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In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld tackle some of the most common questions young people face about prayer and faith:

How do I handle distractions when I pray?

How do I know if I’m really following God’s will?

Drawing on personal stories and practical wisdom, they share simple strategies for staying focused in prayer, including repetitive prayers, creating sacred spaces, and welcoming everyday thoughts into conversations with God.

They also explore the deeper challenge of discernment—how to recognize whether a decision aligns with Christ’s will. You’ll learn why peace and joy are key fruits of the Holy Spirit, how to seek guidance from trusted friends, and how everyday spiritual conversations can strengthen your walk with God.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or anyone seeking to deepen your prayer life, this episode offers encouragement and practical tools for strengthening your relationship with Christ.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share with friends who might also be wrestling with prayer or discernment!

#CatholicPodcast #PrayerLife #Discernment #Faith #CatholicFaith #SpiritualGrowth #ThinkingFaith

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

01:24 Season Transition and Listener Questions

02:31 Questions on Prayer and Holy Living

05:04 Dealing with Distractions in Prayer

08:56 Practical Tips for Focused Prayer

12:08 Using Repetition and Rituals in Prayer

16:52 Understanding Vengeance and God's Role

17:17 The Power of Unloading Emotions to God

20:17 Creating a Dedicated Space for Prayer

22:59 Discerning God's Will in Decision Making

29:29 The Role of Trustworthy People in Discernment

32:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett Salkeld welcome Dr. Daniel Kuebler for a thoughtful conversation at the crossroads of faith and science. Together, they explore how evolutionary theory can be understood in light of Catholic teaching, drawing on insights from Pope Benedict XVI’s In the Beginning and St. John Paul II’s reflections on evolution. They also discuss how DNA evidence and the fossil record support evolutionary theory, while addressing the common misunderstandings students often bring to the conversation. More than a science lesson, this episode highlights how intellectual engagement can be a vital form of pastoral care—helping young believers grow in both faith and reason.

Discover Dr. Kuebler's newest book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism at Word On Fire: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/darwin-and-doctrine 

Find our faces on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RQ8hALckvs8 

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett Salkeld welcome Dr. Daniel Kuebler for a thoughtful conversation at the crossroads of faith and science. Together, they explore how evolutionary theory can be understood in light of Catholic teaching, drawing on insights from Pope Benedict XVI’s In the Beginning and St. John Paul II’s reflections on evolution. They also discuss how DNA evidence and the fossil record support evolutionary theory, while addressing the common misunderstandings students often bring to the conversation. More than a science lesson, this episode highlights how intellectual engagement can be a vital form of pastoral care—helping young believers grow in both faith and reason.

Discover Dr. Kuebler's newest book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism at Word On Fire: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/darwin-and-doctrine

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:03 Examples of Church Teachings

01:43 Biblical Interpretation and Evolution

07:12 Debate and Seeking Truth

10:39 Scientific Insights on Evolution

19:45 Human Evolution and Fossil Discoveries

21:06 Complex Evolution in Africa

21:51 DNA Sequencing and Human Evolution

23:26 Hybridization and Rapid Evolution

25:22 Fossil Evidence vs. DNA Evidence

28:50 Debating Evolution in the Church

29:53 Pastoral Need for Evolution Education

34:09 Integrating Faith and Evolution

36:26 Resources and Further Reading

39:43 Seasonal Podcast Format Announcement

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett Salkeld are joined by Dr. Daniel Kuebler, a biologist from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Together, they explore the complex but fruitful dialogue between faith and science, focusing on Dr. Kuebler’s work on evolutionary theory and its place within Catholic thought. The conversation also considers the limits and possibilities of academic debate—when it helps, when it hinders, and how we might approach difficult topics with both clarity and charity. Whether you're passionate about theology, science, or both, this episode offers a compelling invitation to reflect on how we engage with one another in the search for truth.

Discover Dr. Kuebler's newest book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism at Word On Fire: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/darwin-and-doctrine

Find our faces on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WqDygghQd8E

This week on Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett return to the mailbag with St. Jerome’s Parish in Hyattsville, Maryland for part two of their Q&A with their youth group. They dive into big questions like: Who goes to hell? Will we see loved ones in heaven? What happens at the end of time? With help from C.S. Lewis, St. Thomas Aquinas, and their own experience, they explore God’s justice and mercy, the danger of self-justification, and the beauty of eternal life as a journey of healing and discovery. A thoughtful, hope-filled conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett Salkeld are joined by Dr. Daniel Kuebler, a biologist from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Together, they explore the complex but fruitful dialogue between faith and science, focusing on Dr. Kuebler’s work on evolutionary theory and its place within Catholic thought. The conversation also considers the limits and possibilities of academic debate—when it helps, when it hinders, and how we might approach difficult topics with both clarity and charity. Whether you're passionate about theology, science, or both, this episode offers a compelling invitation to reflect on how we engage with one another in the search for truth.

Discover Dr. Kuebler's newest book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism at Word On Fire: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/darwin-and-doctrine

00:49 Meet the Hosts and the Guest

02:53 Dr. Kuebler's Background and Work

06:26 The Debate Controversy

14:32 Ideological Challenges in Debating Creationism

18:42 Navigating Debate Formats

19:15 Misconceptions About Evolution

21:28 Debating in a Catholic Context

23:06 The Role of Theology in Scientific Debates

26:46 Interpreting Scientific Data

29:01 Challenges with Young Earth Creationism

33:11 Teaching Evolution in a Catholic Setting

34:38 Conclusion and Farewell

This week on Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett return to the mailbag with St. Jerome’s Parish in Hyattsville, Maryland for part two of their Q&A with their youth group.

They dive into big questions like: Who goes to hell? Will we see loved ones in heaven? What happens at the end of time? With help from C.S. Lewis, St. Thomas Aquinas, and their own experience, they explore God’s justice and mercy, the danger of self-justification, and the beauty of eternal life as a journey of healing and discovery.

A thoughtful, hope-filled conversation you won’t want to miss.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:52 Discussing the Nature of Hell

04:27 The Danger of Self-Justification

09:31 Group Dynamics and Blame

12:39 Will We See Our Family in Heaven?

23:17 Understanding Divine Judgment

24:14 The End of Time: What to Expect

24:42 The Revelation of All Things

25:56 Justice, Mercy, and Final Reconciliation

32:50 Eternal Exploration and Discovery

41:23 Upcoming Topics and Viewer Engagement

In this lively episode of the Thinking Faith podcast, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett dive into some deep theological waters—guided by curious young minds from St. Jerome’s in Hyattsville, Maryland. What is purgatory really about? Can non-Christians be saved? Why do Catholics pray for the dead? With wisdom, wit, and a good dose of heart, our hosts explore these tough topics through the lens of Scripture, Catholic tradition, and reason—showing how God’s mercy is wider and deeper than we often imagine. Plus, get a sneak peek at some exciting changes coming to the show and future episodes on the mysteries of the afterlife!

Find our faces on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OBgmoKiXHEc?si=IS3ZGlCqqqkxbo4G 

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett Salkeld reflect on the surprise election of Pope Leo XIV and what his papacy could mean for the Church and the world. They explore his unique background, his thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation, and the qualities that make him a compelling spiritual leader. From social justice and church unity to the challenges of AI and global engagement, the hosts consider where this new pontificate might lead—drawing inspiration from the legacy of Pope Leo XIII and pondering the significance of an American pope in today’s shifting landscape.

Find our faces on YouTube: https://youtu.be/enQfhOhA-FE?si=LHB4kPVjYBJMljzk 

In this lively episode of the Thinking Faith podcast, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett dive into some deep theological waters—guided by curious young minds from St. Jerome’s in Hyattsville, Maryland. What is purgatory really about? Can non-Christians be saved? Why do Catholics pray for the dead? With wisdom, wit, and a good dose of heart, our hosts explore these tough topics through the lens of Scripture, Catholic tradition, and reason—showing how God’s mercy is wider and deeper than we often imagine. Plus, get a sneak peek at some exciting changes coming to the show and future episodes on the mysteries of the afterlife!

02:40 Shout-out to John Martino and St. Jerome's Youth Group

04:51 Discussion on Purgatory, Hell, and Heaven

22:03 The Nature of Purgatory

24:32 The Process of Moral Development

29:21 Purgatory in Popular Culture

34:53 Salvation and Non-Christians

42:17 Concluding Thoughts and Next Episode Teaser