On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Michael Duffy, ofm, for a moving reflection on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11: Courage, Sacrifice, and Remembrance. September 11, 2001, began like any other day, but in a single moment, the world changed forever. Yet, amidst the smoke, fear, and falling towers, incredible courage, faith, and love emerged.

Join us as we honor the lives lost and remember Michael’s dear friend and fellow Franciscan, Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM. As chaplain to the FDNY, Fr. Mychal ran directly toward the burning towers to bring peace to the suffering and dying—becoming Victim 0001 in the tragedy. Together, we explore how his ultimate sacrifice continues to teach us about compassion, hope, and finding God’s presence in our darkest hours.

FEATURING
Host: Fr. David Convertino, OFM
Guest: Michael Duffy, ofm

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Today on Friar Time, we hear directly from a voice we don’t listen to enough. Not an expert, not a politician, and not a commentator—but a young man named Chris Berrios, a 17-year-old high school senior.

A lot is said about young people today, but very little is actually heard from them. When Chris and his peers talk about the future, what excites them—and what genuinely scares them? Is there something older generations completely misunderstand about what it’s like to be 17 today? What are they searching for, and where—if anywhere—do they see God in it all?

It’s Friar Time, let’s start talking!

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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Today on Friar Time, we explore an issue that affects nearly 80% of Americans, yet remains a topic many are afraid to face. Join us alongside David O'Brien, OFS, CFA, and Chief Financial Officer of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to learn practical and approachable strategies on how to get out of debt.

For some, debt feels like a quiet burden. For others, it can feel completely overwhelming—like there’s no way out. But what if there is a path forward? David O’Brien understands how to make complex financial realities accessible, and he’s ready to share his expertise to help you find financial peace.

It’s Friar Time, let’s start talking!

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Fr. James Bok, OFM, for a deeply moving and raw conversation about faith in the midst of tragedy: Finding God in the Storm. As a Franciscan Friar who walked directly into the devastation left by Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa in Jamaica, Fr. James brings us firsthand stories of survival, heartbreak, and resilience.

Behind every headline, there are faces, fears, and a question that naturally rises in the human heart when everything is torn apart: Where is God in all of this? Join us as we explore how the people of Jamaica processed the devastating loss of their homes, memories, and sense of safety. Fr. James shares honest reflections on whether they felt like giving up, and how—even in the wreckage—faith managed to survive. Get ready to have your spirits lifted by this profound testament to the human spirit and divine grace.

Get your spirits soaring on Franciscan TV, where you’ll find UPLIFTING TV for EVERYONE. EVERY DAY.

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Bro. Jimmy Kernan, OFM, for a deep and meaningful conversation about Science & Religion: Can They Coexist? As a Franciscan Friar and a Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at Siena University, Bro. Jimmy is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the chapel.

Join us as we explore whether faith and reason are destined to clash or if they are simply two different paths leading toward the same ultimate Truth. In a world that often views science and religion as enemies, Bro. Jimmy shares how his work in the stars and his role at the Laudato Si Center for Integral Ecology inform a more unified perspective. It’s time to start talking about how these two worlds can—and do—work together.

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, for a powerful conversation about Resilience: Winning, Losing, and Everything In Between. As the Director of the Master’s in Theological Studies Program at the Franciscan School of Theology in San Diego, CA, Fr. Jim is uniquely qualified to share how our personal narratives and beliefs help us navigate adversity.

Join us as we explore how to find purpose in hardship and reframe negative experiences in a culture that celebrates "winning" while hiding "losing." It’s time to start talking about how this mindset shapes the way we deal with failure.

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode of FRIAR TIME, Fr. Jay Woods, OFM, LMSW joins us for a powerful discussion about Breaking Addiction. Fr. Jay invites us behind the velvet curtain of Broadway: a world of bright lights, standing ovations, beauty, and relentless perfection. It is a world that dazzles and inspires, yet can quietly break the soul.

Fr. Jay once lived there. Night after night, he dressed the stars and helped create images that millions applauded. From the outside, it looked like a dream life, but on the inside, it became a battle for survival. Fr. Jay’s story is not about falling—it’s about being raised up. If you or anyone you know is battling addiction, this episode is certainly worth watching.

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode, FRIAR TIME welcomes Rev. Elias D. Mallon, SA, STL, PhD, for a timely and essential discussion about the Middle East. While we originally planned to discuss "Resilience" today, current events have led us to prioritize this expert view on a region in need of peace and understanding.
Rev. Elias is a Catholic priest and member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement with over forty years of experience in Christian-Muslim dialogue. Join us as we explore the human cost of war and ask impactful questions about history, power, and the spiritual changes necessary for real peace to become possible.

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This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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On this episode, FRIAR TIME takes the show on the road to California! Join Fr. David Convertino, OFM, as he welcomes his biological brother, T.J. Convertino , and Grey’s Anatomy Executive Producer and Director, Linda Klein, for a wonderful conversation about Pets. Across the United States, nearly two-thirds of households share their homes with at least one pet. While Americans spend over 140 billion dollars a year caring for these animals, the real investment is in the relationships that quiet anxiety, soften grief, and restore trust.

Thanks for Tuning In!

This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

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Today on FRIAR TIME, Dr. Jack Drescher returns for a timely and important conversation on understanding mental illness.

More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness — so why does stigma still surround it? Why do so many people struggle in silence? And how can we, as a society and as a Church, respond better?

In this episode, Dr. Drescher and I explore:

• Common misconceptions about mental illness
 • The difference between everyday sadness and clinical depression
 • Why so many people fall through the cracks of our healthcare and support systems
 • The role the Church should play in addressing mental health
 • How we can begin to replace stigma with compassion

Dr. Drescher is a medical doctor, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He brings decades of experience and insight to this essential national conversation.

It’s FRIAR TIME — let’s start talking.

Thanks for Tuning In!

This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.