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Meet Rob Marco! He not only shares his own remarkable journey but introduces us to St. Philip Neri, a 16th-century saint, who combined profound holiness with infectious joy!

It's Philip's unique combination of deep prayer and playful humor that truly sets him apart. As Rob explains, "Philip needed to take himself less seriously. He needed his book of jokes, his book of medicine, to bring him back down to earth after these ecstasies."

Perhaps most remarkable about Saint Philip Neri was his extraordinary mystical experience at age 29. While praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he had a vision of a globe of fire entering through his mouth and settling in his heart. This experience physically enlarged his heart to twice its normal size, even breaking several ribs. For the rest of his life, his heart would beat with such intensity that others could hear and feel it. This physical manifestation represented his overwhelming love for God and humanity.

Find Rob's book "Coached by Philip Neri: Lessons in Joy" from Scepter Publishers or on Amazon, and dive into a refreshing approach to holiness that might be exactly what our troubled world needs today.

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We explore Father Gabriele Amorth's book "God Most Powerful," which serves as a practical handbook for spiritual warfare. Rather than becoming obsessed with evil, Father Amorth encourages us to focus on strengthening our relationship with God through prayer, sacraments, and embracing truth. The best defense against darkness isn't fear but cultivating goodness and wonder in our daily lives.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss how young people today are desperately seeking meaning in a culture that often reduces humans to mere biological accidents. As one psychiatrist observed, "Young men will crawl over broken glass to find meaning." This search becomes particularly challenging when our society distorts language and rejects fundamental realities about human nature. St. Edith Stein's profound wisdom offers guidance: "Speak the truth in love and love people in the truth. One without the other is a destructive lie."

Michael also reveals how developing relationships with saints provides spiritual allies in times of darkness. His simple prayer during the worst moments—"You're God, I'm not, please help"—offers immediate relief by acknowledging the divine relationship that sustains us.

Our guest Michael Lichens, author and editor with a passion for overlooked aspects of Christian history, walks us through this harrowing yet ultimately redemptive story. 

Purchase Link: God Most Powerful, By Fr. Gabriele Amorth, An Exorcists Testament to God's Victory over Satan

Ready to discover how wonder might transform your own battles? Listen now, and consider downloading the Claymore Militus Christi Battle Plan and join us in reclaiming what it means to be a man. Share this episode with someone and discuss the questions together: 

Discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. In it Saint Paul says, "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the world rulers of this present darkness...

Discuss how this is seen in our culture today: Sister Lucia of Fatima wrote, "The last great battle between Our Lord and Satan will be fought over marriage and the family". 

While listening to the podcast Consider and discuss:  "Young people are searching for the truth and this is what Father Amorth brings out over and over and over again, the importance of staying in the truth and reality. Truth and reality. Where do you find the truth? What is real? How should I live my life right? What is my identity?"

Jacks Latest Blog Young Men United in the Eucharist: Heroically Rebuilding the Three Necessary Societies

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Jack and Thomas Hampson delve into the troubling case of Jeffrey Epstein, exploring its implications on child exploitation, deep state corruption, and the moral crisis in society. They discuss the importance of parental rights, the accountability of government and intelligence agencies, and the need for community involvement in addressing these issues. The conversation emphasizes the power of truth and love in combating the exploitation of innocence and the necessity for individuals to take action in their communities.

As Hampson quotes, "Not to act is to act, not to speak is to speak." What will you do with the truth you now possess?

The conversation widens to connect child exploitation to broader moral issues, including recent Supreme Court decisions on parental rights and the growing movement to protect children from inappropriate sexualization in schools. As both hosts emphasize, civilization's greatest threat comes not from external forces but internal moral corruption.

Read Tom's Articles and Subscibe on Substack

Or Here at the Illinois Family Institute "The Troubling Case of Jeffrey Epstein"

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What if your deepest desires—even the ones that sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing—weren't obstacles to overcome but rocket fuel for your spiritual journey? In this profound exploration of authentic masculinity, Jack and Mark Schmitt unpack how the Claymore Battle Plan helps men redirect their passions toward their divine purpose.

Drawing from Jack's childhood memories of adventure, battle, and beauty, we discover how these core masculine themes reflect our deepest spiritual longings. That magnetic pull toward beauty you've experienced? It's actually a divine spark designed to draw you out of yourself and into communion with God. 

