On Morning Air, Glen Lewerenz spoke with Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, about the rapid growth of online sports betting and the serious harm it can cause to individuals, families, and society.

Adkins pointed to the staggering rise of legal sports gambling, especially around major events like the NCAA tournament. But he drew an important distinction. He isn't referring to friends making casual sports wagers. Online sports betting puts access to high-stakes gambling directly onto a smartphone, making it available 24/7 and combining it with the same addictive technology that already keeps so many people glued to their screens.

That constant access comes at a high price. Adkins described online gambling as “predatory capitalism” that targets vulnerable people, especially young men and those already under financial strain. The promise of easy money can quickly turn into a cycle of loss, desperation, and addiction. As he explained, once people begin chasing losses, the temptation compounds. What looks like entertainment can become a path to poverty, broken families, and deep personal suffering.

The social cost is just as troubling. Atkins noted that states often promote gambling as a source of tax revenue, but the real gains are limited, while the harms are widespread. Families bear the burden through addiction, bankruptcy, and instability. Society bears it through regulation costs and the fallout of yet another vice made easier to access.

For Catholics, this conversation also raises a spiritual warning. Glen connected the issue to the near occasion of sin: something that may seem small or manageable at first, but gradually leads a person into greater danger. That concern becomes even more urgent when gambling ads saturate sports coverage and normalize risky behavior.

Atkins encouraged Catholics not to stay silent. By informing lawmakers and sharing real stories of harm, faithful citizens can help resist an industry that profits from human weakness. This issue is not only political or economic. It is about protecting human dignity and the common good.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Morning Air, Glen Lewerenz spoke with Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, about the rapid growth of online sports betting and the serious harm it can cause to individuals, families, and society.
Adkins pointed to the staggering rise of legal sports gambling, especially around major events like the NCAA tournament. But he drew an important distinction. He isn't referring to friends making casual sports wagers. Online sports betting puts access to high-stakes gambling directly onto a smartphone, making it available 24/7 and combining it with the same addictive technology that already keeps so many people glued to their screens.
That constant access comes at a high price. Adkins described online gambling as &ldquo;predatory capitalism&rdquo; that targets vulnerable people, especially young men and those already under financial strain. The promise of easy money can quickly turn into a cycle of loss, desperation, and addiction. As he explained, once people begin chasing losses, the temptation compounds. What looks like entertainment can become a path to poverty, broken families, and deep personal suffering.
The social cost is just as troubling. Atkins noted that states often promote gambling as a source of tax revenue, but the real gains are limited, while the harms are widespread. Families bear the burden through addiction, bankruptcy, and instability. Society bears it through regulation costs and the fallout of yet another vice made easier to access.
For Catholics, this conversation also raises a spiritual warning. Glen connected the issue to the near occasion of sin: something that may seem small or manageable at first, but gradually leads a person into greater danger. That concern becomes even more urgent when gambling ads saturate sports coverage and normalize risky behavior.
Atkins encouraged Catholics not to stay silent. By informing lawmakers and sharing real stories of harm, faithful citizens can help resist an industry that profits from human weakness. This issue is not only political or economic. It is about protecting human dignity and the common good.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

The Best of the Week

Bad Odds, Bigger Harms: The Dangers of Online Sports Betting (Morning Air)

This week on The Family Rosary Across America, Diane from Windsor, Ontario, called in with a prayer intention unlike the ones she had shared before. In past months, her calls had come from a place of deep suffering. She had been seriously ill, hospitalized, and preparing for death. “They all were doom and gloom,” she said, recalling the difficult road she had been walking since last April.

But this time, Diane was not calling in with fear. She was calling in with gratitude.

Still in hospice, but full of faith, Diane shared that she had never stopped praying. She told Fr. Rocky that she had prayed with him as much as she could and kept believing through the darkest days. Then came the news that changed everything: “Today the doctor came in and said, we’re sending you home, my dear girl.”

As Diane praised God and thanked him for this miracle, Fr. Rocky rejoiced right along with her. With warm surprise and joyful laughter, he celebrated the moment in a way only a spiritual father can. “You graduated from hospice,” he said. “That’s amazing. How do you do that?” His delight made the miracle feel even more alive, as if the whole Relevant Radio family was laughing and thanking God together.

It was a small moment on the air, but a powerful witness to hope. Diane’s story reminds us that even in the bleakest circumstances, God is never finished writing the story. What looked like an ending became a testimony of mercy, perseverance, and unexpected joy.

