In this episode of the Art of Catholic, Matthew Leonard is joined by author Kevin Wells, who shares the powerful story of his wife Krista's battle with alcoholism, the impact it had on his spiritual life - and the incredible redemption God brought through the figure of a saintly priest.

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🟢 Get Kevin's book, The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family, here: https://ignatius.com/the-hermit-hermp/

🔵 Watch my last interview with Kevin Wells, Priest & Beggar: The Jaw-Dropping Story of Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, here: https://youtu.be/TJpXJmyW4Bg

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00:00 Introduction: Pain and Redemption

01:27 Kevin Wells: Author and Advocate

04:16 The Journey of Writing 'The Hermit'

10:23 Facing Addiction: Kevin's Family Struggles

18:07 The Role of Father Flum

24:25 Patience in the Face of Suffering

30:08 The Power of Prayer and Hope

35:21 The Journey into the Interior Castle

38:30 The Role of Prayer in Healing

41:43 The Maternal Influence of Mary

44:11 Confession and the Power of Priests

49:54 Practical Advice for Spouses in Crisis

55:42 Patience and Trust in God's Plan

01:00:00 Hope and Redemption in Christ

About this Episode:

Have you ever been in a seemingly hopeless situation? A situation so dire that you despaired of ever seeing change or healing?

Many of us have been there...or are there right now.

Addiction, divorce, unfaithfulness, father wounds, mother wounds, abuse, hardened hearts, and a host of other painful issues are constantly manifesting themselves in our lives.

And while different situations present different challenges, the underlying truth remains the same.

Namely, that no matter how bad things may look, God is faithful and in control.

It's certainly not always easy to see, but it's the truth.

Just ask my guest on today's Art of Catholic podcast.

Author Kevin Wells found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation when his wife’s alcoholism began to tear their lives apart.

But as he trudged through years of pain, Kevin gradually learned to rest his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and allow himself to be stripped bare like Christ on the Cross.

And eventually, through the miraculous intervention of a saintly priest, his wife was healed, his family was redeemed, and his pain was turned into joy.

Full of heartache, struggle, hope, and healing it's a story you need to hear.

In this podcast, Kevin shares powerful insights about:

• The crucial role of patience in the face of dire situations.
• Why prayer is our refuge in the face of intense suffering and despair 
• What he would differently if he could go back to when it first began
• St. Teresa of Avila's guidance in the face of pain
• Practical advice for dealing with extremely difficult situations
• And more...     

Get ready to hear a powerful story of pain, bondage, and finally, exhilarating redemption, that puts on full display the love, mercy and power of God to overcome any situation - no matter how difficult.  

Give it 3 minutes and you won't turn it off. 

This is a truly powerful and moving story of a man, a woman, and bevy of children who live a life totally abandoned to God...even in the midst of gut-wrenching sorrow and suffering.

If you can listen without being inspired in some way, you may need to check your pulse. 

That's all I can say.

Matthew

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00:00 Encountering this Missionary Family 

04:01 Michael Henderson's Journey to Faith

06:54 From Baptist Roots to Catholic Discovery

12:31 The Struggle with Sin and Seeking Truth

20:29 The Eucharist: A Transformative Experience

34:54 Living Out the Faith After Conversion

41:07 The Call to Missionary Life

55:34 A Leap of Faith: Leaving Everything Behind

01:01:16 The Power of Community and Vocation

01:07:38 Miracles in the Mission Field

01:13:20 Facing a Crisis with Faith

01:21:23 Transitioning Back to the States

01:40:28 Living a Life of Mission and Service

About this Episode:

Surrendering to God’s will is hard.

For most of us, it’s a lifelong struggle to learn to let go of our own plans and embrace God’s instead.

But that struggle is crucial - because the more completely you’re able to abandon yourself to God’s will, the more peace you’ll find, no matter what your situation or circumstances.

No one knows this better than my most recent podcast guest, Michael Henderson...(you're gonna love this guy).

About ten years ago, Michael, his wife Veronica, and their (at the time) six, now nine (!!) beautiful children, discerned that God was calling them to a more radical surrender than most of us could ever imagine.

They sold their comfortable house and belongings in the U.S. and moved to Mexico, and later to Taiwan, to spread the Faith, all the while relying solely on God’s providence for their livelihood.

And boy, did God ever provide.

Their story is one of miracle after miracle, conversion after conversion, and an ever-deepening, radical trust in God to “take care of everything,” as the Surrender Novena puts it.

In this podcast, Michael shares stories like:

• How God used a Taekwondo gym in the middle of Mexico to transform local families
• The day his family arrived in Taiwan with no housing lined up, no money in their pocket, and his wife 2 months postpartum with their 7th child - and how God instantly provided for their every need
• The very serious recent family crisis that has brought them to an even deeper peace and reliance on God.

I have to say, personally, that this episode was an emotional one for me.

In fact, I'll give you just 3 minutes of listening before your jaw hits the ground.

The beauty of this family’s joy in every circumstance is undeniable, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Michael.

I hope this podcast moves you as deeply as it did me.

A couple of weeks ago, I was interviewed on the EWTN show Take 2 with Jerry & Debbie about my discovery of the Catholic spiritual life a few years after I entered the Church.

As a brand new Catholic, I didn't yet understand the incredible spiritual patrimony that was ours.

But once I learned more about it...and began to practice it...that's when everything changed!

And it was such a powerful conversation that I'm sharing it with you on the Art of Catholic podcast.

