How Much Should I Reveal About My Past, Is Pole Fitness Sinful?, and How Do We Survive New Parenthood? | ACW354
Ask Christopher West
Theology of the Body Institute
4.9 • 549 Ratings
🗓️ 13 October 2025
⏱️ 52 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Questions answered this episode:
1. I’m growing close to a woman from my parish, and our relationship may become romantic. I need to disclose my long history of solitary sin and pornography use, which I no longer struggle with, but I’ve recently remembered past acts and fantasies. I’ve taken these to prayer and confession, but I worry she will reject me if I share. What level of detail is prudent to disclose? I struggle with scrupulosity, making it hard to know whether withholding details would be dishonest or manipulative.
2. I’ve struggled to love my body for years. Pole fitness classes have built my strength and confidence, healing some self-hatred. I avoid erotic dance, focusing on strength-based moves. My question is: is it wrong to continue these pole fitness classes? They’ve brought much good to my life, and I want to ensure my hobbies are pleasing to God.
3. I’m newly married and expecting our first child. We’re excited but nervous, hearing how hard parenting can strain marriages. I worry the struggle will create distance and conflict between us. How can we maintain our love and focus while keeping our sanity during pregnancy and early child-rearing?
Resources:
College of St. Joseph the Worker
JPII Legacy Foundation Website
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Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President 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.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From the Theology of the Body Institute, this is the Ask Christopher West podcast. |
| 0:16.4 | This morning I woke up at 4 a.m. |
| 0:18.7 | I'm sorry. |
| 0:20.2 | It was rough. Yeah. I'm sorry. It was rough. |
| 0:21.5 | Yeah. |
| 0:22.9 | I hope everybody out there listening today had a better night's sleep than I did. |
| 0:27.1 | Yeah. |
| 0:28.9 | It does happen to me, doesn't it? |
| 0:30.9 | Yes. |
| 0:32.4 | That's not usually how we start the show, though. |
| 0:34.4 | No. |
| 0:34.8 | Hi, podcast listeners. |
| 0:35.8 | Right. That's what we need to say. |
| 0:38.1 | Greetings. |
| 0:39.0 | Welcome to this episode. |
| 0:41.2 | This episode in which, if my answers are not coherent, it's because I didn't get much sleep. |
| 0:46.8 | Oh. |
| 0:48.4 | But we're going to do it. |
| 0:49.7 | Thank you for recording with me, even on such a day when you are not feeling as well as you would |
| 0:56.1 | if you slept all night. |
| 0:58.2 | Wendy, I like doing this with you. |
| 1:00.3 | It's a blessing. |
... |
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