Episode 259: Stop Preventing the Saints From Doing their Job! The Psychology of Devotion with Dr. Gerard McNicholas
Release Date: 12/30/2025
Episode 259: Stop Preventing the Saints From Doing their Job! The Psychology of Devotion with Dr. Gerard McNicholas
Being Human
The saints aren’t waiting to be admired — they’re actively trying to help us right now. In this episode, Dr. Greg sits down with Dr. Gerard McNicholas to unpack the psychology of devotion, what a living relationship with the saints can look like, and why the “messiness” that sometimes shows up during consecrations may actually be where God is doing His most personal work. Key Topics: Why Dr. Greg says most of us “block” the saints. How devotion becomes a real relationship instead of just a pious habit. When consecrations stir up drama—and why that can be a good sign. The...
info_outline
Episode 258: You Were Never Supposed to Hear This Conversation: A Merry Christmas Conversation with the CatholicPsych Leadership Council
Being Human
Dr. Greg hits record on a Christmas group call with the CatholicPsych Leadership Council, and things immediately go off-script—in the best way. It’s a chaotic, joyful, surprisingly deep year-in-review with candid moments, real humanity, and honest conversation about vocation, formation, and the Holy Spirit, plus a few teasers for 2026. Key Topics: The unseen personal work behind CatholicPsych’s growth this past year Why real formation often feels disorienting before it feels hopeful Why integration of faith and psychology can’t be fully explained—only experienced What the Summit...
info_outline
Episode 257: This Book Just Changed My Life: Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy
Being Human
Dr. Greg explores a stunning new perspective on Our Lady of Guadalupe—the kind that overturns what you thought you knew. This episode dives into the wild, tender, deeply human layers of indigenous prophecy and shows how God works through the messy, unexpected places in every culture and every heart. Key Topics: Why Dr. Greg believes most of us actually don’t know the real story of Our Lady of Guadalupe The jaw-dropping details in Juan Diego’s original account that reframe the entire miracle How nearly 10 million conversions in a decade suddenly make sense in a new light The...
info_outline
Episode 256: Stop Treating Joseph like a Nativity Prop: Unpacking the Terror of Demons with Fr. Colin Lomnitzer
Being Human
In this episode, Dr. Greg and Fr. Colin Lomnitzer dive into the real St. Joseph—the man who quietly shaped Jesus’ courage, work, identity, and tenderness far more than most people realize. For anyone wrestling with father wounds, questions about masculinity, or mission, this conversation offers a powerful and healing perspective. Key Topics: The surprising ways Joseph reverses generations of wounded fatherhood stretching from Adam to Abraham The invitation to let Joseph father you where your own story carries hurt, fear, or mistrust Why Jesus needed a real mother and a real...
info_outline
Episode 255: From Wife to Widow and Wife: A Journey of Shock, Faith, and Healing with Kate LeFaivre
Being Human
Kate LeFaivre shares the night everything changed—going to bed a wife and waking up a widow with eight kids, no warning, and a faith that had to carry her through shock. Dr. Greg and Kate explore what happens when the spiritual life meets real loss, and how grace shows up in places we never expect. Key Topics: The night Kate’s husband died suddenly and the shock that reshaped her family forever How she navigated telling eight children their father was gone—and the hidden moments she only learned about years later The grief “checklist” she followed for a year…and why she...
info_outline
Episode 254: Navigating “Toxic” Relationships: Setting Boundaries Without Losing Charity
Being Human
The culture tells us to eliminate “toxic people.” Jesus tells us to love our enemies. So what does real Christian charity look like when a relationship is painful, chaotic, or constantly draining? In this week’s episode, Dr. Greg tackles one of the most common—and misunderstood—questions Catholics wrestle with: When is it time to set boundaries, and when is it time to stay and suffer with love? Key Topics: Why the issue is often the dynamic—not the person How to love others without losing yourself Why authentic self-care is an act of charity, not selfishness What the Cross...
