Always Hope

Latest Episodes:

118 - How Faith Constructs Culture | Danny Fitzpatrick Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

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 fragmented culture, ask “who is pop culture worshiping?”, and proclaim the need to reclaim art as a contemplation exercise not just a consumer one.

Danny also shares about the work they are doing at St. Louis IX Art Society promoting religious art in Southern Louisiana.

If you find this episode helpful, please share it with one person who you think would benefit from it. Also, please consider leaving a rating or writing a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or sharing it on your social media.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
Joie de Vivre Journal
St Louis XI Art Society

117 - Eric Sammons on Holiness According to Josemaria Escriva Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

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 Everyone, to break down St. Josemaria’s teachings on lay holiness. We discuss St. Josemaria’s call to the priesthood and founding of Opus Dei, why he disagreed with a two-tier vocational call, why holiness is not the same thing as popularity, and how to reframe our jobs as pathways for sanctity.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
Ericsammons.com
Holiness for Everyone Book Link

Social Media conversation starter:
For those of you in non-Church affiliated jobs, when have you experienced God in the workplace?

116 - Juan Carlos Carredano and Mike Day on Can Technology Aid Prayer? Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

We certainly hear of the many ways that technology is hampering our faith life and leading to increased distractions in prayer. But can we use technology to aid our prayer life and help us grow closer to the Lord? Joining me on the show to talk about that are Juan Carlos Carredano, CEO of CCC of America, and Mike Day, founder of Cor Ignis Inspiring Technologies.

They are the winners of the most recent OSV Challenge’s technology track.

In today’s episode, we talk about the challenges of brings creative ideas into fruition, the need for innovation from Catholics in the technology sector, how our creative energies cooperate with God’s will, the need for excellence when being creative, how technology can aid our prayer life, and they offer details about their respective award winning projects, My Guardian Dear, and VCON.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
Cor Ignis Inspiring Technologies
CCC of America

115 - Sam Blair on Achieving Peak Performance Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it means to be your best? Or what it feels like to chase a dream? Or be in an environment where you find that your unique skills line up perfectly with the work you do? Or are you simply frustrated by your current work circumstances? Joining me on the podcast is Sam Blair, former Navy Seal and co-founder of The Frassati Company to talking achieving peak performance in your life.

Sam shares about his time as a Naval Officer, the challenges of having hard conversations with your spouse when dreams and desires aren’t lining up between you, doing ambitious things with the Lord, knowing what is enough, what peak performance looks like for a work team, how to maintain personal agency even in difficult work environments, and how to discern next steps.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
The Frassati Company
Valetta Industries
Big Yellow Coffee

114 - Alex and Melissa Dee on Good Storytelling for Kids and the Saints Alive Podcast Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

By now you probably know that I love movies and good storytelling, so joining me on the show to talk about the necessity of creating engaging stories for kids are two of the creators of the popular Saints Alive Podcast, Alex and Melissa Dee. Saints Alive is a radio drama podcast about the lives of the saints that is geared to kids. My youngest son is a fan of this podcast, so I got serious street cred at home when I told him I was interviewing them.

I recorded this conversation back in December and we had a delightful and free flowing conversation on a wide range of topics. Alex and Melissa share their journey of starting the Saints Alive podcast with their friend Tanner, winning a $100k from the OSV Challenge, learning to navigate differences in desires and lifegoals as a couple, the importance of having hard conversations, the need for good storytelling, and they share a bit about their creative process.

After listening to this episode, if you can think of one person who could benefit from it, then don’t be a hoarder and pass it along. If you enjoyed then someone else will too.

Have thoughts about this episode that you’d like to share with me? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
Saints Alive Website

113 - Laraine Bennett on Living with Less Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

January 2 was the 150th anniversary of St. Therese’s birth, therefore it is fitting that we take a look at how The Little Flower can help us let go and declutter our lives. Joining me on the show is Laraine Bennett to talk about her new book “The Little Way of Living with Less.”

In today’s episode, we discuss, the challenges of letting go of things, how St. Therese’s teachings can apply to our modern lives, how to make minimalism not just a trendy lifestyle choice, but something that aids the spiritual life, practical tips for getting started, and navigating the differences on clutter with your spouse and children.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:

Art and Laraine’s Website
Little Way of Living with Less Book
2023 Willwoods Marriage Retreats
St. Maximillian Kolbe Messy Desk Pic

112 - A Christmas Meditation Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

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, guided meditation, therefore try to listen to it in a place where you can engage with this exercise.

Have a Merry Christmas! God bless you and your families this season!

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show: Faithandmarriage.org

111 - Mike Pacer on Advent and the Three Comings of Christ Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Well here we are, Advent is upon us and Christmas is just around the corner. Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t just a season of getting great deals online, but a time to recall our salvation history and the significance of Christ’s coming in the manger.

Joining me on the show is Mike Pacer, President of Five Stones Group, Founder of Cedar House, and author of The Three Comings of Christ: Daily Meditations for Advent. In this episode, we have a heartfelt discussion about our families’ Advent traditions, the importance of knowing the Old Testament, taking time to reflect on the ways Christ comes to us, and how to look towards the future with hope.

If you find this episode helpful, please leave a rating or write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, share it on the socials, or simply tell a friend about it. Spread the word about the good stuff that’s happening on Always Hope.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:
Five Stones Group
Cedar House

110 - Elisa Neven-Pugh on Hope with Disability Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

Joining me on the show is Elisa Neven-Pugh, a young Christian woman who has Cerebral Palsy Quadriplegia. Elisa reached out to me after listening to my lectures on hope to share about her experience of having a disability and how faith guides her understanding of her condition.

Elisa beautifully and honestly shares her story, what it was like growing up with a disability, what it feels like to have others look at her, how to overcome a disability mindset, and how coming to receive the love of Christ has increased her acceptance of her condition.

Please know that Elisa has difficulty speaking at times and you may need to rewind parts to not miss what she is saying but pay attention and hear the beauty she offers in this episode.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show: Why Am I Here and What’s My Purpose? Article

109 - Elizabeth Busby – Answering Your Questions about Dating Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Joining me on the show is Elizabeth Busby, director programs at the Theology of the Body Institute, creator of the dating program Next Step, and host of the Discerning Marriage Podcast

In today’s episode, we answer the following questions about dating that came from our Instagram followers.

What to do if I’m a woman who is not getting asked out on dates?
How do you now if you are doing the will of God when dating online?
How can I be more like the Blessed Virgin Mary while I’m in a relationship?
How to communicate with one another when communication styles are different?

Hang on for this fun episode, we go off the rails at times. If you find this episode helpful, please leave a rating or write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, share it on the socials, or simply tell a friend about it. Spread the word about the good stuff that’s happening on Always Hope.

Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Websites mentioned in the show:

Next Step Program
Theology of the Body Institute

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