Podcasts about Pope John Paul II

Fulfill the Christian call to pray for your enemies with these beautiful prayer cards from our sponsor Holy Heroes, now in a shareable 5-pack!: https://bit.ly/TheDeep_HolyHeroesIn this episode of The Deep, Erika responds to a recent viral article by Helen Andrews titled "The Great Feminization." Andrews claims that the increasing number of women holding positions in institutions has directly led to those institutions becoming "woke." But is Andrews missing the point? Is it true that women caused wokeism? Or is the real explanation something deeper?Timestamps:0:00 - Intro: “The Great Feminization”3:52 - The origins of “woke-ism” 7:35 - Is cancel culture unique to our moment?9:22 - What Andrew's theory is missing12:04 - Changing the demographics is not the simple fix14:34 - The solution: re-feminizationSourcesAhern, Erika J. “As Critical Race Theory Thrives, Author Takes on the ‘Woke Elite'.” National Catholic Register, August 9, 2021. https://www.ncregister.com/news/as-critical-race-theory-thrives-author-takes-on-the-woke-elite.Greco, Ivana. “Is Academic Cancel Culture Driven by Women?” The Home Front (Substack), 2024. https://thehomefront.substack.com/p/is-academic-cancel-culture-driven.Roy, Helen. “The Flourishing of the Female Soul.” Fairer Disputations, March 24, 2023. https://fairerdisputations.org/the-flourishing-of-the-female-soul/.“Letter to Women.” Pope John Paul II, June 29, 1995. In Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_29061995_women.html.Laverty, Rhys. “Lady Scrooges.” First Things, December 1, 2024. https://www.firstthings.com/lady-scrooges/.Subscribe to the LOOPcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theLOOPcast

Episode Topic: Is There a Feminine Genius? Thirty years ago, in both Evangelium Vitae and his Letter to Women, Pope John Paul II issued a clear call for the genius of women to be “more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church” (Letter to Women 10). Throughout his papacy, in fact, he emphasized women's “prophetic character,” calling on them to be “witnesses” and “sentinels” — guardians of the sacred gift of life and the order of love (Mulieris Dignitatem 29; Homily at Lourdes 2004). “Is There a Feminine Genius?” a panel discussion with Deborah Savage, Sr. Theresa Aletheia, Abigail Favale, Sr. Ann Astell, and moderator Melissa Moschella, took place at the McGrath Institute for Church Life conference True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture at the University of Notre Dame in March 2025, developed by Abigail Favale, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice, Theology & Literature, at the McGrath Institute for Church Life.Featured Speakers:Melissa Moschella, University of Notre DameSr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, Sisters of the Little Way of Beauty, Truth, and GoodnessSister Ann W. Astell, University of Notre DameAbigail Favale, University of Notre DameDeborah Savage, Ph.D., Franciscan University of SteubenvilleRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/ae947f.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture. 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.

Dr. Tom Curran honors St. Pope John Paul II by sharing insights on the call for the “New Evangelization.” Tom gives tips on how to re-evangelize traditional Christian peoples and nations today.

Dr. Tom Curran shares insights from St. Pope John Paul II and explains how they have shaped his own life. Tom gives practical applications for two main themes, such as: the person as a gift and the moment for evangelization.

In this episode Fr. Dwight Campbell reflects on St. Pope John Paul II, his papacy, and his special devotion to Our Lady. He focuses particularly on the pope's love of St. Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary.

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Send us a textPope John Paul II changed everything for us — even how we met.In this special episode, released for his feast day, we share how St. John Paul II shaped our lives, our marriage, and our mission. His call for a New Evangelization didn't just renew the Church — it gave us direction, purpose, and eventually, each other.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Friends of the Rosary,Today, October 22, is the feast of St. John Paul II (1920-2005).Born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, and elected pope in 1978, Karol Jozef Wojtyla demonstrated exceptional apostolic zeal throughout his earthly life, particularly for families, young people, and the sick, and exhibited an intensified pastoral commitment with heroic generosity.He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church and for the Eastern Churches, and the Luminous Mysteries.Pope John Paul II made 146 pastoral visits in Italy and 104 international apostolic journeys. He produced 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, and 45 Apostolic Letters.He also wrote five books: Crossing the Threshold of Hope (October 1994); Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination (November 1996); Roman Triptych, meditations in poetry (March 2003); Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way (May 2004), and Memory and Identity (February 2005).Pope John Paul II celebrated 147 beatifications, during which he proclaimed 1,338 blesseds, and 51 canonizations, for a total of 482 saints.On May 13, 1981, an attempt was made on Pope John Paul II's life in Saint Peter's Square. Saved by the maternal hand of the Mother of God, following a lengthy stay in the hospital, he forgave the attempted assassin.John Paul II was beatified on May 1, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, his immediate successor and, for many years, his valued collaborator as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was canonized by Pope Francis on April 17, 2014.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠October 22, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In this episode of Fatima Today, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran reflect on the prophetic insights of Pope John Paul II and Sister Lucia as they relate to our times. Based on John Paul II's teachings and his consecrations of the world to the Immaculate Heart in 1991 and 2000, they discuss how the Fatima message shaped his view of the modern world's spiritual struggles. The conversation also looks into Sister Lucia's warning to Cardinal Carlo Caffarra about the final battle over marriage and family—one that continues to unfold in today's culture.

It is a strange and splendid truth that the mightiest men are those who kneel most often. Pope John Paul II, like a knight of old, stood firm in the arena of a crumbling world not by the strength of sword or scepter, but by the silent, ceaseless watch of prayer. In an age addicted to speed and spectacle, he dared to believe that stillness before God was a greater act than any speech before men. His vigilance was not the fretful anxiety of the world, but the blazing calm of one who knew that the universe turns upon the hinge of a whisper to heaven. To pray without ceasing is to love without limit—and in this, the holy Pope taught us the true posture of revolution. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Send us a textWe trace John Paul II's Eucharistic devotion from hidden wartime chapels to stadium altars, showing how a boy from Wadowice became a pilgrim who carried Christ to the margins. Along the way, we explore his documents, World Youth Days, Marian heart, and the public witness of processions and adoration.• early life in Poland and Eucharistic awakening• clandestine wartime Masses and priestly formation• pilgrim papacy across 129 countries• Dominicae Cenae and Ecclesia de Eucharistia explained• World Youth Day as Eucharistic mission• Marian devotion guiding Eucharistic focus• Eucharistic miracles as signs that awaken awe• reviving Corpus Christi processions worldwide• suffering, forgiveness, and the altar as strength• promoting perpetual adoration chapels• lasting legacy and how to take the next stepVisit our website today and discover how Journeys of Faith can inspire your own pilgrimage of the heartBrowse our Saint Pope John II CollectionOpen by Steve Bailey Support the show

Send us a textFR LOUIS SCURTI SHARES SOME PERSONAL AND POPULAR MEMORIES OF  ST POPE JOHN IISupport the showJOIN OUR CATHOLIC EVANGELISM MINISTRY....WWW.FRIENDSOFTHEWORD.ORG

Send us a textFR LOUIS SCURTI SHARES SOME PERSONAL AND POPULAR MEMORIES OF  ST POPE JOHN IISupport the showJOIN OUR CATHOLIC EVANGELISM MINISTRY....WWW.FRIENDSOFTHEWORD.ORG

