The Simple Truth

12/12/25 - The culture around life is at a crossroads, and Catholics have a crucial role to play. In this video, we explore practical ways to defend life, influence society, and inspire a culture that respects the dignity of every human being—from conception to natural death. Learn how prayer, witness, advocacy, and bold action can help shift hearts and minds today. Join us as we discuss how each of us can be a part of changing the culture now.

12/11/25 - Join us for an inspiring conversation with Derek Rotty, author of Praying with Sacred Art: Pondering the Mystery of Redemption Through Visio Divina, as we explore how beauty draws the soul to Christ and how sacred art can become a powerful doorway into contemplative prayer. In this interview, Derek explains the roots of visio divina, the harmony of truth, goodness, and beauty in the Catholic spiritual life, and how sacred images can shape the way we enter into the mysteries of the liturgical year. He shares practical guidance for praying with art, approaching Scripture through visual meditation, and allowing sacred masterpieces to form the imagination toward holiness. Whether you’re seeking a richer prayer life, a deeper appreciation of beauty, or a new way to encounter the Lord, this conversation will help you see how sacred art can transform your devotion and open your heart to Christ.

Get the book: https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=praying-with-sacred-art&srsltid=AfmBOora-lGoU5A9U--CQSGUE8J2nJwiZOXWsYblZPcO6c9ZUrb0hjKH

12/9/25 - Nathan Loyd shares the remarkable journey that carried him from a childhood fascination with science to studying aerospace engineering at the University of Notre Dame, serving in the United States Air Force (where he continues to serve in the reserves), and ultimately becoming a lawyer defending life and religious liberty with the Thomas More Society. Nathan reflects on how God pursued him through each stage of his life, how his love for truth and the order of creation deepened his Catholic faith, and why he now uses his gifts to protect the Church and the most vulnerable. His story weaves together science, service, and steadfast faith, offering a compelling witness for anyone discerning God's call in their own life.

12/5/25 - We take an honest look at the crossroads facing the pro-life movement and why bold, unflinching leadership is now more critical than ever. With the Trump administration showing a willingness to cast pro-lifers aside, the need for powerful voices like Lila Rose and Kristan Hawkins has never been greater; voices willing not only to lead, but to lead loudly, consistently, and publicly without fear of political backlash. We discuss why their platforms, courage, and clarity are essential in a moment when many are staying silent, and why the pro-life movement cannot win without leaders who step forward, speak plainly, and refuse to back down. This is a call for the strongest advocates in the movement to amplify their voices even more, because the side with the boldest and most principled leadership will ultimately shape the future.

12/4/25 - Allan Parker, President of The Justice Foundation and former legal counsel for Norma McCorvey ("Roe") and Sandra Cano ("Doe"), returns to unpack the argument that abortion is fundamentally unconstitutional. Parker lays out the original meaning of the Constitution, explains how Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton were built on legal and historical distortions, and shows why the Supreme Court's own later rulings expose the weaknesses of those decisions. He also discusses the roles of due process, equal protection, and the rights of the unborn in building a clear legal case for life, while sharing The Justice Foundation's ongoing work to defend the most vulnerable.

12/3/25 - Brother Marcel Van, a Vietnamese Redemptorist known as the "Apostle of Love," grew up in a small Catholic village in northern Vietnam, where he experienced a profound personal conversion to Christ as a child. Embracing radical humility and mystical intimacy with God, he followed St. Thérèse of Lisieux's "Little Way," dedicating himself as the "heart of priests" through prayer, suffering, and love for the spiritual growth of others. Imprisoned after voluntarily returning to communist‑ruled North Vietnam, Marcel ministered to fellow prisoners and maintained unwavering faith under persecution until his death in 1959. His mystical visions, writings, and heroic witness continue to inspire, and his cause for beatification highlights a life of simplicity, love, and total self‑surrender.

12/2/25 - Jim sits down with Dr. Marie Meaney to discuss her book "When Expecting Doesn't Happen: Turning Infertility into a Journey of Hope." As a bioethicist, Dr. Meaney brings a wealth of knowledge on the ethical, medical, and spiritual dimensions of infertility and reproductive technologies. In this episode, she explores the journey of infertility and secondary infertility, how couples can navigate emotional and spiritual challenges, and ways friends and family can provide meaningful support. We'll also discuss natural fertility treatments, including NaProTechnology, and the potential risks and ethical concerns surrounding in vitro fertilization. Dr. Meaney offers insight into the theology of reproductive medicine, shares practical strategies for maintaining hope and resilience, and highlights how couples can find grace and spiritual growth even amidst the disappointments of infertility. This conversation provides a comprehensive guide for couples and supporters seeking understanding, guidance, and hope on the path toward parenthood.

12/1/25 - Dr. Joseph Meaney, Senior Fellow of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, examines the growing threats posed by artificial intelligence to human dignity, conscience, and the moral order. He warns that AI-driven technologies, if left unchecked, risk reducing human life to data, replacing personal responsibility with automated decision-making, and undermining the ethical foundations of medicine and society. Drawing on Catholic teaching, Dr. Meaney explains why a strong bioethical framework is essential to confront these challenges, defend the sanctity of life, and ensure technology serves humanity rather than dominates it.

11/26/25 - Maria Esperanza de Bianchini was born on November 22, 1928, in Barrancas, Venezuela, and from the age of five experienced mystical visions, including Thérèse of Lisieux appearing from the Orinoco River and giving her a red rose. At twelve, gravely ill, she saw the Our Lady of the Valley, who foretold her mission to "help save this world," after which her health was miraculously restored. Though she entered a convent in 1954, a vision involving a rose and the stigmata revealed her true vocation as a wife and mother, and she later founded Finca Betania, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared publicly beginning in 1976. Credited with extraordinary gifts—mystical visions, reading hearts, bilocation, and roses spontaneously emerging from her chest—she also founded the Betania Foundation to promote evangelization, family unity, and spiritual renewal. Maria Esperanza died on August 7, 2004, and in 2010 the Church formally opened her cause for beatification, granting her the title "Servant of God," leaving a legacy of faith, prayer, and divine intimacy that continues to inspire believers worldwide.

11/25/25 - Bishop Joseph Strickland unpacks his pastoral letter, "The Truth About Vatican II", revealing that while the Council was born from holy intentions, it was also shaped by human frailty and deliberate infiltration that has contributed to widespread confusion in the Church. He explains how many of Vatican II's ambiguous teachings have been twisted into a "spirit of rupture" that undermines the Church's timeless doctrine and calls for a hermeneutic of continuity, reading the Council through the lens of Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium rather than as a break in the Deposit of Faith. Bishop Strickland also reflects on his recent interactions at the annual USCCB meeting in Baltimore, where he boldly spoke out on pressing issues facing the Church and called for episcopal clarity on matters of faith, liturgy, and moral truth. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the need for reverent worship, fidelity to doctrine, and courageous leadership in an age of confusion.