Podcasts about human dignity

As Christians, we need to stay informed about the rapidly changing world of fertility treatments, genetic testing, and IVF before making decisions or forming opinions. Join C.L. as we explore the powerful story behind the Boozer family, wrestle with difficult questions about life, embryos, technology, and God's will, and seek biblical wisdom for navigating one of the most important ethical conversations of our time.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”America is nearing its 250th birthday, but the argument I can't shake is this: you don't lose a country all at once, and you lose it from the inside out. I walk through why the real conflict isn't simply left versus right, but a spiritual struggle over truth, the human heart, and the meaning of the human person. When a culture embraces moral relativism and treats God as optional, “freedom” declines into tyranny...and it is the most vulnerable, especially children, who suffer the most.From Solzhenitsyn's warning that “men have forgotten God” to Poland's quiet resistance through faith, language, and family life, we look at what actually preserves a nation's soul when institutions wobble. Join the movement: Claymore milites ChristiMen, join us for a special event in Chicago on the feast of St. John the Baptist! The special guest is John Krueger, author of the new book Dwelt Among Us: America's Catholic Comeback. RSVP and Learn More! Support the show

For more than five decades, Trent Angers has dedicated his life to journalism, publishing, and preserving the stories that define Louisiana and its people. As founder, editor, and publisher of Acadian House Publishing, Trent has edited and published 126 books over a 45-year career while also authoring six books of his own. His work has ranged from Cajun history and Louisiana political figures to military ethics, faith, and inspirational storytelling. A graduate of LSU’s School of Journalism, where he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior and received the Hodding Carter Award for Responsible Journalism, Trent followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob Angers, founder of Acadiana Profile magazine. Trent would eventually spend 36 years as editor and publisher of Acadiana Profile, helping build it into one of the longest-running regional magazines in America before selling the publication in 2010 to focus full-time on book publishing with Acadian House Publishing. During our conversation, Trent reflects on a life immersed in words, ideas, and the people behind them. “Born with printer’s ink in my blood” Trent jokes that journalism was his destiny. “You could say I was born with printer’s ink in the blood.” His father purchased the Franklin Banner-Tribune in 1953, and Trent grew up watching the realities of community journalism firsthand. When Bob Angers launched Acadiana Profile in 1968, regional magazines were virtually unheard of. “I thought he had lost his mind because there was almost no such thing as a city or regional magazine in this country at the time.” Instead, Bob Angers proved to be a visionary. More than fifty years later, the publication remains an important voice for South Louisiana. Acadian House Publishing: More Than Books Today, Acadian House Publishing is one of Louisiana’s most respected independent publishers. Its catalog includes biographies, history, cookbooks, inspirational works, faith-based books, and regional classics. Trent describes publishing as far more than simply printing books. “Publishing involves careful acquisition of titles, careful editing, fact-checking, correcting, perfecting, marketing, warehousing, accounting, and distribution.” Acadian House receives approximately 150 manuscript proposals each year but publishes only three or four books annually. “No is the most powerful word in the English language.” With limited capacity, Trent looks for books that move people, educate readers, and inspire meaningful reflection. Dispelling Myths About Cajun Culture At age 40, Trent wrote his first book, The Truth About the Cajuns, a work designed to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Acadian people. “The first book I actually wrote is when I turned 40. The book was titled The Truth About the Cajuns. The book was designed to dispel the myths and stereotypes about the Acadian people. We’re very proud of our Acadian heritage. We’re not simple minded people who aren’t so bright. We don’t all dwell in the swamp. Our lives do not revolve around eating, drinking and dancing Trent wanted readers to understand that Cajun identity extends far beyond the caricatures often portrayed in popular culture. The book remains one of the most thoughtful examinations of Cajun identity and heritage. Dudley LeBlanc: The Original Champion of Cajun Pride Another of Trent’s works is Dudley LeBlanc: A Biography, which chronicles the life of the legendary founder of Hadacol and one of Louisiana’s most colorful political figures. “Dudley LeBlanc, who founded Hadacol, was also known as the political and almost spiritual leader of the Acadian people. He had a French language radio show emanating from from Abbeville. The truth is, Dudley started the French Renaissance movement before Jimmy Domengeaux formalized it through CODIFIL. Dudley LeBlanc would bring it up and say, ‘Let’s stand up for our Acadian heritage and be proud and not ashamed of who we are, not ashamed of our heritage and culture.” While many remember LeBlanc for his wildly successful patent medicine business, Trent argues that his greatest contribution was cultural. Long before organizations formalized the movement to preserve Cajun culture, LeBlanc encouraged Acadians to embrace their language, traditions, and identity. According to Trent, both Dudley LeBlanc and James Domengeaux deserve tremendous credit for preserving and advancing Acadian culture in Louisiana. The Forgotten Hero of the My Lai Massacre Perhaps no project has shaped Trent’s career more than The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story. The book tells the story of Hugh Thompson Jr., the American helicopter pilot credited with stopping the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War. “I became Thompson’s biographer and spent lots and lots of time with him in Vietnam, in Norway, and throughout the United States, in Washington, D.C., etc. I wrote his speech when he received the soldier’s medal in Washington at the Vietnam Wall, which is the highest award a soldier can earn for anything other than direct combat with the enemy,” Trent said. Trent devoted more than 3,000 hours of research across three continents to tell Thompson’s story. “That book was my opus.” The defining moment came when Thompson landed his helicopter between fleeing Vietnamese civilians and advancing American soldiers. “Not on my watch,” he said. Thompson ordered his gunner to protect the civilians, even if it meant turning their weapons on fellow Americans. His actions saved lives and ultimately helped bring the massacre to an end. Trent explains why Thompson’s story continues to resonate: “They were willing to give up their lives just because it was the right thing to do.” The book has since been placed on the reading list of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of its lessons on leadership, battlefield ethics, and moral courage. Publishing Louisiana’s Most Influential Voices Over the years, Acadian House has published works by an extraordinary range of Louisiana authors and leaders. Among them are books by: Dale Brown Lt. General Russel L. Honoré Marcelle Bienvenu Camille Pavy Claiborne Brian Sibley Chad Judice Trent speaks admiringly of each, emphasizing not only their accomplishments but also their character, intellect, and ability to inspire others. Dale Brown and Human Dignity One of Trent’s most meaningful publishing relationships has been with legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown. Acadian House published Brown’s Getting Over the Four Hurdles of Life, and Trent later authored Dale Brown: Caught in the Battle for Human Dignity. He also played a significant role, along with Lafayette attorney Glenn Armentor, in the effort to have LSU’s basketball court named in Brown’s honor. “Every generation needs role models.” For Trent, Brown represents integrity, courage, compassion, and leadership. “Dale Brown is a role model of integrity, courage, bravery, intelligence.” Those qualities made him not only a successful coach but also one of America’s most sought-after motivational speakers. The Secret Life of an Editor One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation centered on the editor-author relationship. After working closely with writers for months or years, Trent says editors often develop a deep understanding of how authors think. “We call that mind meld.” His philosophy is simple: “The job of an editor is to make the writer look like a genius.” That requires more than correcting grammar. It involves improving structure, strengthening logic, checking facts, and helping authors communicate their ideas as clearly as possible. Cookbooks Outsell Almost Everything Despite publishing biographies, history, and inspirational works, Trent admits one category consistently surprises him: Cookbooks. Acadian House’s most successful title is Marcelle Bienvenu’s iconic cookbook Who’s Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? The book has sold approximately 200,000 copies. “That book is in the top one percentile of books ever published in America.” For Trent, the success is both gratifying and humbling. “You do a cookbook and you sell the heck out of it.” The enduring popularity of Louisiana food culture continues to introduce readers around the world to Acadiana traditions. Freedom of the Press As a lifelong journalist, Trent remains deeply passionate about the First Amendment. “Freedom of the press is the hill I would die on. This country is free, in part because of the free press. Because of the free flow of information. It’s the press’s job to educate, to inform, to entertain. We serve the public, not the government. The press exists to serve the public.” He argues that a free society depends upon the free flow of information and a press willing to challenge power when necessary. “The press exists to serve the public, not the government.” Regardless of political affiliation, Trent believes journalism’s highest calling remains informing citizens and protecting democratic accountability. What’s Next: Orphan Train to Louisiana Among Acadian House’s upcoming projects is Orphan Train to Louisiana, a book examining the little-known story of thousands of orphaned children transported from New York City to families across America. The project was inspired by a staggering historical reality. “At one point in New York City there were 30,000 babies and children on the street, homeless.” The book explores the efforts of religious organizations and charitable groups that worked to place children with loving families, including many in Louisiana. For Trent, it is exactly the kind of story Acadian House loves to tell: forgotten history that reveals the best of humanity. Faith, Service, and Gratitude Outside of publishing, Trent is active in the Secular Franciscan Order, whose members seek to live according to the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi through service, humility, and care for others. Reflecting on his blessings, he says: “We’re among the luckiest people in the world, in the history of civilization.” That perspective of gratitude, combined with a lifelong commitment to storytelling, continues to shape his work today. Whether preserving Cajun history, documenting battlefield courage, promoting faith-filled voices, or introducing readers to remarkable Louisianans, Trent Angers remains one of Acadiana’s most important cultural storytellers. To learn more about Trent Angers and Acadian House Publishing, visit their website and explore a catalog that reflects the rich history, culture, faith, and character of Louisiana.

