Raphy & Sara Feolino are Catholic Speakers & Co-Founders of Journey to Marriage, an organization that empowers couples to create holy and healthy relationships before entering marriage. They believe that if it takes a priest nearly a decade to prepare for their vocation, that an online course or weekend retreat isn’t nearly enough for couples to prepare for a lifelong marriage. They are certified Relationship Coaches through the Empowered Couples University, a program accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) & certified Wedding Planners from the internationally recognized Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute (LWPI). They are hosts of the podcast, Journey to Marriage - For Catholic Brides & Grooms, which generates thousands of monthly downloads internationally, sharing practical spiritual, relationship, & wedding advice for all Catholic couples. Raphy & Sara are the hosts of the up and coming, Catholic Engaged Summit, a free virtual event featuring over 30+ speakers sharing their marriage insights & expertise to all Catholic couples around the world, preparing for the sacrament of matrimony. They live in Las Vegas, Nevada and are huge foodies, enjoy singing, dancing, and loving on their newborn daughter. Instagram: @journeytomarriage Facebook: @journeytomarriage Podcast: Journey to Marriage - For Catholic Brides & Grooms A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Mary Lenaburg, our guest in the very popular freedom from pornography episode (see link in Show Notes), is back with her discernment story! The Lord moved in big and mysterious ways as she discerned marriage and dated her future husband. Mary also offers fantastic advice at the end of the episode for couples wanting to bring glory to God in their relationships! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Show Notes Mary’s book: Be Brave In The Scared Ep 6: Marriage and the Wounds of Porn with Mary Lenaburg Learn more about the TOB Congress Here Elizabeth is speaking at the FREE Catholic Engaged Summit on October 28-30! Find out more here Mary Lenaburg is a full-time Catholic speaker and author of Be Brave in the Scared, which earned a 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers. She has given keynotes at conferences internationally, including The Edel Gathering, the Genius Women’s Conference, the Fiat Conference in Pasadena, CA, Military Council for Catholic Women European Retreat, and at the Women of the Word Conference in Toronto, Canada. A writer with Take Up & Read, her work has appeared in five meditation books. She also has contributed to two other books. She has appeared on Catholic radio, TV, and podcasts, including The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, EWTN’s Pro-Life Weekly, The Hallie Lord Show, The Gist, Busted Halo, and Fountains of Carrots. Lenaburg serves her home parish in many roles, including catechist, sacristan, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She and her husband, Jerry, live in Fairfax, Virginia, with their son, Jonathan. Their daughter, Courtney, passed away in 2014. Facebook: marylenaburgwriter Instagram: @marylenaburg Pinterest: @Mary Lenaburg Twitter: @marylenaburg A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. This podcast is hosted by Theology of the Body Institute. Learn more about the Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit order, is recognized as a spiritual giant who has tremendously beneficial things to say for people who are discerning. In this episode, Fr. David Lugo, a Jesuit priest, gives us an introduction to Ignatian Discernment and discusses how St Ignatius’ work with discernment of spirits can be useful to people who are discerning marriage. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Shownotes Lumen Gentium Chapter 5 on the Universal Call to Holines Humility Episode with Jeanette Clark TOB Congress Oct 30-Nov 1, 2020 Fr. David Lugo, SJ, was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States at a young age with his parents and two older brothers. Following his parent’s advice, he went to Texas A&M University to complete a bachelor’s degree in physics before considering seminary formation. It was at A&M that David met the Jesuits. He began to discern religious life in the Society and requested admission to the novitiate upon completing his undergraduate work. After vows he studied philosophy at Saint Louis University and was then missioned to teach theology and mathematics in Dallas. He remembers those three years with great fondness and looks forward to returning to the classroom in the future. After completing his MDiv at the Jesuit School of Theology in Toronto, David requested to study Spiritual Theology and Ignatian Spirituality at the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid, Spain. Fr. David was ordained to the priesthood this past summer, and he returned to Madrid to finish his Licentiate in Spiritual Theology and serve as a priest at a Jesuit parish in Madrid. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Y'all, THIS DISCERNMENT STORY IS EPIC! This couple walked through some ordinary things like navigating a long distance dating relationship, getting married at 30, one person having serious dating relationships earlier in life and the other being mostly single until they met. But, they have an EXTRAORDINARY love story! Will, an American, and Rebekah, and English woman, tell their story of discerning the vocation of marriage and how they knew that they were called to marry each other. God showed up big time, and it’s such a delight to listen to the details of how this story unfolded! Also Will owns the record label that produced our theme song for this podcast - and he actually wrote the song, too! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Shownotes Register for the TOB Congress! October 30-Nov 1, 2020 Echo - Dumb Ox Ministries Gaudium Et Spes 24: "Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." Will and Rebekah married in January of 2020 after dating overseas for 2 years. They met while Will was leading worship with Dumb Ox Ministries for an ECHO retreat that Rebekah was coordinating in the U.K. Will owns NOVUM RECORDS - a grassroots Catholic record label, and loves all things synthesizers. Rebekah is adjusting to life in the USA after many years working for the Diocese of Westminster, and she is learning to make embroidery art and cheesecake. They currently live in Dallas, TX. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

