About the show
Since the early 90's, author and speaker Christopher West has devoted his life to spreading John Paul II's revolutionary teaching on human life, love, and sexuality: The Theology of the Body. His beloved wife Wendy, mother of their five children, has served as his confidante, friend, and support through these long years of ministry. In this podcast, Christopher and Wendy combine their wisdom to tackle the toughest questions dealing with vocation, sexuality, marriage, and the Catholic faith.
Support the mission of Christopher and Theology of the Body Institute by becoming a Patron! Join our Patron Community at TOBPatron.com.
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Episodes
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Pet's Fertility, Hysterectomy, Childbirth in Catholic Circles & Irregular Cycles. | ACW287
July 1st, 2024 | 45 mins
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- Does striving to live out TOB affect the decisions we make for our pet’s fertility? My mother recently had a surgery that required a hysterectomy. This brings about sadness even though she was already past child bearing years. Does TOB have any insights into this?
- I’m due with my second child very soon. I feel there’s minimal talk around birthing in Catholic circles. What do you think about this?
- I’d like to use NFP once I’m married but I have irregular cycles which make me think I won’t be able to use it successfully. What are my options?
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Practicing Abstinence as Engaged Couple, Til Death Do Us Apart & Honoring and Loving a Woman | ACW286
June 24th, 2024 | 56 mins 11 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I’m a young woman happily dating a catholic man. The thought of having times of abstinence in marriage is a little sad. Could you speak on the beauty of abstinence? Is the ability to be physically intimate even in times of abstinence without it leading to intercourse something that is learned only in marriage? Is this something that can be learned as an engaged couple?
- My husband of 32 years died last year and I’m struggling with the thought of no longer being a married woman. How can I reconcile the “two becoming one” and “til death do us apart”? What is the nature of the marriage relationship in heaven?
- I met a woman that is 3 years older than I am which put me off initially but now I just can’t unsee her beauty. I get easily aroused by simple interactions with her. I often worry about messing up if we start dating. How can I honor God and love this beautiful woman?
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Redirection of Desire, Sleeping in the Same Bed & the Dignity of Every Man & Woman | ACW285
June 17th, 2024 | 46 mins 50 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- What are some examples redirecting our desire (eros) in everyday life?
- Is there anything inherently wrong with sleeping in the same bed as a long distance girlfriend when we visit each other? Is the near occasion of sin still a sin if I don’t end up sinning?
- Where is this quote by John Paul II from: “It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman”?
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Aroused by Displays of Affection, Receiving the Eucharist in Mortal Sin & Getting Married Young
June 16th, 2024 | 48 mins 43 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I’m dating a wonderful man. I’m very sensitive to physical touch and get aroused very easily. Even holding hands results in arousal. Do you have any advice? Is it okay to keep showing those displays of affection even though they are accompanied by arousal?
- Why is it a mortal sin to receive the Eucharist in a state of sin? Is the Lord not seeking for us to receive him even when we’re separated from him? Do you have any advice for raising children to feel comfortable refraining from the Eucharist without fear of judgment from those around them?
- I hear so many religious people saying we should get married young. I’ll be 32 soon but I long for marriage. Should I give up on what I so desperately want because of people who clearly know about this topic?
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Relationship With My Deceased Baby, P*rn Struggle & Compassion from God and for Others | ACW283
June 3rd, 2024 | 47 mins 39 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- My husband and I are approaching the 25th anniversary of the birth and death of our second born. All this time later, I realize I wish I had a better relationship with him. Do you have any suggestions on how to go about nursing a relationship with my baby on this side of heaven before we are reunited again?
- I’ve struggled with porn the majority of my life but I’ve been trying to identify what keeps drawing me back. This struggle leads me to have many anxieties and fears which don’t allow me to live life to the full. Do you have any advice?
- Do you think it’s possible to have a connection with someone who does not show us compassion? How can one receive compassion from God in our lives? If we do feel compassion from God, can that help in forming a connection for someone whom we don’t feel it?
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Satisfied with God But Longing for a Husband, Struggle with M*sturbation as a Woman & Protestant Teaching on Contraception | ACW 282
May 27th, 2024 | 59 mins 3 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I’ve heard it said that maybe the reason one hasn’t met their spouse is because God wants wants you to be content solely with Him. But if I get to a point where I am entirely satisfied by God and only Him, then would I even want a spouse at that point? How do I tell God I love Him above all but that I also want a husband?
- I’ve struggled with masturbation since I was a little girl. I met a wonderful priest who helped me stop, not because of any particular advice but because of his profound love for me. At some point I moved away and fell into the old habit. I feel discouraged and don’t see a path forward. Do you have any advice?
- I’m a protestant that recently got engaged. I’m somewhat familiar with the protestant position on contraception. I’ve done more study on the Catholic position and I see a lot of beauty in it. Why is it wrong to separate the pleasurable and procreative aspects of sex within marriage? Can a husband and wife not express their love for each other by giving themselves to the other for the intimacy and pleasure that sex brings?
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Cooperation with Evil, Appreciating Masculinity and Guarding One’s Heart | ACW281
May 20th, 2024 | 44 mins 51 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I work for a subsidiary of a large national pharmacy that will soon start to distribute abortion pills. Do you have any advice for discerning the line between remote and material cooperation with evil? How should I determine when it’s time to start working for a new company?
- I grew up as the oldest child of a narcissistic father and was verbally abused my entire life. I’m in my mid 20’s and I want to pursue the vocation God has for me, but I’m also terrified by the idea of marriage. Do you have any tips on how to appreciate masculinity? How can I recognize moments of contention that may indicate that I need healing and growth?
- I’m attracted to a good and holy Catholic man and desire to pursue a relationship but I’m unsure if he feels the same way. I know the Lord is calling me to not bring the matter up to him, but to be patient and wait. How do I guard my heart when it desires more than friendship? How can I do this without shedding out the possibility of a relationship?
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“Jesus’ Hostility Towards the Body”, “The Main Goal of Intercourse” & “Bowing for Incense” | ACW280
May 13th, 2024 | 43 mins 40 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- Jesus seems to be hostile towards the body in Mt 5:29-31. How does that go together with the sacramentality of our bodies?
- What is the main goal of the union between man and woman?
- Why do people bow for incense?
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“International Marriage”, “Disturbing Images In Prayer” & “My Husband Doesn’t Want Intimacy” | ACW279
May 6th, 2024 | 56 mins 32 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- What would you say about an international marriage? Do you think it’s better to marry someone from your own culture?
- I was exposed to porn at an early age and that led to an addiction to it. Obscene and disturbing images come to mind particularly in moments of deep prayer. Do you have any advice?
- I’m the one who pursues intimacy in my marriage and my husband is not really interested in it. Do you have any advice?
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"God & Menopause", "Girlfriend's Sexual Past" & "Infertility from Chemotherapy" | ACW278
April 29th, 2024 | 58 mins 41 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- Does God like menopause?
- My girlfriend has a sexual past including a 2 year relationship with a guy that she was sexually intimate with. I saved myself for marriage and this has been very difficult for me. I’m unsure if she repents of her past or not. Do you have any advice?
- I’m dating and in love with a man who is infertile after starting chemotherapy for cancer. We’re starting to talk about marriage but the fact that he’s infertile has come up. Is it wrong to get married knowing he’s infertile.
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"Wearing Grandma", "Afraid of Being Alone", & "Intercourse in Pregnancy" | ACW277
April 22nd, 2024 | 43 mins 23 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I’m a teacher and the other day, one of my 5th graders walked up to me and told me he was “wearing his grandma.” He was wearing an ash necklace where he was holding the ashes of his deceased grandmother. What is the difference between the Catholic tradition of relics and keeping an “ash necklace”
- How can I tell the difference between loving someone and being afraid of being alone?
- What does intercourse in pregnancy say about the beauty and goodness of God?
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"Wanting To Go Back", "Faith Jealousy" & "TOB Resources for Children" | ACW276
April 15th, 2024 | 34 mins 26 secs
catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute
- I’m in my 30’s and I’ve been married for a few years. My past was full of addiction to porn. I’ve been able to heal and overcome those past but I find myself wanting to go back. I also find myself thinking life would’ve been easier if I had married someone else. Do you have any advice?
- What advice do you have for someone whose 1 year relationship just ended with her partner expressing doubts about life, work, relationships and feeling jealous of my faith?
- Do you have any recommendations for resources for parents to teach their children about puberty and sex from a Catholic point of view?