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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Letting My Future Husband Love My Body, Medical Infertility & TOB for 7th Graders
January 29th, 2024 | 40 mins 31 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 engaged and looking forward to marriage but have struggled with body image and eating disorders. How can I prepare myself mentally, emotionally and/or physically for the marital embrace? How can I love my body more so that I can let my fiancé love it too?
- What does the Church say about medical infertility?
- Do you have any resources available to teach Theology of the Body for 7th graders?
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Subjective Beauty, Abstinence from Sexual Intimacy & Unwanted Pregnancy.
January 22nd, 2024 | 40 mins 17 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
- Is it true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
- I become distant and irritable when abstaining from sexual intimacy with my wife. Do you have any advice?
- How can I accept an undesired pregnancy?
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Makeup, Prescribing Contraception & NFP as Openness to Life
January 15th, 2024 | 33 mins 6 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
- Is there anything wrong with me for being attracted to someone only when she uses makeup?
- As a physician, is prescribing contraception a mortal sin?
- My husband thinks we should use NPF for the rest of our marriage but I long to continue having children. Do you have any thoughts?
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Fertility Body Fluids, M*sturbation & Healing of Sexual Past
January 8th, 2024 | 42 mins 2 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
- How do we reorient what we find gross about the bodily functions?
- What is m*sturbation?
- As a pre-engaged couple, how do we heal from our sexual past?
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Getting Over First Love, Same Sex Attraction & Wedding Ceremony
January 2nd, 2024 | 45 mins 58 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
- Will I ever get over my first love? Is it okay date others while still attached to another?
- What story does the body of a person with same sex attraction tell?
- Why does the bride come in after the priest at a wedding?
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Blessing of Same Sex Unions, Wedding Night & Intimacy in Prayer with Jesus and One Another.
December 25th, 2023 | 49 mins 9 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’s going on with the blessing of same sex unions?
- Does the TOB have anything to say about consummating your marriage on the wedding night?
- How do Christopher and Wendy live their intimacy with Jesus in parallel with their intimacy as husband and wife?
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Spiritual Mothers in Parishes, Beauty Standards & "Not in the Mood"
December 18th, 2023 | 48 mins 56 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
- Why are our parishes only run by fathers if the domestic church (the family) is run by fathers and mothers?
- I’m not “stunning” compared to the standards of beauty that society has. I know I’m “beautifully and wonderfully made” but I understand this only with my mind, not my heart. Do you have any advice?
- I’ve heard that as married couples, we need to be intimate to show our love even if we’re not in the mood. If my bride is not in the mood, it would seem to me like I’d be forcing my needs unto her. Does the TOB shine a light on this?
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Marital Jealousy in Heaven, Passing on Genetic Disease & Saying "No" | ACW258
December 11th, 2023 | 50 mins 22 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 getting married soon and I know that there will be no marriage in heaven. Recently the thought of spending such a short life with my future husband and then eternity alone has crept in. Can the TOB speak into this?
- I have a genetical disease that has a 50% probability of being passed on. Can the Theology of the Body provide help to discern if I should take the risk?
- In my marriage, my husband seems to use sex like a drug. Can I refuse to engage in intercourse out of love?
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Intrusive Thoughts After P*rn Usage, Is Circumcision Mutilation? & Baptism of Desire for Babies in Womb
December 4th, 2023 | 45 mins 17 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 40 year old husband and father. I grew up in a family dynamic where porn and masturbation was normal. I quitted porn after 7 years of marriage but now I’m really struggling with intrusive thoughts. Do you have any advice?
- I recently heard that circumcision is mutilation. Should I confess this?
- I’m a mid-wife accompanying a couple that’s pregnant with a child that possibly won’t be born alive; they long for their daughter to be baptized. Can you explain baptism of desire?
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My Son is Gender Neutral, Dating an Older Woman & Listener's Affirmation | ACW256
November 27th, 2023 | 43 mins 4 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 son wants to change his name to a gender neutral name. What do I call him?
- I’ve developed a friendship with a woman that’s several years older than I am. As our friendship grows, the possibility of a romantic relationship has come up but I don’t feel “butterflies” in my stomach. Would it be irresponsible to enter a relationship without those romantic feelings?
- This is not a question but an affirmation of the wisdom and balance coming from Wendy and Christopher’s marriage
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Wild Eros, Vampires & Modesty | ACW255
November 22nd, 2023 | 57 mins 59 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
- 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?
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Liberal Parish, Practical Advice to Overcome P*rn & the Receptive Role of Man | ACW254
November 13th, 2023 | 52 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
- 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?