St. Florian's With Fr. Matthew Young

Father Matthew Young talks with Ryan Rowley, a real estate agent in Newport, Kentucky, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq in the Army's 1st Ranger Battalion and how that has effected his life and how embracing his own struggles is helping others.

Fr. Matthew Young joins recently retired 911 operator and dispatcher Lena Hill who organized and maintains and electronic group of about 6,000 people solely for the purpose of connecting people who have a need with what they need.

A recently retired 31 year fire service veteran, Matt Olson, speaks with Fr. Matthew Young about managing and overcoming adversity caused by his mother's suicide, being sexually abused by a priest and no one believing him, job related trauma and stress, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation.

Fr. Matthew Young talks with Battalion Chief Joe Bowman of the Covington Kentucky Fire Department.  We talk about how he pursued fire engines as a kid on his big wheel, growing up without a positive father figure, serving in Iraq in the US Army, leadership, carrying around pain, the toughest Fire and EMS runs, the changing landscape of the fire service, and images you cannot forget.  We make some spiritual connection with the teachings of Jesus, messy human family situations, finding strength in weakness, seeing a larger human family, and finding hope in the world. 

Fr. Matthew Young talks with Firefighter/EMT Brandon Gray. A career firefighter with Independence KY Fire Protection District, Brandon is also a singer/songwriter. Brandon performs three of his original songs. We discuss being a follower of Jesus, faith, heroin overdoses, traumatic incidents, managing stress, adoption a child, racism, and resurrection.

In this special episode, Fr. Matthew Young talks with Steve "Bubba" Hendley who has served the people of Western Kentucky in law enforcement for over 40 years. After being hunkered down with his wife and holding on for dear life in Mayfield, KY with an F3 tornado outside, Steve reports on the loss of life and property there, current relief efforts, the stress of serving in adverse conditions and its aftermath, and how he sees God at work. ***Note: This episode is offered in memory of Fr. Matt's friend, Danny Haubner.

In Episode 4, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Chris and Kelly Hall. In October 2021, Chris, a sheriff's deputy in Boone County, Kentucky, had his life flash before his eyes when he was intentionally struck by an oncoming fleeing vehicle that left him injured in the roadway. He and his wife Kelly discuss that experience along with its effects on their family. They also talk with Fr. Matt about marriage, parenting, handling stress, forgiveness, spiritual maturity, and more.

In Episode 3, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Audrey Owczarzak and discusses what it was like for her growing up in poverty, her time deployed to Iraq as a United States Marine, being one of 5% of career firefighters who are women, how she has people in the City of Newport Kentucky and beyond to raise and distribute charitably over $120,000 in goods and services over a period of five years to people in need, and much much more.

In this heartbreaking and inspiring episode, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Jo Terry. In 2017, after a storied and heroic career as a firefighter, Jo's husband Chip violently shot and killed himself, shocking his wife, family, friends, and coworkers. Jo tells her story honestly and openly including how she's determined to help save the lives of others in similar situations. She is the founder of the Chip Terry Fund which can be found at www.thechipterryfund.org which helps people securing needs help, resources, counseling, and financial support as they get the help they need when battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other work related stressors. Jo and Fr. Matt spend time, too, talking faith, following Jesus, grief, and hope.

Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Terry Foster, a registered nurse for over four decades and talk about service to and with others, compassion, what is was like to be at the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire in May 1977, COVID-19, and how being a follower of Jesus impacts his work and life. Terry is quite the comedian and so be prepared to laugh as well.