The Family Room

Guest: Anna Sonoda, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and psychotherapistLicensed therapist and child safety expert Anna Sonoda returns to share her book, “Wait…That’s Weird:  Spotting Strange Behavior Together.” As the mother of five whose early career took her into prisons, Anna is determined to give us a toolbox to help protect our most vulnerable.  She breaks down complex ideas into catchy, memorable acronyms. For example, “predators run on G.A.S. – grooming, access, and space,” is easily taught to both adults and children. Anna shares her four stages of grooming as the “4F formula - flattery, favoritism, forbidden fruits, and fear” and teaches how we can spot a predator by explaining the difference between smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Anna’s enthusiasm gives us hope. She smashes myths by teaching the “Trojan Horse Tactic,” explaining that predators don’t burst through the gate, but work hard to become friends. Instead of focusing on “stranger danger,” she shares that studies show 90% of harm is caused by someone they know and trust. In Anna’s own words, “It’s time for prevention to lead the conversation. No parent should reach for help and realize they weren’t warned. I’m building a movement so families can recognize grooming, intervene early, and protect with confidence.”Guest biography: Anna Sonoda has experience in trauma recovery, mental health counseling, grooming education, and child abuse prevention. Educated at Emory University with a BA in Anthropology & French Studies and a Master’s in Social Work, Anna has been licensed since 2009. She has done clinical work with convicted sexual offenders, domestic violence offenders, and dual diagnosis clients and has presented at regional and national conferences. Anna practices in Atlanta, Georgia, and her work bridges research, clinical practice, and real-world solutions that parents and caregivers can use right away.  Resources:Anna Sonoda's websiteDownloadable resources (PDFs) and booksAnna Sonoda on SubstackAnna Sonoda's blogArticle: "A child’s protection from grooming and abuse shouldn’t depend on geography" "Duck Duck Groom" episode of The Family Room with Anna Sonoda (aired Dec. 21, 2022) "Duck Duck Groom: A Guided Journal" episode of The Family Room with Anna Sonoda (aired Oct. 9, 2024)Grooming Laws 2026: A 50-State Comparative Table: Grooming / Enticement Statutes

Guest: Fr. Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy UniversityRaised in suburban Maryland, Fr. Charles Sikorsky attended Catholic schools and followed the cultural trend of drifting away in college. An accomplished basketball player who went on to law school, he experienced a gut check upon the sudden death of a former teammate. Realigning his vision, Sikorsky left a productive law practice to join the priesthood as a Legionary of Christ. Ordained in 2002, he received several prestigious degrees before being elected president of Divine Mercy University (DMU) in 2007.  DMU meets needs not addressed in other university settings. Located in Sterling, Virginia, DMU is an institution of higher education offering graduate degrees, continuing education, and certificate programs focusing on the renewal of the Catholic-Christian intellectual tradition. DMU is dedicated to the scientific study of psychology with a Catholic understanding of the person, marriage, and the family. It offers a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Psychology, a Doctorate in Counselor Education Supervision, and a Master of Science in Counseling. Their certificate programs, such as their Center for Spiritual Direction, Foundations of Advanced Clinical Supervision, and Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies, provide accessible, high-quality formation to help students reach their next level.  Guest biography: Fr. Charles Sikorsky, L.C., has devoted himself to growing Divine Mercy University’s place in academia, the Church, our nation, and the world. A canon and civil lawyer trained in philosophy and theology from Baltimore, MD, Fr. Charles earned his law degree from The University of Maryland School of Law after obtaining a B.A. in political economy from The Johns Hopkins University. Upon entering the seminary, he earned degrees in philosophy and theology from the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University and a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was a proud member of the 1982 national champion basketball team at his high school, Calvert Hall of Towson, MD. Fr. Charles was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on December 24, 2002, by the now-Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. Fr. Charles resides in Ashburn, VA, with his community of the Legionaries of Christ. He is an avid sports fan and supports his hometown teams, the Ravens and the Orioles.Resources:Divine Mercy University website

Guest: Juan Perez, Salesforce Chief Information Officer AdvisorIs artificial intelligence, or AI, today’s equivalent of the Tower of Babel - the deliberate attempt by man to create a world that doesn’t need God? AI gathers unlimited data, stores it indefinitely, and retrieves it as needed. It processes information, but doesn’t understand the meaning behind it. It generates patterns, but doesn’t seek truthful statements. Since it has no soul, it’s not morally accountable for its output. What could go wrong?  Having been born to Catholic immigrants who fled Cuba in 1963, Juan Perez is acutely aware of the pitfalls of living without God. He entered the workforce during AI’s infancy and quickly realized not only its power, but also its potential for disaster. Like all technology, bad actors can abuse AI, and Perez set out to ensure there would be guardrails to help people avoid them. For example, he believes people need to know where the data comes from, and that their privacy remains private. Is the information manipulated or biased?As Catholic parents and grandparents, we must encourage our families to use AI responsibly, not run from it. Perez lays out a Catholic vision focusing on the opportunity to use Catholic social teaching as a framework for AI ethics.  Guest biography: Juan R. Perez is a Salesforce Chief Information Officer Advisor, previously serving as the Salesforce Chief Information Officer until his retirement in 2025. He joined Salesforce in 2022 following a thirty-two-year career in engineering and information services at UPS, where he served as Chief Information Officer and Engineering Officer from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Perez is a director of Wabtec Corporation and serves on the advisory boards of the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California and the School of Business at Georgia Tech. He holds a B.S. in Industrial and System Engineering from the University of Southern California and an M.S.in Computer and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Southern California.  He and his family live in suburban Atlanta.  Resources:Juan Perez’ PRAYER FOR TECHNOLOGY:Loving Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus – Way, Truth, and Life.  Bless the use of our family’s technology to you. Bless the technology we use each day.  Bless our phones, the apps we use, our text messages, our posts, our photos, and our every conversation.  Bless our computer, the work we do on it, the games we play, the email we write, the email we send, and the YouTube videos we share. Bless our iPads, our iPods, our Kindles, our NUCs, our Game Boys, and our Nintendos. Bless our keyboards and remotes, our WiFi, our televisions, our media viewing, and our media sharing. Thank you for having inspired humanity to discover all the new technology that we use for conversation, for friendship, for family communication, for work, for enjoyment, for education, and for our spiritual uplifting. You created everything for us as we are for Christ.  Many of these inventions; may they be the ones that give You glory and help bring peace to humanity.  Amen

Guest: Peter Herbeck,  Executive Vice President & Director of Missions, Renewal MinistriesAfter describing how God healed his father of alcoholism, Peter Herbeck explains the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us. It was his sister who first began to attend prayer meetings which created an atmosphere for God to change their hearts. Her insistence on the family’s prayerful intercession helped their father achieve lifelong sobriety.  Peter has spent the last several decades teaching others about the power of the Holy Spirit. He is among many who believe we are at a critical crossroad. America enjoyed a Judeo-Christian world view since its inception, stressing the dignity of humanity. The last hundred years have seen a steady collapse, encouraging people to dictate their own Truth by denying sin and God’s very existence. What concerns Peter most is the clear trajectory down Satan’s path to hell, with the promotion of evil as good and good as evil. Beginning with the acceptance of birth control and then abortion, it was inevitable that the Enemy’s next step would be the romanticizing of euthanasia as the most compassionate option for pain. What kind of legacy will we leave our children and grandchildren if we can’t teach them how to defeat Satan’s lure under the disguise of compassion?Guest biography: For more than thirty years, Peter Herbeck has been actively involved in evangelization and Catholic renewal throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Peter is the co-host of the weekly television show, The Choices We Face. He hosts the daily radio show Fire on the Earth and is a frequent conference speaker. Peter co-authored the book, "Lessons From the School of Love: Cultivating a Christ-Centered Marriage," with his wife, Debbie. He has also authored "When the Spirit Comes in Power, When the Spirit Speaks," and numerous booklets and is a frequent contributor to Renewal Ministries’ popular YouTube channel. Peter and his wife, Debbie, have four children and twelve grandchildren, and reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Resources:Renewal Ministries websiteBooklet: Does God Judge? Video "Assisted Suicide and the Culture of Death"

Guest: Kevin Wells, journalist, author, and speakerWhile poor role models wring their hands at the downward cultural spiral, author Kevin Wells sees an urgent need for heroic lives in the public square. Although raised in a strong Catholic family with 10 children, Kevin’s faith became lukewarm. Attending a retreat at 40, God grabbed Kevin by the scruff of the neck, convincing him the retreat was nothing more than a weekend opportunity to feel good about himself. Convicted, Kevin asked God to wake him up. Exactly one month later, he suffered a brain aneurism which should have killed him. Instead, Kevin experienced a miracle he’s convinced was expedited by the intercession of his murdered uncle.  Spurred on by gratitude and a desire to help get the Church back on course, Kevin challenges us to amputate those things which draw us away from God. He believes Christ calls us to sacrifice, yet is convinced “the greatest disease afflicting humanity is comfort,” pointing to the widespread complacency permeating our culture. Kevin’s articles, talks, and books teach us how to lead heroic lives of virtue instead of indulgence. His book, “Coached by the Cure,’” outlines how to shepherd souls in our modernist culture.  Guest biography: Kevin Wells is a Catholic author, speaker, and former sports reporter. He is the best-selling author of two books: "Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz" and "The Priests We Need to Save the Church," a written plea for holy priests written in the aftermath of 2018 scandals. Wells has spoken nationally for groups including the Legatus Summit, Napa Institute, That Man is You, on EWTN’s the TASTE program, as well as hundreds of other events, speaking  of the urgent need for heroic lives of virtue and untamed Catholicism in the public square. His articles have appeared in Crisis Magazine, Catholic World Report, The Imaginative Conservative, The National Catholic Register, Catholic Exchange, and LifeSiteNews, to name just a few. When Kevin is not writing and speaking, he enjoys spending time with The Sisters of Mary and their 20,000 children in Boystowns and Girlstowns throughout the world. Kevin loves baseball, reading, and writing and lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.Resources:Kevin Wells' website Kevin's weekly blog: “The Wellspring”Kevin's books

