This Whole Life

"But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help."
~ Ecclesiastes 4:10

How do I know if I need therapy or spiritual direction?
Why doesn't my pastor offer more counsel in confession?
Do I need to talk to a priest or a therapist - or both?

In episode 56, Kenna welcomes Fr. Nathan LaLiberte to delve into the nuanced interplay between confession, therapy, and spiritual direction. Together, they distinguish between these different, but sometimes overlapping, practices of spiritual & mental healing. Fr. Nathan shares his experience as a confessor and spiritual director, and now in school for counseling as well. Listeners are invited to evaluate how they seek spiritual and emotional guidance for the sake of their wholeness. Join us for an honest and clarifying conversation that's sure to help you know where to turn for support!

Episode 56 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
21:54: Defining Therapy, Confession, & Spiritual Direction
28:48: From confession to spiritual direction
37:17: Parish life as primary spiritual direction
44:41: Directing change & the various styles of spiritual direction
53:25: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What experiences have you had with confession, spiritual direction, and/or therapy?
3. How do you understand the differences between therapy and spiritual direction?
4. When have you had a powerful experience of healing? Was it in confession, therapy, spiritual direction, or somewhere else?
5. Which of these types of healing would you benefit most from right now?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
~ John 8:36

Is there hope for people who are stuck in addiction?
Is healing really possible for everyone?
If God really knows what I've done, how could he forgive me?

In episode 55 of "This Whole Life," Pat engages in a profound conversation with guest Scott Weeman, founder of Catholic In Recovery. Scott shares his personal journey through addiction and finding a path to recovery through faith and humility. He reveals the connection he identified between the 12 Step recovery process and the sacraments, shedding light on the universal spiritual truths embedded within them.

The dialogue delves into the significance of building a supportive community, reclaiming a sense of purpose, and finding hope amidst difficulty. Scott's insightful reflections and practical advice offer a beacon of encouragement to those navigating the complexities of addiction and seeking hope when things seem darkest. Join Pat and Scott on this transformative journey towards humility, recovery, and wholeness.

Scott Weeman is the founder of Catholic In Recovery and the author of The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments: A Catholic Journey through Recovery. Scott was born and raised in northeast Wisconsin, and after high school he attended college in New York City and his experience around drugs and alcohol started to spin out of control. After a series of unconventional events, he found himself seeking the mercy of the Lord through the Catholic community in San Diego. Scott supports others in their recovery by writing on a variety of Catholic and twelve-step topics, speaking at events, and developing one-on-one relationships with those seeking help. He enjoys a wide range of recreational activities including sports, cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, and relaxing over a pot of hot tea. Scott lives with his wife and children in Nashville, Tennessee.

Episode 55 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
10:13: Scott's story of addiction & recovery
21:57: Christianity & the 12 Steps
31:57: Facing & overcoming shame
41:51: The virtue of humility (and humiliation) in recovery
50:51: Finding joy & handling social situations in recovery
56:16: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What experiences do you have in common with Scott's journey of addiction and recovery?
3. In what ways do you, and those closest to you, struggle with freedom from addiction and compulsions?
4. What is one substance or behavior that you feel challenged to give up for 3 weeks in order to gain greater freedom?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens."
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Change is hard. Yet, it's something that every person experiences on a daily basis. How can something so universal be so difficult for us?

In this episode of This Whole Life, Pat and Kenna dive into the challenges surrounding life changes and transitions. So many clients bring their questions and struggles to them when they're facing changes, and the hosts take time to reflect on the ways they have handled changes well and poorly in their lives. They stress the value of seeking support and connection during times of change, emphasizing the need to communicate openly with loved ones. Through thought-provoking conversation and practical advice, this episode provides valuable guidance on handling life's transitions with grace and resilience.

Episode 54 Show Notes

Chapters:
00:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
14:24: Highs & Hards
19:42: Coping with change in a mentally healthy way
26:00: Real life transitions that we handled well & poorly
31:43: How to approach change in a healthy way
43:53: Why change is so hard
52:16: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What changes have you handled poorly in your life? What changes have you handled well?
3. How easily do you tolerate change?
4. What helps you to manage change in a healthy way?
5. What tips from this episode might help you manage transitions better in the future?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"There is a God close to us who calls us by name and says: 'Rise, cease your tears, because I have come to free you!'"
~ Pope Francis

Pornography, masturbation, sexual sin, and sexual addiction are not only problems for men.

