This podcast explores the signs and nuances of emotional abuse in relationships, highlighting seven warning signs. It addresses the importance of understanding the difference between expressing negative emotions and verbal abuse. It also discusses the tactics used to isolate victims and the signs of feeling trapped in an abusive relationship. Additionally, it emphasizes the qualities of a healthy marriage and offers an assessment to identify significant issues.

Discover practical tips for effective communication in relationships, debunking the notion that arguing is a sign of trouble. Learn about the four negative styles of communication and how to counteract them. Understand the importance of appreciating relationships and connections in marriage.

Welcome to Episode 139 of the Being Human Podcast:  Same But Different: Distinctions Between the Brains of Men & Women (A Relationship Series, Part Two) Next up in our Relationship Series: A look at the brain differences between men and women! In this episode, Dr. Greg breaks open how growing in knowledge of the way God designed our bodies and brains - and especially the differences in each between the sexes - can help to enhance communication, deepen love, and strengthen relationships.     Highlights from the episode:  Men and women have small differences in their brains, but the impact of these differences are significant; The radically different ways that men and women think, and how each sex isn’t privy to the way the other works;  How brain imaging allows a glimpse into the way the brains of the opposite sex work;  The tendency of men to think spatially and have brains focused on problem solving, while women tend towards connection and attunement to the other in relationships; The difference in how men and women both experience anxiety and attempt to decrease their anxiety;  How recognition of the skills and gifts of the opposite sex can enhance teamwork and communication in relationship;  The way a husband can “fix” the emotional distress of his wife.    Resources mentioned or relevant: Past Being Human episodes on this topic:  Episode #12: Different By Design  Episode #14: Five Qualities of the Feminine Genius  Episode #75: Gender Fluidity or Complementarity? (Part 1 of 4) Episode #99: Diversity, Gender, and Genius of Women, w/ Simone Rizcallah The Female Brain - What’s Your Superpower? (1st of a 5-part blog series)  Read On the Masculine Genius, an article by Dr. Greg; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, including his relationships course, A Marriage Built to Last! Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 138 of the Being Human Podcast:  The One Thing That Really Matters in Marriage (A Relationship Series, Part One) This week kicks off a short series all about love, marriage, and relationships! In this episode, Dr. Greg boldly breaks open what we actually mean when we say “I do” to a spouse while also offering a practical way to love your spouse more effectively.    Highlights from the episode:  What is the real purpose and point of marriage?  How contemporary culture’s encouragement to live for oneself is diametrically opposed to living out marriage vows; Marriage vows as more than just a contract between two people; The importance of healthy boundaries and self-ownership while in relationship;  Marriage as a path to holiness and a way to follow Christ, which includes dying to self; The five love languages;   How we each feel loved differently based on our experiences in childhood; Why it’s important to understand your spouse's primary love language.    Resources mentioned or relevant: Struggling with a difficult relationship? Schedule a free consultation call with our team to discuss how we can help you; The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, including his relationships course, A Marriage Built to Last! Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 137 of the Being Human Podcast:  Demonic Real Talk This week, Dr. Greg gets real about the dangers involved with demonic fascination! Breaking open the risks involved with receiving unfiltered information about the workings of the devil, he offers principles to ponder when considering what kind of content is spiritually healthy to consume.    Highlights from the episode:  The increase in content on social media on topics related to the demonic and our call to steward our attention well;  The danger of opening our minds and hearts to unfiltered information about the demonic;  Fascination with and curiosity about the supernatural as a common proclivity; How content related to the demonic can affect our minds and hearts and thwart our experience of peace;  God’s plan of love for us and tactics the devil uses to draw us away from living out that plan; The importance of holding together our unique subjective experience with objective truth;  How the devil sows doubt in our hearts by tempting us to separate our subjective reality from objective truth; The importance of discerning whether the content we immerse ourselves in helps us grow in the peace of God.    Resources mentioned or relevant: The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time (book);  Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat;  Read “Brother Ass” or Masterpiece: How Do You View Your Body? (blog article);  Read You’re No Angel, But Neither Am I (blog article);  Episode #30: Coffee Talk: What If I’m Afraid to Dream? (Being Human podcast episode);  Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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! Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 136 of the Being Human Podcast:  How To Know If Your Anxiety Is More Spiritual or Emotional This week, Dr. Greg dives into an exploration of the interplay between our spiritual and emotional lives while breaking open how St. Ignatius of Loyola’s rules of discernment can help us to distinguish between spiritual and non-spiritual anxiety!     Highlights from the episode:  Anxiety as a complex experience that requires a holistic approach; Distinguishing between symptoms of an anxiety disorder, anxiety about everyday life, and the anxiety of losing Jesus;  Using the discernment of spirits as proposed by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a  guide to knowing how to address anxiety; Spiritual vs. non-spiritual desolation and consolation and the importance of distinguishing between the two;  How non-spiritual factors can affect our spiritual life; Ruminations, incessant or intrusive thinking, and loss of sleep as symptoms of anxiety disorder; Distinguishing between the need for therapy versus a need to learn how to trust God more; Catholic mindfulness as a helpful way to reduce anxiety.    Resources mentioned or relevant: The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Greg Bottaro; More on the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat;  Read You’re No Angel, But Neither Am I (blog article);  Listen to Episode #128: Can I Just Pray It Away? (A Mentorship Message);  Listen to Episode #18: Should You Just “Pray More”?;  Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to access all of Dr. Greg’s courses, including his Catholic Mindfulness 2: Discernment of Spirits course! Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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; Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 135 of the Being Human Podcast:  The Power of Mindful Awareness in Parenting & Relationships  This week, get another sneak peek into the daily communication that happens in Mentorship! In this episode, Dr. Greg offers a glimpse into how the practice of interior mindful awareness can have a powerful ripple effect, impacting how we interact with others and increasing our ability to connect with and be empathically present to them.    Highlights from the episode:  A psycho-educational excerpt from Dr. Greg’s work in Mentorship;  The impact of practicing Mindfulness in the context of family life;  How principles at the core of Catholic mindfulness are the same as those at the core of healing family wounds, behavioral issues, and relationships between parents and children;  The importance of interior awareness and turning towards the present moment;  The layers of emotion that are packed into each moment; Why we cannot get away from relationship even in the deepest solitude;  How practicing mindfulness teaches us to be aware of and focused on the present moment, allowing for more control over ourselves and our reactions;  Freedom of choice as part of the dignity and power of being human;  Empathy as key for understanding another’s interior life;  Our deep need to be understood and to know that we are seen; How parents teach children who they are by communicating love to them.   Resources mentioned or relevant: The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time by Dr. Greg Bottaro; Sign up for the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat; Blog articles about Catholic mindfulness: Why Catholic Mindfulness?  Do Not Be Anxious About the Things of Your Life  The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, or, Coffee, Satan’s Drink; Catholic Mindfulness 2: Discernment of Spirits Course  Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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! Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 134 of the Being Human Podcast:  Catholic Mindfulness: Why It’s Not Only Okay But Encouraged for Catholics to Practice  “Isn’t mindfulness Buddhist? Is it okay for Catholics to practice?” This week, we’re publishing a snippet from a CPMAP lecture in which Dr. Greg answers these questions and more! In this episode, he breaks open a definition of mindfulness while exploring its history, compatibility with Catholic teaching, and the many psychological and spiritual benefits of incorporating it into one’s life.   Discussed in the episode:  Mindfulness as developmental in that a new and deeper experience is available each consecutive time one moves through the material; History, development, and benefits of the 8-week mindfulness protocol;  A definition of mindfulness and exploration of present moment awareness;  How the seeds of Catholic mindfulness were planted while Dr. Greg was discerning with the Franciscan friars; Catholic mindfulness as a fruit of the integration of psychology and Catholic spirituality; Mindfulness as a practical way to bring our minds into a place of trustful surrender to God; Compatibility of mindfulness with Catholic teachings;  Comparison of Buddhist and Christian perspectives on unity and individuality. Resources mentioned or relevant: The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time by Dr. Greg Bottaro; More about the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat; Blog articles about Catholic mindfulness: Do Not Be Anxious About the Things of Your Life  The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, or, Coffee, Satan’s Drink;  Watch Mindfulness and Catholic Mystical Tradition (short YouTube video); Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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! Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 133 of the Being Human Podcast:  How Far is Too Far? (Navigating Boundaries in Relationships) Chastity: just the mention of this virtue is likely to induce a few eye-rolls. But chastity isn’t only for high schoolers and those who are dating (and even goes beyond romantic relationships)! In this episode, Dr. Greg breaks open why cultivating this virtue is necessary for all of us, and how it can apply to every relationship we're in.    Discussed in the episode:  A definition of chastity based on integration;  Chastity as applicable to a wide variety of relationships - not just romantic ones; Using the definition of chastity to help one determine the boundaries appropriate to the relationship;  The gift of self that is owed between spouses as part of the nature of the marital dynamic; The importance of understanding the nature of specific relationships;  How the paradigm of chastity helps us align ourselves with what is true, good, and beautiful; What a full gift of self on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level entails;  Answering three key questions as a way to gain clarity and peace in relationships.   Resources mentioned or relevant: Chastity & Boundaries Fillable Worksheet A Marriage Built to Last - Dr. Greg’s Relationship Course (also available through a membership to the Integrated Life!) Love & Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope St. John Paul II);  Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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! Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!  

