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: Revenge, Forgiveness, and the Power of Mercy - Episode #254

It’s the month of the Most Holy Rosary, and we’re back with a new episode!

• Checking in after a busy summer guest-hosting Trending on Relevant Radio
• Highlights from summer interviews include:
• Katie Vidmar – Body Literacy Project
• Paul Sanfrancesco – Tech/media expert for Catholic schools
• Catherine Rose – A Return to Beauty
• Maria Gari & Chase Crouse – Health, hormones, and prayer
• Kevin Wells – Priest and Beggar on St. John Vianney

Favorite Things Segment

Books:

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry 

Our Lady’s Psalter

The Power of the Rosary by Gabriel Castillo 

Learning the Virtues That Lead You to God by Fr. Romano Guardini

 

Fitness:

• iFit Treadmill Program
• Scottish Highlands hike with Graham McTavish (actor from The Hobbit)

 

Main Interview

• Dr. James Kimmel Jr., JD – Author of The Science of Revenge
• Fr. Dave Hene – Spiritual Director

Topics:

• The psychology and spirituality of revenge
• How forgiveness transforms the heart
• Practical tools for overcoming anger and resentment

 

Resources Mentioned

  Relevant Radio archives: www.relevantradio.com

• The Science of Revenge by Dr. James Kimmel Jr.
• Priest and Beggar by Kevin Wells
• A Return to Beauty by Catherine Rose

 

TBTS #252: Jonathan Kuplack's 100 Days of Sacrifice: The Via Magna Run for Sebaste

On this episode, Brooke welcomes Jonathan Kuplack, a 36-year-old endurance athlete and missionary currently in the middle of an extraordinary journey: 100 ultra marathons in 100 days. 

Covering 3,500 miles on foot, Jonathan is undertaking the Via Magna ("The Great Road"), a pilgrimage run in support of the apostolate Sebaste, which aims to instill adventure, brotherhood, challenge, and devotion in young men.

This conversation offers a profound reflection on what it means to take bold action for Christ, particularly in this season of Lent. Inspired by Pope Benedict XIV's words describing Lent as "the very badge of Christian warfare," we explore the intersections of endurance running, spiritual devotion, and personal transformation. 

Click here to donate and support The Via Magna Run!

 

 

TBTS Bonus Episode: Preparing for Lent

*Bonus Episode*

Preparing for the season of Lent. Listen to a portion of Brooke's interview with Kennedy Hall, author of Terror of Demons: Reclaiming Traditional Catholic Masculinity. Originally airing on Relevant Radio, this segment explores themes of self-mastery, fasting and prayer. 

Plus, Brooke shares news about ending of the podcast, fasting from technology, and more. 

 

Click here for the original, full interview with Kennedy Hall on Relevant Radio.

Click here to listen to Brooke's interview with Patrick O'Hearn, author of Parents of the Saints.

Click here for Brooke's interview with Leila Miller on Relevant Radio.

TBTS #239: Lieutenant Commander Ali Ghaffari

On this episode: Lieutenant Commander Ali Ghaffari -an American hero.

Ali is a former atheist turned devout Catholic. After being confronted about the existence of God by a Marine veteran, Ali began a journey that changed his life.⁣

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While flying F-18's over Taliban occupied Afghanistan, he was also earning Master’s degrees in Catholic Theology and Philosophy.⁣

Today, Ali is the headmaster of Divine Mercy Academy, a school founded by LCDR Ghaffari and Mrs. Ghaffari. His approach is to revive and grow the Classical Education model -freeing the mind so that it can understand God and the world He created in order that we may serve Him better. ⁣

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TBTS Bonus Episode: Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

This episode is brought to you by Select International Tours and Cruises. Join Brooke on pilgrimage.

Click here for more information. 

 

Broadcasting from the Catholic Marketing Network trade show, Brooke sits down with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Deacon Harold has been a fixture of Catholic evangelization for many years. On this episode, The Dynamic Deacon talks about everything from forgiveness and mercy, a personal story of healing with his father,
marriage preparation for couples, favorite books and much more. 

TBTS #229: Dr. Peter Kreeft

Dr. Peter Kreeft is one of the most respected and prolific authors of our time. Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, he has written 80 books on philosophy, theology and spirituality. 

Dr. Kreeft's new book is entitled  How to Destroy Western Civilization and other Ideas from the Cultural Abyss. '

This episode is brought to you by Select International Tours. Click here to join Brooke on pilgrimage. 

 

TBTS: Fr. Simon Esshaki

On this episode: Chaldean priest and influencer, Fr. Simon Esshaki.

Fr. Simon talks about Tik Tok -currently the fastest growing social media platform in the world.

Father gives us a candid look at his his popularity on the app, how he navigates the negative comments, as well as the hopeful, inspiring feedback.

 

Special thanks to our sponsor, Select International Tours. Click here to join Brooke on pilgrimage. 

TBTS: Jim's Journey: Losing Weight and Gaining Faith, One Day at a Time

On this bonus episode: Brooke's husband, Jim opens up about his 50 pound weight loss. 

Jim shares why he decided it was time to make a life change and how he did it. In addition to the health and fitness transformation, Jim discusses his love for the Liturgy of the Hours. 

Click here for the Praying Latin website.

Click here for the Jocko podcast with Jonny Kim.

Click here to join Brooke and Fr. John Michael Paul on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

TBTS Episode #206: Holy Masculinity {Pt.I} with Leila Miller

 

On this episode: a call to stand! We look at the urgent need for Godly leaders.  Special guest Leila Miller joins Brooke for part one of a two-part series. 

Find out more about Leila Miller at her website, here. 

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We would love to hear from you! Send feedback to: TheBrookeTaylorShow@gmail.com