Today, I welcome back Dr. Sarah Denny Laurio, bioethicist and speaker, to dive into what modesty really means, the responsibilities of both men and women, and how societal norms have shifted over the years. We explore the tension between personal freedom and the expectations placed on individuals, especially women, in how they present themselves. This conversation is not just about clothing; it's about understanding the deeper implications of modesty in our relationships and society. We discuss the importance of educating ourselves and others about the value of modesty, the role of shame, and ..read more

In this episode of the Always Hope Podcast, I explore the character of Sam Wilson as he takes up the mantle of Captain America in the new movie: Captain America: Brave New World. While the movie isn’t great, I love seeing a therapist turned into a superhero. I share insights about Sam Wilson desire to do the right thing even when it’s hard, the difficulty of reconciling ideals with reality, and the importance of putting communication over violence. Whether you're a fan of the Marvel universe or just love a good character analysis, this episode is for you! Grab some popcorn and let's break it d ..read more

Do you struggle getting dates? Are you sick of apps? Do you struggle knowing how to be able to talk to girls when you even go on dates? Then maybe it’s time to try speed dating. But how? Today, I sit down with Taylor O'Brien, co-founder and CEO of Candid, a Catholic speed dating app. We explore the world of speed dating and how it fills the gap between traditional dating apps and local meetups. Taylor shares her personal journey, including her own dating experiences that led her to create Candid, and the pain of a called-off engagement. We discuss the common fears and misconceptions surroundin ..read more

Can't seem to figure out why you and your spouse argue over that same dumb thing? It's exhausting, isn't it? In today's episode, we're going to talk about why that pattern exists and what we can do to break it. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I understand that couples often fall into repetitive arguments that seem trivial but are rooted in deeper issues. This episode dives into the dynamics of our nervous systems, how they are shaped, and how they influence our interactions with our spouse.  Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:48 - Understanding the Problem 00:01:25 - The ..read more

Maybe you’ve heard the term but don’t really know what Attachment Theory is. Well, this episode is your introductory masterclass into all things attachment. Joining me on the podcast today is Adam Lane Smith, licensed marriage and family therapist and relationship coach, to dive into everything attachment: we discuss the different attachment styles, how they are shaped, how they impact conflict, what healing looks like through an attachment lens, and how our styles impact our attachment to God. Thanks for joining us in this geeked-out conversation about attachment theory and practice.   C ..read more

Why is it that the things that initially attracted us to our spouse are the same things that drive us crazy? I’ve been married for 22 years and a marriage therapist for 20 and I get it. So today, we are going to breakdown how to embrace those differences and not see them as an obstacle to intimacy. I share some great stories in this episode that make these points super practical.   Tune in to learn more about how to navigate these challenges and build a stronger, more collaborative relationship.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Differences in Marriage 01:03 Yes, She’s a Diffe ..read more

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 intention ..read more

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 ..read more

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 jo ..read more

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 p ..read more