In Episode 53, Kenna and guest Rachael Killackey confront the sensitive yet crucial topic of sexual sin and addiction among women through the lens of faith and mental health. The discussion addresses the complexities of female sexuality, the impact of "purity culture", and the essential role of women sharing and understanding each other's stories. The episode offers insights into the relational nature of women's hearts, the importance of parenting with both moral formation and humble openness, and the necessity of holistic faith-filled sexual education for children. Rachael also joyfully shares her journey of founding Magdala Ministries, the first of its kind in the Catholic Church, to support women struggling with sexual addiction.

This beautiful episode offers a step toward hope and healing for women burdened by sexual sin, and clarity for those who want to better love & support the women in their lives. Join the conversation and take the next step toward freedom and wholeness!

Rachael Killackey is the founder & executive director of Magdala Ministries and a Colorado native (depending on your definition of native). She earned her bachelors and masters degrees in Theology from Ave Maria University, and since first sharing her testimony in college, Rachael has had the privilege of hearing dozens of beautiful stories of healing from sexual addiction, and is pursuing certification in sexual addiction therapy. Rachael married her husband, Tommy, in 2021. They now live in Tampa, FL, with their daughter, where they enjoy the beach (almost) as much as they enjoy the mountains. Her book, Love in Recovery, is available through Ave Maria Press.

Episode 53 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:30: The origins of Magdala Ministries & Rachael's healing journey
20:10: Moving from addiction to openness & healing
27:49: Gender differences & purity culture
40:10: How can we help our daughters & granddaughters grow up in the age of pornography?
48:22: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. Do you think woman have been excluded from discussions around sexual sin? Why or why not?
3. What impact have you seen "purity culture" have on Catholic approaches to sex?
4. How can parents help prepare their children to confront pornography in a healthy and resilient way?
5. What kind of freedom has the Lord offered you in the face of sin?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"In your journey as a family, you share so many beautiful moments: meals, rest, housework, leisure, prayer, trips and pilgrimages, and times of mutual support…"
~ Pope Francis, Letter to Families, February 2014

Do you feel like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation?
Have you spent time and money on trips that leave you feeling disappointed & frustrated?
Do you have nightmares of children shouting "Are we there yet?" and arguments with relatives?

Family trips and vacations are sources of such deep joy and fulfillment, but they can also bring so much stress, anxiety, and conflict. What strategies & approaches would help you get the most out of trips with family and friends? On the heels of a cross country road trip with their 7 children to spend a week with extended family, Pat & Kenna share some practical ways to make family trips more fruitful and peaceful. From communication about expectations and hopes to embracing healthy boundaries and car entertainment, we welcome you into this relevant and practical conversation. Listen in and share your own traveling tips & tricks with us!

Episode 52 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Intro & This or That?: Movie edition
16:48: Highs & Hards
24:08: The joys & stresses of family trips
28:10: Communicating hopes & fears before the trip
35:51: Expectations & Boundaries on a trip
46:20: Final practical tips for trips
55:42: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What memories do you have of trips you took growing up? What parts of those memories are joyful or painful?
3. What do you appreciate about trips as an adult? What makes trips with family or friends stressful or difficult to manage?
4. Why do you take trips? What values of yours are attached to trips with loved ones?
5. How can communication about expectations and boundaries help create a more joyful trip?
6. What tips & strategies have made your family trips more joyful?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."
~ John 15:15

Friendship is one of the highest experiences of human life, but it can also be the source of some of our greatest pains and struggles. Why do we desire deep and abiding friendship? Are all friendships the same? What does the Lord desire in our friendships, and which friends are best for us?

In episode 51 of This Whole Life, Pat is again joined by guest Fr. Luke Marquard to delve into the complex and profound topic of holy friendships. They explore the various levels of friendship, the importance of deep connections, and the role of faith in nurturing meaningful relationships. Drawing from personal experiences and insightful reflections, they highlight the beauty of seeing others as gifts and the pursuit of heavenly glory within friendships. Fr. Luke shares valuable insights on the influence of virtue, intentionally seeking of like-minded individuals while allowing ourselves to be challenged and stretched by our friends. With heartfelt discussions on the challenges of loneliness, manipulation in relationships, and the importance of incorporating Christ as the center of it all, this episode offers invaluable guidance for listeners seeking to deepen their connections and appreciate the gift of true friendships.

