This Whole Life

"For God has willed that man remain 'under the control of his own decisions,' so that he can seek his Creator spontaneously, and come freely to utter and blissful perfection through loyalty to Him. Hence man's dignity demands that he act according to a knowing and free choice that is personally motivated and prompted from within, not under blind internal impulse nor by mere external pressure."
~ Gaudium et Spes §17

God, in His incredible goodness, has created each of us in His image and likeness. Because of that, every one of us enjoys the unspeakable gift of free will. We each have the power to choose, a sense of personal agency and volition. But in this fallen world, our awareness of our own free will comes with so many questions:

• Can we really be trusted with free will?
• Why does God allow us to choose evil?
• Do we still have free will when we feel like we don't have any choice, or when we feel constrained by expectations (others' and our own)?

The depth and power of our own free will lies in the kind of relationship that God desires with you, His precious child - a relationship that is free, total, joyful, intimate, and authentic. The Lord loves you perfectly and He calls you to respond to that love by choosing to love Him in return. It's in this free response of love that we find psychological health and spiritual wholeness.

Fr. Nathan LaLiberte returns to reflect on God's unfathomable gift of free will and how we, His children, can live in true freedom!

Episode 16 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'"
~ Romans 8:15

When someone has experienced separation or trauma, especially as a child, it can be challenging for them to feel safe in attachment with others. Yet, close connections are a powerful source of healing and wholeness for all of us, especially for those who have suffered. How can we step into connection and attachment, even - and especially - when it's difficult?

In this exceptional conversation, Ryan O'Hara invites us into his experience of fostering and adoption: his preconceptions, his journey of mental health & healing, his growth as a father and as a person, and especially his identity as a child of God. Whether or not you have personal experience with fostering or adoption, you'll see yourself more clearly through Ryan's wisdom and humility.

Ryan O’Hara serves as the Marketing Strategist for Saint Paul’s Outreach, a national Catholic organization that ministers to college students on campus. He is passionate about seeing Catholics come alive in Christ, grow to spiritual maturity and become apostles to the people in their life. Ryan has a B.A. in History from William Jewell College and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife Jill live in West St Paul, MN and are parents to four sons.

Episode 15 Show Notes

Visit Ryan's website to learn more about his blessed ministry

Check out Ryan's podcast - Better Preach - to grow as a Catholic, as a communicator, or both! (And you can start with Pat's appearance in Episode 21)

Follow Ryan on Instagram (@ryancohara) as well as Better Preach (@betterpreach).

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy.
~ Proverbs 28:13

Humans seek connection, and sometimes that connection leads to conflict.  What happens when that conflict doesn't lead to greater understanding and acceptance, but rather defensiveness and rejection?  Conflict can make our walls go up, we're stuck in a dilemma: trying to protect ourselves and missing out on the relationship all the while.

In this first episode on Gottman’s “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”, we define defensiveness and the sneaky ways it presents in our communication.  More importantly, we explore defensiveness's antidote and talk about how to live in greater humility and authenticity, as well as intimacy.

Join the conversation and get ready for your relationship to steadily grow & thrive!

Episode 14 Show Notes

More information on The Gottman Institute

More details on the Four Horsemen for relationships, as well as a helpful video explanation.

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted."
~ Matthew 5:4

Everyone has had experiences and feelings of grief and loss. Whether it's a person that we love, a relationship, a job, a dream - we all know the weight of having something or someone that we love torn away from us. This is a reality of our fallen, passing world: losing what we love is something we all go through. Death is a part of life. And it can be so, so hard.

How are we, as Christians, invited to deal with death and loss? Is it possible to be joyful and hopeful when we're feeling crushed by grief?

Join us for this beautiful, challenging, and deeply real conversation about the feelings and experiences of grief - how to fully embrace the grieving process and still live with a profound sense of hope and peace. We're so glad you're here with us!

Episode 13 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

"Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God. If the revelation of God through creation gives life to all who live upon the earth, much more does the manifestation of the Father through the Word give life to those who see God."
~ St. Irenaeus of Lyons

At the center of humankind's search for wholeness and holiness is the desire to become fully alive - truly present, richly aware, and thoughtfully loving in all circumstances. Yet, so many of us struggle with mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges that leave us living a partial life, a half life. How do we live completely and authentically so that God might be glorified through our witness? Our guest for this episode is the ever passionate and inspiring Paul J. Kim.

Paul J. Kim is one of the most sought-after Catholic youth & young adult speakers in America. The way he presents is a rare gift to witness and has impacted people of all ages in 48 states and in 16 countries over the past decade. Moving his audiences from laughter in one moment, to deep reflection and prayer in another; Paul utilizes his many talents (i.e. music – beatboxing, comedy, inspirational talks) to communicate the Gospel message of Christ to people in a way that is engaging, entertaining, and altogether life-changing.

Paul is the author of the best-selling A Catholic Guide To Adulting Online Course, he’s the founder of the Triumph Men’s Conference, he’s released two music albums, his videos have accumulated millions of views, and he presents to an average of 40,000 people a year at events throughout the world. His background includes a BA in Philosophy (Franciscan University of Steubenville), an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (Hope International University), religious formation with the Community of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal (NYC), and life experiences working as a therapist, missionary, and youth minister. He currently resides in Austin, TX with his beautiful wife and four children.

Episode 12 Show Notes

Check out Paul J. Kim's website here 👈🏻
Be sure to follow him on Instagram, YouTube & Twitter 👍🏻
Listen to Paul J. Kim's music on Spotify or wherever you listen to music 🎧

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

"The perfect Teacher of children became himself a child among children, that he might give wisdom to the foolish. The Bread of heaven came down to earth to feed the hungry."
~ St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Merry Christmas from This Whole Life! 🎄🙏🏻❤️💚

We are so grateful for your presence on this journey with us, especially during this season of the incarnation - God made flesh, the perfect model of integration.

May your Christmas season be filled with joy, peace, hope, and the blessings of Jesus Christ, who came into this world for our salvation and flourishing. You're in our prayers, friends!

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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 the Christian life, the Holy Spirit himself accomplishes his work by mobilizing the whole being, with all its sorrows, fears and sadness, as is visible in the Lord's agony and passion. In Christ human feelings are able to reach their consummation in charity and divine beatitude.
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church  §1769

If we are going to enjoy lives of peace and wholeness, it's imperative that we understand and embrace our emotions for the gift of God that they are. But emotions can be just so confusing and overwhelming! We all find ourselves asking questions like: "Why am I so emotional?", "Am I supposed to feel more strongly about this?", "It feels like my emotions are in control half the time!", "I know how I feel, but what am I supposed to DO about it?"

But the good news is that there is a healthy and holy way to acknowledge our emotions and to put them in their rightful place: as valuable information for the benefit of our holiness and flourishing. Join the conversation as we unpack the value and questions around feelings - you'll feel thankful you did!

Episode 11 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4

Every parent knows the frustration and anxiety that we feel when our children seem to constantly argue. And every parent also knows the difficulty of finding a way to respond that is loving and patient, and also correcting and guiding. Conflict is an inevitable part of this earthly life - the goal is not to make sure our children avoid conflict, but rather to coach them through disagreements with humility, charity, and hope.

In this episode, we take a look at why it's more effective to coach our children through conflict rather than to simply referee their arguments, and offer some practical thoughts on how to do this. You can help your children develop some amazing and powerful life-long skills of reconciliation and communication!

Episode 10 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." ~ C. S. Lewis

As we make our way through this earthly life, we experience a nagging ache or longing for something more. While we feel this ache even at the best of times, it's often in the midst of our deep human suffering and anxieties that we come to understand our soul's ache for God's perfect love.

Our guest for this episode is Ashley Cermak, a counselor, a former teacher & youth minister, and - as you'll hear in this episode - a single Catholic woman. Through Ashley's beautiful and vulnerable reflections on the particular aches that come with living as a single person in the Church, we can all become more aware of our own aches to be known and loved completely by our Father in heaven.

Join us for this powerful and deeply real conversation on disappointment, fulfillment, and meaning. You'll be glad you did!

Episode 9 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Join our email list and never miss an episode or an event

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.

“Everyone fails at who they are supposed to be, Thor. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.”
(Frigga, Avengers: Endgame)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most successful film franchises in history. But the popularity of these movies & series isn’t merely based on superheroes and quirky one-liners - it’s rooted in how effectively the MCU portrays the human experience, including mental health struggles of all kinds.

From Ironman to Avengers: Endgame and beyond, the MCU confronts us with mental health realities. Pat & Father Nathan discuss lessons we can learn by viewing them through a lens of faith. Be surprised by connecting with characters who - super strength and time-traveling aside - are actually a lot like us. Welcome to this fun and meaningful conversation! We could do this all day.

Episode 8 Show Notes

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us 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.