The Patrick Madrid Show

This episode of The Patrick Madrid Show is tender, raw, and packed with grace. It all starts with an email from Aaron, a Catholic school teacher who teaches grades 2–8. His school just suffered a devastating tragedy: a young boy — just about to enter sixth grade — was killed in an accident. Aaron, heartbroken, is reaching out for help. He's thinking ahead: how do I help my students process this? What do I say when they ask, “Why did God allow this?” What Patrick Said: “Words can only go so far.” He starts there — with brutal honesty. When your heart is shattered, “God is with you” can feel... empty, even if it’s true. Patrick encourages him to use the moment as a “Catechetical Popcorn Trail” Start small and lay the groundwork. Help kids understand why death even exists by going back to Adam and Eve, the Fall, and the entrance of sin into the world. This tragedy, as awful as it is, becomes a gateway into the bigger story of salvation.  “Death is not natural. It’s not how we were meant to live.” God created us for life, forever, with Him. Death entered through sin. That helps kids understand their instincts are right — this feels wrong because it is wrong. But that’s not the end... Jesus didn’t just die — He conquered death. Kids can look at the crucifix with new eyes. He chose to suffer, chose to die, so that death wouldn’t be the final word for us. But Also... Teach Them This: Original Sin is not the same as personal sin. Patrick offers a great analogy: Imagine your billionaire parents lose all their wealth due to a crime. You didn't do anything, but you still lose the inheritance. That’s original sin. Through baptism, God gives it all back, and more. This boy might be in heaven. Patrick encourages Aaron to comfort the students with hope — if the boy was in 5th grade, it would make sense that he probably never committed a mortal sin. That’s theologically solid hope.  Teach them how to pray for him, through offering Masses and praying the Chaplet. Let them participate in his journey to Heaven. The Most Beautiful Part At the end of the show, Aaron calls in; he just wants to say thank you. You can hear how much he loves his students and how much he’s leaning on the Holy Spirit. It’s one of those quiet holy moments that makes you realize the Church is so alive in people like him. If You’re a Teacher, Parent, or Just a Catholic Who Cares… This episode is worth your time. It reminds us that grief is the place faith speaks loudest. Our job isn’t to “fix” grief. It’s to walk through it with others, pointing to the Cross... and beyond it, to the Resurrection. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Patrick reads a heartbreaking email from Aaron, a Catholic school teacher shattered by loss, and shares how to talk honestly with children about death, original sin, and God's love without shrinking from their pain. He encourages Vivian as she wrestles with unending prayers for her son, blending stories of faith, persistence, and humility in the face of unanswered questions. When young Guadalupe calls in, Patrick breaks down the substance and words behind each sacrament, meeting curiosity with clarity and warmth, giving listeners both comfort and challenge as the morning unfolds.   Aaron (email) – A young boy was just tragically killed. Why does God allow this? (00:52) Jocelyn - How long should I pray for any prayer intention? (17:44) Aaron – Thank you for responding to my email. I appreciate your comments. (30:56) Amanda (email) – There was a wandering dog at Mass (38:14) Guadalupe (11-years-old) - What are the sacraments made out of? (42:21)

Patrick opens the hour turning his attention to a recent Stanford study suggesting COVID-19 vaccine benefits might have been overstated, sparking a raw and honest exchange about public trust, mandates, and the fallout on those who refused the shot. As calls come in, Patrick listens to a moving story from a lifelong Mormon feeling pulled towards Catholicism, then offers heartfelt, practical direction to Jenny, a convert wrestling with obstacles on her path to the Church. Conversations zigzag between faith and personal struggle with a sincerity that refuses to gloss over the hard parts.   Stanford-led study finds COVID vaccines saved far fewer lives than previously reported (00:36) Todd - The Holy Spirit is alive and well in Relevant Radio. (12:26) Email - I've been listening to you and Relevant Radio daily for about 3 months and have been feeling a swelling desire to become part of the great Catholic family but have no idea how to start. (18:13) Jenny - I am not Catholic and have been seeking the faith since 2022. I have an annulment, but I am told that my Catholic husband must come back to the faith. Is this true? (32:45)