This week, religious scholar Paul Elie discusses his latest book The Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex, and Controversy in the 1980s. This enthralling group portrait brings to life a moment when popular culture became the site of religious strife—strife that set the stage for some of the most salient political and cultural clashes of our day. Elie is interviewed by Emily D. Crews, the Executive Director of the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School. This conversation originally took place May 30, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum's forthcoming exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. American Prophets opens November 21, 2025. We hope you enjoy entering the Mind of a Writer. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB More about The Last Supper: Circa 1980, tradition and authority are in the ascendant, both in Catholicism (via Pope John Paul II) and in American civic life (through the Moral Majority and the so-called televangelists). But the public is deeply divided on issues of body and soul, devotion and desire. Enter the figures Paul Elie calls "crypto-religious." Here is Leonard Cohen writing "Hallelujah" on his knees in a Times Square hotel room; Andy Warhol adapting Leonardo's The Last Supper in response to the AIDS pandemic; Prince making the cross and altar into "signs o' the times." Through Toni Morrison, spirits speak from the grave; Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen deepen the tent-revival intensity of their work; Wim Wenders offers an angel's-eye view of Berlin; U2, the Neville Brothers, and Sinéad O'Connor reckon with their Christian roots in music of mystic yearning. And Martin Scorsese overcomes fundamentalist ire to make The Last Temptation of Christ—a struggle that anticipates Salman Rushdie's struggle with Islam in The Satanic Verses. In Elie's acclaimed first book, The Life You Save May Be Your Own, Catholic writers ventured out into the wilds of postwar America; in this book, creative figures who were raised religious go to the margins of conventional belief, calling forth controversy. Episodes such as the boycott sparked by Madonna's "Like a Prayer" video and the tearing-up of Andres Serrano's Piss Christ in Congress are early skirmishes in the culture wars—but here the creators (not the politicians) are the protagonists, and the work they make speaks to conflicts that remain unsettled. The Last Supper explores the bold and unexpected forms an encounter with belief can take. It traces the beginnings of our postsecular age, in which religion is at once surging and in decline. Through a propulsive narrative, it reveals the crypto-religious imagination as complex, credible, daring, and vividly recognizable. PAUL ELIE is the author of The Life You Save May Be Your Own (2003) and Reinventing Bach (2012), both National Book Critics Circle Award finalists. He is a senior fellow in Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He lives in Brooklyn.

Pope John Paul II was an incredibly holy man, a man of prayer, and a saint. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC as he shares amazing insight into the life of this man; a life centered on the Eucharist, and a pontificate dedicated to spreading the message of Divine Mercy.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Join Dr. Mark Miravalle and Dr. Robert Fastiggi as they discuss St. John Paul II's brilliant 2002 Apostolic Letter on the nature and supernatural power of the Rosary, Rosarium Virginis Mariae.

Once a priest of Satan, soon-to-be saint Bartolo Longo's life became a powerful testament to the mercy of God and the intercession of the Blessed Mother. In this episode of Fatima Today, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran share his dramatic journey from darkness into light — how the Rosary, a Dominican priest, and a devoted Sister led him back to the Catholic faith. Discover how Bartolo Longo spent the rest of his life making reparation, spreading devotion to the Rosary, and inspiring Pope John Paul II to establish the Luminous Mysteries.    

(2024) National Sports day.  Entertainment from 1978.  Poland got a female King, Largest battle fought in Europe before WW1, Booker T. Washington is first black family to dine at the White House.  Todays birthdays - Noah Webster, Oscar Wilde, Angela Landsbury, Barry Corbin, Fred Turner, Suzanne Somers, Tim Robbins, Wendy Wilson, Kellie Martin, John Mayer.  Marie Antoinette died.Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard     https://defleppard.com/All Star - Smash MounthKiss you all over - ExileTear time - Dave & SugarBirthdays - In da club - 50 Cent   https://www.50cent.com/ Aint seen nothing yet - BTOHold on - Wilson PhillipsWainting on the world to change - John MayerExit - In my dreams - Dokken    https://www.dokken.net/

