Always Hope

Is it possible to be attracted to the same-sex, faithful to the Church’s teachings on sexual morality, and happy at all the same time? The answer is yes, even if that surprises you. I am joined today by Avera Maria Santo, a speaker who openly shares about her journey as a faithful Catholic who is … Continue reading "048 – Same-Sex Attracted and Faithfully Catholic with Avera Maria Santo"

Much has been stated about Mother Teresa’s dark night and extended period of spiritual suffering. Why would God allow such an experience in her life and how does it appropriately apply to our personal suffering? To tackle those questions, Dr. Mario welcomes Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC, superior of the Community of Jesus Crucified in St. … Continue reading "047 – The Life and Suffering of Mother Ter...

It is an understatement to say that we are in a moment of crisis. Many of us are struggling with the COVID-19 sickness, have family members who infected, and all of us of having to find a new normal under stay-at-home mandates. So, how can we find hope in the midst of this global pandemic? … Continue reading "046 – Praying Through a Pandemic with Dr. Tom Neal and Fr. Ephrem Arcement"

Joining me on the show is Patrick Sullivan, founder of the Frassati Running Club in Baltimore, MD. Patrick is a four-time marathoner and theology teacher at Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC. In today’s episode, we discuss the profound connection between physical fitness and the spiritual life, how training for a marathon is an analogy … Continue reading "045 – Running with Hope with Patrick S...

How did abortion become legal? This question has been on my mind recently. I understand the arguments on both sides, but I really wanted to know how the ability to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy became a constitutional right. So, I reached out to the best person I knew to ask this question. Joining me on … Continue reading "044 – How Abortion Became Legal with Angie Thomas"

Dr. Mario Sacasa is joined by Fr. Dustin Feddon, a priest of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, and the Director of The Joseph House, which is a ministry to men who are transitioning out of prison and back into the world. Fr. Dustin shares lessons he has learned by ministering to prisoners on death row and … Continue reading "043 – Addressing Social Inequality through a Catholic Lens with Fr. D...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes back to the show, Fr. Josh Johnson, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in St. Amant, LA. Fr. Josh is the host of the “Ask Fr Josh” podcast and was recently featured in an article on the website Aleteia.org. In this episode, they examine causes for the decline in weekly attendance at … Continue reading "042 – The Future Catholic Parish with Fr. Josh Johnson"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes to the show Dr. Anthony Isacco, Associate Professor of Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA to discuss the various elements of a healthy male psychology and spirituality. Rather than asking what is wrong with the modern man, this episode focuses on male health and ideals. In today’s show, they discuss … Continue reading "041 – Psychology, Religion, and Healt...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Everett Worthington to the show to talk about the process and mechanisms of self-forgiveness. Dr. Worthington has over 30 years of research on forgiveness and his REACH model is one of the leading models in forgiveness therapies. They discuss the steps to take if you struggle with self-condemnation, how self-compassion … Continue reading "040 – Self-Forgiveness with D...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Fr. Jeff Montz, Director of Spiritual Formation at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA to discuss the life and spiritual teachings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, which was the focus of Fr. Jeff’s graduate thesis. Archbishop Fulton Sheen was a frontrunner in using mass media to spread the Gospel. In today’s … Continue reading "039 – The Spirituality of Archbishop Fulton Sh...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes David Dawson, Director of the Family Life Office for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, to the show to discuss the realities of the early years of married life. They have a lively conversation about living together, money, sex, kids, and establishing new holiday traditions. This episode offers clear and practical advice … Continue reading "038 – The First Five Years of Marri...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Sr. Tracey, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, to discuss the process of finding and maintaining joy in life, how to discern with joy and desire, looking at art as an expression of one’s interior, and how to promote joy on social media. They end with a brief conversation … Continue reading "037 – The Elements of Joy with Sr. Tracey Dugas"

Dr. Mario fields questions from listeners in this bonus episode of the podcast! How to establish chastity in a relationship following a conversion? Is it permissible to remarry after a divorce when the previous spouse has already moved onto a new marriage? How to parent boys and their competitiveness? And a follow-up question that Dr. … Continue reading "036 – Ask Dr. Mario"

