Become Who You Are
What’s the meaning and purpose of my life? What is my true identity? Why were we created male and female? How do I find happiness, joy and peace? How do I find love that lasts, forever? These are the timeless questions of the human heart. Join Jack Rigert and his guests for lively insights, reading the signs of our times through the lens of Catholic Teaching and the insights of Saint John Paul ll to guide us. Saint Catherine of Siena said "Become who you are and you would set the world on fire".
#661 The Zombie Apocalypse: Are You Living or Just Breathing? Escaping Our Self-Made Prisons
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Have you ever observed people walking down a street completely absorbed in their phones, disconnected from one another and their surroundings? Jack and Deacon Greg Farrell describe this modern phenomenon as a "zombie apocalypse" – bodies moving through space without authentic spiritual life. This haunting image perfectly captures the crisis facing many today, especially young people struggling with unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression.
The Claymore discipleship program offers a powerful antidote to this spiritual disconnection. Developed by the John Paul II Renewal Center, this b...
#660 Catholic Faith Unbroken, The Importance of the Early Church Fathers: With Bishop Athanasius Schneider
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Bishop Athanasius Schneider delivers a powerful message of hope and clarity for Catholics navigating the complexities of modern faith. Drawing from his deep knowledge of Church history and tradition, he illuminates the unbroken chain of teaching that connects today's believers directly to the apostles through the early Church Fathers.
"There is only one truth," Bishop Schneider declares with conviction, explaining that what makes Catholic faith distinct is its remarkable continuity across the centuries. He illustrates this through the example of St. Irenaeus, a second-century bishop who...
#659 Finding Truth in a World of Lies: Charlie Kirk's Legacy and the Path Forward
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The murder of Charlie Kirk and Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska reveals the fierce spiritual battle raging beneath today's headlines. Young people especially feel this tension as anxiety—a cognitive dissonance between what their hearts know to be true and the lies bombarding them from culture.
The Claymore apostolate, named after the Scottish broadsword, equips young men with a blueprint for navigating this spiritual war.
Knowledge becomes medicine to alleviate fear and confusion when we understand what's happening around us. Drawing from John Paul II's t...
#658 Pope Leo XIII's "Rerum Novarum": The Three Necessary Societies for Human Flourishing, With Veronica Burchard
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What happens when the three necessary societies, the foundational pillars for human flourishing, crumble simultaneously? Jack and Veronica Burchard, Chief Operating Officer of Sophia Institute, explores how Pope Leo XIII's groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum offers extraordinary wisdom for our modern cultural crisis.
Burchard shares what motivated her to create "A Pocket Guide to Rerum Novarum," making this essential Catholic social teaching more accessible to today's readers. Together, they unpack how Leo XIII's prophetic vision of the three necessary societies—Marriage and the Family, Christ and the Ch...
#657 Beyond Feelings: The Transformative Power of Reverence in an Age of Degradation
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Reverence feels like a relic from another time, yet its absence leaves us spiritually and relationally impoverished. Greg Schlueter, author and family movement leader, joins Jack to explore why reverence matters in an age that devalues in human life itself.
The conversation takes us deep into the transformative power of reverence – not as empty ritual, but as the gateway to authentic relationship. "Our bodies, in fact our bodies alone, make visible the invisible, the spiritual and the divine," drawing from Saint John Paul II's profound theolog...
#656 (CM 8) The Transhumanist Temptation: Can You Be Recreated? How Technology and Ideology Are Reshaping Humanity
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Grayson Quay is with Jack to discuss the implications of transhumanism and AI on modern manhood, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. They explore the philosophical underpinnings of transhumanism, the ethical dilemmas posed by technology, and the importance of authentic love and relationships in a rapidly changing world. Quay emphasizes the need to hold on to our humanity amidst the allure of technological advancements that promise immortality and fulfillment outside of God.
Purchase: The Transhumanist Temptation By Grayson Quay
Visi...
#655 Porn in the Library, Marxism in the Classroom... Why Trump Matters For Families and The Nation
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Shocking parallels between today's educational landscape and the "45 Goals of Communism" entered into Congressional Records decades ago. Several goals explicitly target education: "Get control of schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' unions. Put the party line in textbooks." Looking at American education today, these strategies appear to be unfolding with frightening precision.
Why Trump matters to children, families and the nation.
A recent Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud versus Taylor offer...
#654 (Claymore 7) "Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World" With Father T. G. Morrow
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What happens when our deepest desires for connection and love become twisted by a pornographic culture? Father Thomas Morrow joins us to explore how we can reclaim authentic sexuality in a world that has reduced it to mere pleasure-seeking.
