The Walk

In this episode of The Walk, I share with you a conversation I had with someone who was wondering what the point is of reading books when you probably have no time of life left to do anything with the knowledge you gain?

And what's the point of reading altogether?

I share why I try to read 150 books this year, how I manage to read so many books and how the reading process affects me on various important levels.

Check out my book reading challenge here: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/50362078

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Ever notice how some days the hum of a leaf blower or other background noise can be more aggravating than others? I explore how my own tolerance for these everyday sounds can fluctuate, and how it reflects my level of sensory regulation (or disregulation and overload).

The Impact of Overstimulation

In a world filled with constant distractions, it’s easy to find ourselves overstimulated, which can lead to irritability and stress.

Growing up, I was taught to be productive every moment, a habit that led to my own state of chronic overstimulation.

During my recent trip to Ireland, I experienced this firsthand as I adapted to new surroundings daily. Even sleeping in hostels brought sensory overload, with unfamiliar sounds, background music and social interaction.

Finding Relief Through Decompression Techniques

Coming home, I focused on winding down through sensory decompression techniques. Noise-canceling headphones, calming music, and scheduled time to reset became essential.

I also found that the Pomodoro Technique, paired with realistic prioritization, helps me manage my tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

Calming Activities: Audiobooks and Low-Effort Gaming

Reading is another outlet—particularly audiobooks, which I listen to at different speeds based on what I need. I also turned to cosy, low-effort videogames, which have become valuable ways to unwind without guilt. I've learned how much relaxation is crucial for mental well-being.

The Power of Social Connection

Although I’m more introverted, being around others—even without active interaction—brings a sense of calm. My running group has been a great help in maintaining that balance.

Rational vs Irrational Thoughts

I share some ideas from a particularly insightful book I read this weekend (check out my Goodreads review). I realized how I've already been applying the method described in this book for a while now, which helped me work through strong emotional reactions and catastrophizing thoughts and replace them with rational perspectives. This shift has had a profound impact on managing emotional overwhelm and staying grounded.

I hope that by sharing these experiences and the methods that helped me, this episode can help you reclaim calm amid life’s noise as well.

After a month-long hiatus, I'm back with a new episode of The Walk! During my time away, I traveled to Ireland to explore the rich Catholic tradition and the influence of the early Celtic saints.

This trip was also a personal quest for me, as I normally like to have everything planned out. But this time, I decided to let go of my fear and just dive in, and I'm so glad I did.

The time away gave me a chance to reflect on the direction of my two public podcasts - The Walk and The Break.

For The Walk, I plan to keep the same format of taking listeners on a walk with me and discussing life's challenges and how faith can help guide us.

For The Break, I'm rebranding it as "Geek Priest" to better align with my love of movies, TV, and all things geeky. I'm also going to focus each episode on a specific topic that I'm passionate about, and add some random topics in the second half of the show.

One of the stories I want to share with you today is about the monastic site of Glendalough in Ireland. This place, founded by St. Kevin in the 5th century, endured many hardships over the centuries, including Viking raids and political upheaval.

But through it all, the main tower at Glendalough has remained standing as a symbol of God's enduring presence and the resilience of faith.

It's a powerful reminder that no matter what challenges we face, or how anxious we sometimes feel, God will never abandon us.

Get early access to my video course on the Celtic Saints by supporting my work with a donation: https://fatherroderick.com/celticsaints

I'm embarking on an exciting journey to Ireland to delve into the lives and wisdom of the men and women who played a crucial role in the evangelization of Europe.

By signing up for my new course, you can join me on this adventure!

In this course, I'll reveal how the teachings of these Celtic saints can enrich your personal life, deepen your faith, and help you find balance and inner peace.

I tell you all about it in this new episode of The Walk.

Don't miss out—my journey begins this week, and I'd love for you to be part of it!

Sign up and learn more about the course at fatherroderick.com/celticsaints

In this episode, I talk about the paralyzing effect of self-limiting thoughts and how they can hold us back from achieving our dreams.

Whether you're starting a new career, launching a creative project, or just stepping out of your comfort zone, those inner doubts can be overwhelming.

I share personal stories from my journey as a priest and coach and I offer practical advice on how to push past the fear and take that first step.

