

Smuggling Hope
Dan Lawson
A podcast designed to bring Catholic Counsel to the Community. Inviting listeners into therapeutic conversations to navigate the current landscape of family, faith, marriage, mental health, and growing cultural concerns. This podcast will benefit anyone who wants to increase in Truth, Freedom, and Love. Change the world, by changing yourself. Smuggle more hope into your life today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 30, 2025 • 25min
Fractured But Fierce: Healing After Betrayal
In this episode of Smuggling Hope, Dan delves into the challenging topic of betrayal in relationships, exploring its profound impact and the path to healing. He outlines the three essential steps to recovery: Atonement, Attunement, and Attachment, drawing on insights from relationship experts John and Julie Gottman. FREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!WANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small BusinesChapters00:00 Introduction to Smuggling Hope Podcast03:51 Understanding Betrayal in Relationships08:29 The Path to Atonement16:26 Rebuilding Emotional Connection through Attunement23:05 Restoring Bonds: The Importance of Attachment

Apr 25, 2025 • 25min
Four Keys to Unbreakable Hope
In this episode of Smuggling Hope, Dan explores the themes of hope, faith, and resilience through the lens of personal stories and teachings from Pope Benedict. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, silence, service, and the redemptive nature of suffering as essential components in cultivating hope in a chaotic world. FREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small BusinessChapters00:00 Introduction to Smuggling Hope03:34 The Story of Admiral James Stockdale07:02 Pope Benedict's Encyclical on Hope14:08 The Classrooms of Hope: Prayer and Silence19:45 The Classroom of Service22:22 The Classroom of Suffering and Responsibility

Apr 23, 2025 • 31min
Running On Empty: Managing Burnout
Dan discusses the importance of recovery rituals across physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual domains. He delves into the causes and indicators of burnout, emphasizing the need for intentionality and community support. FREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small BusinessChapters00:00 Introduction to Smuggling Hope Podcast03:29 Understanding Burnout: Causes and Indicators06:31 Intentional Living: Choosing Your Path09:45 The Importance of a Clear Mission12:40 Future Self: Visualizing Your Goals15:31 Measuring Success: Inputs vs. Outcomes18:23 Energy Management: The Key to Avoiding Burnout23:39 The Four Key Areas of Energy Recovery29:50 The Importance of Connection and Community33:35 Pacing and Boundaries for Sustainable Energy

Apr 18, 2025 • 42min
Betrayed With a Kiss: The Psychology of Judas and the Social Justice Warrior
Dan explores the themes of humility, obedience, and the dangers of activism without a foundation in Christ. He emphasizes the healing power of confession, the importance of structure in faith, and the mindset of betrayal that can arise when one prioritizes ideology over intimacy with God.Begin the Divine Mercy NovenaFREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business

Apr 16, 2025 • 52min
Systems, Saints, and the Savage Grace of Parenthood: An Interview with Conor Gallagher
In this episode of Smuggling Hope, Dan speaks with Conor Gallagher, a multifaceted entrepreneur and author, who shares insights on achieving harmony in life, parenting, and building a well-ordered family. Conor emphasizes the importance of support structures, intentionality in family life, and the systems that can help manage the complexities of raising a large family. He outlines six key components of a well-ordered family, including vision, unity, systems, metrics, relationships, and discernment, and discusses the significance of decentralized command in fostering independence and responsibility among children. Conor Gallagher is the CEO of multiple businesses including Well-Ordered Family, Good Will Publishers, and TAN Books. He is the executive director of the Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. He is also a board member at Saint Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, North Carolina. His published books include If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents, Still Amidst the Storm: A Family Man’s Search for Peace in an Anxious World, Parenting for Eternity, You Are Never Too Busy, You Have Only One Problem and Well-Ordered Family. He and his wife, Ashley, are parents to sixteen children and live near Charlotte, North Carolina.Conor Gallagher Show podcastPurchase Conor's book The Well Ordered Family here!FREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small BusinessChapters00:00 Introduction to Conor Gallagher02:07 Redefining Balance in Life07:37 Building Support Structures for Family12:27 The Well-Ordered Family System19:17 Six Components of a Well-Ordered Family25:01 Decentralized Command in Family Life28:30 Parenting with Humility and Mentorship30:51 The Role of Humility in Marriage34:05 Creating Structure and Order in Family Life40:06 Nurturing Marriage Amidst Parenting Challenges46:35 The Spiritual Dimension of Marriage

Apr 9, 2025 • 41min
Becoming Who You Are: Temperament, Virtue, and the Spiritual Life. An Interview With Rosemary McGuire Berry
In this episode of the Smuggling Hope podcast, Dan speaks with Rosemary McGuire Berry about the concept of temperaments, their historical origins, and their relevance in understanding personality types. They explore the four main temperaments—choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, and melancholic—discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and how this knowledge can enhance personal relationships, parenting, and spiritual growth. Rosemary shares her personal journey with temperaments and how saints exemplify these traits, providing insights on cultivating virtues and overcoming discouragement in the spiritual life.Get Rosemary's Book here! - Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints (use code HEARTSRENEWED15 to get 15% off)Follow Rosemary on Instagram @rosemary.writer and get her weekly articles on Substack at RosemaryMcGuireBerry.substack.com.FREE RESOURCES HEREStart Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business

Apr 8, 2025 • 32min
Steal Heaven, Become a Mystic
Dan explores the themes of mysticism, healing, and the importance of surrendering to God. Through stories of saints like St. Hyacinth and Mother Olga, he emphasizes the need to look at Jesus first in our lives, the power of adoration, and the significance of offering our struggles to God. Start Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!Surrender NovenaWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business

Apr 2, 2025 • 46min
Killing the Myths of Romance
In this episode of the Smuggling Hope podcast, Dan and Shannon Lawson explore the realities of marriage, challenging the myths of romantic fulfillment often portrayed in media. They discuss the importance of sacrifice, selflessness, and the daily 'little deaths' that contribute to a healthy relationship. Start Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business

Apr 1, 2025 • 20min
How to Stop Chasing Approval
In this episode of Smuggling Hope, Dan explores the pervasive struggle for approval that many face and offers insights on how to navigate this challenge. He presents ten key points, or 'commandments', that encourage listeners to embrace the courage to be disliked, focus on contribution rather than validation, and recognize that their past does not define them. Start Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business

Mar 26, 2025 • 32min
When the Apology Doesn't Come
In this episode of Smuggling Hope, Dan explores the complexities of apologies and the emotional impact of waiting for them. He discusses the reasons why people struggle to apologize, the importance of genuine apologies, and the distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation. Start Healing Your Marriage and FamilySave 15% at TAN BOOKS use code HEARTSRENEWED15 at checkout click here to shop and save!RESOURCES BELOWInterior Freedom by Fr. Jaques PhilippeWANT A BETTER SEX LIFE? Intimacy Guide:https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/71380525.htmWANT PEACE AT HOME? Family Culture:https://forms.aweber.com/form/19/955349019.htmEbook: https://forms.aweber.com/form/31/202341731.htmWHAT WORKS IN MARRIAGE Webinar: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/437413425.htmWatch this before you call a divorce attorney:https://forms.aweber.com/form/32/107630932.htmChesterton Academy of BuffaloFind a Chesterton School Near YouMezanine Creative Co: Graphic Design for Small Business


