Our world—and especially Catholic social media—is flooded with sensationalized talk about the devil, demonic activity, and spiritual “access points.” But what if that fear-based narrative is actually distracting us from the truth? In this episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro is joined by Dr. Sean Tobin to reframe the conversation around spiritual warfare, demystify deliverance, and remind us of the one truth we often forget: God is bigger. Way bigger.

Key Topics:

• Why obsessing over the devil may actually weaken your spiritual life
• How Catholic social media is shaping our fears—and not always in a good way
• What most people misunderstand about deliverance prayer and spiritual authority
• Why “Dungeons & Dragons” might actually help your spiritual growth
• The surprising connection between imagination, healing, and holiness
• How a four-year-old’s fear of demons led to a powerful moment of truth
• Why the devil is more like a mosquito than a monster (and what that means for your faith)

Learn More:

• Big God, Little Devil by Dr. Sean Tobin – Explore the book that inspired this conversation. Reframe your understanding of spiritual warfare and reclaim peace through a Christ-centered lens.
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – The classic work that helped shift Dr. Tobin from atheism toward a deeper search for truth and meaning.
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
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Dr. Greg sits down with Bri Edwards to share the stunning story of “Baby Brian,” an infant whose incorrupt body was found decades after burial. Together, they reflect on God’s mercy, the mystery of suffering, and the hope this miracle brings.

Key Topics:

• The incredible discovery of Baby Brian’s incorrupt body 37 years after burial
• How this mystery challenges our understanding of God’s mercy
• The Catholic tradition of incorrupt saints—and how this case is different
• What this story reveals about the dignity of every human life
• The impact of infant loss on faith, hope, and healing
• Why hope is central in the face of grief and unanswered questions

Learn More:

• Baby Brian: A Pilgrim of Hope – Explore the full story, view photos, and sign up for updates as this journey unfolds.
• Podcast: Ep. 79: The Weight of Grief – Listen to Bri Edwards share more of her powerful story.
• Book: A Thousand Pounds: Finding the Strength to Live and Love Under the Weight of Unbearable Loss – Bri Edwards’ award-winning book offering hope and strength to parents facing unimaginable loss.
• Lach’s Legacy – Bri’s nonprofit ministry supporting families grieving the death of a child.
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
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What if reclaiming sacred time could heal cultural wounds and renew the Church? Dr. Greg and Deacon Bill White uncover the astonishing story of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk—a Lakota healer and Catholic catechist whose life invites us to rediscover time, tradition, and faith through a deeply human lens.

Key Topics:

• Why reclaiming sacred time is essential for healing and spiritual renewal
• The inspiring story of Nicholas Black Elk, Servant of God and Lakota Catholic catechist
• How traditional Lakota spirituality aligns with the Catholic understanding of creation
• What “Indian Time” reveals about presence, patience, and the dignity of encounter
• How Nicholas Black Elk bridged indigenous tradition with the sacraments of the Church
• Surprising links between the Liturgy of the Hours and Lakota prayer rhythms
• How healing from trauma is possible through faith, forgiveness, and cultural integration
• Why the canonization of Black Elk could be a sign of what the Church needs right now

Learn More:

• Walking the Good Red Road - Documentary on Nicholas Black Elk, Diocese of Rapid City
• Cause for Canonization of Nicholas Black Elk
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Dr. Greg sits down with Deacon Charlie Echeverry to explore the fascinating crossroads of faith, psychology, and culture—diving into topics like AI, psychedelics, and the deeper rhythms of human formation. Together, they wrestle with the big questions of what it truly means to be human, to suffer, to grow, and to encounter God in a world that’s changing faster than ever. A thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss!

Key Topics:

• The risk of seeking quick fixes without “doing the work”
• The promises and dangers of psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Why suffering is essential for growth and authentic healing
• How technology can both aid and undermine human flourishing
• What’s really fueling the mental health struggles facing today’s younger generation
• Finding God’s presence in a rapidly changing, uncertain world

Learn More:

• Podcast: Living the CALL with Deacon Charlie Echeverry
• Previous podcast episodes about AI:
  • Ep. #208: A Trick to Unlock Hidden Secrets in Your Unconscious (plus how to use ChatGPT to write a letter from your favorite saint!)
  • Ep. #221: Is AI Really More Effective Than Your Therapist?
  • Ep. #222: Three Places AI Can Never Go
• Blog: You’re No Angel, But Neither Am I - Understanding Cartesian Dualism and how this heresy impacts your life
• Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat – An 8-week program integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction with Catholic spirituality
• Theology of the Body:
  • Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West
  • TOB Books and Resources by Jason Evert
  • Theology of the Body Institute
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment

What really makes for lasting love and deep intimacy—whether in marriage or in our relationship with God? In this episode, Dr. Greg explains why the “spark” isn’t the true measure of a healthy sex life and how intentional, self-giving love leads to deeper joy. Drawing on wisdom from St. John Paul II and modern research, he offers a fresh perspective on love, marriage, and the spiritual life.

