Father Rocky and his co-host Maggie welcome listeners and families from across the country to unite in prayer. 

Maggie opens by sharing an update on Sophia, the young girl from Minneapolis who had been shot and left in critical condition. Listeners had been storming heaven for her recovery, and now her family is calling her progress nothing short of a miracle – Sophia is awake, alert, and healing. Father Rocky reminds you to keep her in prayer and to invoke Our Lady, Queen of Peace for our country. 

One of the most touching calls of the night comes from 11-year-old Cyrus in Minnesota. With a mix of youthful honesty and deep faith, he prays not only for his brother’s torn ACL and safety while riding dirt bikes, but also for the conversion of heart of the man who assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Father Rocky also encourages Cyrus to always wear his helmet, laughs with him about sports loyalties, and praises his big-hearted prayer intentions.

Join us for the Family Rosary Across America every weeknight at 7p CT on Relevant Radio. You can catch up on past episodes and stream live on Relevant Radio+. It's real people, real voices, lifting up real prayers together before God.

Patrick Conley sits down with Fr. Joseph Johnson, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota, for a thoughtful conversation on the Sacrament of Confession. Some Catholics might admit that one of the hardest parts about confession is walking in when you don’t feel perfectly sorry for your sins. Can the sacrament still “count” if your contrition isn’t perfect? Be sure to listen to the entire episode here!

Fr. Johnson explains that confession is about recognizing our need for a Savior. Drawing on Scripture and the words of Pope Francis, he reminds you that we can only rejoice in Christ as Redeemer once we acknowledge our own sinfulness. He compares it to a lifeguard: if you’re safe on the shore, you don’t feel the need for rescue – but if you’re caught in a riptide, you immediately see why a lifeguard matters. The same is true of Christ’s mercy in the confessional.

A caller from California raises a powerful question: what happens if you approach confession without a firm intention to change your sinful lifestyle? Isn’t that hypocritical? Fr. Johnson acknowledges the Church’s teaching that a “firm purpose of amendment” is needed for a valid confession. But he also clarifies the difference between perfect contrition (sorrow out of love for God) and imperfect contrition (sorrow because of fear of consequences or simply recognizing that sin is wrong). The good news, he says, is that God accepts even our imperfect contrition in the confessional. Just stepping into this sacrament shows that grace is at work in the heart.

Fr. Johnson encourages you not to give up when struggling with repeated sins or discouragement. Even if we fail again, what matters is the willingness to try, to keep coming back, and to place our hope in God’s grace. He reminds you that this is a Jubilee Year of Hope, and that confession is one of the most powerful ways to renew that hope. Like St. Paul, who asked God to remove the “thorn in the flesh” but was told, “My grace is sufficient for you,” we too can trust that God’s mercy will never run out.

Patrick also shares a personal reflection on his own confession, admitting that even he often asks God to help him be more fully sorry. That honesty, he says, is itself part of the journey – because God is willing to take whatever we offer, however imperfect, and transform it with His love.

This episode offers encouragement to anyone hesitant about confession, reminding us that the sacrament is about being faithful, returning again and again to the God who forgives.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Are you struggling to repair the bond with your brother or sister? Drew brings on Dr. Matthew Breuninger, Catholic father, psychologist, and therapist, to unpack the world of sibling relationships.

Drew points out how shockingly common estrangement is among adult siblings. 1 in 3 of us has gone through it at some point.

Dr. Matthew Breuninger says: “The reason why siblings are estranged can be due to a variety of factors."

-Old rivalries 

-Hurt feelings nobody talks about

-Who got what when mom died 

-Religion and politics

-And just plain taking each other for granted

“You Have to Nurture the Relationship”

Breuninger makes a really solid (and convicting) point:
We put in tons of effort to keep up with our friends, but we act like siblings are just automatically supposed to stay close forever. It doesn’t work that way.

He says parents should intentionally teach their kids how to be friends, not just roommates who grew up in the same house. Things like:

-Making them repair fights, not just brush it off

-Encouraging them to ask each other real questions

-Creating chances to hang out and bond 

Love doesn’t grow unless you water it, even in families.

Ryan (from Arizona)

He went through a painful divorce and now feels like his brother (and sister-in-law) have shut him out. He’s Catholic; they’re not. He feels like he’s being judged for being “too religious.” 

Breuninger gives this gentle but bold advice:

-Ask for a one-on-one conversation.

-Use “I feel” language, not “You did” accusations.

-Be honest: “I miss you.”

-Acknowledge the awkwardness and let them talk too. Even if you don’t share faith, you can still have fun together.

Angie (from Utah)

Her husband and his brother haven’t spoken in 3 years. His brother converted to Judaism and things got heated when her husband tried to evangelize... a little too aggressively. 

