What is "natural philosophy," and why is an Aristotelian understanding of the natural world so vital for Catholic theology and the pursuit of human happiness? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Anna Mitchell welcomes back Fr. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem., Norbertine priest at St. Michael's Abbey and author of The Heart of the Gospel, to preview his upcoming lecture series for the Institute of Catholic Culture, "Concepts of Nature: Aristotelian Natural Philosophy."

Fr. Walshe breaks down the foundational definitions of philosophy—as the setting in order of ultimate causes accessible to human reason—and nature, defined by Aristotle as an intrinsic principle of change and motion arising spontaneously from within a thing. He explains how humanity's natural desire for happiness moves from basic survival needs toward the pursuit of ultimate truth. Fr. Walshe highlights how understanding human nature as part of the physical world allows us to discover our purpose and recognize a First Cause above nature. Citing St. Thomas Aquinas's maxim that "grace builds upon nature," Fr. Walshe emphasizes that securing truth about the natural world protects us from falling into theological errors regarding Divine Revelation. Stream now to listen!

What is "natural philosophy," and why is an Aristotelian understanding of the natural world so vital for Catholic theology and the pursuit of human happiness? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Anna Mitchell welcomes back Fr. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem., Norbertine priest at St. Michael's Abbey and author of The Heart of the Gospel, to preview his upcoming lecture series for the Institute of Catholic Culture, "Concepts of Nature: Aristotelian Natural Philosophy."
Fr. Walshe breaks down the foundational definitions of philosophy&mdash;as the setting in order of ultimate causes accessible to human reason&mdash;and nature, defined by Aristotle as an intrinsic principle of change and motion arising spontaneously from within a thing. He explains how humanity's natural desire for happiness moves from basic survival needs toward the pursuit of ultimate truth. Fr. Walshe highlights how understanding human nature as part of the physical world allows us to discover our purpose and recognize a First Cause above nature. Citing St. Thomas Aquinas's maxim that "grace builds upon nature," Fr. Walshe emphasizes that securing truth about the natural world protects us from falling into theological errors regarding Divine Revelation. Stream now to listen!

Son Rise Morning Show The Son Rise Morning Show with Anna Mitchell and Matt Swaim is fast-paced, motivating and informational – always from the Catholic perspective. You’ll hear news, engaging interviews, prayer and more each weekday morning from 6am-8am ET. 

Son Rise Morning Show The Son Rise Morning Show with Anna Mitchell and Matt Swaim is fast-paced, motivating and informational – always from the Catholic perspective. You’ll hear news, engaging interviews, prayer and more each weekday morning from 6am-8am ET. <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/radio/podcasts/son-rise-morning-show-~NZ"></a>

Son Rise Morning Show

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Defining Natural Philosophy: Fr. Sebastian Walshe on Aristotle, Happiness, and the Pursuit of Truth

How does devotion to the Holy Eucharist transform family life, inspire religious vocations, and fuel a culture of life? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes Sr. Deirdre "DeDe" Byrne, POSC—active-duty military veteran, thoracic surgeon, superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts, and author of Sister Soldier Surgeon—to preview her upcoming All Saints Day event at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

Sr. Deirdre reflects on her upbringing in a devout Catholic home where her parents prioritized daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration despite demanding schedules, demonstrating how the Eucharist forms the spiritual foundation for strong families. She addresses the global crisis of religious vocations and the breakdown of marriage, linking these challenges to broader cultural shifts, contraception, and the widespread destruction of life through abortion. Drawing on her experiences serving as a medical first responder at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, Sr. Deirdre compares man's inhumanity to man on that day with the daily reality of abortion mills, calling for a return to the love and power found before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Stream now to listen!

How does devotion to the Holy Eucharist transform family life, inspire religious vocations, and fuel a culture of life? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes Sr. Deirdre "DeDe" Byrne, POSC&mdash;active-duty military veteran, thoracic surgeon, superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts, and author of Sister Soldier Surgeon&mdash;to preview her upcoming All Saints Day event at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Sr. Deirdre reflects on her upbringing in a devout Catholic home where her parents prioritized daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration despite demanding schedules, demonstrating how the Eucharist forms the spiritual foundation for strong families. She addresses the global crisis of religious vocations and the breakdown of marriage, linking these challenges to broader cultural shifts, contraception, and the widespread destruction of life through abortion. Drawing on her experiences serving as a medical first responder at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, Sr. Deirdre compares man's inhumanity to man on that day with the daily reality of abortion mills, calling for a return to the love and power found before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Stream now to listen!

