Being Human

Kate LeFaivre shares the night everything changed—going to bed a wife and waking up a widow with eight kids, no warning, and a faith that had to carry her through shock. Dr. Greg and Kate explore what happens when the spiritual life meets real loss, and how grace shows up in places we never expect. Key Topics: The night Kate's husband died suddenly and the shock that reshaped her family forever How she navigated telling eight children their father was gone—and the hidden moments she only learned about years later The grief "checklist" she followed for a year…and why she still felt worse The Holy Week moment when Kate heard God speak directly into her despair The long, unexpected journey of becoming "a whole person" again after the death of a spouse How community support (and true, non-taking friendship) carried her through the darkest days What it was really like to consider dating again as a widowed mother of eight The birth of Mosaic Mentorship and why Kate now helps others rebuild beauty from broken pieces Learn More: Connect with Kate LeFaivre — Learn more about Mosaic Mentorship and Kate's work accompanying those carrying heavy grief CanaVox — A resource for understanding and strengthening marriage through research-based reading groups Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

The culture tells us to eliminate "toxic people." Jesus tells us to love our enemies. So what does real Christian charity look like when a relationship is painful, chaotic, or constantly draining? In this week's episode, Dr. Greg tackles one of the most common—and misunderstood—questions Catholics wrestle with: When is it time to set boundaries, and when is it time to stay and suffer with love? Key Topics: Why the issue is often the dynamic—not the person How to love others without losing yourself Why authentic self-care is an act of charity, not selfishness What the Cross reveals about healthy, sacrificial love How limits, space, and boundaries can actually protect love — not weaken it How to tell the difference between loving someone well and enabling unhealthy behavior What interior freedom looks like in messy or emotionally charged relationships How to know when your "yes" is coming from virtue… and when it's coming from fear, guilt, or pressure Learn More: Integrated Life Membership – Looking for steady formation and Christ-centered support? The Integrated Life community offers pathways, tools, and resources to help you live an ordered, peaceful, integrated Catholic life. Related episodes on toxic relationships: Ep. 253: You've Changed, Your Family Hasn't, Now What? Ep. 216: Breaking the Cycle of Pain: How to Heal from Childhood Wounds Ep. 215: When Are Parents Toxic? Navigating Toxic Family Relationships Ep. 142: How to Start Healing an Unhealthy Relationship Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

