Being Human

• Episode 235: You're Not Tired: A Conversation with Dr. Bryan about Overstimulation, Creativity, & Rewiring Your Brain for Rest

  Feeling worn out—even after vacation? In this episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro and Dr. Bryan Violette dive deep into why real rest is so elusive in our busy, screen-filled lives. We talk candidly about what it actually means to slow down, how boredom unlocks creativity, why scrolling robs us of wonder, and how true leisure isn’t just time off—it’s a way to reclaim freedom and connection with God. Whether you’re planning your next break or desperate for daily sanity, this is an invitation to rethink rest on a profoundly human level.   Key Topics: Why our culture treats rest like weakness—and why that’s wrong The difference between taking time off and actually resting How boredom creates the space needed for real creativity The hidden costs of constant screens and doom-scrolling Structuring vacation time to allow for true leisure Learn More: CatholicPsych Mentorship Program: Get one-on-one support for the areas where you feel stuck. Free consultations available. Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat:  An 8-week course to bring your faith and your spirituality in line with the way your brain works. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn  

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• Episode 234: How to Do the Hard Thing When You’d Rather Not

  Feeling stuck, trapped, or frustrated with yourself? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro unpacks what true interior freedom really means—and why so many of us struggle to experience it. Drawing on Catholic mindfulness, St. John Paul II’s rich teaching on human freedom, and years of clinical experience, Dr. Greg breaks open why we do the things we don’t want to do, how hidden patterns keep us from the good we desire, and what it actually takes to become who God created us to be. This is an invitation to go deeper than surface-level self-help and begin building the kind of freedom that leads to holiness, health, and real human flourishing.   Key Topics: The difference between capacity for freedom and acting in freedom Why we do the things we don’t want to do—and can’t do the things we want The subconscious patterns that hijack our choices Moving from automatic habits to conscious, virtuous action How our daily choices shape who we become Learn More: CatholicPsych Mentorship Program: Get one-on-one support for the areas where you feel stuck. Free consultations available. Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat:  An 8-week course to bring your faith and your spirituality in line with the way your brain works. The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Greg Bottaro Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II (1994) Discernment of Spirits Course: An 8-week course to learn how to understand what God is saying to you. Setting the Stage: Early Plays of St. John Paul II: Featuring “Our God’s Brother” and other plays written by Karol Wojtyła (St. John Paul II). Related Being Human episodes: Ep. #228: The Joy of Inconvenience: A Conversation with Comedian Tom Shillue Ep. #175: Rethinking Formation: Preparing Priests for the Future with Fr. Sam Kachuba Ep. #180: The Psychology of JP2: A Bold Proposal Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

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• Episode 233: Americanism Is a Heresy?

  What if some of our most celebrated American values—independence, grit, innovation—can also be spiritual traps? In 1899, Pope Leo XIII warned about “Americanism,” a heresy that elevates personal effort and autonomy while quietly sidelining grace, humility, and reverence for tradition. In this episode, Dr. Greg explores what the Pope saw coming, and how this heresy still affects our Church and culture today.    Key Topics: What Pope Leo XIII meant by “Americanism”—and how this heresy impacts us today How independence and innovation can be both a gift and a spiritual risk The fine line between healthy revolution and abandoning what’s been rightly passed down Why natural virtue and hard work matter—but only when elevated by grace What American saints reveal about living holiness within a unique cultural spirit How to discern what to keep and what to leave behind in our cultural inheritance Why a mature, integrated Catholic identity is the only path forward in a fragmented world   Learn More: Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae: Concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to Americanism (Pope Leo XIII, 1899): Read the full text Cabrini (2024) – A powerful film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s mission and courage: Watch or learn more Related Being Human episodes: Episode 202: Complementarity Without the Competition: Why We Need Each Other Episode 200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote Episode 151: From Gender Dysphoria to Gender Integration Episode 75: Gender Fluidity or Complementarity? Saints mentioned in this episode: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John Neumann, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Theodora Guérin, St. Isaac Jogues, St. René Goupil, St. Jean de Lalande, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Marianne Cope, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Junípero Serra, and Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials:  Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

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• Episode 232: 3 Steps to Becoming a Good Parent AND More Like the Sacred Heart

  What if the key to healing your heart is understanding how Christ’s was formed? In this powerful episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro explores the mystery of the Sacred Heart—not just as a symbol of divine love, but as a fully human heart formed by Mary and Joseph. Through the lens of developmental psychology and Catholic theology, he unpacks what it means for Jesus to be truly human, how we’re shaped by the gaze of our parents, and why your journey to wholeness starts with letting yourself be loved. Whether you're a parent, a seeker, or someone longing for deeper integration, this conversation offers a tender, transformative vision of what it means to be fully alive.   Key Topics: The psychological and spiritual significance of the Feast of the Sacred Heart How Jesus’s human heart was formed through the love of Mary and Joseph Why mirroring, idealization, and twinship are essential for healthy human development The power of the parental gaze in shaping a child’s sense of worth and identity What it means to let yourself be mothered by Mary and fathered by Joseph Learn More: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. John Croiset – The spiritual classic based on the revelations of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that helped establish the formal devotion to the Sacred Heart. Only Jesus by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A rich spiritual reflection on the mystery of Christ's love and formation, especially through the gaze of Mary. The Sanctifier by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A powerful meditation on the Holy Spirit and His role in the spiritual and emotional formation of the human person. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn  

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• Episode 231: Music as Accompaniment: Matt Maher and a Mission to Heal Through Song

  What happens when a platinum-selling musician and a Catholic psychologist sit down to talk about suffering, creativity, and the soul? In this rich and unexpected conversation, Dr. Greg Bottaro welcomes Matt Maher—award-winning worship leader and featured guest for this year’s Summit of Integration—to explore the deep links between music, identity, and healing. Together, they unpack how true art gives voice to the heart, why presence matters more than performance, and how the Church can become a vital place of accompaniment for those struggling with mental health. Whether you’re an artist, a parent, or someone craving deeper meaning in the mess of life, this episode is for you. Key Topics: The surprising parallels between leading worship and offering therapy Why music can reach the heart when words fail—and how it fosters healing The importance of presence over performance in both ministry and mental health How real art gives people back their voice, even in the midst of suffering What it means to live with creative constraints rooted in liturgical beauty Matt’s personal journey of faith, trauma, and healing in community The dangers of spiritual bypassing and the Church’s call to holistic care Why mental health struggles don’t define us—and how language matters The value of integration across psychology, spirituality, and artistry A preview of Matt’s special role at the upcoming Summit of Integration   Learn More: Summit of Integration (June 20–22, 2025): Join us in New Jersey—or virtually—for three powerful days of teaching, music, and community grounded in the Catholic understanding of what it means to be fully human. Learn more and reserve your ticket. Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries: Matt serves as an ambassador for this Christian organization offering free small-group resources on faith and mental health—including a Catholic-specific course now available on FORMED. Learn more at sanctuarymentalhealth.org The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck Healing the Eight Stages of Life by M. Scott Peck The Wounded Healer and other works by Henri Nouwen The Context of Holiness by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn  

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