Ruth Institute Blog

(January 28, 2014) Betsy Kerekes is Drew Mariani’s guest on his eponymous show, where they discussed marriage–how to have a better one, Ruth’s recent publication “101 Tips for a Happier Marriage,” and related questions. Order the book on Amazon, or check out the store at our website–it makes a great wedding gift.

Oh, and the conference Drew and Betsy mentioned? It’s called “Healing the 21st Century Family.” One day in Carlsbad, California, full of encouragement, healing, and inspiration–and not a polar vortex in sight. Check out our website for the details.

There are several new things up on the podcast page (and more to come).  Recent additions include:

On the latest issue (May 16) of her radio show, “From the Front Lines of the Culture War,” Dr J interviewed Andy Crouch, author of “Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling.”  He’s focused on the things we’re creating and upholding; the “you’re just against this” charge sounds more ridiculous than ever.  (Check out CatholicRadioOfSanDiego.com for more information on the show.)

On May 18, Dr J and Todd Wilken met on Issues, Etc to discuss Germany’s recent decision to subsidize in vitro fertilization in order to stimulate their birthrate.

There’s also an interview given by Dr J to Phyllis Schlafly on Eagle Forum Live, where they discussed non-religious reasons to support traditional marriage and took comments and questions.

Dr J’s most recent episode of “From the Front Lines of the Culture War” is now up for your listening pleasure.  In it, she interviews Bill Duncan, attorney and president of the Marriage Law Foundation, on a wide range of topics.  Their discussion includes Prop 8, DoMA, de facto parenting, and more.  Check out CatholicRadioOfSanDiego.com for more information on the show.

We also have her interview on Issues, Etc, split into two topical parts.  The first deals with the propensity of the Baby Boom generation to solve marital problems–large and small–preferentially with divorce.  The second–graphically–explains what passed for an extra-curricular sex ed seminar at Texas A&M and how it’s related to the widespread use of pornography.

(April 29, 2011) Dr J travels to Minnesota to speak at a senate hearing on a proposed marriage amendment to the state constitution.  The amendment, along the lines of those passed by popular vote in 31 other states, defines marriage as one man and one woman and would be voted on by the people of Minnesota.

MN Senate testimony

Dr J has some new projects going on–check out what she’s been up to in April so far.  There’s more to come, but for now, we’ve got the audio of her new radio program in San Diego, her talk at Wheaton College, “Same Sex Marriage Affects Everyone,” and the latest Issues, Etc interview concerning internet availability of prescription abortion medication.

Up on our podcast page is a two-part interview with Bill Duncan; Dr J asks him to bring us up to speed on DoMA and the amicus brief he and NOM recently filed in that case.

Part 1

Part 2

(March 15, 2011) Dr J traveled up to the Los Angeles area for a screening of “Eggsploitation,” Jennifer Lahl’s documentary on the fertility industry–in particular, the way egg donors are used by the process.  (Jennifer Lahl is one of Ruth Institute’s academic advisors.)  She gives a short talk after the screening but before the author’s Q&A.

Listen here.

More information on “Eggsploitation” is available here.

During her visit to Nashville for Aquinas College’s “Love & Life in  the Divine Plan” conference, Dr J spoke to the Nashville Republican Women about her work with the Ruth Institute, the views of the next generation on marriage, and the consequences of abandoning or redefining the institution of marriage.  She has some things to say about where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why we need to stand up for marriage.

We’ve podcasted her talk–listen here.

Two of Dr J’s recent “Issues, Etc.” interviews are now available here and on our podcast page.  Yesterday’s interview was on  Rahna Reiko Rizzuto, the author who decided she no longer wanted to be bothered with motherhood or marriage.  February 4th’s interview concerned Barbara Bush and New Yorkers for Equality.

(March 1, 2011) Maggie Gallagher appears on Dennis O’Donovan’s “Religion, Politics, and the Culture” to discuss President Obama’s refusal to uphold DoMA and the ramifications of this approach to legal and policy matters.  Listen here.

(March 2, 2011) Dr J appears on Dennis O’Donovan’s “Religion, Politics, and the Culture” to discuss the links between redefining marriage and redefining parenthood and her recent trip to testify before the Rhode Island legislature.  Listen here.