Ask Christopher West

What was your dating story? As a divorced person, should I seek an anullment? I have some friends who are seriously discussing polyamory, and whether monogamy is even worth it. What do you think? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: Tell us your dating story! Q2: I was married for 15 years and have been divorced for 7 years. I haven’t tried to get an annulment. It was an unhappy marriage. My husband was verbally abusive and unfaithful. I wasn’t perfect either. I wasn’t a good wife. I made mistakes and I feel I was selfish when I chose to get divorced, because I wanted happiness. But my life has been anything but happy and our two children were impacted negatively by our divorce. I don’t feel, in my heart, that I deserve an annulment because I was 30 when I got married and knew what I was doing. Should I try and get the annulment, or should I pray that I can be reunited with my ex-husband or should I resign myself to live a single chaste life? Q3: I once met this girl whose boyfriend cheated on her, and she really was hurt. She told me that in the past when she had a boyfriend, and other men were interested in her, she would cheat, so she would be the one who would be hurting them. Then she began talking about polyamory. A guy she was with began saying that polyamory was the best way to go. Threesome, foursome, it was all fun. I was kind of disgusted by the whole conversation. I was trying to tell them (as a Catholic that I am), that that was wrong, but since I didn't know how to explain that that type of mentality and attitude towards relationship and sex is not fun and is wrong, they began laughing at me. So they asked me this question: "IS MONOGAMY WORTH IT?”. Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: Become a patron of the Theology of the Body Institute. Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

Why does the Church teach against pre-marital sex? Were Adam & Eve unmarried? How do all the difficult parts of marriage fit into the idea that "God wants to marry us"? What advice do you have for an older couple that had a vasectomy done in the early part of their marriage? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: Please explain more on God's plan & call for us to wait until marriage for sexual union. Living together is everywhere. How do we understand that Adam & Eve were married? How does their union differ from people living together in commitment and then (maybe) coming to the Church for a blessing? Q2: Please explain more on how the sexual union images God? And if marriage is the key to understanding everything, what about marriage and sexual union that is an horrendous thing, ugly & hurtful? What about rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, broken relationships etc etc? All the hard stuff? How does this fit with 'God wants to marry us'? Some people may well think - well if this is what marriage is like I want nothing to do with God marrying me! Q3: After 40 years of marriage and 3 children, I have finally read TOB for Beginners. My spouse had a vasectomy when we were both 25. We were ignorant of TOB and Humanae Vitae. We were dreadfully poor and erroneously thought vasectomy was the only way to provide for our 3 children. We feel incredible remorse even though we have confessed our sin in the sacrament of Reconciliation and been forgiven. How do we now live TOB at the age of 59? (We were 19 when we got married.) We still enjoy the nuptial embrace as a means of giving ourselves to each other. Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: Sterilization Reversal Book from One More Soul TOB Institute Community The Good News about Sex and Marriage Theology of the Body for Beginners Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

Why is the priestly vocation for men only? As a man, how do I determine whether I am looking at a woman's body in a way that is loving, not lustful? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: From the lens of TOB, can you explain why the priesthood is a vocation for men only? Q2: As a man, how do I know if the reason/way I look at a beautiful woman is chaste or lustful? Is it wrong to look at “those parts” of the woman's body with a chaste and pure intention even though my body reacts the same or similar way? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: TOB Pilgrimage to Mexico City Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

Some celibate religious feel a sense of loss or regret towards marriage and family life. What advice would you give to priests and religious who are struggling in this way? As a woman who is deeply uncomfortable with sexuality and intimacy, how can I engage with these things in a healthy way? Christopher and Wendy only take on two questions this week, but their conversation is one you won't want to miss! Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: Some celibate religious feel a sense of loss or regret towards marriage and family life. What advice would you give to priests and religious who are struggling in this way? Q2: As a woman who is deeply uncomfortable with sexuality and intimacy, how can I engage with these things in a healthy way? Submit your question (or pickle counselor application) at AskChristopherWest.com. Want to be a part of spreading Theology of the Body all over the world? Become a patron of the Theology of the Body Institute! Resources mentioned this week: Theology of the Body Institute Courses - TOB1 Theology of the Body for Beginners Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

How do I get started learning about TOB? How do I abstain from participating in Pride Month activities, while still showing compassion for all people? Does TOB give guidance on taking care of the body? Would you and Wendy every consider writing a book together? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. Thanks for enjoying the podcast! If you want to support our work, consider becoming a patron of the TOB Institute. This week’s questions: Q1: I am drawn to the Theology of the Body. I just watched your 15 minute interview about this and your ending comments were something like: "this will change your life, this will rock your world". I think this is something I am ready to dive into. Can you direct me on how to start? Q2: My employer is pushing hard for employees to participate in Pride Month, but this violates my conscience. How can I show compassion for all people, without participating in activities like this? Q3: Does Theology of the Body also give guidance on taking care of the body, such as exercise and food? Q4: Would you and Wendy ever consider writing a book together? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: TOB1 - Head and Heart Immersion Course - September 8-13 Dumb Ox Ministries Ascension Press for Teens Theology of the Body Evangelization Teams Damon Owens' JoyTOB Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