Fr. Luke Marquard is pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in West St. Paul, Minnesota.

Episode 51 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Intro, Over/Under and Highs & Hards
16:19: Focus on Friendship
22:57: The Three Levels of Friendship
33:40: What does bad friendship look like?
40:06: The parish as a source of friendship
46:21: When it's hard to make good friends
58:19: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. Who are your best friends? What makes them so valuable to you?
3. Can you identify people in your life at all three levels of friendship? What feelings or reflections do you have about the people at those levels?
4. How might healthy recreation and solitude lead to better and deeper friendships?
5. What is the Christian vision of friendship, and how is it distinct from a more worldly version of friendship?
6. When has someone been a true friend to you, and how did it impact your life?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"It is not the soul alone that should be healthy; if the mind is healthy in a healthy body, all will be healthy and much better prepared to give God greater service."
~ St. Ignatius of Loyola

Why do I respond to things differently from others?
What can I do when I'm feeling overwhelmed?
How can I help my kids process & respond to the world around them?

Episode 50 brings an eminently relevant conversation between Kenna and guest Caitlin Russ, a trained occupational therapist. Together they bring out the importance of proactive strategies for managing sensory overload and daily stress, and the unique sensory responses of individuals in finding balance and well-being. Join Kenna and Caitlin as they explore the ways that God made our minds and bodies to receive sensory input, offering practical insights and strategies for navigating life's difficulties, transitions and various seasons.

Caitlin Russ is an Occupational Therapist who spent years working in a pediatric outpatient clinic and with older adults in transitional care. She is passionate about educating people about the benefits of occupational therapy especially as it relates to regulation and sensory processing, and she now utilizes her training in raising her children. Caitlin received her degrees in Psychology and Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame and went on to St. Catherine University for her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She currently resides with her husband, Sam, and their four, soon to be five, children in Inver Grove Heights, MN. They love spending time outdoors either at the baseball park or hiking.

Episode 50 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
9:06: What is occupational therapy?
20:48: Different people receive input differently
33:44: How do I respond when I'm overwhelmed?
49:25: Behavior can indicate needs
56:17: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. How do you know when you're feeling overwhelmed? What signs do your loved ones give you when they're feeling overwhelmed?
3. What kinds of sensory input are most likely to feel like "too much" for you and for those in your household?
4. How do you regulate your senses when you've taken in too much input? 
5. How could your sensory capacity be stretched to tolerate more input? What parts of your sensory profile in need of being accepted as part of God's design for you?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

"Through Sunday rest, daily concerns and tasks can find their proper perspective: the material things about which we worry give way to spiritual values..."
~ St. John Paul II

Sunday, the Lord's day, has a very particular purpose and call. But our world has diminished Sunday to look like any other day. How can Christians reclaim this part of their inheritance with reverence and rest on Sunday?

Dr. Michael Naughton joins this episode of This Whole Life to explore the significance of reclaiming Sunday as a day of rest, celebration, and fulfillment of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. Dr. Naughton emphasizes the deep human need for rest and receptivity on the Lord's day, reflecting on the consequences of neglecting the Lord's day in his own family and work experiences. The conversation delves into the complexities involved in reframing and reclaiming Sundays. In a fallen world this is a messy project, but it's one that holds deep value for our wellbeing and for the health of our families. Join us as we explore the transformative power of honoring the Lord's day and unlocking the gifts that God desires to give us every Sunday.

Dr. Michael Naughton is the director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where he holds the Koch Chair in Catholic Studies and is a full professor in the department of Catholic Studies. He also taught in the College of Business for over 20 years. Author, co-author and co-editor of 12 books and monographs and over 60 articles, his most recent book is What We Hold in Trust: Rediscovering the Purpose of Catholic Higher Education (2021). He serves on multiple boards including as board chair for Reell Precision Manufacturing, which has plants and offices in the US, Europe and Asia and the board of trustees at the University of Mary and Catholic Eldercare.

