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

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

Show Notes:

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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 #238 Former Atheist Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, and Memento Mori

On this episode: 

Former atheist turned religious sister, Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, joins Brooke in this "Best of" interview. Originally recorded in 2019, this episode explores the ancient practice of Memento Mori-Remember your death. Sister also talks about why this approach is so effective in reaching an atheistic world and why it can be considered a "conversion within a conversion." 

Next week on the show, Lieutenant Commander, Ali Ghaffairi is back for a must-listen interview.  Click here for his first conversation with Brooke on Relevant Radio. 

Feedback? We love to hear from you. Please reach out at: thebrooketaylorshow@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by Select International Tours. 

 

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. 

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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. 

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: Latin Mass Teaching with Fr. Joseph Tuscan

Fr. Joseph Tuscan explains the history, beauty, and truth of the Latin Mass. 

9:19- Why are more people attending Latin Mass?

10:45-Latin mass "Ancient Rite" ties to Saint Francis of Assisi

23:21-The significance of Ad orientem

29:40-Eucharistic ministers 

32:22-Veiling

42:09-Caution against schism

53:44-Why the Latin vernacular? 

1:04-Why pray the rosary

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

Click here to learn more about Benedictus by Sophia Press.