Questions answered this episode: Should I invite a girl out even though she might not share the same values and faith I do? How can I explain to a 3rd grader that consuming the Eucharist is not the same as vampirism? How can I let my girlfriend know that other men might look at the way she dresses impurely while honoring her God given beauty? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their...

Questions answered this episode: My current parish has a radically liberal priest and LGBTQ ministries. Should I speak to my parish priest or should I just look for another parish? I’ve struggled with pornography for a long time. Do you have any practical advice on how to overcome porn? I’m having difficulty accepting my place as the bride in the spousal analogy. How can I accept my receptive role as a man? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute...

Questions answered this episode: If death entered the world with the fall of man, what about all the other creatures on earth before man came into the scene? What is the disinterested gift that John Paul II talks about and how does it relate to eros? My wife does not want any more children and resists the idea of practicing NFP. How do I not destroy my marriage, not put my soul in jeopardy and still live my moral obligation as a Catholic with a clear conscience under these circumstances?...

Questions answered this episode: I grew up in a very painful and hurtful environment and fear that all my personality traits come from this broken past. How do I continue to trust God when it feels like I’m becoming a stranger to myself and everyone that knows me? Is it possible to talk to teens about the beauty of their sexuality in a way that won’t make them feel threatened or embarrassed? What are the top 5 Theology of the Body movies that you would recommend to someone? Ask...

Questions answered this episode: I have a hard time trying to determine if the way I look at women is sinful or not. Do you have any advice? Is there any difference between touching different parts of my body and masturbation? I don’t understand why the latter is sinful while the former is perfectly acceptable. Did you struggle with perfectionism when practicing NFP? Is the way I see NFP a contraceptive mentality? How can I feel more confident and not scared about the pleasure I’ll feel in...

Questions answered this episode: When would it be appropriate to recommend living as brother and sister to couples who got a civil divorce, got remarried but are still in a sacramental marriage with a former spouse? What exactly does “living as brother and sister” entail? Where does the Church teach that mutual acts of intimacy which do not involve intercourse but which result in orgasm for one or both spouses are evil? Can you explain how the Incarnation was not God’s plan B? Ask...

Questions answered this episode: I’m a mother, and now that my children are in school and going through the social dynamics of popularity, memories from my own time in school and this unhealthy dynamic are welling up. Why do I have this need to feel like I’m “cool”? We are a married couple struggling with the trial of managing intimacy and aging. At this point, I’m struggling to maintain an erection and my wife is urging me to seek a solution. Do you have any advice? My housemate works...

Questions answered this episode: I'm trying to read through the actual text of John Paul's Theology of the Body but I find it incredibly difficult to understand. Is there anything I could do? My best friend and her husband are practicing Natural Family Planing. She feels isolated, discouraged and frustrated. Meanwhile, I feel like NFP should be a team effort and a source of closeness to the couple. Do you have any advice? I was in an unhealthy relationship with a man but I still long for...

Questions answered this episode: Can a wife bless her husband? My husband doesn’t understand the huge life change that motherhood has been for me. How can I prevent our difference in parenthood roles from affecting our relationship? I’m a Catholic young adult whom recently dated an Anglican. I enjoyed our time together but decided to not formalize the relationship. I’m uncertain if my decision was based on selfishness or prudence. Do you have any advice? Ask Christopher West is a weekly...

Questions answered this episode: My daughter & her fiancé are thinking about moving in together before getting married in the Church and she expects me to help with the move. What should I do? I struggled with porn addiction and I experience self-hatred towards my sexuality. How can I deal with my scarred sexuality in a practical way? My father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and whenever I look at him I don’t recognize him. What does our faith teach us about mental disease? Ask...

Questions answered this episode: I was pregnant and developed a condition that led to an early delivery and the passing of my son within a few hours of delivery. Now I’m struggling to see my womb as a place of life instead of death. Can the Theology of the Body shine a light on this? Does one have to be in a state of grace in order to receive the sacramental benefits from marriage? What if one of the spouses is in a state of grace and the other is not? What does the Theology of the Body...

Questions answered this episode: I recently watched the movie Sound of Freedom and I was deeply moved. What do you think is contributing to this horrific reality and why hasn't the Church addressed this crisis? Was Adam at fault when eating of the forbidden tree? Did John Paul II say anything about it in his Theology of the Body? My wife has been experiencing excessive bleeding and doctors have recommended a hysterectomy. What is the Church's position on this? Ask Christopher West is a...

