"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?

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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.

“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?

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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.

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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.

“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?

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.

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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.

"Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being just what God wants us to be."
~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux

This Whole Life returns to its roots! In episode 46, Kenna is joined by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD, author of the seminal work that led to this very podcast: The Love That Keeps Us Sane: Living the Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.  Together, Kenna and Fr. Marc delve into the complexities of human nature and God's work in the midst of our messy thoughts, emotions, and relationships. As Fr. Marc explains, St. Thérèse of Lisieux is far more relevant to our 21st century experience than we might initially think.

In preparation for our upcoming book study (episodes 47 & 48) on The Love That Keeps Us Sane, Fr. Marc shares insights from his extensive psychological and spiritual experience, emphasizing the value of patience with oneself while working toward greater virtue. The discussion covers topics such as resisting the temptation to create a perfect persona, managing the balance between acceptance without complacency, and interpreting human experiences from a spiritual perspective. We live in a fallen, and often insane, world; it is the love of God lived through us every day that keeps us sane.

Fr. Marc Foley, O.C.D. entered the Discalced Carmelites in 1967 as a lay brother and was ordained a priest in 1981. He studied psychology at the Catholic University of America and continued on to receive a Master of Divinity. He later earned M.S. and CAS degrees in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College in Baltimore. Fr. Foley has served as a parish priest, a postulant director, a director of formation, and a professor. Fr. Marc is currently the prior of the Carmelite monastery in Washington, D.C., a spiritual director, an author, and the publisher of ICS Publications.

Get ready for our book study on The Love That Keeps Us Sane by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD: Order your copy here 

Episode 46 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introducing Fr. Marc Foley, OCD
11:13: Human nature in conflict with itself
17:48: Radical Acceptance without Complacency
23:01: Temptations as a path to virtue, not just vice
32:13: Pay attention to what you desire and you'll find out what you're avoiding
42:50: There's no step too big, but a step can be too small
50:12: How St. Thérèse's life speaks to us today

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that stuck out to you from this episode?
2. How have you experienced your own "human nature in conflict with itself"?
3. When have you been discouraged by your failures? When has God's grace broken through and consoled you in your despair?
4. How are your desires an indication of what you might be avoiding?
5. W

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.

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.”
~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux

The arrival of a child is an unspeakable gift and a grace for which to be thankful. But there can also be deeply painful moments during pregnancy and after the baby arrives. Millions of mothers know the hardship of postpartum depression, anxiety, distance from their spouse, disappointment, difficulty nursing, and the resulting shame. Is there anything we can do in the middle of such big, and sometimes surprising, challenges?

Dr. Lyndsey Day joins Kenna for a beautiful and deeply real conversation about the mental health challenges associated with pregnancy and the postpartum months. Dr. Day's faith allows her to journey with women as an OB-GYN in a way that is a ministry and a mission for the good of mothers and families. She and Kenna discuss the reasons that the postpartum period is so difficult, impactful options for offering healing & support to mothers, and the impossible expectations that women so often feel. Join us for an encouraging and consoling conversation that is hand-made for all mothers & those who love them!

Dr. Lyndsey Day received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Saint Ambrose University and her medical degree from the University of Iowa. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center just outside of Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Day has a passion for women's healthcare and thoroughly enjoys providing obstetric and gynecologic care to women throughout all phases of life. Dr. Day loves to garden and hike and be with her family. Dr. Day's husband and 6 children fill her life with much joy, many trips to Costco, a fair amount of life experience, a small menagerie that the kids are constantly trying to add to (currently includes 4 cats and a golden retriever), and so very much love.

Episode 45 Show Notes

For more information on help for postpartum depression, including support groups, visit postpartumdepression.org

Get ready for our book study on The Love That Keeps Us Sane by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD: order your copy here

Chapters:
00:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
11:24: OB-GYN medicine as a ministry
21:10: Dealing with disappointment in parenthood
26:47: Postpartum mood disorders
36:53: The place for medication & Giving yourself grace
50:24: Surrendering to God's will
53:58: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that stuck out to you from this episode?
2. Mothers, what was your pregnancy and postpartum experience like? What were the greatest joys and struggles?
3. What are some of the unfair expectations t

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.

