Goodpods logo
Goodpods

Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
Being Human

Being Human

Dr. Gregory Bottaro

At the CatholicPsych Institute, we're doing something new when it comes to therapy. In the Being Human podcast, Dr. Greg Bottaro, Founder and Director of the CatholicPsych Institute, shares with you his vision for Catholic therapy and a revolutionary approach that is focused, finally, on what it means to be human.
bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 Being Human Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Being Human episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Being Human for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Being Human episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Being Human - Episode 189: Social Sabbatical: Join Our 31-Day Summer Challenge for Personal Growth!

Episode 189: Social Sabbatical: Join Our 31-Day Summer Challenge for Personal Growth!

Being Human

play

07/30/24 • 15 min

Welcome to Episode 189 of the Being Human Podcast: Social Sabbatical: Join Our 31-Day Summer Challenge for Personal Growth!

In this short episode, Dr. Greg introduces a 31-day social media fast challenge, inspired by his experiences as a Franciscan friar. He explains the importance of interior silence and invites listeners to join him and the CatholicPsych team in this social sabbatical.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Insights from Dr. Greg’s time as a Franciscan friar, including the cadence of prayer throughout the day and “Hermitage Day” each week;
  • The need for interior silence in personal and professional life;
  • Prioritizing the contemplative life of intimacy with God from which all charitable activity flows;
  • In some way, shape, or form, every single one of us baptized into Christ is called to develop intimacy with Him;
  • We all need to grow in intimacy with God, so we all need to cultivate interior silence;
  • An invitation and challenge to participate in CatholicPsych’s 31-day social media fast;
  • Why CatholicPsych is going dark for a month (August 2024), including pausing the Being Human podcast;
  • Dr. Greg’s personal commitment and sacrifice during this social media fast;
  • How to use this social media sabbatical to cultivate interior silence and intimacy with God.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

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!

Rate, review, and subscribe

<...
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 172 - A Journey through Faith and Music with John Michael Talbot

Episode 172 - A Journey through Faith and Music with John Michael Talbot

Being Human

play

04/02/24 • 31 min

Welcome to Episode 172 of the Being Human Podcast: A Journey through Faith and Music with John Michael Talbot

In this episode, Dr. Greg had a conversation with John Michael Talbot, a Catholic author, musician and the founder of Brothers and Sisters of Charity. He shares his inspiring conversion to Catholicism, and the impact of his faith on his music. They discuss the importance of the mystical and contemplative dimension in his life, emphasizing the need for artists to go deep in prayer and trust in Divine Providence. They also reflect on the challenges of community and individualism in today's world. Despite the uncertainties of the future, he encourages us all to remain faithful and to trust in God's plan.

Discussed in the episode:

  • How John experienced pivotal moments in his life that led to his conversion and his search for deeper spiritual truths, mysticism, contemplative prayer and the early Church Fathers
  • John’s story of conversion to Catholicism and the profound impact it had on his life and music
  • Understanding how contemplative prayer influences artistic expression and how true art arises from a deep union with God
  • John’s advice to artists to “mine the gold” of God’s special gift to them and “do well what you do well”
  • Recounting John’s life-changing mystical experience during a period of illness, where he encountered God’s forgiveness and mercy in a profound way
  • Exploring the challenges of individualism and the impact of technology in Western society and the importance of fostering authentic community grounded in love and faith
  • Reflections on navigating the uncertainties of the future with faith and trust in God’s providence, and emphasizing the importance of staying faithful

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Summit of Integration Event

John Michael Talbot’s Official Website

John Michael Talbot’s Youtube Channel

John Michael Talbot’s Books

Little Portion Hermitage and Monastery

Need help? Schedule a free consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you;

Learn more about our CPMAP Certification!

Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, for encouragement on your journey of becoming the best human you can be;

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, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, 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 l...

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 132: We Didn’t Plan to Have Seven Kids: Accommodating Life w/ Barbra Bottaro

Episode 132: We Didn’t Plan to Have Seven Kids: Accommodating Life w/ Barbra Bottaro

Being Human

play

06/27/23 • 40 min

Welcome to Episode 132 of the Being Human Podcast: We Didn’t Plan to Have Seven Kids: Accommodating Life w/ Barbra Bottaro

This week, Dr. Greg welcomes his wife Barbra (and their baby, David) to the show for a fun episode about the joys and challenges of the vocation to marriage and the call to be generous in love!

Discussed in this episode:

  • Learning how to parent as a process of trial and error, learning from mistakes, and adapting;
  • Relying on God's grace and others in one’s community as necessary when navigating the challenges of family life;
  • How the spirit of generosity in love that Christians are called to is being eroded by the contraceptive mentality prevalent in our culture;
  • Accommodating life rather than having life accommodate to one’s desires and needs;
  • The family as a community and school of love and the natural progression of having children;
  • The importance of trusting God to provide for what is needed for the lives He entrusts to one’s care;
  • Love as a duty, responsibility, and challenge rather than just a good feeling;
  • Striving to give 100% to one’s spouse in marriage rather than relying on a 50/50 split of responsibilities;
  • The importance of being intentional in noticing and caring for each child's needs as a way to teach them self-worth;
  • The necessity of working through wounds from one’s family-of-origin in order not to pass them along to one’s children;
  • The great need for parental love in our culture and ways that couples can love others without being a biological parent;
  • Complementarity between the married and consecrated vocations and how each vocation can benefit the other.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on ...