Father Morrow, author of "Achieving Chastity in an Unchaste World," shares powerful insights about transforming our hearts rather than merely suppressing desires. Drawing from his decades of pastoral experience, he offers practical wisdom for those struggling with pornography addiction—including the story of a man who overca...
#653 The Epstein Files (3) With Investigator Tom Hampson: Dark Money, Deep Secrets, and A Two-Tiered Justice System
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What happens when money and power collide with justice? Crime investigator Thomas Hampson takes us deep into the troubling world of Jeffrey Epstein's case, revealing the stark double standards in our legal system.
The conversation exposes a stunning contrast: Keith Ranieri received a 120-year sentence and RICO charges for his cult involving 21 victims, while Epstein faced minimal charges despite evidence of over 1,000 victims across multiple countries. This glaring disparity raises profound questions about who our justice system truly serves.
Hampson reveals how JPMorgan Chas...
#652 (CM 6) How Our Government and NGOs Facilitated the Largest Child Sex Trafficking Operation In History.
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Former Border Patrol Deputy Agent JJ Carroll pulls back the curtain on America's darkest secret: government-facilitated child trafficking at our border. With 24 years of frontline experience, Carroll delivers a harrowing account of how our federal agencies became active participants in the largest child sex trafficking operation in modern history.
The numbers are staggering and the implications horrifying. Upwards of 550,000 unaccompanied children crossed our border under the Biden administration—and all were subsequently lost in the system. Carroll explains how critical safeguards like DNA testing and backgr...
#651 With Jason Jones: Justin Bieber’s Mom Pattie Mallete, The Israel-Palestine Conflict, AI, and The Faith!
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Jason Jones' life reads like an unlikely hero's journey - from teenage soldier who lost his child to abortion, to pro-life activist, award-winning filmmaker, and humanitarian aid worker in the world's most dangerous conflict zones. In this riveting conversation, Jones reveals how personal tragedy became the catalyst for a lifelong mission to defend human dignity wherever it's threatened.
The "heart" of Jones' work emerges through his collaboration with Justin Bieber's mother, Patty Mallette, on the film "Crescendo." Their partnership raised $6 million for pregnancy centers across Nort...
#650 (Claymore 5) "Romantic Challenges to True Love; The Fall and the Normalization of Sin"
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The human heart is the first battlefield in the war between love and lust. As we navigate a culture that normalizes sin and distorts our capacity for authentic connection, Jesus offers us more than rules—He offers transformation.
This episode explores the Claymore Battle Plan, a three-step approach to spiritual warfare focused on restoring the individual heart, rebuilding marriage and family, and reclaiming culture for Christ. Satan, lacking creative power, can only attack what God created good—especially humanity made in God's image. This explains why toda...
#649 Finding Alex: A Russian Adoption Story, and the Relentless Love of God
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The box had been gathering dust under the bed for years. Inside were the remnants of a journey to Russia that forever changed Jamie McAleer's family. "I never thought I'd go to Russia," she recalls, having grown up during the Cold War when the Soviet Union was considered the enemy. Yet God had other plans that would take her across the world to find her son.
Listen to this moving conversation that will challenge you to recognize God's hand in your own life story and cons...
#648 Inside the Jeffrey Epstein Web of Corruption: Dark Networks With No Moral Compass
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A dark web of money, power, and government complicity surrounds the Jeffrey Epstein case – arguably the largest child sex trafficking operation ever uncovered. Crime investigator Tom Hampson takes us beyond the headlines to expose how this predator operated with impunity for decades.
Epstein's journey from financial mastermind to sex trafficker reveals a troubling pattern. Initially valued for his ability to create shell corporations for arms dealers and billionaires, Epstein leveraged these connections to build an operation that processed $1.5 billion in transactions related to human trafficking – with maj...
#647 Claymore (4) "In The Beginning, Awe, Wonder and a Cosmic Explosion of Love!"
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What if your body was designed to tell a cosmic love story? In this profound exploration of human sexuality, Jack unveils how our creation as male and female reflects something far deeper than biology—it mirrors the very nature of God's Trinitarian love.
The episode introduces the Claymore Battle Plan, a revolutionary framework helping men navigate today's confusing cultural landscape. Rather than offering superficial solutions, this approach digs into three fundamental realities: the human heart's deepest longings, the irreplaceable role of marriage and family, and our es...
#646 Bobby Fredericksen's Life Changed! How To Live intentionally and Create A Family Mission Statement
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A profound midnight Mass experience transformed Bobby Fredericksen from a corporate party-goer to a purpose-driven Catholic father and podcaster. His conversion story reveals how encountering Christ's peace in the Eucharist altered the trajectory of his life.