When you’re discerning marriage, two of the best things you can spend your time doing are healing from your past brokenness and learning to be fully focused on the present moment in order to encounter God and His grace in reality. In this episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro walks us through how to do both! He defines both mindfulness and therapy and gives some wonderful tips on how both can be utilized when discerning the vocation of marriage. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Register for the TOB Congress! October 30-Nov 1, 2020 Shownotes Resources to help you on your journey: Humility Episode with Jeanette Clark Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre De Coussade To find a therapist through Dr. Greg’s practice To find a good, faithful Catholic Therapist somewhere else in the USA Story of a Soul by St. Therese Dr. Greg Bottaro is a Catholic Psychologist who directs the CatholicPsych Institute and developed Catholic Mindfulness. Before getting his doctorate, he spent four years living as a Franciscan Friar. Under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, this experience helped him form a spirituality based on Abandonment to Divine Providence which he now applies to psychological principles in his practice. The Mindful Catholic A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Pornography is one of the greatest predators of marriage, perhaps the greatest universal threat in our modern time. Very few people, if any, are truly immune to it’s evil clutches. It’s crucial that you have a discussion with your significant other about the role that pornography has played in your life and theirs and the way that you want it handled in your future marriage. We are right here to accompany you as you have those tough conversations, beginning with our talk with Mary Lenaburg. She and her husband have a phenomenal story of healing and redemption from the ravages of pornography in their marriage and she’s bravely shared it with you in this episode! Join us as we hear their story of heartbreak and triumph and discuss some tools that you can use to have these tough conversations and, if necessary, break free from porn in your own life. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Shownotes Resources to help you on your journey: Integrity Restored Strive 21 Bloom for Women Fight the New Drug Access the TOB Congress October 30-Nov 1, 2020 Mary Lenaburg is a full-time Catholic speaker and author of Be Brave in the Scared, which earned a 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers. She has given keynotes at conferences internationally, including The Edel Gathering, the Genius Women’s Conference, the Fiat Conference in Pasadena, CA, Military Council for Catholic Women European Retreat, and at the Women of the Word Conference in Toronto, Canada. A writer with Take Up & Read, her work has appeared in five meditation books. She also has contributed to two other books. She has appeared on Catholic radio, TV, and podcasts, including The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, EWTN’s Pro-Life Weekly, The Hallie Lord Show, The Gist, Busted Halo, and Fountains of Carrots. Lenaburg serves her home parish in many roles, including catechist, sacristan, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She and her husband, Jerry, live in Fairfax, Virginia, with their son, Jonathan. Their daughter, Courtney, passed away in 2014. Facebook: marylenaburgwriter Instagram: @marylenaburg Pinterest: @Mary Lenaburg Twitter: @marylenaburg [YouTube](shorturl.at/rzI28) [Patreon](shorturl.at/pvS08) Be Brave in the Sacred A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

One of the most powerful things you can do to discern marriage well is hone in on the virtues used most in marriage and work to grow in them. While all virtues are really necessary for the Christian life, one of the things we want to do is highlight a few of the biggies for marriage and give you tips for perfecting those virtues in your life. We start that journey today with the virtue of humility! We are joined by Jeanette Clark, a graduate of the Pontifical St. John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family and wife of Jason Clark, executive director of Theology of the Body Institute, to dive deeply into this virtue and why it matters so much for your life and your discernment. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Show Notes Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary Prayers St. Louis de Montfort and 33 Days to Morning Glory 1 Corinthians 13: If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Born to a military family, Jeanette Clark lived most of her life in the Washington, DC area. She received her Master's in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1997 and that same year moved to Denver, Colorado (which she actually considers her home town) where she was hired by the brand new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. She directed the Office of Christian Initiation for the Archdiocese for four years, giving frequent talks and retreats to the community. Jeanette married Jason Clark in 2001 at a little mountain Church in Evergreen, Colorado where their family adventure began. In June they will celebrate 19 years as husband and wife. They have 5 children ages 8-17, 4 of whom are boys and they currently live in rural southern Pennsylvania surrounded by Amish neighbors. She is delving deeper and deeper into what it means to be a human being - a woman - who has encountered Christ and what that means on every level of existence. Deep ponderings at the kitchen sink. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here. Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here. Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.