Friends of the Rosary,The Miracle of the Sun, performed by Our Lady on October 13, 1917, was understood by the people as confirmation that the three children were telling the truth about the Marian apparitions and the messages of the Secret of Fatima, which consisted of three parts.The first part was a frightening vision of hell, "where the souls of poor sinners go," and contained an urgent plea from Our Lady for acts of prayer and sacrifice to save souls, with particular emphasis on praying the rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.The second part of the “Secret” prophesied the outbreak of World War II and contained the prediction of the damage that Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing Communism's totalitarianism.The third part was revealed in 2000, coinciding with the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. It did not contain any striking or cataclysmic prediction, but, instead, affirmed the immense suffering endured by witnesses of the faith in the last century of the second millennium.Sister Lucia, the surviving member of the Fatima visionaries, confirmed that in the vision “the Bishop clothed in white,” who prays for all the faithful, was the Pope. As he was making his way with great difficulty towards the Cross amid the corpses of those who were martyred (bishops, priests, men and women religious, and many lay people), he too fell to the ground, apparently dead, under a hail of gunfire.That vision could have predicted the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II's life. The Pope had always credited the Virgin for his survival.Or it may be a portrayal of the Church's ongoing struggle against secularism and anti-Christian movements, as well as a continuing call to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠October 14, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Friends of the Rosary,On October 13, 1917, a crowd of 70,000 people — believers and skeptics alike — witnessed in Fatima, Portugal, the “Miracle of the Sun,” or “the day the sun danced.”Our Lady of Fatima had promised the children— Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, ages 10, 9, and 7 — that during the last of her six appearances, she would provide a sign so people would believe in the apparitions and in her message.On that day, the rainy sky cleared up, the clouds dispersed, and the ground, which had been wet and muddy from the rain, dried up. A transparent veil came over the sun and multicolored lights were strewn across the landscape. The sun then began to spin, twirling in the sky, and at one point appeared to plunge in a mighty zigzag course toward the earth.The crowd was terrified, fearing this was the end of the world. However, the sun reversed course and, retracing its zigzagging course, returned to its normal place in the heavens. All of this transpired in approximately ten minutes. After realizing they were not doomed, the crowd began ecstatically laughing, crying, shouting, and weeping. Many discovered their previously drenched clothing to be perfectly dry.The stunning event contradicted the atheistic regimes at the time, which is evidenced by the fact that the first newspaper to report on the miracle on a full front page was an anti-Catholic, Masonic newspaper in Lisbon, “O Seculo.”This last Marian apparition in Fatima showed that God is present in human history and doesn't abandon humanity.The miracle of the sun was understood by the people as confirmation that the three children were telling the truth about the Marian apparitions and the messages of the Secret of Fatima, which consists of three parts.The first part was a frightening vision of hell, “where the souls of poor sinners go,” and contained an urgent plea from Our Lady for acts of prayer and sacrifice to save souls, with particular emphasis on praying the rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.The second part of the “Secret” specifically prophesied the outbreak of World War II and contained the prediction of the immense damage that Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing Communism's totalitarianism.The third part was not revealed until 2000. Its revelation coincided with the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. It did not contain any striking or cataclysmic prediction, but, instead, the vision supported and affirmed the immense suffering endured by witnesses of the faith in the last century of the second millennium.Sister Lucia, the surviving member of the Fatima trio, confirmed that in the vision “the Bishop clothed in white,” who prays for all the faithful, is the Pope. As he makes his way with great difficulty towards the Cross amid the corpses of those who were martyred (bishops, priests, men and women religious, and many lay people), he too falls to the ground, apparently dead, under a hail of gunfire.That vision could have predicted the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II's life. The Pope has always credited the Virgin for his survival. Or it may be a portrayal of the Church's ongoing struggle against secularism and anti-Christian movements, as well as a continuing call to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠October 13, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Ralph welcomes Michael Mann, Professor in the “Department of Earth and Environmental Science” at the University of Pennsylvania and author along with Dr. Peter Hotez of “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World.” Then we are joined by Martin O'Malley, former governor of Maryland and one time Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to refute all the lies being told about the state of Social Security.Dr. Michael E. Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor in the “Department of Earth and Environmental Science” at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a co-founder of the award-winning science website RealClimate.org, and the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and seven books, including “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World” (co-authored with Dr. Peter Hotez).It's the five actors that we talk about, the five forces that threaten our world: the Plutocrats, the Petro States, the Polluters, the Propagandists, and yes, the Press, not all media outlets, but many of them, including even what we used to think of as legacy. Objective news outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post too often engage in what we call performative neutrality, where anti-science positions are placed on an equal footing with the overwhelming consensus of the world's scientists.Dr. Michael MannPeople like to finger point at China, which currently is the largest emitter (of greenhouse gases) because they industrialized much later than the United States, more than a century later. But their trajectory is actually a downward trajectory. They've contributed far less carbon pollution to the atmosphere than we have, and they're taking greater action.Dr. Michael MannThe United States doesn't get to determine the future course of human civilization at this point. It's going to be the rest of the world. All the United States gets to determine is whether it's going to be on the front line of the clean energy transition, the great economic development of this century, whether they're going to be on board or left behind.Dr. Michael MannMartin O'Malley served as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration from December 20, 2023 to November 29, 2024. He previously served as Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015, following two terms as Mayor of the City of Baltimore.Once they (the Trump Administration) got rid of the heads of all of the offices of Inspectors General, they started launching these big lies, like the lie that there are 12 million dead people that continue to receive checks. And as Trump said himself to Congress, some of them are as much as 300 years old, which would have had them here for the founding of Jamestown.Martin O'MalleyThey (Republicans) are trying to wreck it (Social Security), wreck its reputation, wreck its customer service, so then they can rob it.Martin O'MalleyNews 10/3/25* Our top story this week is President Trump's chilling speech to the military high command, in which he proclaimed that “America is under invasion from within,” per PBS. Trump went on to say that he plans to use American cities – citing Chicago, San Francisco, and Portland – as “training grounds for our military.” Warning against conscientious objections by the military to this weaponization against domestic opponents, Trump added “I'm going to be meeting with generals and with admirals and with leaders. And if I don't like somebody, I'm going to fire them right on this spot.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has recently styled himself Secretary of War, reiterated this message, saying “if the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign.” In terms of actual policy, a new draft National Defense Strategy calls for prioritizing defense of the “homeland,” over potential foreign threats, such as from China, per POLITICO. The administration followed up this declaration with a dystopian deployment in Chicago, where federal agents rappelled down from helicopters to raid a South Side apartment building, arresting Venezuelan migrants and Black American citizens alike. In a statement given to ABC7 Chicago, one man detained by feds stated “They had the Black people in one van, and the immigrants in another.” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker decried the presence of “jackbooted thugs roaming around a peaceful downtown,” and demanded federal troops “Get out of Chicago...You are not helping us,” per the New York Times.* Speaking of conflicts abroad, this week Trump unveiled his proposal for a peace deal in Gaza. According to CNN, “The plan calls for Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, as well as 1,700 Palestinians detained since the start of the war, in exchange for Hamas freeing 48 hostages.” Once these exchanges have been completed, Israel is to gradually withdraw from Gaza and turn over administration of the enclave to a “Board of Peace,” which will include Trump himself along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a bizarre historical echo of the British mandatory rule over Palestine. If this process proceeds, it will supposedly create “a path for a just peace on the basis of a two-state solution.” The odds of success however are slim.* In more Gaza news, the Global Sumud Flotilla has been intercepted off the coast of Gaza and Israel has detained the activists on board. Video evidence shows the IDF detaining activist Greta Thunberg specifically. According to Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, “The Israeli government has illegally abducted over 450 participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including nearly two dozen U.S. citizens…We must demand their immediate release and their protection from abuse and torture in Israeli detention. End the siege and genocide of Gaza now.” According to the Flotilla organizers, one of the ships – the Mikeno – got as close as 9.3 miles from the coast, within Gaza's territorial waters, before they lost its signal. While disappointing, given that this is the largest aid flotilla to Gaza in history and came so close to the shore, it seems that at least the flotilla gave fishermen in Gaza the opportunity to go out on the water without interference from the Israeli navy – a crack in the all-encompassing blockade.* Meanwhile, Fox News reports that Israeli intelligence hijacked all cellphones in Gaza in order to forcibly broadcast Prime Minister Netanyahu's United Nations General Assembly speech last week, in which he accused the leaders of western nations who recently recognized the state of Palestine – France, Australia, and the U.K. among others – of being “Leaders who appease evil rather than support a nation whose brave soldiers guard you from the barbarians at the gate,” adding, “They're already penetrating your gates. When will you learn?” Netanyahu's speech was also blasted into Gaza via loudspeakers on the Israeli side of the border. The families of the hostages still held in Gaza released a statement decrying this provocative action, writing “We know from our children…that the loudspeakers were placed inside Gaza. This action endangers their lives, all for the sake of a so-called public diplomacy campaign to preserve [Netanyahu's] rule…He is doing PR at the expense of our children's lives and security. Today we lost the last shred of trust we had in the political echelon and in the army leaders who approved this scandalous operation.”* In Latin America, Trump is planning to bailout Argentina, which has suffered tremendous economic shocks under the stewardship of radical Libertarian President Javier Milei. According to Newsweek, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has offered Argentina a, “$20 billion swap line and other forms of assistance to help stabilize the Argentine peso, and said the U.S. remained ‘prepared to do what is necessary' to sustain the ‘important strides' taken by Milei.” This kind of ideologically driven foreign assistance flies in the face of Trump's supposed “America First” policies, but beyond that it has infuriated domestic interests, especially in the agricultural sector. American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland posted a statement reading, “The frustration is overwhelming…U.S. soybean prices are falling, harvest is underway, and farmers read headlines not about securing a trade agreement with China, but that the U.S. is extending…economic support to Argentina.” This is a particular twist of the knife because following Trump's offer, Argentina lowered export restrictions and sent “20 shiploads of Argentine soybeans to China in just two days.” Republicans representing agricultural interests share this fury. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley wrote “Why would [America] help bail out Argentina while they take American soybean producers' biggest market???...We should use leverage at every turn to help [the] hurting farm economy. Family farmers should be top of mind in negotiations by representatives of [the] USA.” North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak added “This is a bitter pill for North Dakota soybean farmers to swallow.”* Moving on from foreign affairs, this week saw the release of a new batch of Epstein files, demanded by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee and turned over by the Jeffrey Epstein Estate. These files include “phone message logs, copies of flight logs and manifests for aircraft,” along with “copies of financial ledgers and Epstein's daily schedule.” These new releases implicate many big names, including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and well-documented Epstein associate, Prince Andrew of the British royal family, per the BBC. The release of these files is the latest victory in the campaign to expose everyone involved with Epstein's underage sex ring, a campaign Republicans in government – led by President Trump – have resisted. According to the Hill, Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to allow the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva, who was elected last week in a special election to fill the seat vacated by her father's death. In this move, many see an attempt by Speaker Johnson to stave off the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Grijalva has already committed to signing the petition.* In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, Republicans have hammered the left for what they see as violent rhetoric, with the White House going so far as to classify certain ideas – among them anti-fascism, anti-capitalism and “extremism on migration, race, and gender” – as potentially punishable under domestic terrorism laws. Meanwhile, however, the Arizona Mirror reports a Republican lawmaker in the state has called for the Washington Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal to be “tried convicted and hanged.” The lawmaker, state Representative John Gillette, was responding to a video in which Jayapal counseled protestors on “non-violent resistance” to Trump's policies. Gillette on the other hand has vocally supported the January 6th insurrectionaries, labeling them “political prisoners” and calling for their release. Asked for comment, Gillette said “The comment is what it is.” For her part, Congresswoman Jayapal has called for “All political leaders, of all parties, [to] denounce” these comments.* Turning to local news, incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams has dropped his bid for reelection, Reuters reports. Adams has been mired in scandal of all kinds, including a federal indictment for bribery. Speculation abounds as to why he chose to suspend his campaign now. It is too late to take his name off of the ballot and he declined to endorse any other candidate, making it unlikely that he did so to bolster the chances of disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is still continuing his independent bid for the mayoralty despite lagging behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani by a substantial margin. On the other hand, Adams has previously been offered incentives by President Trump to drop out of the race, including potential protection from prosecution and an ambassadorial post in Saudi Arabia. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, claims “Seven different people,” have offered him a “total of $10 million,” to withdraw from the race, but he adamantly refuses to do so, saying “you can't bribe me, buy me, lease me, I'm not for sale.” This from the New York Post.* Next, on September 25th, Black liberation activist Assata Shakur passed away at the age of 78, per Democracy Now!. Shakur had been convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper in 1973, though serious doubts remain about her role in the death. She escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she received asylum in 1984 and continued to maintain her innocence until her death. In 1998, Pope John Paul II visited Cuba and faced calls to demand Assata's extradition to the United States to “face justice” for the murder. In a highly-publicized letter, Assata wrote “The New Jersey State Police and other law enforcement officials say they want to see me brought to ‘justice.' But I would like to know what they mean by ‘justice.' Is torture justice?... When my people receive justice, I am sure that I will receive it, too.” Rest in power, Assata.* Our final story comes to us from, where else, but Hollywood. Variety reports, AI production studio Particle6 has created an AI “actress” who is “named” Tilly Norwood and thereby created a firestorm within the entertainment industry. Tilly's creator, Eline Van der Velden argues that she sees, “AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool…Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting…nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance.” However, SAG-AFTRA – the union representing screen actors – has issued a blistering statement, writing “To be clear, ‘Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation…It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we've seen, audiences aren't interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience.” The statement continues, “It doesn't solve any ‘problem' — it creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.” This episode is simply the latest clash within the entertainment industry between workers and the rising tide of AI. It will not be the last.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Irish popstar Sinéad O'Connor tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II during her performance of Bob Marley's ‘War' on NBC's TV show ‘Saturday Night Live' on 3rd October, 1992. The unexpected act was meticulously planned by O'Connor; a protest against child abuse within the Catholic Church.  The performance left the audience almost silent, and, although she faced significant backlash, O'Connor remained unapologetic, writing in her memoirs that it was one of her proudest achievements. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how a Top of the Pops performance by Bob Geldof first inspired the stunt; reveal where precisely O'Connor got the photo of the Pope from; and ask if, when it comes to this divisive moment, SNL have fallen on the right side of history… Further Reading: • ‘The day Sinead O'Connor tore up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live' (The Independent, 2022): https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/sinead-oconnor-snl-pope-photo-b2191296.html • ‘Sinead O'Connor's Legacy With Sex Abuse Survivors in Catholic Church' (Rolling Stone, 2023): https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sinead-oconnor-catholic-church-abuse-legacy-1234797102/ • ‘Sinéad O'Connor rips up picture of Pope John Paul II' (NBC, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGFj1WClin4 #90s #Religion #Protest #TV #Irish #Catholic CONTENT WARNING: child abuse This episode first aired in 2023 Thanks so much for supporting the show! We massively appreciate it. The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill. Edit producer:  Ollie Peart Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the October 3 edition of Music History Today podcast, Sinead O'Connor rips up a photo of The Pope, which didn't go over too well in America & the first Hip-Hop honors takes place. Also, happy birthday to Gwen Stefani.For more music history, subscribe to my Spotify Channel or subscribe to the audio version of my music history podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts fromALL MUSIC HISTORY TODAY PODCAST NETWORK LINKS - https://allmylinks.com/musichistorytoday