"This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
~ John 13:35

It's time to be honest: we all have people in our lives that we don't particularly enjoy. Their personality or quirks might rub us the wrong way, or maybe we don't agree with their opinions or choices. They're not necessarily bad people, we just don't like being around them. And while we're being honest, we can also admit that we can be difficult to deal with ourselves. So what do we do, as Christians, when we don't like someone?

Pat & Fr. Nathan LaLiberte take on a heartfelt exploration of dealing with difficult people. They embrace the struggle of relatable hardships with family members, coworkers, and neighbors in a blend of faith, mental health, and the quest for constant charity and authentic joy. In drawing important distinctions between love and "liking" someone, and between kindness and "niceness", they highlight the Christian obligation to love challenging individuals. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on loving difficult people, and to embrace authenticity and patience in the process!

Episode 44 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Intro & This or That?
17:01: Defining "difficult people"
23:02: Christian love vs. "liking" someone
28:51: Examples of Jesus dealing with difficult people
39:42: Real life situations & choosing love
54:03: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that stuck out to you from this episode?
2. Being careful to avoid gossip or detraction, when have you found it difficult to be around someone? What did you recognize about yourself in that situation?
3. What are the differences between liking someone and loving them? How does the Christian understanding of these ideas differ from the world's understanding?
4. When have you been a difficult person in someone else's life? How might reflecting on those times help you grow in patience and mercy toward others?
5. Who is someone that you find it difficult to relate to right now? In what tangible ways can you love them by choosing their good?

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.

"Pure love is capable of great deeds, and it is not broken by difficulty or adversity."
~ St. Faustina

Do you have the same arguments over and over again? Are you frustrated by a lack of connection in your relationship? Is it possible to still be connected when you disagree with the person you love?

In this episode, Kenna and Pat Millea explore the transformative power of prioritizing Process over Content in communication and relationships. They delve into the significance of empathy and vulnerability in fostering genuine connection, especially during times of hardship or conflict. Through personal anecdotes from their own marriage, Kenna and Pat demonstrate the healing potential of empathy and authenticity in a relationship. The truth is that our arguments aren't really about the content: the thing that happened or what someone said. On a deeper level, our conflicts are about the process: how we were affected, and how badly we desire to be loved, known, and understood, even in times of conflict.

Join Pat & Kenna for a fun and fruitful episode and take the next step toward conflict that connects!

Episode 43 Show Notes

Chapters:
00:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
13:52: Empathy creates connection
22:24: Process over Content
28:59: Fostering connection by focusing on Process
41:15: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that is sticking with you from this episode?
2. What is a time that someone has truly empathized with you and worked to understand your feelings? How did that make you feel?
3. When have you fallen into the trap of prioritizing being "right" over fostering understanding and connection in a conflict? How might a focus on Process over Content have led to a different outcome?
4. When is it most tempting to get bogged down in content? How can you focus on process instead?
5. What is a first step you can make to prioritizing process over content moving forward?

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.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"
~ 1 Corinthians 6:19

"Why isn't my body different?"
"Why did God give me this particular body?"
"What if I feel frustrated by, or even hate, my own body?"

All of us have feelings & questions about the bodies that God has given us, and sometimes those feelings can become deep experiences of sadness, disgust, or shame; especially in a culture that idolizes only some appearances & body types. In this episode of This Whole Life, Kenna invites Megan Lawrence, LAMFT in that tender and crucial conversation to help shed light on the dark places of struggles with body image. Drawing on Megan's personal and clinical experience with eating disorders, they reflect on the meaning and purpose of the human body as God's gift for the good of his children. And informed by St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, they propose a stance of non-judgment as a path toward acceptance of your body as the beautiful and definitive gift that it is.

Megan is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.  Megan approaches therapy through an attachment-based, trauma-informed lens, and is trained in EMDR.  She has specific experience within eating disorder recovery. Megan received bachelor degrees in Studio Art, Printmaking and Drawing, and Art History from Drake University.  While serving four years as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Megan's passion deepened for accompanying others on their healing journey. She enjoys exploring art museums, thrift stores, and the outdoors.

Episode 42 Show Notes

If you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out for support. The National Eating Disorders Association is a great place to start.

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
10:45: Understanding body image & eating disorders
26:36: The power of the Theology of the Body
39:15: Gratitude for the body & acceptance of the body
50:08: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that is sticking with you from this episode?
2. What feelings do you have about discussing body image & your own body?
3. When have you had a difficult time seeing your body as a good & valuable gift from God? What experiences led to those difficulties?
4. Do you see the value of your body in its appearance (the way it looks), in its function (in what it can do), or as a gift (the simple fact that God gave it to you)?
5. How does God see & value your body? What do you imagine God wants you to know about your body?

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.

"...and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
~ Romans 5:5

So much of human life is marked by shame and guilt. We feel the weight of our mistakes, sins, and failures. Shame and guilt are both difficult to feel, but are they both bad? Do they serve a purpose? Do they drive us closer to God or farther from Him?

In episode 41 of This Whole Life, Fr. Nathan LaLiberte returns for a conversation that delves deep into the themes of shame, guilt, and our personal struggles with them. Together with Pat & Kenna, they reflect on the Biblical roots of shame and guilt and the ways that they each affect our spiritual lives & relationships. The discussion also touches on the factors that contribute to shame, the antidotes to shame, and the place that guilt holds in a healthy spiritual life. Despite the weighty topics around self-talk and self-condemnation, the episode is punctuated with lighthearted banter and humor, as you are invited to explore your internal monologue and to begin overcoming shame.

Episode 41 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
15:52: The origin & roots of shame
20:29: The ingredients of shame
24:49: The antidotes to shame
33:58: The value of guilt
42:53: Examples of shame vs. guilt
48:15: Challenge By Choice

Discussion & reflection questions:

1. How do you distinguish between shame and guilt?
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced shame and how it affected your self-image. What steps have you taken to address these emotions and move towards healing?
3. Consider the difference between guilt and shame in your own life. How do these experiences show up in your thoughts and actions? 
4. Explore the impact of internal dialogue on your emotions, behaviors, and relationships. How can recognizing and reshaping negative self-talk contribute to a healthier sense of self-worth and compassion for others?
5. When was a time that you brought a fear or humiliation into the light and shared it with another? What was the result of that process? What did you learn from it?
   
   

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.

"My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted."
~ Galatians 6:1

Why is it so tempting to speak harshly to the people that we love most in the world? How do we overcome this habit and speak with the gentleness that comes from the Holy Spirit?

In this final installment of their four-part series on Dr. John Gottman's 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse for relationships, Kenna and Pat discuss Criticism. They delve into the importance of clear behavioral requests, replacing criticism with positive interactions, and the concept of a "gentle startup" as the antidote to criticism in relationships & marriages. Drawing from their own experiences, they emphasize the detrimental effects of criticism on emotional connection and vulnerability. This episode offers an insightful and heartfelt exploration of emotional connection, personal growth, and the impact of communication dynamics in relationships - not to mention a heated discussion about popular musicians.

Join Pat & Kenna as they close their series on the 4 Horsemen, and get ready to embrace a more connected and joyful relationship!

Episode 40 Show Notes

Check out the first 3 episodes of the 4 Horsemen series:
Episode 14: Defeating Defensiveness
Episode 18: Tearing Down Walls & Building A Connected Marriage (on Stonewalling)
Episode 30: Conquering Contempt

Chapters:
00:00: Intro & a new music-related game
18:22: Highs & Hards
27:42: Explaining Criticism, the last of the Four Horsemen for relationships
42:03: The antidote to Criticism
50:09: Challenge By Choice

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.