This week on Respect Life Radio, host Deacon Geoff welcome Anthony E. Clark, Ph.D., a professor of Chinese history, author and Catholic scholar. Dr. Clark explains the current landscape of the reality of Chinese Catholics describing their worldview is through a glass ceiling. Noting the need to intentionally remain loyal to the truth of the Gospel in pursuit of following Christ through need to have dialogue while not compromising. Clergy, religious, and laity continue to remain united, trusting in the prayers of the Universal Church to continue pursuing Heaven and encouraging their fellow brothers and sisters to do the same. Dr. Clark reminds us that the gift of Christ in the Eucharist is one that should be taken in with reverence, gratitude and hope. Join us for an enlightening conversation exploring the rich history of the Catholic Church in China, the witness of faithful Catholics throughout history and the importance of living out our faith in a changing world. Discover how the stories of the past can inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, embrace the truth and share the love of Christ with others. To learn more about Dr. Anthony E. Clark visit: https://anthonyeclark.squarespace.com/

This week on Respect Life Radio, we welcome Sue Homola, co-author of The Blunt Truth: Ten Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Marijuana. Sue joins us to discuss the changing landscape of marijuana, the dangers of today’s high-potency THC products and what parents need to know to protect the health and well-being of their children. Sue is an author and advocate for health-first drug policies. She serves as the State Chairman of the New Hampshire affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and has firsthand experience with drug policy as a former New Hampshire State Representative and current legislative policy advocate. An Air Force veteran and former state-level hazard mitigation planner, Sue brings her experience in identifying and addressing risks to her work advocating for children, families and communities. In The Blunt Truth, Sue and co-author Dr. Raymond Wiggins explore how today’s marijuana differs from what many parents may remember from previous generations. The book examines the rise of high-potency THC products, the accessibility of marijuana in homes, schools and communities, the physiological and psychological risks associated with use and the influence of the growing marijuana industry. Most importantly, it equips parents with information and practical insight to help keep their children drug-free. Tune in for an important conversation about protecting young people, understanding the realities of today’s marijuana and empowering parents to make informed decisions for their families. Learn more about Sue Homola and The Blunt Truth at suehomola.com.

Today on Respect Life Radio, Jennifer and Emma are joined by Erin Scherer, Associate Director for Mission Advancement for Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services (CFCS) in the Archdiocese of Denver. Together, they dive into what it truly means to respect life from womb to tomb. Erin shares about the many facets of CFCS and the unique call each staff member experiences to serve families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. As a ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver, CFCS provides funeral, cremation, cemetery and burial services while helping families make decisions that honor their loved ones and reflect the dignity of the human person and the hope of the Catholic faith.

The conversation also explores how the Church’s respect for human dignity continues even after death. Erin discusses the importance of reverently caring for the remains of the deceased, providing sacred places for burial and accompanying families through the grieving process. Through programs such as grief support and Precious Lives Burial, CFCS seeks to walk alongside families in their moments of loss and remind them that they are not alone. 

The work of CFCS is a beautiful reminder that respecting life means honoring the dignity of every person at every stage of life, including the end of earthly life, while placing our hope in Christ and the promise of the resurrection. If you would like to learn more, visit CFCS Colorado - Catholic Funeral, Cremation, and Cemetery Services.

On this episode of Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff welcomes weekly guest Fr. John A. Perricone, Ph.D., a Catholic priest, philosopher and longtime educator whose work has appeared in Crisis Magazine, The Latin Mass, New Oxford Review, St. John’s Law Review and The Journal of Catholic Legal Studies. Father Perricone is an adjunct professor of philosophy at Iona University and has spent decades teaching and writing on Catholic philosophy, culture and the intellectual foundations of Western civilization. In this conversation, Deacon Geoff and Father Perricone discuss his recent Crisis Magazine article, “Hammers and Sickles Coming Soon to a Town Near You,” published July 31, 2026. Father Perricone examines the growing appeal of socialism among young Americans, the influence of Marxist thought in education and culture and what he sees as the consequences of abandoning the Christian and philosophical foundations that once shaped Western civilization. The conversation also considers the role of Catholics in responding to cultural confusion—not simply by criticizing the problems around us, but by recovering truth, cultivating the intellect and boldly living the Catholic faith. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on faith, culture, education and the responsibility of Catholics to stand firmly for truth in an increasingly secular society.

To see more of Father Perricone’s work visit: https://www.fatherperricone.com/

On this week’s episode of Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff welcomes weekly guest Emily Chaffins, a fiction writer and journalist whose work combines a passion for storytelling with a Catholic perspective on faith and everyday life. Emily’s writing has been recognized with multiple Catholic Media Awards and she recently earned First Place for Graduate Fiction from the Florida International University Student Literary Awards. Her journalism has appeared in publications including EWTN News and the National Catholic Register. Deacon Geoff and Emily discuss her recent Catholic Exchange article, “St. Charbel’s Miracles Continue,” which explores the life and powerful intercession of St. Charbel Makhlouf, the Lebanese Maronite monk and hermit canonized in 1977. Emily shares several remarkable accounts of healing attributed to St. Charbel’s intercession, including the restoration of a woman’s sight, a cancer survivor’s testimony and a woman whose long-standing surgical wound unexpectedly healed. The conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on the power of prayer, the witness of the saints and how St. Charbel continues to point people toward Christ in times of suffering and uncertainty. To see more of Emily’s work visit: https://www.instagram.com/the.smallest_things/

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, Deacon Geoff welcomes Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine, Catholic author and speaker, for a thoughtful discussion on the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) and its place within the life of the Church. Eric has dedicated his career to helping Catholics better understand the faith through his writing and leadership at Crisis Magazine. Through many of his recent articles, Eric encourages Catholics to be well-formed in the truth of the Church's liturgy and traditions, empowering them to worship more intentionally and grow in a deeper relationship with God. During the episode, Deacon Geoff and Eric explore the history of the SSPX, its relationship with the Catholic Church and how a proper understanding of the Church's liturgical heritage can strengthen faith while fostering unity within the Body of Christ. To learn more about Eric and his writings visit: https://ericsammons.com/

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, Deacon Geoff welcomes author, teacher and Catholic Exchange contributor Derek Rotty. A husband, father and educator from Jackson, Tennessee, Derek is the author of Prophet of Hope: Fulton Sheen Responds to the Modern World and writes extensively on Catholic history, faith and family life. Together they discuss his newest Catholic Exchange article, Fulton Sheen's Antidotes for Anxiety, exploring how Venerable Fulton Sheen's timeless wisdom can help us find peace in an anxious world. As Rotty writes, "Worship, the virtue of detachment, and works of mercy are eminently practical ways to transform worry, fear, and anxiety into a holy yearning that allows us to experience the abundant life here and now." Tune in to discover how these three practices can lead us away from fear and toward the lasting peace found in Christ.

To read the full article visit: https://catholicexchange.com/fulton-sheens-antidotes-for-anxiety/

Join host Emma Ramirez on this week's Respect Life Radio as she welcomes Gerard Graveline, Executive Director of the FIRE Foundation of Denver. Gerard shares how FIRE Foundation is championing the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, supporting teacher training, funding special education professionals and promoting a culture where every child is welcomed, supported and valued. Together, they explore how authentic inclusion reflects the dignity of every human person and strengthens the entire Catholic school community, allowing students of all abilities to learn, grow and thrive in faith. Gerard also shares his own journey of faith and leadership, offering practical ways families, parishes and individuals can help build a more welcoming Church for everyone. To learn more about the FIRE Foundation visit: https://firefoundationdenver.org/

This week on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff Bennett is joined by Joshua Arnold, a senior writer at The Washington Stand, to discuss his recent article, Christianity Is Normal. In a culture that increasingly treats Christian beliefs as strange or out of step, Arnold explores the reality that Christianity is not something new or abnormal but has been a foundational part of human history and culture for centuries. He encourages Christians to resist the temptation to feel ashamed or defensive about their faith and instead to confidently live out the truth of the Gospel.

Deacon Geoff and Arnold discuss what it means for Christians to recognize the goodness and normalcy of a life rooted in faith, family and the dignity of every human person. They explore how Christians can respond to a culture that seeks to marginalize biblical beliefs while remaining grounded in the truth and hopeful in their witness. Through their conversation, listeners are encouraged to remember that following Christ is not something to apologize for but a joyful calling that can transform individuals, families and society.

To read the full article, visit: https://washingtonstand.com/article/christianity-is-normal.

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, host Deacon Geoff welcomes John Melnikov, a theology teacher in Trumbull, Connecticut. Melnikov holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Fairfield University and an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. He is a regular contributor to Catholic Exchange and Crisis Magazine, where he writes on Catholic culture, morality and the challenges facing the Church today. The conversation centers on Melnikov's recent Crisis Magazine article, Seeking Absolution from the Crowd: Confession in the Age of Algorithm. Together, Deacon Geoff and John examine how social media has transformed the way people seek validation, replacing authentic repentance with public performances of apology and approval. They discuss the sacrament of Confession as God's true path to forgiveness and freedom, contrasting it with the fleeting acceptance offered by online audiences. This thoughtful episode invites listeners to rediscover the healing power of God's mercy and the peace that comes through genuine conversion.

To read the full article visit: https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/seeking-absolution-from-the-crowd-confession-in-the-age-of-algorithm