info_outline
Episode 253: You’ve Changed, Your Family Hasn’t, Now What? Learning to Honor Your Growth without Rejecting the People Who Shaped You
Being Human
This week, Dr. Greg sits down with Adrian and Shaelyn Misiak to talk about the real-life tension of growing and healing while your family stays the same. Together they unpack how true boundaries flow from inner peace—not control—and how to stay grounded in mercy when old patterns resurface around the holidays. Key Topics: Why trying to control your family’s behavior only increases anxiety—and what to do instead. Why “outgrowing your family” doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong—and what it actually reveals about your healing. How to stay peaceful when one holiday...
info_outline
Episode 252: How a Pope Saved Civilization: St. Leo the Great, Attila the Hun, and the Dignity of Work
Being Human
Dr. Greg and Fr. Sam Kachuba hit record while walking the streets of Rome, dodging mopeds, eating gelato, and talking Pope St. Leo the Great, AI, and what it really means to be human. What does a 5th-century pope who faced Attila the Hun have to teach us about preserving culture, confronting modern threats, and embracing our humanity in the digital age? Key Topics: Walking the streets of Rome and recording a podcast mid-pilgrimage—interruptions and all How to make a pilgrimage transform your life—not just leave you with photos and memories What happens when we try to...
info_outline
Episode 251: Death Can Heal: A Conversation on Grief, Sin, Resurrection, and the Dignity of the Human Person
Being Human
Dr. Greg is joined by Certified CatholicPsych Mentor Jack Beers for a deep and honest conversation about the Church’s invitation to mourn well—especially during the month of November. What begins as a discussion on liturgical rhythms becomes a surprising and moving reflection on death, grief, legacy, and the radical hope of sainthood. Together, they explore how embracing the reality of death—rather than avoiding it—can actually lead to greater peace, healing, and flourishing. Key Topics: How meditating on your own death can bring clarity, peace, and purpose How popular culture...
info_outline
Episode 250: Correcting Luther and…Aquinas? Calling Out Disintegration in the Church Dating Back to the Reformation
Being Human
Some Catholics today are repeating Martin Luther’s biggest mistake—and they don’t even realize it. In this explosive 250th episode, Dr. Greg calls out the disintegration happening in the Church today, names names (including Aquinas), and offers a bold path forward through true integration and unity with Holy Mother Church. Key Topics: Why disintegration is the real threat inside the Church today. The subtle ways Catholics today are repeating Luther’s biggest mistake. The shocking quote from Aquinas that no one wants to talk about. Why clinging to outdated theology isn’t...
info_outlineThe saints aren’t waiting to be admired — they’re actively trying to help us right now. In this episode, Dr. Greg sits down with Dr. Gerard McNicholas to unpack the psychology of devotion, what a living relationship with the saints can look like, and why the “messiness” that sometimes shows up during consecrations may actually be where God is doing His most personal work.
Key Topics:
- Why Dr. Greg says most of us “block” the saints.
- How devotion becomes a real relationship instead of just a pious habit.
- When consecrations stir up drama—and why that can be a good sign.
- The psychology behind spiritual “trends” and jumping into devotions too fast.
- How scrupulosity and the “tyranny of the shoulds” hijack your prayer life.
- Why St. Joseph and Our Lady want to be part of your daily life.
- A simple four-step way to ride out anxiety and spiritual desolation.
- How friendship and Ignatian wisdom keep you from panicking in hard seasons.
- Why letting the saints “do their job” can change how you suffer.
Learn More:
- Being Human Ep. #56: Writing Your Story with God with Dr. Gerard McNicholas
- “When Coping Mechanisms Aren’t Enough” – Dr. Gerard McNicholas’ interview on The Catholic Sinner Show
- Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat – An 8-week journey into peace, trust, and deeper relationship with God
- The Surrender Novena by Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo – A devotion rooted in surrendering control and trusting Jesus more fully.
- Hope and Help for Your Nerves — Dr. Claire Weekes’ classic guide on anxiety, panic, and nervous suffering
- Summit of Integration – Be the first to hear about event updates and special offers
- Consecration to Jesus through Joseph by Dr. Greg Bottaro and Jen Settle – A deep dive into devotion, psychology, and relationship through the Holy Family
- Consecration to St. Joseph – Fr. Donald Calloway’s guide to rediscovering the fatherhood and mission of Joseph
- Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
- Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment
Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn