Best Willwoods Faith Podcasts (2024)

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159: Margaret Sanger vs. John Paul II: A Battle for Women’s Freedom | Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio 1:50:27

2h ago1:50:27

1:50:27

What if Margaret Sanger (Founder of Planned Parenthood) and St. John Paul II (Papal Juggernuat) sat down and debated their divergent ideas about personal freedom, choice, and women's dignity? That's the provocative question posed by today's guest, Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio, theologian and bioethicist. We unpack Sanger’s drive and reasoning, the birth c…

1
158: Holy Ghosting: Surviving the Catholic Dating Scene | Maria Mitchell 1:23:29

15d ago1:23:29

1:23:29

With Halloween just around the corner, let’s talk about humorously frightening online dating experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Maria Mitchell, the mind behind the hilarious Instagram account "Catholic Dating Nightmares." We dive into the wild world of Catholic dating, where unrealistic expectations and cringe-worthy profiles meet the ne…

1
157: Getting Unstuck: A Practical Approach to Therapy and Medication 48:00

16d ago48:00

48:00

In this solo episode of the Always Hope Podcast, I dive into a question I often hear: "When should I seek counseling, and when is it time to consider medication?" As a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience, I want to provide you with practical guidance on this important topic. We'll explore the differences between …

1
156: Catholic Feminism and Gender Studies | Dr. Kevin Stuart 1:17:10

29d ago1:17:10

1:17:10

I consider Catholicism to be a reasonable faith. One that doesn’t exist in extremes and by doing so can speak to all sides of an issue. And yes, that includes modern feminist theory. So today, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Stuart to discuss the creation of a new Catholic Women's and Gender Studies program at the University of St. Thomas. We dive into t…

1
155. Walking on the Chaotic Waters of Life 19:53

1M ago19:53

19:53

We all know what it feels like to be drowning under a pile of work or overwhelmed by difficulties beyond our control. Those moments when our emotions become overwhelming, and we lose a reference point to keep us stable. That feeling of being out-of-control is encapsulated by the symbolism of water in scripture, and that’s what we are diving into in…

1
154. Dating Solutions for Catholic Young Adults 1:14:22

1M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Why do most people feel like the dating scene has become a dumpster fire? What are the unique challenges faced by Catholic young adults? What is the #1 complaint by women? What is the #1 complaint by men? And what can we do make this whole things a little more enjoyable? Joining me on the show is Rachel Hoover Canto, author of the book “Pretty Good…

1
153. The Importance of Failure 25:06

1M ago25:06

25:06

Have you ever tried pursuing a dream only for it to blow up in your face? Have you followed God's call only to encounter hardships beyond anything you could have previously imagined? What do you do afterward? How do you pick up the pieces and keep going? That's what we are unpacking in today's episode of Always Hope. In today's show, I explore why …

1
[REPOST] 073 - Are you healthy enough to discern a vocation? | Sr Josephine Garrett, CSFN 1:27:12

2M ago1:27:12

1:27:12

Have you struggled discerning God's plan for your life? Not sure how your emotional health impacts discernment? Do you know if you are healthy enough to start a relationship? If that's you, then stay tuned becuase you are going to get some great recommendations in this conversation. Joining me on the pod today is Sr Josephine Garrett, licensed prof…

1
[REPOST] 051 - Dating in your 30's with Dr. Roy Salgado 57:28

2M ago57:28

57:28

Dating in your 30’s can be tough. Finding someone who matches your values, that you find attractive, and that is still single is a challenge. What should you be looking for? Where should you be looking? How do you find the balance between pursing career goals and dating? Joining me on the show today is Dr. Roy Salgado, counseling professor at the U…

1
[REPOST] 095 – Dr. Brant Pitre on The Introduction to the Spiritual Life 1:23:16

2M ago1:23:16

1:23:16

How do you know if you are growing in the spiritual life? How do you know if your prayers are doing anything? What are the markers of spiritual growth? Joining me on the show today is Dr. Brant Pitre, Research Professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute, Graduate School of Theology, to talk about his new book “The Introduction to the Spiritua…

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[REPOST] 040 – Self-Forgiveness with Dr. Everett Worthington 1:11:48

2M ago1:11:48

1:11:48

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes Dr. Everett Worthington to the show to talk about the process and mechanisms of self-forgiveness. Dr. Worthington has over 30 years of research on forgiveness and his REACH model is one of the leading models in forgiveness therapies. They discuss the steps to take if you struggle with self-condemnation, how self-compassion…

1
[REPOST] 076 – Dr. Donald Songy on Attachment Theory and Dating 1:25:33

3M ago1:25:33

1:25:33

I welcome Dr. Donald Songy to discuss the ways attachment needs impact dating. We start by giving a brief recap of attachment theory (hint: relationships are key to our mental health) and we dive into its application to dating, online dating, and the process of allowing a serious relationship to meet our needs for “felt security.” Dr. Mario Sacasa …

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[REPOST] 024 – The Risk and Rewards of Free Will with Dr. Tom Neal 1:02:09

3M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Why did God give us free will? Think about it. All the poor judgments made by humans, the evils we have committed, the collective sins of history… wouldn’t creation have been better off without free agency? By the end of this show, you’ll know why the answer to that question is an unequivocal “No.” I bring back my good friend Dr. Tom Neal, and his …

1
[REPOST] 049 – God’s Plan with Fr Timothy Gallagher 1:00:15

3M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Dr. Mario Sacasa welcomes back Fr Timothy Gallagher, popular author and sought-after lecturer on the discerning God’s will. In today’s show, they discuss whether or not God has a specific plan for our lives, what freedom do we have to forge our own direction, reframing discernment as a skill that needs to be developed, dealing with perceived failed…

1
Episode 151 - Goodbye Willwoods 23:14

3M ago23:14

23:14

Hey everyone! Today, I am announcing the biggest update to the show since its inception: I’m leaving Willwoods and stepping out on my own. I will soon be launching my own platform, allowing me to focus and expand the work of Always Hope and Dating Well. I’m working hard on a new website, Always Hope YouTube channel, weekly episodes, Hope Club Membe…

1
Episode 150 - Gender Identity, Middle School, and the Theology of the Body | Colin and Aimee MacIver 1:22:20

4M ago1:22:20

1:22:20

Join us on the Always Hope Podcast as Dr. Mario sits down with Colin and Aimee MacIver to discuss their groundbreaking program, "Envision Theology of the Body for Middle School." This episode delves into the revitalization of the original Theology of the Body for Teens, tailored to address contemporary issues faced by today’s youth. Colin and Aimee…

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Episode 149 - Dedicated Singlehood | Luanne Zurlo 1:19:14

4M ago1:19:14

1:19:14

In today’s episode, I welcome Luanne Zurlo for an engaging discussion about dedicated singlehood in the Catholic Church. We explore the nuances between dedicated singlehood, consecrated virginity, and the secular world's concept of single life. Luanne shares her personal journey of discerning her vocation, the importance of deep prayer, and how she…

1
Episode 148 - Letting Go of Dating Pressure 1:14:10

5M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

The pressures of dating are real! But how do we let them go? Is there a way to date intentionally but without the intensity? This conversation originally appeared on the Thriving in the Space Between podcast, and I am grateful for Maria and Meghan for letting me drop it on my show, too. You may remember them from an episode last year when we talked…

1
Episode 147 - The Four Levels of Happiness | Fr. Robert Spitzer 1:05:01

6M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

Happiness is an elusive ideal. What contributes to it? Why does it feel like happiness is a Game of Whac-a-Mole? When we feel it in one place, somewhere else gets misaligned. But how does having faith and living a moral life aid in the quest for achieving happiness? To discuss these questions and more, I welcome Fr. Robert Spitzer, host of Fr. Spit…

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Episode 146 - At Peace but not at Rest: Mother Cabrini | Kristen Theriault 1:03:20

6M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

Let’s talk about Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini! In today’s episode, I welcome back Kristen Theriault, spokesperson for Sophia Institute Press, to discuss all things related to Mother Cabrini, including the new Cabrini movie by Angel Studies, and two books by Sophia: The World is Too Small: The Life and Times of Mother Cabrini and The Mother Cabrini…

1
Episode 145 - How Reclaiming Sunday Can Revive Our Human Nature | Danny Fitzpatrick 1:17:37

7M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

In today’s episode, I welcome back Danny Fitzpatrick to discuss his new book released by Sophia Institute, titled "Restoring the Lord's Day: How Reclaiming Sunday Can Revive Our Human Nature." We discuss the importance of the Sabbath, how it is crucial for restoring our human nature, and how culture has shifted away from recognizing its significanc…

1
Episode 144 - Unlocking the Secrets to Marital Intimacy | Dr. Sarah Bartel 1:20:35

7M ago1:20:35

1:20:35

As a marriage therapist that integrates my faith into my work, it is often difficult to find resources I can share about marital intimacy that are appropriate for Catholic and Christian couples, because what is generally out there is overly explicit and reductionistic. What can faithful couples do who want to improve their physical intimacy? Listen…

1
Episode 143 - Leaving Loneliness Behind | Regina Boyd 1:02:19

8M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Are you experiencing loneliness and not quite sure what to do about it? Then this episode will be of great benefit to you. Today, I welcome Regina Boyd, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of the new book Leaving Loneliness Behind: 5 Keys to Experiencing God’s Love and Building Healthy Connection with Others. In this episode, we have …

1
Episode 142 - Overcoming Scrupulosity | Rebecca Martin 1:07:43

8M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Do you struggle with scrupulosity or know a loved one who does? If so, this episode will provide great insights and solutions for you. Today, I welcome Rebecca Martin, editor of the book “Scrupulosity: Heal Your Mind, Unbind Your Soul, and Let God Work.” The book was written by the late Dr. Kevin Vost, who we honor in the show. In this episode, we …

1
Episode 141 - Navigating Gender Differences in Marriage and Relationships | Dr. Brett Salkeld 1:20:29

9M ago1:20:29

1:20:29

How often do men and women feel at odds with each other in relationships, dating, marriage, and parenting? What if those differences we there by design and ignoring them only creates more frustration? What if equality didn’t equal sameness? Joining me on the show to talk about how we can navigate these differences more effectively is Dr. Brett Salk…

1
140 - Save Marriage, Save the Faith | JP De Gance 1:14:58

9M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

How does the decline in marriage impact the decline in faith practice and affiliation? What has contributed to the rise in “none’s”? Can scientific research and inquiry help us understand the connection between marriage and faith? To have this important conversation, I welcome JP De Gance, founder and president of Communio, which is a nonprofit min…

1
139 - The Middle-Aged Marriage | Damon Owens 1:05:28

9M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Calling all couples married around 15-20 years! This episode is for you! Today, I welcome Damon Owens, internationally acclaimed speaker and co-founder of Joyful Ever After, to talk about how to thrive in a middle-aged marriage. We discuss how to overcome long-held resentments and negative patterns of communication with your spouse; how to express …

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138 - What are Rights? | Katy Faust 1:22:00

10M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

Have you noticed that many debates in our society center around the term “rights”? But what exactly is a right? Is it possible to define it? And should adults make sacrifice for the rights of children? Today I welcome Katy Faust, the founder of Them Before Us, a global educational and advocacy group on behalf of children’s rights. She offers clarit…

1
[REPOST] - A Christmas Meditation 12:31

10M ago12:31

12:31

Here’s a little gift to you during this busy Christmas season. I know that we all have a thousand things on our minds right now: shopping, traveling, Christmas dinner prep, friends, family, etc. So, let’s take a break from that together. Join me as we take a moment to reflect the good of this year and bring it before the Child Jesus. It’s a short, …

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137 - The Power of Hope | Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN 1:07:15

11M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

I welcome back Sr Josephine Garrett, author of the book “Hope: An Invitation” by OSV Books. Sister Josephine shares her journey of faith, the challenges she faced, her experiences of prayer, and the moments of surrender she had to make in her life. By drawing upon her personal experience, she sheds light onto the power of hope, and how it serves as…

1
136 - Redefining Success | Pastor Terry Brisbane and Rusty Rueff 1:16:11

11M ago1:16:11

1:16:11

How should Christians engage at the crossroads of work, technology, and the creative life? How do modern advancements in computing and coding shape our faith? What are realistic fears of generative AI? Joining me on the show is Terry Brisbane, lead pastor at CornerstoneSF in San Francisco, CA, and Rusty Rueff, host of Faith Driven Entrepreneur, to …

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135 - The Devout Life | Deacon Matthew Newsome 1:19:51

12M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

How do we grow in our devotion of Christ? What are the things we should be paying attention to? What should we be avoiding? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some book that introduced these concepts? Yes there is. Joining me on the show today is Deacon Matt Newsome, author of the book “The Devout Life: A Modern Guide to Practical Holiness with St. F…

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134 - What Single Men Need to Know About Dating | Chad Etzel 1:17:51

1y ago1:17:51

1:17:51

Joining me on the show is Chad Etzel, leadership coach and host of the Catholic, Single, and Flourishing Podcast, to talk through the challenges of being a single guy in the dating scene today. We discuss the limiting beliefs that men often have pertaining to dating, unhelpful cultural messages about men, looking at dating and talking to women as s…

1
133 - Meaning, Grit, and #adulting | Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford 1:12:28

1y ago1:12:28

1:12:28

Alright young adults, here’s your episode on how to navigate the complexities of friendship, romance, and life’s challenges. In today’s episode, I welcome Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford, authors of the new book “Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships”, published by Ascension Press. We have a wonderful conversation ab…

1
132 - Helping Spouses of Addicts | Travis Thompson 58:44

1y ago58:44

58:44

Today I welcome, Travis Thompson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the book, “To Those Left Behind: Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction.” In this episode, we explore the complicated nature of being married to an addict, examine addiction through the lens of attachment, offer steps of recovery for add…

1
131 - Defending our Kids from Pornography | Kristen Jenson 1:10:11

1y ago1:10:11

1:10:11

I welcome to the show Kristen Jenson, founder of the Defend Young Minds and author of the book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures. In today’s show, we talk about teaching our kids “digital self-defense,” why filtering and monitoring software are important but not enough, giving our kids spaces to develop the virtues we are teaching them, tips for parents …

1
130 - What the Church Gets Wrong about Porn | Sam Black 1:25:21

1y ago1:25:21

1:25:21

We know that pornography is a huge problem, but what can churches do to combat the issue? Joining me on the show to talk through that question is Sam Black, author of “The Healing Church: What churches get wrong about pornography and how to fix it.” Sam is also the director of recovery education at Covenant Eyes. In today’s episode, we talk about t…

1
129 - Gender, The Church, and Free Speech | John J. Bursch1 1:15:43

1y ago1:15:43

1:15:43

Does the body have inherent meaning? What happens when different understands of the body collide? How can Catholics respond when this ideology comes up at work and home? In today’s episode, I welcome John Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, to talk about his new book “Loving God’s Children.” In this episode,…

1
128 - Making Education Catholic | Dr. Brett Salkeld 1:20:03

1y ago1:20:03

1:20:03

What is the goal of the education system? And how should a Catholic education differ from others? If you are an educator, school administrator, or have kids in school, I promise that you need to pay attention to this episode. Joining me on the show is Dr. Brett Salkeld, archdiocesan theologian for the Archdiocese of Regina in Canada, and author of …

1
127 - Feed Your Soul with Good Content | Jason Angelette 1:25:37

1+ y ago1:25:37

1:25:37

I welcome back my good friend Jason Angelette to talk about how we watch, think, and talk about movies. Jason opens the show by beautifully catching us up on how his family is doing as we approach the 3rd anniversary of his wife’s passing. We, then, jump into a conversation about the importance of feeding your soul with good content, the gift of a …

1
126 - Discipleship in Christ | Fr. Brice Higginbotham 59:33

1+ y ago59:33

59:33

I welcome back Fr Brice Higginbotham, priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and author of the book, “Remaining with Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of John.” In today’s episode, we discuss the keys to discipleship, the role scripture plays in evangelization, how to recapture the Christian message in our society, the transformational power of …

1
125 - What is Happiness? | Dr. Charles Nemeth 57:44

1+ y ago57:44

57:44

Happiness. What makes it possible for some to possess it without much effort and why is it that others can never attain it? Joining me on the show is Dr. Charles Nemeth, Professor and Director of Criminal Justice, Law, and Ethics at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of the book, Finding Happiness in a Complex World. In today’s episod…

1
124 - What Makes a Man | Fr. Jim Rafferty 58:43

1+ y ago58:43

58:43

How do we define masculinity in an evolving world? What does a healthy and mature man look like? What are qualities men should be pursuing and which ones undermine his masculinity? Joining me on the show to have this important conversation is Fr. Jim Rafferty, Director of Spiritual Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation. Fr. Rafferty of…

1
123 - What Single Women Need to Know About Dating | Maria Spears Mumaugh and Meghan Elfelt 1:17:50

1+ y ago1:17:50

1:17:50

Ready for an honest, heartfelt, and hope-filled conversation about the experiences of being a single woman? How would I know anything about that? Joining me on the show today is Maria Spears Mumaugh and Meghan Elfelt, creators of The Intentional Single. This episode is full of great dating advice for women: how to not just waiting around for Mr. Ri…

1
122 - How to Prolife | Debbie Capen 59:09

1+ y ago59:09

59:09

Joining me on the show is Debbie Capen, Executive Director of MiraVia, to talk about the effective ways of spreading the prolife message through local service. In today’s episode, Debbie describes the services of MiraVia, which include a community outreach center and a residency home for pregnant college women. We also talk about how to best serve …

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121 - Psychology and the Cross | Kristen Van Uden 1:05:04

1+ y ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Can Psychology and Catholicism play nicely together? Absolutely they can and an early attempt to explain how is found in the book, “Psychology and The Cross,” written in 1959 by Fr. G. Emmett Carter. Since Fr. Carter passed away in 2003, I have Kristen Van Uden, from Sophia Institute Press, joining me on the show to talk about his insights. In toda…

1
120 - A Catholic Approach to Transgenderism | Jason Evert 58:55

1+ y ago58:55

58:55

How should Catholics respond to transgenderism? Is there a way forward that honors the person struggling while not disregarding the reality of human sexuality? I think so. Joining me on the show to have this conversation is Jason Evert, popular Catholic speaker, and author of the book, “Male, Female, Other? A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender.…

1
119 - Eat Healthy. Be Holy. | Dr. Kevin Vost 1:00:22

1+ y ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Joining me on the show today is Dr. Kevin Vost, author of the book “You Are That Temple: A Catholic Guide to Health and Holiness.” In today’s show, we discuss why healthy eating is part of a healthy spiritual life, finding the line between being good stewards of our body and succumbing to a idolization of the body, how to pay attention to our body’…

1
118 - How Faith Constructs Culture | Danny Fitzpatrick 1:06:00

1+ y ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Joining me on the show today is Danny Fitzpatrick, Editor of the Joie de Vivre Journal, to talk about the intertangled relationship between faith, tradition, art, and culture. We discuss how culture is an embodied religion, the importance of traditions, and the necessity of the creative process to move culture forward. We examine our modern fragmen…

1
117 - Eric Sammons on Holiness According to Josemaria Escriva 1:09:04

1+ y ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Have you ever wondered if working in a cubicle can make you saint? Do we all have to leave our ‘real world’ jobs and work for a church ministry? What does holiness look like? In this episode, we turn to St. Josemaria Escriva, a 20th Century Spanish priest, for some answers. Joining me on the show is Eric Sammons, author of the book Holiness for Eve…

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