Becoming Gift - Christ Centered Health

This Becoming Gift Segment explores the effect of GLP-1 medications on the human person. Do they make the person who takes them more temperate? The conversation reviews the known physiological effects of GLP-1 medications on the body, the different medications that work as GLP-1 agonists, and discuses how this effects the persons perception and decision making. Links * Andrew’s Substack * Physical...

This segment discusses the complex process of evangelizing children, especially during adolescence and adulthood. It explores the stages of identity development that typically occurs for teens, the influence of relationships on this process, and practical strategies for parents to nurture faith in their children while allowing them to go through their own process of experimentation and identity sy...

This conversation explores the spiritual works of mercy: instruct the ignorant and admonish the sinner, and the profound impact of living out faith in everyday life. It discusses how the Gospel transforms our understanding of salvation, the importance of relationship in evangelization, and that we begin our eternal life while we are alive on Earth, a prefigurment of heaven or hell. Key Takeaways *...

This Becoming Gift Segment explores relational evangelization, emphasizing the importance of building trust and genuine relationships to share the faith effectively. It explores the role of Oxytocin in trusting relationships and how engaging in interactions that boost oxytocin can help someone move through the threshold of trust to genuine curiosity. Links * Andrew’s Substack * Physically Spiritua...

This conversation and essay explore the process of evangelization physically and neurologically, exploring the effects of attachments, friendship and the lateralization of the brain in conversion. It emphasized the need for “relational density” in parishes and how authentic community transforms lives and spreads the Gospel. Links * Andrew’s Substack * Physically Spiritual Podcast * Morning Offerin...

This segment explores the resurrection narratives, our encounters with the resurrected Christ, and journaling. It explores how writing things down can have significant psychological benefits and that journaling can have significant spiritual benefits. Key Takeaways * It is a blessing that the four Gospels record the intimate details of Christ’s Resurrection. * We can have encounters with the Resur...

This segment explores the Easter Triduum, its deep liturgical symbolism practices, and how to authentically participate in Holy Week celebrations. Discover insights on entering into the Paschal mystery with vulnerability and reverence through insights from Dietrich von Hildebrand’s Liturgy and Personality. Key Takeaways * The Triduum is an opportunity to experience Christ’s Passion, Death, and Res...

This Becoming Gift Segment discusses the importance of small acts of self-denial, emphasizing how minor, consistent actions can lead to meaningful spiritual growth. It highlights research on self-control, shares personal examples, and encourages focusing on developing virtues to overcome concrete struggles rather than grand gestures unrelated to day-to-day life. Key Takeaways * Small acts of self-...

This Becoming Gift Segment proposes fasting from unnecessary speech and explores the benefits of silence and listening. The conversation emphasizes the importance of silence for healing, spiritual growth, and genuine connection with others and God. Key Takeaways * Fasting from unnecessary speech can help us overcome an attachment to idle words that can slow our spiritual growth. * Contemporary res...

Pope Leo’s Lenten message this year invited people of good will to focusing on listening, fasting from hurtful words, and fostering love through quality conversations. Recent scientific research highlight how positive interactions positively shape personal wellbeing. Living this harmony of truth, speaking positively and creatively, can transform the world. Key Takeaways * Fasting during Lent can i...

This segment explores overwhelming impact of information overload in today’s digital age. It emphasizes the need for fasting from media and technology to cultivate silence and presence in our lives. The conversation journeys through the psychological effects of constant information consumption and the importance of being mindful of our media diet to foster deeper connections with ourselves and God...

This conversation discusses the need for fasting during Lent, emphasizing the difference between Temperance and Fasting. It explores the necessity of fasting intentionally, the various fasting approaches one can take, including the idea of fasting from technology. The discussion highlights the need for a deeper understanding of fasting as a means of spiritual growth and reliance on God. Key Takeaw...