The conversation takes a practical turn as Jack and Mark address the daily battlefield of the human heart. Rather than repressing desires or indulging them, they offer a third way: opening our passions to God and allowing Him to transform them. When you notice beauty that stirs something in you—whether a person or anything that awakens longing—you can immediately redirect that spark toward gratitude and prayer.

This approach reveals an extraordinary truth: your temptations aren't roadblocks to sanctity but can set you on the very path itself. 

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What happens when the government tells churches to close their doors? During the pandemic, attorney Jeffrey Trissell found himself at the center of an unprecedented legal battle for religious freedom that would take him to the Supreme Court three times in a single year.

The fight began when California implemented severe restrictions on religious gatherings while allowing "essential" businesses to operate with fewer limitations. As Trissell explains, the constitutional implications were profound: if hospitals remained open because they were "absolutely necessary," shouldn't worship—which believers consider essential to spiritual wellbeing—receive similar consideration?

What makes Trissell's account particularly compelling is his perspective on courage in the face of pressure. Drawing inspiration from St. Thomas More, he reflects on how standing firm in one's convictions often means facing opposition not just from expected adversaries, but sometimes from friends, family, and even religious leaders. 

Get your copy Here! Unlocking the Churches, The Legal Victory against Califorbia;s Pandemic-Era Religious Discrimination

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The battle between love and lust rages in every human heart. In this powerful exploration of the Maria Goretti story, we uncover how what we consume shapes who we become – sometimes with devastating consequences.

Maria Goretti was just 11 years old when Alessandro Serenelli, a young man living and working with her family, attacked and murdered her after she refused his sexual advances. What drove this ordinary farm worker to such violence? The toxic media he consumed played a crucial role. Alessandro filled his mind with sensational novels about crime and lust, creating a dangerous inner landscape where "forbidden fruit no longer nourished him" and "self-abuse infuriated him."

Our guest Michael Lichens, author and editor with a passion for overlooked aspects of Christian history, walks us through this harrowing yet ultimately redemptive story. 

As John Paul II observed, "The problem with pornography is not that it reveals too much, it reveals too little." It fails to reveal the person – the human heart that longs to be loved, not used. This insight resonates powerfully today as young people navigate a hypersexualized culture bombarding them with distorted messages about sexuality and human dignity.

The story takes an extraordinary turn when Alessandro experiences a vision of Maria while in prison. 

Get Your Copy Here! "I Killed Maria Goretti"

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What epic tale have we fallen into, and what role are we meant to play? This question lies at the heart of our exploration of authentic masculinity and spiritual warfare in a chaotic world.

Drawing from the wisdom of St. John Paul II, Henry David Thoreau, and even Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings, we examine the profound crisis facing today's young people. In a culture where 50% of teen girls report persistent sadness and 30% have considered suicide, something has clearly gone terribly wrong. Yet within this darkness, we're witnessing young men awakening to the realization that they were created for something more.

The Claymore sword—the heavy, two-handed weapon made famous in Braveheart—represents our approach to spiritual combat. Unlike the emasculated vision of manhood promoted by our culture, we recognize that authentic masculinity requires courage, strength, and a willingness to fight for what matters. But as St. John Paul II taught, the first battle must be fought on the battlefield of our own hearts—between love and lust, between selfishness and self-giving.

Download the Claymore Militus Christi Battle Plan and join us in reclaiming what it means to be a man. Share this episode with someone and discuss the questions together: What tale have we fallen into, and what role will you play in it?

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Discussion questions:

1. What are some moments in your life when you felt a deep longing for truth, meaning, or purpose? How did you respond to that desire?

“You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord.”—Jeremiah 29:13–14

1. Sam Gamgee asks, “I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?”—do you feel like your life is part of a larger story? If so, who is writing it, and what role might you be playing?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”—Ephesians 2:10

1. In a world full of noise, opinions, and competing truths, where do you go—or where could you begin to go—to seek what is truly good, beautiful, and true? “

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”—John 8:32

1. The chapter mentions the “line between good and evil running through every human heart.” Where in your own life do you feel that tension most, and what helps you stay grounded in the fight for the good?

