When Love Ends Without Closure + Learning to Suffer Well in Dating + Rethinking Physical Boundaries in Dating | Q&A

In this Q&A episode of Discerning Marriage, Elizabeth answers questions about heartbreak, waiting for marriage, and dating with intention.What do you do when someone you love moves on without giving closure? How do you keep hope when waiting for marriage feels harder with time? And how should couples approach physical affection while living chastely?Elizabeth discusses forgiveness vs. reconciliation, why suffering can deepen hope, the importance of physical boundaries, and practical ways to stay connected in long-distance relationships.If you're discerning marriage or healing from heartbreak, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a Christ-centered vision for love.📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

What if many conflicts between men and women come from misunderstanding—not bad intentions?In this episode of Discerning Marriage, Elizabeth Busby sits down with relationship researcher Allison Armstrong to explore what decades of studying men reveal about how men and women think, communicate, and experience love.They discuss why men often prioritize respect while women seek connection, how misunderstandings about feelings and support create conflict, and why chemistry alone isn’t enough for lasting love.You’ll also hear insights on:The difference between chemistry and romanceWhy accountability fuels intimacyWhat men mean when they say “I don’t care”How couples can move toward real partnershipWhether you’re single, dating, engaged, or married, this conversation offers a hopeful vision: men and women learning to understand each other so they can truly thrive together.📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

Adrian Lawson from Sips with Serra joins Elizabeth to share the full story behind his marriage journey: meeting his wife in high school, dating for seven years, converting from atheism to Protestantism to Catholicism, and navigating major moral disagreements along the way. They discuss what actually changed when he became Christian, why marriage is more than “just a piece of paper,” how to handle conflict without turning on each other, what it’s like when spouses don’t share the same faith, the process of having a marriage recognized by the Church, and how perseverance in truth leads to deeper unity. This episode is about love that matures, conviction that costs something, and a marriage built on more than feelings.📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

What does it look like to discern marriage in a world confused about masculinity, femininity, and commitment?In this deeply personal conversation, we explore vocational loneliness, the surprising story of the “24-year-old saints,” intentional dating, dropping the hankie with courage, and the lost art of masculine pursuit. We talk honestly about infertility, miscarriage, surrender, and how God often writes our love stories through suffering rather than ease.⁠Friendship guide⁠⁠Christopher West & Elizabeth Video⁠⁠Heart of Perfection Book⁠⁠Finding Philothea⁠⁠Finding Philothea IG⁠📸 ⁠Elizabeth’s Instagram⁠👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠⁠ 📚 ⁠⁠Course schedule⁠⁠ 🏔️ ⁠⁠Pilgrimages⁠⁠ 🛍️ ⁠⁠Store⁠⁠

Mari and Trey Wagner (West Coast Catholic / Ever Be Podcast) share their “behind-the-veil” discernment story—from an iconic meet-cute that started with Catholic mission and Bible studies, to the deeper spiritual battle underneath dating: learning to trust the Father, surrender the dream, and receive it back as a gift. Along the way, they get practical about emotional chastity before “official” dating and offer concrete long-distance engagement tips you can actually use.Mari's IG West Coast Catholic Website📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

What if the “worst thing” that happened to you was actually God protecting your future? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Taylor from Candid Dating to talk about a broken engagement, the freedom to keep discerning even after the invites are sent, and how healing in front of the Eucharist can rebuild hope. Then they go straight at modern dating culture—why we’ve lost the art of conversation, how to stop treating people like commodities, and what it looks like to date in a way that’s truly human (and truly Catholic).Taylor's InstagramCandid Dating📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

What if the “spicy” parts of marriage were never the point—and the real battle was for your heart? In this episode of Discerning Marriage, Elizabeth sits down with Emily & Daniel to talk spiritual warfare (and Stoneheart), long-distance discernment, why “awkward” is the wrong frame for purity and intimacy, and the practical habits that protect real love—like presence, teamwork, and a home where hearts stay soft.Sacred Spark appEmily Wilson IG📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

What happens when you meet “the one” while he’s still discerning the priesthood? Elizabeth Busby sits down with Jackie & Bobby Angel to unpack their wild Theology of the Body Institute meet-cute, the moment “scales fell from my eyes,” and the prayer-story that includes a 54-day novena and a “future husband” journal.Plus: their most bracing dating advice—how to tell “reality vs. romance,” why wasting time is real, and what marriage should feel like when it’s right.👩‍❤️‍👨 Fresh Start: A Dating & Discerning Marriage Conference📸 ⁠Elizabeth’s Instagram⁠👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠⁠ 📚 ⁠⁠Course schedule⁠⁠ 🏔️ ⁠⁠Pilgrimages⁠⁠ 🛍️ ⁠⁠Store⁠

A conversation to wake the sleeping giant inside men and women. From discernment, vocation, prayer, and sacrifice — this episode is a rallying cry to stop drifting and step into the mission God built you for.📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠

Link to book: stpaulcenter.co/Jubilee Link to free companion: stpaulcenter.co/jubileecompanion Instagram accounts: @stpaulcenter @emmausroadpublishing and @john.s.bergsma📸 Elizabeth’s Instagram👩‍❤️‍👨 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: 🔥 ⁠3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB⁠ 💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682 ⚡️ ⁠Support us & get access to leading TOB formation⁠ 📚 ⁠Course schedule⁠ 🏔️ ⁠Pilgrimages⁠ 🛍️ ⁠Store⁠