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!During a 1990 visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, officially beatifying him. This act set in motion the process of canonizing Juan Diego as the first saint Indigenous to the Americas. The Juan Diego Faithful were, of course, elated at the prospect. They only had to deal with one tiny problem: Juan Diego never existed.In this episode we delve into the myth of Juan Diego, and examine efforts made by the church to prove that this fictional character actually existed. Plus, we end the episode with some Dan Brown-inspired fiction by Kurly! Asian UncleWelcome to Asian Uncle, the unfiltered dive into Asia - from the back-alley brothels...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageThe stunning power of forgiveness takes center stage as we explore three extraordinary stories that changed the course of history. Through vivid storytelling, we journey back to other pivotal moments of forgiveness that transformed our world. We revisit Pope John Paul II's extraordinary meeting with his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca in 1983, where the Pope offered forgiveness to the very man who nearly took his life. The story continues with Robert F. Kennedy's impromptu speech on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968, where his call for love rather than vengeance prevented riots in Indianapolis while violence erupted across 119 other American cities.Then we end with a breathtaking account of Erika Kirk's remarkable act of grace—forgiving her husband Charlie Kirk's assassin before 80,000 people and millions watching worldwide, just eleven days after his murder. Her words, "That young man... I forgive him because it was what Christ did and what Charlie would do," showcase a profound spiritual strength that transcends human understanding.These three powerful narratives reveal a common thread—the supernatural ability of forgiveness to break cycles of hatred and violence. Each story demonstrates how choosing love in moments of unimaginable pain can transform not just individual lives but entire communities. The raw emotional power of Erika Kirk's forgiveness, delivered in real-time before a global audience, stands as perhaps the most extraordinary example of Christian forgiveness many of us will witness in our lifetimes. What would our divided world look like if we all possessed such courage to forgive? Correction:  RFK's gravemarker doesn't contain the words from the poet Aeschlysus.   It contains two other inscriptions:   click here for the official Arlington cemetery link of his grave marker.  Key Points from the Episode:• Pope John Paul II visiting and forgiving his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca in prison• Robert F. Kennedy's speech following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination that prevented riots in IndianapolisErika Kirk's remarkable act of forgiveness toward her husband Charlie Kirk's assassin just eleven days after his murder• The spiritual dimension of forgiveness as demonstrated through these powerful historical examples• How these acts of forgiveness created lasting change beyond the immediate moment• The contrast between worldly reactions to violence and the transformative power of Christian forgivenessOther resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly!

Helen Whitney is an Oscar nominated, and Emmy and Peabody award-winning, producer, director and writer of documentaries and feature films. Her subjects have included youth gangs, presidential candidates, the McCarthy era, mental illness, Pope John Paul II, Great Britain's class structure and photographer Richard Avedon. She's worked with actors like David Straithern, Brenda Fricker and Estelle Parsons. Her works have been featured prominently on PBS, HBO and ABC. Helen has received numerous prizes and awards. She is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and has presented her films and lectured at universities, museums and churches and seminaries around the country.My featured song is “Hollywood” from the album The PGS Experience by my band Project Grand Slam. Spotify link.------------------------------------------The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries!Click here for All Episodes Click here for Guest List Click here for Guest Groupings Click here for Guest TestimonialsClick here to Subscribe Click here to receive our Email UpdatesClick here to Rate and Review the podcast—----------------------------------------CONNECT WITH HELEN:www.helenwhitney.com—----------------------------------------ROBERT'S NEWEST SINGLE:“SUNDAY SLIDE” is Robert's newest single. It's been called “A fun, upbeat, you-gotta-move song”. Featuring 3 World Class guest artists: Laurence Juber on guitar (Wings with Paul McCartney), Paul Hanson on bassoon (Bela Fleck), and Eamon McLoughlin on violin (Grand Ole Opry band).CLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKSCLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEO—-------------------------------------------ROBERT'S NEWEST ALBUM:“WHAT'S UP!” is Robert's new compilation album. Featuring 10 of his recent singles including all the ones listed below. Instrumentals and vocals. Jazz, Rock, Pop and Fusion. “My best work so far. (Robert)”CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS—----------------------------------------Audio production:Jimmy RavenscroftKymera Films Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast:Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comEmail Robert - robert@followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music:Website - www.projectgrandslam.comYouTubeSpotify MusicApple MusicEmail - pgs@projectgrandslam.com  

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Taegon and Paul Chong Hasan, and companions, the Korean martyrs; Christianity came to Korea during the Japanese invasion in 1592 when some Koreans were baptized, probably by Christian Japanese soldiers; yhe first native Korean priest, Andrew Kim Taegon was the son of Christian converts; following his baptism at the age of 15, Andrew traveled 1,300 miles to the seminary in Macao, China, and was ordained a priest in Shanghai; Paul Chong Hasang, a lay apostle and married man, died in 1839 at age 45; besides Andrew and Paul, Pope John Paul II canonized 98 Koreans and three French missionaries who had been martyred between 1839 and 1867 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 9/20/25 Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”The paradox is striking—in our modern culture, authentic love has become the greatest sin. When Charlie Kirk stood for the defense of life, marriage, and family, he faced not reasoned disagreement but hatred so intense it ultimately led to his martyrdom. What does this reveal about our cultural moment?In this episode Jack delves into the spiritual battle underlying our cultural conflicts.  Exploring how young people disconnected from their spiritual nature become vulnerable to ideologies that promise freedom but deliver enslavement. He shares a poignant story about a college student who argued that abortion was necessary because having a baby would prevent her from finishing her education—revealing how our culture has reduced love to feelings, sex to pleasure, and children as obstacles.Drawing from Scripture and Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, we examine how our physical reality points to something greater—an eternal exchange of love that exists in the Trinity. Our bodies are designed to make visible this invisible divine reality, yet our culture has obscured this truth. The battle begins in the human heart, where we must choose between authentic love and the counterfeit versions offered by secular ideologies.The real enemy isn't people with different viewpoints—it's the spiritual forces that corrupt hearts and minds. By cultivating our own spiritual lives through prayer, Scripture reading, and sacraments, we become equipped to stand firm in love even when facing opposition. This is what Charlie understood, and what we're all called to embody.Join our Claymore community as we pick up this mantle, defending truth with both courage and compassion. Download the Claymore Battle Plan and connect with us on X @JP2Renewal for weekly writings and fellowship with others committed to authentic love.email us info@jp2renew.orgSupport the show