I welcome to the show John M. DeJak, co-editor of the book “With God in America: The Spiritual Legacy of an Unlikely Jesuit,” to talk about Fr. Walter Ciszek’s life and spiritual teachings. Fr. Ciszek spent over 20 years in a Soviet prison and the Gulags of Northern Siberia after a false accusation of being … Continue reading "035 – Who is Fr. Walter Ciszek? with John M. DeJak"

Halloween has become our nation’s yearly fascination with the occult, horror, and all things creepy. (This is unfortunate, because trick-or-treating is awesome!) Since, it is just around the corner, now is a good time to talk about how the Catholic faith understands demons, their power, and offers methods of prayer against the powers of evil. … Continue reading "034 – Demons, Deliverance, and Exor...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes back Dr. Tom Neal to the show to discuss the metaphysics of prayer. What is prayer? What does it actually do? What’s the point? Why should Christians pray? Those questions are tackled as they work through the various types of prayers: petitionary, thanksgiving, the Lord’s Prayer, meditation and contemplation. Websites mentioned … Continue reading "033 – What is Prayer? Wi...

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Fr. Thomas Berg, Vice Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, to the podcast to discuss his book “Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics,” which articulates a process of healing when you have been hurt by the Church. Fr. Berg shares his story of leaving a … Continue reading "032 – Hurt by the Church with Fr. Thomas Berg"

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Chris Baglow, Director the Science and Religion Initiative at the Mcgrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame, to discuss various ways faith and science connect and disagree with one another. They discuss the dangers of a scientism that opposes religious thought and the problems when people of faith … Continue reading "031 – Faith and Science with Dr....

Dr. Mario Sacasa is joined by psychologist and researcher Dr. Matt Gallagher of the University of Houston to discuss the scientific theory of hope, the need for goals in life, how hope helps our resiliency, and strategies of increasing hope. Books mentioned in the show: “The Oxford Handbook of Hope” by Matt Gallagher and Shane … Continue reading "030 – The Science of Hope with Dr. Matt Gallagher"

Dr. Mario Sacasa offers his signature blend of humor, story, research, and faith to address the distinct social pressures placed on the modern woman. What does a guy know about being a woman? Very little! That’s why this presentation is anchored on the latest research on women’s neurology, shame, and the effects with social media. … Continue reading "029 – Bonus Talk: Women, Shame, and Social Medi...

Dr. Mario Sacasa is joined by Paul Ruff, Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Director of Human Formation at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, to discuss ways psychological theory can aid the Catholic-Christian journey of faith. They share how to draw on both resources when working through the sufferings of life and relationships. They ask … Continue reading "028 – The Role of Psychology in...

Dr. Mario is joined by his good friend, Dr. Carlos Gomez, licensed psychologist and executive coach, to talk about his journey with weight loss, the importance of positive psychology, and the five areas of wellbeing as defined by Gallup (Career, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community). Websites mentioned in the show: Five Essentials of Wellbeing

As I was preparing for my yearly summer trip to Omaha, NE, I packed my podcasting equipment knowing that I was going to interview with Fr Timothy Gallagher, the last episode, but I had a sense that there would be someone else that I would meet and interview. So, on a fateful evening, in our … Continue reading "026 – Life with the Holy Spirit with Bob Osborne"

You know the scenario. Everything is going well, prayer is rich, family is good, life is generally pleasant. And then out of nowhere something comes along that upsets the apple cart. You start feeling a little discouraged and the first thing to go is prayer. Why? If God wants me to be close to him, … Continue reading "025 – Spiritual Desolation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher"

Why did God give us free will? Think about it. All the poor judgments made by humans, the evils we have committed, the collective sins of history… wouldn’t creation have been better off without free agency? By the end of this show, you’ll know why the answer to that question is an unequivocal “No.” I … Continue reading "024 – The Risk and Rewards of Free Will with Dr. Tom Neal"