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 #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 #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 #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 #251: The Path to Saint Patrick -A Lenten Irish Retreat with Br. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap.

In this episode,  Brother Richard Hendrick, OFM Cap. joins Brooke from Dublin, Ireland.  They discuss themes of Lent, repentance, and the life of St. Patrick. Starting out with the call to deep sorrow for sins, and the grace of compunction. Brother Richard shares insights on the journey of conversion, the importance of hope, and the power of St. Patrick's prayer and life. The second half of the show looks at Saint Patrick's Confessio and little known facts about one of the most fascinating saints in history.  

 

Click here to join us on a pilgrimage to Ireland. 

 

Takeaways

• Lent is a time for fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
• Compunction is a grace that leads to deeper conversion.
• Repentance involves recognizing our sins in the light of God's love.
• St. Patrick's life exemplifies hope and transformation through suffering.

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+

Hope and Healing: The Story of Paul Darrow

On this special episode, Father Patrick Shultz speaks to Catholic women from the "heart of a father." You can listen to his full talk, here. 

Paul Darrow shares his incredible story as a former atheist and gay-activist who experienced a profound healing after years of living of decadence with drug use, promiscuity and many dark moments. 

 

#Pride #Humilty #TheSacredHeartofJesus #CourageInternational #Courage #RelevantRadio #Healing 

#Culture 

 

 

TBTS: Miracle Hunter Michael O’Neill on the Life of Rhoda Wise

On this episode: Miracle Hunter Michael O'Neill talks about a new episode of his acclaimed series They Might be Saints featuring Servant of God Rhoda Wise. 

 

Click here to listen to the interview with Fr. Lawrence Daniel Carney III about his new book The Secret of the Holy Face.

Click here to listen to the interview with Coach Joe Kennedy and Jessica Echeverry.

TBTS: Servant of God Rose Wise: A Family Member Speaks

On this episode: A rare and candid interview with Darlene, the granddaughter of Rhoda Wise.

In 2017, Rhoda Wise was declared a Servant of God. This is the first step of canonization as a saint in the Catholic Church.

The life of this mystic, stigmatist, and

mentor of Mother Angelica will move your heart and soul.

It is a great privilege to be able to bring you Rhoda’s story.

 

Click here for the official website of the Rhoda Wise home.