

Discerning Marriage
Theology of the Body Institute
Listen to Elizabeth's intro episode here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/1)!
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 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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 24, 2021 • 24min
Episode 33: Joseph and Mary's Marriage with Christopher West
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
The Spider Who Saved Christmas by Raymond Arroyo
Christopher West, ThD is a devoted husband and father of five. As President of the Theology of the Body Institute, he leads an international apostolate spreading St. John Paul II’s life-transforming teaching through graduate level courses, on-site events and programs, clergy enrichment training, and an online global community dedicated to ongoing formation. Beyond serving as Professor of Theological Anthropology in the Institute’s jointly sponsored M.A. program with Pontifex University, Dr. West has served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver; the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha; the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Canada; and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Australia. West is the author of more than a dozen best-selling books and numerous video and audio programs. He cohosts the popular podcast Ask Christopher West with his wife Wendy, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and in countless Catholic and evangelical media outlets.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Dec 17, 2021 • 31min
Episode 32: Surrender with Stacey Sumereau
Surrender to his will and God's timing is the beginning to every good discernment - this is so true, but at the same time, so difficult! I'm joined by Stacey Sumereau to discuss this important topic and some tips for implementing it into your life!
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Stacey's instagram!
Stacey's website
Stacey on Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns
Stacey Sumereau’s unique journey spans performing in Broadway National Tours of The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast, to discerning religious life on Reality TV in The Sisterhood, Becoming Nuns (Lifetime 2014), to marriage and motherhood. Stacey founded and hosted the Be Not Afraid Conference and the God’s Adventure Awaits Summit, serving over 20,000 people in 2020. Stacey hosts the popular Called and Caffeinated Podcast and YouTube show and is a contributor on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel. In 2020 she wrote and taught the True North Discernment Course to people in 13 countries around the world. Stacey has written for Vocations and Prayer Magazine and iMom.com. She and her husband John are raising their three children aged 4 and under in the Washington, D.C. area. She has presented at the National Catholic Youth Conference, the LA Religious Education Congress, and dioceses across the country encouraging young people to know their worth and to embrace God’s adventure.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Dec 13, 2021 • 31min
Episode 31: Healing from Sexual Abuse - An Interview with Kiki Rocha
If you're a sexual abuse survivor, dating and or in deep desire of changing generational patters, listen in!
Kiki Rocha talks about her coaching mission that is anchored by her own story of much brokenness— incestual sexual abuse by her father, cheating, divorce, single parent mother, among other wounds.
She believes women, due to the epidemic of fatherlessness, are seeing themselves, their sexuality and dating life through their unredeemed woundedness which leads to perpetuating the same generational patterns.
Kiki deeply desires to change the generational direction of a woman’s legacy through her self-image, sexuality and dating experience— especially Latinas!! First though, she needed to do that herself by designing a season of healing in the desert after more specifically discovering last fall that the type of abuse she endured was rape.
She gives you practical tips for how to begin this journey yourself.
The more a woman knows who she is, the more she can help man, her earthly counterpart, understand who he is and in this way redeem eachother's glory.
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Connect with Kiki on Instagram
Here are the things that Kiki mentioned in the show!!
The Woman's School
Neal Lozano - Unbound
The Culture Project
Metanoia Catholic Coaching
Grief to Grace
EMDR Therapy
Find a Catholic Therapist!
Made in His Image
Kiki Rocha is a vivacious and resilient Mexican-American bilingual Catholic Coach and Speaker. Kiki, by grace, is also an incestual rape survivor and daughter of a single mother. Her painful experiences have given her a conviction in her work as a Dating and Sexual Integrity Coach for women. She is trained as a strategist with Woman School and by Metanoia Catholic Coaching Academy. Deeply passionate about changing generational patterns in women’s lives, she helps them encounter, possess and master themselves by equipping them with wholeness and mindset the spaces of self-worth, sexuality and dating.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Dec 3, 2021 • 31min
Episode 30: Discerning Through Cancer and a Breakup with Maggie Eckburg
On this episode, Maggie shares her unique journey toward marriage with her now husband of ten years and father to her three children, Jacob. This couple knows suffering. Before they were even engaged, they faced Maggie's cancer diagnosis, as well as Jacob's own health scares that led to them both having spent time at each other's hospital bedside. Once the physical healing came, the need for spiritual and emotional healing became evident and it was clear that more discernment work was needed, including even a breakup. In their journey, we see that trust in God, our posture of openness toward suffering, and a willingness to recommit ourselves to one another with patience, understanding, and love is instrumental to the success of anyone's love story.