This week, Dr. Greg sits down with Adrian and Shaelyn Misiak to talk about the real-life tension of growing and healing while your family stays the same. Together they unpack how true boundaries flow from inner peace—not control—and how to stay grounded in mercy when old patterns resurface around the holidays. Key Topics: Why trying to control your family's behavior only increases anxiety—and what to do instead. Why "outgrowing your family" doesn't mean you've done anything wrong—and what it actually reveals about your healing. How to stay peaceful when one holiday comment sends you straight back into your old role. The surprising truth: boundaries aren't the solution… they're the result of inner peace. How to remain connected to your family without betraying the growth God is doing in you. How mercy—not distance—creates the safest emotional space when old wounds resurface. What to expect when you're the "different one" in the family…and how to carry that role with peace. Learn More: Living the Third Way Podcast with Adrian & Shaelyn Misiak – Torn between protecting your heart and staying close to the people you love? There's another way — and it starts here. "Living the Third Way" introduces you to a path of healing family dysfunction by restoring order, finding freedom, and discovering joy right in the middle of the messy, beautiful work of family life. Available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and the Podcast App. Want to connect with Adrian and Shaelyn? Visit their website and follow them on Instagram (@adrianandshae). Mercy Audio Exercise (Catholic Mindfulness) – A practice Adrian credits with shifting him toward greater peace, compassion, and freedom. Free download. Past episodes exploring masculinity and femininity: Ep. #200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote Ep. #197: Correcting Aquinas: JP2's Truth Bomb on Gender and Human Dignity Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Dr. Greg and Fr. Sam Kachuba hit record while walking the streets of Rome, dodging mopeds, eating gelato, and talking Pope St. Leo the Great, AI, and what it really means to be human. What does a 5th-century pope who faced Attila the Hun have to teach us about preserving culture, confronting modern threats, and embracing our humanity in the digital age? Key Topics: Walking the streets of Rome and recording a podcast mid-pilgrimage—interruptions and all How to make a pilgrimage transform your life—not just leave you with photos and memories What happens when we try to "transcend" being human instead of integrating it The rise of AI therapy, and what it reveals about the failures of modern psychology Why relationship—not efficiency—is the core of healing and growth Why protecting culture is part of protecting the dignity of the human person How ancient heresies about Christ's humanity still influence modern spiritual confusion Learn More: Integration Pilgrimages – A new model of pilgrimage that integrates mentorship, reflection, and ongoing formation The Tangent – Podcast by Fr. Sam Kachuba and Matt Sperrazza on Catholicism and culture Connect with Fr. Sam Kachuba – Learn more about Fr. Sam's work to accompany priests and religious Rerum Novarum – Pope Leo XIII's encyclical on capital and labor Humanae Vitae – Pope St. Paul VI's encyclical on the regulation of birth Address of Pope Leo XIV to Digital Missionaries (July 29, 2025) – A call to evangelize the digital continent with wisdom, humility, and human connection Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Corporate Governance (June 19‑20, 2025) – Exploring the Church's role in guiding the future of artificial intelligence Previous episodes with Fr. Sam Kachuba: Ep. 175 – Rethinking Formation: Preparing Priests for the Future Ep. 165 – Understanding the Past to Navigate the Present Ep. 125 – Following the Holy Spirit, Theology of the Body, CatholicPsych…and Other Tangents Previous episodes on artificial intelligence: Ep. 238 – The False Promise of AI and Psychedelics: A Catholic Response to Modern Healing Ep. 222 – Three Places AI Can Never Go Ep. 221 – Is AI Really More Effective Than Your Therapist? Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Dr. Greg is joined by Certified CatholicPsych Mentor Jack Beers for a deep and honest conversation about the Church's invitation to mourn well—especially during the month of November. What begins as a discussion on liturgical rhythms becomes a surprising and moving reflection on death, grief, legacy, and the radical hope of sainthood. Together, they explore how embracing the reality of death—rather than avoiding it—can actually lead to greater peace, healing, and flourishing. Key Topics: How meditating on your own death can bring clarity, peace, and purpose How popular culture distorts death—and what we lose when we avoid it Why the Church dedicates the month of November to the dead, and why it matters for your spiritual life The difference between ruminating on death and reflecting on it with intention Why Catholics are called to live in the tension of grief and resurrection How mourning connects us to legacy, eternity, and the call to become saints A practical invitation to pause, reflect, and realign at the end of the liturgical year What Jesus' response to Lazarus reveals about mourning with hope Learn More: Related episodes on Spiritual Warfare: Ep. 241: Big God LIttle Devil: Rethinking Spiritual Soundbites with Dr. Sean Tobin Ep. 137: Demonic Real Talk Related episodes on Halloween: Ep. 150: Can Catholics Celebrate Halloween? Ep. 45: Halloween, Haiti, and Spiritual Warfare Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

This discussion highlights the alarming trend of disintegration within the Church, echoing Martin Luther's initial break. Dr. Greg critiques outdated theological concepts, especially from Aquinas, that misrepresent femininity and masculinity. He stresses the importance of unity and doctrinal development, emphasizing the relevance of John Paul II's personalism. The podcast also calls for a reassessment of traditional views leading to societal harm and advocates for modern integration within Catholic teachings. The dialogue pushes for a unified approach without repeating past mistakes.