Guest: Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, Catholic priest, moral theologian, and Papal Missionary of MercyIf you were told there was a way to be totally restored from the eternal consequences of sin, would you believe it? In the Old Testament, a Jubilee Year was a ceremonial rejuvenation wherein God offered a “reboot” to His people, bringing them back into full restoration as His children. Today that same concept is offered through the Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, designated by Pope Francis as a Papal Missionary of Mercy, has made it his mission to teach, implore, and restore through God’s Divine Mercy as given to us by St. Faustina.  We live in a fallen world that teaches the lie defining who we are by the worst thing we’ve done. Fr. Kirby challenges that, outlining how Divine Mercy reboots God’s relationship with us. Every scar, sin, and wound can be healed in such a way beyond forgiveness where our relationship is restored. Fr. Kirby says: “God doesn’t want to take us to the courtroom; He wants to hang out with us in the family room.”Listen as Fr. Kirby explains how Divine Mercy must be a two-way street: “What we’ve received, we are called to give.”Guest biography: Fr. Jeffrey Francis Kirby serves as the Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land (Lancaster), South Carolina, and is an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Belmont Abbey College. He has authored several books and digital programs on the moral and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church. He holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and is a 2016 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Fr. Kirby is known for his previous vocations work in which he actively used contemporary social media, web design, and videography in recruitment efforts for the Catholic priesthood and sisterhood. He is sought out as a conference speaker and retreat leader throughout the United States.Resources:Fr. Kirby's website You Tube Podcast: Daily Discipleship with Fr. KirbyAmazon Author Page Our Lady of Grace Parish, Lancaster, South Carolina

Guest: Casey Chalk, freelance writer, editor, authorWhat are the “Seven Last Words” of Christ? More than seven words, they are phrases which Jesus spoke as he hung on the Cross, naked and defiled. Casey Chalk noticed that these phrases have been pondered since the Church’s beginning. As he researched meditations from a variety of sources, including Scripture and the saints, he realized each one said something profoundly important and pointed to what a life lived well should be.Casey set out to gather this collection of historical meditations, discovering that Jesus deliberately gave us the roadmap to heaven. It became his book, “Wisdom from the Cross: How Jesus’ Seven Last Words Teach us How to Live (and Die) Well.” Drawing from both ancient and modern scholarship, each chapter contains various elements meant to capture the wisdom of the Cross. For example, when Jesus said, “I Thirst,” He was expressing His thirst for souls, calling us to a sacrificial love for one another. “Father, forgive them” teaches us the importance of turning the other cheek.  Meant to become a year-round meditation companion, "Wisdom from the Cross" highlights how a life lived for others is a life lived well. Through Casey’s book, we can now study the roadmap.Guest biography: Casey J. Chalk serves as an editor or regular contributor for many publications, including The New Oxford Review, The Federalist, Crisis Magazine, and Religion & Liberty Online. He is the author of “The Obscurity of Scripture: Disputing Sola Scriptura and the Protestant Notion of Biblical Perspicuity” (Emmaus Road, 2023) and “The Persecuted: True Stories of Courageous Christians Living Their Faith in Muslim Lands” (Sophia Institute Press, 2021). Casey holds a B.A. in history and an M.A. in teaching from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in theology from the Notre Dame Graduate School of Theology at Christendom College. He lives with his wife, Claire, and six children in his native Northern Virginia.Resources: Casey Chalk's website where you can find his books and publications.

Guest: Sean Corcoran, lawyer, husband, father, and CEO of Men For LifeFor many decades, women have led the pro-life movement, boldly speaking up for the voiceless babies and their wounded mothers. Men were told abortion doesn’t affect them, even though their genes coursed through that blob of tissue being killed. Men were intimidated into silence. No more! Emotionally destroyed when his college girlfriend aborted their child against his wishes, Sean Corcoran leads Men For Life, a group which exists to raise up a movement of men who speak life, stand for truth, and protect the unborn.  In addition to getting birth fathers to reject abortion for their child, Men For Life has begun two vital and life-affirming initiatives which can forever change a father and his family’s trajectory by offering a path to success. The group's Fatherhood program offers mentorship with good men, and an online program called “Arena” equips men with tools they will need to succeed. Whereas the pro-choice crowd had dominated the air waves with slogans castrating fathers , Men For Life invites them to take back their rightful place as protectors and restore authentic Biblical masculinity.  Guest biography: Sean Corcoran’s life was forever changed when his first child was the victim of an abortion. The impact left him with a sense of deep loss. Incapable at the time of processing and dealing with his grief, Sean failed out of multiple colleges multiple times which led to a seven-year drug addiction and self-destructive behaviors. By the grace of God, Sean entered a treatment center, where a long and intense recovery process began. Once sober, he grabbed the chance to go back to college, then law school which allowed him to start his own business. Sean now lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with his wife, Dr. Michelle Corcoran, and their five young children, three of whom are adopted.Resources:Men For Life website"The Arena" initiative from Men For LifeMen For Life on You TubeInto the Arena Podcast"Men For Life" episode of The Family Room with Sean Corcoran (aired Sept. 3, 2025)

🌿 Spring 2026 Pledge Drive Episode with guests Fr. Mark White, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church (Washington, Ga.) and Queen of Angels Catholic Church (Thomason, Ga.) and Jeff Lukich, writer and endurance coach Father Mark White and his parishioner, Jeff Lukich, share their respective Catholic journeys. Fr. Mark followed his sister from Protestantism, and Jeff returned to Catholicism after 40 years away. Father avidly declares God drew them to the “fullness of the Incarnation” found in Catholicism.Jeff’s story echoes that of many fallen-away Catholics. Rather than leaving in anger, he drifted away in college. Then life took over, and he became busy pursuing his dreams. Establishing a wonderful career and family, Jeff was fulfilled….yet he felt lost. Today he believes every fallen-away Catholic wants to return, but doesn’t know how. This became the motive for his book, “The Long Way Home: A Catholic Return to Faith,” which is the book he needed when he first felt God calling him back to Catholicism.  Acknowledging he felt God’s gentle nudge for about 10 years through Catholic resources like websites or videos, Jeff feels blessed to have found Fr. Mark when he was finally ready to hear God in 2021. With resources like The Quest, today’s Catholics and seekers are indeed blessed with around-the-clock inspiration for their journeys.  Listen as these men point the way Home. Guest biographies:Originally from Atlanta, Fr. Mark grew up as a Protestant. He became interested in religion in his 30s and briefly attended an evangelical Christian seminary to learn more. After his sister converted to Catholicism, he felt the tug of something “deep and inexplicably unique” about Catholicism. Father attended seminary for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and was ordained on June 1, 2019. His first assignment was to the Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead.Jeff Lukich is a writer and endurance coach. A graduate of Presbyterian College in South Carolina, he had a career for more than thirty years in public child welfare, retiring in 2018 as chief of staff for Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services. In 2022, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church after forty years away. Jeff and his wife, Mary Beth, live in Georgia, where they stay active in their parish and community.RESOURCES: Fr. Mark White’s parishesJeff Lukich's website

Guest: Louise Perrotta, writer, editor, wife, and motherIt was a quirky twist of fate which led Louise Perrotta to begin investigating the mystique of silent Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary. Uncovering a small statue which had been buried in the backyard of their new home, Louise immediately felt an attachment and placed him in her line of vision on the kitchen windowsill. As a woman who married a widower with six children, she had a special affection for this man who became the stepfather to God the Son. Who was this simple craftsman specifically chosen by God? With no blueprint to point the way, how could he accept this task? And yet, he did, learning to embrace the mysterious pregnancy of his betrothed and guiding young Jesus by faith.  Journey with Louise as she unpacks this mysterious man who has been called the “Terror of Demons” and the “Guardian of the Universal Church.”  Her book, “St. Joseph, Tender Father: His Life and His Care for Us Today,” focuses on the different qualities of St. Joseph as portrayed through the Church fathers, Scripture, and the saints. Each chapter offers insight along with reflection questions and prayers to guide you through the life of this silent saint.  Guest biography: Louise Perrotta is an independent writer and editor with many years’ experience in Catholic publishing. Her articles on saints, Scripture, prayer, and other aspects of Christian living have appeared in numerous publications, most especially in The Word Among Us magazine, where she served as features editor for fifteen years. Louise has written ten books, and, with her husband, Kevin, has co-authored five, including “Oneness: Jesus’ Vision of Marriage.” Louise lives in Michigan, is active in her Byzantine Catholic parish, and enjoys the growing family she inherited through her “surprised by joy,” late-in-life marriage to Kevin Perrotta, a widower and father of six now-adult children. Always looking for inspiration for her own life, she is currently researching a book on happily married saints and blesseds. And with Kevin, she is at work on another book, “My Beloved and I: A Seeker’s Guide to Married Love.”Resources:The Word Among Us Press website“St. Joseph, Tender Father: His Life and His Care for Us Today” by Louise Perrotta“Patris Corde: With a Father’s Heart” by Pope Francis

Guest: Christy Wilkens, Catholic wife, mother, nurse, and authorChristy Wilkens was a typical Catholic in many ways, checking the boxes as she dutifully raised her growing family. In what she later describes as faith with strings attached, Christy learned that God wanted something so much deeper from her. The birth of her sixth child became a turning point when her son, Oscar, became ill shortly after birth. After hearing life-limiting diagnoses for the next year, Christy railed at God, saying “I thought you loved me!  I’ve given everything to you!”  It was an invitation from the Order of Malta ministry to attend their pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, where Christy’s candid prayers to God were answered. Rather than Oscar’s healing in the waters of Lourdes, though, Christy heard God say, “This is your cross, and I am not going to take it away from you. I will be with you, and I will help you, but it is yours to carry.” Oscar wasn’t healed, but Christy was.Her book, “Awakening at Lourdes: How an Unanswered Prayer Healed Our Family and Restored Our Faith,” beautifully describes how God transformed her heart and her marriage. Christy teaches us the importance of developing faith that can be at peace, no matter our circumstances.  Guest biography: Christy Wilkens earned her bachelor’s degree from Rice University, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and a nursing degree from Texas A&M University. Christy serves as a lector at her parish, a peer minister for Be Not Afraid, and a member of the Order of Malta's medical team and communications committee. She has appeared on Catholic Faith Network, Sirius XM's Catholic Channel, Many Hail Marys at a Time, Ave Maria Radio, and The Jennifer Fulwiler Show. Her writing has been featured at CatholicMom.com, Blessed Is She, and Accepting the Gift.Resources: Christy Wilkens' websiteChristy Wilkens' book, “Awakening At Lourdes: How an Unanswered Prayer Healed Our Family and Restored Our Faith,” published by Ave Maria Press

