Episode 229: 5 Ways the Holy Spirit is a Masterclass
Being Human
The Holy Spirit isn’t just a once-a-year topic for Pentecost — He’s meant to be at the center of our daily spiritual life. In this episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro unpacks 5 powerful insights from Archbishop Luis Martinez’s The Sanctifier to help you enter more deeply into the mystery of how the Holy Spirit transforms us. From the Holy Spirit’s permanent dwelling in your soul to His intimate collaboration with Our Lady, this conversation offers a fresh, integrated perspective on how God is actively sanctifying you right now. Key Topics: Why the Holy Spirit deserves more than just...
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Episode 228: The Joy of Inconvenience: A Conversation with Comedian Tom Shillue
Being Human
What does it take to be funny—and faithful—in today’s culture? In this lively and thought-provoking conversation, Catholic Psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro sits down with comedian and broadcaster Tom Shillue to explore the grit, humility, and creative discipline behind the scenes of stand-up comedy. From resisting comfort in favor of calling, to navigating AI, analog living, and the deeper meaning of being human, Tom shares a rare peek behind the curtain of the entertainment world. Whether you're a fan of Gutfeld, a lover of vintage vinyl, or just hungry for a more integrated life, this...
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Episode 227: Do your lousy best
Being Human
What if the path to healing isn’t about fixing yourself, but finally letting yourself be loved—right in the mess? In this deeply human and hopeful conversation, Dr. Greg sits down with longtime friend and CFR friar Fr. Columba to explore why our spiritual lives fall apart when we try to be angels instead of humans. Together, they unpack the quiet power of incarnation, what holiness looks like in real life (hint: it’s not clean or quick), and how surrendering to God's pace opens the door to joy, wholeness, and peace. Whether you're weary from striving or just hungry for something more...
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Episode 226: People Ask What on Reddit?
Being Human
Ever wondered what kind of mental health advice people look for on Reddit? In this refreshingly candid episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro teams up with certified mentor Jack Beers to unpack the internet’s most common (and sometimes surprising) questions about anxiety, therapy, burnout, and more. With humor, wisdom, and a deeply Catholic lens, they dive into real struggles people face every day—and offer practical insights that go far beyond a Reddit thread. Whether you’re curious, confused, or just tired of pop-psych buzzwords, this conversation is for you. Key Topics: The difference...
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Episode 225: Humilty, Time Travel and Philosphy with Peter Kreeft
Being Human
What happens when one of the greatest living Catholic philosophers takes on the rise of artificial intelligence? In this lively and deeply insightful episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro sits down with Dr. Peter Kreeft to explore what makes us truly human in an age of technology, why analogies and wonder matter more than ever, and how faith, philosophy, and psychology together can help us navigate a world increasingly dominated by machines. Key Topics: Dr. Peter Kreeft’s famous aversion to technology—and why he’s learned to (mostly) make peace with it The surprising connection between...
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Episode 224: From Uganda to Cajun Country: A Personalist Pilgrimage
Being Human
What if the key to understanding who we are was hidden in cultures all around the world? In this episode, Dr. Greg sits down with theologian Jennifer Morel to uncover how different cultures—along with her own Cajun heritage—offer powerful insights into what it really means to be male and female. Through stories of travel, surprising discoveries, and deep reflections on Catholic anthropology, they dive into why reclaiming the truth of our embodiment matters now more than ever. Whether you're fascinated by theology, culture, or just what it means to be fully human, this conversation will...
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Episode 223: When Following God Wrecks Your Plans - In The Best Way!
Being Human
What happens when you say yes to God - and it turns your whole life upside down? In this powerful episode, Dr. Greg sits down with Jake and Heather Kim, two of the featured speakers at the upcoming Summit of Integration, to talk about marriage, mission, and radical trust. With honesty, humor, and deep wisdom, they unpack what it means to follow the Holy Spirit through seasons of change, simplicity, and surrender - while staying rooted in love, relationship, and the everyday reality of family life. Whether you're married, discerning, or navigating your own leap of faith, this conversation will...