Key Topics:

• Why “the spark” of spontaneous desire isn’t the gold standard for lasting intimacy
• The difference between desire and pleasure in a healthy sex life
• What research reveals about spontaneous vs. responsive desire
• The connection between conjugal love and spiritual growth
• How anxiety and anticipation can hinder authentic pleasure
• Practical ways to move from fleeting desire to intentional, self-giving love
• St. John Paul II’s insights on love, desire, and the human person

Learn More:

• Article on the “Desire Imperative” – a secular perspective on the difference between spontaneous desire (“the spark”) and responsive desire
• Love and Responsibility by St. John Paul II – timeless wisdom on love, desire, and the human person
• Blog: Prioritizing Daily Life: The Power of Boundaries – practical ways to create space for prayer and what matters most
• Podcast Episode #189: Social Sabbatical – learning the rhythm of silence and a deeper cadence of prayer
• Discernment of Spirits – understanding how to recognize God’s voice in your life
• Catholic Mindfulness – training your mind for peace
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
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What if the very thing keeping you connected is also keeping you from being fully human? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Greg sits down with Andrew Laubacher from Humanality to explore the unseen effects of screen addiction, digital overwhelm, and AI dependence. From the emotional toll of constant connectivity to the transformative power of real-life presence, they dive deep into what it means to reclaim your time, your mind, and your relationships. Whether you're tech-weary or just curious, this episode offers a hopeful, practical invitation to rediscover your humanity in a hyper-digital world.

Key Topics:

• Andrew’s powerful reversion story—from party culture and atheism to deep faith
• How addiction to screens, porn, and digital noise disconnects us from reality and self
• The surprising connection between digital overwhelm and anxiety, depression, and burnout
• Why reclaiming boredom and silence is essential for creativity and healing
• How technology can be used intentionally without losing what makes us human

Learn More:

• Humanality Website – Learn more, start a Village, or join the movement: 
• Try Humanality’s Digital Detox series on the Hallow app.
• Books Mentioned:

  • Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

  • Reclaiming Conversation and Alone Together by Sherry Turkle

  • The Shallows and Superbloom by Nicholas Carr

  • Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam

  • Let the Fire Fall by Fr. Michael Scanlan

  • Intro to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger)

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Feeling worn out—even after vacation? In this episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro and Dr. Bryan Violette dive deep into why real rest is so elusive in our busy, screen-filled lives. We talk candidly about what it actually means to slow down, how boredom unlocks creativity, why scrolling robs us of wonder, and how true leisure isn’t just time off—it’s a way to reclaim freedom and connection with God. Whether you’re planning your next break or desperate for daily sanity, this is an invitation to rethink rest on a profoundly human level.

Key Topics:

• Why our culture treats rest like weakness—and why that’s wrong

• The difference between taking time off and actually resting

• How boredom creates the space needed for real creativity

• The hidden costs of constant screens and doom-scrolling

• Structuring vacation time to allow for true leisure

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.

• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation

• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment

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

What if some of our most celebrated American values—independence, grit, innovation—can also be spiritual traps? In 1899, Pope Leo XIII warned about “Americanism,” a heresy that elevates personal effort and autonomy while quietly sidelining grace, humility, and reverence for tradition. In this episode, Dr. Greg explores what the Pope saw coming, and how this heresy still affects our Church and culture today. 

Key Topics:

• What Pope Leo XIII meant by “Americanism”—and how this heresy impacts us today
• How independence and innovation can be both a gift and a spiritual risk
• The fine line between healthy revolution and abandoning what’s been rightly passed down
• Why natural virtue and hard work matter—but only when elevated by grace
• What American saints reveal about living holiness within a unique cultural spirit
• How to discern what to keep and what to leave behind in our cultural inheritance
• Why a mature, integrated Catholic identity is the only path forward in a fragmented world

Learn More:

• Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae: Concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to Americanism (Pope Leo XIII, 1899): Read the full text
• Cabrini (2024) – A powerful film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s mission and courage: Watch or learn more
• Related Being Human episodes:
  • Episode 202: Complementarity Without the Competition: Why We Need Each Other
  • Episode 200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote
  • Episode 151: From Gender Dysphoria to Gender Integration
  • Episode 75: Gender Fluidity or Complementarity?
• Saints mentioned in this episode: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John Neumann, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Theodora Guérin, St. Isaac Jogues, St. René Goupil, St. Jean de Lalande, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Marianne Cope, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Junípero Serra, and Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk.
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What if the key to healing your heart is understanding how Christ’s was formed? In this powerful episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro explores the mystery of the Sacred Heart—not just as a symbol of divine love, but as a fully human heart formed by Mary and Joseph. Through the lens of developmental psychology and Catholic theology, he unpacks what it means for Jesus to be truly human, how we’re shaped by the gaze of our parents, and why your journey to wholeness starts with letting yourself be loved. Whether you're a parent, a seeker, or someone longing for deeper integration, this conversation offers a tender, transformative vision of what it means to be fully alive.

Key Topics:

• The psychological and spiritual significance of the Feast of the Sacred Heart

• How Jesus’s human heart was formed through the love of Mary and Joseph

• Why mirroring, idealization, and twinship are essential for healthy human development

• The power of the parental gaze in shaping a child’s sense of worth and identity

• What it means to let yourself be mothered by Mary and fathered by Joseph

Learn More:

• Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. John Croiset – The spiritual classic based on the revelations of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that helped establish the formal devotion to the Sacred Heart.

• Only Jesus by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A rich spiritual reflection on the mystery of Christ's love and formation, especially through the gaze of Mary.

• The Sanctifier by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A powerful meditation on the Holy Spirit and His role in the spiritual and emotional formation of the human person.

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