"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'"
~ Romans 8:15

When someone has experienced separation or trauma, especially as a child, it can be challenging for them to feel safe in attachment with others. Yet, close connections are a powerful source of healing and wholeness for all of us, especially for those who have suffered. How can we step into connection and attachment, even - and especially - when it's difficult?

In this exceptional conversation, Ryan O'Hara invites us into his experience of fostering and adoption: his preconceptions, his journey of mental health & healing, his growth as a father and as a person, and especially his identity as a child of God. Whether or not you have personal experience with fostering or adoption, you'll see yourself more clearly through Ryan's wisdom and humility.

Ryan O’Hara serves as the Marketing Strategist for Saint Paul’s Outreach, a national Catholic organization that ministers to college students on campus. He is passionate about seeing Catholics come alive in Christ, grow to spiritual maturity and become apostles to the people in their life. Ryan has a B.A. in History from William Jewell College and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife Jill live in West St Paul, MN and are parents to four sons.

Episode 15 Show Notes

Visit Ryan's website to learn more about his blessed ministry

Check out Ryan's podcast - Better Preach - to grow as a Catholic, as a communicator, or both! (And you can start with Pat's appearance in Episode 21)

Follow Ryan on Instagram (@ryancohara) as well as Better Preach (@betterpreach).

Send us a text. We can't respond directly, but we're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Click here to register for the DBT group from Jan. 20 - March 24, 2026 (MN & WI residents only)

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.