Being Human

Explore the divine interplay of masculinity and femininity, revealing how their tension can lead to holiness. The discussion unveils John Paul II’s insights on gender differences and their significance. Gain perspective on how history and ideology have shaped modern understandings of gender and equality. Understand the dangers of conflating equality with sameness, and discover the unique roles of figures like Mary and St. Joseph. This conversation emphasizes the need for appreciation of biological differences to foster unity and respect.

Barbra Bottaro, wife of psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro, shares her insights on marriage and family life from a Catholic viewpoint. The couple explores the complex idea of mutual submission in relationships, challenging traditional gender roles in family leadership. They discuss the cultural challenges of viewing submission as a shared responsibility, and how mutual trust is crucial for effective decision-making. Their candid conversation sheds light on navigating conflicts while respecting each partner's contributions, emphasizing that family leadership is a partnership, not a solo endeavor.

Dive into the fascinating world of gender complementarity with insights from John Paul II's teachings. Explore the differences between masculine and feminine genius and how they enhance relationships. Discover why understanding empathy and rationality is crucial for personal growth. Reflect on the significance of embracing the gifts of the opposite gender, and learn how love and intimacy are vital in overcoming modern challenges. Join this enlightening journey that celebrates both genders as essential to a fulfilling life.

In a compelling conversation, leadership expert Alexandre Havard discusses the 'three spiritual diseases'—rationalism, sentimentalism, and voluntarism—that can diminish our humanity. He shares insights on how these ideologies can separate our heart, mind, and will, leading us to live as 'partial human beings.' Havard warns against being swayed by influential thinkers like Descartes and Nietzsche, emphasizing the need for integration and emotional engagement for true personal growth in a fractured world.

Bishop James Conley shares his raw and personal journey of battling anxiety and depression as a Church leader. He reveals the trap of “just try harder” and emphasizes that true healing comes only by breaking free from self-reliance. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep pushing through, this episode will challenge and encourage you to embrace authentic healing.  Discussed in this episode: Bishop James Conley’s personal journey with anxiety, depression, and PTSD; The surprising decision to take a leave of absence and publicly share his mental health struggles as a bishop; Recognizing the trap of “try harder” and the American mentality of “ungodly self-reliance;” Self-reliance deepening mental health struggles instead of relieving them; Breaking free of the messages of “man up,” “work harder,” and “toughen it out” which led to a loss of joy; The fears involved in admitting that “I can’t fix myself;” How vulnerability and radical surrender became essential parts of his healing process; How relying on our own talents gets in the way of Christ working through us to do great things; The importance of a proper Catholic anthropology in addressing the modern mental health crisis; The impact of technology on children’s mental health and the value of play-based learning; How parents, schools, and the Church can work together to support children’s development; Bishop Conley's call for a radical renewal in education and healthcare grounded in Christ-centered principles. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Pastoral letters by Most Reverend James D. Conley, STL, Bishop of Lincoln: A Future with Hope (on mental health) The Joy and Wonder of Catholic Education: Developing Authentically Catholic Schools Resources recommended by Bishop Conley: Surrender Novena The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catholic Medical Association Catholic Healthcare Leadership Alliance Familiaris Consortio (The Christian Family in the Modern World)  Ex Corde Ecclesiae (On Catholic Universities) Need help? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your next best step;  Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!   Rate, review, and subscribe   Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.   Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.   For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

The discussion dives into the limitations of Aquinas' views on gender and their lingering effects in the Church today. A compelling 'truth bomb' from JP2 reshapes our understanding of identity and human dignity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mutual submission for true equality and critiques extreme Protestant gender interpretations. With insights from JP2, the talk highlights the need for a holistic understanding of gender amid modern confusion, serving as a guiding light through contemporary ideological shifts.

In this enlightening discussion, Fr. Louis Merosne, a priest passionate about blending spirituality with psychology, joins Dr. Greg. They dive into what it truly means to live a holy life, exploring the challenges that hold us back from intimacy with God. Key topics include the transformative power of giving up material attachments, insights from the story of the Rich Young Man, and the misconceptions around holiness. They also touch on the essential elements needed for deep spiritual growth and offer fresh perspectives on authentic faith.

