The Christian Circle

In this episode, I talk to Deacon Ed Shoener about suicide. He explains: -What makes grief after suicide different from other forms of loss, and what do you most want survivors to know early on? -Many families and friends wrestle with “what if” questions and self-blame. How can people gently loosen the grip of guilt while still honoring their love for the person who die -Silence and stigma often surround suicide, even within faith communities. What does healthy, faithful accompaniment look like when someone is grieving a death by suicide—and what responses, even well-intended ones, can be harmful? -You emphasize that healing does not mean forgetting or “moving on.” How can survivors integrate this loss into their lives in a way that allows meaning, connection, and even moments of peace over time? -For listeners who may be walking alongside someone grieving a suicide—or who are grieving themselves—what practices of presence, prayer, or professional support do you most strongly encourage, especially in the months after the initial shock fades?

In this episode, I talk to Nickole Perry about burnout in ministry: She shares more about burnout in ministry life and what we can do to avoid it.

In this episode, Pamela talks to Dan Guernsey about catholic educational leadership. He explains: How do current leaders in Catholic schools experience this tension between managerial demands (budgets, staffing, curriculum) and the spiritual vocation of leadership? What practices or supports are needed to help leaders live into their vocation more fully? The importance of spiritual formation—in prayer, sacramental life, etc.—is repeatedly highlighted as essential to maintaining a strong Catholic identity in schools. In what ways are schools/dioceses currently providing for the spiritual formation of administrators and leaders? What barriers exist to implementing deeper spiritual formation, and how can they be overcome? What components should a professional formation program for Catholic educational leaders include, to ensure both fidelity to Church teaching and effective leadership? How might such programs be scaled or made accessible in dioceses with fewer resources? How can leaders ensure that policies, curriculum choices, staff hiring, and school culture all align with the mission of integral formation? Are there practices you’ve seen where the identity seems strong, or conversely, where it is weak or compromised? In what ways can church authorities better support the lay leaders entrusted with carrying forward the Church’s mission in schools?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Dr Celia Deane-Drummond, director of Laudato Si about the environment. She explains: - How can we reclaim a spiritual and sacramental understanding of creation that is rooted in Catholic tradition rather than ideology? - What are small but meaningful ways everyday Catholics can live out this theology at home, in the city, or even in an apartment. - How does understanding creation as a dynamic, evolving process change how we treat the earth practically? Does it affect how we view waste, consumption, or even farming? -What are three practical practices rooted in Catholic spirituality that someone can begin today to “care for our common home” without burning out or being scrupulous? - How does the Eucharist shape our relationship with the natural world? Can living a Eucharistic life influence how we shop, eat, and waste? - Which virtue do you think is most lacking in how we treat creation—and how can we cultivate that in daily life? - If a parish wanted to deepen its ecological spirituality beyond recycling bins and solar panels, what would you suggest they do—liturgically, catechistically, or communally?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Catherine DiNuzzo about A Catholic Response to Anxiety. She explains: -What inspired you to write The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety? -How did her faith shape that journey? -Why anxiety is such a widespread issue among Catholics today? -The role of prayer and the sacraments in healing from anxiety? -What’s the difference between redemptive suffering and unhealthy emotional suffering? -What are some specific spiritual practices for someone battling anxiety? -Confession as a healing tool for anxiety -How can Catholic parishes better support those struggling with anxiety? -What role should Catholic therapists play in the life of the Church today?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Dr. Jared Staudt about catechesis and the ministry of catechism. - What is this ministry of catechists and why is it important? -What traits should a person have to be a catechist? -How do we know God is calling us to this ministry? -What is the preparation process? -Can you tell us about time constraints and spiritual preparation required?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Melissa Presser about moving on after betrayal. She explains: i. What should our first response be when we have been betrayed? ii. How do we experience healing? iii. What steps should we take to healing? iv. How do you let go? v. How do you deal with the recurring anger and negative emotion?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Stephen Kass about the Easter season and how Easter should be our way of life. He explains: i. What is the significance of Easter? ii. Why should it be our way of life beyond fifty days? iii. How can we prolong the disciplines of lent going forward in our life? iv. What are some ways Easter has slowly changed your own spirituality?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Matthew McKenna about tithing and almsgiving. He explains: i.What does tithing mean and how much are we expected to tithe ii. What is almsgiving and how much is expected? iii. What about those in difficult circumstances or struggling financially?

In this post Pamela talks to Monica Walton about becoming a pro-life volunteer. She explains: i. What does volunteering with pregnant women involve? ii. What organizations are open to help and what kind of help do they need? iii. Is there any training required? iv. How has this affected her spiritually?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Nicholas A. Higgins about Becoming a missionary. He explains: What does missionary work involve? -How did you decide to do missionary work and how do people find a group that they can volunteer with? -What have you learned? How has it enriched you spiritually? -From your personal experience, what are the challenges of being a missionary? -What about financial provisions during the time you're volunteering, in terms of your own work and travel? -

In this episode, Pamela talks to Amy Smith about Jeremiah 29:11 and the plans God has for our life. She explains: i.What are the plans God has for us? ii. How do we know what these plans are? iii. How do we get over the old and start anew trusting God despite the past failures?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Scott G. Hefelfinger about the Jesse Tree tradition. He explains: i. What is the Jesse tree tradition involve? ii. What does Jesus's family teach us? iii. How do we get over the differences in our own families at Christmas? iv. What can we do at Christmas time to bridge and heal broken relationships?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Karlo Broussard about Purgatory. He explains: i. What is purgatory and what is the Scriptural evidence? ii. How does it still support the salvific role of Jesus and the doctrine of justification by faith? iii. Is there any evidence? iv. Why do we pray for people and purgatory and how to go about doing it.

In this episode, Pamela talks to Corinna Laughlin about Becoming An Extraordinary Minister. She explains: i. What is an extraordinary minister? Why is it an important ministry? ii. What are the characteristics of a good minister? iii. How do a person become one? iv. What are the challenges?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Joseph Curto about the power of an encounter. He explains: i. What is a true Jesus encounter? Can you give us some examples? ii. How can life change with an encounter? Why do we change? iii. What do we do to make this encounter happen? iv. How can parishes start their own ministry and find people to lead this ministry?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Kim Sullivan about lessons from Mary's motherhood. She explains: i. What are the challenges of Mary's motherhood? ii. What can Mothers learn from Mary about motherhood? iii.. What advice can you give mothers struggling right now as a mum? iv. What has gotten you through the difficult times of motherhood? Anything you would have done differently if you were telling your younger self?

In this episode Pamela talks to Kimberly Andrich about the Anima Christi and suffering. She explains: i. What is the Anima Christi prayer and how does it relate to your ministry? ii. What do we do when we are called to enter into suffering? iii. You mentioned being emptied by suffering. Can you explain this further? iv. Through your personal experience, how does suffering transform us?

In this episode Pamela talks to Christy Wilkens about discernment. She explains:- i. What is discernment and when do you use it? ii. What to do when we're grappling with indecision? iii. What do you mean by try for size? iv. Why peace?

In this episode Pamela talks to Kathleen Edelman about communication and temperament. She explains:- i. What is our natural wiring? ii. What are these colors that represent our personalities? iii. How knowing a color help us know how God wants us to be? iv. Can you give an example of improved communication with this concept?

In this episode, Ralph Martin talks to us about Advent and Is Jesus Coming Again? He explains: i. Is Jesus coming again? What is the evidence of this biblically? ii. Is he coming in our hearts or is He physically returning? iii. What are the signs of His coming & why should it matter to everyday Christians? iv. How do we prepare for His coming?

In this episode, Ann Gauger talks about: i. What is intelligent design? ii. What is the scientific evidence of the existence of God? iii. How is the human person distinct? iv. How do we understand the creation story? v. How did this shape your own conversion?

In this episode, Pamela talks to Eli McCarthy about being a non-violent peacemaker. He explains: i. What is a peacemaker and what is a non-violent peacemaker? ii. What steps do we take to become peacemakers given what's happening in the world, especially when everyone wants us to pick a side. iii. What is the single most powerful weapon we can wield as a peacemaker?

