About the show
Listen to Elizabeth's intro episode here!
Discerning Marriage is a weekly podcast hosted by Elizabeth Busby, MTS, MS, LMFT. She is co-founder with her husband Ross of Discerning Marriage Ministries and the Next Step program. Regardless of your state in life, you can begin preparing for marriage right now. Whether you are single, dating, seriously dating, engaged, on a break, or grieving a breakup, you can make use of this time for fruitful growth toward becoming a healthy and holy spouse. Intentional discernment of marriage starts today, even if you haven't given or received an engagement ring.
This podcast is also great for clergy and laypeople who prepare couples for marriage and parents who have teens and adult children who are dating and pursuing marriage!
Elizabeth has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University (whoop!), and she earned a Master's degree in Theological Studies from Ave Maria University, where she wrote her thesis on how St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body can aid in the discernment of a vocation to marriage. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in Counseling with a focus on marriage and family therapy from Southern Methodist University, and she works as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a passion for helping people fall in love with Jesus and helping people discern and live God’s joyful plan for holy marriages and family life.
Next Step is a parish-based course written for seriously dating couples who want to discern more intentionally with each other. There is a lot of structure in place for people who are discerning a vocation to celibacy, but there isn’t a similar support network for people discerning marriage. Since the majority of the population is called to marriage, there is a glaring need for resources that can be used to help guide this discernment. Elizabeth and her team seek to fill that need with the Next Step program. Learn more here: https://www.discerningmarriage.com/next-step-program.
This podcast is presented by Theology of the Body Institute, which promotes around the world John Paul II's revolutionary teaching on human life and love — the Theology of the Body. Learn more about the Institute's offerings here: https://tobinstitute.org.
Endorsements
"I first met Elizabeth Busby in 2009 when she was a college student working with a TOB ministry at Texas A&M. Now she’s not only a loving wife and mother, but also an accomplished professional counselor bringing John Paul II’s TOB to bear in all she does. She has worked alongside my colleagues and me since 2014 coordinating our network of intercessors and has become a trusted partner in our ministry. We are delighted to be launching her podcast Discerning Marriage under the TOB Institute umbrella. Having already been interviewed by Elizabeth about my own vocational discernment for the show, this podcast is going to be a great gift both for those looking for answers to questions about vocational discernment, and for those who just love hearing how God works in other people’s lives."
Christopher West, Th.D.
President, Theology of the Body Institute
Discerning Marriage on social media
Episodes
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Episode 44: Struggling with Chastity in Dating?
November 13th, 2023 | Season 4 | 8 mins 10 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational 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.
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Episode 43: Catholic Marrying a Non Catholic? Here's What You Need To Know.
November 4th, 2023 | Season 4 | 15 mins 31 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational discernment
Elizabeth discusses the challenges and considerations when Catholics marry non-Catholics.
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Episode 42: The Do's and Don'ts of Breaking Up (with Kateri Bean from Catholic Match)
March 16th, 2023 | Season 4 | 33 mins 36 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational discernment
Whether you've realized you need to break up with the person you're with, you're beloved just broke up with you, or you're happily dating and want some advice should you discern the relationship needs to end, this episode with Kateri Bean from Catholic Match will be super helpful.
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.
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Episode 41: Answering Your Questions about Dating (with Dr. Mario Sacasa)
March 9th, 2023 | Season 4 | 36 mins 25 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational discernment
What do you do if you can't get past the second date? Any tips for dating in your 40s? What are the stages of dating? Dr. Mario Sacasa and Elizabeth Busby answer your questions.
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.
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Episode 40: Pro Advice for Dating Long Distance (with Will and Rebekah Hickl)
March 2nd, 2023 | Season 4 | 41 mins 57 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational 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.
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Episode 39: How to Have HARD Conversations (with Damon Owens)
February 23rd, 2023 | Season 4 | 39 mins 22 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational discernment
Elizabeth Busby chats with Damon Owens about navigating conflict, habits of healthy communication, and how to have difficult conversations with your significant other.
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.
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Episode 38: Discerning Your Vocation is HARD (Sometimes)
February 16th, 2023 | Season 4 | 16 mins 52 secs
catholic, catholic dating, catholic formation, catholic podcast, catholic women, dating advice, discerning marriage, discernment, family, marriage, marriage and family, vocation, vocational discernment
People often look back on being young and going out on dates with nostalgic fondness, but the reality is the process of discerning your vocation can be really difficult and painful! The good news is, this is an opportunity for you to grow in holiness.
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.
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Episode 37: Marrying My High School Sweetheart (Discernment Story with Katie Schmitt)
February 9th, 2023 | Season 4 | 33 mins 10 secs
Elizabeth Busby chats with Katie Schmitt about how she discerned marriage her high school sweetheart, Daniel.
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.
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Episode 36: The Research-Based Keys to a Happy Marriage (with Regina Boyd)
February 2nd, 2023 | Season 4 | 34 mins 16 secs
Elizabeth Busby chats with Catholic marriage therapist, Regina Boyd, to discuss the research proven keys to a successful, happy 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.
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Episode 35: Valentine's Day!!! with Liv Harrison
February 14th, 2022 | Season 3 | 29 mins 13 secs
Valentine's Day can be such a difficult day when you're single, and I want you to know that you're seen and known and loved in that space. So I've invited Liv Harrison back onto the podcast to talk with yall about the longing that you may feel today and what to do with it. We also tell some lovely Vday stories shared by my Instagram followers that will fill you with hope and laughter today. Stay close to Jesus today, sweet friends. He has you!!
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.
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Episode 34: New Years Resolutions with Life Coach Steve Motyl
December 31st, 2021 | Season 3 | 23 mins 19 secs
I don't know about you, but I love New Years resolutions...but very rarely am I able to keep them up all year! In case this is your situation, too, I've invited Steve Motyl, a Catholic relationship and lifestyle coach, to give us some tips to make good resolutions and stick to them. Cheers to a great 2022, yall!
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.
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Episode 33: Joseph and Mary's Marriage with Christopher West
December 24th, 2021 | Season 3 | 24 mins 5 secs
Merry Christmas!!! In honor of my favorite feast day, I invited Christopher West to talk with us about Mary and Joseph's marriage and what that marriage in particular has to do with Jesus's BIRTHday, that holy night around the manger! This was a really fun conversation; I hope you love 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.