This conversation explores the concept of the ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ as articulated by St. John of the Cross, emphasizing its multifaceted nature and common misunderstandings. It discusses the spiritual journey of the soul towards union with God, the role of faith, and asceticism and contemplative aridity. Takeaways * St. John of the Cross talks about the entire spiritual life as a “night” in th...

This segment explores the discernment of spirits, focusing on the internal movements experienced during prayer. The discussion explains the differences between consolation and desolation, providing insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s teachings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these spiritual states and offers practical advice for navigating them in one’s spiritual li...

This Becoming Gift Segment discusses growth in prayer from a Christian perspective, emphasizing the importance of intimacy with God and the role of asceticism in spiritual development. It contrasts Christian prayer with non-Christian forms, highlighting the need to address personal sin. The discussion also touches on the relationship between health and asceticism and the creation of a personal rul...

This segment explores the Examine Prayer, a meditative approach to reflecting on one’s day in the presence of God. It emphasizes the importance of memory in this practice, explaining how our memories can be renegotiated through the lens of God’s presence. This practice can be essential in overcoming habitual sin and preparing for confession. Takeaways * Examine prayer helps recall sins and blessin...

This conversation explores christian prayer and the importance of meditation. It emphasizes that prayer is not just vocal but must come from the heart and mind, and how meditation serves as a tool to deepen one’s relationship with God and more fully engage the heart. The discussion also touches on the role of spiritual reading in enhancing prayer life. Takeaways Prayer is the raising of one’s mind...

This Becoming Gift Segment explores the nature of prayer, emphasizing its human aspect and the importance of preparation for prayer. It contrasts Christian meditation, which focuses on filling the mind, with non-Christian meditation, which often aims to empty the mind. The conversation explains how Christian meditation involves engaging the whole self in the act of prayer and forming deep connecti...

This segment discusses the place of faith and prayer for the human person. It argues that prayer is not just an addition to an already complete human person but completes and fulfills human nature Key Takeaways * God is not a bonus; He is foundational to our being. * God created humans that are primed to receive Him. * The imagination enables humanity to have experiences that are not perceived. Li...

This Becoming Gift Segment delves into the transformative power of gratitude. Discover how Thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a practice rooted in faith. Explore the physiological benefits of gratitude, from improved cardiovascular health to enhanced brain function, and learn practical ways to incorporate thankfulness into your daily life. Key Takeaways * Thanksgiving is deeply rooted in the S...

This episode of Becoming Gift significance of labor from a Christian perspective, and how it is central for health and holiness. It emphasizes the dignity of labor and the role it plays in fulfilling God’s creative work. The conversation contrasts the societal views on labor, particularly the undervaluation of blue-collar work compared to white-collar jobs, and highlights the importance of raising...

This episode of Physically Spiritual explores stress, highlighting how our biology is still influenced by ancestral survival mechanisms, despite living in a modern world. It proposes three forms of asceticism to calibrate our stress levels and the tools of breath to regulate moments that are too stressful. Takeaways * Our ancestors’ experience has shaped the physiology of our stress response. * Hu...

This episode of Becoming Gift emphasizes the importance of purpose and discipline in the spiritual journey, likening it to the rigorous training athletes undergo to win a race. It highlights the need for believers to train their bodies and provides an overview of how to start exercising Takeaways * Living the faith requires intentional effort and discipline. * A well rounded approach to exercise i...

This episode of Becoming Gift delves into the importance of sleep, exploring its role in health and holiness. It highlights the biological and spiritual significance of sleep, the activation of the glymphatic system, and offers practical tips for improving sleep quality. Takeaways * Sleep is crucial for both health and holiness. * The glymphatic system cleanses the brain during sleep. * Regular sl...

This Becoming Gift Segment explores the concept of eating for wellness and holiness, exploring the historical, theological and spiritual significance of food. It highlights the historical trade-off between security and freedom, using biblical references to illustrate how food has been a central theme throughout salvation history. The episode proposes universal dietary principles that transcend spe...