The ex-gay movement never really went away—it just rebranded. From “reparative therapy” to “healing ministries,” Catholic leaders continue to promote the same discredited ideas about homosexuality under new names. In this episode, I dig into how these theories shape Catholic seminaries, influence pastoral care, and fuel ongoing harm in the Church. We’ll explore why conversion therapy bans don’t go far enough, how ex-gay narratives slip under the radar, and what LGBTQ+ Catholics need to watch for when seeking support. I discuss the work of Courage International, Joseph Nicolsoi, Elizabeth Moberly, Timothy Lock, NARTH, Richard Cohen, and more!00:00 The Ex-Gay Movement's Influence on Catholicism00:43 Understanding Conversion Therapy vs. Reparative Therapy02:16 The Ex-Gay Narrative and Its Psychological Underpinnings05:34 Controversial Practices and Legal Challenges08:16 Rebranding and Subtle Continuation of Harmful Theories12:30 A Healthier Approach for LGBTQ+ Catholics

I’ve spent years digging into the Catholic Church’s approach to sexuality, and in this episode I take a hard look at the work of Dr. Bob Schuchts and the John Paul II Healing Center. From conferences costing up to $1,100 per week, to seminary workshops that push bizarre ex-gay theories, to gaslighting clients who challenge his methods—this story reveals how Catholic psychology has been twisted into pseudoscience. Along the way, I connect Schuchts’s work to the abuse crisis, conspiracy thinking, and the Church’s ongoing struggle with sexuality.

Danny Peterson, ordained in 2016 in Newark and now a therapist in Salt Lake City, walks through the real mechanics of ex-gay culture inside Catholic spaces: chastity “support” groups that were conversion therapy / SOCE, Journey Into Manhood weekends, minor exorcisms, and diocesan referrals to therapists using unscientific, often unethical methods. He unpacks the “double bind” (“God loves you… but change first”), how parent-blaming scripts fractured families, and why institutional loyalty can normalize incompetence. We talk about leaving ministry, rebuilding community, dating with values, living sober and ordered (8 hours of sleep, prayer, hikes, drag shows and dancing), and practicing therapy with informed consent and boundaries—supporting clients’ own ethics without coercion. If you’ve been told your only choices are secrecy or sin, Danny offers a third path: integrity, friendship, and a faith that isn’t at war with reality.00:00 Danny's Background and Journey to Priesthood02:40 Experiences with Conversion Therapy Camps05:04 Critique of Conversion Therapy Practices13:22 Personal Reflections and Moving Forward21:51 Navigating Traditional Christian Sexual Ethics23:10 The Double Bind of Conversion Therapy26:03 Embracing Queer Life and Joy29:41 Reflections on Conversion Therapy's Impact32:47 Professional Boundaries and Therapy39:24 Looking Forward: Personal and Professional Growth41:27 Concluding Thoughts on Faith and Identity

The Catholic Church uses the word “sexuality” without ever clearly defining it. In this conversation, I explore four competing ways Catholics understand sexuality—from gendered complementarity to the erotic desire that fuels saints and mystics. What does it mean to live a flourishing sexual life as a celibate gay Christian? And why does the catechism’s language cause so much confusion?00:00 Defining Sexuality in Catholic Context01:15 Four Perspectives on Sexuality01:48 Gendered Understanding of Sexuality02:41 Genital Understanding of Sexuality03:13 Pathological Understanding of Sexuality03:53 Erotic Understanding of Sexuality05:13 Conclusion: Integrating Perspectives on Sexuality

Father Bryan is a Catholic priest and registered psychologist serving clergy and seminarians in Vancouver. He shares how depth psychology reshaped his ministry, why “start with behavior” backfires in sex conversations, and how evidence-based therapy, informed consent, and clear boundaries protect religious clients. We dive into same-sex attraction in formation, conversion-therapy debates, self-acceptance without shame, and what real accompaniment looks like.00:00 Father Brian's Unexpected Path to Psychology01:28 Role and Responsibilities in the Archdiocese03:14 Impact of Psychological Training on Ministry09:56 Challenges in Addressing Sexuality within the Church16:59 Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction in the Church23:38 Self-Acceptance and Support for LGBTQ Catholics28:35 Navigating Professional Ethics in Therapy31:40 Balancing Dual Identities: Priest and Therapist34:18 Therapeutic Boundaries and Client Autonomy44:52 Concerns About Unlicensed Counseling Practices48:41 Reflecting on Institutional Accountability50:59 Finding Hope and Gratitude in Challenging Work

