Always Hope

Happiness is an elusive ideal. What contributes to it? Why does it feel like happiness is a Game of Whac-a-Mole? When we feel it in one place, somewhere else gets misaligned. But how does having faith and living a moral life aid in the quest for achieving happiness? To discuss these questions and more, I welcome Fr. Robert Spitzer, host of Fr. Spitzer’s Universe on EWTN and President of the Magis...

Let’s talk about Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini!   In today’s episode, I welcome back Kristen Theriault, spokesperson for Sophia Institute Press, to discuss all things related to Mother Cabrini, including the new Cabrini movie by Angel Studies, and two books by Sophia: The World is Too Small: The Life and Times of Mother Cabrini and The Mother Cabrini Companion: A Spiritual Journey with a Cour...

In today’s episode, I welcome back Danny Fitzpatrick to discuss his new book released by Sophia Institute, titled "Restoring the Lord's Day: How Reclaiming Sunday Can Revive Our Human Nature."   We discuss the importance of the Sabbath, how it is crucial for restoring our human nature, and how culture has shifted away from recognizing its significance. We also talk at length about the surpris...

As a marriage therapist that integrates my faith into my work, it is often difficult to find resources I can share about marital intimacy that are appropriate for Catholic and Christian couples, because what is generally out there is overly explicit and reductionistic. What can faithful couples do who want to improve their physical intimacy? Listen to this episode and share with their friends. &nb...

Are you experiencing loneliness and not quite sure what to do about it? Then this episode will be of great benefit to you.   Today, I welcome Regina Boyd, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of the new book Leaving Loneliness Behind: 5 Keys to Experiencing God’s Love and Building Healthy Connection with Others.   In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation exploring t...

Do you struggle with scrupulosity or know a loved one who does? If so, this episode will provide great insights and solutions for you.   Today, I welcome Rebecca Martin, editor of the book “Scrupulosity: Heal Your Mind, Unbind Your Soul, and Let God Work.” The book was written by the late Dr. Kevin Vost, who we honor in the show. In this episode, we examine scrupulosity through a moral, spiri...

How often do men and women feel at odds with each other in relationships, dating, marriage, and parenting? What if those differences we there by design and ignoring them only creates more frustration? What if equality didn’t equal sameness?   Joining me on the show to talk about how we can navigate these differences more effectively is Dr. Brett Salkeld, host of the Thinking Faith! Podcast. I...

How does the decline in marriage impact the decline in faith practice and affiliation? What has contributed to the rise in “none’s”? Can scientific research and inquiry help us understand the connection between marriage and faith?   To have this important conversation, I welcome JP De Gance, founder and president of Communio, which is a nonprofit ministry that trains and equips churches to sh...

Calling all couples married around 15-20 years! This episode is for you! Today, I welcome Damon Owens, internationally acclaimed speaker and co-founder of Joyful Ever After, to talk about how to thrive in a middle-aged marriage. We discuss how to overcome long-held resentments and negative patterns of communication with your spouse; how to express unmet needs; the importance of having a supportive...

Have you noticed that many debates in our society center around the term “rights”? But what exactly is a right? Is it possible to define it? And should adults make sacrifice for the rights of children? Today I welcome Katy Faust, the founder of Them Before Us, a global educational and advocacy group on behalf of children’s rights. She offers clarity about the importance of rights being anchored in...

Here’s a little gift to you during this busy Christmas season. I know that we all have a thousand things on our minds right now: shopping, traveling, Christmas dinner prep, friends, family, etc. So, let’s take a break from that together. Join me as we take a moment to reflect the good of this year and bring it before the Child Jesus. It’s a short, guided meditation, therefore try to listen to it i...

I welcome back Sr Josephine Garrett, author of the book “Hope: An Invitation” by OSV Books. Sister Josephine shares her journey of faith, the challenges she faced, her experiences of prayer, and the moments of surrender she had to make in her life. By drawing upon her personal experience, she sheds light onto the power of hope, and how it serves as an 'anchor' guiding us through difficulties. We d...