"When you're in this desert, it's pretty lonely," he shares, describing how he gradually built Catholic friendships through men's groups, podcasts, and parish activities. His approach to "normalizing Catholicism" resonates particularly with men seeking authentic faith without becoming "weird" or disconnected from their identity.
Whether you're a conv...
#645 Looking For A Spiritual Coach and Trainer? Meet St. Philip Neri Whose Enlarged Heart Can Transform Yours!
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Meet Rob Marco! He not only shares his own remarkable journey but introduces us to St. Philip Neri, a 16th-century saint, who combined profound holiness with infectious joy!
It's Philip's unique combination of deep prayer and playful humor that truly sets him apart. As Rob explains, "Philip needed to take himself less seriously. He needed his book of jokes, his book of medicine, to bring him back down to earth after these ecstasies."
Perhaps most remarkable about Saint Philip Neri was his extraordinary myst...
#644 Claymore (3): Famous Exorcist Fr. Gabriele Amorth Left us a Practical Spiritual Warfare Handbook w Michael Lichens
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We explore Father Gabriele Amorth's book "God Most Powerful," which serves as a practical handbook for spiritual warfare. Rather than becoming obsessed with evil, Father Amorth encourages us to focus on strengthening our relationship with God through prayer, sacraments, and embracing truth. The best defense against darkness isn't fear but cultivating goodness and wonder in our daily lives.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss how young people today are desperately seeking meaning in a culture that often reduces humans to mere biological acci...
#643 The Troubling Case of Jeffrey Epstein: We're Failing Our Children--The Evil of Child Exploitation
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Jack and Thomas Hampson delve into the troubling case of Jeffrey Epstein, exploring its implications on child exploitation, deep state corruption, and the moral crisis in society. They discuss the importance of parental rights, the accountability of government and intelligence agencies, and the need for community involvement in addressing these issues. The conversation emphasizes the power of truth and love in combating the exploitation of innocence and the necessity for individuals to take action in their communities.
As Hampson quotes, "Not to act is to act...
#642 Claymore (2) The Battlefield of the Heart! Awakened by Beauty, Commissioned for Battle, Seeking Adventure and Truth
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What if your deepest desires—even the ones that sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing—weren't obstacles to overcome but rocket fuel for your spiritual journey? In this profound exploration of authentic masculinity, Jack and Mark Schmitt unpack how the Claymore Battle Plan helps men redirect their passions toward their divine purpose.
Drawing from Jack's childhood memories of adventure, battle, and beauty, we discover how these core masculine themes reflect our deepest spiritual longings. That magnetic pull toward beauty you've experienced? It's actually a divine spark designed...
#641 Would You Stand Against the State to Defend Your Faith? Unlocking the Churches!
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What happens when the government tells churches to close their doors? During the pandemic, attorney Jeffrey Trissell found himself at the center of an unprecedented legal battle for religious freedom that would take him to the Supreme Court three times in a single year.
The fight began when California implemented severe restrictions on religious gatherings while allowing "essential" businesses to operate with fewer limitations. As Trissell explains, the constitutional implications were profound: if hospitals remained open because they were "absolutely necessary," shouldn't worship—which believers consid...
#640 I Killed Maria Goretti: The Life and Repentance of Alessandro Serenelli
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The battle between love and lust rages in every human heart. In this powerful exploration of the Maria Goretti story, we uncover how what we consume shapes who we become – sometimes with devastating consequences.
Maria Goretti was just 11 years old when Alessandro Serenelli, a young man living and working with her family, attacked and murdered her after she refused his sexual advances. What drove this ordinary farm worker to such violence? The toxic media he consumed played a crucial role. Alessandro filled his mind with sensat...
#639 Claymore (1): The Spiritual Battle for Young Men; "What Sort of Tale Have We Fallen Into?"
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What epic tale have we fallen into, and what role are we meant to play? This question lies at the heart of our exploration of authentic masculinity and spiritual warfare in a chaotic world.
Drawing from the wisdom of St. John Paul II, Henry David Thoreau, and even Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings, we examine the profound crisis facing today's young people. In a culture where 50% of teen girls report persistent sadness and 30% have considered suicide, something has clearly gone terribly wrong. Yet with...
#638 Why do we suffer? Does our suffering have meaning? With Dr. Aaron Kheriaty—Psychiatrist and Author
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The question haunts us all: Why do we suffer? And more importantly, does our suffering have meaning? In this profound conversation with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty—psychiatrist, author, and courageous voice during recent cultural upheavals—we explore the Christian understanding of suffering that offers liberation rather than mere explanation.
Join Jack Rigert and Dr. Aaron Kheriaty as they explore the profound themes of suffering, faith, and the significance of the cross in Christianity. They discuss how suffering is an inherent part of the human experience and how it c...
#637 Bitcoin: The Moral Alternative to Fiat Currency
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What if the money system itself is designed to work against your values? Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine and author of "Moral Money: The Case for Bitcoin," makes a compelling case that our current monetary system is fundamentally immoral.
Government-issued currencies like the US dollar can be created at will, funding unpopular wars and expensive programs while devaluing the money citizens hold. This forces people into increasingly risky investments just to maintain their savings against inflation's constant erosion.
For young peopl...
#636 "Jesus, I Trust in You": Breaking Free from Modern Emptiness
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What happens when you start defining yourself by your struggles rather than by your God-given identity? Deacon Gerald Marie Anthony tackles this profound question in a conversation that strikes at the heart of what it means to be authentically human in our confused modern world.
The conversation delves deep into what Pope Pius X called "the synthesis of all heresies"—modernism—which teaches us we don't need God to progress. This mindset manifests when we put our ultimate trust in money, work, technology, or social acceptan...
#635 Saint Hildegard's Garden: Beyond Pills! Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul
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St. Hildegard of Bingen—one of only four women Doctors of the Church—and her revolutionary approach to healing that seamlessly unites body and soul.
Leila Lawler joins Jack to discuss St. Hildegard's comprehensive system of natural medicine. Unlike today's healthcare model that treats the body as a flawed machine needing constant pharmaceutical intervention, Hildegard recognized our inherent capacity for self-healing when properly supported through God's natural design.
As trust in institutional medicine wavers, many are rediscovering what Hildegard knew centuries ago: that herbs, p...
#634 Knights of the Modern Age: Chivalry Is Being Resurrected By Young Men! Women Pay Attention!
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS With Scripture Are Below the Description!
The nobility of knighthood isn't about suppressing masculine power—it's about channeling it properly. Matthew McKenna, PhD candidate in theology at Ave Maria University, returns to explore how chivalry offers the antidote to both toxic masculinity and passionless mediocrity.
The conversation begins with a profound observation: fiction shapes us as much as non-fiction. The stories we consume—whether through literature, film, or other media—profoundly influence our worldview and aspirations. This makes the recovery o...
#633 Padre Pio and You! An Epic Story of Spiritual Fatherhood: With Mary O'Regan
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Padre Pio: The Saint with a Special Love for Americans
When we think of Padre Pio, most Catholics immediately picture his stigmata – the visible wounds of Christ that marked his hands, feet, and side. But after speaking with Mary O'Regan, author of the newly released "Padre Pio and You: The Epic Story of Spiritual Fatherhood," I discovered there's a far deeper dimension to this beloved saint's suffering that few have ever heard about: the mystical sword that pierced his insides.
Mary, an Iri...
#632 Your Soul Needs Training Just Like Your Body: Prayer, Virtues, Mass and Confession
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Ever feel like you're giving your all to work, relationships, and personal goals, but treating your spiritual life like an afterthought? Michael Pacer joins Jack to explore the disconnect that's leaving so many men unfulfilled and searching for something more.
Michael, president of 5 Stones and author of "Prayers for Catholic Men," brings his unique gift of making complex spiritual realities accessible to everyone. As a former trial attorney who specialized in breaking down complicated concepts for juries, he now applies that same clarity to the spir...
#631 What is Truth? Does it Exist? Can I find it? Did Mary have other children? Deacon Frank Joins Jack
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Something extraordinary is happening in Catholic churches across America and Europe—pews that once sat half-empty are filling with young faces. This isn't a momentary blip but a genuine spiritual awakening among a generation raised in moral relativism who are now seeking objective truth.
When these seekers arrive, they bring questions. One of the most common: "Didn't the Bible say that Jesus had brothers and sisters?
Deacon Frank joins Jack. Click Here to read his articles in the Catholic Exchange
D...
#630 Sean asked, "Am I Gay?": Discovering Your True Identity in Christ
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What happens when a young Catholic man wonders if he might be gay after developing a deep friendship with another guy? This question opens the door to a profound exploration of identity, desire, and our ultimate purpose as human beings.
The cultural narrative tells us we are defined by our attractions and feelings—that they represent our immutable identity. But what if there's something deeper? What if our attractions, even when they feel confusing or overwhelming, are actually pointing us toward something greater?
Downlo...