643. Part 2 of our conversation with Roxanne Harde about the Tremé series. Roxanne Harde on the Tremé series. "Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, this hour-long drama series, from executive producers David Simon and Eric Overmyer, follows the lives of ordinary residents as they struggle with the after-effects of the 2005 hurricane. Says star and New Orleans native Wendell Pierce, 'The only things people had to hang on to were the rich traditions we knew that survived the test of time before: our music, food and family, family that included anyone who decided to accept the challenge to return.' The large ensemble cast is supported by notable real-life New Orleanians, including many of its famous musicians." "Roxanne Harde is Professor of English at the University of Alberta's Augustana Faculty, where she also serves as Associate Dean, Research. A McCalla University Professor, Roxanne researches and teaches American literature and culture, focusing on popular culture, women's writing and children's literature, and Indigenous literature." Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. William F. Waugh's Houseboat Book. The South needs “Yankees.” An ex-Confederate, discussing Alexandria, said: “A dozen live Yankees would regenerate this town, and make fortunes at it.” They would pave the streets, cover in the sewers, build up the vacant spots in the heart of the city, supply mechanical work at less inhuman prices than are now charged, and make this rich and intelligent community as attractive in appearance as the citizens are socially. One such man has made a new city of Alexandria. He has made the people pave their streets, put in modern sewerage, water, electricity, etc., build most creditable structures to house the public officials, and in a word, has “hustled the South,” till it had to put him temporarily out of office until it got its “second wind.” This week in Louisiana history. September 13, 1987. Pope John Paul II begins three day visit to New Orleans. This week in New Orleans history. Drew Brees ties Billy Kilmer's touchdown passing record September 13, 2009. The Saints team record for passing touchdowns in one game was set at 6 by Drew Brees (Saint's vs. Detroit Lions) who tied with Billy Kilmer in a November 2, 1969 against the St. Louis Cardinals. This week in Louisiana. Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site 1200 N. Main Street St. Martinville, LA 70582 337-394-3754 888-677-2900 longfellow_mgr@crt.la.gov Site open daily open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day Admission/Entrance Fees $4 per person Free for senior citizens (62 and older) Free for children 3 and under     Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site explores the cultural interplay among the diverse peoples along the famed Bayou Teche. Acadians and Creoles, Indians and Africans, Frenchmen and Spaniards, slaves and free people of color-all contributed to the historical tradition of cultural diversity in the Teche region. French became the predominant language, and it remains very strong in the region today.     Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1847 epic poem Evangeline made people around the world more aware of the 1755 expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia and their subsequent arrival in Louisiana. In this area, the story was also made popular by a local novel based on Longfellow's poem, Acadian Reminiscences: The True Story of Evangeline, written by Judge Felix Voorhies in 1907. Postcards from Louisiana. Cajun Band at Maison Dupuy. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

St. Pope John Paul II's call to build a civilization of love is a powerful reminder that true progress is not measured by wealth, technology, or power, but by the depth of our compassion and the strength of our commitment to one another. He envisioned a world where every human life is valued, where justice and mercy walk hand in hand, and where love becomes the guiding principle of all relationships. In a time often marked by division and brutal violence, his words inspire us to create a society rooted in dignity, solidarity, and peace—a civilization where love is not just a feeling, but a force for transformation. The first brick in building this civilization is Jesus Christ. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The canonization of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati — known for his love of mountain climbing — has renewed attention to how nature served as a path to God for saints like Pope John Paul II. Meanwhile, A House Committee has released Epstein's “Birthday Book,” featuring a letter allegedly from Trump.

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey dive into the complexities of artificial intelligence and its impact on human relationships, work, and spirituality. They continue their discussion from the previous week, sharpening their focus on the socio-economic reasons behind AI's rapid growth and its ethical implications.Joe opens the conversation by exploring how AI is often implemented to replace high turnover roles rather than enhance employee productivity or improve workplace conditions. He raises concerns about using AI as a substitute for ethical treatment of employees, emphasizing that enhancing productivity should not come at the cost of human relationships and well-being. Automation, while beneficial for producing goods, should not be a means to avoid accountability for treating employees with dignity and respect.Father Boniface offers a spiritual perspective, reminding listeners that work's intrinsic value lies not in the outward results but in its ability to form character and virtue in individuals. He emphasizes the eternal significance of personal growth over material production, advocating for an economy that centers around people rather than profits.The episode explores the ancient wisdom that human dignity and relationships must remain paramount. With anecdotes from sales and real-world applications of AI, Joe and Father Boniface discuss how an ethical application of these technologies can serve humanity. They caution against reducing people to mere production agents, a theme resonant with historical reflections from Pope Leo XIII and Pope John Paul II, urging listeners to consider how automation should be integrated thoughtfully into both personal and professional spheres.In a world where AI can deliver B+ answers, they argue, the objective shouldn't be to automate love and human interaction. Instead, they propose fostering environments where development is experiences-based, incorporating AI as a tool rather than a replacement for personal engagement. Father Boniface shares his unique experiences of leveraging AI for personal intellectual growth while maintaining the primacy of human relationships and critical thinking.As the episode concludes, Father Boniface and Joe reinforce the notion that the economy should pivot around human growth and ethical practices—not monitory gain. Encouraging listeners to engage in thoughtful dialogue and explore AI's potential responsibly, they hope to inspire a culture that truly values love and human interaction above technological efficiency.Tags:AI Discussion, Automation, Human Relationships, Spiritual Growth, Ethical AI, Artificial Intelligence, Economic Impact, Work Ethics, Podcast Discussion, Father and Joe, Technology and Humanity, Moral Philosophy, AI Ethics, Labor and AI, Workplace Well-being, Team Dynamics, Human Dignity, Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II, Sales Ethics, Personal Growth, Spiritual Reflection, Podcast Episode, Father Boniface, Joe Rockey, Love and Production, Human-Centered Economy, Virtue Development, Intellectual Growth, AI Mistakes, Public Discourse, AI Advisory, Tech in Society, Socio-economic Debate, Moral Implications, AI Integration, Ethical Conversations, Understanding AI, Relationship Building, Modern Challenges, Hashtags:#ArtificialIntelligence #AIandEthics #HumanRelationships #AutomationImpact #SpiritualGrowth #WorkplaceEthics #PodcastDiscussion #FatherAndJoe #TechAndHumanity #MoralPhilosophy #AI #EconomicImpact #LaborAndAI #Teamwork #HumanDignity #PopeFrancis #PopeJohnPaulII #SalesEthics #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualReflection #PodcastEpisode #LoveAndProduction #HumanCentered #Economy #VirtueDevelopment #IntellectualGrowth #PublicDiscourse #AIAdvisory #TechSociety #SocioEconomicDebate #MoralImplications #AIIntegration #Conversations #UnderstandingAI #ModernChallenges #CommunityGrowth #EthicalAI

Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997; while serving as a Sister of Loretto, she received a "call within a call" to serve the poorest of the poor; she established the Missionaries of Charity; in 1948, she went to the slums for the first time; by the early 1960's, she was sending her sisters to other parts of India; the world took note of Mother Teresa, and she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979; by 1997, her sisters numbered nearly 4,000; after meeting Pope John Paul II for the last time, she returned to Calcutta and spent her final weeks receiving visitors and instructing her Sisters Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 9/5/25 Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

Tom Garvey, author of The Secret Apartment, joins the boys to talk about why he went from working at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium to living there for more than two years, how Vietnam helped prepare him for stadium life, whether or not a movie is in the works and, naturally, the reason Pope John Paul II factors into everything. This week's podcast was brought to you by  Teambrown Apparel, Old Fort Baseball Co and Patrick's Custom Painting.