Patrick fields heartfelt questions from callers wrestling with faith and real-life dilemmas, offering practical Catholic wisdom for tangled family issues, temptations, and honest living. Unfiltered stories pour in—uncertainty about sending a child to Catholic school, the weight of confessing real sins, confusion about purgatory in scripture—sparking advice that’s candid and immediate. Every answer, shaped by deep faith and a dash of humor, brings both clarity and encouragement to listeners craving guidance.   Ruby - How do I handle when my husband wants me to sign something that would be dishonest (00:51)  Clifton - Why did Jesus only spend 2 nights in the tomb instead of 3 nights? (07:38) Lorraina - I have a 6-year-old daughter, and my sister is willing to pay for the first year of Catholic school. I am still not sure if I should send her to Catholic or a public school. (12:19) Peter (14-years-old) - How has God been in existence forever? (21:15) Danny - 7th Day Adventist and Calvary Chapel denominations: What are their objections to Catholicism and how do we overcome them? (37:18) Luisa - How can we avoid falling into sin? (45:11)

Whew! This episode of The Patrick Madrid Show is thought-provoking, a little scary, and very relevant for every Catholic parent, teacher, and really anyone who knows a teenager.  Patrick and Producer Cyrus tackle a recent report showing that a third (yes, 1 in 3!) of American teens aged 13–17 say they prefer chatting with AI bots over actual humans.  “AI is just a tool” – Patrick’s Perspective Patrick makes it clear that he's not afraid of AI, just like he’s not afraid of a knife or the internet. Tools can be dangerous or useful; it depends on how you use them.  While he’s not panicking, he is sounding a big ol’ warning bell for parents.  He compares AI today to the early days of the internet in the ‘90s — when no one really understood what it was going to become. (Anyone else remember dial-up modems?) He believes AI may be even bigger in terms of its impact on society. The Report That Got Everyone Talking The big story they discussed came from a study called “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs”. It reveals that: -A full third of teens say they’d rather talk to AI than to friends or family  -Many use AI for emotional support, friendship, and even immoral content -Teens are sharing personal details with these bots -Many of them think the bots are better listeners than their actual human companions Let that sink in: teens are calling these things “companions” — human-sounding language for a non-human tool. Parents, This Is Your Cue! Patrick and Cyrus both open up about their own experiences as dads. Cyrus mentioned how his 18-year-old son spent most of his social time during high school in the gaming world, chatting online with friends instead of hanging out in person.  They reminisce about the days when “socializing” meant actually being in the same room. Remember those? Board games, backyard baseball, pizza parties. Good times. Patrick’s challenge to parents is to step up, be aware, and be involved. Parents, here’s what Patrick recommends you should do: -Start the conversation. Ask your kids if they’re using AI and how. -Teach them discernment. They need to know that not everything AI says is true or safe. -Remind them of real connection. Face-to-face friendship > artificial conversations -Watch the privacy risks. Nothing shared with AI is truly private. Those convos can be hacked, stored, and sold.  The Bottom Line AI is becoming a counterfeit friend for kids who are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and identity.  But the Church — and real, healthy human relationships — are where true healing and connection happen.... not in a chatbot pretending to care. Question for YOU:Have you noticed teens in your life relying more on tech than actual friendships? What are you doing to keep real connection alive?

Patrick opens the hour reflecting on late-night television’s shift from the genial wit of Johnny Carson to what he sees as the harsh, politicized comedy behind Stephen Colbert’s cancellation. He shares how digital life devours nearly half the waking day for most Americans and shares research revealing one-third of teens now turn to AI chatbots for emotional support rather than real people. A call from physicist Tom throws open the gates on AI’s privacy pitfalls and ethical quicksand, urging parents to recognize just how quickly children can slip away into digital intimacy with machines.   ‘We’re With Colbert’ rally draws just 20 protesters. (00:58) Audio: Johnny Carson on why he doesn’t get into “serious” issues on The Tonight Show (05:45) Americans spend nearly half their day online — whether it’s work or play — ‘eye-opening’ poll shows (12:49) A 3rd of U.S. teens now say they prefer talking to AI companions over real friends (24:23) Tom - I am a physicist and AI pioneer. What you are discussing is super important. It promotes your confirmation bias just like humans do. Everything modern or recent takes precedence. I am dedicated to developing ethical AI. (39:21)