In this episode, Matthew Leonard talks about sainthood & mysticism. He explains: -What is mysticism? -Examples of mystics and their charisms. -Can everyday Christians become mystics and saints? -What role does have grace have? -How does the process of conversion take and how long? -Advice for those struggling on their path to "attain sainthood."

In this post, Duane and Carrie Daunt talk about being a man like St. Joseph. They explain - What is a model masculine man supposed to look like? Why is it important? -What are men supposed to lead and what qualities do they need to have? - What happens when they don't lead? How does St Joseph lead? -How can a man find out his mission? -When things get difficult, what should a man do or where should he turn?

In this episode, Debra Davis and Kelly Johnson talk about caregiving. They explain: -Caregiving can be very difficult in the long run, what should new caregivers keep in mind when they experience this role for the first time? -What are the 3 things they can spiritually do to strengthen their own faith? -We cannot do it by ourselves, how can we draw that extra strength from Jesus? -What last bit of advice can you give those who are struggling with caregiving right now and are at rock bottom, frustrated, tired and fed up.

In this episode, George Calleja talks about evangelizing through social media. He talks about: -Why should we evangelize on social media? -How do you do that? -What are the challenges of evangelizing via social media? -How do you deal with negative comments and insults? -How does one sustain the ministry and themselves in full time ministry?

In this episode, Johnny Bertucci talks about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the charisms of the Holy Spirit. He explains about the: -What is the CCR? -What are the charisms of the spirit? -How do we activate these gifts? -How should one live their daily life with the Holy Spirit? -How do we grow in the Holy Spirit and not stay stagnant with the gifts we have.

In this episode, Barb Roose talks about meditating on the Psalms for Lent. She explains: -Why do you need to participate in Lent actively? -How does meditation of the psalms help during Lent, what's the connection between this book and the life and death of Jesus? - How does one journey through the psalms for lent?

In this episode, Rev. Thomas Morrow talks about courtship in an oversexed world. He explains: -What is courtship? -What are the 4 Loves? -What are the steps of a chaste courtship? -What can singles do during their period of waiting?

In this episode, Donald Wallenfang talks about servant leadership. He explains: -What does it mean to be a servant? Why should we be servant-like? -What are the qualities of a servant? -How do we deal with our own ego? -What are some practical ways to be a servant?

In this episode, George Calleja talks about the 9th and 10th commandments. He explains: -What is the 9th and 10th commandment? -What is Concupiscence? What is its effect? -What are the steps we can take to purify the heart? -How do we deal with envy and how do we identify this area of covetousness in our life? -Does social media play a role in wanting our neighbor's goods and how do we deal with this?

In this episode, Hanael Bianchi talks about Christian unity and why we're so divided. He explains: -Why are we not united despite the fact that more and more people are coming to Jesus? -We are more divided than we have ever been politically, economically, racially, philosophically, why are we so divided in church over these matters and not rise above this? -At the moment, there's a lot of political disunity, what steps can we take to promote unity among our own churches? -How do we unite outside of our church with fellow Christians and non-Christians?

In this episode, Fr. Mark Nolette talks about the 8th commandment, thou shall not bear false witness. He explains: -What is the 8th Commandment? -What does it entail? -What steps can we take to encourage the virtue of honesty? -How do we deal with people lying to us?

In this episode, Charles Johnston talks about the 7th commandment, thou shall not steal. He explains: - What is the seventh commandment? - Why is stealing a sin? - What are the ways we steal? - How do we deal with it?

In this episode, Mike Landry talks about the 6th commandment, thou shall not commit adultery. He explains: - What is the sixth commandment? What are its two parts? Why is adultery expressly mentioned - What are the Other Sins Against Chastity Are Forbidden - How to obey the sixth commandment? Some means of practicing purity - What should we avoid? - What specific advice can you give to married people, singles, widows? - What does someone do if they have fallen short of this commandment?

In this episode, Dr. Ansel Augustine talks about the 5th commandment, thou shall not kill. He explains: -What is the fifth commandment? -Homicide, abortion, euthanasia. The big 3 violations of the 5th commandment. -What does respecting human dignity mean ?

In this episode, Mark Shea talks about the 4th commandment and what it means to honor your father and mother. He explains: -What is the 4th Commandment? -How do we honor our parents and how do we sin against this 4th commandment? -Why does it say we should honor and not love our parents? -What happens when we don't follow the 4th commandment? -What to do if we struggle with honoring our parents?

In this episode, Leon Suprenant talks about the third commandment and keeping the Sabbath holy. He explains: -What is the 3rd Commandment? -What does this commandment mean in a practical sense? -What are the two ways to remember the Lord's day and how do we sin against it? -Can you address the many scrupulous folks who will ask can I watch a game on Sunday or can I do x or y? Or others who will say my work is my meditation and so I work on Sunday etc.... -What do we lose by not keeping the Sabbath holy?

In this episode, Msgr. Charles Murphy talks about the spirituality of fasting. He explains: - Why do we fast during Lent? - What are the rules for fasting in Lent? There's a more relaxed view especially in the west that this isn't a norm...is that true? Is it necessary to just fast from food or from any idol that has taken root in our life? - How can we make fasting a spiritual experience? - What changes can we hope to see in ourselves by fasting? - What do we do when we encounter temptations?

In this episode, Dennis Sousa talks about the 2nd Commandment. He explains: - What is the 2nd Commandment? -How do we practice this commandment and keep God's name holy? -How do we sin against this commandment? -Can you address the frequent complaints that Catholics somehow have a different second commandment especially when it comes to graven images?

In this episode, Tricia Goyer talks about praying for your future spouse. She explains: -Why is it so important to pray for our future spouses? -How to pray for our future spouses? -What would you say to people who have been waiting a long time? -What can we do to prepare?

In this episode, Mr. Dennis Sousa talks about the first commandment. He explains: -What is the first Commandment? Does God lay these down Himself or is it an invention by people as some claim? -How do we practice the first commandment and put God first? -How do we sin against this commandment? -What happens when we don't follow the first commandment? -What are some of the uncommon idols in our life and when we identify them what do we do?

In this episode, Dr. John Bruchalski, MD, FACOG talks about abortion and contraception. He explains: -What is the Pro-Life Movement? -What really happens in an abortion? In contraception? How does this all contribute to the death of a human being? -What to say to the Catholics who claim to be a) pro-choice b) claimants that life begins nowhere at fertilization c) claimants who say this is a "life saving" procedure? -How can doctors like us fight the new bills being tabled by the government, say no, not give in to peer pressure, face the backlash and take a stand? -How do you deal with the aftermath of past actions? -What can ordinary people do to help with this movement?

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Vost talks about loneliness. He explains: -How being alone is different from loneliness -Why it is not good to be lonely? -How Christ teaches us to navigate loneliness

In this episode, Anne DeSantis talks about greed and generosity. She explains: -Why is greed a sin and what does God say about it? -How do we develop generosity since this is a gift of the Holy Spirit? -What steps can we take in being generous towards the poor and marginalized? -How can we give when we don't have enough ourselves?

In this episode, Tim Muldoon talks about how to reclaim family time. He explains: -How do we know the time we're spending with our family is not enough or good enough? -What are some rules for families? -What steps can we take to reclaim family time? -What happens if we don't do this? What's the danger? -What can we do once we've reclaimed that family time? What do we do?

In this episode, Dr. Brian Engelland talks about developing integrity and virtue in business. He explains: - Is it possible to be successful and have integrity? - Why is virtue important in business? - What are the 3 virtues required to run a business? - What steps can we take to develop integrity? - Where or to whom do we turn to when we don't know what to do and have to make ethical decisions?

In this episode, Patti Maguire Armstrong tells us about how to stop judging people. She explains: -Why is judging people a sin? What does Jesus say about it. -How should we not judge people? -What should we do if we're being judged unfairly.

In this episode, Sister Emily Beata Marsh tells us about St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She explains: -Who was St. Margaret and her early life? - What was the turning point in her life? -How did this Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus come about? -How she stayed faithful to Jesus despite the difficulties in her life. -What can we learn or how can we emulate this wonderful saint?