#194 Father Stephen Gadberry - The Unconventional Priest
Apr 24, 2025
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Father Stephen Gadberry, a dynamic priest in the Diocese of Little Rock, blends humor and depth in his storytelling. He shares insights on redefining masculinity through his active lifestyle and the meaningful role of faith in personal challenges. Gadberry discusses the balance between spiritual responsibilities and personal passions, emphasizing authenticity in faith. He navigates complex topics, including spirituality, generational trauma, and even psychedelics, encouraging honest dialogue about personal struggles and community support.
Father Stephen Gadberry, an unconventional priest, combines spiritual leadership with traditional masculine activities like sports and weightlifting.
The podcast emphasizes the impact of loss and the struggles children face when coping with the death of parents.
Authentic masculinity is portrayed as vital, encouraging men to embrace their energy and passion to lead effectively within their communities.
Community engagement and genuine relationships are crucial in overcoming personal struggles, promoting the idea of sharing burdens together.
Silence is highlighted as a powerful tool for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and hearing God's voice amidst life's noise.
The podcast encourages open discussions about mental health, especially concerning veterans, advocating for communal support and empathy.
Deep dives
The NBA Playoffs and Betting Insights
The podcast begins with excitement around the NBA playoffs and the thrill of engaging with sports betting. It highlights promotions from FanDuel for new customers, encouraging participation with financial incentives. The speaker humorously mentions Charles Barkley's fears while transitioning to the intensity of the playoffs. The introduction sets a lively tone for sports discussion and betting tips, showcasing the excitement of the basketball season.
Life's Challenges and the Death Question
The conversation shifts to heavier topics, particularly the struggles of coping with loss, specifically focusing on children who have lost parents. The speaker discusses the universal angst surrounding the inevitability of death and the fears associated with it. There is an emphasis on how facing these fears often leads to distractions rather than acceptance. This introspection acknowledges how the life of faith prepares individuals for the concept of death, urging a more profound understanding of mortality.
Masculinity and Its Cultural Significance
A significant discussion arises around the portrayal of masculinity, particularly in the context of a priest's life intertwined with traditional masculine activities like hunting and sports. The speaker points out the lack of visible masculinity in modern society and expresses admiration for priests who engage in such activities. This intersection of faith and masculinity is noted as a refreshing perspective that counters stereotypes of priests as solely focused on spiritual matters. It addresses a cultural resurgence of genuine masculinity, emphasizing the importance of diverse representations.
The Role of Fathers and Energy in Life
The speaker elaborates on the spiritual concept of fatherhood within the church, explaining how a father figures energizes and nurtures their community. They express that many men today struggle with stagnation and fear, which affects their relationships and interactions with others. It is posited that men need to embrace their inherent energy and passion to be effective leaders in their families and communities. The discussion touches on the necessity for authentic expressions of masculinity that inspire others, suggesting that true fatherhood and energy are life-generating.
Community and Authentic Connections
The importance of community and genuine relationships is highlighted, stressing the need for strong connections in overcoming life's challenges. The speaker advocates for an authentic approach where individuals share their realities and to cope with struggles together as a community. This communal aspect is contrasted with the isolation that many people feel, especially in the face of personal battles. Throughout this discussion, there is a call for vulnerability and authenticity as essential components of healing and support.
Reflections on Silence and Inner Healing
Silence is identified as a pivotal component for self-reflection and spiritual growth, providing a medium for individuals to confront their inner fears and beliefs. The speaker argues that moments of solitude can lead to profound realizations and healing experiences, enabling individuals to address long-buried emotions. This silence can also act as a gateway to hearing God’s voice, suggesting that retreating from the noise of the world is essential for spiritual clarity. In this context, silence becomes a sacred tool for personal development and divine connection.
Seeking God and Overcoming Doubts
The conversation emphasizes the journey of seeking a relationship with God despite doubts and insecurities, underscoring the fundamental belief in God’s love and presence. The speaker indicates that everyone experiences struggles with faith, but it is essential to confront these feelings honestly. By openly wrestling with doubts, individuals can find a more profound connection to God. This theme reiterates that faith is an ongoing journey marked by both certainty and uncertainty.
The Essence of Priesthood and Community Service
The responsibilities of a priest extend beyond mere spiritual guidance; they encompass serving and being present to their community in various capacities. The speaker describes the weight of accountability priests carry regarding their congregation, emphasizing their role in fostering community engagement and support. They highlight the priest's emotional obligations and how those responsibilities relate to their theological training. The overarching message is that priesthood is a commitment to both God and the people a priest serves, demanding continual growth and empathy.
Understanding and Addressing Mental Health
A candid discussion arises surrounding the issues of mental health and the alarming rate of suicides among veterans, highlighting the pressing need for support systems. The complexity of mental health struggles is acknowledged, underscoring that many factors contribute to these deep-rooted issues. The speaker emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, communal support, and the necessity to share burdens rather than face them alone. This call for addressing mental health reflects a broader societal imperative to ensure individuals feel valued and connected.
Insights on Spirituality and the Afterlife
The podcast delves into concepts surrounding the afterlife, including purgatory and the possibility of redemption, stressing God’s boundless grace. The belief that God’s forgiveness can extend even to those who take their own lives is articulated, acknowledging the complex interplay of mental health and spiritual belief. The conversation encourages a more compassionate understanding of suicide, focusing on empathy rather than judgment. The speaker reassures listeners that, ultimately, God's mercy remains vast and inclusive.
Seasonal Reflections on Faith and Practice
The podcast concludes with reflections on the seasonal aspects of faith practice, looking at how certain times foster deeper spiritual exploration and community engagement. The speaker underscores the cyclical nature of faith, where different seasons inspire distinct spiritual commitments and habits. They point out that these seasons can serve as invitations to renew one’s faith and reconnect with God and community. This cyclical aspect illustrates that faith is dynamic, calling for vibrant engagement throughout all aspects of life.
Father Stephen Gadberry is a priest in the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, ordained on May 28, 2016. Born and raised on a farm in the Arkansas Delta, he enlisted in the Air Force after high school, serving in Texas, Germany, and Central Iraq during the mid-2000s. With degrees in philosophy and theology from St. Joseph Seminary College and Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, he’s a scholar and a shepherd. As Word on Fire Institute fellow, he’s also hosted EWTN’s Breaking Bread and tackled obstacle courses on American Ninja Warrior. When he’s not leading Mass at St. Theresa Church in Little Rock, he’s lifting weights or coaching CrossFit, he spends time with his dogs, Murph and Shorty.
