Always Hope

Always Hope provides solutions to a better life that are anchored in faith and psychological science. Dr. Mario Sacasa, LMFT, brings his years of counseling experience to the table and welcomes experts and friends to tackle challenging topics related to dating, marriage, gender, mental health, and the spiritual life. Started in 2018, the show has garnered a worldwide audience and is one the best podcasts that blends Catholicism with mental health and personal development. For more information, visit drmariosacasa.com

168. How to Accept Differences in Marriage 01/29/2025

167. The Importance of Curiosity and Play in Marriage | Dr. Steve Call 01/22/2025

167. The Importance of Curiosity and Play in Marriage | Dr. Steve Call Are you a young married couple struggling to learn the essential ingredients for a thriving marriage? As a therapist, I know that we all have great intentions when we get married but may not know exactly how to make our marriage work. In this episode of the Always Hope Podcast, I had the incredible opportunity to chat with Dr. Steve Call, a renowned marriage therapist and author. We have a wonderful conversation about his book, A Deep-Rooted Marriage, co-authored with Dr. Dan Allender. Dr. Call detailed what it means to have a marriage with deep roots and emphasized the importance of intentionality in nurturing a healthy and flourishing relationship. He often drew parallels to gardening and beautifully illustrated how tending to the soil of our marriages can lead to a thriving relationship. As someone who’s killed a cactus before, gardening imagery only goes so far. Dr. Call shared many fascinating insights from his book, including the significance of continuous growth, the courage it takes to be vulnerable in a relationship, the need for play in marriage, and seeing conflict as a means for connection. (Not what you usually think). Overall, this episode was a treasure trove of insights and encouragement for anyone looking to cultivate a deep-rooted marriage. I hope you find it as enriching and inspiring as I did! Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:05 Where'd the Supersonics Go? 00:10:58 What is a Deep Rooted-Marriage? 00:20:02 Cultivating Curiosity in Marriage 00:25:54 Healing Your Nervous System Through Marriage 00:46:45 Ritual and Play in Marriage 00:59:10 What Gives You Hope? Dr Steve Call’s Website: Book Link: Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34963555

166. Life, Work, and #adulting | Peter Blute 01/15/2025

166. Life, Work, and #adulting | Peter Blute Today I welcome Peter Blute, the executive director of Young Catholic Professionals, to discuss the challenges young professionals face when entering the workforce. Thank you for joining us as we tackle everything from discerning job transitions and building professional skills, to integrating faith into your daily work life. Peter explains the unique role YCP plays in supporting young Catholics by providing them with a community that combines faith, career, and personal development. We also discuss the dynamics of the modern work environment, especially focusing on qualities unique to Gen Z, such as remote work and soft skill development. In this episode, you will discover practical advice and heartfelt wisdom that will help you navigate the complexities of modern work culture, all while staying true to your Catholic faith and calling. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 02:13 Introduction to Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) 10:43 Navigating Secular Work Environments with Faith 21:57 The Importance of Prayer in Professional Life 32:50 Discernment and Career Decisions 42:45 Understanding Gen Z in the Workforce 59:42 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice for Young Professionals Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34873845

165. Waiting for Long Held Dreams: SEEK and 2025. 01/10/2025

165. Waiting for Long Held Dreams: SEEK and 2025. In this episode, I take a moment to share my gratitude for your unwavering support over the past six years and celebrate an incredible milestone—speaking at SEEK! Which was just an incredible experience; a culmination of 18 years of hard work and perseverance. This journey has been anything but linear, but it's taught me the value of faith, determination, and hope. As we step into 2025, a year the Holy Father has declared as the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, I’m excited to share what's happening with the podcast and how you can be part of these next steps! Thank you for being part of this journey. I’d love your prayers, feedback, and support as we continue to grow. Let’s make 2025 a year of hope together! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 00:36 Journey of Rebuilding 02:15 Speaking at Seek Conference 03:48 Reflecting on 18 Years of Work 06:17 The Purpose of Always Hope 10:40 Call for Support in 2025 15:04 Encouragement for the New Year Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5f44220f014e0/user/guest To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34809475

164: Unlocking the Joy of Belief (Advent Series 3) | Dr. Tom Neal 12/18/2024

164: Unlocking the Joy of Belief (Advent Series 3) | Dr. Tom Neal For many of us, belief isn’t always easy. Life throws curveballs. Promises don’t pan out the way we thought they would. Secularism raises doubts in our minds. It’s hard to reconcile the joy we sing about this time of year with the struggles we face in our day-to-day lives. But belief doesn’t always start with clarity. Sometimes, it starts in the messiness of life, when everything feels out of alignment. That’s where Christ finds us. That’s the story of Christmas. And that’s where this episode begins—by looking at faith not as a perfect, clean answer, but as a journey. A journey that’s deeply personal, sometimes hard, but always transformative. Today, I’m sitting down with Dr. Tom Neal, to discuss the origin story of his faith life. Tom is a brilliant mind, a loving soul, someone who has dedicated his life to teaching the gospel, but like all of us, has had a journey. Tom’s story—from questioning faith to experiencing a profound, life-changing encounter with Christ—reminds us that joy and belief can exist, even in the hardest moments. This is a vulnerable and candid episode about how we encounter Christ and why we still believe amidst hardship. So, sit back and let this story unfold. Because as we reflect on this Advent season, this isn’t just about belief in theory—it’s about what happens when belief meets real life. As always, please leave questions in the comments. Full quote from Fr Carlo Carretto: Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:08 Tom's Upbringing and Family Life 00:15:53 Tom's Miraculous Encounter with Christ 00:22:03 The Aftermath and a Newfound Faith 00:31:07 Choosing Catholicism 00:38:51 Exploring Other Religions Through a Catholic Lens 00:49:45 Maintaining Belief Amidst Hardship 00:54:05 The Importance of Prayer 00:57:56 Am I a Bad Catholic? 01:02:04 Mario's Journey of Faith 01:13:05 The Intelligibility of the Catholic Faith 01:22:57 Tertullian's Paradox 01:27:33 Fr Carlo Carretto Quote on the Mystery of the Catholic Church Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5f44220f014e0/user/guest To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34507990

163: Discovering Grace in Unexpected Places: It’s A Wonderful Life (Advent Series 2) 12/11/2024

163: Discovering Grace in Unexpected Places: It’s A Wonderful Life (Advent Series 2) Today, I reflect on the greatest Christmas movie of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life and what it teaches us about hope, healing, and finding meaning in life’s challenges. George Bailey’s story is all of us—navigating dreams, disappointments, and the tension between personal desires and the needs of others. It’s a story of sacrifice, resilience, and ultimately, grace showing up in the most unexpected ways, like misfit second class angels. This is the second part of my Advent series on Hope and Healing, last week we talked about acceptance (please check out that episode). This week focuses on the surprising ways God comes to us, which is the central reflection of Advent – the miracle of the incarnation and the reminder that God shocked us all as a baby in the manger. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s reflect together on the gift of Advent, the power of acceptance, and the surprising ways divine providence manifests in our lives. If you have any questions about this show or topic, please leave them in the comments. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Who is George Bailey? 04:44 The Burden of Responsibility and Choice 10:18 Don't Let Pain Turn You into a Villain 16:15 God is Listening 20:11 Final Encouragement Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5f44220f014e0/user/guest To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34396345

162: How to Accept the Hardships of Life (Advent Series 1) | Steven Hryniewicz 12/04/2024

162: How to Accept the Hardships of Life (Advent Series 1) | Steven Hryniewicz Well, here we are. Advent. And today’s episode is the beginning of a four-part series on Advent, that will teach how to make this season into one of healing and hope. And we begin our reflections by unpacking the term acceptance. As we enter into Advent, I want to ask: are you struggling with accepting the year that has been? Have things not worked out the way you wanted, and are a little unsure how to surrender it to God? If so, I’m happy you found this episode. Joining me on the podcast, to help unpack acceptance is Steven Hryniewicz, a skilled practitioner in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT. Steven and I talk about how ACT encourages us to drop the struggle with difficult thoughts and emotions, giving us the freedom to focus on what truly matters. We examine how ACT can help us embrace psychological flexibility and align our actions with our values. We also dive into how Advent, as a season of both light and darkness, beginnings and ends, mirrors the therapeutic journey of finding meaning and grace in all parts of life—even the painful ones. Whether it’s managing anxiety, processing grief, or finding happiness, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective for the season. If you’re ready to embrace this Advent with a renewed sense of acceptance, hope, and purpose, then this conversation is for you. Let’s go! If you have any questions about this show or topic, please leave them in the comments. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to ACT and Advent 00:04:10 What Is ACT? 00:09:50 Redefining Acceptance 00:14:15 Psychological Flexibility in Life and Faith 00:20:45 Solution to Anxiety 00:24:36 Anxiety and the Attachment Response 00:32:38 Uncovering Underlying Emotions 00:39:35 Exploring Pain and Values 00:44:10 Accepting Loneliness 00:50:29 Dropping Anchor Meditation 01:01:46 Final Thoughts and Reflections Steven's practice: Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/34284515

161: Navigating Intimacy as a Newlywed Couple | Mary Bruno 11/20/2024

160: Ask Her Out: A No-Nonsense Guide for Catholic Men 11/13/2024

159: Margaret Sanger vs. John Paul II: A Battle for Women’s Freedom | Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio 11/06/2024

159: Margaret Sanger vs. John Paul II: A Battle for Women’s Freedom | Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio 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 women. Together, we imagine what a “third way” in sex education could look like—one that blends awareness of our bodies with the values of respect and responsibility. Now that the election is over, it's important to maintain a spirit of dialogue with those who disagree with over values and that's the aim of this episode. This conversation will leave you rethinking what true freedom means for women and men today! Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio Instagram: @dr.sarahdennylorio See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5f44220f014e0/user/guest To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/33808962

158: Holy Ghosting: Surviving the Catholic Dating Scene | Maria Mitchell 10/23/2024

158: Holy Ghosting: Surviving the Catholic Dating Scene | Maria Mitchell 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 feed, but we also get into very clear practical advice about how to “market” yourself on dating apps, best practices for first dates, and knowing when to pull back from the dating scene should it become too discouraging. If you’re navigating the ups and downs of modern dating (or just need a good laugh), you won’t want to miss this one! Catholic Dating Nightmares Instagram: @catholicdatingnightmares Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at See the links below to offer financial assistance: Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Charities Hurricane Helen Donations Page: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate Diocese of St. Petersburg Hurricane Relief Fund: https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5f44220f014e0/user/guest To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Follow me on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Full Courses: Dating Well: 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. /episode/index/show/d697cbff-1516-4c29-a21a-8cc01d0f1bda/id/33587832