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 128: Can I Just Pray It Away? (A Mentorship Message)

Episode 128: Can I Just Pray It Away? (A Mentorship Message)

Being Human

play

05/30/23 • 20 min

Welcome to Episode 128 of the Being Human Podcast: Can I Just Pray It Away? (A Mentorship Message)

Is it possible to “pray away” the difficulties in our life? This week, Dr. Greg opens up the archives to share audio from a Mentorship** message addressing this question. In the episode, he offers insight on how we can best approach suffering using principles from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment of spirits.

**For those new to Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship (IDDM or “Mentorship”), our model offers daily accompaniment through the exchange of private, voice-recorded messages shared between you and a trained Mentor. This message from Dr. Greg to his client is shared with permission.

Discussed in the episode:

  • Distinguishing between spiritual and non-spiritual desolation;
  • The importance of initiating small changes to improve non-spiritual desolation;
  • Looking for moments when change can be made vs. waiting for change to happen;
  • How ruminations add weight to our burdens and increase suffering;
  • A reminder that change does not happen overnight;
  • Noticing the reaction of the different parts within ourselves.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the pod...

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 115: Hope for Adult Children of Divorce, w/ Dr. Daniel Meola

Episode 115: Hope for Adult Children of Divorce, w/ Dr. Daniel Meola

Being Human

play

02/28/23 • 62 min

Welcome to Episode 115 of the Being Human Podcast: Hope for Adult Children of Divorce, w/ Dr. Daniel Meola

What happens when divorce or separation of your parents is part of your story? This experience can oftentimes result in hidden yet painful wounds which can seem complicated and difficult to navigate. In this week’s podcast episode, Dr. Greg interviews Dr. Daniel Meola, the co-founder of a non-profit organization which ministers to adult children of divorce or separation. Sharing their own experiences as adult children of divorce, Dr. Greg and Dr. Daniel break open the impact that divorce can have on a child while also offering hope for healing and resources to help.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Meet Dr. Daniel Meola and get to know more about Life-Giving Wounds, a non-profit ministry for adult children of divorce or separation;
  • Dr. Daniel’s experience of his parent’s 15-year separation and eventual divorce, along with the resulting effects on his life;
  • The hope and healing possible for each person, whether as an adult child of divorce or an adult who went through a divorce or separation;
  • The desire of a child to have two parents loving him/her together, and the resulting pain that happens when it is lost;
  • The tendency in our culture to not recognize parental divorce or separation as a loss to be grieved by the child;
  • Annulment as more than just a spiritual issue with spiritual impact;
  • Identity questions that can affect adult children of divorce due to the separation of their parents;
  • Common ways that guilt for their parent’s divorce or separation can be experienced by adult children of divorce;
  • How children highlight and amplify any interpersonal or relational issues already present in a marriage;
  • Implicit and explicit ways that parents communicate to their child that the failure of their relationship was the child’s fault;
  • The seven common wounds identified by Dr. Daniel’s ministry in adult children of divorce;
  • The rejection and shame that can result in a child as a result of his/her parent’s rejection of one another.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Being Human - Episode 114: Psychology, Youth Ministry & What Your Teen Wants Most, w/ Mari Pablo

Episode 114: Psychology, Youth Ministry & What Your Teen Wants Most, w/ Mari Pablo

Being Human

play

02/21/23 • 42 min

Welcome to Episode 114 of the Being Human Podcast: Psychology, Youth Ministry & What Your Teen Wants Most, w/ Mari Pablo

This week on Being Human, Dr. Greg welcomes Catholic speaker and ministry consultant Mari Pablo to the show for a conversation focused on her experience working with youth and young adults in the Church and the importance of an integration of psychology with faith in ministry. Mari also shares what she finds young people are lacking and longing for most in our current culture, as well as what can be done to provide for what they want most.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Meet Mari Pablo!
  • Ways in which Mari’s experience working in a juvenile detention facility helped to prepare her for youth ministry;
  • How training for the real life of discipleship requires an understanding of psychology and the faith;
  • What are the most prevalent issues among youth and young adults now?
  • The increasing avoidance and resistance to real communication and connection among younger generations;
  • Trusting your gut as a parent and learning to be okay with your children being mad at you for setting necessary limits;
  • How the belief that true love is not possible among youth and young adults impacts their view of devotion and commitment;
  • Mari’s experience of growing up in a Hispanic home and culture;
  • The increasing desire for - and corresponding fear of - vulnerable and authentic friendships and relationships among teenagers;
  • What Mari sees teenagers desiring most, and how adults can provide that for them.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Being Human - Episode 101: Catholic Parenting Amid Cultural Chaos, w/ Dr. Ray Guarendi

Episode 101: Catholic Parenting Amid Cultural Chaos, w/ Dr. Ray Guarendi

Being Human

play

11/22/22 • 54 min

Welcome to Episode 101 of the Being Human Podcast: Catholic Parenting Amid Cultural Chaos, w/ Dr. Ray Guarendi

This week, Dr. Greg welcomes special guest Dr. Ray Guarendi to the show to discuss the challenges of parenting as a faithful Catholic in today’s cultural climate. Dr. Ray, a clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker and national radio and television host, humorously shares some of the wisdom he has gained while parenting his ten adopted children.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Meet Dr. Ray Guarendi;
  • The challenges of parenting as a faithful Catholic in the current cultural climate;
  • The problem with parenting from a place of fear;
  • The danger in giving unwanted and unsolicited opinions and parenting advice to grown children;
  • The difficulty with the directive to be “morally neutral” as a psychologist;
  • The one thing people of faith must accept: we cannot look to the culture at large for support;
  • Examples of current cultural messages that don’t support the faith;
  • Review of certain statistics that show how misaligned current culture is with Catholic values and beliefs;
  • Ways to respond to a child expressing gender confusion as a parent or grandparent;
  • How to know when it’s appropriate to step in as a grandparent to broach the topic of gender confusion with adult children;
  • Fear of causing psychological damage as a barrier to parenting confidently;
  • Self-doubt and lack of authority experienced by parents as a result of the cultural climate.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 100: Misconceptions about Men’s Emotions, w/ Dr. Bryan Violette

Episode 100: Misconceptions about Men’s Emotions, w/ Dr. Bryan Violette

Being Human

play

11/15/22 • 51 min

Welcome to Episode 100 of the Being Human Podcast: Misconceptions about Men’s Emotions, w/ Dr. Bryan Violette

In this milestone episode, Dr. Greg and Dr. Bryan dive into discussion about men’s emotional lives, giving listeners a peek into the male psyche while sharing their observations on what it means to be an emotionally healthy man.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Is the reluctance by men to talk about mental health issues, relationships, and emotional issues fear-based or constitutive to being a man?
  • The role of one’s emotions and the danger of repressing them;
  • Refuting the erroneous belief that it is not “a man’s job” to discuss emotions;
  • The act of courage required of men to share honestly and vulnerably with other men;
  • The ramifications of having an emotionally-distant father, especially upon sons;
  • Anger as the emotion men feel most comfortable with;
  • How St. Joseph learned receptivity and trust in God from Mary’s example;
  • Rigid gender roles and distortions of masculinity;
  • The need for men to grow in the gifts of the feminine genius after establishing the masculine gifts;
  • The importance of entering into areas of incompetence out of love for the other.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

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

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Being Human - Episode 90: Male & Female: Why Would God Do That? w/ Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace (Certification Series: Part 7 of 12)

Episode 90: Male & Female: Why Would God Do That? w/ Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace (Certification Series: Part 7 of 12)

Being Human

play

09/06/22 • 44 min

Welcome to Episode 90 of the Being Human Podcast: Male & Female: Why Would God Do That? w/ Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace (Certification Series: Part 7 of 12)

There’s a tremendous amount of suffering that has happened due to the differences between men and women. What was God’s purpose in creating us so different from one another? In this episode, Dr. Greg, Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace break open content from the third Anthropology course in our new Certification, focusing on the relationship between men and women.

Discussed in this episode:

  • The impact of brain differences between men and women;
  • Distinctions between the sexes as building blocks that help us grow out of self-centeredness;
  • How the apprenticeship of marriage transforms us;
  • The importance of mutual respect when learning from the opposite sex;
  • Openness to the opposite sex’s way of looking at things as a prerequisite to becoming more human;
  • Choosing to grow in the gifts of the opposite sex as an act of the will;
  • Personal examples of how Dr. Greg, Dr. Bryan, and Amy Grace have each grown from their relationships with the opposite sex;
  • What the Church isn’t talking about in regards to masculinity and femininity;
  • Self-donation as a lifelong adventure that requires sacrifice.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Being Human - Episode 153: How to Talk About Gender Issues

Episode 153: How to Talk About Gender Issues

Being Human

play

11/21/23 • 50 min

Welcome to Episode 153 of the Being Human Podcast: How to Talk About Gender Issues

How do we talk about gender issues to people who don’t necessarily share the same views? How can we make sense of the gender ideologies and confusion so prevalent in our culture today? In this week’s episode, Dr. Greg shares important principles to remember when engaging others in conversation on this sensitive topic.

Discussed in the episode:

  • How do we communicate a Catholic perspective on gender ideology to those who may not share the same perspective?
  • The meaning and importance of owning our mistakes as a Church;
  • Entering into relationship with another as a necessary prerequisite to evangelizing with love;
  • Why it’s essential to recognize the distinction between gender stereotypes and gender identity;
  • The importance of understanding that each person has different parts and experiences within themselves;
  • How communion can be possible in the midst of varying parts and perspectives;
  • Seeing the developmental stages starting from conception as a gradual becoming more of who God calls us to be;
  • Why modeling from the same-sex parent and complementarity from the opposite-sex parent significantly impacts the formation of a child’s identity.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

Comments