Episode 49 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
8:08: Why Sunday matters
21:05: What happens if we get Sunday wrong? What happens when we get it right?
33:28: Making the worthwhile sacrifices to reclaim Sunday
42:57: A well-ordered life starts on Sunday
55:48: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. How do your Sundays look right now?
3. What are the ways that you currently honor the Lord's day? How are you feeling convicted to be more faithful to the Lord's day?
4. What would being a "technosabbatarian" look like for you? How can Sunday be a day of distance from screens and social media?
5. What sacrifices would you need to make in order to reclaim Sundays? How do you envision the graces from those sacrifices spilling over into your week?
6. What is one way that you can better keep holy the Sabbath this coming Sunday?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“It is the love of God dwelling in our actions that makes us whole. It is love that keeps us sane.”
~ Fr. Marc Foley

It's the grand finale of our book club! In Episode 48, Kenna, Pat, and Fr. Nathan LaLiberte wrap up their discussion on The Love That Keeps Us Sane by Fr. Marc Foley. Together, they reflect on moments of conviction, the essence of love as our primary vocation, and the interwoven nature of holiness and sanity in everyday life. From personal anecdotes to spiritual insights, the trio navigates the challenges of showing true charity, letting go of expectations, and embracing the beauty of ordinary moments.

It's appropriate that, in approaching a great saint who sought to do "small things with great love," we consider this small book with such great opportunities for transformation. Join the conclusion of this transformative journey as we all uncover the profound impact of living a life grounded in charity and authenticity. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us!

It's never too late to join our book study on The Love That Keeps Us Sane by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD!
Order your copy here 

Episode 48 Show Notes

Did you miss Part 1 of our book study? Check out Episode 47 here.

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
10:43: Chapter 4: The Sanity of Loving Freely
23:11: Chapter 5: The Divine Perspective of Charity
31:10: Chapter 6: An Attended Life, an Authentic Life
43:03: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one specific thing that you're taking away from this book study?
2. How does the concept of being gentle with oneself and embracing "more littleness" resonate with your own experiences and reflections on life?
3. Do you see the concern with "becoming a saint" as a focus on my efforts rather than on God's grace & mercy? What do you see as the defining goal of your life?
4. How do you view love as your primary vocation in life, and how does that perspective influence your daily interactions and decisions?
5. When is it most difficult for you to see people and situations with God's perspective? How might you see with the eyes of God more consistently?
6. How might you apply the concept of right care (attentiveness in the doing) over wrong care (worry about the outcome) in your spirituality, relationships, and pursuits?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

“Her ‘little way’ was her means of holiness, and it was also what kept her sane.”
~ Fr. Marc Foley

It's book study time! At long last, Kenna and Pat are joined by Fr. Nathan LaLiberte to delve into the thought-provoking spiritual gem, The Love That Keeps Us Sane: Living the Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD. Drawing from the psychological and spiritual genius of St. Thérèse, they discuss the interplay between sanity and sanctity as a fruit of humility, the value of silence, and the complexities of human relationships. The conversation covers the perils of external validation, the significance of personal agency, and discerning what to share with others.

As the trio reflects on the opportunities and struggles of seeking sanity and sanctity in a broken world, the conversation offers illuminating insights that touch on the intersection of faith, mental well-being, and everyday life. Join them in the pursuit of authenticity in spiritual practices.

Be a part of our book study on The Love That Keeps Us Sane by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD: Order your copy here 

Episode 47 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:51: Intro to The Love That Keeps Us Sane
26:01: Chapter 1: The Secrets That Keep Us Sane
37:12: Chapter 2: Finding Her Way
53:41: Chapter 3: The Sanity of Silence
1:06:56: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What are your previous experiences and impressions of St. Thérèse of Lisieux? Is this book showing you a new side of her?
2. Fr. Foley says that Thérèse "had the genius of knowing how to love others without becoming entangled or enmeshed in their problems." When are you able to love like this? When you do you struggle to love without becoming enmeshed?
3. How would you distinguish between bad secrets that lead to shame and the "secrets of the King"? How do you decide whether to give someone access to your interior life?
4. Thérèse lived in complete commitment to humility, even anonymity. How are you motivated by fame & being validated by others? What would greater humility look like for you?
5. What do you think of Thérèse's personal motto, "the loser always wins"? How can such a counter cultural motto lead to greater sanity & sanctity for you?
6. How do you decide whether to speak your mind or to remain silent? What motivations, values, and consequences do you consider when making that decision?

Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!

Thank you for listening! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Check us out on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.