You'll hear us talk about some of my story, as well as some spiritually crucial topics such as:

• What a healthy interior life looks like for regular Catholics

• The importance of community in our spiritual journey

• The absolute necessity of authentic meditation

• The role of spiritual direction

• Practical tips on how to deepen your prayer life

I'm so grateful to Jerry and Debbie and all the wonderful folks at EWTN for inviting me onto their show - and for graciously allowing me to share the episode with you on my podcast.

If you want to hear a very practical discussion about how to make real spiritual progress, this episode is for you!

In today's Art of Catholic podcast, Matthew Leonard is joined by Catholic evangelist John Edwards, who shares stories and insights he's gained from guiding countless men to a deeper relationship with Christ.

But don't think for a second this is an episode only for men.

We hit topics that affect everyone like:

• Shattering the lies we tell ourselves
• Why isolation is the Devil's playground
• The most pressing problem haunting men (Listen up, ladies! You need to hear this.)
• The beautiful power of weakness
• Why community is absolutely essential for men & women 

This is a must-listen episode for anyone longing for the deep joy that comes from an intimate relationship with God and the mystical body of Christ.

Matthew Leonard is joined by Betsy Orr, Founder and President of The Retreat at Heritage, who shares her incredible conversion story and tells us all about how God led her to create this truly unique new retreat center focused on beauty and silence.

🔵 Check out The Retreat at Heritage & book a spot at Matthew's retreat- "The Divine Whisper: Deeper Prayer & the Silent Embrace of God" from September 13 - 15, 2024: https://www.heritagega.org/book

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Every now and then I come across someone or something in the Church that leaves me slack-jawed...in a good way.

This is one of those times.

If you've heard of Venerable Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, you know what I'm talking about.

If not, prepare to have your mind blown.

Matthew

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After spending many months working very hard on a new liturgy series, I thought "Why not have a pleasant, light podcast to unwind a little?" 

So I called my friend and Founder of Theology of Home, Dr. Carrie Gress, and said, "How about coming on the show and talking about your new book?"

So much for unwinding. After all, her new book is titled The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us. It's all about how we arrived at this culturally dangerous place in which we now find ourselves, particularly in regards to feminism and society's bloodlust for the destruction of men.

(And if you're a guy who said to himself, "Feminism? Dude, I'm out." Trust me, this topic has a massive impact on those of us who share the XY chromosomes.)

Of course, feminism is a tricky word. Yes, we all agree that abortion-focused, radical feminism is wrong. But what about the "rest of it"?

Because it seems that there are a lot of opinions on the various incarnations and iterations of the "feminist movement." Can it all be separated or is there a deeper problem?

One way or the other, it's safe to say we're facing a societal crisis in regards to all of this.

So in today's episode of the Art of Catholic podcast, we're going to peel back the onion a bit and discuss the shocking backstory of feminism (and where it's all going).

Dr. Gress has done a massive amount of research into the little-known stories of the women (and men!) who shaped the movement, and its hidden roots in the French Revolution, Communism, and even the occult.

This one is what you call an "eye-opener". (I think I'm ready for some more liturgy:).

If this Art of Catholic Podcast episode whets your appetite to learn more, click below to get access to all of the video courses included in the Science of Sainthood!

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While most of us know we’re supposed to watch what we say, a lot of us haven’t yet realized that there are times when it’s actually a dreadful sin to tell the truth.

Yep, no joke. There’s lying through your teeth and then there’s “lying” through your truth.

What am I talking about?

Listen to today's episode to find out.

If this Art of Catholic Podcast episode whets your appetite to learn more, click below to get access to all of the video courses included in the Science of Sainthood!

🟡 Science of Sainthood Website:  https://bit.ly/3RerqTV

🔴 Watch the FREE Science of Sainthood Course: CATHOLIC MYSTICISM & THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF GRACE for FREE! https://bit.ly/45FNCLp

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I’d bet my bottom dollar that you have a loved one or know people who have left the faith. Maybe it’s a spouse, children, friends, or whomever.

It’s heartbreaking.

They walk away from the very source of eternal life and we’re beside ourselves as to what to do.


And the typical reaction is often to nag, cajole, and strategically place evangelistic books on the coffee table in a desperate effort to light a spark in the heart of the wayward.

It rarely works.

So what do we do? How do we get them back? How do we get them to desire divine life and return wholeheartedly to the sacraments?

If this Art of Catholic Podcast episode whets your appetite to learn more, click below to get access to all of the video courses included in the Science of Sainthood!

🟡 Science of Sainthood Website:  https://bit.ly/3PhKWxw

🔴 Watch the FREE Science of Sainthood Course: CATHOLIC MYSTICISM & THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF GRACE for FREE! https://bit.ly/3YVavb3

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We all need healing...every last one of us.

And the latest Art of Catholic Podcast episode explores a bit of a different, but powerful angle on the topic that can make all the difference when it comes to healing deep emotional wounds and finding true freedom.

Most Catholics are at least somewhat familiar with the idea of redemptive suffering.

It's what your mom was referring to every time you stubbed your toe as a kid and she'd tell you to "offer it up." 

Redemptive suffering takes place when we unite our own trials to Christ's through a simple act of the will and obtain graces for ourselves and others.

But have you ever heard of redemptive healing?

In my conversation with Catholic psychologist and Franciscan University of Steubenville professor Dr. Matthew Breuninger, we discuss what redemptive healing is and why approaching inner healing through a trusting relationship with God is the only way to make real progress.

We also hit topics like:

-The powerful role of forgiveness in healing

-How suffering mistakenly becomes normalized

-Why living for security robs us of freedom

-The difference between pain and suffering

-How we can experience freedom in Christ and still carry wounds. 

So if you or anyone you know has struggled to heal from interior wounds, this is an episode you don't want to miss.