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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The Horrors that Christ Endured | ACW244
September 4th, 2023 | 48 mins 12 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
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?
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How To Heal a Stoic Heart | ACW243
August 28th, 2023 | 50 mins 42 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
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 cycle so that we can consumate our marriage. Why is God putting us in this situation?
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Intimacy In Dating | ACW242
August 21st, 2023 | 42 mins 53 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 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?
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Betrayed By My Body | ACW241
August 14th, 2023 | 50 mins 27 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 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?
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You Cannot Give What You Don't Have | ACW240
August 7th, 2023 | 50 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
- 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 but whenever I bring these things up, she shuts down. Can you help me?
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Theology of the BodyBuilder | ACW239
July 31st, 2023 | 39 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
-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 advice on how to talk about sex without it being an occasion for sin? -
Did Jesus Suffer As Much As SA Victims? | ACW238
July 24th, 2023 | 55 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
- 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?
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Gender Stereotypes | ACW237
July 17th, 2023 | 1 hr 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
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A Heart That Gives Itself To Those In Misery | ACW236
July 10th, 2023 | 33 mins 5 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 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?
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Is the Church Anti-Woman? | ACW235
July 3rd, 2023 | 53 mins 37 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 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.
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Chastity is for EVERY BODY | ACW234
June 26th, 2023 | 45 mins 24 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 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?
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Feminine Beauty Is a Grace | ACW233
June 19th, 2023 | 27 mins 47 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 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 me. How can I look at this with TOB eyes?