Patrick opens the phones to callers wrestling with Catholic parenting, tech boundaries, and choosing family-friendly shows like “The Waltons,” reflecting on the hard lessons and simple wisdom he’s gained. Listeners press him on tough issues such as guiding resistant teens in matters of faith, shifting family dynamics after conversion, and responding to Church disputes over controversial topics, especially where tradition and current culture conflict. With each exchange, Patrick moves between encouragement, practical advice, and sharp caution—challenging both assumptions and methods, whether it’s dealing with fee-charging healing ministries or understanding biblical language about the heavens.   Jenny - Have you ever considered writing a parenting book? (00:36) Susanne - Can I attend a Protestant Church as a Catholic? My husband and I are converts to Catholicism, but our children did not convert, and they are still minors. (10:27) Michael - How do we reconcile Pride Masses with our Catholic beliefs? (19:53) Allison - My parish is having healing ministry classes, and I am not sure if they are Catholic. (27:07) Kevin - What is the history of the Tabernacle? How did we end up with it in Christianity? (33:54) Dana - You just mentioned Dr. Peter Kreeft. I feel like his arguments are not convincing in making the case for Catholicism. (36:23) Heather - What is the best way to read the Catechism? (49:19)

Patrick fields heartfelt and challenging questions from listeners, offering practical insight on topics like guardian angels, Catholic parish life, and faith-filled responses to healing ministries outside the Church. He shares personal anecdotes, guides listeners through nuanced teachings on prayer, Mass intentions, and the ethics of birth control, all while weaving in stories of hidden holiness and real-world struggles.    Allison (email) - I just got off the phone with you about the healing ministry school at the parish. My main concern was because the ministry is not specifically Catholic, is it ok to do? (00:32) Zachary - Do guardian angels hear our prayers to them if we mumble? Are we supposed to meditate on what is in the mystery of the Rosary? (06:04) Laurie - You praise the Walton's a lot, but they don't go to Catholic Church. Is it still ok to watch them? (12:16) Pat - A woman my son knows wants to become a Bride of Christ. What does this mean? (19:40) Tom – I am physically disabled and people ask to pray with me, but I find it annoying that they can’t accept the fact that I’m in a wheelchair. Do you have any advice? (24:40) Charlotte (email) – I am considering changing parishes from the Military Diocese (I am retired military) to a parish in my community and I have a child that is 12 and will need to receive Confirmation (28:45) James (email) - I was reflecting on Sunday’s first reading, Genesis 18:20–32, where Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if even ten righteous people can be found. It made me wonder—could it be that in our own time, it’s just a small number of truly holy people who are holding back God’s justice? (31:13) Jackie - Can evil control or hear our thoughts? (35:53)

Patrick discusses how Christians should approach the trans issue, a non-Catholic being a principal at a Catholic school and did God destroy Sodom and Gomora because of a lack of hospitality or was it something else?  Email – How is a Christian to approach the trans issue?   Maria - What do you think about non-Catholics being principal at Catholic schools?   Peter - Did God destroy Sodom and Gomora because of in hospitality or homosexuality?   Jay - What is the Pope's authority in regards to non-religious issues like Politics?    Juan - If I previously confessed my sin to a priest do I have to present them again at the last rites?

Patrick answers a question from Ann: Why do some people write the word God without the "O" and they replace the "O" with a hyphen? and how can we guide our children to choose Catholic partners for marriage instead of partners from other faiths?   Email – Abby – I am around Cyrus’s age and was taught that the Israelites and the Jewish people have continued to be persecuted. Is God still angry with the Israelites?   Anna - Why do some people write the word God without the "O" and they replace the "O" with a hyphen?   Ann - I got invited to a baby shower for my nephew's Girlfriend who is pregnant. Can I go?   Julia - How do you keep your kids Catholic in this woke world we live in? Also how can we guide our children to choose Catholic partners for marriage instead of partners from other faiths?