Friends of the Rosary,We celebrate today the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, also known as the Black Madonna.The icon enshrined in Jasna Góra (Bright Hill) Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, was painted by Luke the Evangelist on a cypress wood panel from a table used by the Holy Family in Nazareth.This Byzantine icon was discovered by St. Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine and enshrined in the imperial city of Constantinople, where it remained for the next 500 years. The image was then brought to Poland in the 14th century.The image of Our Lady of Częstochowa is associated with several miraculous events.After the liberation of Poland from Nazi occupation, 1.5 million people gathered at Jasna Góra in 1945 to rededicate the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.Our Lady's intercession is credited with the liberation of Poland from Communist rule.Pope John Paul II visited the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa four times during his pontificate.The holy painting enshrined at Częstochowa has been a lighthouse of hope during centuries of hardship and defeat. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa attracts millions of people who love and honor Our Lady's intercession.It is known as the “Black Madonna” because of the soot residue that discolors the painting, a result of centuries of votive lights and candles burning in front of it.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠August 26, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Brother Joseph here and today we want to discuss the Canonization of two new Saints - Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio FrassatiCarlo Acutis (1991–2006) was a British-born Italian teenager known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his passion for technology. At just 15, he created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world, blending faith and digital creativity in a way that inspired countless others.He died of leukemia in 2006, offering his suffering for the Church and the Pope. Carlo was beatified in 2020 and will be canonized as the first millennial saint on September 7, 2025 A B. He's now a patron of youth and computer programmers, often called “God's influencer.”Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) was an Italian layman whose short life radiated joy, courage, and deep faith. Born into a wealthy family in Turin, he chose a path of radical charity and spiritual devotion, often giving away his possessions to the poor and spending hours in Eucharistic adoration and Marian prayer A B.A passionate mountaineer, Frassati coined the phrase “Verso l'alto”—“To the heights”—which became both his climbing motto and spiritual mission A. He believed holiness was not reserved for the cloistered but could be lived in the streets, classrooms, and mountains. Despite academic struggles and family tensions, he remained steadfast in his love for Christ and service to others A.At age 24, he died of polio, likely contracted while caring for the sick. His funeral was attended by hundreds of poor and marginalized people he had quietly helped. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1990, calling him the “Man of the Beatitudes.” He will be canonized on September 7, 2025, alongside Carlo Acutis. Browse our Collection of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio FrassatiJourneys of FaithBob and Penny Lord's StoreDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”What happens when our deepest desires for connection and love become twisted by a pornographic culture? Father Thomas Morrow joins us to explore how we can reclaim authentic sexuality in a world that has reduced it to mere pleasure-seeking.Father Morrow, author of "Achieving Chastity in an Unchaste World," shares powerful insights about transforming our hearts rather than merely suppressing desires. Drawing from his decades of pastoral experience, he offers practical wisdom for those struggling with pornography addiction—including the story of a man who overcame a 20-year daily habit through prayer and intentional heart conversion.The conversation delves into Pope John Paul II's profound teachings on human love, explaining how we can move beyond mere attraction and desire toward authentic goodwill and self-gift. When temptation strikes, Father Morrow suggests simple but effective practices: repeating "Jesus" in your heart, redirecting thoughts, and transforming attraction into gratitude by mentally thanking God for the beauty He created.Purchase: Achieving Chastity in An Unchaste WorldPrayer emerges as the essential foundation for chastity. As Father Morrow explains, "Those who pray are saved, those who don't pray are damned"—not as a threat, but as a simple truth about relationship. Even when prayer feels boring (as it did for St. Teresa of Avila), perseverance leads to transformation. The Divine Mercy devotion offers particular strength, with Jesus's promise that those who venerate the image will not perish.For anyone struggling with sexual temptation, Father Morrow leaves us with this comforting truth: "The difference between a saint and a sinner is that a saint is a sinner who never stopped trying." No matter how many times we fall, God's mercy awaits our return—inviting us to a love infinitely more fulfilling than anything this world can offer.Read Jacks latest Blog on Substack: "Awakened by Beauty, Commissioned for Battle, Seeking Adventure"Support the show

Today's witnesses are from a website called Ashandpri.com. (CLICK HERE for article) The article where I found these miracles is called 10 Real-Life Miracles in the 21st Century That Will Have You Believing in a Higher Power. The article is written by Annika Stepanov. I put a link to the article in the show notes, and I invite you to check it out.  I hope you enjoy hearing about these miracles as much as I did.In 2003, the city of Los Angeles, California, bore witness to an extraordinary event that left medical professionals astounded and the faithful rejoicing. Dafne Gutierrez, a young girl diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, stood at the precipice of a dire prognosis. Her family turned to faith, seeking solace and healing through prayer. However, it was an unexpected visit from none other than Pope John Paul II that would become the catalyst for an astonishing turn of events. After the Pope's visit and a continuation of fervent prayers, Dafne experienced an unexpected and complete remission of her illness. Many regarded this healing as a divine intervention, a testament to the profound impact of faith on the human condition.On October 13, 2010, the world held its breath as the story of thirty-three miners trapped deep underground in the San José Mine in Copiapó, Chile, unfolded. A devastating mine collapse had left them entombed for an astonishing 69 days. As rescuers worked tirelessly to reach the miners, the world watched in collective hope and prayer. When the day of rescue finally arrived, the successful extraction of all thirty-three miners was hailed as nothing short of miraculous. The “Miracle at the San José Mine” not only showcased the resilience of the human spirit but also left many believing that divine intervention played a pivotal role in the miners' survival and ultimate rescue.In 2007, in the Indian city of Aligarh, a heart-wrenching tragedy transformed into a miraculous event that defied medical explanation. A newborn baby, declared lifeless by medical professionals, was prepared for her funeral procession. As the grieving family carried her lifeless body to the cremation ground, an astonishing turn of events occurred. The baby reportedly came back to life, drawing gasps of amazement and disbelief from the mourners. This astounding occurrence left many to consider it a miracle and an affirmation of the mysteries of life and death.In 2009, the city of Palermo in Italy bore witness to a miraculous event intertwined with the fight against organized crime. Lucia Borsellino, the daughter of a prominent anti-Mafia judge, faced a grim diagnosis—she was stricken with a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer. Desperate for a lifeline, her family turned to faith and embarked on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Pio, a revered figure associated with miraculous healings. What followed was nothing short of remarkable—Lucia experienced a miraculous remission, leaving medical experts and the faithful alike awestruck. This event, occurring in the shadow of the fight against the Mafia, was seen by many as a symbol of hope and a divine intervention in the face of darkness.In the year 2005, the city of Aix-en-Provence in France became the backdrop for a miracle that would have profound implications. Sr. Marie Simon-Pierre, a French nun, faced a debilitating and incurable ailment—Parkinson's disease. Her prayers and devotion led her to seek solace and healing through the intercession of Pope John Paul II, who himself had battled Parkinson's. In an extraordinary turn of events, Sr. Marie Simon-Pierre claimed to have been miraculously cured of her ailment. Her healing played a pivotal role in the eventual canonization of Pope John Paul II, sparking discussions about the mysteries of faith and divine intervention.In 2010, the devastating earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, left unimaginable destruction and loss in its wake. Amid the rubble and heartbreak, a remarkable story emerged—one of a young Haitian orphan named Kiki. Trapped for an astonishing eight days under the debris of a collapsed building, Kiki's survival seemed miraculous. Her rescue, against all odds, was hailed as a beacon of hope amidst the tragedy, prompting discussions of divine protection and the resilience of the human spirit. The city of Naples, Italy, is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, but it also became the site of a remarkable healing in 2008. Anna Santaniello, a woman grappling with multiple sclerosis, turned to faith and embarked on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. What followed was an unexpected and dramatic improvement in her condition. Anna Santaniello claimed to have experienced miraculous healing, leaving many to attribute her recovery to divine intervention and underscoring the profound connection between faith and healing.In 2015, the city of Dallas, Texas, became the backdrop for a modern-day miracle that defied the odds of medical science. A couple struggling with infertility faced daunting challenges on their journey to parenthood. They turned to prayer and embarked on a pilgrimage to a religious shrine, seeking divine intervention. Their faith was rewarded with a natural conception, a joyous occurrence that left them and many others believing in the extraordinary power of faith and the miraculous.The city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, witnessed a phenomenon in 2006 that left many contemplating the mysteries of faith and preservation. A fire engulfed a mosque, reducing it to ashes, and the devastation was apparent. However, amid the charred remains, a Quran was discovered remarkably intact and unburned. This event was widely regarded as a miraculous preservation of the holy book, prompting reflections on the sanctity of faith and the unexplained forces that shape our world.In 2019, the lush and challenging wilderness of Maui, Hawaii, became the stage for a modern-day survival tale that captured the world's attention. Amanda Eller, a hiker, went missing in the rugged terrain for an astonishing 17 days. Her disappearance and the subsequent search efforts transfixed a global audience. When Amanda was found alive, despite the harsh conditions and prolonged exposure, many hailed her rescue as a miracle. This remarkable event highlighted the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit and prompted discussions about faith, hope, and the enduring power of the miraculous.I am grateful to the people who run this website and all others who let us know about the miracles that are going on in the world. Many times we can think that miracles happened when Jesus was alive, but they are not happening today, and this is not true. Miracles are happening every day, all around us. We just aren't seeing them. If we look for miracles, we will see them! www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

