161: Navigating Intimacy as a Newlywed Couple | Mary Bruno
Always Hope
In this episode, Dr. Mario Sacasa sits down with Mary Bruno, author of Missing Pieces: Perspectives on Sex for Catholic Women, to explore the realities of intimacy in marriage. Mary opens up about her personal journey with vaginismus and endometriosis, shedding light on the challenges newlyweds face in building emotional and physical connection. They discuss setting realistic expectations for the wedding night, the importance of open communication, and practical tips for navigating intimacy challenges. Whether you're newly engaged or have been married for years, this conversation offers hope,...
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160: Ask Her Out: A No-Nonsense Guide for Catholic Men
Always Hope
In this episode, Dr. Mario Sacasa, LMFT speaks directly to men about how to approach dating with confidence and tact. Through years of working with Catholic singles, Dr. Sacasa has seen a common struggle: good, faithful men often feel intimidated or unsure about how to talk to women in a way that feels natural. So, today he is sharing a simple, three-step approach to help you start conversations, keep them going, and ultimately ask someone out—without cheesy pickup lines or awkward moments. Whether you're a seasoned dater or just starting out, this episode is all about building the skills to...
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159: Margaret Sanger vs. John Paul II: A Battle for Women’s Freedom | Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio
Always Hope
What if Margaret Sanger (Founder of Planned Parenthood) and St. John Paul II (Papal Juggernuat) sat down and debated their divergent ideas about personal freedom, choice, and women's dignity? That's the provocative question posed by today's guest, Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio, theologian and bioethicist. We unpack Sanger’s drive and reasoning, the birth control movement, and why she’s such a divisive figure (e.g. racism and eugenics). Then, we look at John Paul II’s powerful alternative: a view of freedom rooted in dignity, mutual respect, and honoring the differences between men and...
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158: Holy Ghosting: Surviving the Catholic Dating Scene | Maria Mitchell
Always Hope
With Halloween just around the corner, let’s talk about humorously frightening online dating experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Maria Mitchell, the mind behind the hilarious Instagram account "Catholic Dating Nightmares." We dive into the wild world of Catholic dating, where unrealistic expectations and cringe-worthy profiles meet the need for humor and hope. Maria shares the story of how her Instagram started as a joke with friends and quickly became a community of people laughing through their dating struggles. (Laugh or cry right?) Not only does she share some highlights of her...
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157: Getting Unstuck: A Practical Approach to Therapy and Medication
Always Hope
In this solo episode of the Always Hope Podcast, I dive into a question I often hear: "When should I seek counseling, and when is it time to consider medication?" As a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience, I want to provide you with practical guidance on this important topic. We'll explore the differences between depression and anxiety, how to recognize when you're feeling "stuck," and what it means to draw on your natural resources like community support, exercise, and prayer. But what happens when those aren’t enough? I'll walk you through the...
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156: Catholic Feminism and Gender Studies | Dr. Kevin Stuart
Always Hope
I consider Catholicism to be a reasonable faith. One that doesn’t exist in extremes and by doing so can speak to all sides of an issue. And yes, that includes modern feminist theory. So today, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Stuart to discuss the creation of a new Catholic Women's and Gender Studies program at the University of St. Thomas. We dive into the tension between traditional Catholic views and the secular discourse on gender studies. Dr. Stuart explains the goals of the program, which integrates faith, scientific literature, and a Catholic perspective on feminism, gender, and the...
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155. Walking on the Chaotic Waters of Life
Always Hope
We all know what it feels like to be drowning under a pile of work or overwhelmed by difficulties beyond our control. Those moments when our emotions become overwhelming, and we lose a reference point to keep us stable. That feeling of being out-of-control is encapsulated by the symbolism of water in scripture, and that’s what we are diving into in today’s episode. Through stories from the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Mario Sacasa explores how faith can guide us through life's storms. See how these biblical images offer us hope, comfort, and a path forward through God’s grace. Mario...
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154. Dating Solutions for Catholic Young Adults
Always Hope
Why do most people feel like the dating scene has become a dumpster fire? What are the unique challenges faced by Catholic young adults? What is the #1 complaint by women? What is the #1 complaint by men? And what can we do make this whole things a little more enjoyable? Joining me on the show is Rachel Hoover Canto, author of the book “Pretty Good Catholic: How to find, date, and marry someone who shares your faith.” We have a wonderful conversation where we discuss ways men can round out their interests beyond just Catholic things, the importance of meeting people, the value of...
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153. The Importance of Failure
Always Hope
Have you ever tried pursuing a dream only for it to blow up in your face? Have you followed God's call only to encounter hardships beyond anything you could have previously imagined? What do you do afterward? How do you pick up the pieces and keep going? That's what we are unpacking in today's episode of Always Hope. In today's show, I explore why God allows us to fail, offer four steps for responding to failure, discuss mindset shifts that need to happen, and encourage you to begin again. This is my first video episode, too. Check it out on YouTube: Not sure how to start a...
info_outline![[REPOST] 073 - Are you healthy enough to discern a vocation? | Sr Josephine Garrett, CSFN show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/33008357?height=50&width=50)
[REPOST] 073 - Are you healthy enough to discern a vocation? | Sr Josephine Garrett, CSFN
Always Hope
Have you struggled discerning God's plan for your life? Not sure how your emotional health impacts discernment? Do you know if you are healthy enough to start a relationship? If that's you, then stay tuned becuase you are going to get some great recommendations in this conversation. Joining me on the pod today is Sr Josephine Garrett, licensed profressional counselor and all around super-mega-dope nun. In this episode, Sister shares her vocation story, we discuss some of the errors we’ve heard in young people’s discernment questioning, define basic principles of what is healthy enough,...
info_outlineWe all know what it feels like to be drowning under a pile of work or overwhelmed by difficulties beyond our control. Those moments when our emotions become overwhelming, and we lose a reference point to keep us stable.
That feeling of being out-of-control is encapsulated by the symbolism of water in scripture, and that’s what we are diving into in today’s episode. Through stories from the Old and New Testaments, Dr. Mario Sacasa explores how faith can guide us through life's storms. See how these biblical images offer us hope, comfort, and a path forward through God’s grace.
Mario emphasizes the importance of trust as a developmental milestone and explains how spiritual truths can anchor our emotional well-being. He also reflects on how faith helps us navigate suffering, chaos, and uncertainty, offering a firm foundation in God's presence.
The episode closes with an invitation to prayer for communities affected by Hurricane Helene, and ways to support relief efforts for those impacted by natural disasters.
See the links below to offer financial assistance:
Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page
Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund
Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at www.drmariosacasa.com
Follow me on the socials:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa
Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa
Full Courses:
Dating Well: www.drmariosacasa/datingwell
Overcoming Stress and Anxiety: www.goodcatholic.com/product/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety/
The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance.