Always Hope

Joining me on the podcast today is Sr. Josephine Garrett, religious sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth and a practicing counselor in Texas, to talk about emotional health and discernment. Sister Josephine shares her vocation story, we discuss some of the errors we’ve heard in young people’s discernment questioning, define basic principles of what … Continue reading "073 – Are you healthy enough...

Here we go! After asking our listeners to submit their questions about difficulties with sexual intimacy in marriage, this is the episode that gives the answers you are looking for in a way that is faithful to Church teaching, honest, and not vulgar. Together with Dr. Jennifer Morel (moral theologian) and Dr. Damon Cudihy (a contraception- … Continue reading "072 – with Dr. Jennifer Morel and...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes his friend Jason Angelette to talk about what life has been like as a widower. On August 16, 2020, Elise Angelette lost her earthly battle to cancer after a six-year fight. It’s been eight months since her passing, and this episode gives Jason space to share some reflections on what this … Continue reading "071 – Jason Angelette on the Death of his Wife and Life as a Wido...

In the light of civil unrest over racial injustice, there is a great need for models of holiness that can show us a way forward. Yet, what does choosing holiness over racism look like? Who are the six Black Catholics on the road to sainthood and why do their stories matter for the Church Universal? … Continue reading "070 – Michael Heinlein on Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes back Bill Donaghy from the Theology of the Body Institute to do a visio divina with the movie “Soul” from Disney/Pixar, which is learning how to see, pray, and understand the deeper truths of a film. In episode, they begin the discussion with a spoiler-free review before jumping into full deep … Continue reading "069 – Visio Divina: Disney/Pixar’s “Soul” with Bill Donaghy...

Is there a way to talk about race and social inequality that is not ideologically driven? Yes, there is! It involves putting people, community, and dialogue at the center of the conversation before jumping into politics and policy. Joining Dr. Mario Sacasa on the show today is Dr. Angel Parham, Reverend Joseph H. Fichter, S.J. … Continue reading "068 – How to Talk about Racism with Dr. Angel Parha...

You asked and we answered! After soliciting questions from listeners and followers on social media, Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Regina Boyd (a licensed marriage and family therapist from Orlando, FL) to provide answers rooted in their counseling expertise, faith, and personal experiences. If you have questions about how to date well, this is your episode! … Continue reading "067 – Dating Do’s and Do...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Matt Smith, Director of Strategic Alliances at OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation, to talk about the importance of encouraging innovation in the Church today and how Catholics can embrace their inner creative. They also discuss the history of Our Sunday Visitor, the recent rebranding, and their new initiatives: the OSV … Continue reading "066 – Let’s Innovate Toget...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Peter Malinoski from Souls and Hearts to discuss the ins and outs of shame. In this episode, they offer the five elements of shame, seeing when shame is is helpful, and when it becomes problematic. They discuss ways to be aware of how shame manifests in your life and how … Continue reading "065 – Shame Shame Go Away with Dr. Peter Malinoski"

Dr. Mario is back! After fighting off of Covid for the past 2 months, it’s time for new episodes of the podcast! Today, he and Dr. Tom Neal engage in a relaxed and vulnerable discussion about anxiety. This episode is filled with depth and humor as they share personal stories about anxiety, its implication to … Continue reading "064 – Reflections on Anxiety with Dr. Tom Neal"

Joining Dr. Mario on the podcast is Kateri Bean, the content manager at CatholicMatch. Kateri offers some practical tips that get you rolling online. In today’s episode we discuss how to setup an effective profile online, creative ideas for virtual dates, how to make the transition from online dating to meeting in person, ideas for … Continue reading "063 – Online Dating with Kateri Bean"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Gerry Crete, marriage therapist and co-founder of the online ministry Souls and Hearts. They talk about the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, the dangers of poor boundaries in relationships and at work, and how to reclaim some stability. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa/ Websites ment...

Dr. Mario Sacasa offers a few words of encouragement heading into the election, recounting his immigration story, reminding everyone that achieving the American dream is still possible, and that Jesus is still Lord regardless of who wins the election. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa/

I’ve dedicated this show to help you grow in your spiritual and emotional health. And while most of my shows have a specific theme or topic focused on growth areas, I’m trying something different today. For a while, I’ve wanted to not just do shows on themes but about people; I’ve wanted to interview “Persons … Continue reading "060 – Person of Hope: Fr Jim Schmitmeyer"

Humanae Vitae was the landmark encyclical by Pope Paul VI reaffirming the Catholic Church’s teachings against contraception. What was going in 1968, why did Paul VI see the need to write this encyclical, and why was there such a pushback against it? Joining me on the show is Dr. Theresa Notare, the assistant director of … Continue reading "059 – What Happened with Humanae Vitae? with Dr. Theresa N...

We know that divorce is a wide spread phenomenon, but what are the lasting effects of divorce on children? More specifically, how does a child’s experience of divorce linger into adulthood? What impact does divorce have on a child’s emotional and spiritual make-up? How can we respond better to children of divorce as a Church? … Continue reading "058 – Adult Children of Divorce with Dr. Dan Meola"

Joining Dr. Mario Sacasa on the podcast is Dr. John Grabowski, Ordinary Professor of Moral Theology/Ethics, School of Theology & Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America to talk about the importance of St. John Paul II’s teachings on the body, sex, and gender. In today’s episode, they dissect the purpose of the body … Continue reading "057 – John Paul II, Sex, and Gender with Dr...

Joining Dr. Mario Sacasa on the show today is Bishop Bill Wack, bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in FL to talk about the joys and challenges of following Jesus. In today’s episode, they discuss the meaning of obedience in discernment, why we call the cross of Jesus “Holy,” and the importance of adequately portraying … Continue reading "056 – Come. Follow Me. With Bishop Bill Wack, CS...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Ann Koshute, co-founder of Springs in the Desert, a ministry dedicated to the emotional and spiritual support of couples suffering infertility. Ann beautifully shares her journey with infertility and the process that led her to start this outreach. In this episode, they discuss best practices when supporting women and men with … Continue reading "055 – Surviving Infertili...

Are you looking to make a change in your job or career? How do you go about discerning that? How can you hear God’s call to stay or go? Joining Dr. Mario Sacasa on the show today to answer those questions and more is Dr. Kevin Calkins, Principal of Cathedral Catholic High School in San … Continue reading "054 – Making a Career Move with Dr. Kevin Calkins"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Jordan Haddad, Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA, to talk about the importance of surrounding ourselves with good story, how to cultivate a uniquely Catholic imagination, and how to safeguard ourselves against narratives that move us away from God. They end the show by … Continue reading "053 – The Importance of Story and I...

Joining me on the show today is Dr. Peter Martin, licensed psychologist and Internship Director of Integrated Training and Formation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center in Lincoln, NE. In today’s episode, we define perfectionism and discuss why perfectionism is on the rise among young people. We tackle cultural images that unintentionally perpetuate it, … Continue reading "052 – Overcomi...

Dating in your 30’s can be tough. Finding someone who matches your values, that you find attractive, and that is still single is a challenge. What should you be looking for? Where should you be looking? How do you find the balance between pursing career goals and dating?  Joining Dr. Mario on the show today … Continue reading "051 – Dating in Your 30’s with Dr. Roy Salgado"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes to the show Joe Barnard, director of Cross Training Ministries in Covington, LA, and the author of the book “The Way Forward.” In today’s episode they talk about the power of men being open about their relationship with God and look at a few male celebrities who have recently gone public … Continue reading "050 – The Way Forward for Men with Joe Barnard"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes back Fr Timothy Gallagher, popular author and sought-after lecturer on the discerning God’s will. In today’s show, they discuss whether or not God has a specific plan for our lives, what freedom do we have to forge our own direction, reframing discernment as a skill that needs to be developed, dealing … Continue reading "049 – God’s Plan with Fr Timothy Gallagher"