How should Christians engage at the crossroads of work, technology, and the creative life? How do modern advancements in computing and coding shape our faith? What are realistic fears of generative AI? Joining me on the show is Terry Brisbane, lead pastor at CornerstoneSF in San Francisco, CA, and Rusty Rueff, host of Faith Driven Entrepreneur, to talk about their new book “Faith Code: A Future-Pr...

How do we grow in our devotion of Christ? What are the things we should be paying attention to? What should we be avoiding? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some book that introduced these concepts? Yes there is. Joining me on the show today is Deacon Matt Newsome, author of the book “The Devout Life: A Modern Guide to Practical Holiness with St. Francis de Sales. In this book, Deacon Matt, takes...

Joining me on the show is Chad Etzel, leadership coach and host of the Catholic, Single, and Flourishing Podcast, to talk through the challenges of being a single guy in the dating scene today. We discuss the limiting beliefs that men often have pertaining to dating, unhelpful cultural messages about men, looking at dating and talking to women as skills that can be developed, the pressures of bein...

Alright young adults, here’s your episode on how to navigate the complexities of friendship, romance, and life’s challenges. In today’s episode, I welcome Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford, authors of the new book “Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships”, published by Ascension Press. We have a wonderful conversation about the importance finding meaning in life, learni...

Today I welcome, Travis Thompson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the book, “To Those Left Behind: Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction.” In this episode, we explore the complicated nature of being married to an addict, examine addiction through the lens of attachment, offer steps of recovery for addicts and spouses, discuss codependency, the streng...

I welcome to the show Kristen Jenson, founder of the Defend Young Minds and author of the book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures. In today’s show, we talk about teaching our kids “digital self-defense,” why filtering and monitoring software are important but not enough, giving our kids spaces to develop the virtues we are teaching them, tips for parents on how to have conversations about pornography wit...

We know that pornography is a huge problem, but what can churches do to combat the issue? Joining me on the show to talk through that question is Sam Black, author of “The Healing Church: What churches get wrong about pornography and how to fix it.” Sam is also the director of recovery education at Covenant Eyes. In today’s episode, we talk about the value of Covenant Eyes for families and not jus...

Does the body have inherent meaning? What happens when different understands of the body collide? How can Catholics respond when this ideology comes up at work and home? In today’s episode, I welcome John Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, to talk about his new book “Loving God’s Children.” In this episode, we discuss why the Church cares about these issue...

What is the goal of the education system? And how should a Catholic education differ from others? If you are an educator, school administrator, or have kids in school, I promise that you need to pay attention to this episode. Joining me on the show is Dr. Brett Salkeld, archdiocesan theologian for the Archdiocese of Regina in Canada, and author of the book, “Educating for Eternity: A Teacher’s Com...

I welcome back my good friend Jason Angelette to talk about how we watch, think, and talk about movies. Jason opens the show by beautifully catching us up on how his family is doing as we approach the 3rd anniversary of his wife’s passing. We, then, jump into a conversation about the importance of feeding your soul with good content, the gift of a great story, how to spot messages and agendas in f...

I welcome back Fr Brice Higginbotham, priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and author of the book, “Remaining with Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of John.” In today’s episode, we discuss the keys to discipleship, the role scripture plays in evangelization, how to recapture the Christian message in our society, the transformational power of remaining with Christ, and why the Apostle John is...

Happiness. What makes it possible for some to possess it without much effort and why is it that others can never attain it? Joining me on the show is Dr. Charles Nemeth, Professor and Director of Criminal Justice, Law, and Ethics at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of the book, Finding Happiness in a Complex World . In today’s episode, we discuss how faith impacts happiness, what S...

How do we define masculinity in an evolving world? What does a healthy and mature man look like? What are qualities men should be pursuing and which ones undermine his masculinity?  Joining me on the show to have this important conversation is Fr. Jim Rafferty, Director of Spiritual Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation. Fr. Rafferty offers much wisdom in this episode based on hi...