This Whole Life

"But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight."
~ Luke 10:33

How can I better support my loved one who suffers with mental illness?
What is the Church's place in caring for those with mental illnesses?
Is it possible to choose my responses instead of just reacting?

In episode 90, Kenna & Pat welcome Beth Hlabse, program director of the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at the University of Notre Dame, for an honest conversation about loving and supporting people with mental illness. Drawing on personal stories, professional expertise, and Catholic teaching, the episode explores the complexities of mental health through the lens of accompaniment, compassion, and community. Beth shares practical wisdom for churches and families, highlighting the importance of seeing the gifts and goodness of every person beyond their diagnosis, setting healthy boundaries, and moving from reactive to responsive support. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own biases and discomfort, discovering pathways to deeper empathy, hope, and belonging—especially in faith communities. Whether you’re walking this journey yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers encouragement and tangible steps toward stronger, more healing connections.

Beth Hlabse is the program director for the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. As a mental health counselor, Beth has provided therapeutic care for adolescents and adults with histories of trauma and adverse child experiences. Beth graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2011 and she obtained her masters in clinical mental health counseling from Divine Mercy University. Beth and her husband Pete live in South Bend, Indiana.

Episode 90 Show Notes

Reflection Questions

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
18:40: Acknowledging my past to inform my future
29:00: Loving others in the midst of mental illness
42:07: Isolation: a cause and effect of mental illness
54:03: Healthy boundaries in relationship with others with mental illness
59:01: Challenge By Choice

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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.

When do you know that you're meant to marry someone? How much do you ever really know?? 

Mike & Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project share the story of their friendship, dating, and discernment with loads of wisdom for anyone at any stage of their vocation journey.

Support the show

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

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

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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.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish."
~ Proverbs 29:18

Why do my spouse and I fight over such trivial things?
How can we be more connected in our marriage?
How do we create a vision of hope for our family?

In episode 89 of This Whole Life, hosts Kenna & Pat Millea welcome Mike & Alicia Hernon, founders of the Messy Family Project. Together, they dive deep into the importance of building a shared vision for marriage and family, exploring the transformative power of intentionality in daily life. The Hernons share candid stories from parenting ten children and offer insights into their Family Board Meeting — a practical tool for couples to step back from the daily grind and realign on what truly matters. From handling sibling conflict to fostering lifelong bonds within the family, the conversation balances vulnerability, laughter, and actionable wisdom. Listeners will learn how vision shapes family culture, hear guidance for spouses who bristle against setting a family vision, and find inspiration to move beyond survival mode toward thriving family life. Tune in for heartfelt advice, hope, and encouragement from two couples passionate about faith and family.

Mike & Alicia Hernon are co-founders of the Messy Family Project, a ministry dedicated to empowering moms and dads to embrace their sacred calling. Before launching the ministry, Mike was Vice President of Advancement at Franciscan University and host of Franciscan University Presents on EWTN. He holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s in Business Administration. Alicia has a degree in Education and is the founder of Mary Seat of Wisdom Classical Community.

Parents of ten children and grandparents to eight, the Hernons have made their home in Steubenville, OH for the past 30 years.

Episode 89 Show Notes

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:42: Setting a vision for your family
23:31: Hopes for the future to impact the present
32:26: The Family Board Meeting
43:50: What if one spouse doesn't want to do a Family Board Meeting?
55:12: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. Do you have a vision for your family? Can you and your spouse both articulate that vision to your children & others?
3. What daily issues are most likely to get you stuck in the urgent instead of the important?

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.

Every parent has bad days, but some of those bad days become great stories over time.

Especially when there's a literal fork in the road.

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.

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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 you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him quietly and simply."
~ St. Francis de Sales

What is wrong with me that I feel so overwhelmed sometimes?
Why do I freeze up and struggle to process stress?
How can I get back to my authentic self and respond instead of react?

In Episode 88 of This Whole Life, Pat & Kenna dive deep into the concept of the “Window of Tolerance” — a foundational model for understanding emotional regulation and navigating stress. Blending faith and mental health insights, they explore how our window of tolerance shapes daily reactions, especially during times of stress or change. Kenna breaks down Dr. Dan Siegel’s model, describing the differences between living within and outside our window, and offering practical strategies for getting back to our authentic self. The hosts share personal stories about family, parenting, and marriage, making the science relatable for listeners. They discuss how to expand your window, respond with compassion (to self and others), and why reflecting on your patterns is a game-changer. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed and seeking practical, soul-nourishing ways to regain balance, this episode is both insightful and encouraging.

Episode 88 Show Notes

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:38: What is the Window of Tolerance?
22:55: The place of authentic choices & actions
30:36: Getting back in my Window of Tolerance
38:22: Growing in resilience & expanding my Window
52:56: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What do you think of the Window of Tolerance model? How do you see it in your life?
3. What pushes you out of your Window? How do you know when you're above or below the Window of Tolerance?
4. How do you get back in your Window when you find yourself outside it?
5. What does God have to say about the moments when you're overwhelmed and outside of your Window of Tolerance?

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.

People have different ways of approaching the holidays and holy days.

Even people who are sacramentally vowed to one another.

And sometimes that's really tricky - but pretty funny in retrospect.

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.

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."
~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Is it really possible to stay sane around the holidays?
What if I have real baggage from past holidays & celebrations?
How do I hold onto my values when the routine is thrown out the window?

In episode 87 of This Whole Life, Pat and Kenna dive into the highs, hards, and heartfelt moments that come with holidays and celebrations. Together, they explore personal and family traditions, sharing how their values influence everything from birthdays and wedding anniversaries to Easter and Christmas. The discussion goes far beyond surface-level festivities, unpacking how expectations, family dynamics, and even past baggage shape our experience of these moments. You'll hear practical wisdom about communicating needs, honoring boundaries, and keeping faith at the center of every celebration—even in the midst of chaos. Whether it’s prioritizing family, embracing compromise, or creating meaningful new traditions, this episode is full of relatable stories, smiles, and actionable strategies for navigating the busiest—and sometimes hardest—times of the year with both sanity and sanctity.

Episode 87 Show Notes

Chapters:

0:00: Intro & Blind Top 10
15:57: Highs & Hards
22:39: Principles of sane celebrations & holidays
35:56: Concrete approaches to sane celebrations (The Millea Way)
50:48: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Which holidays are most difficult for you?
3. When have you compromised with others about a holiday or celebration? What was that experience like for you?
4. When have you held onto your most central values during a celebration? When have you sacrificed a higher value for the sake of a lower value?
5. How can you identify and communicate your hopes and fears of an upcoming holiday with a loved one? What do you hope they understand about you?

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.

What a difference a year can make.

You'll be wowed by Fr. Nathan LaLiberte's story of conversion and vocational discernment, going from occult practices to the seminary. 

Who in your life needs to hear Fr. Nathan's story? Take one moment to share it with them.

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 all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Why is it so easy to feel entitled?
How am I supposed to be grateful when things are so flawed?
Does gratitude really make a difference?

In this episode of This Whole Life, Pat, Kenna, and recurring guest Fr. Nathan LaLiberte dive deep into the transformative power of gratitude. They explore why gratitude isn’t optional for Christians, how it supports both mental health and spiritual maturity, and the enemies that rob us of gratefulness, including entitlement, criticism, and the difficulty of embracing imperfection. Through honest anecdotes, practical challenges, and engaging dialogue, the hosts tackle tough questions: Can gratitude coexist with the desire for improvement? How do we teach gratitude to children or grow it in ourselves during times of suffering? Tune in for real-life stories, wisdom from theology and psychology, and a hands-on exercise to nourish your own spirit of gratitude. Whether this season finds you stretched thin or overflowing, you’ll leave with fresh perspective and practical ways to cultivate thankfulness.

Episode 86 Show Notes

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
15:38: Gratitude is an obligation of the Christian life
20:47: Gratitude requires living in reality
25:30: Feeling entitled & denying the justice of gratitude
32:02: Practices to embrace gratitude
38:40: Focusing on the things I do have instead of the things I lack
49:23: Final thoughts on gratitude
52:12: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. Do you agree that gratitude is required for Christians?
3. What makes it difficult to be grateful?
4. Can you recall times when you (or those around you) fell into an attitude of entitlement rather than appreciation? How did that impact you and others?
5. What are some ways you can foster a culture of gratitude within your family, workplace, or friend group — especially with children or people who may not naturally notice their blessings?

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.

"Monsignor James Shea stopped using email in 2013."

What?!

In this inaugural Storytellers episode of This Whole Life, hear about this University president's story of deleting his email entirely: his reasoning, what he's learned, and what you can gain from his story.

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.