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Episode 222: Three Places AI Can Never Go
Being Human
What happens when AI starts to feel like a friend - but isn't one? In this final installment of our AI series, Dr. Greg explores the growing ability of artificial intelligence to mirror human behavior - and why, no matter how convincing it gets, it can never truly love or choose. Drawing from the Catholic tradition and John Paul II’s personalism, we unpack the deep spiritual and psychological truths of freedom and love - and why real relationship can only happen between persons. If you’ve ever felt both amazed and uneasy about the rise of AI, this conversation will challenge and ground you...
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Episode 221: Is AI Really More Effective Than Your Therapist?
Being Human
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Greg explores the rising influence of artificial intelligence in therapy and why no machine, no matter how advanced, can truly replicate what it means to be human. Drawing from Pope St. John Paul II’s theology of the person, he explains the irreplaceable dignity of real human connection - and why healing, growth, and love can only happen in relationship with another person. Whether you're fascinated by tech, worried about where it's all headed, or just craving a deeper understanding of what makes us human, this conversation offers a powerful reminder of...
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Episode 220: Do Catholic Therapists Just Add a Rosary to the Session?
Being Human
What makes therapy Catholic—and is it really just adding a rosary to the session? In this unique episode, Dr. Greg is the one answering the questions, sitting down with college student Lucina Frank who’s wrestling with how to bring her faith into the world of psychology. Their conversation pulls back the curtain on why CatholicPsych’s approach feels so different—because it is—and how it responds to the deep hunger for healing that actually honors both our humanity and our faith. Whether you’ve been skeptical, searching, or simply curious, you’ll walk away seeing therapy—and the...
info_outlineGender confusion in today’s culture might seem like a curveball, but in this episode, Dr. Greg explores the unexpected opportunity it provides for the Church—and for each of us—to deepen our understanding of what it truly means to be man and woman.
Discussed in this episode:
- Why understanding complementarity is key to healing personal and cultural wounds;
- How the relationship between man and woman provides access to the face of God;
- Why healing the wounds between men and women is essential for restoring communion with God;
- The mystery of how man and woman together image God’s love;
- How JP2's Theology of the Body revolutionizes our view of human dignity;
- Why male and female differences are essential to imaging God;
- The critical distinction between mutual self-gift and hierarchical domination in relationships;
- How original sin distorted trust between man and woman and between humanity and God;
- The role of divinization in the Christian understanding of humanity’s destiny;
- What Sr. Prudence Allen and JP2 reveal about integral sex complementarity;
- The biological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of male and female complementarity;
- How equal dignity and differentiation coexist in the Catholic vision of gender;
- The dangers of reducing man and woman to rigid roles versus embracing integral identity;
- How historical pendulum swings between equality and differentiation have shaped gender views;
- How marriage reflects and points to the ultimate communion with God.
Resources mentioned or relevant:
- Mulieris Dignitatem by Pope St. John Paul II
- Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
- Previous episodes on gender complementarity:
- Episode 202: Complementarity Without The Competition: Why We Need Each Other
- Episode 201: Is Leadership of the Family a Man’s Job? with Special Guest Barbra Bottaro
- Episode 200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote to Celebrate Our 200th Episode!
- Episode 99: Diversity, Gender, and the Genius of Women, w/ Simone Rizkallah
- Flight from Woman by Karl Stern
- The Catholic Genius of Integrated Masculinity and Femininity
- Maria Fedoryka at Hildebrand Conference
- The Anti-Mary Exposed: Rescuing the Culture from Toxic Femininity by Carrie Gress
- Doctrinal Note USCCB 2023
- Female and Male He Resurrected Them edited by Jennifer Morel
- Need help? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your next best step;
- Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism;
- Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
- Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;
- Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more;
- Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
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Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!
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