Plugged In - The Official Podcast for JSerra Catholic High School

Parents have never been busier. Professional responsibilities, kids' schedules, and non-stop extracurricular events can make the idea of creating a family culture seem almost impossible. Lisa Hendey came to that same conclusion. Married to a successful doctor, flourishing in her own career, and trying to raise two children, she realized something had to give. In fact something had: it was family time. On this episode of Plugged In, full-time professional and fuller-time mom Lisa Hendey explains what it took to "put first things first" in her own family life and walks us through the struggles, challenges, and ultimate triumphs she speaks and writes about across the nation. Sober, humble, and hopeful, she shares how she and her husband prioritized family without compromising a full life outside the home. ABOUT THE GUEST Lisa Hendey is a best-selling author, speaker, radio producer, and podcast host. She is the founder of CatholicMom.com, the host of "Lisa Hendey and Friends" and the co-host of "Catholic MomCast." Her books include The Grace of Yes, I'm a Saint in the Making, The Handbook for Catholic Moms, and I Am God's Storyteller. Lisa's fiction series for children, called Chime Travelers, has been read in elementary schools and Church groups worldwide. While maintaining a thriving career, Lisa raised two children in a faith-filled home -- something she sees as her greatest joy and accomplishment.

Arthur C. Brooks has done the homework on happiness. The tenured Harvard Business professor, who is also a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, shares with us the secrets to finding true and lasting happiness — the scientific way. In this full-length recording of a talk he delivered recently to the JSerra community, Brooks lays out the facts about happiness according to brain science, facts that may surprise many of us. The good news is happiness is not as hard to attain as we imagine. Tune in to this entertaining and transformational presentation with the potential to change your way of looking at life. ABOUT THE GUEST Arthur C. Brooks is the William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly "How to Build a Life" column. Brooks is the author of 12 books, including the 2022 #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness, and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations. His upcoming book, co-written with Oprah Winfrey, will explain why suffering is necessary for ultimate happiness.

For Dr. John Boyle, co-founder of the Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, not all books are made equal. Tune in as he explains why reading for reading's sake is not enough, and why reading the right books matters. In this extraordinary insightful conversation, Dr. Boyle explains why books impact who we become, and gives parents tips for determining what makes a book "good." His explanation may surprise you! ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Boyle is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He holds a Licentiate in Mediaeval Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto and a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from the University of Toronto. His published works on the thought of Thomas Aquinas are many; among them are Master Thomas Aquinas and the Fulness of Life and The Order and Division of Divine Truth: St. Thomas Aquinas as Scholastic Master of the Sacred Page. Aquinas on Scripture: A Primer will be available later this fall from Emmaus Academic. His awards and honors include a National Endowment for the Humanties Fellowship, the Aquinas Medal from the University of Dallas, and he has delivered the Aquinas Lecture at the National University of Ireland. Dr. Boyle lives in St. Paul with his wife, Dia; they have three grown children.

Fentanyl is now the number one cause of death among American adolescents. Declared a national emergency by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the alarming rise of this drug is that much more precarious due to its deceptive nature and its overpowering addictive qualities. Fifty times more potent than heroine and one hundred times stronger than morphine, the tiniest dose of Fentanyl has lethal implications. Tune into this sobering interview with Orange County Sheriff's drug education expert and learn what parents can do to protect their sons and daughters from this growing threat. ABOUT THE GUEST Sergeant Brian Gunsolley is a 23-year Orange County Sheriff's Department veteran with experience working in Corrections, Patrol, and Critical Incident Response Team, as well as serving as a Field Training Officer, Drug Liaison Officer, DUI Task Force member, and School Resource Officer. Sergeant Gunsolley currently supervises the Community Engagement Unit, responsible for providing safety education for schools and the general community. Sergeant Gunsolley has a BA in Economics from UCLA and a Master of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.

In this recording of a recent talk given by Fr. Robert Spitzer, the famed author, television host, and international advisor gets into the nitty gritty of the most contentious moral controversies confronting American young people today. With his trademark brilliance-made-simple, Fr. Spitzer identifies the undergirding bases of several modern moral stances and counters each one point by point with clarity and persuasion. Buckle up for this exhilarating, high-speed presentation that will have you on the edge of your seat and eager for more! About Fr. Robert SpitzerFr. Robert Spitzer is a Jesuit priest, the former president of Gonzaga University, and former Rector of JSerra Catholic High School. Fr. has authored over 10 books and made innumerable media appearances including The History Channel PBS series (multi-part series entitled Closer to the Truth), the Today Show (debating euthanasia), and Larry King Live(debating Stephen Hawking). His myriad of published articles has appeared in major publications Philosophy and Science and the Business and Professional Ethics Journal. Fr. Spitzer has spoken the world over, including addressing government officials in Costa Rica, Tony Blair's Cabinet in London, and on both sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland. He is the founder of numerous major national institutes such as Magis Center, Spitzer Center, and Healing the Culture. Additionally, Fr. has produced multiple television series for EWTN, most recently Fr. Spitzer's Universe. Fr. Spitzer has been a frequent speaker at JSerra and a regular presider at our all-school and Baccalaureate Masses.

