Being Human

What happens when someone outside the faith asks for your honest take on one of today's most controversial issues? In this episode, Dr. Greg shares a conversation with secular therapist and podcast host Stephanie Winn, who came with real curiosity: What does Catholic psychology say about gender ideology? Even without sharing the same faith background, Stephanie engages deeply—and the result is a rich dialogue that offers clarity, compassion, and truth.

Key Topics:

• How to speak about gender truthfully and compassionately
• Why Catholic anthropology offers clarity in a confused culture
• The psychological roots of gender confusion and identity struggles
• The difference between repression and integration in Catholic psychology
• A merciful, hopeful vision of healing for those struggling with gender and identity wounds

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Why a Secular Therapist Wanted a Catholic Take

08:00 – Can Faith, Reason, and Science Really Work Together?

19:35 – Making the Leap of Faith When Understanding Falls Short

25:35 – The Scandal of Psychology: No Answer to "What Is a Person?"

29:58 – Fractured Identity: Dr. Greg Reflects on His Parents' Divorce

31:16 – Stephanie Reflects: I Didn't Know My Struggles Were from a Father Wound

35:13 – Lack of Compassion Is Missing from Religious Approaches

38:42 – Using the Blueprint to Help Those Suffering with Gender Issues

46:44 – Digging into the Causes of Gender Identity Struggles

Learn More:

• Check out You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist Podcast, hosted by Stephanie Winn LMFT
• For the second half of this conversation, listen to Ep. 218: A Conversation with a Secular Therapist: Unveiling the Blueprint of the Human Person
• Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II)
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation to learn more about the daily accompaniment of Mentorship.
• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment.

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What happens when a Catholic psychologist and a secular therapist sit down for a conversation?

In this compelling discussion, Stephanie Winn (host of You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist) and Dr. Greg explore the intersection of faith and psychology, offering a bridge between faith and reason. Together, they unpack how a relational understanding of the person can lead to healing and wholeness in a culture grappling with identity and meaning.

Key Topics:

• The five relational marks that shape human identity
• How relationships form, wound, and ultimately heal us
• The significance of objective truth, goodness, and beauty in psychology
• The Catholic understanding of atonement, healing, and personal growth
• A fresh, merciful perspective on purgatory and the communion of saints

Learn More:

• Check out You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist Podcast, hosted by Stephanie Winn LMFT
• Previous episodes unpacking the blueprint of the human person:
  • Ep. 2: The Human Blueprint
  • Ep. 183: The Lead Domino Effect: Transformation Begins with a Blueprint
• We'd love to hear your feedback! Email us at [email protected].
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation.
• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment.

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You've heard of the 5 Love Languages—now meet the 5 Anxiety Languages!

In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Greg Bottaro introduces a groundbreaking way to understand anxiety: The 5 Anxiety Languages. Just like understanding love languages helps us express love, your Anxiety Language reveals how you instinctively process stress, uncertainty, and fear.

Which anxiety language do you speak? Tune in to find out.

Key Topics:

• Why anxiety feels different for everyone—and why that matters.
• The 5 Anxiety Languages explained: Reactive, Activated, Minimizing, Withdrawing, and Impulsive.
• How these Anxiety Languages show up in your day-to-day life.
• Why Jesus' command to "be not afraid" isn't just a spiritual ideal—it's psychologically practical.
• How understanding anxiety as a "language" can help you break unhealthy patterns.
• Faith-based, practical steps to navigate anxiety and find peace.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Everybody has some level of anxiety

03:02 – Anxiety is not what you think

05:54 – The 5 Anxiety Languages: What's your predominant language?

07:18 – Reactive Quick-tempered, snappy, stressed-out under pressure.

12:02 – Activated: Always "on," overachieving, constantly in motion.

14:34 – Minimizing: Saying "I'm fine" even when the house is on fire.

17:27 – Withdrawing: Avoidance, procrastination, or retreating inward.

22:02 – Impulsive: Jumping from thing to thing, seeking distraction (and the ADHD overlap).

24:53 – Review and Close

Learn More:

• Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatholicPsychInstitute
• Catholic Mindfulness Program – Dr. Greg Bottaro's mindfulness approach integrating Catholic faith and psychology.
• Daily Catholic Accompaniment – CatholicPsych's approach combines faith and psychology, offering personalized mentorship to transform your daily challenges.
• Blog article: Is Mindfulness safe for Catholics to practice?
• Coming soon: "What Is Your Predominant Anxiety Language?" Quiz
• We'd love to hear your feedback! Email us at [email protected].
• Need help transforming anxiety into peace? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation.

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We all had bad parenting in some way—but now what?

No parent is perfect, and childhood wounds don't just disappear when we grow up. Whether you struggled with criticism, emotional neglect, control, or a lack of support, those experiences shape your self-worth, relationships, and faith.

In this episode, Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro explains how faith and psychology help rewire false beliefs, break destructive patterns, and heal childhood wounds.

