The Brooke Taylor Show

TBTS #266: Fasting from Financial Chaos: Reclaiming Financial Habits with Sam Fatzinger

Lent invites us to slow down, simplify, and take an honest look at the habits that shape our lives, including the way we handle money. In this episode, Brooke welcomes Sam Fatzinger for a conversation on financial discipline, generational challenges, and the spiritual renewal that can come from reordering our priorities.

Sam reflects on how money habits are formed in childhood, the power of mentoring within families, and the importance of unity and communication for couples preparing for marriage.

The discussion also highlights the role of community support, the freedom that comes from delayed gratification, and the deeper peace that emerges when finances are properly ordered with faith and purpose.

Click here for Sam's book.

Click here for the Joyful Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Click here for the Christ in Her event in Beaumont, Texas.

TBTS #265: Feasting and Fasting: The Work of Lent with Fr. Leo Patalinghug

In this conversation, Brooke Taylor and Father Leo Patalinghug explore the themes of Lent, fasting, and the importance of family meals. They discuss the significance of Shrovetide, the relationship between fasting and spiritual growth, and the impact of technology on modern life. Father Leo emphasizes the need for intentionality in family meals and the sacredness of cooking. The conversation also touches on the value of pilgrimage as a means of spiritual renewal and concludes with reflections on approaching Lent with clarity and sobriety.

 

 

Links

Join Fr. Leo, Bishop John E. Keehner, and Brooke Taylor on pilgrimage!

Click here for details. 

 

Click here for the sermon from Saint John Henry Newman on Fasting as a Source of Trial.

 

Click here for Fr. Leo's Plating Grace

TBTS #264: A Catholic Wedding Guide with Jo from Four Loves Photo & Film

Brooke Taylor and Jo Schnitzer explore the beauty and significance of Catholic marriage, emphasizing the importance of family support, prayer, and the sacramental nature of weddings.

They discuss the challenges couples face in planning their weddings, including navigating costs, cultural influences, and the impact of social media.

The conversation highlights the role of traditions and rituals in Catholic weddings, the importance of creating a peaceful environment, and the meaningful touches parents can contribute.

Ultimately, they express hope for the future of Catholic marriages and the excitement of young couples embracing the sacrament.

 

Chapters

00:00The Beauty of Catholic Marriage

02:51Role of Family in Marriage Preparation

05:31Navigating Wedding Planning

08:26Understanding Costs and Logistics

11:22Cultural Influences on Weddings

13:58The Importance of Prayer and Support

16:44Traditions and Rituals in Catholic Weddings

19:37Creating a Peaceful Wedding Environment

22:14Attire and Aesthetics for the Ceremony

25:00Meaningful Touches from Parents

27:41Hope for the Future of Catholic Marriages

TBTS# 263 Luke Brown LPCC-Carrying What Others Don’t See: Caregiver Fatigue and the Digital Overload

In this episode, Brooke Taylor shares a story about her daughter's equine therapy lesson, highlighting the everyday struggles faced by caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with special needs. Nearly one in four adults in the U.S. is a caregiver, often juggling their own responsibilities alongside the needs of others. Special guest Luke Brown, a licensed professional clinical counselor, provides valuable guidance on managing caregiver stress.

Chapters

00:00The Glove Story: A Caregiver's Struggle

02:16Understanding Caregiver Burnout

04:42The Importance of Self-Care

09:55Finding Humor in Caregiving

18:04Recognizing Compassion Fatigue

24:08The Role of Community in Caregiving

29:59Setting Healthy Boundaries with Technology

37:28The Joy of Play in Parenting

39:21Final Thoughts on Caregiving and Community

Episode # 262 Breaking Through Spiritual Stagnation: The Power of the Holy Face

Summary

This episode explores the profound devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, featuring Father Lawrence Carney, who discusses the spiritual journey and the significance of reparation, reverence, and reversion. The conversation delves into the historical and spiritual aspects of this devotion, its impact on personal faith, and its relevance in today's world. 

Click here for the book, Preparation for Total Consecration to the Holy Face of Jesus: How God Draws the Soul into the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive Ways.

Click here for the first book by Fr. Carney, Secret of the Holy Face.

Takeaways

• Consistent prayer correlates with contentment.
• The Holy Face devotion is cherished by saints like St. Therese of Lisieux.
• Father Carney emphasizes the importance of reparation, reverence, and reversion.
• The devotion offers a blueprint for engaging against spiritual challenges.
• St. Therese's spirituality was deeply connected to the Holy Face.
• Reversion involves returning to the Church and embracing its teachings.
• Spiritual reading is essential for deepening one's faith.
• The devotion to the Holy Face is a remedy for spiritual darkness.
• Father Carney shares personal insights on his spiritual journey.

 

TBTS #261: Fresh Star & Full Heart

In this episode, Brooke shares a personal update and reflects on the theme of making room in our hearts and lives. Discussion on home renovation project over the Christmas break, the challenges and lessons learned, and the importance of decluttering both physically and spiritually.

Brooke also shares insights from Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Henry Newman, emphasizing the need for inner renewal and attentiveness to God's presence. The episode concludes with A Prayer for Divine Illumination by Saint John Henry Newman and a preview of upcoming events and topics for the new season.

Takeaways

• Making room in our hearts is essential for spiritual growth.
• Home renovation can be both an exterior and interior journey.
• Decluttering helps focus on what truly matters.
• Pope Benedict XVI's insights on inner renewal.
• St. John Henry Newman's prayer emphasizes divine guidance.
• Social media detox can lead to unexpected peace.
• Upcoming events include retreats and conferences.
• The importance of attentiveness to God's presence.
• The new season of exciting topics and guests.

Click here for the Soul, Mind and Body Retreat in Tennessee. 

Click here for the Christ in Her Catholic Women's Conference in Texas.

Click here to join Brooke on Danube River Cruise and Christmas Markets pilgrimage. 

TBTS #260: Dr. Michael Pakaluk on True Friendship and Why it Matters

 

Summary

In this conversation, Brooke Taylor and Dr. Michael Pakaluk explore the concept of friendship in contemporary society, highlighting the alarming trend of declining close friendships, often referred to as a 'friendship recession.' They discuss the importance of true friendship, its role in mental health, and how Catholic teaching can guide souls in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of modern friendships, the significance of friendship in marriage and family life, and concludes with a reflection on the legacy of Ruth Pakaluk, emphasizing the value of community and connection in a fragmented world.

 

Links

Book: The Company We Keep: True Friendship and Why it Matters.

The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: The Story of Ruth Pakaluk..

Takeaways

• You are not alone in feeling lonely.
• We are in a friendship recession.
• The percentage of adults reporting no close friends has quadrupled.
• Friendship is necessary, like philosophy, like art.
• True friendship is about sacrifice.
• Friendship is not flattery.
• We need to make ourselves more befriendable.
• Men have a harder time with good, godly friendships.
• Friendship is essential among Christians.
• The legacy of Ruth Pakaluk is inspiring.

Chapters

00:00The Friendship Recession

04:55Understanding True Friendship

10:22The Importance of Friendship in Christianity

15:19Navigating Modern Friendships

19:29Forming Genuine Friendships

28:29The Role of Friendship in Marriage and Family

33:47The Legacy of Ruth Pakaluk

TBTS #259: Br. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap.: Weddings, Confirmation, Advent

In this episode, Brother Richard Hendrick joins Brooke to discuss the rich traditions and spiritual significance of sacraments in the Catholic faith. We explore the use of a bride's veil as a christening gown, the mystery of sacraments, and the journey from baptism to confirmation. The final segment of the show focuses on Advent. 

Takeaways

• The bride's veil can be transformed into a christening gown for the firstborn child.
• Sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace.
• Confirmation marks the transition from disciple to apostle.
• Inclusivity in sacraments is emphasized for those with disabilities.
• The sacraments span the totality of human life.
• Baptism is the seed, and confirmation is the tree beginning to flower.
• The sacraments are a mystery, beyond full human understanding.
• The church encourages understanding the true teachings of sacraments.
• Inclusivity in sacraments is a right for all, regardless of capacity.
• The journey of faith is supported by the community and sacraments.

 

 

TBTS #258: Oliver Bonnassies: God, the Science, the Universe, the Evidence: The Dawn of a Revolution

Brooke Taylor welcomes Oliver Bonnassies to discuss the groundbreaking international bestseller: God, the Science, the Evidence..

This conversation explores the relationship between science and religion, particularly focusing on the historical context of the 'great reversal' where science was seen as a means to explain the world, often in opposition to religious beliefs. Brooke Taylor and Oliver Bonnassies discusses the limitations of scientific explanations in light of recent discoveries in quantum mechanics, relativity, and biology, suggesting that the narrative of science as the ultimate truth may be overly simplistic.

Click here to watch on You Tube

Key Takeaways:

Science has historically been viewed as a means to explain the world.

The 'great reversal' refers to the shift in understanding science's role versus religion.

Key figures like Galileo, Newton, and Darwin contributed to this scientific narrative.

Materialism and scientism have dominated intellectual thought in the past. The idea that science will eventually explain everything is challenged by new discoveries.

Quantum mechanics and relativity reveal complexities in our understanding of the universe.

The discovery of the Big Bang has implications for our understanding of existence.

Biological complexity adds another layer to the scientific narrative.

The relationship between science and religion is complex and evolving.

Recent scientific discoveries suggest that the picture is far from complete.

TBTS #257: Remembering the Dead, Embracing the Cross

On this episode of The Brooke Taylor Show..

Brooke is joined by Jen Gerber, a friend, mother and convert from the Mennonite tradition to the Catholic faith. Jen shares the heart-wrenching and grace-filled story of her daughter Evelyn, who passed away at just 11 years old. Through unimaginable sorrow, Jen and her family discovered profound healing in the sacraments of the Church, learning to unite their suffering to the Cross of Christ.

Also joining the episode is Brother Richard Hendrick, OFM Cap, who offers a powerful reflection on the month of November, a month dedicated to praying for the souls of the faithful departed. 

He invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of death, remembrance, and hope in the Resurrection