The Brooke Taylor Show

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 #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

TBTS #250: Preparing for Lent with the Catholic Fasting Coach

In this conversation, Brooke Taylor and Beth Bubik discuss the significance of fasting during Lent, exploring its spiritual and practical implications. They delve into the Delay and Pray method, emphasizing the integration of body and soul in the fasting process. The discussion also highlights the importance of redemptive suffering and how to offer up personal struggles for the greater good. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the challenges of Lent and find ways to grow spiritually through fasting and prayer.

Click here for The Catholic Fasting Coach

Click here for information on pilgrimage to Ireland.

 

 

Takeaways

• Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
• The Delay and Pray method focuses on delaying sugar, flour, and alcohol to enhance spiritual growth.
• Weight loss is a side benefit of spiritual fasting, not the main goal.
• Redemptive suffering can transform personal struggles into opportunities for growth.
• Emotional components play a significant role in overcoming food and alcohol cravings.
• Integrating body and soul is essential for effective fasting.
• Offering up suffering can lead to deeper spiritual conversion.
• Lent is a time to embrace challenges and grow closer to God.
• The importance of community and support in the fasting journey.
•  

 

Chapters

00:00Setting the Tone for Lent 2025

11:30The Integrated Approach to Fasting

21:44Redemptive Suffering and Its Importance

The Duty of Gratitude

Welcome to The Brooke Taylor Show. This episode includes a previously recorded interview with Father Fr. Ramil Fajardo, originally airing on The Inner Life on Relevant Radio. On the show we discuss the following:

• What is gratitude?
• Javier – wondering why he feels sadness with gratitude.
• What is the connection between Gratitude and Generosity?
• (26:04) Mary – comment – easy to be thankful when things going well, but even when they’ re not, you still need to be thankful to God.
• Jackie – one of the exercises she’s learned…come up with three things at the end of the day that you’re grateful for, and then your brain no longer has any bandwidth to focus on negative.
• 11:44 Mary Lou – practitioner of gratitude. Write down 5 things daily. She’s in the practice of writing it down. Been doing it for 25 years. Has influenced her joy.
• Gratitude and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
•  The heart as a doorway.

We would love to hear from you. Reach out at: SaintGabrielMedia@gmail.com or via social media. 

Thank you for your support! JMJ+

TBTS #246: Healthy Habits and Hormones Part Two with Special Guest Marna Revlock , APRN, NP-C

Show Notes:

Sign up for our newsletter! Click here to join. 

Join Brooke and Fr. JMP, CJ on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Click here for details. 

Click here for MetPro.

Resources:

VitalityMed.
MyCatholicdoctor.com.

TBTS #234: Leila Marie Lawler and The Summa Domestica

On this episode: Leila Marie Lawler and The Summa Domestica. Leila talks about her background as a secular humanist feminist and eventual conversion to Catholicism. 

Leila shares her wisdom of the role of women in the home, and how to manage burnout and depression.

The Summa Domestica is a three volume work available for pre-order, here. 

Visit Leila's blog Happy Despite them, here. 

We love hearing from you. Feedback is always welcome at: TheBrookeTaylorShow@gmail.com

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Instagram: 1brooketaylor

If you enjoy the show, please share. Prayers always appreciated! Thank you for your support.

TBTS: An Examination of Conscience for Social Media + Personal News

On this episode: Personal news. Also, thoughts about ministry, media, and maintaining peace in the digital age. 

GTR Episode #202: Simple Ways to Cope with Stress During Challenging Times {with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty}

On this episode: Special guest, Dr. Aaron Kheriaty talks about managing anxiety during hard times. Dr.  Kheriaty is Director of the Medical Ethics Program at UCI Health.  He serves as chairman of the medical ethics committees at UCI Hospital and at the CA Department of State Hospitals.

GTR #193: Holy Families with Dr. Ray Guarendi

On this episode: Don't let the title fool you. We are not talking about perfect people and flawless families. This episode is dedicated to the families who are striving for wisdom and clarity in a crazy culture. 

On the show, clinical psychologist, author, speaker and nationally syndicated radio host, Dr. Ray Guarendi addresses tough issues. Everything from managing mental health issues to anxiety and smartphone addiction among teens. 

Plus, lighting the first Advent candle, and much more!

 

Join us for Arise, 2020: A Good Things Radio Women's Retreat.

Enjoy the show? Please consider becoming a GTR "Good Friend" of the program! Click here to become a Podbean Patron. Thank you so much for your support!

Click here to join Brooke on pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Ireland. 

We love hearing from you! 

E-mail: brooke@saintgabrielmedia.com

Instagram: 1brooketaylor

Twitter: @Goodthingsradio

 

 

GTR Episode #185: The Heart of Perfection with Colleen Carroll Cambpell

On this episode: Award-winning author, journalist and former presidential speechwriter Colleen Carroll Campbell talks about her new book The Heart of Perfection.

Colleen shares beautiful insights on how the saints taught her to trade her dream of perfect for God's. If you have ever struggled with anxiety, guilt or a feeling that you will never measure up, this book is the perfect antidote.

Plus, listener feedback from Michelle, and much more.

 

Join us at the Arise 2020, women's retreat. Click here for more details. 

Enjoy the show? Please consider becoming a GTR Good Friend of the show. Click here to become a Podbean Patron. Thank you so much for your support!