You might know St. John Paul II for Theology of the Body—but that's just scratching the surface. In this episode, Dr. Greg shares why JP2's deeper philosophy holds the key to understanding the human person today—especially in a world of AI therapy, psychedelics, and emotional confusion. Key Topics: Why relying solely on Aquinas isn't enough for addressing the psychological and spiritual needs of today The philosophical genius of St. John Paul II—and why he's more than just the "Theology of the Body pope" The critical difference between being a therapist who's Catholic and doing authentically Catholic therapy How personalism bridges timeless Church teaching with the complexities of modern life Why understanding subjective experience is essential for Catholic therapists, clergy, and educators How personalism offers a Catholic answer to postmodern relativism without losing objective truth Learn More: Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West – A clear, accessible introduction to John Paul II's groundbreaking teaching on love, sexuality, and the human person. Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) – A philosophical deep dive into human dignity, attraction, and the true meaning of love. Related podcast episodes: Ep. 180 – The Psychology of JP2: A Bold Proposal Ep. 183 – The Lead Domino Effect: Transformation Begins with a Blueprint Ep. 197 – Correcting Aquinas: JP2's Truth Bomb on Gender and Human Dignity Ep. 218 – My Conversation with a Secular Therapist: Unveiling the Blueprint of the Human Person Ep. 221 – Is AI Really More Effective Than Your Therapist? Ep. 238 – The False Promise of AI and Psychedelics Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Life as a parent is anything but simple. In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Greg and Fr. Dave Pivonka talk about the complexity of fatherhood, the wounds we carry, and how our vocation starts to make more sense when we begin to see God as Father—and dare to embrace our own weakness. Key Topics: Dr. Greg's raw reflection on feeling helpless as a dad—and what happened when he couldn't hold it all together The words every child longs to hear—and how one moment with his dad changed Fr. Dave's life What Fr. Dave learned at his father's deathbed—and why his family started clapping The surprising power of helplessness—and why it's safe to admit you don't have it all figured out Why obedience isn't restrictive—but actually the key to peace for parents How wounds from divorce, absence, or imperfect fathers still shape us today Why God's Fatherhood isn't just a metaphor—it's the foundation of healing Learn More: "My father's Father" – A Video Series by Fr. Dave Pivonka: A moving exploration of how our human experience of fatherhood affects our view of God the Father—told through Fr. Dave's personal story. Fr. Dave Pivonka on YouTube: Explore Fr. Dave's videos and powerful reflections on faith, fatherhood, and the spiritual life. "Overcoming Anxiety and Depression" – In Focus Series: Fr. Dave sits down with Dr. Greg Bottaro for a powerful series on the spiritual and psychological roots of anxiety and depression—and what real healing looks like. Redemptoris Custos by Pope John Paul II: Read the apostolic exhortation On the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church. Catherine Pakaluk: Learn more about economist and Catholic author Dr. Catherine Pakaluk. Franciscan University of Steubenville: Discover more about the university where Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, serves as president. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Scrupulosity isn't just "Catholic guilt gone too far"—it's a deeply painful form of OCD that can hijack your relationship with God. In this episode, Dr. Greg sits down with Stephanie Muncy, CatholicPsych's in-house expert (and someone who's lived it), to unpack what scrupulosity really is, how it distorts the spiritual life, and why the path to healing might look very different than you think. Key Topics: How scrupulosity is actually a debilitating form of OCD The scariest part of scrupulosity? It feels like it's about God—but it's really not Why obsessively going to confession or seeking reassurance only makes things worse The true root of scrupulosity isn't spiritual failure—it's unhealed anxiety How the need to "get it right" spiritually often masks a deeper wound Why you can't "logic your way out" of OCD What healing actually looks like—and why it's not about caring less Why even well-meaning spiritual advice can sometimes make things worse The most powerful thing you can offer someone suffering from scrupulosity Learn More: Blog articles by Stephanie Muncy: How to Settle Anxiety in the Heart and Mind of Someone with OCD The Love that Sets Us Free: A Compassionate Path through OCD Previously on the Being Human Podcast: Ep. #22: A Look at Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Scrupulosity Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat: An 8-week course that brings freedom from anxiety and depression by showing you how to live as if you really believe in a God who loves you. The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Greg Bottaro: A practical guide to finding peace in the present moment through Catholic mindfulness. CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism (CPMAP): Catholic accompaniment training that truly integrates faith and science. Learn more about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work: Ep. #160: Healing through Parts Work Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Parts? Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

oes following God mean life will be free from suffering? In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Greg reconnects with his longtime friend Stefanie Madden, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter to a rare neurological disorder. It's an honest conversation about grief, faith, and the truth that God doesn't promise to take away suffering—but He does promise to be with us in the midst of it. Key Topics: Stefanie's heartbreaking story of losing a child to a rare neurological condition Why the idea that "good Christians don't suffer" is not only false—but harmful How grief and faith can coexist without canceling each other out How Stefanie learned to carry her pain with God, not apart from Him What does it really mean to say God is with us in suffering? Why Stefanie says she now feels free for the first time in years What a grieving mom wishes she'd done differently Learn More: Baby Brian: A Pilgrim of Hope – Discover the full story of this incorrupt infant, view photos, and sign up for updates as his journey continues to unfold. Previously on Being Human: Ep. 79: The Weight of Grief with Bri Edwards A Thousand Pounds – An award-winning book offering strength and hope for parents carrying the unimaginable weight of grief. Lach's Legacy – Bri Edwards' nonprofit ministry serving families who have experienced the loss of a child. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn