Welcome to Episode 122 of the Being Human Podcast:  There Is No Real Marriage Therapy On this week’s podcast, Dr. Greg continues to uncover issues in the secular field of psychology by breaking open ways that marriage therapy as it exists today lacks what is necessary to truly support married couples. First on the list? Lack of a proper understanding of marriage.    Discussed in this episode: The purpose of marriage; How all “marriage therapy” research, publications, modalities, and techniques are not actually focused on marriage;  The lack of understanding about what it means to be a man or woman made in God’s image in a vocation leading to union with Him; What's missing from Relationship Enhancement Therapy, Gottman Institute research, and Imago Institute theory;  Catholic magisterial teaching on marriage vs. misinformation commonly taught;  What does it mean that through marriage we’re called to become saints? How errors in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas related to women have impacted our understanding of gender roles; The current demonization of masculinity as a retaliation against the demonization of women in the past; The importance of the complementarity between men and women in marriage; What does a truly Catholic marriage therapy look like?         Resources mentioned or relevant: Register for our upcoming Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification! Church documents referenced:  Mulieris Dignitatum by Pope St. John Paul II Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church On the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World, by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) The Theology of the Body by Pope St. John Paul II Sections of the Summa Theologiae referenced:  The production of the woman (Prima Pars, Q. 92) The vices opposed to perseverance (Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 138) Episode #96: Yes, I Was Wrong (Dialectic w/ Brian Butler);   Episode #75: Gender Fluidity or Complementarity (part one of a four-part series); The Gottman Institute, Imago Relationship Therapy, Relationship Enhancement Model;   Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute 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!   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 121 of the Being Human Podcast:  How the APA is Schizophrenic This week, Dr. Greg blasts the APA and reveals how, through their promotion of moral relativism in the secular field of psychology, they are causing confusion and chaos.  Discussed in this episode: How the diagnostic system of the mental health field is at the forefront of the push towards radical moral relativism;  The problem with Catholic mental health practitioners participating in a system that does not have a true understanding of what it is to be human;  The implications of homosexuality being removed from the DSM in 1980; The need to be bold in calling out ideas misaligned with the Faith while also remaining charitable towards the persons engaged in conversation; How the acceptance of a definition of being human grounded on moral relativism and absent of objective, transcendent truth is harming our culture;  Schizophrenia as a diagnosis of detachment from reality;  The impact of parental mental illness on a child;  The contradiction between supporting embodiment while also promoting transgenderism as healthy; Speaking the truth as the most compassionate response.  Resources mentioned or relevant: Register for our upcoming, free Open House!  Learn more about the CPMAP Certification Program;   Being Human Episode #72: The DSM Disease (Part One);  Being Human Episode #81: The Lies of the American Psychological Association;  Check out Dr. Peter Attia’s website;  Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute 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!   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 120 of the Being Human Podcast:  Leading with Vulnerability: A Visit w/ Fr. Louis Merosne Dr. Greg sits down with long-time friend Fr. Louis Merosne for an engaging conversation focused around vulnerability, friendship, the importance of authenticity and finding strength in our weaknesses. Fr. Louis also shares his experience of being in Mentorship and going through the CPMAP Certification program.    Discussed in this episode: What are the hallmarks of true friendship?  Love as the necessary environment for transformation; The issue with the lack of personal relationship and accompaniment in education;  The infinite mystery and depth of a human person; The dangers of being inauthentic and lacking in vulnerability when preparing for a vocation as a priest or mental health professional; Fr. Louis’ reflections on his experience as a CPMAP Certification student and of being in Mentorship;  Advice to seminarians about the value of authenticity and honesty in discernment; The power of leading with vulnerability and imperfections; The meaning of a corrective emotional experience; The process of learning to receive as a way to be able to keep giving; A Mentors’ role in being the face of the unconditional love of God to those with whom they are working.   