Being Human

Explore the sneaky blind spots that hinder your personal growth, as shared through relatable stories and tough truths. Discover how defense mechanisms can protect you but also limit your potential. Uncover the value of outside perspectives, like mentors, to boost self-awareness. Embrace the beginner's mind to approach challenges with humility. Learn why seeking help proactively is vital for continuous development. Growth is a lifelong journey towards freedom and fulfillment—are you ready to take the leap?

In this engaging discussion, Nick Clune, a CPMAP graduate and founder of a men's ministry, shares his mission to help men overcome addiction and cultivate authentic relationships. He dives into the crisis of masculinity and the deep need for fatherly guidance in shaping true identity. Nick reveals how societal pressures lead many men astray and highlights the importance of compassion over discipline in breaking the shame cycle. With insights from his personal journey and his podcast, "Hey Brother," he advocates for building genuine connections among men.

Kickstart your year with a focus on renewal instead of resolutions. Explore powerful self-reflection techniques to unlock hidden patterns in your unconscious. Discover how accessing deeper self-awareness can enhance your spiritual growth. Find out how intentionality can shape your personal development journey. Learn about a simple exercise to tap into wisdom from your future self. Plus, get insights on viewing purgatory from a new perspective and leveraging psychological tools for transformation.

Are you truly dreaming big enough? Explore how childhood aspirations are often suppressed by societal norms. Discover the connection between your psychological, spiritual, and physiological growth. Learn the art of 'failing forward' and how your unconscious thoughts shape your reality. Gain practical insights into challenging unhelpful mental narratives and cultivating awareness for intentional living. Most importantly, uncover the unique greatness only you can offer the world!

Discover how understanding God’s love can transform your ability to heal and forgive—even amidst the deepest wounds. Explore the profound connection between psychology and spirituality, and unlock the secret to forgiveness through the trauma-informed lens of Divine Mercy. Discussed in this episode: The concept of Trauma-Informed Divine Mercy and its impact on forgiveness; The relationship between psychological and spiritual paths to forgiveness; Why forgiveness requires uncovering buried wounds; How trauma imprints on the brain and influences behavior; The role of psychological defense mechanisms, like repression, in avoiding pain; Why true forgiveness goes beyond a simple act of will; The importance of processing emotions like anger, sadness, and grief in healing; The dangers of viewing God through a lens of vengeance or wrath; How past experiences shape the stories we tell ourselves about hurt and healing; How truly understanding God’s mercy unlocks the ability to heal deep wounds and forgive others deeply. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Part 1 in this mini series on Divine Mercy:  Episode 205: Is God Angry? Understanding God’s Justice and Mercy Blog article: Catholic Psychology: Combining Easter and Trauma 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 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!

Discover the profound connection between God’s mercy and justice. We often think of them as opposites, but what if they’re not? Explore how this truth transforms your understanding of God’s love and deepens your capacity to receive His mercy. (Divine Mercy mini series, part 1 of 2) Discussed in this episode: Why this may be the most important topic ever discussed on the Being Human podcast; The surprising truth: mercy and justice are not opposites but inseparable; Why God is never angry with us, even if there are corrections we need to make; The idea of a wrathful God is a misunderstanding rooted in Calvinism and Jansenism, not Catholic teaching; God knows every detail of our lives—our wounds, weaknesses, and struggles—and judges us with complete understanding and compassion; Justice means seeing the full picture of our lives, and God’s infinite mercy flows from this perfect understanding; How the Enlightenment and postmodern thinking shaped our misconceptions of authority and objective truth; Why God’s justice isn’t about wrath but about seeing the whole picture of our lives; The deep psychological connection between forgiveness, mercy, and justice; The invitation to deepen our capacity to receive God’s mercy. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Grow in self-awareness and self-compassion through Catholic Mindfulness; 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 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!

Discover the vital link between self-compassion and following Christ, reframing our inner critics as allies instead of foes. Delve into the intriguing mono-mind vs. multi-mind theories and how our sub-personalities influence our choices. Learn why battling negative thoughts is counterproductive and explore practical strategies for fostering healing through gratitude and radical acceptance. Understand how cultural misconceptions can trap us in self-rejection while emphasizing the importance of inner silence for true self-reflection.

Gender confusion offers a unique chance for understanding the true essence of masculinity and femininity. The importance of complementarity is emphasized as a means to heal personal and cultural wounds. Historical and theological perspectives reveal how differences reflect God’s image. Insights on the impact of original sin reveal the need for reconciliation between genders. A discussion about integral complementarity sheds light on the interplay of equality and differentiation in relationships, enhancing our grasp of human dignity.

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.