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Being Human

Dr. Gregory Bottaro

  • 26 minutes 2 seconds
    Episode 205: Is God Angry? Understanding God’s Justice and Mercy

    Discover the profound connection between God’s mercy and justice. We often think of them as opposites, but what if they’re not? Explore how this truth transforms your understanding of God’s love and deepens your capacity to receive His mercy. (Divine Mercy mini series, part 1 of 2)

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Why this may be the most important topic ever discussed on the Being Human podcast;
    • The surprising truth: mercy and justice are not opposites but inseparable;
    • Why God is never angry with us, even if there are corrections we need to make;
    • The idea of a wrathful God is a misunderstanding rooted in Calvinism and Jansenism, not Catholic teaching;
    • God knows every detail of our lives—our wounds, weaknesses, and struggles—and judges us with complete understanding and compassion;
    • Justice means seeing the full picture of our lives, and God’s infinite mercy flows from this perfect understanding;
    • How the Enlightenment and postmodern thinking shaped our misconceptions of authority and objective truth;
    • Why God’s justice isn’t about wrath but about seeing the whole picture of our lives;
    • The deep psychological connection between forgiveness, mercy, and justice;
    • The invitation to deepen our capacity to receive God’s mercy.

    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!

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    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

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    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    17 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 33 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 204: The Secret of Real Self-Compassion

    This week, Dr. Greg explores what it really means to follow Christ by starting with compassion—towards ourselves. Discover a fresh approach to self-compassion by embracing every part of who you are—even the inner critic. 

    Discussed in this episode:

    • The surprising connection between self-compassion and following Christ;
    • The cultural misunderstanding of self-compassion as selfishness or pride;
    • The "mono-mind" theory vs. the emerging "multi-mind" model of personality;
    • How sub-personalities affect our inner conflicts and decision-making;
    • The role of the inner critic in self-protection and survival;
    • Why rejecting or suppressing negative inner voices doesn't work;
    • Jesus’ example of welcoming the rejected and applying it to our inner parts;
    • Practical ways to engage with your inner critic instead of battling it;
    • Recognizing how wounds from the past shape our internal voices;
    • How gratitude for our inner defense mechanisms can bring healing;
    • Why many pop psychology approaches inadvertently promote self-rejection;
    • The importance of creating inner silence for self-reflection and healing;
    • How radical acceptance leads to greater freedom and self-understanding.

    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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    10 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Episode 203: The Secret Opportunity Gender Confusion Gives Us

    Gender confusion in today’s culture might seem like a curveball, but in this episode, Dr. Greg explores the unexpected opportunity it provides for the Church—and for each of us—to deepen our understanding of what it truly means to be man and woman.

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Why understanding complementarity is key to healing personal and cultural wounds;
    • How the relationship between man and woman provides access to the face of God;
    • Why healing the wounds between men and women is essential for restoring communion with God;
    • The mystery of how man and woman together image God’s love;
    • How JP2's Theology of the Body revolutionizes our view of human dignity;
    • Why male and female differences are essential to imaging God;
    • The critical distinction between mutual self-gift and hierarchical domination in relationships;
    • How original sin distorted trust between man and woman and between humanity and God;
    • The role of divinization in the Christian understanding of humanity’s destiny;
    • What Sr. Prudence Allen and JP2 reveal about integral sex complementarity;
    • The biological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of male and female complementarity;
    • How equal dignity and differentiation coexist in the Catholic vision of gender;
    • The dangers of reducing man and woman to rigid roles versus embracing integral identity;
    • How historical pendulum swings between equality and differentiation have shaped gender views;
    • How marriage reflects and points to the ultimate communion 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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    3 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Episode 202: Complementarity Without The Competition: Why We Need Each Other

    Since the Fall, the differences between men and women have been a source of tension and conflict, shaped by how we interpret the other through our own perspective. But this very tension is a pathway to holiness—a chance to discover the gift, beauty, and wonder of the other. In this episode, we lay the foundation for understanding the masculine and feminine genius so we can go deeper into gender complementarity as part of God’s plan.