Questions answered this episode: Do you have any tips for healing for someone that chose to be a stoic rather than an addict before he/she knew about the banquet that the Gospel offered? Should I share that I'm no longer a virgin with the next person I date? Can I become a virgin again? We are recent weds but discerned avoiding pregnancy for the beginning of our marriage. We are uncertain about when her next menstrual cycle will come and are wondering if we'll have to wait until her next...

Questions answered this week: How has doing this podcast together impacted you as a couple? How can I balance intimacy in the context of dating without adopting a mentality of how far can we go? Should hormonal birth control always be avoided? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith,...

Questions answered this episode: * I recently became a mother but now I feel like I lost a sense of my personhood. How can I embrace my life as a mother while still honoring my person? My wife went through medical procedures that made it impossible for her to have intercourse. What are our options for sexual intimacy as a couple? I’ve been married for 3 years but haven’t been able to conceive and I feel betrayed by my body. Do you have any advice? Ask Christopher West is a weekly...

I've been overwhelmed by the call to leadership as a husband, father, and professional. Do you have any advice? I'm going through a rough patch in my relationship with my boyfriend. I feel disappointed and anxious about the thought of losing this relationship. Could you offer some wisdom? I struggle with lust. I want to be honest with my wife, and whenever I bring these things up, she shuts down. Can you help me? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body...

-Question 1: I'm a bodybuilder, and I see both the good and the bad in this pursuit. Is there a way to integrate my life of faith with my passion for bodybuilding? -Question 2: I went through a life-threatening condition during childbirth that is making my husband and me reconsider how we approach sexual intimacy. Do you have any advice? -Question 3: I recently started an intentional relationship, and I know that at some point we'll need to have more intimate conversations. Do you have any...

Sexual abuse is a punishment almost worse than death. How can TOB explain that Jesus truly understands the deep pain endured by people who have suffered sexual abuse? I'm a young adult man drawn to a friend. I am not as physically attracted to her. Is physical attraction less important than other aspects? Was woman punished more severly than man after the fall? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife...

I want to honor my children’s gender while not imposing gender stereotypes on them. Are there any activities, clothes or toys that should be kept exclusively to a specific gender? I had sex with the woman I intend to marry. We’ve both repented and gone to confession. Is there still hope that our relationship will lead to a holy marriage? I’ve struggled with porn and lust since I was a teenager. I’m approaching 40 now and I’m a husband and father. How do I get to the point where attractiveness...

Is there a bad type of eros or is this only a form of porneia? I had a vasectomy because my wife had a heart condition that would put her life at risk if she happened to get pregnant. I went to a priest and he left me feeling hopeless. Was the way he reacted consistent with gravity of the mistake we made as a couple? Sometimes painful memories from past relationships come to mind and I feel like I’m betraying God. Is this normal? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology...

My wife and I practice Natural Family Planning. She thinks it’s unfair that the only time she has any interest in sex is during times of fertility. She also thinks that the Church’s stance is anti-woman. How can I respond to her? I’ve struggled with loving my body and feeling feminine. Do you have any insights? I’m a husband discerning diaconate. What does the TOB has to say about marriage and holy orders as a deacon. Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body...

I’ve heard that couples should have a short engagement so as to not fall into sexual sin. What are your thoughts? Would artificial conception be permissible in the case of illness? Both vocations to marriage and celibacy are a call to sacrifice. How can I discern properly if I have a profound desire to give my life completely to God? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and...

Is finding out the sex of your child in the womb wrong? I belong to a protestant group ministry and several of our members have been hurt by one of the ministry leaders who constantly objectifies men and women. Do you have any advice? I’m a young adult that studied business and worked in a top tier firm. The demands of the work made it very hard to take care of my personal life so I decided to leave after knowing it was the right thing to do. I’m currently facing criticism from those close to...

I feel profoundly lonely and I’m desperate. How can I address this longing without turning it into an idol? I’m trying to teach my daughter to be prudent regarding poop jokes. Do you have any advice? My husband and I are trying to integrate NFP in our family life. Is it okay to use ovulation predictor kits? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions...

The bodies of some saints and holy men and women have been found incorrupt. Can you explain the miracle of incorrupt bodies and how it relates to the Theology of the Body? I struggle with gaping at women. How do I overcome the desire to look at women? How did you live your marriage with openness to the number of children God wanted to give you? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their...