#629 Saint Carlo Acutis: The Inspiring Story of God's Digital Saint and the Power of Eucharistic Love
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Something extraordinary is happening in Catholic communities worldwide. Young people are flocking to churches, filling pews, and rediscovering ancient truths in surprising numbers.
What's drawing this digital generation back to tradition? The answer may lie in the example of Carlo Acutis, the "saint in sneakers" who died at just 15 but left an indelible mark on modern Catholicism. Mary Beth Bracy joins us to explore "God's Influencer," revealing how this computer-programming teenager combined deep Eucharistic devotion with thoroughly modern sensibilities.
Carlo stands as a compel...
#628 The Power of Reading Scripture in A Digital Age: Healing and Rewiring Minds Using Lectio Divina
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Young men are rising up and searching for the truth in a world that has consistently lied to them. Despite growing up in a toxic culture and relentlessly bombarded with digital distraction, they're discovering something profound: Scripture offers the authentic guidance, healing, and path they crave.
In this Episode Deacon Greg Ferrell joins Jack to explore how daily Scripture reading, using an ancient technique called Lectio Divina, can transform lives and rewire minds damaged by cultural toxicity.
The Claymore battle plan<...
#627 Young People Leading A Catholic Renaissance: Gen Z Has Discovered The Splendor of Truth!
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Something unexpected is happening in France. In a nation known as one of the world's most atheistic countries, Catholic churches are suddenly filling up with young faces. This Easter alone, over 10,000 adults were baptized into the Catholic Church—a staggering 160% increase from just eight years ago. Most remarkably, 42% of these new Catholics are young adults between 18-25 years old.
Dr. Anne Hendershott, professor of sociology and director of the Veritas Center at Franciscan University, joins us to unpack this extraordinary Catholic renaissance and what it means...
#626 Your Personal Trainer! "Coached By The Cure" Lessons in Shepherding With St. John Vianney
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What happens when we drop a 19th-century saint into our smartphone-saturated world? Kevin Wells, author of Coached by the Cure, Lessons in Shepherding with St. John Vianney joins Jack to explore this provocative question—and the answers might shake your perception of modern spirituality.
Wells begins with a startling comparison: the smartphones we casually place in our children's hands are functioning as "miniature Ouija boards," disconnecting them from authentic spiritual experience. "I don't care about the Ouija board, that's 1970s," Wells argues. "I care a...
#625 Secular Humanism: A Religion? And Mexico’s Child Martyr Who Inspired Bravery and Faith!
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The extraordinary story of a 13-year-old martyr provides a powerful lens through which we examine modern faith challenges. Writer and Catholic convert Avery Lane joins us to share the remarkable testimony of José Luis Sánchez del Río—"Joselito"—who was tortured and killed during Mexico's Cristero War for refusing to renounce his faith.
Avery's own journey from secular humanism to Catholicism frames our exploration of Joselito's story. We trace how this child became a flag bearer for Catholic resistance fighters when the Mexican government...
#624 Satan Doesn't Have His Own Clay: How Reclaiming Your Desires Leads to True Freedom
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Something is stirring among young people today. They feel a growing unease—a sense they've been deceived but can't quite articulate what's wrong. This profound conversation with Mark Schmitt uncovers the root of our cultural malaise and offers a path toward authentic freedom.
We explore what happens when desires created good become twisted and distorted. Mark shares his personal journey from repression... to indulgence... to eventual freedom.
Highlighting the moment everything changed for him he said: "If God is love, and love is self-gi...
#623 The Emperor Has No Clothes: Gender Ideology, Young Men Rising Up, Protecting the Innocent!!
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Something has gone terribly wrong with our culture, and young people know it. Across America, children are being subjected to dangerous transgender ideologies that defy biological reality and common sense.
We're witnessing an unprecedented assault on truth itself. In schools across Illinois, administrators force girls to change in front of biological males in locker rooms, citing reinterpreted Title IX regulations. Meanwhile, the same education system utterly fails at its basic purpose - 80 schools in Illinois have zero students proficient in math, and 24 schools have no chil...
#622 IVF Is Not The Way--The False Promises of Artificial Procreation: With Stacy Trasancos, PH.D.
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Dr. Stacey Trasancos never planned to write a book about IVF, but with President Trump promising to expand access to IVF, she felt compelled to explain why artificial reproduction conflicts with Christian teaching on human dignity and procreation.
The heart of the issue lies in what Trasancos calls the principle of inseparability—anything that divorces "lovemaking" from "life-giving" violates God's design for human reproduction. While contraception suppresses the life-giving aspect, IVF eliminates the lovemaking component. This separation isn't merely theological abstraction but has profound implications for how...