What's the deal with mortification? Did Adam and Eve really exist? How do I go about understanding my vocation as a celibate woman? As a Protestant woman, how to I share TOB with my friends? As a single man, how can I cultivate true friendships with women? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: Some saints have been known for their mortification of their bodies, and I have always found that to be a little confusing. If our bodies are good, why would they do that? And why does the Church present this as saintly? Q2 Did Adam and Eve really exist? Or are they just a tale and a way to explain original sin? Q3: Can we talk celibacy for the kingdom? I already discerned (and entered and exited) religious life and I’m unable to be a consecrated virgin (but praise God for His mercy!). I don’t think I’m called to marriage yet have a hard time accepting this consecrated life in the world. How am I really “chosen” versus “looked over”? How can I integrate my sexuality without counting the cost, in other words accepting the ache? How can I better make a sincere gift of self, seeing it as a call rather than condemnation? Thank you and bless you! Q4: I’m a Protestant Christian who has fallen in love with Theology of the Body and experienced its redemptive power in my own identity as a woman, wife, and mother. I eagerly want to share this revelation with my Protestant friends, especially the married women I know who accept birth control as a “necessary part of marriage” and even disdain children. But given the historical divide in our church, whenever I’ve tried, the “Catholic” concepts are so foreign it's hard to make headway. Q5: As a single man, how do I navigate friendships with the virtuous women in my life that I am not pursuing, but have a desire to love and grow in friendship with, while protecting their hearts from confusion and/or rejection? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: Bishop Barron on How to Read the Bible Our Bodies Proclaim the Gospel CD Set Become a patron of the TOB Institute Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

How can TOB help me heal spiritually from anorexia? Why does the Church teach against contraceptives? Is watching Game of Thrones okay? As a woman who has struggled with pornography, how do I heal? Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: I’ve been physically and mentally recovering from anorexia for awhile, and I’m realizing that my soul needs healing, too. Is there anything in Theology of the Body that can help me understand self-worth and self-love. Are these things God wants for me? Q2: I grew up in a church environment where the use of contraceptives was not questioned morally at all. I’d love to hear you explain a little more about how the use of contraceptives relates to TOB both in Christian marriage and in secular culture. Q3: I’m struggling to decide whether or not to watch the new season of Game of Ghrones. I know that it contains pornographic scenes, and while I skip them, I feel guilty whenever I watch it. I hate telling people I’ve seen it because I feel they’ll be drawn to do the same, and it may cause them to sin. Q4: As a female who has struggled with pornography, my view on sex has been distorted. While I know that sex is good on a head level, how can I more fully understand this on a heart level? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carol Campbell The Body Reveals God by Katrina Zeno Theology of the Body in One Hour by Jason Evert Books by Christopher West: Theology of the Body for Beginners Eclipse of the Body The Good News about Sex and Marriage TOB1 September Course Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

As a single young woman, should I be open to marrying someone who doesn't share my faith? How does Wendy feel about not being able to tour and speak like Christopher? What bible verse has resonated the most with you through life? We continue taking questions from people who have taken part in TOB Pilgrimages. Check out the upcoming pilgrimages to Mexico and the Holy Land at TOBPilgrimages.com! Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: As a young single woman whose faith matters deeply to me, should I be open to the possibility of marrying someone who doesn't share my faith? Q2: Wendy, how hard is it to watch your husband do something that you are also passionate about, when you have to stay home and do everything else? Q3: Which bible verse or passage has resonated with you the most through life, individually or as a couple? Also in this episode: the follow-up to "Cake or Pie", Christopher answers "Ketchup or Mustard!" Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: Apocalypto -- Christopher recommends this film as part of the last questions of the episode, but please be advised that its content are not suitable for all ages. Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

Any recommendations for a couple that is dating who wants to include TOB in their relationship? Do you think the "Culture of Death" that we currently live in can be overcome? Do you have any tips for overcoming jet lag? Christopher and Wendy dive into these questions, while finding time to muse on Cheese Whiz as a valid cheesesteak component. Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: As someone who travels a lot, do you have any recommendations on how to deal with jet lag? Q2: Do you have any recommendations with TOB for a couple that is dating? I’m currently dating a Christian (Non-Catholic) and is interested in TOB. I’m trying to figure out a way to bring it into the conversation while our relationship is young. Q3: After going on the 2016 TOB Pilgrimage to Mexico, and seeing how Our Lady of Guadalupe was able to turn a culture of death into a culture of life, I am hopeful that the same can happen in our own culture. Do you think this is a reasonable hope? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: Our Lady of Guadalupe Youtube Series by Christopher | Part 1 Mike Mangione's Music Our theme song is "Lay Down"! Theology of the Body for Beginners Fill These Hearts Cooked on Netflix Christopher recommends Episode 4! Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.

Confirmation students from St. James Catholic Church in Charles Town, WV submit their questions to Christopher and Wendy! How do I talk to my non-Catholic friends about hot-button issues? How do you know if the love between a husband and life is real? As Catholics, how do we relate to people struggling with matters of sexual identity? If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body. This week’s questions: Q1: What can you do if your friends aren’t Catholic, and they believe different things, and they start to talk about difficult topics around you? Abortion, for example. What can you say to them Q2: How do you know if the love between a husband and wife is real? Q3: Where exactly in the Bible does it say that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are bad? Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com. Resources mentioned this week: The Good News about Sex and Marriage Find Christopher West on Facebook and Instagram. Discover the Theology of the Body Institute. If you enjoy the podcast, help us out by writing a review. Thanks for listening! Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals. Featuring music by Mike Mangione. Produced by Sounder and Key.