Key Topics:

• How bad parenting affects adult relationships & self-worth.

• The difference between healing and "just forgiving".

• How to honor parents while setting healthy boundaries.

• Rewiring false beliefs about your identity through faith.

• How to break the cycle and parent differently.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:21 – How bad parenting impacts children's sense of identity

07:00 – Breaking the cycle: Understanding toxic family patterns

11:55 – How faith rewires false beliefs about your identity

13:44 – Learning self-stewardship and true self-care

17:12 – Correcting distortions of value learned from bad parenting

18:47 – Final encouragement to self-stewardship

Learn More:

• Episode 215: When Are Parents Toxic? with Noelle Mering

• Catholic Mindfulness Program – Dr. Greg Bottaro's mindfulness approach integrating Catholic faith and psychology.

• Need support navigating a difficult family relationship? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation.

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Toxic parents? Difficult family relationships? Can Catholics set boundaries and follow God's commandment?

Is it ever okay to step back from a parent-child relationship? Dr. Greg Bottaro and Noelle Mering explore the balance between honoring parents and protecting mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In a culture where cutting ties is increasingly normalized, does it truly lead to healing? This episode dives into forgiveness, boundaries, and finding peace in difficult family relationships. If you've ever wrestled with family wounds or guilt over boundaries, this conversation offers a powerful blend of faith and psychology.

Key Topics:

• The difference between normal family conflict and toxic relationships.
• Catholic teaching on honoring parents vs. setting healthy boundaries.
• How the "No Contact" movement is reshaping family relationships—for better or worse.
• How to forgive without enabling harmful behavior.
• The psychological impact of unhealthy family ties—and the path to healing.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview

03:30 – Impact of Woke Ideology

05:50 – Raising Children to be Faithful Catholics

08:45 – Protecting Children from Harmful Ideology

13:20 – How to Best Help Struggling Kids

15:21 – Are Your Parents Actually Toxic?

30:18 – When is "No Contact" Justified? (Or is it a cultural overreaction?)

36:07 – The 4th Commandment: Honoring vs. Obeying

44:30 – Setting Boundaries as a Catholic

52:49 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement

Learn More:

• Awake, Not Woke – book by Noelle Mering
• Theology of Home – co-directed by Noelle Mering & Carrie Gress
• Theology of Home (4 volumes) – books by Noelle Mering & Carrie Gress
• Ethics and Public Policy Center – where Noelle co-directs EPPC's Theology of Home Project
• Need support navigating a difficult family relationship? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation.
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier

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Feeling overwhelmed by endless scrolling? Discover how a faith-based digital detox can help you reclaim peace of mind. In today's hyperconnected world, our minds are constantly bombarded by notifications, newsfeeds, and endless scrolling. But is social media helping us—or hurting us? Dr. Greg Bottaro sits down with Darnell Miller of MAX Studios to explore the mental, emotional, and spiritual effects of digital overload. Together, they discuss why social media fuels anxiety and comparison, and how faith-based mindfulness can help us unplug and reconnect with real life. Key Topics:

• The hidden mental health costs of digital overload
• How dopamine addiction keeps us glued to our screens
• Why social media fuels anxiety, comparison, and loneliness
• How faith & mindfulness offer a Catholic alternative to secular digital detox trends
• Practical steps to set healthier tech boundaries—without missing out

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 07:30 – How Social Media Affects Mental Health 12:48 – Faith & Mental Well-being 14:25 - Helping Children with Anxiety 21:30 – Social Media Causing Loneliness 35:50 – A Catholic Digital Detox Plan Learn More:

• MAX Studios at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, creating innovative digital content.
• Duc In Altum Schools – Supporting Catholic educators and fostering faith-based education.
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – A book exploring the impact of social media and digital culture on mental health.
• Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier – A book examining modern therapy trends and their effects on mental well-being.
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – A book on trauma, stress, and how the body holds psychological distress.
• Catholic Mindfulness Program – Dr. Greg Bottaro's mindfulness approach integrating Catholic faith and psychology.
• The Church and the Internet – Vatican document on the internet and technology use.

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Think faith and mental health don't mix? Think again. In an interview with Oscar Rivera on Ave Spotlight, Dr. Greg breaks down the biggest myths about psychology and Catholicism. Are faith and psychology at odds? Where do we draw the line between normal emotions and real mental health struggles? Can prayer cure anxiety? Is therapy un-Catholic? How do you beat seasonal depression? Tune in for a fresh perspective on faith and mental well-being!

Discussed in this episode:

• The surprising connection between faith and mental health;
• Why Catholicism and psychology are not at odds;
• How the Catholic Church has studied the human person for centuries;
• Why anxiety and depression don't mean you lack faith;
• How Jesus, Mary, and the saints experienced human emotions;
• The biggest myths about mental health in the Catholic community;
• When to seek professional mental health support;
• How to tell if you've crossed a threshold into needing professional help;
• Practical steps to combat seasonal depression;
• The power of relationships and community in mental well-being;
• How prayer and gratitude affect mental well-being;
• How the CatholicPsych Institute is changing the mental health conversation;
• A personal story of Dr. Greg's first encounter with Jesus;
• Encouragement for anyone struggling with mental health today.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Listen to more episodes of Ave Spotlight with Oscar Rivera
• Follow Ave Maria Press & Oscar on Social Media:
  • @AveMariaPress
  • @OscarTwoten
• Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;
• Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism;
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more;
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE's - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
• Follow:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych
  • Instagram: @catholicpsych
  • X: @CatholicPsych

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Rate, review, and subscribe

Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose "write a review." Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

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If you've ever felt stuck in your spiritual life—doing all the right things but still not feeling closer to God—this episode is for you. Dr. Greg explores the layers of distraction that keep us from deeper prayer, and how to quiet the noise of our own narratives and hear God's voice in the stillness.

Discussed in this episode:

• Why doing all the right things in your spiritual life doesn't always lead to feeling closer to God;
• How interior noise and distraction can block us from hearing God's voice;
• Understanding the layers of inner narratives that shape your perception of God;
• Why silence in prayer can feel uncomfortable—and how to move through it;
• The role of self-awareness in spiritual growth;
• St. John Paul II's concept of "incommunicability" and what it means for your interior life;
• How to discern between your own thoughts and God's voice;
• How God speaks in ways we don't expect—and how to recognize His presence;
• The importance of patience in deepening prayer and overcoming distractions;
• How to redirect thoughts that pull you away from prayer;
• What to do when God's only response seems to be silence;
• How past wounds and false narratives can affect your ability to hear God;
• Practical ways to apply Catholic mindfulness in your daily spiritual practice.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Learn more about Catholic daily accompaniment: Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship;
• Grow in self-awareness and freedom through the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat;
• Once you clear away the noise and listen to God's voice in the silence, learn how to how to understand what God is saying to you through the Discernment of Spirits;
• Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;
• Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism;
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more;
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE's - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
• Follow:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych
  • Instagram: @catholicpsych
• X: @CatholicPsych

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Rate, review, and subscribe

Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose "write a review." Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

Think growth is all about grinding harder or going it solo? Think again. In this episode, Dr. Greg dives into the surprising truth about growth: it takes both trusting God and showing up yourself. Tune in for practical tips and a fresh perspective on breaking through plateaus to experience real transformation.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of balancing trust in God with personal responsibility in the growth process;
• Why relying entirely on God or entirely on yourself leads to stagnation;
• A practical understanding of the phrase: "Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you";
• Why growth is a process of continual conversion, fueled by grace and effort;
• The dangers of self-sufficiency and extreme self-reliance in the growth process;
• How spiritual paralysis and passivity can hinder growth;
• What it means to start growth from where you are, not where you want to be;
• Why mistakes are essential for growth and learning;
• The importance of humility and being open to correction in the growth journey;
• The necessity of dreaming big and aligning those dreams with God's greater plan.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Learn more about Catholic daily accompaniment: Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship;
• Grow in self-awareness and freedom through the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat;
• Previous episodes on Growth:
  • Episode 210: Are You Safe But Stuck? Uncovering Hidden Obstacles Blocking Your Growth
  • Episode 208: A Trick to Unlock Hidden Secrets in Your Unconscious
  • Episode 207: The Consequences of Not Dreaming Big Enough
  • Episode 10: Why Failure Is a Good Thing
• Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;
• Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism;
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more;
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE's - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
• Follow:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych
  • Instagram: @catholicpsych
  • X: @CatholicPsych

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Rate, review, and subscribe

Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose "write a review." Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

Discover the blind spots and defense mechanisms quietly holding you back from real growth. In this episode, Dr. Greg unpacks tough truths, shares relatable personal stories, and offers practical insights to help you break free and flourish.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of growth and development in becoming the best version of yourself;
• Blind spots and defense mechanisms: how they form and why they hold us back;
• The role of avoidance in blocking personal growth;
• Personal insights from Dr. Greg's life and leadership at the CatholicPsych Institute;
• The value of outside perspectives, such as consultants, mentors, and spiritual directors;
• How blind spots are similar to scabs and calluses—defense mechanisms that protect but also limit us;
• The connection between personality traits and defense mechanisms;
• Why personality tests can be helpful but don't define your identity;
• The beginner's mind: approaching growth with humility and openness;
• How blind spots can lead to years of avoiding challenges or tough decisions;
• The importance of seeking help proactively rather than waiting for crises to force growth;
• Why embracing growth is a lifelong journey that leads to freedom and fulfillment.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Feeling stuck? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;
• Grow in self-awareness and freedom through Catholic Mindfulness;
• Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism;
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more;
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE's - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
• Follow:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych
  • Instagram: @catholicpsych
  • X: @CatholicPsych

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Rate, review, and subscribe

Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose "write a review." Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!