Resources mentioned or relevant: Register for our upcoming Open House!  More about the CPMAP Certification Program; USCCB Program of Priestly Formation;  Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute 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!   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 119 of the Being Human Podcast:  The Trouble with TikTok This week, Dr. Greg opens up about the surprising (and troubling) discovery he made while scrolling through TikTok and offers a word of warning to parents about the platform while breaking open three principles parents can follow to guide their children in recognizing their dignity and potential for greatness.    Discussed in this episode: Moral reasons to avoid TikTok; Three principles that parents can follow to help them deal with the challenges of modern parenting;  Trusting gut instincts as a parent vs. following a communal sense of what is acceptable and good;  The impact of groupthink as shown in studies from social psychology;  The need to prepare one’s children for how to interact with the craziness of our current culture;  When and how to talk to children about their body and how to view and treat the bodies of others;  Children’s inherent desire for truth and capacity for greatness;  Our role and duty to know the truth and share it in our interactions with others;  Pointers for talking with children and teenagers in a way that validates their identity and sense of value and worth;   The importance of finding a balance between the extremes of being overly authoritarian and strict or being without boundaries, structure, or rules.    Resources mentioned or relevant: A Mother’s Glimpse of the Masculine Genius blog article by Christina Uhlich;  International Institute of Culture & Gender Studies;  Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you;  Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; Register for our upcoming Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification! 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!   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 118 of the Being Human Podcast:  Catching Foxes Interview w/ Dr. Greg: “Rings of a Tree” (Part 2 of 2) In this second part of their interview with Dr. Greg, Luke and Gomer from the Catching Foxes podcast open up about personal struggles while engaging Dr. Greg in deeper discussion about Internal Family Systems theory, parts work, spirituality, the use of psychedelics, and more!  *Mature Content Discussed in this episode: Is change, healing and growth actually possible? The ways that our many internal parts emerge along with specific “jobs”;  Gomer’s experience in struggling to heal from an addiction to pornography; How the negative spirituality that comes from distorted practices of religion can reinforce cycles of shame; The danger of operating out of our blended parts or identifying ourselves as one of our parts; Interior reconciliation of our parts as a path to integration; Differentiating between objective morality and subjective culpability; Repeated and addictive masturbation as a form of self harm due to shame;  The role of compassion and mercy vs. shame and judgment in changing our behaviors; The danger in over-spiritualizing addictions and trauma; Reasons why a model of Catholic psychology needs to be built on relationship;  What’s missing in the research related to psychedelics;   Psychedelics as a tool to increased awareness that requires accompaniment and relationship;  Dr. Greg’s thoughts on the use of psychedelics.  Resources mentioned or relevant: Listen to more Catching Foxes podcast episodes at catchingfoxes.fm; Read about Catching Foxes hosts, Luke and Gomer;  An introduction to Internal Family Systems theory (BH Episode #35);  Understanding “parts work” from a Catholic lens (BH Episode #34); The 4-Horsemen of Meaning, w/ Bishop Barron, John Vervaeke, and Jonathan Pageau; Trip of Compassion* - Israeli based documentary about research on using MDMA to assist in treating PTSD (*Warning: difficult subject matter);   Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you;  Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; Register for our upcoming Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification! 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!   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 117 of the Being Human Podcast:  Catching Foxes Interview w/ Dr. Greg: Getting Modern Therapy Right (Part 1)   There’s a twist on this week’s episode: we’re sharing an interview with Dr. Greg! Catching Foxes podcast hosts Luke and Gomer - both college friends of Dr. Greg - recently interviewed him for their popular show and gave us permission to re-publish the conversation*. In this first part of their two-part long-form discussion, they zero in on some of the problems with modern therapy, discuss the importance of integrating faith into the practice of psychology, and look at the way that “parts work” can help.  *Mature Content   Discussed in this episode: What’s missing from modern psychology?  The way that Cartesian dualism has influenced the field of psychology; The lack of a standard in mental health;  Dr. Greg’s experience of experimenting with a new model of accompaniment; How a blueprint of the human person as outlined by JP2 can be used to approach psychological disorders; What happens when mental health struggles impact areas of our spiritual life? Internal Family Systems theory (or “parts work”) and the way that it fits with Pope St. John Paul II’s anthropology;  “Parts work” (IFS theory) as a way to practically and experientially understand God’s mercy.    Resources mentioned or relevant: Listen to more Catching Foxes episodes at catchingfoxes.fm; Read about Catching Foxes hosts, Luke and Gomer;  An introduction to Internal Family Systems theory (BH Episode #35);  Understanding “parts work” from a Catholic lens (BH Episode #34); Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you;  Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; Register for our upcoming Open House to learn more about the new CPMAP certification! 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! 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 116 of the Being Human Podcast: Catholic & Divorced: From Pain to Purpose, w/ Rose Sweet This week on Being Human, Dr. Greg welcomes Catholic coach, author, and speaker Rose Sweet to the show for a conversation about hope, healing, and how to get help after going through a divorce as a Catholic. Rose shares how God brought good from the suffering she experienced through multiple failed marriages, and reveals how her experience resulted in a desire to minister to others in similar situations.   Discussed in this episode: Meet Catholic coach, author, and speaker Rose Sweet; Rose’s journey in finding healing after going through multiple divorces; The impact that wounds from our childhood can have on our adult relationships;   How good things in life can become idols if our desire for them is disordered; The astounding way that Christ can use even sin and suffering for our own good; Why we need to go beyond “checking boxes” in our faith;  The misunderstanding about divorce and annulments within the Church; Pain as a means God can use to bring us back to Himself; How those seeking to heal can oftentimes feel abandoned by others; Why compassion rather than judgment and condemnation is appropriate for those who have gotten a divorce; Rose’s use of the principles of listening, leading, loving, and letting with her clients.   Resources mentioned or relevant: Find out more about Rose at rosesweet.com;  Surviving Divorce: Hope & Healing for the Catholic Family - an online course;  More on Theology of the Body Institute courses; Looking for help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff! Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of daily accompaniment;  Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;  Find out more about our 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 115 of the Being Human Podcast: Hope for Adult Children of Divorce, w/ Dr. Daniel Meola What happens when divorce or separation of your parents is part of your story? This experience can oftentimes result in hidden yet painful wounds which can seem complicated and difficult to navigate. In this week’s podcast episode, Dr. Greg interviews Dr. Daniel Meola, the co-founder of a non-profit organization which ministers to adult children of divorce or separation. Sharing their own experiences as adult children of divorce, Dr. Greg and Dr. Daniel break open the impact that divorce can have on a child while also offering hope for healing and resources to help.    Discussed in this episode: Meet Dr. Daniel Meola and get to know more about Life-Giving Wounds, a non-profit ministry for adult children of divorce or separation;   Dr. Daniel’s experience of his parent’s 15-year separation and eventual divorce, along with the resulting effects on his life; The hope and healing possible for each person, whether as an adult child of divorce or an adult who went through a divorce or separation; The desire of a child to have two parents loving him/her together, and the resulting pain that happens when it is lost;  The tendency in our culture to not recognize parental divorce or separation as a loss to be grieved by the child; Annulment as more than just a spiritual issue with spiritual impact;  Identity questions that can affect adult children of divorce due to the separation of their parents; Common ways that guilt for their parent’s divorce or separation can be experienced by adult children of divorce;  How children highlight and amplify any interpersonal or relational issues already present in a marriage; Implicit and explicit ways that parents communicate to their child that the failure of their relationship was the child’s fault;  The seven common wounds identified by Dr. Daniel’s ministry in adult children of divorce;   The rejection and shame that can result in a child as a result of his/her parent’s rejection of one another.   Resources mentioned or relevant: Visit www.lifegivingwounds.org for more on Dr. Dan Meola’s ministry;  Find an online Lenten support group to join;  Follow Life-Giving Wounds on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook; Looking for help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff! Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of daily accompaniment; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Find out more about our 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 114 of the Being Human Podcast: Psychology, Youth Ministry & What Your Teen Wants Most, w/ Mari Pablo This week on Being Human, Dr. Greg welcomes Catholic speaker and ministry consultant Mari Pablo to the show for a conversation focused on her experience working with youth and young adults in the Church and the importance of an integration of psychology with faith in ministry. Mari also shares what she finds young people are lacking and longing for most in our current culture, as well as what can be done to provide for what they want most. Discussed in this episode: Meet Mari Pablo! Ways in which Mari’s experience working in a juvenile detention facility helped to prepare her for youth ministry; How training for the real life of discipleship requires an understanding of psychology and the faith;  What are the most prevalent issues among youth and young adults now? The increasing avoidance and resistance to real communication and connection among younger generations;  Trusting your gut as a parent and learning to be okay with your children being mad at you for setting necessary limits;  How the belief that true love is not possible among youth and young adults impacts their view of devotion and commitment;    Mari’s experience of growing up in a Hispanic home and culture;  The increasing desire for - and corresponding fear of - vulnerable and authentic friendships and relationships among teenagers;  What Mari sees teenagers desiring most, and how adults can provide that for them.     Resources mentioned or relevant: Visit Mari Pablo’s website;  Follow Mari on Instagram and Facebook;  The Evangelical Catholic;  We’re Not Really Strangers (card game);  Why You Need Jesus AND a Counselor - video featuring Mari Pablo;  Theology of the Body for Teens-Middle School Edition - co-authored by Colin & Aimee MacIver (along with Bryan Butler & Jason Evert);  YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body (for teenagers); Interested in our Certification program? Join the waitlist to find out more! Looking for help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff;  Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of daily accompaniment;  Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; 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 113 of the Being Human Podcast: Surprising Sources of Pornography Problems, w/ Steve Pokorny In this episode, Steve Pokorny - author, speaker, and founder of Freedom Coaching - joins Dr. Greg for a conversation* exploring the goodness of human sexuality, the struggle with addiction to pornography, and the surprising ways that shame can block forward momentum in breaking the cycle of addiction to unchaste behaviors. They also offer hope for how those who struggle with these behaviors can begin to find healing and freedom. *Note: Mature content.    Discussed in this episode: Meet Steve Pokorny;  What contributes to the development of an addiction to pornography? The need to understand the purpose of our sexuality and importance of seeing ourselves as gift; Why pornography is ultimately an empty experience that leaves us wanting; Steve’s personal experience of healing from an addiction to pornography; The role of coaching in helping to pinpoint the emotions surrounding unchaste behaviors so as to decrease compulsion;  The effect of pornography on the brain;  The role and cycle of shame and how it prevents forward momentum in healing from addiction; How non-use of our genitalia can be the most fruitful use of our humanity;  Our call to community and relationality in suffering.    Resources mentioned or relevant: Learn more about Freedom Coaching or apply to begin your journey to freedom (Use code: PsychFreedom to get your first meeting free);  Listen to The Redeemed Vision Podcast - Episode #30 w/ Dr. Greg Bottaro as guest;   Read Redeemed Vision: Setting the Blind Free From the Pornified Culture by Steve Pokorny;  See Theology of the Body 65-70 for more on Christ’s nakedness as the fulfillment of human sexuality; The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism by John Saward, and Beauty: What It Is & Why It Matters by John-Marc Miravalle;  Margaret Vasquez - Intensive Trauma Therapy resource;  The Catholic's Guide to Theophostic Prayer Ministry by Fr. David Tickerhoof, TOR;  Looking for help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff! Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of daily accompaniment;  Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;  Join the waitlist to find out 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!