Welcome to Episode 132 of the Being Human Podcast:  We Didn’t Plan to Have Seven Kids: Accommodating Life w/ Barbra Bottaro This week, Dr. Greg welcomes his wife Barbra (and their baby, David) to the show for a fun episode about the joys and challenges of the vocation to marriage and the call to be generous in love!    Discussed in this episode:  Learning how to parent as a process of trial and error, learning from mistakes, and adapting;  Relying on God's grace and others in one’s community as necessary when  navigating the challenges of family life;  How the spirit of generosity in love that Christians are called to is being eroded by the contraceptive mentality prevalent in our culture; Accommodating life rather than having life accommodate to one’s desires and needs; The family as a community and school of love and the natural progression of having children;  The importance of trusting God to provide for what is needed for the lives He entrusts to one’s care;  Love as a duty, responsibility, and challenge rather than just a good feeling; Striving to give 100% to one’s spouse in marriage rather than relying on a 50/50 split of responsibilities;  The importance of being intentional in noticing and caring for each child's needs as a way to teach them self-worth; The necessity of working through wounds from one’s family-of-origin in order not to pass them along to one’s children;  The great need for parental love in our culture and ways that couples can love others without being a biological parent;  Complementarity between the married and consecrated vocations and how each vocation can benefit the other.    Resources mentioned or relevant: Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II;  A Marriage Built to Last - Dr. Greg’s 8-part relationships course;  Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; 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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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! Join the waitlist to be notified about our next Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification!   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!