Come listen as Maggie, lover of music, books, comedy, and seeing God in all things, shares this story with us!
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Find Maggie on Instagram here.
Explore Maggie's photography business here.
Elizabeth's YouTube videos about discerning marriage are here.
Maggie Eckburg is a Catholic wife, mom, teacher, photographer. She was born and raised in the Chicago area and currently teaches Theology of the Body to High Schoolers on the west side of Chicago using a curriculum she has spent over a decade creating. She also recently opened her own business, Everything is Grace Photography, for a space to integrate her love of faith, family, and beautiful imagery that takes you to the heart of Jesus.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Nov 12, 2021 • 34min
Episode 29: Jeanette Clark's Discernment Story
Jeanette Clark, classmate with Christopher West in her Master's of Theological Studies degree from the JPII Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and wife of the Executive Director of the TOB Institute, got married in her late 20s after a cross country move and a breakup with her future husband. Join us as we discuss her full discernment story!
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Jeanette's Humility episode here
Jeanette's episode on Ephesians 5 here
Born to a military family, Jeanette Clark lived most of her life in the Washington, DC area. She received her Master's in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1997 and that same year moved to Denver, Colorado (which she actually considers her home town) where she was hired by the brand new Archbishop, Charles Chaput. She directed the Office of Christian Initiation for the Archdiocese for four years, giving frequent talks and retreats to the community. Jeanette married Jason Clark in 2001 at a little mountain Church in Evergreen, Colorado where their family adventure began. In June they celebrated 19 years as husband and wife. They have 5 children ages 8-17, 4 of whom are boys and they currently live in rural southern Pennsylvania surrounded by Amish neighbors. She is delving deeper and deeper into what it means to be a human being - a woman - who has encountered Christ and what that means on every level of existence. Deep ponderings at the kitchen sink.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Oct 29, 2021 • 35min
Episode 28: Beauty and Your Wedding Day with Spoken Bride's Stephanie Calis
All brides and grooms want their wedding day to be special and beautiful, but did you know that this can actually be a way to glorify God with your relationship?? Join me as I talk with Stephanie Calis {of Spoken Bride Ministry!} about how to press deeply into your desire for a beautiful wedding day and how that can be a powerful witness to your guests! We also talk about her wedding planning book, which is a wonderful tool for you and your significant other to use when the time comes and a wonderful gift for people whom you love who are getting married soon!
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Get Stephanie's book Invited: The Ultimate Catholic Wedding Planner here
Check out the TOB Institute's YouTube Channel (and my new YouTube videos about dating and discerning marriage!) here
Stephanie is the author of the book Invited: The Ultimate Catholic Wedding Planner, a #1 Amazon bestseller in Weddings, and a blogger since 2012. A former full-time speaker, she seeks to engage the culture with the truth of authentic, sacrificial love by meeting people where they are and meeting them in matters of the heart. She has been featured on EWTN’s At Home with Jim and Joy and in Family Foundations Magazine, Brides.com, Blessed Is She, and The YoungCatholicWoman. Stephanie married her husband in 2011 on a 105 degree day, and they live in Maryland with their four children.
Learn more about Stephanie's Ministry Spoken Bride here.
Find Spoken Bride on Instagram: @spokenbride
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Oct 22, 2021 • 26min
Episode 27: Original Solitude with Bill Donaghy
The ache of longing to be in your vocation can be agonizing. Amazingly, Pope St. John Paul II pressed into this theme in his discussions on what he calls original solitude. Renown Theology of the Body expert Bill Donaghy joins me as we discuss what original solitude is and why it matters to 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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Having worked in mission, evangelization, and education since the early 1990s, Bill joined faculty of the TOB Institute in 2010 and became a full-time member of the team as content specialist in 2013. With a background in visual arts, philosophy, and systematic theology, he has given talks and retreats to bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and the lay faithful throughout the country and internationally. Bill is the co-author with Chris Stefanick of the popular program RISE: 30 Day Challenge for Men and is a proud husband and father of four.
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Apr 7, 2021 • 30min
Episode 26: The Courage to be Married with Damon and Melanie Owens
Getting married and staying married takes an incredible amount of courage, particularly in this day and age that is so hostile to such a union. Elizabeth is joined by renowned TOB experts Damon and Melanie Owens to talk about what it takes to live a courageous marriage and what you can do now, as you’re discerning marriage, to set yourself up for success.
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
[Damon and Melanie’s ministry Joyful Ever After](www.joyfuleverafter.org)
Married 28 years, Damon and Melanie Owens are founders of Joyful Ever After (www.joyfuleverafter.org) and hosts of The Catholic Marriage Summit 2020 (www.CatholicMarriageSummit.com). Since 1993, Melanie, full-time homeschooling mother of eight, and Damon, first executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute, have trained over 20,000 couples in marriage, NFP, and Theology of the Body. Melanie earned her BA in Sociology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and her MSW at the University of California at Berkeley.
Presenters at the 2015 World Meeting of Families and the 2017 USCCB Convocation of Catholic Leaders, Damon and Melanie keep a full international speaking schedule at conferences, seminars, universities, high schools, seminaries, and parishes on the good news of marriage, sexuality, Theology of the Body, Theology of the Family, adoption, and NFP.
Damon has published numerous articles, appears regularly on many radio and television programs (EWTN, Catholic Answers, Ave Maria, Relevant Radio, Immaculate Heart Radio, ABC World News Tonight, CBS News, NPR), and has hosted and produced three 13-part television series for EWTN. He is also an accomplished gospel singer honored with a solo during the 1995 NJ Papal Mass at Giants Stadium presided by Pope St. John Paul II.
In 2018, Pope Francis honored Damon with the papal Benemerenti Medal in recognition for his service to the Church in support of marriage and family. Damon and Melanie currently live outside Philadelphia with their eight children.
catholicmarriagesummit.com
Instagram:
Https://www.instagram.com/damon.c.owens
Https://www.instagram.com/melanie.m.owens
FB:
damoncowens and damonowensofficial
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Mar 17, 2021 • 30min
Episode 25: Breakups Part 2 w/ Liv Harrison
Liv Harrison and I continue our conversation from Episode 19 right where we left off. We discuss an approach to breakups that can be helpful to process and heal from the loss of the relationship.
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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Ep 19: Breakups Part 1 with Liv Harrison
Liv Harrison is known for being a professional speaker and emcee with a gift for humor, storytelling, and wisdom. People are her passion. She connects with everyone from junior high students to seasoned adults. Liv was the 2018 Host/Emcee to hundreds of Catholic youth at the Austin music festival, Godstock. Her work in marriage ministry keeps her connected with couples around Texas. Not only has Liv spoken all over Texas, but she has also spoken across the nation. She is presently serving the Junior League of The Woodlands as an active leader who often speaks to the 500 members. In May 2019 Liv successfully wrote, launched, and emceed the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference (geniuswomensconference.com) outside of Austin, TX. In December, of 2019 the Talitha Koum Initiative, LLC was formed to produce the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference. In March 2020 the unique Genius Catholic Women’s Conference launched in Dallas. Liv serves as President on the Executive Board of The Genius Collective; a non-profit that is in its final stages of development. Liv is currently a co-host on the Forte Catholic Podcast and the Discerning Marriage Podcast. On June 1, 2020 Liv launched her own interview/storytelling podcast titled Talk to Me with Liv Harrison: The Stories Behind Their Success. Lastly, she has been a frequent voice on Sirius XM and various other podcast programs both as a guest and as a co-host. She is married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two.
https://www.thelivharrison.com
Instagram: @thelivharrison
Email: liv@thelivharrison.com
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.

Mar 3, 2021 • 28min
Episode 24: Dr. Greg Bottaro’s Discernment Story
Dr. Greg Bottaro shares his incredible story of discerning out of formation for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and into a marriage with his bride! And the turning point of his discernment that happened while watching The Truman Show. Yes, for real! This story is awesome! I can’t wait for you to hear 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.
This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here.
Shownotes
Dr. Greg’s book: The Mindful Catholic
Ep 7: Mindfulness and Therapy with Dr. Greg Bottaro
Dr. Bottaro is a clinical psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, a graduate school in Arlington, VA that integrates Catholic philosophy and theology with sound, empirically validated psychology.
Before his degree, Dr. Bottaro discerned a religious vocation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He lived four years in the Bronx, serving the poor in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. He learned how to discern God's voice and live a life in service to others.
Six years after leaving NYC as a friar he returned as a psychologist. The CatholicPsych Institute began there in 2012 and has since grown to 5 offices with 12 therapists serving clients around the globe.
Website: https://www.catholicpsych.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholicpsych/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CatholicPsychInstitute
A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"!
Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here.
Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here.