Guest: Florencia Moynihan, nutritional therapy practitionerStarting in early childhood, a woman’s body image is greatly impacted by her environment. How women see their own bodies will have a lasting effect on how they view themselves and their relationships. Florencia Moynihan, nutritional therapy practitioner and founder of The Catholic Nutritionist, imagined her body as a broken vase that was thrown together. Finally realizing this disordered body image is straight from the Enemy, Flo went back to school where she discovered God designed women as a harmonious synchronization of body, mind, and spirit.  Her book, "Made Good: Overcoming the Lies that Keep Women at War with Their Bodies,” helps women uncover the strategic lies that have distorted and often destroyed their lives. Drawing from her own journey through disordered eating, chronic illness, and the silence of unanswered prayers, Flo lays out a roadmap to lasting transformation, grounded in God’s plan for women.Her Nutritional Therapy practice, The Catholic Nutritionist, offers lab‑informed functional nutrition and coaching for Catholic women who feel exhausted, bloated, or hormonally ‘off’ and want a clear, practical plan to feel like themselves again.  Her podcast, Made Good, helps women confront the lies so they can be transformed, healed and restored.  Guest biography: Florencia Moynihan runs a thriving nutritional therapy practice, The Catholic Nutritionist, dedicated to helping women heal through faith, bio-individual care, and the integration of body and soul. The practice offers lab‑informed functional nutrition and coaching for Catholic women who feel exhausted, bloated, or hormonally ‘off’ and want a clear, practical plan to feel like themselves again. Her podcast, Made Good, helps women confront the lies so they can be transformed, healed, and restored. Florencia is also a FEMM instructor and women’s health advocate. Resources:The Catholic Nutritionist website The Made Good podcast“Made Good: Overcoming the Lies That Keep Women at War With Their Bodies” by Florencia MoynihanEpisode of Catholic Women Now on Iowa Catholic Radio with Florencia Moynihan

Guest: Charlie McKinney, Publisher of Sophia Institute PressMore and more people are listening to audiobooks or ebooks. Recent studies report up to 50% of millennials read an ebook last year compared with 15% who read a physical book. Capitalizing on this growing trend, Sophia Institute Press has entered the digital book market with their new app, Saintifi. The app has quickly gained notoriety because of the low cost and vast selection, with over 250 audiobooks and 350 ebooks. Every new book published by Sophia will be duplicated on Saintifi, adding as many as 10 new, current titles to the library each month. Included are popular Catholic authors like Scott Hahn, Dan Burke, Fr. Spitzer, and Fr. Mike Schmitz. Sophia is also creating a digital library of classic books which were out of print and out of reach for most people.Saintifi has a plethora of offerings, including popular Catholic podcasts and books on topics such as spiritual warfare and self-help, church history, marriage and family life, and much more. Whereas apps like Audible charge for every book you want to read, Saintifi seeks to make good, curated Catholic material available for the incredible price of just $9.99 per month. Imagine….unlimited Catholic audiobooks for one low price!Guest biography: Charlie McKinney is the Publisher of Sophia Institute Press and President of Sophia Institute for Teachers, CatholicExchange.com, and CrisisMagazine.com. A proven innovator and business talent, Charlie has worked in politics and academia and appeared on numerous Catholic radio and television programs. Charlie and his wife, Carolyn, converted to Catholicism in 2008. They have five children and live in New Hampshire. Resources:Saintifi websiteSophia Institute Press websiteSophia Institute for Teachers websiteCatholic Exchange websiteCrisis Magazine website

Guest: Bobby Fredericksen, digital missionary, podcaster, authorIn our modern culture, "influencers" on social media are becoming more and more prevalent, even in the area of faith. But are they making the right impact? Bobby Fredericksen's article titled "Influencers vs. Saints: Why Teaching the Faith Requires Character, Formation, and Maturity" addresses how we're seeing a negative side of this digital age: influence without formation. Bobby shares how, when he first became Catholic, he was zealous but not formed or mature enough. He also didn't have the life experiences he's gained over the past 16 years since converting, experiences that have put him in a unique position to help other people like himself who are unchurched or far away from the Church or think the Church isn't for them. He says, "I was rescued; rescued people rescue people."Bobby prefers the term "digital missionary" over "influencer" because that's how he sees his mission: committed to making disciples rather than having the goal of just becoming popular or going viral. He makes sure he stays grounded through things like active involvement in his parish, daily Mass, regular recitation of the rosary, and going to the Lord first in prayer before every post to ensure it's the Holy Spirit working through him. Guest biography: Bobby Fredericksen experienced a miraculous conversion over 15 years ago after attending a midnight Mass—an encounter that forever changed his life. Bobby co-hosts The Catholic Couple Podcast and the Purposely Catholic Podcast. Bobby is happily married for 15 years and father to two great kids. He also leads a men’s group, bible study, and a connect group. His mission is to inspire others through his down-to-earth approach to Catholic living and normalizing Catholicism.Resources:Bobby's article on Catholic Exchange: "Influencers vs. Saints: Why Teaching the Faith Requires Character, Formation, and Maturity"PurposelyCatholic.com - where you can find Bobby's articles, podcasts, blog, and moreGreat Catholics who have influenced Bobby: Archbishop Fulton Sheen and especially his book, Life of Christ. Dr. Peter Kreeft and especially his book, Jesus-Shock. C.S. Lewis, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. John of the Cross

Guest: Leslie Albizzatti, wife, mom, ministry leader, and authorMost of us walk right up to Ash Wednesday without any idea of the transformative power hidden in the 40 days of Lent. As a young mother, Leslie Albizzatti began to understand her responsibility to pass her faith to her children, just as her mother and grandmother had for her. Familiar with the typical Catholic pattern of reciting prayers written by others, she was intrigued when she met a woman who wrote down what she felt God was teaching her. Called journaling, this method of prayer became Leslie’s preferred pattern and a conduit to a deeper understanding of God’s love for her. However, she realizes prayer can take many forms, including silence or walking in nature. There is no best way to pray; just a desire to develop a personal love language with God. Everyone’s path is unique.  Leslie has collaborated with Ligouri on a series of books called The Sacred Pathways. In The Desert Walk: A Journey Through Lent with Jesus, she lays out forty different themes with quotes and Scripture to help readers reflect. Written as a devotional, this book can lead you into a much deeper relationship with God.  Guest biography: Leslie Albizzatti is a Catholic Christian author and ministry leader based in Atlanta. A wife and  mom, she writes from a life shaped by prayer, Scripture, motherhood, and healing ministry to help others encounter God's presence daily. Leslie has her B.A. from Sweet Briar College and her MBA in International Business from the University of Miami. Leslie is also a board member of The Barnabas Initiative which seeks to introduce and support evangelistic and discipleship initiatives in the Atlanta area. She has an ardent heart for women's ministry, inner healing, and prayer groups. She shares weekly faith-based reflections and a monthly devotional newsletter at lesliealbizzatti.com. Leslie is blessed with a loving husband and three wonderful adult children.Resources:Leslie Albizzatti's website, where you can find her book and blog

Guest: Sylvia Dorham, wife, mother, and authorStories teaching virtue and vice were foundational to most American children fifty years ago. Every family knew what you meant when you referenced “The boy who cried wolf” or “The tortoise and the hare.”  They were called “fables.” Realizing these beautifully-teachable stories were being lost to current generations, Sylvia Dorham set out to recapture the wonder and awe our youngsters experience through creative storytelling that expresses a concrete truth.  Using rhyme and rhythm to help children remember, Sylvia shares lessons learned by a group of fictionalized monks in a monastery. Certain tenants of Christianity we should transmit to our children, such as “God will provide” became the book, The Monks' Daily Bread. The Monks' Stormy Night helps youngsters understand God will not abandon them. The Monks Stand Guard introduces taking your thoughts captive; how many adults allow our thoughts to carry us down negative paths before we even realize it?The ubiquitous cell phone has been cleverly designed to entice idle minds, offering customized options based on our scrolling habits. These habits can become addictive. The early years are such a critical time of learning, and The Monk series will help guide children’s minds down healthier paths.Guest biography: Sylvia Dorham grew up Protestant and, while attending the Naval Academy, heard an upper-classman was becoming Catholic and set about to convert him. She was convinced his journey into the Catholic Church destined him to Hell. This man became her husband, and their story is one of beautiful submission through compromise and listening to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. As the parents of 10 children, both adoptive and natural, and three grandchildren, their journey through different duty stations around the world brought them to the Melkite Catholic Church. Sylvia’s husband, Elias, is now a Melkite Catholic priest and pastor of St. John Chrysostom Melkite Church in Atlanta.  Resources:Sylvia Dorham’s books published by TAN BooksInformation about the Melkite Catholic ChurchSt. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church in AtlantaThe Family Room "Forgivness in Marriage" episode with Fr. Elias Dorham

Guest: Dr. Ray Guarendi, clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and national radio/television hostIt was a plea for parenting help from a colleague which took Dr. Ray Guarendi’s career down a trajectory that has become his trademark: common-sense wisdom combined with self-deprecating humor. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Ray has written more than 20 books that give practical, no-nonsense guidance that helps people cut through the confusion of daily life.His book, Drama-Free Discipline: Dr. Ray Coaches You to Parenting Success, lays out eighteen of the most common problems parents face with children between the ages of 2 and 18. As the father of 10 adopted children and with decades of hands-on clinical experience, Dr. Ray created humorous, believable scripts for each scenario, giving parents concrete examples of typical dialogue and ways to navigate these conversations down healthy paths. Understanding that each parent has different tolerance levels for specific behaviors, Dr. Ray gives parents techniques that complement one another rather than add to the chaos. No psychobabble. No gimmicks. Just clear communication.  This book teaches parents how to diffuse sibling rivalries and settle incessant bickering, use “blackout” discipline to calmly establish authority, and build bedtime routines that actually bring peace. Parents learn to claim their rightful roles as calm, confident leaders in the home.  Guest Biography: Dr. Ray's radio show, “The Doctor Is In,” can be heard on over 500 stations and SiriusXM® channel 130. His EWTN television series, “Living Right With Dr. Ray,” is in its 14th season and airs in 140 countries. Dr. Ray has given over 3,000 talks on various topics including parenting, marriage, family, and the Catholic faith. He captivates audiences with his compelling humor-laced presentations providing practical advice and proven techniques.Resources:Dr. Ray's websiteDr. Ray's podcast episodes of The Doctor is InBooks by Dr. RayEWTN television series, Living Right With Dr. Ray

Guest: Samantha Worthing, wife, mom, author, and nutritional therapistPope St. John Paul II described the unique spiritual, emotional, and intellectual strengths inherent in women as the “feminine genius.” It is their innate desire to bring the world and the family together which drew Samantha Worthing and her co-authors into a collaboration to create an authentic integration of wellness and faith in our fast-paced world. They realized that as we journey through nature’s cycles, our human spirits yearn for the simplified life, nourishing the body and tending to the soul. The Ember Journal, a beloved seasonal print magazine for women which provides holistic wellness through a Catholic lens, became the springboard for their book, Feast Faith Flourish:  Holistic Wellness in Light of Eternity. From the desire to integrate the cyclical nature of the Church and the liturgical seasons, Samantha calls Feast, Faith and Flourish a “retreat in print” composed of carefully selected reflections from nearly four years’ worth of favorite entries in The Ember Journal. In these exquisite pages, you will enjoy delicious recipes made with high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients. Be uplifted by beautiful, full-color photos, original meditations on the great celebrations of the year, explorations on the mysteries of the Rosary, and inspiring quotes from the saints.Guest biography: Samantha Worthing is a wife and mom of three young children, nutritional therapy practitioner, photographer, plant lady, and lover of all things wild and free. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with a city yard packed full of every kind of flower and growing thing she can get her hands on.Resources:Feast, Faith, Flourish:  Holistic Wellness in Light of Eternity, published by Sophia Institute PressThe Ember Collective websiteThe Ember Journal subscriptionThe Ember AppThe Ember Collective Blog

Guest: Matthew McKenna, PhD candidate in theology The Catholic Church has always taught the dignity of a person must be recognized from the moment of conception through natural death. However, new biomedical technologies have been introduced in the critical area of human life, introducing ethical issues that aren’t easily settled. In particular, the advent of in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, has not only given infertile couples the ability to have a child, but in that process has also spawned the creation of millions of fertilized eggs, or preborn humans, which are kept in a frozen state indefinitely. What happens to these nascent children?  As Christians, what are we supposed to do about frozen embryos brought into existence as a result of IVF? Are we called to adopt and raise these children of God, or would that necessitate further evil? In his article titled, "Even if Embryo Adoption is Moral, You Shouldn’t Do It," PhD candidate Matthew McKenna offers moral clarity to this critical dilemma. Listen as Matthew discusses the angst brought on by technology which appears to be compassionate, but focuses on the end goal of a live child without fully comprehending the ethics of destroying or discarding preborn children in the process.  Guest biography: Matthew McKenna is a cradle Catholic who attended Catholic schools all his life, but credits a supernatural encounter on a college retreat with helping him abruptly change focus. As the top graduate in business school, he left it all behind when he distinctly heard God tell him to pursue theology. Today Matthew McKenna is a PhD candidate in theology at Ave Maria University. He studies and teaches on the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, G.K. Chesterton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. His dissertation-in-progress explains the link between the masculine genius and the priesthood.Resources:Article “Even if Embryo Adoption is Moral, You Shouldn’t Do It”Catholic Exchange website“Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions” from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 

Guest: Susan Milani, parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, GeorgiaRaised in a very Jewish home in Charleston, South Carolina, Susan is the only child of immigrant parents, a Polish Jewish survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and a German Jewish escapee from East Germany. Through beautiful experiences and people Susan encountered from a young age, God wooed her into the Catholic Church. Susan lives her faith out loud in practical and winsome ways that draws others to Jesus and the Catholic Church. Her witness encourages us to step into opportunities to evangelize in our everyday lives.Susan and her husband, Bob, are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, GA ,and own the Lazy Labrador Coffee House in downtown Kennesaw where they offer God’s love to all who enter.Resources:Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”

Guest: Jacob Plante, author, photographer, and studentGen Z, or those born between the late ‘90s and early 2010s, are the first generation born entirely in the digital age. Author Jacob Plante notes that the world his parents grew up in doesn’t exist anymore. Gen Z has only known a world of smartphones, social media, and instant communication. The internet became the center of communication, dominating how we learn by offering a staggering choice of vices. There are no absolutes anymore, and mainstream media has headlined religious affiliation tumbling for decades. Jacob could see the angst this culture caused, creating a deep desire in his peers for something meaningful. They see the shallowness of a life lived for pleasure and want something more; something sacred. Jacob notes that the internet, and even the COVID lockdown, created an environment which allowed his generation to explore faith as never before, saying Catholic morality made so much sense in a culture where everything was up for grabs. A recent Harvard University study shows a 6% increase in Gen Z Mass attendance from 2023-2024. Jacob’s article, “How The Latin Mass is Bringing Gen Z to Christ,” gives his insight into the sacred liturgy that is drawing Gen Z into the Catholic Church.Guest Biography: Born to a French Canadian dad and Cuban mom, Jacob Plante admits that although he grew up Catholic, he was never personally invested until COVID hit when he was in high school. With time on his hands and the internet at his fingertips, Jacob explored the culture wars and felt drawn to something deeper. Thankfully, the internet drew him toward God, where he found the big questions about life were already answered and Catholicism brought clarity. Jacob Plante is a Catholic writer, photographer, and college student pursuing his Bachelor's degree at Florida International University. He is an active member of several ministries and organizations, such as Students for Life at FIU, the FIU Catholic Campus Ministry, the Miamiensis Latin Mass Miami Community, and Hospitalité de Miami. Jacob’s Instagram account is @plantephoto, and his YouTube channel is youtube.com/@Altare_Dei.Resources:Article on Catholic Exchange – “How The Latin Mass is Bringing Gen Z to Christ”Jacob Plante's YouTube Channel – “Altare Dei”Jacob Plante's Instagram account is @plantephotoChartres Pilgrimage

Guest: Carolyn McKinney, wife, mother, and business ownerThere are few events in a lifetime that have as much potential to shape a country as the assassination of a hero. Did Charlie Kirk prophetically name his company Turning Point USA to lead the way during a time of profound moral confusion? Parents have few role models for their sons today, and Charlie provided a clear and heroic roadmap out of the chaos. Viciously mocked for refusing the path of tolerance without consequences, Charlie’s courageous decision to be a beacon of truth despite death threats was compelling. Refusing to cower, he responded with a voice of calm, well-researched reason that resonated with young men and women desperate for logical dialogue.Author Carolyn McKinney saw the effect Charlie had on youth, writing an article for Catholic Exchange entitled, “What I Hope My Sons Will Learn from the Life of Charlie Kirk.” In it, Carolyn noted that Charlie lived his life unashamed of the Gospel, urging young men to do something productive with their life. Another article written for Crisis Magazine, “Liberalism Died with Charlie Kirk,” points to a future not secured by tolerating lies, but by families and communities choosing virtue over chaos. Will Charlie Kirk’s death become America’s turning point? Guest Biography: Carolyn McKinney is a Catholic wife, mother, and business owner. She lives in Amherst, New Hampshire with her husband, Charlie, and their five children. Charlie McKinney is publisher of Sophia Institute Press.Resources:Article on Catholic Exchange – “What I Hope My Sons Will Learn from the Life of Charlie Kirk” Article in Crisis Magazine – “Liberalism Died with Charlie Kirk”

Guest: Dr. Ray Guarendi, clinical psychologist, author, and speakerDr. Ray Guarendi’s wisdom and wit have earned him the right to pull up a chair once again to help sort out those sticky relationships keeping us up at night. With holiday parties and family gatherings in full swing, inviting Dr. Ray to explain his book, How to Get Along With Almost Anyone, will give you fresh ideas to help adjust your holiday cheer. When asked why he wrote the book, Dr. Ray shared the most common request he gets as a clinical psychologist: how to fix someone else. Fix yourself first. The core of his book acknowledges that people can be difficult and teaches us how to communicate more effectively by putting the situation into better perspective. He explains how adjusting our expectations to match reality will make life so much easier than continuing to stress over who they are and why they won’t change. Dr. Ray shares practical wisdom and usable strategies to aid you in navigating your way through hurtful situations and help you form healthy habits in the ways you talk, think, act, and react. Learn three conversation killers to avoid as well as the secret to becoming a collaborative conversationalist who is “unoffendable.”  Biography: Dr. Ray shared that he left the Catholic Church for eight years while in his 30s, declaring himself a “New Atheist,” which is basically “recognizing there IS a God, but He thinks just like me.” Dabbling in many Protestant sects, Ray struggled with the variety of Biblical interpretations of the same text and went searching for the Truth, researching Christianity from the beginning. What he found was Catholicism. Dr. Ray's radio show, “The Dr. Is In,” can be heard on over 500 stations and SiriusXM® channel 130. His EWTN television series, “Living Right With Dr. Ray,” is in its 14th season and airs in 140 countries. Dr. Ray speaks on various topics including parenting, marriage, family, and the Catholic faith. He and his wife, Randi, are the parents of 10 adopted children.Resources:Dr. Ray Guarendi’s websiteBooks by Dr. Ray:  (All books purchased from his website will be autographed by Dr. Ray) https://www.drray.com/store/parenting-family-marriage/ TV Show: “Living Right with Dr. Ray”Dr. Ray's radio program,“The Doctor is In,” airs on AM 1160 The Quest every weekday from 1-2 p.m.Dr. Ray on The Family Room discussing “Navigating the Teen Years” (aired 12-20-2023)

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Morse, author and founder of The Ruth InstituteThe sexual revolution of the sixties is wearing thin as people come to realize the shallow, self-indulgent lifestyle it promoted has wrecked their lives. Momentum is building as more people seek deeper relationships than the risky hook-up culture provided. The sexual revolutionaries defined the terms of the debate. They dictated the cultural narrative by glorifying three destructive ideologies – contraception, divorce, and gender. All three deliberately aimed to remove any connection between sex and responsibility. Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse founded the Ruth Institute in 2008 to help young people avoid the poisonous personal consequences of the sexual revolution.  The full story of the destruction has never been honestly told. By providing scientifically sound evidence, carefully reasoned arguments, and compelling personal testimonies, The Ruth Institute equips people to understand, appreciate, and defend traditional Christian sexual ethics. For example, their mother-daughter course on puberty fosters confidence and trust in natural womanhood. Dr. Morse’s YouTube podcasts, The Dr. J Show, gives voice to those harmed by divorce, the hook-up culture, and family breakdown. The Ruth Institute aims to provide an in-depth resource to help parents lead their children to become healthy and emotionally articulate adults who understand the importance of their God-given sexuality.Biography: Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse earned her Ph.D. at the University of Rochester and taught economics at Yale and George Mason Universities for 15 years. She founded The Ruth Institute in 2008 to address the whole range of marriage and family issues brought on by the sexual revolution. She has authored or co-authored six books and spoken around the world. Her work has been translated into multiple languages.  Dr. Morse was named one of the “Catholic Stars of 2013.” She and her husband are the parents of two and were foster parents of eight. They currently live in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where the work of the Ruth Institute continues.Resources:The Ruth Institute websiteBooks written by Dr. MorseYouTube channel – Ruth Institute – The Dr. J Show

