Join hosts Deacon Mark and Erin Voorheis on Terminal Vocation, a practical Catholic marriage podcast for engaged and newly married couples and those navigating the first five years of matrimony. Combining standard textbook tenets of the Catholic faith with relatable, everyday humor, this marriage and family life show dives into the real-world challenges couples face—from money and in-laws to kids and communication. Discover how to lean into sacramental grace, laugh through the mistakes, and embrace holy matrimony as a lifelong, joyful vocation. New episodes weekly!
Ep 22 - We Can Work It Out: Practical Strategies for Discipline, Part 2
Welcome to another episode of Terminal Vocation as hosts Deacon Mark and Erin kick things off by talking about a recent birthday celebration for Erin going to see a local 80's band.
In the "This Just In" segment, the hosts dive into a viral hiring debate sparked by a recruiter's post about candidates bringing iced coffee into job interviews (https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/iced-coffee-job-interview-viral-debate/909mmnwag). They analyze what casual habits communicate to hiring managers and draw parallels to dating etiquette and first impressions.
Moving to the main topic, Mark and Erin explore practical family discipline methods. They discuss what worked, what didn't, the importance of timing and proximity, and why consistency with tools like age-based timeouts is key to setting clear boundaries. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a fresh conversation!
18 Sept 2026
Ep 21 - Authority Song: Remembering Who's the Boss
Welcome back to another episode of Terminal Vocation with your hosts, Deacon Mark and Erin.
This week, the hosts kick off the show by catching up on their respective weeks. Deacon Mark recounts his trip to Arizona for a work conference, while Erin shares the excitement of going to a Nats game (and celebrating a great comeback win!).
This Just In:
The hosts talk about a recent CNN report (https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/13/science/dogs-human-expressions-scli-intl) discussing a study on dogs and their ability to read emotional cues from human facial expressions. The results reveal how canine brains process human emotion, sparking a broader conversation about connection, communication, and the importance of face-to-face interaction in our digital world.
Authority:
The hosts explore the fine line between commanding respect and earning it. Drawing parallels from everyday life, parenting, and even specialized dog training, they break down why relying purely on titles or constant self-promotion often backfires.
They share three core strategies for building and maintaining genuine authority and trust:
Calm Beats Loud: Why emotional regulation and a steady presence outweigh intensity.
Comprehension Over Compliance: Moving past blind obedience to foster true understanding.
You’re Not Their Friend: Striking the right balance between being approachable and maintaining necessary boundaries.
Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for more Terminal Vocation!
11 Sept 2026
Ep 20 Life is a Highway: Road Tripping Do's and Don'ts
Updates
Family Adjustments: Deacon Mark and Erin share that they are preparing their home to welcome Mark's aging uncle. Moving things from one room to another and throwing out a lot.
Sentimental Belongings: Erin reflects on going through a trunk of her late father's memorabilia from his life, including finding an airmail letter detailing Kraft shipping cheese to India, as well as the original 1972 receipt for a Ford Pinto.
Labor Day Weekend & Family News: The hosts recount enjoying a long hike and a church club pool party. They also celebrate news from their adult children: their son and daughter will be serving in California and Ohio as team leads with NET Ministries.
Seasonal Trends & Relationship Advice
Fall Flavor Debates: Mark and Erin discuss whether the Pumpkin Spice Latte has "jumped the shark," noting McDonald's decision (https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/06/business/pumpkin-spice-latte-mcdonalds) to feature a McCafe Caramel Apple Pie flavor instead for fall.
Keeping Marriage Fresh: Using the coffee comparison as a launchpad, they reflect on their 26-year marriage. They discuss avoiding burnout by discovering new shared interests, maintaining independent hobbies, and treating love as an active verb of continuous care and service rather than a passing feeling.
The Do's and Don'ts of Road Trips
Bring (and Agree On) Travel Snacks: Both hosts emphasize having dedicated road trip snacks. They recommend balancing healthy options (nuts, fruit, protein bars) with iconic road trip junk food like Bugles and gummy candies.
Stop at Quirky Tourist Traps: Mark recommends embracing spontaneous detours to absurd roadside attractions (such as Wall Drug, South of the Border, or the World's Largest Bison) to keep the journey fun and lighthearted.
Plan Frequent Rest Stops: Erin highlights stopping every two hours without judgment for bathroom breaks or stretching, noting that taking brief pit stops keeps everyone comfortable and energized.
Avoid High-Stakes Discussions: Mark advises against using road trip drive time to schedule "Define the Relationship" (DRT) talks or heavy emotional confrontation, emphasizing that vacation travel should remain stress-free.
Resist Over-Planning: Erin cautions against trying to cram too many states or destinations into a single itinerary, advocating instead for establishing a base camp to settle in and explore surrounding areas comfortably.
note: cover art image generated using AI
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
11 ratings
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