How did Marco Casanova go from addiction to gay porn while studying to be a Catholic priest to a life of chastity, healing, marriage, and fatherhood? This is a great story. Along the way, you'll get a beautiful introduction to Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body—particularly what Marco has learned about the dignity of women and what it means to be a man.Marco Casanova, M.Div., serves as Associate Director of Desert Stream Ministries. His journey with the Living Waters program began during his seminary years, when he sought healing from his own experience of sexual brokenness. After eight years in priestly formation, Marco discerned a new call to join the Desert Stream team. Today, he oversees Living Waters USA, equipping lay leaders to establish and lead effective healing groups within their church communities. Marco lives in Kansas City, MO, with his wife, Ania, and their daughter, Marianna.More from Desert Stream Ministries:Website: desertstream.orgYouTube: youtube.com/@DesertStreamMinistriesMore on Theology of the Body:theologyofthebody.nettobinstitute.orgSupport the showTake the Husband Material Journey... Step 1: Listen to this podcast or watch on YouTube Step 2: Join the private Husband Material Community Step 3: Take the free mini-course: How To Outgrow Porn Step 4: Try the all-in-one program: Husband Material Academy Thanks for listening!

Full Text of ReadingsTwentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 120The Saint of the day is Saint Joan of the CrossSaint Joan of the Cross’ Story An encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted Saint Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan, who had a reputation as a businesswoman intent on monetary success, this was a significant conversion. Born in 1666, in Anjou, France, Joan worked in the family business—a small shop near a religious shrine—from an early age. After her parents' death she took over the shop. She quickly became known for her greediness and insensitivity to the beggars who often came seeking help. That was until she was touched by the strange woman who claimed she was on intimate terms with the deity. Joan, who had always been devout, even scrupulous, became a new person. She began caring for needy children. Then the poor, elderly, and sick came to her. Over time, she closed the family business so she could devote herself fully to good works and penance. She went on to found what came to be known as the Congregation of Saint Anne of Providence. It was then she took the religious name of Joan of the Cross. By the time of her death in 1736 she had founded 12 religious houses, hospices, and schools. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982. Reflection The downtown areas of most major cities hold a population of “street people.” Well-dressed folks usually avoid making eye contact, probably for fear of being asked for a handout. That was Joan's attitude until the day one of them touched her heart. Most people thought the old woman was crazy, but she put Joan on the road to sainthood. Who knows what the next beggar we meet might do for us? Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Matt Ehret and Ghost explore the intricate alliance between Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, revealing how their shared vision helped reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. They trace the backchannel diplomacy, covert strategies, and moral narratives that united the White House and the Vatican in opposition to Soviet influence, particularly in Eastern Europe. The conversation unpacks the role of intelligence networks, economic pressures, and ideological messaging in undermining communist regimes, while also considering the long-term consequences of these maneuvers on global politics. With historical depth and sharp analysis, the hosts connect the dots between faith, statecraft, and the power plays that defined a pivotal era.

Jesus commands us, “Do not be afraid!” and He gives the very best reason – the Father has given us the Kingdom. This reality enables us to deal with our fears that grow out of past experiences and a worry that God or others are keeping something good from us. Yet the teaching of Jesus is not a naive irresponsibility but a transformation of these fears. Using examples from the lives of Jewish scholar David Flusser and Pope John Paul II, we illustrate how to deal with fear – both big and small.

Full Text of ReadingsSaturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 412The Saint of the day is Saint Teresa Benedicta of the CrossSaint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross' Story A brilliant philosopher who stopped believing in God when she was 14, Edith Stein was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a spiritual journey that led to her baptism in 1922. Twelve years later she imitated Saint Teresa by becoming a Carmelite, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Born into a prominent Jewish family in Breslau, Germany—now Wroclaw, Poland—Edith abandoned Judaism in her teens. As a student at the University of Göttingen, she became fascinated by phenomenology–an approach to philosophy. Excelling as a protégé of Edmund Husserl, one of the leading phenomenologists, Edith earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1916. She continued as a university teacher until 1922, when she moved to a Dominican school in Speyer; her appointment as lecturer at the Educational Institute of Munich ended under pressure from the Nazis. After living for four years in the Cologne Carmel, Sister Teresa Benedicta moved to the Carmelite monastery in Echt, Netherlands, in 1938. The Nazis occupied that country in 1940. In retaliation for being denounced by the Dutch bishops, the Nazis arrested all Dutch Jews who had become Christians. Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rosa, also a Catholic, died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9, 1942. Pope John Paul II beatified Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in 1987 and canonized her 12 years later. Reflection The writings of Edith Stein fill 17 volumes, many of which have been translated into English. A woman of integrity, she followed the truth wherever it led her. After becoming a Catholic, Edith continued to honor her mother's Jewish faith. Sister Josephine Koeppel, O.C.D., translator of several of Edith's books, sums up this saint with the phrase, “Learn to live at God's hands.” Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross is a Patron Saint of: Converts to ChristianityEurope Learn more about Saint Benedicta of the Cross! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Friends of the Rosary,Every month of August, we honor the two martyrs of the holocaust of Auschwitz, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Teresa Benedicta.Today, August 9, is the memorial day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942), also known as St. Edith Stein.Born into a prominent Jewish family in Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland), she became an influential philosopher, lecturing at major German universities.A brilliant intellectual and doctorate in philosophy, she converted in 1922 and entered the Discalced Carmelites, captivated by the autobiography of Teresa of Avila, taking the name Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.After reading my life of Teresa of Avila, Edith Stein exclaimed: "This is the truth!"She was arrested by the Nazi regime in 1942, along with all Catholics of Jewish extraction, and transported by cattle train to the death camp of Auschwitz, along with her sister Rosa, also a Catholic. She died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9, 1942.Pope John Paul II beatified Teresa Benedicta in 1987 and canonized her in 1998.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠August 9, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