Key Takeaways:

Quote of the Episode:

"I think I can do this because I’ve never done it before." — Pippi Longstocking

Links:

Subscribe & Review:

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I just finished writing and publishing my newest book, "Tales of Power - A Guide to Epic Storytelling".

In this episode of The Walk, I share with you a behind the scenes look at my creative process.

The book is a journey into the art of storytelling, inspired by the timeless works of J.R.R. Tolkien. It delves into the transformative power of narrative, teaching you how to weave your messages into compelling stories that captivate and engage.

Through my unique storytelling method, you'll learn to craft narratives that hold your audience's attention from beginning to end.

The book is rich with over 150 short stories and story prompts, offering a treasure trove of inspiration for your own storytelling endeavors.

Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just beginning, "Tales of Power" provides the tools and insights to elevate your communication through the magic of epic storytelling.

Keep an eye on my newsletter for information on how you can get a copy of the book!

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Imagine discovering one day that you’re immortal, destined to live for centuries, outlasting everyone you know and love. How would you feel about that?

It’s the premise of the 1986 movie Highlander, where Connor MacLeod, a Scottish Highlander born in the 16th century, learns he’s one of a rare few who can only die if beheaded.

As he navigates centuries of conflict with others like him, he’s forced to grapple with the loneliness of outliving everyone he holds dear. There’s talk of a reboot starring Henry Cavill—Superman himself—taking on the role of this timeless warrior.

Queen

When Queen's iconic guitarist, Brian May, was asked to write the title song for the original movie, he composed the haunting "Who Wants to Live Forever?" This powerful song dives into the heart of the matter: Is eternal life on earth truly a gift if it means watching everyone you love eventually fade away?

This question is timeless and resonates through other stories, like J.R.R. Tolkien’s tales of Beren and Lúthien, and Arwen and Aragorn. In these stories, the immortal elves choose to sacrifice their eternal life out of love for their mortal partners. They’d rather face death together than endure the endless loneliness of living forever.

Bittersweet

Recently, I spoke with a parishioner in her nineties who shared the deep loneliness she feels after outliving all her family members. Her story brought home the bittersweet truth of our finite existence. While we might not like to think about it, acknowledging that our time on earth is limited can help us cherish the moments we have and the relationships we build even more.

Tolkien

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us,” Gandalf wisely tells Frodo in *The Lord of the Rings*. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, many of us feel the constant pressure to be productive every moment of the day, often leading to burnout. Are we truly making the most of our time? Are we investing it in what genuinely matters, or are we simply running on a treadmill of others’ expectations?

Legacy

In my latest podcast episode of *The Walk*, I explore how reflecting on the legacy I’ll leave behind motivates me to live more intentionally. It’s led me to let go of the things that don’t truly matter, making space for what lasts.

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Thanks for reading! Let’s make the most of the time we have.

— Fr. Roderick Vonhögen

What I love about my work in television and online is that it brings me into contact with so many different people from all ages and backgrounds. It helps me to constantly broaden my horizon and to keep learning and discovering.

In this podcast, I talk a bit more about my work as a TV host and interviewer and I share some thoughts about my future travels.

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In this episode of The Walk, I'm sharing with you my recent experiences at the Castlefest fantasy festival. Some visitors I met showed surprise when they discovered that I'm a real priest and not cosplaying as one.

What brings so many people to events like these, and why does there seem to be a revival of neo-pagan rituals visitors engage in? And what do I think about this as a catholic priest?

Check out my new video course about Storytelling if you want to learn how to become a better storyteller and share your message through stories online, in public speaking or when sharing your faith.

With a one-time donation of €99, you get access to 2 months of lessons and you help me produce more of these courses. Follow this link to sign up: https://fatherroderick.com/storytelling

Now that I am back home, I am looking back on what I learned during this first month that I've been living and working abroad as a 'digital nomad'. It has been a very positive and productive experience, and there is one thing I learned that I value above all other aspects of this trip...

Join my new community that replaces this Patreon community and get access to many new perks and features: https://fatherroderick.com/join (after signing up, you can stop your Patreon support; you will be able to access this podcast through a new personal feed on the new website).

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