Breuninger’s take:

-Be Catholic, but don’t weaponize it.

-It's okay to stand firm in truth, but don’t forget humility and love.

-Even if you’re only 2% at fault in the argument, own 100% of that 2%.

-Start small. Send a letter. Share a memory. Remind them what you used to have together.

He says you can reawaken love with shared stories. 

Hurt Happens, But Healing Is Possible

Relationships get messy. People grow, change, argue, drift. But the pain isn’t the final chapter. You can be the one who reaches out. You can choose humility and vulnerability.

Give God some room to work, and don’t be afraid to go first.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Image via Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has left a deep wound on America’s pro-life movement. For many, his death represents not only the loss of a bold leader but also a reminder of the cultural battles going on across college campuses and within American public discourse. On Morning Air, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, shares her reflections on Kirk’s pro-life legacy, his Christian witness, and what his martyr-like death could mean for the future of the movement.

A Life Lived in Defense of the Unborn

Charlie Kirk truly became a powerful voice for the voiceless. Known for engaging students head-on about abortion, Charlie often used straightforward questions to cut through rhetoric: If it’s not a baby, what species is it? If it’s human, why does it not deserve human rights?

These simple but convincing arguments won him admiration from pro-life advocates and opposition from abortion supporters. His voice helped mobilize a generation of students to stand up against what he called “the culture of death.”

Kristan Hawkins recalls that her friend’s public witness was rooted not just in politics but in faith:

“He had just spoken about his Christian faith minutes before being shot. I believe Charlie died a Christian martyr,” Hawkins said.

Students Cheered His Death

Hawkins reveals the unfortunate reality of how divided the culture has become. She was on a Montana campus under her group’s “Prove Me Wrong” banner when she received the news of Kirk’s shooting.

When she told a group of pro-choice students what had happened, they cheered.

Her experience went viral online, seen millions of times. She says it proved why the message every human life is valuable must be proclaimed louder than ever.

Erika Kirk: Carrying the Torch

Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, gave her first public remarks after her husband’s assassination, vowing that the mission he began would not die.

“You have no idea the fire you have ignited within this wife,” she said. “The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

Kristan emphasizes that Charlie Kirk’s personal life - his devotion to Erica and their two children - is just as important to remember as his public ministry. “He wasn’t just a defender of life on stage,” she says. “He was a husband, a father. That humanity has to be at the center of this movement.”

A Surge of Young People Stepping Up

In the wake of the assassination, Students for Life of America has been flooded with requests from students eager to start new pro-life chapters. Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk’s organization, has reported the same.

Churches across the country also reported unusual numbers of young people filling pews in prayer services after his death.

“It feels like God is using this horrific tragedy as a turning point,” Kristan Hawkins says. “We have to come back from this. We cannot allow that Wednesday to be the low point of our nation.”

Faith as the Foundation of the Pro-Life Cause

At first, Charlie was a little reluctant to discuss pro-life issues, but Kristan describes how she watched him grow stronger in both faith and activism. It was a truly inspiring thing to see. He also began to see the beauty of the Catholic Church due to his wife Erika's influence. Catholicism and the pro-life movement certainly go hand in hand. 

“When we started Students for Life, people told us not to bring religion into it,” she says. “But you can’t explain why human beings are valuable without God. Only faith can give that answer.”

That is why the group’s 2025 national campus tour is titled Every Human Life Is Valuable. Hawkins says their mission is to explain that worth comes not from politics or convenience, but from being created in the image of God.

The Legacy of Charlie Kirk

For Kristan, Charlie's pro-life legacy will be measured not only in speeches or campus debates but in the ripple effect of lives changed. “Charlie was recognized at the National Pro-Life Summit as a Defender of Life,” she said. “But there are countless things he did for the pro-life cause that the public will never know about.”

His witness continues to challenge Christians to courage. His death, though tragic, may spark a new generation of leaders ready to proclaim the dignity of life at every stage.

“Every day I wake up, it feels like a nightmare relived,” Hawkins admits. “But then I see students saying, ‘I’m Charlie Kirk now. I’m going to speak out.’ That gives me hope.”

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

We mourn Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated while speaking on his “American Comeback Tour.” Charlie's loss has shaken not only his family, wife, and two young children, but also countless Americans who followed his work in defending life, liberty, and free speech.

To process this tragedy, Drew welcomes veteran political commentator Ed Morrissey. Together, they reflect on Charlie Kirk’s role as a fearless advocate for conservative values and civil discourse, particularly among college students. Charlie was known for stepping directly into hostile environments and inviting tough questions. He thrived on debate, not violence. He believed that even sharp disagreements could sharpen minds and ultimately serve the truth.

“This was a man of words, a man of ideas,” Ed Morrissey explains. “Charlie Kirk wanted to engage, not attack. And yet someone decided that instead of arguing with him, the only answer was a bullet.”

The conversation turns toward the deeper cultural crisis that made this tragedy even a possibility. Both Drew and Ed point out that America is losing the art of civil discourse. Instead of listening, people shout. Instead of reasoned arguments, many resort to rage. Ed argues that decades of ideological indoctrination in schools and universities have left young Americans not well prepared to defend their own views or respect opposing ones. Without the tools to argue thoughtfully, too many default to anger – and in extreme cases, to violence.

Social media, Drew and Ed agree, has only made the situation worse. It amplifies division, rewards outrage and validates extremist views rather than fostering dialogue. In this environment, the peaceful exchange of ideas – something Charlie Kirk devoted his life to promoting – has become increasingly rare.

We need to recommit to respectful engagement, teach the next generation how to think rather than what to think, and to remember the inherent dignity of every person – even those on the opposite side of an argument.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination stands as a grim warning, but also a call to action. If Americans want to preserve free speech, protect democracy, and honor the memory of those like Charlie Kirk who gave everything for truth, then we must recover the lost art of civil discourse.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On this special episode of The Family Rosary Across America, Fr. Rocky and Maggie brought the joy of prayer to Ss. Peter and Paul in Naperville, Illinois, for a beautiful birthday celebration in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church was filled with parishioners for Mass, radiant music lifted hearts, and sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows. Afterward, the community gathered for the Rosary, heartfelt prayer intentions, and even birthday cake and ice cream for Our Lady. You can listen to the entire episode here. 

Among those who shared intentions was longtime parishioner Diane, who has been part of the parish for 45 years. She prayed for lawmakers to defend the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, as well as for the health of newborn Baby Cal. Young Jonathan, dressed in his Sunday best, offered prayers for families, friends, and especially for mothers and fathers to be pleasing to Jesus in the Eucharist. His brother Ethan prayed for Pope Leo XIV, bishops, and priests – that they would remain healthy, happy, and blessed with abundant graces as they serve Christ and bring the sacraments to the faithful.

This special “birthday party for Mary” was a vivid reminder of how the Rosary unites families and parishes in faith and joy across America.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Image via Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.

On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick opens up about the heartbreaking assassination of Charlie Kirk and the deep sense of loss felt by his family, friends, and so many Americans who admired his courage. He shares his own meditation – borrowing the style of a reflection once written by an Italian actor about his own unborn son – laying out what he “would have liked” Charlie to experience if his life hadn’t been cut short.

I Would Have Liked Charlie to Have Those Years

by Patrick Madrid

Charlie Kirk should have had decades still ahead of him. He should have been 
given the time to keep sharpening his voice, to build up the next generation with 
truth, and to keep defending the values he believed in. Instead, his life was cut 
short by an assassin’s bullet.

And so, I find myself saying and praying what I would have liked.
I would have liked to hear Charlie grow even stronger in convincing people of the 
truth.

I would have liked his powerful intellectual and rhetorical gifts to have matured 
into something even stronger than what we had already seen. He was only 
beginning to reach his stride as a commentator and cultural leader, and I would 
have liked to see how far he could have gone in the service of the truth.
I would have liked him to be steady at his wife and family’s side through every 
storm. He was a young man, with small children at home and so much more to 
live for. 

I would have liked him to live to see those children grow tall, to walk with them 
into adulthood, and to bless them on their wedding days.
I would have liked him and his wife Erika to grow old together, to enjoy the 
sweetness of a long and happy marriage. 

I would have liked him to live long enough to hold more children in his arms, if 
God had granted them, and then to see grandchildren playing at his feet. The 
beauty of a life fully lived, one that was stolen from him, and from them. And 
from us.

I would have liked Charlie Kirk to keep writing, keep speaking, keep encouraging 
and building the courage of the young men and women and so many others who 
listened to him and looked up to him. 

I would have liked him to grow old with a seasoned strength, gray in his hair, and 
the wisdom that comes from long experience. A blessing from God.

I would have liked him to keep walking beside this hurting, polarized, uncertain 
and faltering country, reminding us that conviction matters more than applause
and that the truth is always more powerful than lies. 

I would have liked to watch him carry that conviction across the decades, 
becoming not only a voice of youthful fire but of seasoned wisdom for the ages.
And above all, I would have liked Charlie to have lived long enough to see his 
family grow in peace – to grow old with the woman he loved, to rejoice in his 
children’s lives, and to one day welcome his grandchildren. That is what he was 
robbed of. That is what his wife and children were robbed of. And that is what all 
of us, who valued his presence in the public square, were robbed of yesterday.

Charlie Kirk had so much more to give. Only God knows how much more. 
He should have been allowed to see those years through. Instead, his voice was 
silenced suddenly, and we are left with the ache of what might have been and the 
memory of who he was and why he did what he did to help others.
I would have liked him to live out the story God had written for him. 
I would have liked us all to have been given those years with him among us, years 
that were stolen, when Charlie still had so much left to give

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Doug Hinderer lays out 15 traits every wife longs to see in her husband – and how men can grow into them. From emotional support and respect, to humor, patience, and responsibility, Doug unpacks the qualities that strengthen love and build lasting trust in marriage. If you want to hear what traits men are looking for, you can listen to Hour 1 and Hour 2 here! 

Here are the 15 traits women want most in their husbands: 

-Emotional support – listening, paying attention, and being present

-Respect – gratitude, kind speech, and affirming her dignity

-Humor – keeping joy alive and building connection through laughter

-Honesty – admitting mistakes and being trustworthy

-Dependability – following through on promises and vows

-Affection – small gestures of love, from holding hands to saying “I love you”

-Patience – staying calm and understanding, even when it’s difficult

-Ambition – working hard for the family and for personal growth

-Kindness – putting down the screens and showing thoughtfulness

-Shared values – alignment on faith, family, and what truly matters

-Good communication – talking without blame and using healthy dialogue

-Loyalty – protecting and defending her, even when others criticize

-Flexibility – adapting to life’s changes and striving to grow as a man

-Support for her independence – cheering her on in her dreams and successes

-Responsibility – sharing the load, keeping promises, and living a life of service

Doug reminds men that their vocation is to serve their wives and families with consistency and joy. He makes it clear that responsibility, loyalty, and flexibility are daily habits that make marriage stronger and holier.

If you’ve ever wondered, what does my wife really need from me? – this podcast episode gives you a clear, faith-based roadmap for becoming the husband God calls you to be.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Timmerie shares a powerful story about traveling with her newborn son and being asked a surprising question: “Miss, is he expensive?” That moment opened the door to a bigger reflection – what does it really cost to raise children, and what actually matters most in parenting?

Cultural headlines claim it takes nearly $29,000 a year to raise a young child, but Timmerie challenges that myth. She explains that raising kids doesn’t require luxury strollers, designer nurseries, or endless activities. Instead, the true “cost” of children is not money – it’s the gift of time, presence, and love. Parenthood is about embracing the sacrifice and joy of raising children with faith, generosity, and simplicity.

She also brings up how raising kids is a visible witness to others. Whether your children are peacefully sleeping in a carrier or throwing a tantrum in the grocery store, the way we live parenthood can make it look approachable – or impossible – to a world that is increasingly unfamiliar with family life. For Catholics, this is also a chance for quiet evangelization, showing that family life is not only doable but beautiful, even in its hardest moments.

Timmerie reminds you that what really matters in raising children is not the dollars in the bank but the quality of our presence, the discipline we lovingly provide, and the sacramental life we share with them. Marriage and parenthood, she says, is the boldest risk of our age – and the most rewarding.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, a listener named Deedee writes in with a dilemma many Catholic parents will recognize: what do you do when your spouse wants to give the kids smartphones, but you believe it’s a serious mistake?

Deedee shares that her husband buys each child a phone as soon as they start seventh grade. Patrick’s response is direct – giving kids smartphones at that age is a terrible idea. He explains that it exposes children to pornography, social media pressures, cyberbullying, and a wide range of dangers they are simply not ready to handle.

Patrick compares it to cigarettes or alcohol. Those substances may be legal for adults, but society restricts them for children because of the harm they cause. In the same way, Patrick says he would gladly sign a petition banning smartphones for minors. To him, it’s just common sense.

At the same time, he recognizes the dynamics of marriage. A husband may have a leadership role in the family, but that role should never be used in ways that harm the children. Patrick encourages Deedee not to stay quiet, but to voice her concerns calmly, respectfully, and consistently. He suggests gathering real research and examples that highlight the risks of smartphones, since many parents assume, “Nothing happened to me, so my kids will be fine.”

His advice is simple but firm: don’t give up, don’t stay silent, and make sure your children know you are standing guard for their good. Patrick even invites Deedee’s husband to call into the show to hear his perspective directly.

In the end, he reassures Deedee that – even if her husband never changes his mind – her children will know their mother stood up for them.

This episode hits home for any parent asking the big question: Should kids have smartphones? Patrick Madrid’s answer is clear – put your children’s protection first, and never be afraid to raise your voice with love.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.