Full Title Name: Cardinal Mueller's letter to four SSPX priests to be consecrated? Leo in Spain on migrants? Lady broadcaster on Starmer condemning Irish uprising in Belfast? Leo's Sodomal Church and Pride? Trump acknowledges humanity of in vitro embryos? "Forever war for ever more" mentality? Sacred Heart and human dignity. This episode was recorded on 6/16/2026. Our Links: http://linkwcb.com/ Please consider making a monetary donation to What Catholics Believe. Father Jenkins remembers all of our benefactors in general during his daily Mass, and he also offers one Mass on the first Sunday of every month specially for all supporters of What Catholics Believe. May God bless you for your generosity! https://www.wcbohio.com/donate Subscribe to our other YouTube channels: ‪@WCBHighlights‬ ‪@WCBHolyMassLivestream‬ May God bless you all!

Episode Topic: Magnifica Humanitas: Human Dignity in the Age of AI  Join the de Nicola Center for a conversation with University of Notre Dame experts on the import of Pope Leo XIV's highly anticipated first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On the Protection of Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”Featured Speakers:Margaret McManaway, senior associate director, de Nicola Center for Ethics and CulturePaolo Carozza, Notre Dame Law SchoolPaul Scherz '10 Ph.D, '14 Ph.D., Our Lady of Guadalupe Professor of Theology, the ND–IBM Tech Ethics Lab Program ChairRev. John Paul Kimes, Notre Dame Law School & Raymond of Peñafort Fellow in Canon Law at the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/037150.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Fireside ND.Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu.Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A revolution can start with noble words and still end in terror. So why did the American Revolution produce a durable constitutional republic instead of the familiar slide into chaos and tyranny?We sit down with Tom Hampson to unpack the claim that America's founding is a “minority miracle” and why the Declaration of Independence makes what may be the most consequential political statement in history: our rights are God-given, not government-granted. From there, we follow the hard logic that comes with it. If rights don't come from the state, the state's job is limited. If rights do come from the state, then power can redefine them, revoke them, and punish dissent whenever it gains a majority.Along the way, we compare America's path with revolutions in France, Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran, and we talk about how revolutions often consolidate power, weaponize “justice,” and devour their own. Read the Article Here on Tom's SubstackWe also wrestle with present-day fault lines: corruption and dependency, censorship and selective enforcement, voting rules and public trust, and the deeper question of whether a society can remain free without civic virtue. We tie it to the personal level through Solzhenitsyn's insight that the battle between good and evil runs through every human heart, and we ask what courage looks like after recent cultural tests like COVID-era fear and professional retaliation for speaking up.If you care about natural rights, limited government, civic virtue, and the future of American freedom, this conversation is a gut-check and a call to think clearly. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the one idea you think more people need to hear.Join the Movement: Claymore Milites ChristiSupport the show

Artificial intelligence is no longer only a technology conversation. It is becoming a moral, spiritual, cultural, and civilization-level conversation.In this powerful solo episode of The Clarity Mandate Podcast, Dr. Vivian Atud examines a major turning point in the global AI debate: leading AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have begun engaging faith leaders to help think through the ethical and moral questions artificial intelligence now raises. Recent reporting confirms that OpenAI and Anthropic participated in the first Faith-AI Covenant roundtable in New York, where religious leaders and technology representatives discussed how moral and ethical principles could shape AI development. Dr. Vivian challenges the faith community not to celebrate the invitation too quickly. Her central argument is clear: being invited into the room is not the same as shaping the blueprint. If people of faith arrive late, unprepared, or without a rigorous framework, they risk being used for credibility rather than becoming true architects of conscience.This episode introduces a strategic framework called The Three Tables:The Compliance Table — where people are invited to check boxes and approve what has already been designed.The Architecture Table — where the deepest questions are asked before the system is built: What is a human being? What is dignity? How should AI treat the vulnerable, the grieving, the child, the worker, and the dying?Dr. Vivian argues that the faith community must move beyond outrage, commentary, and passive concern. The mandate is to become prepared, credentialed, technically literate, morally serious, and strategically present in the design of the systems shaping humanity's future. The episode also references the Athens Summit on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence, where faith and moral leadership were placed directly inside the global AI ethics conversation. At the heart of the episode is a piercing principle:You cannot critique a blueprint you refused to help draw.This episode is a call to leaders, pastors, founders, parents, believers, policymakers, technologists, and people of conscience to stop reacting from the sidelines and start building frameworks strong enough to influence the systems being engineered now. Why AI ethics is becoming a faith and moral leadership issueWhy Silicon Valley is turning to pastors, rabbis, bishops, and faith scholarsThe danger of the faith community arriving late to major technology decisionsWhy moral wisdom without technical literacy loses influenceWhat Dr. Vivian means by The Three Tables of powerWhy the Architecture Table matters more than commentary or complianceHow AI raises questions about grief, death, dignity, vulnerability, and the soulWhy faith leaders need rigorous frameworks, not just feelings or opinionsHow people of faith can move from outrage to strategic influenceWhy “salt and light” must be understood as infrastructure, not passivityAI and faithArtificial intelligence ethicsFaith leaders and AIOpenAI and AnthropicAI governanceChristian leadership and technologyAI and human dignityThe future of the ChurchFaith-based innovationMoral leadershipAI and the soulAI and griefAI and vulnerable peopleTechnology and theologySpiritual leadership in the AI ageThe Three Tables frameworkArchitecture table leadershipFaith and public policyAI ethics and religionChristian AI frameworkPurpose-driven technologyResponsible AIAI and societyDigital discipleshipAI and moral wisdomWhat happens when the builders of the world's most powerful AI systems realize they need moral wisdom — and call faith leaders into the room?In this solo episode of The Clarity Mandate Podcast, Dr. Vivian Atud examines the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and the global faith community. Recent AI ethics conversations involving companies such as OpenAI and

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A former Anglican Priest says, “I lost the argument,” and somehow that turns into a battle for truth, conscience, and coming home. Kevin Middlesworth joins us to share the winding road from a devoted evangelical childhood, through Calvinist and Reformed theology, into Anglican priesthood, and finally into full communion with the Catholic Church.We talk about the moment when so many Christians hit a wall: the authority question. Who gets to say what Scripture means, what the Eucharist really is, and what the moral life demands? Kevin describes the hidden exhaustion of being your own final judge, the “crushing weight” of trying to carry every doctrine alone. From there, we follow the breadcrumbs that led him to the Church Fathers, the Catechism, and St. John Henry Newman's insight on conscience as God's persistent voice.This is not just an intellectual conversion story. Kevin opens up about marriage, friendship, and the real cost of changing course, plus why he refused to pressure his wife while she wrestled with the same Catholic claims. Eucharistic adoration, Confession, the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the surprising discovery that what once looked like “extra's” is actually God's abundance.If you're curious about Catholicism, returning to the faith, or trying to find solid ground in a noisy culture, come listen. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's asking hard questions, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Join the movement: Claymore Milites ChristiSupport the show

What happens when the Church weighs in on artificial intelligence?In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV's recent reflections on AI, technology, and human dignity. Drawing parallels between today's AI revolution and the Industrial Revolution, they explore how technology shapes our lives, influences our relationships, and challenges our understanding of what it means to be human.The conversation touches on social media algorithms, political polarization, Christian formation, human identity, and why the most important question may not be whether technology is good or bad, but who we are becoming while we build it.Plus, the hosts discuss the dangers of reducing people to labels, the importance of seeing others as image-bearers of God, and whether AI might someday replace the voices on the other end of customer service calls.

Dr. Kevin Roberts and co-host Larry O'Connor break down Pope Leo XIV's new AI encyclical Magnifica Humanitas—a modern echo of Rerum Novarum—that demands AI serve human dignity, protect work, and uphold subsidiarity. They examine America's race against China to lead in AI, the surge of data centers and energy needs, and why ethical guardrails beat […]

Dan Churchwell argues that as AI transforms the economy, Christians must remember that human worth comes from God-given dignity and vocation, not productivity or efficiency alone.Follow The Believe! Journal:Instagram ⁠⁠FacebookX ⁠⁠LinkedInVisit thebelievejournal.com for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebelievejournal.com

Oscar sat down with Paul Blanchard, director of social media outreach and IT specialist for the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, to explore one of the most important questions facing the Church today: How do we embrace technology without losing our humanity? Drawing from Pope Leo XIV recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Paul shares insights from the front lines of digital evangelization, where technology serves the mission of making disciples rather than replacing relationships. Together we discuss AI companions, social media, human dignity, and the Church's responsibility to provide moral guidance in a rapidly changing world. Through it all, Paul reminds listeners that the goal of technology should not be efficiency alone, but deeper communion with God and one another. Three Takeaways: Technology should serve relationships, not replace them. Human dignity must remain at the center of AI development. Evangelization is ultimately personal. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

John Maytham speaks to Mark Heywood, human rights and social justice activist, about the recent rise in xenophobic incidents in South Africa, the impact on foreign nationals and communities, and the challenge of balancing immigration concerns with human rights and social cohesion. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psalm 8: Divine Majesty and Human Dignity; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20OPENING MEDITATION Living Psalm 8 by Sam HouserHoly MysteryCreator, Christ, and Spirit- how wondrous your presence is in all the earth.You echo through expanding galaxies, through oceans breathing against the shore,through every living thing still learning how to belong to one another.You speakThrough children and prophets, Through those the world calls small, Revealing awisdom stronger than empire.When I look at the heavens- The scattered stars, The steady moon, The infinite danceof creation - I cannot help but ask: What are we that you continue to draw near tous?Dust and breath. Fragile and finite. And still, you call us beloved.You made us to live in relationship - With the earth, With each other, With everycreature That shares this sacred home. The forests and rivers, The winged and thewild, The creatures beneath the sea— All of us carried together inside the rhythm ofyour love.Creator, Christ, and Spirit - Holy communion without end - How wondrous yourpresence is In all the earth.

Sources:https://www.returntotradition.orgorhttps://substack.com/@returntotradition1Contact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+#popeleoXIV #catholicism #catholicchurch #catholicprophecy#infiltration

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”The strangest part of modern life is how easy it is to forget where we are. We sip coffee, scroll a phone, and act like reality is neutral, while the deeper story keeps moving under our feet. We step back and look at awe and wonder, not as a mood, but as a doorway into meaning, order, and purpose in creation and in the human body.We make a hard claim with practical consequences: the decisive battle of our age centers on the human heart, life, and marriage and family. Through a Catholic lens shaped by Scripture, the Trinity, and Catholic social teaching, we discover that marriage and family are not just one issue among many. They are foundational, a living sign of self-giving love, and that's exactly why they're attacked in culture, law, and even through confusing “pastoral” language that drifts from clear moral teaching. We also talk about synodality, the limits of accompaniment, and why “lived experience” can't replace the deposit of faith without leaving people more lost.Are you seeking the "Truth of Things" or do you have a desire to help young people? Join us at ClaymoremilitesChristi.com Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A single question can dismantle years of certainty: who decides what counts as Scripture in the first place? That's where Cooper White's journey gets gripping, because it wasn't powered by rebellion or a bad church experience. He and his wife were raised in loving evangelical families, deeply involved in ministry, and genuinely devoted to Jesus. But while serving in youth ministry and later studying theology at Wheaton, Cooper kept running into a problem that would not go away: authority. If Christians disagree on core doctrines, if interpretations multiply endlessly, and if even the biblical canon requires a decision, what holds the Church together in Truth?Suffering brought the questions down to the heart. When Cooper's wife faced Lyme disease, Catholic teaching on redemptive suffering, alongside voices like Relevant Radio and real Catholic families living the faith, made the Church feel not like a system of restrictions but a home with sacraments, confession, and a liturgical rhythm strong enough to carry a family when life breaks. If you're wrestling with unity, truth, the Eucharist, or the fear that one hard question could unravel everything, this conversation gives you a clearer path forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's searching, and leave a review with the question you're still trying to answer.Join us! ClaymoremilitesChristi.comEmail us at info@jp2renew.orgSupport the show

In this episode of the Collage Podcast, Jeff and Nancy discusses the harrowing story of a young homeless woman who faced a near-fatal overdose due to fentanyl-laced substances. The conversation explores the systemic failures in healthcare and social services that led to her being discharged from the hospital and left vulnerable on the streets. Jeff emphasizes the importance of human dignity, empathy, and community support in addressing the challenges faced by marginalized individuals. This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to advocate for change and to care for those in need.  

What does it mean to be human in a digital age? Bishop Michael Izen shares his vocation story, followed by a conversation on AI, Big Tech and human dignity with Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ 

If every human being bears the divine image (which scripture says we do), then we must affirm a fundamental human dignity/sacred worth that obligates us to oppose systems that degrade human beings. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

Episode Topic: Native American Perspectives on Human Dignity Grasp the profound essence of human connection as indigenous leaders challenge existing paradigms. Shifting our focus to lived indigenous wisdom allows us to move past mere academic theory and into a space where knowledge is a living, relational force. When we listen to the voices of those whose dignity has been historically contested by the very institutions hosting the dialogue, the impact is not merely intellectual; it becomes a profound, restorative encounter that challenges our baseline assumptions about how we relate to one another and the earth. Featured Speakers:Ashlee Bird, University of Notre DameCharles W. Powell, KHS, University of Notre DameJefferson Ballew IV, Pokagon Band of PotawatomiAbigail Ginzburgh '22 MGA, National Immigrant Justice CenterMikaela Murphy '22Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/c84a00.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Indigenous Voices.Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu.Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

This is a mini series exploring the intersection of Catholicism and technology, featuring conversations on AI, culture, politics, human dignity, and the future of the Church.My first guest is Christopher Hale, publisher of Letters from Leo. We discuss Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Silicon Valley, AI, suffering, human flourishing, and what it all means for the future.Enjoy. ✨

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Sarah Mary Toce Donlon, a speaker and consultant whose work bridges faith, wellness, leadership, human dignity, and the deeper questions that shape how we live. Sarah Mary is a Lafayette native from a third-generation Lebanese family, rooted in the Mahtook family. She describes growing up surrounded by cousins, food, and family, swimming at her grandmother's pool, and a deep sense of belonging. “I always just wanted to leave the world better than I found it,” she shares. “My family was so great and always supported my dreams and my big goals. I would say that they always dreamed bigger for me than I did for myself.” Sarah Mary first studied Disaster Science and Management at LSU, a path she jokingly calls “basically a superhero degree.” Theology had always interested her, but she saw disaster response as a way to live out her faith in practical service: “I could do the work of Christianity in helping people in their most vulnerable times, caring for the hurt, the sick, and those in need.” As a young intern at the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness during the BP oil spill, she witnessed the gravity of public service in real time. “The FBI is on the phone and the helicopters are coming in. It was something to see. I could be a part of a crew that had a hand in helping people recover.” Her path later turned toward advocacy, communications, and the dignity of women and children. Through spiritual direction, she began asking deeper questions about faith and theology. Her spiritual director eventually asked whether she had considered pursuing a degree in the subject. Sarah Mary remembered that as a child, she had written about that very dream in a journal. “I applied, I interviewed, I got in, I got a full scholarship,” she recalls of pursuing studies at Boston College. “It was unbelievable how it lined up. So I knew the path was made clear and I knew I was supposed to be there.” At Boston College, Sarah Mary earned her Master of Divinity, a three-year program with a pastoral component. But she is quick to say that theological study did not give her neat answers. “I always say that I was seeking answers, but I didn't get answers because I find in, at least the Christian tradition, when you get answers, you get more questions. The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.” What she received instead was a deeper understanding: “My whole worldview was reshaped. As a person, the way I engage with people and with life and with thoughts was made so much deeper and more impactful.” Part of her faith formation took her to Rwanda, where she completed her practicum teaching English and religion. Rwanda was then implementing English as a primary language, and Sarah Mary often used French to teach English to her students. She describes living on a school compound where “cows were roaming the grounds,” beginning mornings with dances with the children, and sharing meals with teachers. “It was such a spectacular experience,” she says. “It's a beautiful country, more beautiful than people realize.” A central theme of Sarah Mary's work is that faith does not require a rejection of reason. She says, “The awakened brain is wired for spirituality. Faith elevates reason, and science can prove it.” In our conversation, she explains that this idea has shaped a retreat she calls Sacred Sight, influenced in part by Dr. Lisa Miller's work in The Awakened Brain. Sarah Mary describes the human mind as needing both sides of the “picnic table”: logic, science, and facts on one side, and spirituality, philosophy, intuition, and the arts on the other. “In our world, we tend to think the only true way to know anything is through logic and science and facts, period,” she says. “So what Dr. Miller argues is that you're only using half of your brain when you think that way.” Sarah Mary's Catholic faith informs how she understands the relationship between reason and transcendence. “Faith never contradicts reason. It just elevates it,” she explains. “Reason has a ceiling. You can reason things all the way as high as reason will let you. But then it has a ceiling. And that's where faith comes in to elevate that ceiling.” This spiritual lens allows her to speak about suffering, meaning, and human purpose without reducing life to easy explanations. “Our suffering isn't meaningless,” she says. “It has a larger meaning in the wider world.” That belief also shapes her view of the human person. “As Catholics, we say we're built in the image of God,” Sarah Mary says. “We have God's fingerprints on our soul.” But she does not present faith as anti-intellectual or dismissive of science. Instead, she calls people to “expand the logic” and “dive into the faith.” For Sarah Mary, faith is not an escape from reality; it is a deeper engagement with it. “God's footprints are all over the created order,” she says. “If you go into nature and you look with sacred sight, using that fully awakened brain, you can see reflections of God.” Sarah Mary is especially compelling when she speaks about human dignity. Her theological education, she says, broke her out of “very black and white rigid notions of truth and not truth, right and wrong, and clear and not clear.” She learned to become more comfortable in “the gray,” where opposing truths can coexist in tension. She uses the example of Jesus being fully human and fully divine: “You have to hold two opposing ideas in tension, and they actually create the whole truth.” That same understanding applies to daily human relationships, leadership, communication, and conflict. For Sarah Mary, dignity becomes practical when we ask who we have quietly decided is “other.” Reflecting on a psalm that says God prepares a banquet before one's enemies, she observes: “What God doesn't say is that your enemies are not invited to that banquet.” She challenges listeners to consider not only who they identify as enemies, but who they value less than themselves. “Where can we challenge ourselves to grow an understanding of that person and inevitably grow in empathy and understand that they are dignified, just like you and I, no matter their circumstance, no matter what they look like?” That insight leads to one of the most grounded moments in the interview: how we see people experiencing homelessness. “Nobody grows up saying, I can't wait to have to beg for food,” Sarah Mary says. “That wasn't their dream.” She offers a simple but powerful phrase: “curiosity before judgment.” Rather than assuming we know someone's story, she asks us to become curious first. “What if we just got curious about people's lives before we made some all-knowing judgment when we don't even know who they are?” Through Sarah Mary, LLC, she now offers retreats, speaking engagements, leadership formation, corporate workshops, and spiritual conversations. Her work has included a teachers' retreat at Cathedral Carmel, a diaconate retreat for the current deacons at the Diocese of Lafayette, a five-part Easter mission at St. Pius X Church, and corporate retreats focused on leadership and morale. She does not believe in offering canned answers. “I never like to treat symptoms,” she says. “I like to treat root causes and help people think more deeply so that they can understand. Because when we understand, then we own knowledge and knowledge can transform us.” In corporate spaces, Sarah Mary often focuses on human flourishing, empathy, and communication. When morale is low or an organization is struggling through change, she helps people step back and see the larger picture. “Sometimes people just need to be heard and told that they're understood,” she says. Her approach is rooted in servant leadership and the belief that people thrive when their dignity is recognized. Sarah Mary also brings wellness into her work, not as a trendy add-on, but as part of the whole human person. Having worked as a trainer and in the health industry, she sees physical wellness as another form of healing. She has taught clients about movement, nutrition, and “adding more color in their life,” especially through fruits, vegetables, and micronutrition. In her view, faith and wellness are not separate: “God made it,” she says of the natural world. “It's his pharmacy.” The interview closes with practical wisdom about stillness, balance, and self-awareness. Sarah Mary says balance is often misunderstood. “I don't think it's giving everything equal amounts of yourself,” she explains. “Balance is knowing what your values are and making sure those are aligned with your daily priorities.” She encourages people to identify their values and then examine whether their actual days reflect those values. “We can go through a day and do 500 things and be incredibly efficient and accomplished, and then go to bed feeling like we did nothing because nothing that we did aligned with who we were and who we're called to be.” Sarah Mary offers a beautiful reminder about contemplation and prayer. Reflecting on silence, she references Pseudo-Dionysius and describes “a silence where you don't quiet yourself, but the mystery and the awe of God silences you.” In that space, words fall short. “It forces you to stop saying anything and just receive.” She also reminds us that faith requires space and invitation: “God's not going to force Himself into your life. He's waiting for your invitation.” This conversation with Sarah Mary Toce Donlon is ultimately about depth: deeper faith, deeper listening, deeper leadership, deeper dignity, and deeper awareness of the human being. She invites us to move beyond quick fixes, rigid categories, and surface-level solutions, and instead to ask better questions, hold mystery with humility, and see ourselves and others as created in love. For more information, visit https://www.sarahmary.org/

Brad Koffel of For the Defense on the Pope's message on AI; Is it too late to put the toothpaste back in the tube?

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A single document from 1968 somehow describes the world we're living in right now. We pick up Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae and ask a blunt question: if contraception was supposed to make sex safer, marriage easier, and society calmer, why are we surrounded by divorce, pornography, fatherlessness, hookup culture, and a deep confusion about identity and meaning?Linda Piper walks with us through the “contraceptive mentality” and why it doesn't stay limited to the bedroom. We unpack Paul VI's four warnings: how contraception makes infidelity easier, lowers sexual morality across the culture, reduces respect for women, and invites governments and institutions to treat fertility like a problem to manage. From there we connect the dots to modern claims about contraception rights, abortion, and the feeling many young people carry that something is off even if they can't yet name it.If this conversation helps you see your relationships and your choices with new clarity, subscribe, share it with a friend who's searching, and leave a review so more people can find it.Read Linda's article on X at John Paul II Renewal or on Substack "The World Changes When We Pass On What is True, Good and Beautiful" Visit Claymore and Get a copy of the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook! Support the show

Father Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Human Dignity (10:45) Identity of human Dignity Why does the Church even care about AI? (18:31) Nick - In a couple months, it would be nice to go back to this to see how the public has digested it. Militia of the Immaculate...look at encyclicals. We have a duty to uphold and live a life worthy and protect the venerable. We're called to be missionary disciples. Hold the identity of all. Tom -Remember back in 3rd grade...had to use the bathroom. Janitor was in there and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Said I didn't want to be a janitor and he told me there's dignity in every job you do. (25:23) Break 1 Is AI all bad? (32:12) Erica - Separate time talent and treasure from the idea that we're not needing to do anything to be valuable to God. Trying to be fruitful with the gifts he's given us. How does human interaction get lost in technology? (38:21) Break 2 Margo - For the people who are not intellectually able. I work with some of them. They get caught up with a lot of scams...tend to be gullible. As things advance with AI, grows worse. Their level of comprehension is more challenging. (42:33) Mary Alice - There's an epidemic of loneliness. I've asked them to stop texting me. I understand there's so many who are craving to get together, but guys play with hand held devices and have little social skills. (47:52) How does upholding human dignity help society to flourish? Resources: MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

What happens when history remembers a brilliant young philosopher for his eccentric interests rather than the intellectual foundations he laid for the modern world?Maynooth University's lecturer and assistant professor, Dr. Amos Edelheit , joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the misunderstood legacy of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and his book, A Philosopher at the Crossroads: Giovanni Pico della Mirandola's Encounter with Scholastic Philosophy. Dr. Edelheit explores Pico's unique position bridging Renaissance humanism and Renaissance scholasticism. They examine how modern scholars have fundamentally distorted Pico's legacy by fixating on his fascination with Jewish Kabbalah, while neglecting his deep scholastic background, fails to understand Pico, as well as the very roots of modernity itself. In this conversation they explore:How Pico's youthful audacity led him to attempt an open, international debate in Rome with his 900 Theses. The scholarly distortion that hyper-focused on Pico's interest in Jewish mysticism , where he sought to find the origins of Christian mysteries. The fascinating evolution from medieval to Renaissance scholasticism, marking the moment formal philosophy stepped out of the university classroom and into public palaces and squares. The realization that the "Middle Ages" is actually a pejorative concept invented by Renaissance humanists to dismiss the centuries between themselves and antiquity. Pico's groundbreaking defense of philosophy as an independent discipline with intrinsic value and a distinct way of life. Why modern philosophy could not exist without scholasticism, and how thinkers from Descartes onward still had to battle with its established terminology. This is a conversation for anyone interested in intellectual history, Renaissance philosophy, and understanding the foundational forces that actually shaped modern thought.Make sure to check out Dr. Edelheit's book: A Philosopher at the Crossroads: Giovanni Pico della Mirandola's Encounter with Scholastic Philosophy

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part V of VII]In this episode exploring the intersection of religion and politics, Val & Nathan explore several specific areas where politics and religion are addressing the exact same fundamental questions around human dignity & worth; justice & injustice; and the appropriate use of power.  They then compare how these fundamental issues are confronted in real time on a world stage as Politician Donald Trump and Religious Leader Pope Leo XIV prove powerfully that politics and religion cannot be dissociated but must dialogue in order to find common ground in questions of human value, safety, and basic dignity.  They also each demonstrate (through their respective approaches and value systems) two very different levels of human moral & consciousness development.  Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:33 Religion Meets Politics 02:33 Same Core Questions06:21 Human Dignity and Rights 11:22 Consciousness Development and Political Behavior 13:35 When Laws Protect the Wrong Values14:40 Christian Nationalism and the LDS Church's Silence 20:42 LDS Shadow History and the Epstein Files 22:52 Justice and Accountability 26:07 Power Morality and Resistance 28:18 Rosa Parks and Inner Authority 30:03 Early Faith vs Transformation 33:08 Follow the Leader vs Follow the Divine Within 33:21 Elder Gilbert, ICE Raids, and LDS Silence 35:07 Legitimacy as the Highest Value in Mormonism 41:45 Pope Leo vs Trump 51:33 Episode Wrap and Next StepsSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie's Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our WebsiteJoin Valerie in Italy 2026

In this Episode:What Does the Church Teach About the Death Penalty?The First Reading and Gospel forThe Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity How can the Diocese defend Human Dignity?Watch Tulsa Time on YouTubeStream, Download, and Listen on Your Favorite PlatformFollow @dioceseoftulsa The Eastern Oklahoma Catholic Podcast is brought to you by The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.