In this episode of Plugged In, Dr. Leonard Sax and his 16-year old daughter Sarah explore the factors contributing to America's current "culture of disrespect." They answer questions such as: What's different about today's teen culture and why does it matter? How much social media is too much? Does limiting your child's social media use make any significant impact? Is TikTok good for my son or daughter? Is there evidence to support decisions around these issues or is all just guesswork? Tune in for the answers to these questions and many more on this month's episode of Plugged In.

Sr. Maria Catherine wasn't always a Jesus fan. Far from it. Before meeting Christ, she was an actress who was involved in a host of non-Christian practices and thought Christianity and its "superstitious belief system" would be the last thing she would ever give in to. Then something changed — dramatically. Tune in to hear how this now deeply committed religious sister took the long road to Christ. In this dynamic podcast, Sr. Maria Catherine shares in depth about her miraculous journey from black magic to the foot of the Cross. You won't believe it until you hear it! ABOUT THE GUEST Sr. Maria Catherine, O.P. is from the great state of Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, she worked in various industries but mainly banking and administration before entering the convent. Sister has traveled widely and has been one of a few representatives of her community on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a published author in the Catholic San Francisco, The Imaginative Conservative, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. She loves teaching English and Theology and continues to be grateful for the opportunity to study Aquinas at Ave Maria University. She is currently teaching English at JSerra Catholic High School.

Students struggle in school for a variety of reasons. How do parents recognize when their son or daughter's academic struggle deserves expert attention? How do they help their teenage child to overcome the stigma associated with learning challenges? In this mini-podcast, JSerra's Director of Learning and Academic Support, Drew Clute, tackles a topic which is touching upon more and more parents via their teenagers' academic experience. Drew steps us through the methods and the means parents and teachers can use together in order to hearten young people facing academic trials and arm them with the tools to bring them through with confidence and success. ABOUT THE GUEST Drew Clute is the Director of Learning and Academic Support at JSerra where he oversees multiple programs that provide support for various student groups on campus. Drew earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration Fresno State University (2006) and a certificate in serving under-privileged and at-risk youth. In 2010 he complete his M.A. in Secondary Education, as well as two credentials in social studies and mild-moderate special education. Drew spent six years teaching special education, History, Economics, and US Government in Fresno before coming to JSerra. He and his wife, Kristen, live with their two daughters, Chloe and Nora, in Laguna Beach, Calif.

Cara Morales believes that waiting is a necessary part of life and that if we embrace it with the right attitude it not only makes us stronger — it leads us to Christ. Usually, Cara says, we are not very good at waiting. Advent, however, the season of preparation for Christmas, gives us the chance year after year to embrace the reality of waiting and to ask Jesus to wait with us. Cara gives us three practical tips that will focus our hearts and lives on the expectant hope of Jesus in the days leading up to His coming this Christmas. ABOUT THE GUEST Cara Morales is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who divides her career between her private practice and parent coaching. A Franciscan University graduate, Cara was the founding member of JSerra's theology department and campus ministry program. Additionally, she crafted a vision for JSerra to become one of the first high school's in the country to provide full-time on-campus professional therapy, a practice she sees as increasingly more critical given the continual breakdown of the family. Cara now resides with her husband and three children in Idaho, where she continues to counsel clients and coach parents though her growing Facebook ministry: Powerfully Connected Parenting Tweens and Teens.

JSerra's new Virtue Program has been a smash hit with students and staff, but three months into the project, some parents are asking, "Weren't you doing enough?" JSerra History Teacher, Sr. John Michael of the Dominican Sisters of Ann Arbor, gives a dynamic overview of the big picture around virtues and shares some concrete stories of the fruit it is bearing in the lives of our students. Tune in and get the inside scoop from one of the architects and boots-on-the-ground practitioners of the Dominican Sisters only high school virtue program in the nation. ABOUT THE GUEST Sister John Michael has been in religious life for over ten years. For the past three of those years she has been a JSerra student favorite as a U.S. History and World History instructor. Sister has been pivotal pioneer of the Dominican Virtue Program being piloted on the high school level at JSerra. She grew up near Kansas City, Missouri with four sisters and a brother and enjoys many hobbies — not least of which are hiking, kayaking, playing guitar, piano, and just about every sport.