We live in a time when many people believe that the existence of God is unknowable, that human reason is incapable of knowing whether God exists or that God does not exist.  This is not something new. Edith Stein, the towering intellectual saint and martyr the Church honors today, lost her faith in God during her teenage years, despite being brought up in a devout Jewish home. She was the youngest of eleven children. Her widowed mother encouraged all her children to think critically and encouraged them in their studies.  Edith's studies were interrupted by World War I. She became a volunteer nurse at an infectious disease hospital in her home town in Germany. Confronting the suffering of her patients must have been a major factor in choosing the topic of empathy for her doctoral thesis. Even with graduating summa cum laude from the University of Freiburg, she was denied a teaching certificate due to her gender. Instead, Edith became a teaching assistant to her university professor, the renowned philosopher and mathematician, Edmund Husserl. .  Edith was constantly writing and studying, but it was not until she read the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila that her life changed dramatically. She was moved to convert to Catholicism and, eventually, to enter into the convent of the Discalced Carmelites. She took the name, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, honoring her patron saint.  Her sister, Rosa, also converted and became a tertiary of the Carmelites, living outside the convent, but assisting the sisters in their mission. During the turbulent years of World War II, the leadership of the Carmelites grew concerned for the safety of St. Teresa Benedicta and her sister. They transferred them from Cologne to the Netherlands, thinking that their Jewish backgrounds would not under as much scrutiny. Soon after their transfer, however, the Dutch bishops wrote a strongly worded public letter condemning the abuses of the Nazi regime. Edith Stein also wrote a letter to Pope Pius XI, pleading that Pope must make a similar public statement against the Nazis. It is not known whether the Pope read the letter or not.   It was not long after the Dutch bishops letter that the Gestapo rounded up 244 people of Jewish descent in the Netherlands, including Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and her sister, Rosa. They were sent to Auschwitz and murdered just a week later in the gas chambers, probably on August 9th, 1942. In a statement to her Carmelite superiors, Edith wrote: “I beg the Lord to take my life and my death…as atonement for the unbelief of the Jewish People, and that the Lord will be received by his own people and his kingdom shall come in glory, for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world…”  Even after her arrest, she was offered an escape plan, but refused, stating: “If somebody intervened at this point and took away (her) chance to share in the fate of (her) brothers and sisters, that would be utter annihilation.” The writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross fill 17 volumes. A woman of integrity, she followed the truth wherever it led. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and is one of six patrons saints of Europe.  St. Teresa Benedicta, pray for us. Blessings, Fr. Kevin MacDonald, C.Ss.R.

Patrick fields questions from callers about the Eucharist, addressing concerns about receiving Communion and clarifying Church teaching with scripture, and history. He answers with candor on marriage, chastity, and what truly makes a marriage valid, weaving in references to St. Paul and Pope John Paul II to respond to real dilemmas. Family dynamics and practical etiquette pop up too, as Patrick responds to everything from who should serve as a godparent to whether sending early baby shower thank-yous is ever too soon. Maria - In the bible, it says we are supposed to eat and drink the body and blood. Do we have to eat and drink at Mass? (00:47) San (email) - You know how if you misbehave aboard an aircraft, you will get banned from flying for life? You and Cyrus need to ban Dan from Las Vegas from calling into the show for life. (10:18) Daniel (email) - You mentioned those who receive communion, receive Jesus fully, whether they receive the body or the blood of Christ. Not that I would, but I assume it would be greatly frowned upon if a communicant “skipped” the body and opted for the blood only. (13:47) Ruben - Can you explain how the Catholic Church deals with the differences in theologies supported by different Popes? (18:16) Tom - Younger members of my family got married in front of justice of the peace. How do I convince my relative that marriage as a sacrament is more important than the celebration? (25:52) Mark - What is happening in the instance of Transubstantiation and when we receive the Eucharist? (34:41) Shannon - I am pregnant and having a baby shower. I got a text from a coworker who chewed me out for writing a thank you note. (43:31)

As Father Dave begins his 30-Day Challenge to instill healthier habits, we welcome Chase Crouse to discuss how faith and fitness are connected. Chase is the founder and CEO of Hypuro Fit, a Catholic-based personal training and nutrition coaching company, and the co-author of “The God of Endurance: A Practical Guide for Incorporating Exercise and Nutrition into your Spiritual Journey.”

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”What if your body was designed to tell a cosmic love story? In this profound exploration of human sexuality, Jack unveils how our creation as male and female reflects something far deeper than biology—it mirrors the very nature of God's Trinitarian love.The episode introduces the Claymore Battle Plan, a revolutionary framework helping men navigate today's confusing cultural landscape. Rather than offering superficial solutions, this approach digs into three fundamental realities: the human heart's deepest longings, the irreplaceable role of marriage and family, and our essential connection to Christ and the Church. These aren't arbitrary religious concepts but the very foundation of human flourishing.Drawing from Pope John Paul II's theology of the body, Jack explains how our physical design reveals profound spiritual truth. "The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible—the spiritual and divine," he quotes. This understanding transforms everything about how we see ourselves and our relationships. When husband and wife unite and bring forth children, they participate in a "tiny created reflection of Trinitarian love"—where two become one and create a third.The breakdown we see in society—from inner-city violence to the emptiness of modern political leadership—stems directly from losing this foundational understanding. Without recognizing the sacramental nature of our bodies and relationships, we're left with a culture that uses people and loves things instead of the reverse.Join our growing community of men seeking something deeper than what modern culture offers. Download the Claymore Battle Plan at jp2renew.org, connect with others for discussion, and discover how becoming a person of love transforms not just your life, but rebuilds society from its foundations.Discussion Questions with Scripture and Catechism References·      How does the creation of humanity as male and female reflect the Trinitarian love of God, and what does this reveal about the purpose of our bodies?Reference: Genesis 1:26–28; Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 355–357: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them… Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone.”·      Jesus points to “the beginning” to explain God's design for marriage (Matthew 19:3–8). How can returning to God's original plan for humanity help us navigate moral and sexual confusion in the modern world?Reference: Matthew 19:3–8; CCC 1603–1605: “The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws… God himself is the author of marriage.”·      John Paul II describes the body as having a “spousal meaning” that expresses love and self-gift. How can understanding this truth shape the way we view sexuality and relationships?Reference: Genesis 2:24–25; CCC 2331–2336: “Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses… is ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman.”·      The chapter describes marriage as a “primordial sacrament” that reflects God's Trinitarian life and love, ‘from the beginning'. How can married couples live out this sacramental calling in their daily lives, and what impact might this have on their families and communities?Reference: Ephesians 5:25–32; CCC 1613–1617: “By its very nature [marriage] is ordered to the good of the couple, as well Support the show

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle breakdown Pope Leo XIV's blessings, speeches, and writings thus far. They analyze the popes and saints the pope has quoted, the poetic nature of Pope Leo XIV and approach his words and actions with excitement and curiosity. Snippet from the Show “I know a lot of you had problems with Pope Francis. I know others of you had problems with Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II and Vatican II. Well I'm taking it all on because he was a valid successor of Pope Peter and now I am and so I'm standing in this tradition. Let's go.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Feeling stuck, trapped, or frustrated with yourself? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro unpacks what true interior freedom really means—and why so many of us struggle to experience it. Drawing on Catholic mindfulness, St. John Paul II's rich teaching on human freedom, and years of clinical experience, Dr. Greg breaks open why we do the things we don't want to do, how hidden patterns keep us from the good we desire, and what it actually takes to become who God created us to be. This is an invitation to go deeper than surface-level self-help and begin building the kind of freedom that leads to holiness, health, and real human flourishing.   Key Topics: The difference between capacity for freedom and acting in freedom Why we do the things we don't want to do—and can't do the things we want The subconscious patterns that hijack our choices Moving from automatic habits to conscious, virtuous action How our daily choices shape who we become Learn More: CatholicPsych Mentorship Program: Get one-on-one support for the areas where you feel stuck. Free consultations available. Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat:  An 8-week course to bring your faith and your spirituality in line with the way your brain works. The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Greg Bottaro Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II (1994) Discernment of Spirits Course: An 8-week course to learn how to understand what God is saying to you. Setting the Stage: Early Plays of St. John Paul II: Featuring “Our God's Brother” and other plays written by Karol Wojtyła (St. John Paul II). Related Being Human episodes: Ep. #228: The Joy of Inconvenience: A Conversation with Comedian Tom Shillue Ep. #175: Rethinking Formation: Preparing Priests for the Future with Fr. Sam Kachuba Ep. #180: The Psychology of JP2: A Bold Proposal Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn