Restore The Glory Podcast

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Jason Evert, a Catholic speaker, author, and expert on the Theology of the Body. Together they explore the history of gender theory, how contraception shifted culture, and why it's important to root our identity in God. They also discuss how wounds and unmet needs are often tied to the experience of gender dysphoria and how our culture avoids addressing the source of suffering. Key Points: The term gender has only recently entered into our vocabulary Wounds, past traumas, and unmet needs for belonging, love, and safety are often the root cause for someone experiencing gender dysphoria Many European countries and leading medical institutions are now rethinking their gender-affirmative protocols after evidence showed these interventions often failed to resolve underlying distress and caused harm Rather than addressing the source of suffering, our culture has told us our bodies are the problem The different gender labels within society today offer an identity and community to those feeling rejected or isolated Our identity is as beloved children of God and shouldn't be reduced to how we feel or our social affiliations The truth can become a weapon if we don't first listen in love and acknowledge the experience of suffering Resources: Jason's Website Male, Female, Other? A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender by Jason Evert Male, Female, Other? booklet by Jason Evert with an introduction by Chole Cole Theology of the Body in One Hour by Jason Evert Navigating Gender with Charity and Clarity Course Gender Resources Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:36 How Jason Discovered the Theology of the Body 05:35 The History of Gender Theory 15:45 When the Body is Made the Problem 23:54 Addressing the Experienced Suffering 29:51 Same Sex Attraction and Finding Your True Identity 38:33 How to Share the Truth without Using Truth as a Weapon 46:44 They Need to Trust You Before They Will Trust Your Ideas 54:33 Resources Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Jake and Bob dive into the concept of identity and its crucial role in healing. They explore how our beliefs shape who we think we are, shedding light on the dangers of distorted identities in a fallen world. Key questions like 'Who am I?' guide the journey back to our true selves, rooted in God's love. They discuss the importance of belonging and being seen for healing to take place. Ultimately, they emphasize that embracing our God-given identity involves surrender, revealing the true essence of who we are.

This discussion dives into the beautifully relational nature of inner healing within the Catholic tradition. The hosts emphasize three expressions of prayer—vocal, meditative, and contemplative—and their integral roles in healing. They caution against turning prayer into a formula, highlighting the need for heartfelt engagement with Jesus. The process involves patience and trust in God's timing, while also exploring the significance of silence and listening for divine guidance. Overall, it's a journey towards deeper communion with the Divine.

Dr. Shane Owens, a theology professor at Franciscan University and author, joins for a deep dive into the nature of desire through St. Augustine’s insights. He discusses how desires can lead us closer to God or misdirect us toward sin. Shane emphasizes the importance of memory in shaping identity and healing, suggesting vulnerability as key to understanding ourselves. He highlights Scripture's role in revealing true beauty and reminds us that genuine fulfillment in God requires patience and trust.

Jake and Bob dive into the intriguing connections between desire, sin, and healing. They explore how sin often stems from a longing for the good and how unmet needs can distort these desires. Through examples like gluttony, they reveal the deeper longings for peace and connection. The discussion emphasizes recognizing and awakening holy desires rather than suppressing them, illustrated by favorite movies and personal stories. The duo encourages a reflective journey to uncover the authentic desires that drive us closer to God.

This week, Jake and Bob welcome Fr. Matthew Rolling to the show to discuss healing through the lens of Thomistic philosophy. The path to healing isn't a straight path and sometimes our experiences in life cloud our perception of reality. Fr. Matthew explains why philosophy helps us find truth and how it can redirect us when we become confused within our healing journeys. They also explore how sin affects healing, the role of our passions, and the importance of grace. Key Points: Philosophy helps us find the truth about reality Not all questions can be answered by human reason alone The human person is a union of body and soul We should not let our experiences define our reality Our desires have the ability to lead us towards what is inherently good Grace perfects nature, it does not destroy it Resources: The Glorious Freedom of the Children of God by Fr. Matthew Rolling (Available soon for purchase here) St. Gregory the Great Seminary Diocese of Lincoln Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:09 The Importance of Philosophy in Healing 00:09:08 The Error of Experiences Defining Reality 00:15:44 Understanding the Human Person as Body and Soul 00:22:13 The Relationship Between Sin and Wounds 00:25:20 Passions, Emotions, and Apparent Goods 00:34:30 Trauma and the Healing Process 00:41:57 Dealing with Desire, Fear, Joy, and Sorrow 00:47:42 How Grace and Virtue Lead to Healing 00:57:01 Discerning Truth in All Things Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob conclude their series on athletics by welcoming Fr. Burke Masters, the baseball priest, and Trevor Williams, the Washington Nationals pitcher, to the show! Together they discuss finding your identity in Christ when your job is about performing well, evangelizing as a professional athlete, and how sports can aid you in becoming a better Christian. Fr. Burke and Trevor also share how God led them to athletics, the story of how they met, and play a fun game with Jake and Bob at the end of the episode. Key Points: Even when our jobs demand we perform well, our core identity is as beloved children of God, not in what we do or achieve. True humility is revealed in how we respond both to success and to failure, not just in our losses. Integrating faith and sports means living out Christian values and witness in every context, not separating religious life from professional or competitive arenas. Authentic evangelization often emerges through genuine relationships, presence, and consistency of character, more than through words alone. Practice, discipline, and perseverance in sports mirror the virtues needed in the spiritual life. The tension between ambition and surrender is navigated by directing all striving and success toward God's glory rather than personal gain. Regular self-examination and reflection help transform both athletic and spiritual setbacks into opportunities for growth. Balancing vocations—such as career and family—requires intentional boundaries and prioritization of what truly matters. Resources: Grand Slam for God (or on Amazon) Fr. Burke's Website Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:33 Trevor's Family and Journey to Baseball 00:12:06 Fr. Burke's Baseball Story and Journey to the Priesthood 00:20:18 Finding Identity in God Not Sports 00:26:38 How Fr. Burke and Trevor Met 00:33:52 Evangelization in Professional Sports 00:39:24 Balancing Baseball and Family Life 00:41:55 How Sports Help You Become a Better Christian 00:50:39 Not Relying Solely on Your Own Effort 00:56:25 Sports Teaching Us How to Lose Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob continue their series on athletics, and welcome Bart Schuchts, a former D1 football player, to the podcast. Bart reflects on how athletics shaped his self-identity, beliefs, and relationships from childhood through his adult life. They also discuss sports culture, fear based coaching, and the fine line between healthy competition and idolizing sports. Ultimately, when approached with balance and intention, athletics can foster deep connection, personal growth, and spiritual insight that extends far beyond the game itself, enriching every aspect of life. Key Points: Athletic achievement is often tied to receiving love, affirmation, and attention in families, especially when there are older siblings who excel in sports. Sports can become an idol when one's entire sense of self-worth and identity is defined by performance and recognition. Sports teaches "conditional love," when praise and acceptance are contingent on athletic success. A coach's coaching style can establish either a positive, formative atmosphere or contribute to wounding dynamics. The question "Am I lovable?" is often unconsciously brought to sports, and how one seeks to answer that can drive them to healthy mastery of athletics or unhealthy obsession. Healthy participation in sports fosters union and belonging. It also highlights both the best and worst ways we seek connection, love, and purpose. Resources: Church on Fire (Bart's Website) Interview with Bart and Bobby Bowden Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:08:43 Sports in Bart's Life 00:10:44 Sports as an Idol 00:18:55 Finding Our Worth in Sports 00:28:38 The Good and Bad of Sports Culture 00:32:03 Dion Sanders and Work Ethic 00:33:39 Finding the Four Identities of a Human in Sports 00:34:58 Son vs Orphan 00:44:32 Brother 00:52:44 Husband 00:55:31 Father Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob begin a series on athletics, diving into the profound ways sports intersect with faith. Today, they are joined by Dr. Nicole Gabana Chiesa, a sports psychologist and former collegiate athlete. Together they explore the beauty of sports and how they can shape one's identity, foster virtue, and offer opportunities for healing that extend far beyond the playing field. However, athletics present many challenges beyond just physical injury. They also discuss the dangers of over-identifying with athletic success or failure, the impact of parental and societal expectations, and emphasize the importance of rooting one's identity in God's unconditional love rather than achievements. Key Points: Femininity and masculinity can both find authentic expression through sports Healthy competition in athletics can foster discipline, humility, perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. Sports also offer an opportunity to practice and learn delayed gratification, sacrifice, and adherence to rules which are virtues that lead to human flourishing Wounds can arise from sports through idolatry, performance culture, unhealthy comparison, or losing sight of the bigger story beyond the game Sports rules do not restrict, but rather create the possibility of freedom and meaningful play, much like God's laws facilitate human flourishing The identity of athletes can become overly tied to performance and success, leading to struggles or loss of self-worth when results or careers end Integrating faith and spirituality into sports helps athletes anchor their identity beyond achievement, rooting it in being a beloved child of God The desire for perfection seen in sports reflects a deeper call toward holiness and striving for spiritual growth Coaches and mentors play a significant, often formative, role in shaping not just athletic skills, but confidence, character, and motivation Playfulness and joy in sports are glimpses of the freedom and delight intended for us by God, paralleling receptivity in the spiritual life Resources: Pax Perform Website Dr. Nicole Gabana Chiesa's email: paxperform@gmail.com Gaudium et Spes On the Christian perspective on sport and the human person, from the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:49 Integrating Sports, Psychology, and Faith 00:08:00 Nicole's Faith and Experience with Sports 00:17:06 Femininity and Athletics 00:20:51 Identity and Comparison in Sports 00:27:53 When Competition Becomes Unhealthy 00:32:14 Virtues of Sports 00:38:02 Personal Experiences of Virtue in Sports and Coaches 00:47:59 Rules, Sacrifice, and Community in Sports 00:51:28 Wounds and Dangers in Sports 00:54:43 Performance Culture and Identity Loss 00:58:16 Sports as Formation and Healing 01:11:25 Sports Draw Us Closer to God Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob conclude their series on integrating faith with psychology. They welcome Beth Stoll, a therapist from St. Louis, to talk about how an encounter with God's love at a Healing the Whole Person retreat transformed her practice. She not only shares how suffering creates a greater capacity for empathy but also why therapists who have experienced deep suffering themselves are able to more deeply connect with clients. They also discuss why one must first live a life of faith before integrating faith in their practice, define the difference between praying with and praying for someone, and reflect on the challenges of trusting God rather than our own abilities. Key Points: Personal suffering can deepen a therapist's ability to empathize and connect with clients One must live a life of faith in their personal life before one can integrate it into their practice As a therapist, it is important to remember Jesus is the one who ultimately heals Learning to receive and allowing God to work in and through us can be difficult for both therapists and clients Integration is about encounter with the Lord through the therapist or Him directly Resources: Beth's Website Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:18 Beth's Journey Through Sorrow 05:58 The Impact of Suffering 11:42 How Prayer Shifted Beth's Practice 16:24 Jesus as the Primary Therapist 22:40 The Dynamics of Trust in Therapy 28:12 Praying for vs. Praying with Someone 34:57 Learning to Receive 40:42 Being the Presence of Christ 47:02 The Secret of Encounter and Integration Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!