What's the Biggest No-No in Marriage?

8 Jul 2026 · 41 min
41:16

In this episode of the Dennis Prager Show’s “Male‑Female Hour,” host Dennis Prager asks callers to identify the single greatest mistake that can destroy a marriage. Prager states his own answer early: publicly humiliating or berating one’s spouse. Throughout the broadcast, a range of callers offer alternative "no‑nos" – Paul cites failure to communicate; Norma argues that lying erodes trust; John discusses the role of divorce as a deterrent; Don shares a personal story of covert public humiliation; JD questions whether infidelity is a form of marital murder and how it intersects with public humiliation. Prager repeatedly references John Gottman’s research on contempt as the one relational factor couples cannot survive, and he frames public humiliation as a form of contempt that is especially corrosive. He also explores the paradox of the “option of divorce,” arguing that the ability to be “fired” from a marriage can motivate spouses to work harder, while the certainty of staying together may breed complacency. The conversation weaves between philosophical reflections on dignity, personal anecdotes, and practical advice about giving second chances, while interspersed with sponsor spots for AmFed Coin & Bullion and promotional plugs for DennisPrager.com. The episode ends with Prager acknowledging the difficulty of understanding why people humiliate loved ones and invites listeners to submit further thoughts.

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