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”—Matthew 26:41

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The question haunts us all: Why do we suffer? And more importantly, does our suffering have meaning? In this profound conversation with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty—psychiatrist, author, and courageous voice during recent cultural upheavals—we explore the Christian understanding of suffering that offers liberation rather than mere explanation.

Join Jack Rigert and Dr. Aaron Kheriaty as they explore the profound themes of suffering, faith, and the significance of the cross in Christianity. They discuss how suffering is an inherent part of the human experience and how it can lead to deeper spiritual understanding and connection with Christ. Dr. Kheriaty emphasizes the importance of prayer, particularly the simple prayer "Doce me passionem Tuam"—teach me your suffering. This brief aspiration, when repeated throughout our days of struggle, shifts our focus from demanding explanations to entering more deeply into Christ's redemptive love. 

The conversation also highlights the role of the Mass as a central aspect of Christian life, where believers can encounter the sacrifice of Christ and find healing and joy in their own suffering.

For anyone struggling with physical pain, psychological anguish, or spiritual questioning, this conversation offers not easy answers but something better—a way forward that acknowledges suffering's reality while discovering its redemptive potential. Visit passionemtuam.org to learn more about this powerful prayer and access Dr. Kheriaty's full series on suffering's meaning.

Dr. Aaron Kheriaty's Series: Catholic Exchange

Dr. Kheriatys's Blog: Human Flourishing 

"Doce me passionem Tuam" (pronounced "doe-chay may") Website

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What if the money system itself is designed to work against your values? Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine and author of "Moral Money: The Case for Bitcoin," makes a compelling case that our current monetary system is fundamentally immoral.

Government-issued currencies like the US dollar can be created at will, funding unpopular wars and expensive programs while devaluing the money citizens hold. This forces people into increasingly risky investments just to maintain their savings against inflation's constant erosion. 

For young people today, perhaps hoping to get married some day and start families, this creates what Sammons calls "financial nihilism" - a sense that long-term planning is pointless when the system is stacked against them.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just concerned about the moral implications of our financial system, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about money.  Discover why Sammons believes Bitcoin might be the most moral form of money ever created.

Purchase Moral Money: The case for Bitcoin 

Visit Eric Sammons

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What happens when you start defining yourself by your struggles rather than by your God-given identity? Deacon Gerald Marie Anthony tackles this profound question in a conversation that strikes at the heart of what it means to be authentically human in our confused modern world.

The conversation delves deep into what Pope Pius X called "the synthesis of all heresies"—modernism—which teaches us we don't need God to progress. This mindset manifests when we put our ultimate trust in money, work, technology, or social acceptance rather than in our Creator. 

Through St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy devotion, we discover the antidote to modernism's emptiness. Whether you're battling pornography addiction, wrestling with unwanted attractions, or simply feeling lost in today's confusing cultural landscape, by placing our trust in Jesus rather than in ourselves or worldly solutions, we can experience true transformation. 

Get a copy of Deacon Anthony's Book Here: 

How the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy Devotions’ Complementary Messages Make Us New

Visit Deacon Anthony's Website

Discussion Questions with Scripture references:

1. How does defining ourselves by our struggles rather than our God-given identity as beloved children of God impact our spiritual life, and what does Scripture teach about our true identity in Christ?
   Scripture Reference: John 1:12 – “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.”
   Reflection: Consider how the cultural focus on struggles (e.g., addictions, societal pressures) can overshadow the truth of our identity as God’s beloved. How can embracing this identity help us overcome modern emptiness?
2. What are the dangers of modernism, as described by Deacon Anthony, which places trust in worldly things like money, technology, or social acceptance instead of God, and how does Scripture guide us to trust in God alone?
   Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
   Reflection: Reflect on areas in your life where you might be tempted to trust in worldly solutions over God. How can Jesus’ teachings help you redirect your trust to Him?
3. Deacon Anthony highlights the Divine Mercy devotion and practical steps like confession and prudent choices to break free from brokenness. How does Scripture encourage us to embrace God’s mercy and make choices that align with His will?
   Scripture Reference: 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
   Reflection: How can the practice of confession and intentional decision-making help you let go of faults and live out your God-given purpose? What steps can you take to avoid “lukewarm” faith?

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