Blaine Evanson, J.D., provides an overview of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society's Religious Freedom Committee, including its amicus brief and International Religious Freedom Day initiatives. He explains the church autonomy doctrine and offers advice for those looking to engage in religious liberty work.JRCLS Updates:Religious Liberty Fellowship2026 JRCLS Asia Pacific Philippines Multi-Area ConferenceReferences:JRCLS Amicus Briefs PageDallin H. Oaks, "Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution," General Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2021.5th-Sunday Discussion Guide and Video: “Celebrating the Founding of the United States and the U.S. Constitution"

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”In a world that often feels disconnected from the divine, many of us grapple with profound questions about identity, purpose, and love. Saint Catherine of Siena once said that if you become who you truly are, you would light the world on fire. This echoes the sentiments of John Paul II and Saint Athanasius, who spoke of the deep yearning inscribed in each human heart—a longing for a divine connection that can transform our lives. In this Episode we delve into these themes, particularly through the lens of Saint Augustine's journey and the insights from the Claymore Battle Plan.To start, we must recognize that our hearts are filled with desires to love and be loved. Yet, they can also be confused and hurt, struggling to find coherence in our experiences. In *Act 26* from the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook, we explore how the gospel intersects with our lived experiences. This interaction leads us to our "aha moment," where we encounter Jesus Christ and begin to understand our true purpose. Visit Claymore Milites Christi to learn more about the Battle Plan and connection to other men! Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”If you've ever felt like you got dropped into the middle of a movie and missed the first half, you know the quiet anxiety that follows. We start with a deceptively simple question from Stephen Covey: are you building your life with the end in mind, or just reacting to whatever hits you next?We pull from Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body and his “triptych” view of the human story: what love was meant to be, how the fall distorts desire, and where we're actually going. That bigger horizon changes how we talk about same-sex attraction, lust, marriage, and even the daily grind of work and family life. We also get very practical: the Claymore 10-minute morning ritual (before you touch your phone), why temptation isn't automatically sin, and how “praying with temptation” becomes the difference between repression and real healing.Visit Claymore Milites Christi to learn more about the Battle Plan for Young Men! Then we go deeper into the end goal: heaven. Jesus' words about the resurrection reshape what we think marriage is for, why love can't be reduced to sex, and how confession and mercy rebuild a distorted view of love into something true and joyful. If you're tired of grayscale spirituality and want a Catholic worldview that actually makes sense of your body, your desires, and your destiny, hit play.Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.Email Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episodes! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.com. Visit https://claymoremiliteschristi.com/Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A universe with a beginning is a strange kind of good news and it's not just for physicists. We sit down with historian and prolific author Russell Lawson to follow a 2,500-year thread most people never hear: for centuries, doing science was often understood as a pious act, a way of reading creation with awe, patience, and humility. When that older posture fades, we don't just lose “religion” we lose meaning, purpose, and the courage to ask the biggest questions. We dig into the cultural turn Lawson calls modernization: the move from rural life to industrial cities, from silence to constant noise, and from “God's providence is real” to “humans can fix everything.” That modern mindset can feel powerful, but it can also leave people stuck in cognitive dissonance...resulting in anxiety, and spiritual exhaustion... especially when the heart is searching for love and the mind is still searching for truth. Then we get concrete with science and the Big Bang. Father Georges Lemaitre, a Catholic priest and mathematician, helps introduce the idea of an expanding universe and a real beginning. The more astronomy pushes toward the singularity, the clearer the limit becomes: science can trace physical evidence back to a start, but it cannot answer what came before time. That boundary doesn't destroy science; it invites humility and opens a sane conversation about God. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves science or struggles with meaning!More on Russell Lawson! The Limit of Piety: Georges Lemaître and the Big BangThe Catholic ExchangeRussell's Blog https://theamericanplutarch.com/Visit Claymore Milites Christi! Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Your desires are not random, and they are not meant to be medicated into silence or fed with whatever the culture is selling. We slow down and take a hard, hopeful look at what the heart is really reaching for, using Acts Six of the Claymore Battle Plan and Jesus' blunt words to the Sadducees about the resurrection. When you see the story in “three panels” creation, fall, and fulfillment you start to understand why marriage, sexuality, and longing can't be explained in flat, two-dimensional terms. We also get personal and pastoral. After a talk, a young man shares his anxiety about attraction and whether he is still welcome in the Church. We answer with clarity and compassion: your deepest identity is not your temptations, your labels, or your fears, but beloved child of God. From there we widen the lens through Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body, where marriage is a real gift and a real sign, ordered toward something eternal rather than trapped in the temporary. Everything comes to a head in the Eucharist, the supreme spousal sign of Christ's self-gift: “This is my body given for you.” We talk about wounded desire after the fall, the courage to seek truth, and the concrete “knees before phone” Claymore 10-minute morning ritual from the Claymore Battle Plan Outline, and the simple practice of reading an ACT a day from the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook and sharing it with a friend. If you've been stuck trying to fill infinite desire with finite fixes, this is your invitation to start living in 3D. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling us what desire you're learning to trust.Email Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episodes! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.com. Visit https://claymoremiliteschristi.com/Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”The most disturbing stories at the border aren't numbers, they're names we never learn. We respond to a clip of reporter Ben Bergquam stepping outside a church to face protesters head-on, and the exchange becomes a window into something bigger: what happens to a culture when it trades truth for slogans and formation for outrage.We talk through the border crisis in human terms, focusing on the vulnerability of innocents and the ways cartels profit when order breaks down. The conversation raises hard questions about illegal immigration, border security, ICE enforcement, and the role of NGOs that receive public funding while facilitating movement across the border. We also unpack the mindset behind easy answers like “tax the billionaires,” and why that kind of thinking spreads faster in a society that has lost shared moral ground.From there, we zoom out to the deeper framework that drives the whole show: the Claymore three-step battle plan. We argue that lasting renewal starts in the human heart, strengthens marriage and the family, and then rebuilds culture through truth, virtue, sacrifice, and love. You'll hear practical next steps, including the Claymore handbook and a simple 10-minute morning ritual designed to pull you out of the spirit of the age and back into prayer, clarity, and courageous action.Visit Claymore Milites Christi to learn more about the Battle Plan for Young Men! Email Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episodes! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.com. If this conversation challenges you, share it with someone who needs a better framework than outrage. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your take: what's one concrete step you're willing to take this week?Support the show

In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Jennifer Roback-Morse explores the sociological, psychological, and theological dimensions of modern family issues, marriage, and sexuality. As a representative of the Ruth Institute, she provides data-driven insights and challenges prevailing narratives around gender, sexuality, and reproductive technologies, advocating for a return to traditional human and family values. Main Topics: The role of modern social science in understanding family and sexuality The myths and realities surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity The impact of childhood experiences and abuse on sexual development Legal and ethical considerations of conversion therapy and transgender treatments The societal and economic consequences of family breakdowns The importance of the natural family structure for societal stability Critical view of surrogacy and reproductive technologies The spiritual implications of manipulating human life and sexuality

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A child can be treated like a purchase, and a pregnancy can be treated like a contract dispute. When that happens, we are not just arguing policy, we are watching the meaning of human dignity collapse in real time. I take you straight into the heart of Act Five, The Fall and the Call to Be a Man of God, and I name what I believe is the central conflict of our age: an all-out attack on marriage, the family, and the most innocent among us.I break down two disturbing surrogacy stories that show how quickly children can become commodities: one involving a legal loophole that allows surrogacy where adoption would be restricted, and another involving a third-trimester abortion demanded because a baby was missing fingers. Check out this episode on Video: https://www.youtube.com/@johnpauliirenewalcenter4023From there, I widen the lens to spiritual warfare, using Ephesians 6 to explain why the cultural pressure feels relentless and why confusion spreads when sin becomes “normal.”Then I anchor the response in Pope Saint John Paul II's Letter to Families (1994) and the Theology of the Body. We talk about the “sincere gift of self,” why the family is a communion of persons, how fatherhood and motherhood reflect God's creative love, and why every person's identity is tied to a real genealogy that begins with a mother and a father. I also lay out the Claymore three-step battle plan: get your own heart and house in order on Christ, rebuild a true vision of marriage and family, and then work so our culture and laws reflect the beauty of authentic love.If you want a clear Catholic framework for marriage, family, the culture of life, and what faithful men can do right now, listen through to the end. Subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can join the fight for truth, goodness, and beauty.Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”You can feel it, even if you can't always name it: the pressure, the drift, the sense that something essential about love and manhood is under attack. We step into Act Five of the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook to name the fight without flinching. The claim is bold and clarifying: every man is made for adventure, the adventure is a battle, and the battle is for beauty, especially the beauty of authentic love.We use Saint John Paul II's “triptych” to zoom out and see the whole story, the beginning, the fall, and what redemption is moving us toward. From there, we let Jesus define the battleground. In the Sermon on the Mount, he goes straight for the heart, where lust turns persons into objects and where real freedom begins. That has direct consequences for pornography, dating, marriage, and the kind of strength it takes to protect women and children rather than consume them.We also look at how the fall gets normalized in modern culture, where bodies are marketed, fame and pleasure are sold as fulfillment, and men are trained to surrender attention and conscience. But we don't stay in diagnosis. We move to hope with traction: grace is stronger than sin, Christ brings transforming power, and the way forward looks like prayer, self-mastery, brotherhood, and a renewed vision of marriage and family as the heartbeat of civilization. We point you to practical next steps, knees before the phone, the Claymore 10-minute morning ritual, then reading One ACT from the Battle Plan Handbook to share with a brother, plus a way to send in your thoughts for a follow-up.Subscribe for the next conversation, share this with a brother who needs his heart back, and leave a review so more men can find it. What part of the battle feels most personal for you right now?Email Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episodes! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.comSupport the show

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 15 continues the United for Change season with a global perspective on collaboration in health. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, newly appointed Chief Officer for Innovation and Programs at Catholic Charities USA, to reflect on the state of global health amid shifting U.S. priorities.  Drawing on decades of experience with the Holy See at the United Nations in Geneva, Vitillo explains how reduced funding, rising conflict, chronic disease, and mental health challenges are straining health systems worldwide. He highlights the importance of international cooperation, warning that isolationist approaches weaken vaccination efforts, emergency preparedness, and workforce stability, even within the United States. Through real‑world examples, including Ebola response efforts in West Africa, the conversation underscores why Catholic health care's commitment to human dignity, partnership, and solidarity remains vital at home and abroad. The episode calls listeners to see global health as a shared responsibility that directly shapes local care. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses an appeals court that blocked Biden's abortion pill policy, a Kentucky judge who raised the definition of “human being” in abortion ban, and the end of Spirit Airlines.Part I (00:13 – 10:20)Appeals Court Blocks Biden Abortion Pill Policy: This Has Massive Implications , and It Reveals the Dividing Lines Over the Issue of LifeAppeals court limits abortion pill access nationwide by The Washington Post (Rachel Roubein and Praveena Somasundaram)Democrats erupt over abortion pill block: ‘We won't stop fighting' by The Hill (Steff Danielle Thomas)A huge victory for life and for women's health by WORLD OpinionsPart II (10:20 – 18:07)Kentucky Judge Raises Definition of “Human Being” in Abortion Ban: Kentucky Court Takes on Issues of Human Dignity and IVFKentucky judge strikes down definition of ‘human being' in abortion ban by Louisville Public Media (Sylvia Goodman and Joe Sanka)Part III (18:07 – 25:32)Did Spirit Airlines Run Out of Spirit? No, the Budget Airline Ran Out of Money, With Big LessonsSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A teenage girl gets told her body is the problem, gets put on powerful drugs, and loses her breasts before she can even vote. That story isn't just shocking. It forces a harder question: what happens to kids when adults replace real healing with “affirmation,” and when parents feel pressured to surrender their role out of fear?We're joined by Fred Scola as we discuss Act Four of the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook, and go back to Genesis and the words of Jesus that point us to the model: in the beginning, it was not so. We talk about John Paul II's vision of the body, why male and female matters, and how marriage and the family are meant to make God's love visible. We also get practical about Catholic parenting and spiritual formation when the culture says “my truth” is all that exists.Visit Claymore milites Christi  Learn more and share the vision! "The World Changes when we pass on...what is True, Good and Beautiful...with the next generation".If you care about faith, family, truth, in a confusing age, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. Then ask yourself...What part of my morning routine needs to change first?Support the show

What does it mean to be human? And how does the answer to that question impact how we view medicine and medical advancements? Bioethicist, Katelyn Walls Shelton, shares an introduction to bioethics in the reproductive health space and gives listeners two questions to ask when considering next steps to take, whether it's about birth control, IVF, or anything in between. We only scratched the surface, so we'll be sure to have her back on soon!NOTE: This episode is appropriate for all audiences.GUEST BIO: Katelyn Walls Shelton is a visiting fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Award. She is a women's health policy expert who previously worked at the US Department of Health and Human Services. She graduated from Yale Divinity School and Union University and lives near Washington DC with her husband, John, and their four children.SHOW NOTES:Substack: Technically Human | Katelyn Walls SheltonSubstack: Fertile Faith | Caitlin EstesMinistering to Women Includes Physical Health, Christianity TodayEp. 6: The Pill - Facts about Birth ControlEp. 29: Should we think theologically about fertility? with Dr. Cameron JorgensonEp. 34: Is Contraception a Faithful Choice for Christians?Ep. 135: Can I trust Natural Birth Control?Send Us a Text!Support the showOther great ways to connect with Woven Natural Fertility Care: Learn the Creighton Model System with us! Register here!Get our monthly newsletter: Get the updates!Chat about issues of fertility + faith: Substack Follow us on Instagram: @wovenfertilityWatch our episodes on YouTube: @wovenfertilityLove the content? The biggest gift you could give is to click a 5 star review and write why it was so meaningful! This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Neither Woven nor its staff, nor any contributor to this podcast, makes any representations, exp...

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Unveiling the Hidden Attacks on Family, Faith, and Free SpeechIn this episode, Jack sits down with seasoned investigator and commentator Thomas Hampson to explore the deep-rooted threats to traditional values, free speech, and the integrity of our families. Their candid discussion sheds light on real-world agendas hiding behind laws, organizations, and cultural shifts that compromise our society's foundation.Main Insights:The ongoing attack on moral and cultural foundations, including the influence of organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)How laws like the Predator Protection Act and conversion therapy bans suppress free speech and parental rightsThe role of sexual abuse, grooming, and societal confusion in breaking down family unitsThe influence of radical gender ideologies and questionable school curricula on children's innocenceThe importance of courage, conviction, and active participation in defending truth and libertyIllinois HB 5295 and how parental notification, abortion record secrecy, and cross-state travel can create serious blind spots that predators can exploit. If you care about child protection, parental rights, free speech, and practical ways to push back in your local community, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or the question you want us to tackle next.Connect and Support Thomas Hampson's Work: Resources & Links:Illinois Family InstituteTruth Alliance FoundationSubstack NewsletterClaymore Milites Christi, The Battle Plan For Young Men Waking Up to the Evils of Our DayJohn Paul II Renewal CenterEmail Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episodes! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.com. Visit https://claymoremiliteschristi.com/Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A 16-year-old girl receives a double mastectomy, later detransitions, and a jury awards $2 million in damages. That headline isn't just a news cycle to us, it's a flare shot into the night that forces a real question: what does the human body mean, and who is protecting the young when they're most confused and vulnerable? I connect that crisis to the deeper spiritual battle we're living through, where institutions often choose slogans over truth and where “affirmation” can replace real healing.From there, I make the case that no politician, celebrity, or distant leader is going to ride in and rescue your family, your marriage, or the hurting people right in front of you. There is a hero in the story, and God keeps choosing men who will unite themselves to Jesus Christ in prayer and in the Eucharist, then carry the Gospel person to person. I walk through the Claymore Battle Plan and the two asks: knees before the phone with the Claymore 10-minute morning prayer ritual, and a short daily reading and reflection that forms you to Become Who You Are! The man you were created to be.Visit Claymore milites Christi! Subscribe, share this with a brother, and leave a review so more men can find formation that leads to freedom.email your questions and stories that we can address on the show! info@jp2renew.orgSupport the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Evil rarely announces itself. More often it blends in, turns the temperature up one degree at a time, and convinces good people that numbness to sin is normal. Jack is with Claymore leader Dan McSweeney to talk plainly about the spiritual battle playing out in modern life and why so many young men feel drained, isolated, and stuck, even when everything looks “fine” on the surface. If you're watching marriages crumble, seeing addiction, especially to p*rnogra$hy (not a typo) become common, or feeling your own heart go passive, this conversation puts words to what's happening and why it matters.We also tackle a hard objection head-on: is the Church just a pile of rules? We walk through why the Ten Commandments are designed to set you free, not box you in. Freedom isn't “anything goes.” Freedom is the ability to love without fear, build trust, protect your family, and live with integrity when the culture pushes the opposite. Jack shares how the Catechism begins with desire and authentic love, reframing Catholic faith as a love story rather than a scolding, and why that changes the way a man fights the battle between love and lust.Then we get practical. Claymore's simple spiritual formation plan is built for real life: ten minutes of morning prayer before the phone, and a short nightly reading rhythm that can reshape your heart in 52 days. We talk about brotherhood, accountability, and why you should never try to do this alone, especially when spiritual resistance shows up after you start changing.Subscribe for more conversations on Catholic men's formation and the spiritual battle, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to help more men find the Claymore Battle Plan. What part of the plan will you start this week?Sign up for the Claymore Newsletter, get notifications on Zoom calls and live events! https://claymoremiliteschristi.com/Email Jack with questions and comments to answer and discuss on future episides! jack@ClaymoreMilitesChristi.comSupport the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Evil doesn't usually kick down the door. It slips in while we're busy, distracted, and telling ourselves we'll think about the big questions later. We talk about why so many men don't choose evil outright, but still end up cooperating with it through drift, silence, and “just doing my job.”We use the idea of the banality of evil to name what's happening, drawing on Hannah Arendt's reporting on Adolf Eichmann and the unnerving truth that massive harm can be carried out by ordinary, morally numb people. From there we widen the lens to the mystery of evil as spiritual warfare, not just politics or psychology, and we ask what it means to live in a culture that normalizes sin, denies objective truth, and fractures the family through addictions, abortion, and confusion about identity and love.Then we get practical: knees before screens, The Claymore 10-minute morning ritual that includes praying through temptation, followed by a simple 5-minute evening plan through the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook designed to form men fast over 52 days. Find everything here! ClaymoremilitesChristi.com Where you can view the brief Claymore Battle Plan Outline or download it for free. Also order the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook from the website or on Amazon! While there sign up and meet other men already in the Battle. If you're ready to stop drifting and start choosing the good with intention, listen, share this with a brother, and then leave a review and subscribe so more men can find a clear path to spiritual strength.Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Beauty can save a man's life, or at least wake his heart up enough to fight for it. We sit down with Claymore Milites Christi Leaders, Dan McSweeney and David Avignone, to open the discussion on Act Two of the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook, “Awakened By Beauty,” and we start where modern culture rarely starts: Genesis and the simple claim that you are created good, made in the image of God, male and female. When that truth gets buried under  confusion, and shame, desire doesn't disappear, it gets redirected into using, consuming, and comparing. Visit Claymore milites Christi today! Read the Claymore Battle Plan Outline! Order the Claymore Battle Plan Handbook! Share it within your circle! The world changes when we pass on what is true, good and beautiful! If you want more freedom, stronger relationships, and a clear Catholic framework for sexuality, marriage, and holiness, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more men can find the path back to what is true, good, and beautiful.Support the show

Clinical director at Franklin Park Family Dental in Dorchester and Tremont Family Dentistry in Boston, Charan Teja Bobba, discusses his article "Treating methamphetamine-associated dental disease in safety-net clinics." Charan reflects on the profound human reality behind treating patients with severe addiction, noting that a ruined smile often represents a lifetime of being let down by the health care system. He explains the physical devastation of meth mouth, where acidity, dry mouth, and teeth grinding create a perfect storm of enamel erosion and decay. The conversation emphasizes why safety-net practices are vital for restoring not just oral health, but a person's identity and self-esteem. By prioritizing patience and trust over rushed clinical work, dentists can help vulnerable populations feel human again. Discover how providing full dental care to those in recovery is a fundamental step toward restoring true medical equity and wholeness. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A single unverified story can change a generation if nobody is allowed to ask questions. We sit down with investigator Tom Hampson to unpack a Supreme Court decision that cracks open the “conversion therapy ban” narrative and forces states to meet strict scrutiny before they can police what therapists are allowed to say.We walk through what Chiles v. Salazar means in plain terms: government can't simply declare certain conversations in psychotherapy illegal. From there, we separate talk therapy from discredited aversion therapy and show how the two got blurred in public messaging until ordinary, voluntary counseling was treated like harm. If a teenager feels confusion about identity or sexuality and wants help exploring their story, their trauma history, or their desires, should the law demand automatic affirmation?We discuss the Sam Brinton testimony controversy as a case study in what happens when institutions stop verifying claims and start enforcing narratives. Along the way, we connect the policy fight to a bigger battle over marriage, family, free speech, and the human person.If you care about youth mental health, evidence-based law, and the freedom to seek truth without intimidation, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: what's one claim you think society should re-check from the ground up?Get Jack's New Book: The Claymore Battle Plan, Handbook For Young Men in Spiritual Warfare.  Claymore milites Christi! or at Amazon. Read Toms Article at the Illinois Family InstituteSupport the show

Former Treasurer of the American College of Physicians Janet A. Jokela discusses the article "The service of humanity: Recommitting to physicians' ethical duties." Janet reflects on her visit to the Ronald Reagan Museum where she found profound connections between the former president's views on diversity and the medical profession's ethical oath. Janet explains that the service of humanity is not just a phrase for white coat ceremonies, but a call to treat every patient with benevolence and goodwill regardless of their background or political status. The conversation highlights courageous actions taken by Minnesota physicians to protect vulnerable populations and reaffirms that health is a human right grounded in dignity. By prioritizing empathy over technology, Janet believes clinicians can rediscover their true identities as healers in an increasingly fractured world. Discover how a simple commitment to kindness can transform the entire landscape of modern medicine. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended