If having a strong family and raising kids who know how to serve others is important - or necessary - to you, my guest today will inspire, encourage, and challenge you to reach those goals!

He prefers the word "invite" over "challenge," so I'm curious to hear what you think! :)

I was beyond honored to sit down with Fr. Leo Patalinghug, "the cooking priest," to talk about family dinners, sharing responsibilities in the home, building memories around food, and how he's serving many communities at once with his new food truck project.

You'll hear:

Why being a priest and a chef are basically the same calling
Fr. Leo's strong thoughts about family dinners and a strict boundary he encourages parents to set about dinner conversation
The science behind the necessity of gathering together around food
What Fr. Leo says to adults who don't know how to cook and the impersonal tragedy of processed/delivered food
A priest's prescription for date nights to keep the marriage strong (and be a good example for the children)
The Plating Grace and Grub food truck and how many communities and needs it serves (plus, YUM, I'm drooling over the menu!)
Some pointed words about media consumption, how we digest the words we're told, and what we really need a revival of in America
Fr. Leo's family experience with food saving relationships

There's a reason Fr. Leo is an internationally renowned speaker and a TV host—he's so great to listen to and has a LOT to say. Take notes!

I'm also so jazzed that he is quoted in my upcoming book on picky eating, coming in fall 2026!

Resources We Mention for Building Strong Families

Father Leo's book Saving the Family
Family dinner rituals to promote mental and physical health
The importance of family dinners
10 ways to make veggies more appealing to kids
More about connected parenting with Jennifer Kolari
To support Father Leo's food truck ministry, head over here
Check out his podcast and books
Follow Father Leo on Instagram and Facebook

Shop Wholestix and eat your organ meats here!

Get your free life skills workshops now!

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

John Gager

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