The Power of the Blessed Sacrament: Sr. Deirdre Byrne on Vocations, Family, and Pro-Life Witness

How do the upcoming solemnities of All Saints and All Souls reframe our understanding of mortality, holiness, and the universality of the Church? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes back Fr. Duncan, priest of the Diocese of Charleston and host of the Bone Church Revival Podcast, to reflect on the rich Catholic traditions surrounding death, resurrection, and sanctity.

Fr. Duncan explores how the autumn transition into winter serves as a spiritual reminder of mortality, pointing directly to All Souls' Day and the Catholic Church's teaching on purgatory—affirming that Jesus Christ, not sin or death, has the final word on the faithful. Looking ahead to All Saints' Day, he unpacks how the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are first and foremost descriptions of Christ Himself, while the vast cloud of witnesses—from ancient Roman martyrs to the newly beatified Franciscan Georgia Martyrs—proves that living a life subsumed in Christ's grace is genuinely possible for every person.

Swaim and Fr. Duncan also discuss the true, authentic "diversity" of the Catholic Church as envisioned in Revelation 7, where a great multitude from every nation, race, people, and tongue gathers around the throne of God, unified by the transformative power of the sacraments. Stream now to listen!

How do the upcoming solemnities of All Saints and All Souls reframe our understanding of mortality, holiness, and the universality of the Church? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes back Fr. Duncan, priest of the Diocese of Charleston and host of the Bone Church Revival Podcast, to reflect on the rich Catholic traditions surrounding death, resurrection, and sanctity.
Fr. Duncan explores how the autumn transition into winter serves as a spiritual reminder of mortality, pointing directly to All Souls' Day and the Catholic Church's teaching on purgatory&mdash;affirming that Jesus Christ, not sin or death, has the final word on the faithful. Looking ahead to All Saints' Day, he unpacks how the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are first and foremost descriptions of Christ Himself, while the vast cloud of witnesses&mdash;from ancient Roman martyrs to the newly beatified Franciscan Georgia Martyrs&mdash;proves that living a life subsumed in Christ's grace is genuinely possible for every person.
Swaim and Fr. Duncan also discuss the true, authentic "diversity" of the Catholic Church as envisioned in Revelation 7, where a great multitude from every nation, race, people, and tongue gathers around the throne of God, unified by the transformative power of the sacraments. Stream now to listen!

The Communion of Saints and the Hope of Resurrection: Fr. Duncan on All Saints, All Souls, and Christian Mortality

How are shifting health trends affecting stroke incidence in younger demographics, and how can cutting-edge blood tests transform traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes Bobby Schindler, President of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, to discuss recent scientific developments regarding brain health and vulnerable patients.

Schindler reviews a landmark study led by Dr. Emily Fisher at the University of Cincinnati (published in Neurology), which revealed that stroke incidence among adults aged 20 to 54 nearly doubled over a nearly three-decade period. Schindler highlights identified contributing factors, including rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, and a sharp increase in substance and marijuana use among young adult stroke patients. 

Additionally, Schindler details a new study from researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh (published in the Journal of Neurosurgery) focused on mild traumatic brain injuries. The research identifies specific blood protein biomarkers that detect brain injuries missed by initial emergency room CT scans, paving the way for faster, accurate diagnoses without relying solely on expensive MRIs. Schindler emphasizes how these diagnostic advances are crucial for advocating for medically vulnerable patients recovering from strokes and brain trauma. Stream now to listen!

How are shifting health trends affecting stroke incidence in younger demographics, and how can cutting-edge blood tests transform traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes Bobby Schindler, President of the Terri Schiavo Life &amp; Hope Network, to discuss recent scientific developments regarding brain health and vulnerable patients.
Schindler reviews a landmark study led by Dr. Emily Fisher at the University of Cincinnati (published in Neurology), which revealed that stroke incidence among adults aged 20 to 54 nearly doubled over a nearly three-decade period. Schindler highlights identified contributing factors, including rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, and a sharp increase in substance and marijuana use among young adult stroke patients. 
Additionally, Schindler details a new study from researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh (published in the Journal of Neurosurgery) focused on mild traumatic brain injuries. The research identifies specific blood protein biomarkers that detect brain injuries missed by initial emergency room CT scans, paving the way for faster, accurate diagnoses without relying solely on expensive MRIs. Schindler emphasizes how these diagnostic advances are crucial for advocating for medically vulnerable patients recovering from strokes and brain trauma. Stream now to listen!

Defining Natural Philosophy: Fr. Sebastian Walshe on Aristotle, Happiness, and the Pursuit of Truth

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