Let's take a deep dive into the contradictions of modern Catholic sexual teaching. From Augustine’s negative views on sex to John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Chris explains how straight Catholics are told they’ve entered a “new era” of sexual positivity while LGBTQ+ Catholics are left behind. We also unpack the harmful influence of conversion therapy on Catholic popularizers like Christopher West and Jason Evert, and why their stories and teachings continue to damage young queer Catholics today.00:00 A New Era in Catholicism and Sexuality00:16 Personal Journey: Struggles and Conversations01:29 Theology of the Body: A New Perspective?04:31 Critique of Conversion Therapy and Popular Narratives11:49 A Call for Change: LGBTQ+ Catholics' Voices

Greg shares his powerful story of how he unknowingly entered conversion therapy through a Catholic counselor who blurred the lines between prayer, therapy, and friendship. In this conversation, we unpack how “Reintegrative Therapy” works, why it’s so dangerous, and how confusing boundaries can create lasting harm. Greg also reflects on accountability, healing, and what he wishes he could tell his younger self.00:00 Opening Up About Personal Struggles02:31 Understanding Conversion Therapy05:07 Therapeutic Relationship Dynamics06:55 Exploring Reintegrative Therapy12:07 Ethical Concerns in Therapy17:38 Blurring Boundaries in Therapy24:29 Manipulative Practices in Therapy26:05 Ethical Concerns and Personal Reflections28:57 Theological Inconsistencies33:27 Realizing the Harm and Seeking Accountability39:22 Journey Towards Healing and Accountability43:10 Advice for the Younger Self

Mary Rice Hasson, Theresa Farnan, and Susan Selner-Wright are presenting themselves as “experts” on gender identity at the Supreme Court—without any training in psychology or mental health. In this episode, I break down their brief, their credentials (or lack of them), and how their arguments misrepresent research, professional standards, and even Church teaching. If this is the best the Church has to offer, it raises serious questions about honesty, competence, and care for LGBTQ+ people.00:00 Chiles v Salazar Brief02:10 Misrepresentations and Misunderstandings02:30 Diagnostic Overshadowing and Gender Identity03:59 Legal Misinterpretations09:22 Church Teachings and Gender Identity11:52 Scientific Claims and Counterarguments16:34 Detransition and Surgery Rates18:34 Conclusion

Catholics often say the Church’s teaching on homosexuality is timeless—unchanging since the beginning. But what if that’s not true? In this episode, I uncover how modern pseudoscience and the ex-gay movement shaped official Church documents, the Catechism, and the lives of countless LGBTQ+ Catholics. From Freud to Courage International, from Christopher West to Vatican councils, I trace how a pyramid scheme of pseudo-theology and therapy continues to harm queer Catholics today—and why it’s time to question the very foundation of these teachings.00:00 Christopher West and the Pseudoscience03:16 The Ex-Gay Narrative and Psychoanalysis04:33 Influential Figures in the Ex-Gay Movement11:14 The Church's Official Documents on Homosexuality13:34 The Impact of Pseudo-Freudian Theories26:50 The Pyramid Scheme of Catholic Orthodoxy32:37 Challenges and Resistance to Change38:50 Personal Reflections and Experiences40:37 A Call for Change and Hope for the Future

Licensed psychologist and Catholic author Dr. Julia Sadusky joins us to talk about real-world care for gender-questioning teens: treating co-occurring anxiety/depression first, avoiding fixed-outcome therapy, and using her “plateau” approach instead of an all-or-nothing push to medical transition. We discuss faith-congruent, trauma-informed practice, “God image vs. God concept” work for kids who wonder if God likes them, how parents can help without shame, why causal “wound” theories don’t hold up, how to vet a therapist, when to refer out, and what gives her hope for LGBTQ+ youth and the Church.00:00 Discussing Gender Identity and Faith05:34 Navigating Faith and Gender in Therapy07:58 Dr. Julia's Journey into Gender and Sexuality Work12:28 Balancing Catholic Faith and Clinical Practice16:46 Understanding Gender Transition and Therapy21:24 Parental Concerns and Gender Patience27:18 Theology of the Body and Gender Identity32:56 The Ex-Gay Narrative and Its Impact40:22 Therapy for LGBTQ+ Individuals and Religious Concerns45:36 Therapist Competence and Client Needs49:47 Addressing Spiritual Questions in Therapy57:12 Gratitude and Hope for the Future