    Discussed in this episode:

    • The surprising connection between masculinity, femininity, and holiness through conflict and tension;
    • A free preview of a CPMAP certification lecture on the foundations of masculine and feminine genius;
    • How John Paul II’s concept of “feminine genius” offers profound insights into gender differences;
    • Why our biology as male or female is foundational to understanding who we are;
    • Cardinal Ratzinger’s thoughts on how sexuality marks us physically, psychologically, and spiritually;
    • Why the battle of the sexes and gender wars date back to the fall of Adam and Eve;
    • How Marxist ideology and feminism have shaped modern views on gender and equality;
    • Why “fractional complementarity” can lead to a distorted understanding of gender;
    • The role of Mary and St. Joseph in forming Jesus through their respective geniuses;
    • The dangers of conflating equality with sameness in the modern cultural landscape;
    • Why the Church’s anthropology is uniquely positioned to respond to gender confusion;
    • Why understanding gender differences can lead to complementarity and heal relationships.

    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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    26 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Episode 201: Is Leadership of the Family a Man's Job? with Special Guest Barbra Bottaro

    This week, Dr. Greg is joined by his wife, Barbra, to explore the often-misunderstood concept of mutual submission in marriage. Together, they share how they navigate leading their family—the joys, the messiness, and everything in between. Don’t miss this candid discussion tackling the question: “Is Leadership of the Family a Man’s Job?”

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Dr. Greg and Barbra Bottaro’s candid discussion on mutual submission in marriage;
    • Common misunderstandings about leadership roles in Catholic families;
    • Exploring the question: “Is leadership of the family a man’s job?”
    • Reflecting on the traditional narrative of “man as the head” and what it means today;
    • What “mutual submission” really looks like when there’s conflict or big decisions;
    • Practical examples of how they apply mutual submission in everyday family life;
    • Why mutual submission in marriage isn’t just an ideal, but a daily practice;
    • The cultural challenges of viewing submission as a shared responsibility;
    • How we’re called to heal outdated, often misogynistic, views in marriage;
    • Why mutual trust and dialogue are essential in decision-making;
    • Why submission doesn’t mean “one person always gets the final say.”

     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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    19 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 42 minutes 28 seconds
    Episode 200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote to Celebrate Our 200th Episode!

    In celebration of the 200th episode, Dr. Greg shares exclusive audio from his recent keynote at Franciscan University’s Man and Woman conference. Dive into a fresh look at gender complementarity through the lens of John Paul II’s teachings, exploring the masculine and feminine genius, insights from marital therapy, and what it means to live fully in our God-given identity. Join Dr. Greg for this special milestone episode—a journey to create and a gift to share. 

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Dr. Greg’s reflections on reaching the 200th episode milestone;
    • Why the “Mars vs. Venus” mindset is a distortion that keeps us trapped in suspicion;
    • An exploration of John Paul II’s teachings on gender complementarity;
    • The concept of masculine and feminine genius and what it means for relationships;
    • A philosophical perspective on the role of men and women in God’s plan;
    • How gender differences contribute to personal growth and fulfillment;
    • How men and women are designed to be gifts to each other;
    • The importance of receiving the genius of the opposite gender;
    • Why thinking “she’d understand if she were a man” actually misses the entire gift of gender complementarity;
    • The science behind why men want to fix things and women seek empathy;
    • Why learning to “receive” the opposite gender’s gifts can lead to true joy;
    • The difference between rational and transrational thinking in male and female brains;
    • How relationships are like oxygen for the human person.

     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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    12 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 56 minutes 23 seconds
    Episode 199: Three Spiritual Diseases Plaguing Our Personhood

    Dr. Greg dives into a captivating conversation with leadership expert Alexandre Havard (calling in from Moscow!) about the '3 Spiritual Diseases'—rationalism, sentimentalism, and voluntarism—that could be influencing your life in hidden ways. Are you unknowingly living as a 'partial human being'? Tune in to learn how to avoid these traps - and discover what it takes to reclaim true wholeness.

     

    Discussed in this episode:

    • The 3 spiritual diseases plaguing our culture – and why they matter;
    • How rationalism, sentimentalism, and voluntarism disconnect us from reality and human flourishing;
    • How “partial human beings” are created by separating heart, mind, and will;
    • How to recognize if you’re living under the influence of Descartes, Rousseau, or Nietzsche;
    • Why integration of heart, mind, and will is essential for true personal growth;
    • The influence of philosophers like Descartes, Rousseau, and Nietzsche on modern ideologies;
    • How gender ideology mirrors Nietzschean voluntarism;
    • How rationalism disconnects people from reality by over-prioritizing intellect;
    • The manipulation of sentimentalism in today’s “I feel, therefore I am” culture;
    • How voluntarism leads to a will-driven society, prone to ideological extremes;
    • What it means to have an “integrated heart” in today’s fractured world;
    • Why understanding spiritual diseases can help identify and avoid ideological traps;
    • Havard’s process of categorizing historical philosophers as “destroyers” or “builders”;
    • Dostoevsky, Pascal, and Soloviev as examples of integrated thinkers who inspire wholeness;
    • Alexandre’s latest book, Seven Prophets, and its call to unity of the person.

     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

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

     

    5 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 59 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 198: A Bishop’s Raw Story of Anxiety and Depression: Why ‘Try Harder’ Doesn’t Work

    Bishop James Conley shares his raw and personal journey of battling anxiety and depression as a Church leader. He reveals the trap of “just try harder” and emphasizes that true healing comes only by breaking free from self-reliance. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep pushing through, this episode will challenge and encourage you to embrace authentic healing. 

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Bishop James Conley’s personal journey with anxiety, depression, and PTSD;
    • The surprising decision to take a leave of absence and publicly share his mental health struggles as a bishop;
    • Recognizing the trap of “try harder” and the American mentality of “ungodly self-reliance;”
    • Self-reliance deepening mental health struggles instead of relieving them;
    • Breaking free of the messages of “man up,” “work harder,” and “toughen it out” which led to a loss of joy;
    • The fears involved in admitting that “I can’t fix myself;”
    • How vulnerability and radical surrender became essential parts of his healing process;
    • How relying on our own talents gets in the way of Christ working through us to do great things;
    • The importance of a proper Catholic anthropology in addressing the modern mental health crisis;
    • The impact of technology on children’s mental health and the value of play-based learning;
    • How parents, schools, and the Church can work together to support children’s development;
    • Bishop Conley's call for a radical renewal in education and healthcare grounded in Christ-centered principles.

    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

     

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

     

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

     

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    29 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 39 minutes 51 seconds
    Episode 197: Correcting Aquinas: JP2’s Truth Bomb on Gender and Human Dignity

    Do you know the limitations of St. Thomas Aquinas’ “pre-microscope” view on gender, and how it is still influencing the Church today? In this special episode on the feast of Pope St. John Paul II, Dr. Greg unpacks why JP2’s teachings on gender, identity, and what it means to be human are exactly what the Church—and the world—needs right now. 

    Discussed in this episode:

    • The limitations of Aquinas’ “pre-microscope” view on gender and how it still influences erroneous views of gender roles;
    • The “truth bomb” of JP2 that reshapes our understanding of gender, identity, and the dignity of the human person;
    • The shift from a “pre-microscope” to “post-microscope” view of gender and why it matters;
    • JP2’s teachings as a foundational response to today’s trans and gender identity confusion;
    • Why mutual submission between men and women is essential to true equality;
    • How Protestant approaches to gender often swing between extremes: complementarianism vs. egalitarianism;
    • The Catholic response is a “both/and” approach in contrast to “either/or” pendulum swings;
    • How JP2’s insights into human dignity answer today’s questions on gender and identity;
    • Why Pope St. John Paul II is considered the most impactful Catholic psychologist of the 20th and 21st centuries;
    • Why JP2’s teachings serve as a lighthouse through today’s “isms” and ideological shifts;
    • Why understanding true human dignity is essential to addressing gender confusion.