In this special live-recorded episode from Australia, Dr. Greg and his guests explore the rich intersection of faith and mental health. Joined by spiritual director Katherine Stone, MGL, and CatholicPsych’s International Programs Director, Shawn van der Linden, the discussion weaves together personal stories, cultural insights, and thoughtful audience questions. Tune in to hear what Americans and Australians can learn from each other and gain a fresh perspective on faith’s role in mental health. Discussed in this episode: Dr. Greg Bottaro’s eye-opening experiences on his whirlwind three-week tour across Australia; Surprising cultural differences between the U.S. and Australia when it comes to mental health and faith; What Australians can teach us about staying anchored in faith in a secular society; Personal stories of accompanying others through journeys of anxiety, doubt, and growth; Katherine’s unique insights on the overlap of faith and mental health in spiritual direction; Mental distress issues that Katherine sees come up often in spiritual direction; Different ways scrupulosity manifests itself in the lives of dedicated Catholics; Why the spiritual dimension of the person needs to be front and center for any Catholic utilizing mental health services; Being created in God’s image means our core orientation is towards goodness and growth, despite any suffering or mental health challenges; Relationships “clear the path” for us to rediscover our goodness and move toward wholeness; Relationships in accompaniment provide individuals with a genuine sense of being deeply loved; The ultimate goal of the healing relationship is to guide us toward a deeper, more profound relationship with God; Why a deep understanding of Catholic anthropology matters in therapy; Those providing accompaniment—whether in therapy, mentorship, or spiritual direction—need support, too; The importance of having a support system and avoiding burnout by staying anchored; The “one foot on shore, one foot in the water” approach: balancing immersion in others’ experiences with personal grounding; Utilizing "parts work" to explore the various aspects of a person's identity, including the parts that hold anxiety or fear; Acknowledging and welcoming these anxious parts is essential, rather than fighting against them; Love and acceptance of each part of oneself facilitate a path toward greater wholeness and peace; Why faith and psychology aren’t in opposition—and how they powerfully work together. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Podcast with Katherine Stone MGL: Contemplating Culture: A Missionary Walk through A Secular Age; Learn more about Raphael Network, the Australian network of Catholic mental health care professionals; Learn more about parts work:  Episode 160: Healing through Parts Work Episode 179: Superheroes Within Book recommendation for parts work: Litanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry Crete; Need help? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your next best step;  Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!   Rate, review, and subscribe   Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.   Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.   For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

In today’s episode, Dr. Greg interviews Jack Beers—an amazing husband, father, and graduate of the CPMAP program. They chat about his journey from being a leader in mass evangelization to following his true calling in mentorship. Jack opens up about how the CPMAP program brought him closer to God, strengthened his family connections, and made him even better at what he loves—helping others. Discussed in this episode: Introduction to Jack Beers and his background with Dynamic Catholic; Jack’s journey from mass evangelization to personal mentorship; The transformative impact of the CPMAP certification on Jack’s life; Insights into the challenges Jack faced during the CPMAP program; The dramatic shift from mass evangelization to one-on-one accompaniment; Jack’s experience in becoming a better husband and father through CPMAP; Overcoming Cartesian Dualism through spiritual and psychological integration; Jack’s favorite parts and key takeaways from the CPMAP program; The role of supervision and mentorship in Jack’s growth as a mentor; How CPMAP deepened Jack’s understanding of human dignity and personhood; The impact of the CPMAP program on Jack’s professional and personal relationships; The significance of embracing vulnerability and openness in personal transformation; Jack’s 6-week spiritual bootcamp, RISE, and his current work as a Certified Mentor. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Feeling called to help others? Sign up for our Open House event! https://catholicpsych.com/openhouse Need help? Schedule a free consultation with Jack Beers to discuss your next best step;  Check out Jack Beer’s website for additional information and to sign up for RISE: https://www.thecatholicmentor.com/ Connect with Jack Beers directly on LinkedIn or email (jack@catholicpsych.com); Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!   Rate, review, and subscribe   Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.   Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.   For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

In this episode, Dr. Greg interviews Mary Sutarik, a graduate of the CatholicPsych certification program. Mary shares her journey from being a FOCUS missionary on college campuses to becoming a certified Catholic Mentor. They discuss the challenges she faced and the transformation she experienced through the program — and her work to now bring that transformation to others.  Discussed in this episode: Mary's background as a FOCUS missionary and how it shaped her journey; The mental health struggles Mary faced while on mission; How Mary discovered CatholicPsych; The key role of Mentorship (IDDM) in Mary's healing process; Mary’s decision to pursue certification in the CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; The challenges Mary faced during her certification training; Mary’s insights for those struggling with mental health issues in ministry; The unique aspects of CPMAP compared to other mental health training options; How Mary now mentors others using the CatholicPsych model; The impact of CPMAP on Mary's personal and professional life; The future of Mary’s work in mental health and ministry. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Feeling called to help others? Sign up for our Open House! https://catholicpsych.com/openhouse Connect with Mary Sutarik directly on Instagram (@themoderncatholicmentor) or email (mary@catholicpsych.com); Need help? Schedule a free consultation with Mary Sutarik to discuss your next best step;  Check out Mary’s website for more information and resources: https://www.themoderncatholicmentor.com/ Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!   Rate, review, and subscribe   Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.   Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.   For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!