Made for Love

Described in a popular book by Gary Chapman, the five love languages are five ways that we give and receive love; and some of them speak to us better than others. Today we’re talking about the love languages in marriage with Francis and Julia Dezelski, Bryan and Liz Smalley, Craig and Stephanie Rapp.

Pets can make a huge positive difference in the life of a family. They can bring out different sides of family members, provide an opportunity to learn responsibility, and provide surprises and entertainment. On this episode, we’ll hear from Bishop Vann (Orange), who is a dog-lover, Sarah Coffey, who grew up with horses and other pets, Fr. Brian Mahoney, who writes about his cats in his parish bulletin, and a few kids with pets!

This episode is full of stories from Catholics dating. Some are dating fails, some are successes.

How can Catholics approach dating in a healthy way? Who should do the initiating? How do you break up with someone nicely? This episode includes Dr. Kerry Cronin, the professor from Boston College who is featured in the film, The Dating Project, Dr. Paul Gondreau from Providence College, and USCCB staff members.

Happy 2019! There’s a lot of secular evidence that there isn’t a great dating culture in America right now. What about dating as a Catholic? Today we’re talking with Dr. Kerry Cronin, the professor from Boston College who is featured in the film, The Dating Project, Dr. Paul Gondreau from Providence College, and LMFLY interns Kelly Walsh and Elizabeth Plaza.

The first time Alice went to Christmas with Jeff’s family, things were a little different. How do you navigate the holiday season and juggle all the family traditions with grace? Hear a few stories that will get you ready for Christmas. Also features Bishop Ricken (Green Bay) and Aaron and Lindsay Weldon.

God’s gifts are often abundant! Today we talk with three Catholic families who have big families (by today’s standards): Jerry and Kate Hadley, parents of 10 children, along with their 3rd (Cecilia) and 8th (Tim) children; Andrew and Vivian Nelson, who are expecting their 8th child, and Sam Fatzinger, mother of 13+1 foster child.

"Porn Kills Love." This slogan from “Fight the New Drug” resonates with Catholic teaching about pornography. This episode is about Catholics dealing with addiction to pornography. It includes DJ Hueneman, Jeff and Annette Kohn, Kevin and Krista Burridge, Patty Breen, and Perry West.

As the bishops of the Church discussed during last month's synod, we here at home are discussing young people, the faith, and discernment with Bishop Caggiano of Bridgeport (also a delegate to the synod), Bishop Sis of San Angelo, Sr. Helena Burns, fsp, Anna Carter of the Eden Invitation, and 3 young people: Jeanne Marie Hathway, Kelly Walsh, and Elizabeth Plaza.

Catholics who are divorced go through a hard process, and can feel forgotten, marginalized, or unwanted at our parishes. How can we make sure that is not the case? This episode features Rose Sweet of Divorce Healing, Patty Breen, Brad Grey, and Fr. Steve Porter.

Catholics have a well of spiritual insight to dip into to prepare for the birth of a child. On today's episode, you'll hear from Mary Haseltine, author of Made for This: The Catholic Mom’s Guide to Birth, Haley Stewart (from the popular blog Carrots for Michaelmas) and birth stories from a few of Sara's friends, including a baby who was born in the car in the driveway of the hospital: good catch, dad!

Sometimes our society makes us think that romantic love is the only kind of love that matters. This episode features stories about love that challenge that idea in many beautiful ways. The episode features Dr. Adrian Walker (Visiting Professor of Theology at the Catholic University of America), Alice Heinzen (Marriage and Family Life Director of the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin), Anna Carter (Founder of Eden Invitation), and Therese Bermpohl (Family Life Director for the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia).

Down Syndrome is a part of many Catholic families’ stories. Children with Down Syndrome bring immense joy into their families, even as their intellectual disabilities and medical problems bring crosses and hardships. Today we’ll hear from Archbishop Kurtz (Louisville), a family who have children with Down Syndrome (J.D. and Kate Flynn), the UK filmmaker whose documentary “Summer in the Forest” follows Jean Vanier and his work with people with intellectual disabilities (Randal Wright), and a reporter from Aleteia (Zoe Romanowsky).

Navigating cultural differences in marriage can be a challenge but brings great rewards. This episode features Dushan and Elizabeth Turcon, Justin and Bernadette McClain, Christine and Ysias Martinez, Dunn and Mary Estacio.

This Natural Family Planning awareness week (July 22-28), we talk about NFP, but this time more about how NFP methods can help couples to get pregnant. This episode features Sister Helena Burns, fsp, Chris and Becky Wilson, Dr. Lionel and Janet Yaceczko, and Dr. Karen Poehailos (M.D.).