    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

     

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

     

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

     

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    22 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 40 minutes 35 seconds
    Episode 196: The Single Most Important Thing to Live a Holy Life

    In today’s episode, Dr. Greg and Fr. Louis Merosne dive into a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to live a holy life. They get real and vulnerable, peeling back layers on what it means to draw close to God—and what often holds us back.

    Discussed in this episode:

    • A new approach to the Being Human podcast;
    • Bringing together psychological concepts with spiritual concepts through the lens of the liturgy;
    • What the story of the Rich Young Man reveals about our relationship with God;
    • How to identify what might be quietly holding you back from true holiness;
    • Personal struggles Dr. Greg and Fr. Louis have faced on their spiritual journeys;
    • The one thing that transforms faith from routine to radical;
    • Why some well-intentioned habits may not bring us closer to God;
    • The key challenge that every follower of Christ will face;
    • Common misconceptions about holiness and spiritual growth;
    • The essential thing needed to deepen your spiritual life and grow close to God;
    • Applying the Gospel to real-life challenges and decisions;
    • A fresh, vulnerable perspective on what it means to follow Christ authentically.

    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

     

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

     

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

     

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    15 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    Episode 195: Live from Australia: Bridging Faith and Psychology

    In this special live-recorded episode from Australia, Dr. Greg and his guests explore the rich intersection of faith and mental health. Joined by spiritual director Katherine Stone, MGL, and CatholicPsych’s International Programs Director, Shawn van der Linden, the discussion weaves together personal stories, cultural insights, and thoughtful audience questions. Tune in to hear what Americans and Australians can learn from each other and gain a fresh perspective on faith’s role in mental health.

    Discussed in this episode:

    • Dr. Greg Bottaro’s eye-opening experiences on his whirlwind three-week tour across Australia;
    • Surprising cultural differences between the U.S. and Australia when it comes to mental health and faith;
    • What Australians can teach us about staying anchored in faith in a secular society;
    • Personal stories of accompanying others through journeys of anxiety, doubt, and growth;
    • Katherine’s unique insights on the overlap of faith and mental health in spiritual direction;
    • Mental distress issues that Katherine sees come up often in spiritual direction;
    • Different ways scrupulosity manifests itself in the lives of dedicated Catholics;
    • Why the spiritual dimension of the person needs to be front and center for any Catholic utilizing mental health services;
    • Being created in God’s image means our core orientation is towards goodness and growth, despite any suffering or mental health challenges;
    • Relationships “clear the path” for us to rediscover our goodness and move toward wholeness;
    • Relationships in accompaniment provide individuals with a genuine sense of being deeply loved;
    • The ultimate goal of the healing relationship is to guide us toward a deeper, more profound relationship with God;
    • Why a deep understanding of Catholic anthropology matters in therapy;
    • Those providing accompaniment—whether in therapy, mentorship, or spiritual direction—need support, too;
    • The importance of having a support system and avoiding burnout by staying anchored;
    • The “one foot on shore, one foot in the water” approach: balancing immersion in others’ experiences with personal grounding;
    • Utilizing "parts work" to explore the various aspects of a person's identity, including the parts that hold anxiety or fear;
    • Acknowledging and welcoming these anxious parts is essential, rather than fighting against them;
    • Love and acceptance of each part of oneself facilitate a path toward greater wholeness and peace;
    • Why faith and psychology aren’t in opposition—and how they powerfully work together.

    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

     

    Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends.

     

    Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings.

     

    For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show!

    If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

    8 October 2024, 9:00 am
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