Guest: Greg Willits, podcaster, author, ministry founderMany Catholics know the name St. Louis de Montfort because of his devotion to Marian spirituality, particularly his book encouraging consecration to Jesus through Mary. Yet, few have heard of another book, equally compelling, called The Love of Eternal Wisdom. Written in the early 1700s, de Montfort’s style is difficult for the average lay person to absorb. Like many others, Rosary Army founder Greg Willits credits de Montfort with his own deep devotion to Mary and found yet another nugget hidden in this lesser-known treasure. Greg’s book, God Doesn’t Hate Me After All: Discovering Louis de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom, makes de Montfort understandable. Uniting both de Montfort’s book and his own deeply personal experiences, Greg was able to take his life story and weave it together in light of de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom. He applies his own life, chapter-by-chapter, to de Montfort’s explanation of the exquisite love Jesus has for every one of us. Greg admits “I laid bare my flaws, failures, and hopes with uncomfortable honesty to show Christ’s mercy at work.” More than a book, this is a spiritual companion for the wounded.  For anyone weighed down by trauma, burnout, doubt, or dryness of soul, Greg points the way to healing.Biography: Greg Willits is the founder and executive director of RosaryArmy.com, which since 2003 has inspired millions with its mission: Make Them. Pray Them. Give Them Away. He is an award-winning media producer, author, and the creator and co-host of the Rosary Army Catholic podcast with his wife, Jennifer. Together, they have reached global audiences through SiriusXM, EWTN, CatholicTV, Relevant Radio, and more. They also lead online formation through SchoolOfMary.com. A passionate evangelist and storyteller, Greg is the author of multiple books and the narrator of numerous Catholic audiobooks published by Sophia Institute Press and others. Greg and Jennifer live in Georgia and are the proud parents of five children and one grandchild.Resources:  Rosary Army website God Doesn’t Hate Me After All:  Discovering Louis de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom by Greg Willits, published by Sophia Institute PressRosary Army YouTube ChannelSchool of Mary website

Guest: Kevin Lowry, author and motivational speakerWe live in a culture that isn’t always supportive of men honoring their wives. When’s the last time you were part of a group of guys speaking positively about their wives? Unfortunately, many husbands today have become mired in our culture’s downfalls. Challenges abound, including impurity, broken relationships, loneliness, and distraction. Kevin Lowry’s book, Honor Thy Wife – A 31 Day Spiritual Journey of Marital Renewal, explains why marriage is the underrated sacrament and how, just by making small changes, all of us can be better spouses. In a 31-day format, with the backdrop of vulnerable stories and concrete suggestions, Lowry weaves humor into lessons sometimes learned the hard way, giving readers a new perspective on their wedding vows.  Kevin Lowry is convinced that even small changes - combined with grace - can dramatically impact a marriage and create a ripple effect that goes way beyond the marriage, affecting other souls, including their children. Lowry talks of how speaking positively about your spouse can change the trajectory of entire group conversations. Profoundly Catholic in its underpinnings, Honor Thy Wife shows how our faith provides the antidote to the challenges we face, creating an environment where spouses can flourish.  Biography: Kevin Lowry is an enthusiastic convert to the Catholic faith, and the son of a former Presbyterian minister who also became Catholic. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and Franklin University, Kevin has spent over thirty years in financial and executive management roles. He served as EVP and CFO for RevLocal, a rapidly growing digital marketing company. He is also a member of the Board of Our Sunday Visitor, Treasurer of The Coming Home Network International, President of St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, and past President of the Columbus chapter of Legatus. Lowry is also a motivational speaker around the country. Kevin and his super-cute, beloved wife Kathi, live in Columbus, Ohio, and have eight children and nine grandchildren – so far!Resources:Kevin Lowry's website   Books by Kevin Lowry

Guest: Steve Gagnier, author and  motivational speakerIn a world of instant communication, we have never been so disconnected. Psychologists say loneliness has reached epidemic proportions as the technologies meant to create a global village have us pursuing relationships built on the keystroke “likes” of invisible followers.Steve Gagnier realized we were living in a superficial world where people had learned to hide behind a fake personality according to what they felt people wanted to see rather than who they truly were. This subtle spiral of deceit as people try to maintain their carefully-constructed masks creates a fear of being discovered. How have we lost the ability to develop deep, supportive relationships?   Drawing first from the love of our Savior and then pulling in the proven methods found in resources such as 12-step programs, Steve created C4C, or Compassion for Companions. This program provides a series of spiritual and psychological insights and reflections to help guide readers to the richest kind of friendship attainable in this life: compassionate companionship. Steve has consolidated C4C into a book, Compassion for Companions: Developing Deep Friendships in a Lonely World. The goal is for people to interact with one another in a much different way than they might have ever experienced before.Biography: One of nine children raised by Catholic parents in Rochester, New York, Steve Gagnier never really lost his love of God, although his life followed the lure of the culture. It was a weekend at a parish retreat called Christ Renews His Parish which revolutionized his entire perspective of God and drove him to develop genuine relationships instead of superficial ones. Steve has a Master of Divinity and has been a successful businessman, author, motivational speaker, and sales trainer for many years. Recently, as a national retreat leader, he answered a call to help our troubled and lonely world to establish something we all yearn for, deep and authentic friendships. Steve and his wife, Vicki, lived for many years in Atlanta, Georgia, but now live in California. Married 41 years, they have two grown children and four grandchildren.  Resources:  Compassion for Companions: Developing Deep Friendships in a Lonely World by Stephan J. GagnierCompassion for Companions website

Guest: Dr. Ann Hartle, philosophy professor and authorMost southern Catholics have heard of Flannery O’Connor, the saucy authoress known for her provocative stories showcasing the depravity of man. Many revere her quick wit and keen insight, but philosophy professor Dr. Ann Hartle has successfully paired Flannery with Blaise Pascal in her book, Flannery O'Connor and Blaise Pascal: Recovering the Incarnation for the Modern Mind.Dr. Hartle wants the reader to take away a deeper and clearer understanding of the de-Christianized culture in which we live and the way in which the Catholic faith can be lived out in this culture. In every age, man is in the state of original sin and in need of redemption. Constant conversion, therefore, is always necessary. O’Connor shows us that, in our de-Christianized culture, conversion requires confrontation with the modern consciousness that she saw in herself and portrayed in her characters. The seventeenth-century philosopher Blaise Pascal helps us to experience the meaning of O’Connor’s fiction because Pascal confronted that same consciousness. Dr. Hartle approaches O’Connor’s fiction from a philosophical perspective rather than the perspective of a literary critic, decrying the loss of a sense of mystery of the Incarnation; the mystery of God choosing to become man.  Guest Biography: Dr. Ann Hartle is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Emory University. She received her PhD from City University of New York (CUNY) in 1976. Her research work has centered on the nature of philosophy and early modern philosophy. She is a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow and a Senior Fellow, Center for Humanistic Inquiry. She is the author of many books, including What Happened to Civility: The Promise and Failure of Montaigne’s Modern Project and Montaigne and the Origins of Modern Philosophy. She is currently working on a book on Montaigne tentatively titled Montaigne and Modern Rationalism. Ann is a parishioner at St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Resources:  Books by Dr. Ann Hartle

Guesst: Chase Crouse, author, founder and director of Hypuro Fit Chase Crouse’s life took a pivotal turn in 2012 after experiencing a profound reversion to Catholicism. After two years of intense spiritual growth while a missionary with NET Ministries, Chase pursued both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biblical Theology before heading to New York City. In 2019, while working for the Archdiocese of New York, Chase moonlighted as a personal athletic trainer. He loved working with people at the gym, but hated not being able to talk about Jesus. Seeing a connection between St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, with its emphasis on self-mastery, and his knowledge of good fitness and nutrition, Chase combined them to create Hypuro Fit, a Catholic approach to fitness. Rather than focusing on achieving the perfect body, Hypuro Fit encourages members through practical and spiritual tips to reach attainable goals. The program offers two different options for users: one-on-one training or following a workout program through their app. With Dan Burke, one of his star pupils, Chase co-authored a book, The God of Endurance, which explains how your physical well-being actually helps energize your spiritual life and empowers you to offer a more complete self-gift to God and others.Biography: Born to teenage parents who were nominally Catholic, Chase didn’t explore his faith until he went on a summer work camp in high school. Although he was named president of the youth group his senior year, partying was his main focus. Reading Matthew Kelly’s book, Rediscover Catholicism, after freshman year at Texas State University caught Chase off guard. Wondering where he’d end up if he died that night, Chase sought out his pastor and made his first confession in years. Shortly thereafter, Chase joined Net Ministries, where he ministered for two years in Canada and then received degrees in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego, California. He and his wife live in Austin, Texas, with their four young children.Resources:Hypuro Fit – The Catholic Approach to Fitness websiteThe God of Endurance: A Practical Guide for Incorporating Exercise and Nutrition into your Spiritual Journey by Chase Crouse and Dan Burke (published by Sophia Institute Press)John Paul The Great Catholic University websiteRediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly

The assassination of a prominent American figure has not crushed our spirit in decades. Charlie Kirk was not a political figure as much as he was a lightning rod for change in how young people thought. He refused to bow to the pagan gods, instead asking the college crowd to rethink their position by reframing their focus. Young minds were being challenged without rancor, releasing unexpected joy and hope in a bright future they were told was unachievable. Charlie’s assassination and, indeed his very life, were watershed moments much like JFK’s admonition to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. He turned expectations upside down by encouraging our young men to live honorable lives with God at its center.  Listen as Mari, John, and Craig tackle the classic battle between good and evil; between God and Satan. With refreshing insight into their own childhoods and personal parenting missteps, they challenge the high school and college crowd to pick up the baton and continue Charlie’s vision. Even more importantly, they challenge everyone to rethink our own battle lines by praying for those who are the villains in these catastrophic events. Resources:Turning Point USA website -- Charlie's Vision. America's Future. The Fight Continues.The Turning Point Tour website

Guest: Grayson Quay, author and consultantSince the time of Eve in the Garden, the serpent’s temptation to be like God has echoed through history, and today it manifests itself in the growing transhumanist movement. Our world stands at a crossroads with commercial surrogacy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and “gender-affirming care” threatening to radically reshape human nature.Grayson Quay’s book, The Transhumanist Temptation: How Technology and Ideology Are Reshaping Humanity—And How to Resist, points to the ancient deception that we can replace God by rejecting the understanding that being human is a combination of body and soul. Instead, transhumanism sets up a paradigm shift which proclaims there’s nothing special about being human. Quay shows the hidden and alarming spiritual threat that transhumanism poses, exploring how this ideology distorts our relationship with our own bodies, with the world around us, with our politics, with our work, and ultimately, with God Himself.For those seeking to understand and resist the post humanist tide, Quay offers a compelling defense of our God-given dignity and urges us to reclaim what it truly means to be human in an age of unprecedented radical change. Will we heed the warning, or will we fall for the serpent’s promise once more?Biography: Grayson Quay is a consultant and author, a former news and opinion editor at The Daily Caller, and former weekend editor at The Week. He is a graduate of Grove City College and earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019. His writing has appeared in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Newsweek, First Things, The Spectator World, The Federalist, Modern Age, The American Conservative, and many other outlets. Grayson and his wife, Marissa, live with their daughter in Alexandria, Virginia.  Resources:The Transhumanist Temptation:  How Technology and Ideology Are Reshaping Humanity—And How to Resist by Grayson Quay “We Can Fight the Left Without Repaganizing” American Reformer article by Grayson Quay

Guest: Devin Schadt, husband, father, author, speaker, and co-host Devin Schadt grew up in an emotional war zone which left him out of control until the loss of his longtime girlfriend in his mid-20s. This wake-up call catapulted him into the arms of God and eventually into marriage with his former girlfriend. The birth of their third daughter taught Devin the significance of true fatherhood.  Human fatherhood is at the epicenter in the battle to heal our culture. If you can capture the father’s heart, you can capture his marriage and then his family. Realizing the human father is the face of the Father we cannot see, Devin set out to create a program which would be a practical guide for men seeking to live with purpose, discipline, and spiritual conviction. His book, The Rule: Counsels and Directives for Husbands and Fathers, offers straightforward wisdom to assist husbands and fathers who battle for their souls and those of their families.The Rule outlines seven sections and 88 specific counsels, rules, and directives that aid men in living a transformational way of life.They constitute a rule for Catholic masculine spirituality with precision and clarity, helping a man to be triumphant in the spiritual battle.Biography: Devin Schadt is co-founder of the Fathers of St. Joseph and co-host of The Catholic Gentleman podcast. He is also the creator of the program, CUSTOS: Total Consecration Through Saint Joseph, as well as the author of several books including The Meaning and Mystery of Man. Devin lives in the Midwest with his wife and five children.Resources: The Rule – Counsels and Directives for Husbands and Fathers by Devin SchadtFathers of St. Joseph websiteThe Catholic Gentleman podcastThe Meaning and Mystery of Man by Devin Schadt

Guest: Paula Umana, author, motivational speaker, and momPaula Umana spends her life letting others know suffering isn’t a punishment; it’s a gift.  Born in Costa Rica, Paula was accepted into a competitive tennis academy by the age of 10, becoming the #1 tennis player in Central America for 9 straight years. Accustomed to being photographed with a tennis racket and trophy, Paula gladly retired in order to raise a family. After four daughters, it was the birth of her son where life turned upside down. Within weeks of his birth, her body rebelled, leaving everyone in shock. After extensive tests, her diagnosis was CIDP, a paralyzing neurological disorder that took away Paula’s ability to even hold her son. When your athletic ability becomes your identity, it’s extremely traumatic to have it suddenly taken away. Yet, Paula refused to give up, even when doctors gave her little hope. Her kids needed her. She recovered over the next four years, except for her lower legs; she wears special braces from her knees to her feet. Along the way, she found a path of contagious hope where God redeems suffering. Paula shares stories of hope through books, retreats, and speaking engagements around the country.  Biography: Born the youngest of 7 children in a Catholic family, Paula often walked to a nearby church to pray after a hard day on the courts. It was her faith which carried her through the devastation of losing her freedom. Married to Serge, they live in Atlanta with their five children.  Resources:Paula Umana's website  Books by Paula Umana:  40 Gifts of Hope: Encouragement in Times of Sickness and Suffering; Imitation of Christ for the Sick and Suffering, and a Bible study, “Rediscovering Hope:  8 Lessons to Turn Your Pain Into Purpose”EWTN podcast (on demand) – Gifts Of HopeInformation about CIDP -- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy

Family Room Pledge Drive SPECIAL!

Guest: Gregg McDonald, husband, father, evangelizerWhen Gregg McDonald was seven, he died and met Jesus. Three more times Jesus spoke to him in dreams, and even though Gregg wandered a bit as a young adult, he never doubted God was real. Gregg rarely spoke of his supernatural encounters, and it was the realization that today’s culture has effectively erased God and declared masculinity toxic which brought him to the front lines of the battlefield. Men had been intimidated into dropping their customary leadership roles, unaware that doing so left their families wide open to spiritual attack. This led Gregg to write Muscle Car Faith, laying out foundational myths keeping men from getting off the ground. Excuses like not having time or thinking they don’t know where to start disappear once a man understands they are fighting for the very souls of their loved ones. Leadership matters, and it’s an innate characteristic of men to protect and defend. Gregg's book makes them aware of the spiritual battle and prepares them to engage with the Enemy. In an earlier episode of The Family Room, Gregg detailed how creating an online website, “Men As Christ,” has given tens of thousands of men the opportunity to grow together in their pursuit of Godly leadership.Biography: Both Gregg and Michelle are cradle Catholics who were touched in deeply personal ways that cemented their faith. Gregg met Jesus in a sweat-filled dream when he was 7, and Michelle’s mother was miraculously cured of cancer. Both engineers – Gregg, an industrial engineer, and Michelle, a Packaging Engineer – met while working at Ford Motor Company. They married in 1998 and have three children: two boys in their 20s and a teenage daughter. They currently live in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.Resources:Men as Christ websiteMuscle Car Faith by Gregg McDonald The Family Room Episode #167: Men As Christ – aired May 21, 2025

Guest: Sean Corcoran, CEO of Men for LifeThe Women’s Lib Movement erased men’s voices from the discussion of parenthood, but thanks to organizations like Men For Life, men are finding their voice and taking seats at the table. Sean Corcoran was on a successful trajectory when his college girlfriend became pregnant. Her choice to abort took away his choice to parent his child. That decision took Sean on an eight-year path of self-destruction, ending as he lay on a hotel room floor, calling out to God. A rehab center was where Sean learned he had the right to grieve for his child. Healing finally began and he finished college, heading to LSU law school. On retreat several years later, Sean felt safe enough to disclose his secret shame. Men don’t share, but once they realize they’re not alone, walls crumble.  That experience helped Sean understand how important it is to give men a platform where they can tell their stories. They have a voice and a right to speak. Men for Life gives them that platform and as CEO, Sean strives to give men their rightful place at the table. Through podcasts, a mentoring course on fatherhood, an upcoming book, and speaking engagements, Sean is finally able to give his child a voice, too.  Biography: Raised Catholic, Sean went to Catholic school from first through eighth grade. His faith was important to him, even though drugs destroyed his life. After failing out of several colleges, a desperate plea to God turned him around. Now married to holistic dentist, Dr. Michelle Corcoran, and the father of five children (three of whom are adopted), Sean decided to retire from his successful family law practice in 2022 to spend more time with his family. Approached by Men for Life to lead their nonprofit, Sean rejected them for 18 months until God’s insistence brought Sean to that role in August 2024.Resources:Men for Life:  website, podcast and blog, and YouTube channel Instagram: @LSeanCorcoran The Catalyst:  How Men Can Change the Culture and End Abortion by Sean Corcoran will be available on Amazon beginning October 4, 2025.  

Guest: Mo Guernon, educator and biographerPope Saint John Paul II may have stolen everyone’s heart, but his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, who served in that role for only 33 days, has left an incredible legacy of his own. Nicknamed The Smiling Pope, JPI touched Mo Guernon’s heart the moment he stepped onto the loggia. That indelible impression convinced Mo, though still in high school, that he would someday write the pope’s biography.  Nearly 50 years later, that thought has come to fruition with the book, Love is a Journey: The Inspiring Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul I.Pope John Paul I was born into a poor but devout Catholic family in Italy. His poverty became a compass in his priestly legacy after his father gave him permission to become a priest as long as he didn’t forget the poor and downtrodden. He died with that permission letter in his wallet. Mo felt obligated to resurrect this unknown pope (with such luminous popes surrounding him) who had great compassion and humility. By combing the archives and reaching out to those who knew Pope John Paul I best, Guernon paints a living portrait through many firsthand stories of this pope who deeply touched so many people in spite of his short papacy.  Biography: Mo Guernon, a Rhode Island native, grew up in a Catholic home and went to Catholic schools. His faith faltered, however, when he was in college and was reignited while studying JPI. Guernon has been a teacher, administrator, and educational consultant to Catholic as well as public schools. He is a board member of St. Patrick Academy in Providence, as well as past principal of Sacred Heart elementary School in East Providence. Guernon earned his Master’s degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He also did graduate work at Boston College and Providence College. He received his B.A. in history and English from the University of Rhode Island. Mo and his wife, Elizabeth, currently live in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and have three children and four grandchildren. Resources:Mo Guernon's websiteLove Is a Journey:  The Inspiring Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul I Article, St. Anthony Messenger: “John Paul I’s 33-day Legacy”  Mo Guernon's email address:  [email protected] 

Guest: Kasey Jordan, mother of eight, founding member of Siblings Forever, and director of high school faith formation for her parishA child’s world shatters when their family suffers a breakup. The chaos often leaves siblings living apart, plunged into an environment where nothing is familiar. Today there are approximately 11,000 children in foster care in Georgia. An estimated 75% have at least one sibling, and family dynamics force them into separate foster homes. There they lose the opportunity to bond in the typical sibling dynamic, cutting off long-term relationships which can be an anchor in adulthood.  Determined to make a difference, a Georgia foster parent and team of volunteers offered the first camping experience for separated siblings in 2008. Kasey Jordan was one of those volunteers, starting as a counselor and now serving as acting executive director. In 2020 COVID forced them to be creative with their programs, encouraging them to change their name to Siblings Forever in 2024.  Starting with 17 campers in 2008, Siblings Forever has helped almost 900 siblings through their overnight summer camp as well as "Family Connection" day events and a weekend "Holiday Family Camp." An estimated 550 volunteer counselors have given over 90,000 hours supporting siblings who attend up to six events a year, changing lives and creating forever friendships between counselors and campers.Biography: Aside from being a founding member of Siblings Forever, Kasey Jordan served as chair of the fundraising and camper recruitment committee until 2012.  She also initiated the Cake for Kids program, decorating cakes and holding birthday parties for campers during the year. Kasey has a passion for reuniting siblings to encourage stronger relationships and help them navigate their way through life with the support of their siblings and volunteers from Siblings Forever. Two of her children have served as camp counselors, and others now join her in the cake decorating endeavor. Kasey and her husband, Kurt, who is retired from the U.S. Navy, live in Monticello, Georgia.  Resources:Siblings Forever website

Guest: Deacon Joe Grote – husband, father, and authorTeaching a math lesson to school children at his father’s bakery one day, Joe Grote learned a lesson which changed his life. More than half the kids in front of him had no father living at home, and it broke his heart. Raised Catholic, Joe admits his faith was lukewarm until his early 30s. He grew up with men actively involved in shaping his values and realized the importance of good male role models. Men mattered, not just for the future of each child, but for the future of our civilization.Joe threw himself into learning the core principles of building up strong young men to be good husbands and fathers. He coached sports teams and helped start a mentoring program called F.A.T.H.E.R.S, which consists of early-morning fellowship. Joe was ordained a Deacon in 2022. Over the years he collected snippets of advice which highlighted strong principles and core values. That collection became a book titled Where Have All the Fathers Gone?, consisting of 365 daily reflections intended to encourage men to embrace the role of fatherhood. Written in easy language and sorted by themes, each day’s reflection can be read in a few minutes, but intended to linger in our minds forever.Biography: Deacon Joe Grote lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Ann, his wife of 46 years, their four children, five grandchildren, and Levon, their yellow Labrador. For more than 18 years, Deacon Joe has been on a mission to restore the strength of the family, beginning with fathers. Drawing from decades of ministry, marriage, and leadership of his parish’s F.A.T.H.E.R.S. group, Deacon Joe helps open eyes and hearts to the countless obstacles that families face in our disjointed culture. Resources:  Deacon Joe Grote's websiteWhere Have All the Fathers Gone? by Deacon Joe GroteBooks Deacon Joe recommended: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen and The Divine Comedy by Dante

Guest: Dr. Bob Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center and authorWhen you watch God provide in miraculous ways, it changes you. Dr. Bob Schuchts witnessed this firsthand when good friends were facing a bleak Christmas. Their deep faith and bold prayers were answered so quickly and precisely that it could only have been God. He envied their trust.Witnessing unbelievable answers to prayer became the catalyst for Bob’s decision to help find healing for a common wound - our lack of trust. As a therapist and teacher, he would spend years learning to depend on God in those areas of his own life where trust mattered most. The fruit of those years led to the founding of the John Paul II Healing Center, whose mission is to embody the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II by bringing restoration and healing into the lives of those seeking a deeper intimacy with God.In his book, Trusting Our Father’s Provision, Dr. Schuchts shares a very personal testimony of learning how to lean into God, giving us the big picture and a biblical vision of trusting God in everything. This approach encourages us to seek the root of our struggles so we can learn to fully trust God with our life and possessions.  Biography: Dr. Bob Schuchts, Ph.D. spent more than 30 years as a marriage and family therapist while also teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in marriage and family relationships, human development and applied psychology. He held adjunct professor positions at Florida State University, Tallahassee Community College, and the Center for Biblical Studies in Tallahassee, Florida. He has also taught courses at the Theology of the Body Institute and the Augustine Institute. He founded the John Paul II Healing Center in 2004. Today it is flourishing as a national ministry with a dedicated and talented team who works in parishes and seminaries around the country as well as bringing people to their home-base in Tallahassee, Fla. Helping bishops, priests, seminarians, and the laity encounter God in a new way, the John Paul II Healing Center is working to bring transformation in the heart of the Church by teaching, healing, and equipping. Dr. Bob Schuchts is the author of several best-selling books and resources which are available through the Center. He also has a podcast called Restore the Glory.Resources:John Paul II Healing Center websiteTrusting Our Father’s Provision by  Dr. Bob SchuchtsBe Healed by  Dr. Bob SchuchtsRestore the Glory Podcast

Guest: Scott Weeman, marriage and family therapist, founder of "Catholic in Recovery"  Few things cause more shame and hopelessness than addiction. It’s never the plan, but will sneakily overtake a life. Others notice its effect long before the addict. Scott Weeman learned this the hard way. He hit rock bottom in his 20s and after a sobering call to his parents, stepped into his first 12-Step meeting the next morning. Fearfully expecting recrimination, Scott instead met a room full of hope.  From that moment on, life looked brighter. Scott learned addiction is a spiritual problem which demands a spiritual answer. Deciding to explore his Catholic heritage in earnest, Scott noticed how the 12-Step life subtly echoes the Catholic life. This became the impetus for “Catholic in Recovery" (CIR), a nonprofit organization seeking to serve those suffering from addictions, compulsions, or unhealthy attachments - but through a Catholic lens. While not meant to replace a secular 12-Step program, CIR shows the complementarity of each, giving those affected by addiction a solid roadmap to recovery. CIR offers both in-person meetings as well as weekly virtual meetings. Check out their website to get more detailed information on meetings as well as other resources such as Scott’s books, robust video learning modules, and tools for sobriety.  Biography: Scott Weeman holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University and serves as a marriage and family therapist in addition to his ministry work. He has appeared on EWTN’s The Journey Home, Women of Grace, and EWTN Live and is a recurring guest on Catholic Answers Live. His work has been featured on Hallow, Aleteia, and Patheos. Catholic in Recovery won the top prize in  OSV Institute’s “Catholic Innovation Challenge Showcase” in 2021. Scott lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Jacqueline, and their three children.Resources:Catholic in Recovery websiteThe Catholic in Recovery WorkbookThe Recovery Rosary - Meditations for Those Impacted by Addiction, Compulsions, and Unhealthy Attachments, a Catholic in Recovery book   The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments – A Catholic Journey through Recovery by Scott Weeman, winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award: Sacraments (Second Place)

Stephen Auth, missionary, author, and business executiveStephen Auth describes with humor and humility how, in the midst of a long career on Wall Street, he has a conversion experience in 2002 that leads to an incredible missionary journey, one that involves taking on what he describes as “mission impossible” projects. Following where he feels God is calling him, Stephen starts a New York City street mission that is all about transforming and bringing Catholics back to the faith. Stephen shares that he has seen how the Lord transforms us and our faith by the experiences we have when we work hand in hand with Him. Stephen’s book, The Missionary of Wall Street, includes riveting and often funny stories of how he and his group of missionaries - ordinary Catholics from the financial sector - work shoulder-to-shoulder with Christ, feeling God’s grace, as they evangelize their wary New York neighbors.Stephen Auth has had a long career on Wall Street and since 2000 has been with Federated Investors, where he serves as executive vice president and a chief investment officer of Federated Global Equities. Steve is a frequent guest on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg TV, and is a long-standing participant in Barron’s annual investment outlook panel. He earned his undergraduate degree at Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and his graduate degree at Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. Steve is a member of the Regnum Christi movement and sits on the national board of the Lumen Institute, which he helped found in New York. He has participated in missions in Mexico, and with his wife, Evelyn, has led the New York City street mission for ten years. Steve and Evelyn have two wonderful sons, Richard and Michael Auth.ResourcesStephen Auth’s Missionary of Wall Street websiteStephen Auth’s book, The Missionary of Wall Street: From Managing Money to Saving Souls on the Streets of New York, published by Sophia Institute PressSteve and Evelyn Auth developed a spiritual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art called “Pilgrimage to the Museum: Man’s Search for God through Art and Time”, published by Sophia Institute Press 

Guests: Sarah Weikert, Executive Director, and Andre White, Fatherhood Program and Facilities Manager Sarah Weikert and Andre White from Pregnancy Aid Clinic (PAC) share the incredible work they are doing to provide help and hope to mothers and fathers. Operating from the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life, PAC compassionately delivers services and programs created to lift up women, men, and families during moments of uncertainty or grief, through a journey designed to reveal their own dignity and claim their own future.Pregnancy Aid Clinic is a non-profit center that has been providing medical services, patient advocacy, parenting education, and post abortion healing regardless of financial ability, race, age, or religion since 1984. PAC’s care addresses the whole person - mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual - in a compassionate and nonjudgmental way.​ The clinic offers comprehensive programs for mothers and fathers to navigate from pregnancy to parenthood with a focus on parenting and life skills. They strive to protect children by strengthening families.​ PAC has clinics in Roswell, Atlanta, and Forest Park.PAC’s services are free thanks to donations, grants, and committed volunteers who work together to create a support system that makes it possible for mothers and families to choose life. Operating from a Catholic philosophy, they are blessed to have the endorsement of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.The Fatherhood Program at Pregnancy Aid Clinic is designed to empower men to embrace their roles as fathers, offering them resources, guidance, and a supportive community to help them succeed. Classes geared toward men cover key areas like spirituality, childcare, parenting, career development, and leadership skills. The program equips men to become engaged, responsible fathers who protect and nurture their families while building essential life skills.Resources:Visit PAC's website to learn more about their services and volunteer opportunities or call 404-763-4357. 

Guest: George Glezmann, Taliban prisonerFew people know America recently secured the release of a Delta Airlines mechanic who was held captive by the Taliban for over two years. How could that be?Born in Mexico and a former member of Mexico’s Air Force, George Glezmann also held a degree in anthropology. Working for a major international airline allowed him to explore more than 130 countries as a tourist. While visiting a sick relative with his wife in her native country of Georgia, she encouraged George to explore Afghanistan in December of 2022. Unfortunately, his route triggered suspicion and led to his surprise capture. For more than six months, Aleksandra didn’t know if her husband was dead or alive.  Listen as George shares the harrowing experience of isolation alongside physical and psychological torture. For over a year, he couldn’t sleep more than a few minutes at a time. All he could do was pray and exercise. Born and raised Catholic, George recited prayers audibly as a way to reinforce his faith. Knowing this would incite his guards to beat him and shout him down stubbornly increased his faith. Released in March 2025, George’s decision to forgive his captors is a testimony to the graces borne through faith under fire. Resources: Video and article, "Atlanta man freed after 2 years in Taliban custody thanks Delta, Trump" on Fox5 Atlanta"Atlanta man held captive by Taliban talks of being beaten for not renouncing Catholic faith" on WSB-TV Atlanta"George Glezmann returns home" video (1 min., 30 seconds) on FOX 5 News/YouTube"American George Glezmann released by Taliban 2 years after arrest in Afghanistan" video (2 min., 10 seconds) on CBS News/YouTubeU.S. Department of State - Release of George Glezmann Press Statement

Those outside Catholicism, and even some within her fold, misunderstand the role of the Pope. Thinking him either a dictator or super-human, they question why he’s needed. As former Protestant pastor Dr. Bergsma said in a recent Family Room podcast, it was Sola Scriptura’s lack of hierarchical authority which rattled him. Everyone could interpret the Bible as they saw fit, resulting in chaos. Listen as co-hosts Mari, John, and Craig tackle some of Catholicism’s most confusing doctrines. They stress the humanity of these men, reminding us every Pope brings his own brokenness to the role. Yet the Holy Spirit gives us the Pope we need for that particular time.  Fr. Mitch Pacwa marveled that each successive Pope seems to compensate for a weakness in his predecessor. This swing of the pendulum, compensating for the weakness of each Pope, is evidence of God’s omniscient hand over His beloved Church.   Hosts tell favorite stories of recent popes, and John closes the podcast after sharing he was a classmate of Pope Leo XIV in high school and college. Honoring this man who helped shape him in those formative years, John said, “If a Shepherd has to be gentle enough to care for the flock and keep them close, but fierce enough to keep the wolves off, Bob Prevost is the Holy Spirit’s choice.”   Resources:Papal infallibility in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 891-892 Papal infallibility from Wikipedia Subsidiarity topic discussed in episode of The Family RoomSt. Michael PrayerPope Leo XIV biographyArticle: “Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, known as the 'saint of the north' in Peru for his closeness to poor"Pope Saint John Paul II biographyMovie: Liberating a Continent:  John Paul II and the Fall of Communism.” (Trailer) - movie available on FORMED  (check your parish for subscription/access)

Guest: Dr. John Bergsma, theology professor, VP at St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, authorJubilee means “joy” – a lasting joy.  A Year of Jubilee is a year set aside to re-establish a right relationship with God and neighbor, focusing on forgiveness, healing and restoration. John Bergsma was raised a staunch Calvinist who’d never heard of a Jubilee Year.As a young father, he studied to become a pastor to support his growing family. After preaching for four years, John began to see cracks in the pillars of Protestantism and ended up stalling his ordination by going to graduate school at Notre Dame. It was in 1999 that he heard the excitement around the Jubilee Year of 2000 and was persuaded to write his dissertation on the Jubilee. That process propelled him into Catholicism, which he entered in 2001.Today, the Jubilee is celebrated every 25 years, and Dr. Bergsma has written a book called Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor in honor of this Jubilee year. In it, Dr. Bergsma shows how the Israelites’ release from slavery in Egypt became the first Jubilee, and Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jubilee. These points showcase the Catholic Church as the perpetual Jubilee, offering redemption, release from spiritual bondage, return to our true home, and rest in God’s fullness.  Biography: Dr. John Bergsma is a Full Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio, and Vice President for Biblical Theology and Mission Effectiveness at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He specializes in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He graduated from Notre Dame with high honors in 2004. Married to Dawn, they have eight children and three grandchildren and live in Steubenville.  Resources:Dr. John Bergsma’s website St. Paul Center for Biblical TheologyJesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor by Dr. John BergsmaFree Jubilee Companion:  Practical Tips for Living Out the Jubilee YearStunned by Scripture podcast

Guest: Mary Beth Bracy, consecrated virgin, writer, and researcherIt’s rare to have parents spiritually schooled by their child and even rarer they’d live to see that child declared a saint. Yet, this is the legacy Carlo Acutis bestowed on his parents, Antonia Salzano and Andrea Acutis. Nominally Catholic, Antonia had only been to Mass three times in her life before Carlo drew her back. Both parents led successful lives as cultural Catholics in the city of Rome, never dreaming their only child would become the Church’s first millennial saint.  In the book, God’s Influencer:  Holy Advice from Carlo Acutis, Antonia and Andrea share their spiritual journey with Father Giorgio Maria Carbone, a Dominican friar and priest. This interview candidly discloses the ways Carlo amazed his parents with a mature understanding of God. He also loved playing sports and video games, befriending everyone while also challenging them to live holy lives. Even as a young teen Carlo became a gifted catechist, teaching others a simple path to sainthood.  This saint in blue jeans died in 2006, just weeks after finding out he had leukemia. He was only 15 years old. Beatified in October 2020, his canonization was postponed in April due to the death of Pope Francis and has been rescheduled for September 7, 2025.   Biography: Mary Beth Bracy is a consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York. She is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality. Mary Beth has written articles for numerous Catholic publications and recorded some Catholic talks.  Resources: God’s Influencer: Holy Advice from St. Carlo Acutis published by Sophia Institute PressCarlo Acutis' official website Carlo Acutis' official list of Eucharistic MiraclesMary Beth Bracy's blog, “The Little Way”, and books. 

Guest: Dr. Gilbert R. Lavoie, medical doctor, authorDr. Gilbert Lavoie was a pre-med student at Boston College when he stumbled upon an old book, A Doctor at Calvary by Pierre Barbet.  Thinking it was simply about Jesus’ crucifixion, he became fascinated by the story of the burial cloth that surrounded Jesus in the tomb. A Catholic from birth, he never doubted the death and resurrection of Jesus but was skeptical about the possibility of there being physical evidence left behind.  As a physician, Lavoie felt called to investigate the possibility for fraud, which then began his 40+ year forensic study of this mysterious cloth.  His discoveries became  his book, The Shroud of Jesus: And the Sign John Ingeniously Concealed, where Dr. Lavoie invites you on a fascinating adventure to examine the Shroud of Turin, juxtaposing his scientific findings with John’s Gospel account of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Dr. Lavoie conducts his own studies to determine how blood transferred from a crucified body to cloth. He applies his experience in treating trauma patients and observing corpses in autopsy rooms to unveil intriguing insights about the image and blood on the shroud. By comparing his findings with the Gospel written by John, his discovery literally gives us a snapshot of the moment Jesus rose from the dead.Biography: Dr. Lavoie is a medical doctor, a specialist in internal medicine, occupational medicine, and public health. He has pursued a forensic and scriptural study of the Shroud of Turin for more than 40 years. He has published books, a video, and articles all related to scriptural and medical forensic studies of the blood marks and image of the man of the shroud. He’s worked with the internationally-known sculptor, Pablo Eduardo, who completed a bronze sculpture that is a three-dimensional replica of the image of the man of the Shroud of Turin. Gilbert Lavoie has been married to his wife, Bonnie, for 43 years, and they have three grown children and ten grandchildren.  Resources:The Shroud of Jesus: And the Sign John Ingeniously ConcealedEWTN Bookmark - video interview about The Shroud of Jesus: And the Sign John Ingeniously ConcealedEWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa – video interview in 2023 with Dr. LavoieVernon D. Miller’s 1978 photographs of the Shroud of Turin

Guest: Patrick O’Hearn, author, literary consultant, speaker, freelance editorThe past few years have caused many people to question the meaning of life, seriously taking stock of their past and questioning their legacy. Decades of poor catechesis gave the impression Hell was a crutch for the weak. Without a belief in Hell, we can focus on pleasing ourselves. Yet, death brings about a sobering gut check of reality. Is it real? Is it empty? What’s the truth about Hell?Dan Burke and Patrick O’Hearn have done the heavy lifting necessary in their book, The Truth About Hell: Through the Wisdom of Jesus, Mary, and the Magisterium, giving their readers practical insights on how to understand and avoid Hell. Using Jesus’ own words in Scripture as well as Mary’s teachings given at Marian apparitions, you begin to comprehend God’s unfathomable love and His desire to share eternity with us.  Dan and Patrick tackle the hard questions with candor, outlining the Church’s teachings on Hell through the understanding of several Doctors of the Church. They give practical guidance on how to avoid Satan’s snares, sharing resources at the back of the book to help you focus on building your treasures in heaven.  Come, hear the real truth about Hell.  Biography: Patrick O'Hearn is an author, content writer, speaker, and literary consultant who served as TAN Books' acquisitions editor for two years.  He graduated with a master's in education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a bachelor's in marketing from St. Ambrose University.  Patrick is a cradle Catholic who didn’t pay much attention to God until his college roommate sparked his interest. That journey caused him to spend close to three years in a Benedictine Monastery before discerning the call to marriage. A devout Catholic and husband, Patrick and his wife, Amanda, have four children, two of whom are in heaven.  Resources: Patrick O'Hearn’s websiteThe Truth About Hell: Through the Wisdom of Jesus, Mary, and the Magisterium by Dan Burke and Patrick O’HearnNursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today's Parents by Cassie Everts and Patrick O'HearnPilgrimage to Italy, Slovenia, and Austria with Fr. John Retar

Guest: Dr. Matthew Petrusek, author and professor of Catholic ethicsDr. Matthew Petrusek considered himself an intellectual problem solver even in his teen years. Growing up in a small Catholic community in LeGrande, Oregon, surrounded by Mormons, he never considered any other religion but saw religion as an intellectual puzzle to be solved.Both his Masters and PhD were in religious ethics, and his latest book, Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture, offers an antidote to ideological thinking by introducing the principles of Catholic social thought. Secular political ideologies attempt to provide a total view of reality without reference to God.  Yet all of them are, at heart, forms of idolatry, leading them to the false gods of pleasure, self, tribe, or fortune. Petrusek shows how Catholic teaching, while respecting the genuine concerns of these worldviews, responds to their errors and deficiencies by providing a more rational and moral alternative.With a genuinely hopeful view of the future, Dr. Petrusek is co-founder of advantageDES, a pioneering alternative to DEI programs built on the values of dignity, equality, and solidarity that assists companies in creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.   Biography: Matthew R. Petrusek, PhD is the Senior Director of the Word on Fire Institute and its Professor of Catholic Ethics. In addition to serving as a Word on Fire Professor, he has written and hosted the bilingual show, Reasons to Believe / Razones Para Creer at WordNet TV, co-authored Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity: The Search for a Meaningful Life (Word on Fire Institute), co-edited Ethics and Advocacy: Bridges and Boundaries (Cascade Books) and Value and Vulnerability: Contemporary Interfaith Dialogue on Human Dignity (University of Notre Dame Press), and is published in numerous academic journals. He received an MA (Yale University) and PhD (University of Chicago) in religious ethics. He specializes in Christian ethics and moral theology, though lectures broadly, in English and Spanish, on philosophy, theology, social issues, the new evangelization, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Dr. Petrusek is the host of the Word on Fire Show with Bishop Barron. He lives with his wife and children in southern Minnesota.Resources:Evangelization and Idealogy: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture  Word on Fire InstituteadvantageDES - a pioneering alternative to DEI programs