And in Fr. Rocky’s happy response, listeners could hear something else too: the sound of hope — alive, grateful, and rejoicing with those who rejoice.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

This week on The Family Rosary Across America, Diane from Windsor, Ontario, called in with a prayer intention unlike the ones she had shared before. In past months, her calls had come from a place of deep suffering. She had been seriously ill, hospitalized, and preparing for death. &ldquo;They all were doom and gloom,&rdquo; she said, recalling the difficult road she had been walking since last April.
But this time, Diane was not calling in with fear. She was calling in with gratitude.
Still in hospice, but full of faith, Diane shared that she had never stopped praying. She told Fr. Rocky that she had prayed with him as much as she could and kept believing through the darkest days. Then came the news that changed everything: &ldquo;Today the doctor came in and said, we&rsquo;re sending you home, my dear girl.&rdquo;
As Diane praised God and thanked him for this miracle, Fr. Rocky rejoiced right along with her. With warm surprise and joyful laughter, he celebrated the moment in a way only a spiritual father can. &ldquo;You graduated from hospice,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s amazing. How do you do that?&rdquo; His delight made the miracle feel even more alive, as if the whole Relevant Radio family was laughing and thanking God together.
It was a small moment on the air, but a powerful witness to hope. Diane&rsquo;s story reminds us that even in the bleakest circumstances, God is never finished writing the story. What looked like an ending became a testimony of mercy, perseverance, and unexpected joy.
And in Fr. Rocky&rsquo;s happy response, listeners could hear something else too: the sound of hope &mdash; alive, grateful, and rejoicing with those who rejoice.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

A Hospice Goodbye Turned Into a Homecoming (Family Rosary Across America)

Jesus’ words from the Cross—“It is finished”—can sound like the end of the story. But on The Inner Life with Patrick Conley, Father Michael Hurley reveals something deeper: Christ’s saving work is complete, yet it also continues in His people.

Father Hurley reflects on the wounds of the Risen Christ as signs of glory. In Christ, suffering is not erased; it is transformed. He says the same is true for us. When we offer our wounds to the Lord instead of turning inward, He can make them shine with His love.

That is why Christ’s final cry from the Cross matters so much. Father Hurley explains that Jesus did not whisper His last words. He cried them out. In that moment of total self-gift, He handed over His spirit. This points beyond Calvary to the life of the Church: the Holy Spirit, the water of Baptism, and the Blood of the Eucharist all flow from Christ’s sacrifice.

"It is finished” does not mean Jesus is done working. It means His mission has been accomplished and now continues through His Spirit in us. Our sorrows, crosses, and daily sufferings can be joined to His and changed from marks of pain into marks of love.

What Christ finished on Calvary, He desires to bring to completion in every faithful soul.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Jesus&rsquo; words from the Cross&mdash;&ldquo;It is finished&rdquo;&mdash;can sound like the end of the story. But on The Inner Life with Patrick Conley, Father Michael Hurley reveals something deeper: Christ&rsquo;s saving work is complete, yet it also continues in His people.
Father Hurley reflects on the wounds of the Risen Christ as signs of glory. In Christ, suffering is not erased; it is transformed. He says the same is true for us. When we offer our wounds to the Lord instead of turning inward, He can make them shine with His love.
That is why Christ&rsquo;s final cry from the Cross matters so much. Father Hurley explains that Jesus did not whisper His last words. He cried them out. In that moment of total self-gift, He handed over His spirit. This points beyond Calvary to the life of the Church: the Holy Spirit, the water of Baptism, and the Blood of the Eucharist all flow from Christ&rsquo;s sacrifice.
"It is finished&rdquo; does not mean Jesus is done working. It means His mission has been accomplished and now continues through His Spirit in us. Our sorrows, crosses, and daily sufferings can be joined to His and changed from marks of pain into marks of love.
What Christ finished on Calvary, He desires to bring to completion in every faithful soul.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

“It Is Finished”: How Christ’s Work Continues in Us  (The Inner Life)

Talking about wills, funeral plans, and medical directives is not easy, but on Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer and Preston Allex showed why this kind of preparation is one of the most practical and loving gifts Catholics can leave behind.

Preston, chief financial officer of Relevant Radio and president of Catholic Legacy, explained that Catholic Legacy is a free ministry of Relevant Radio created to help people prepare important estate-planning documents in a way that is simple, accessible, and faithful to Catholic teaching. The platform currently offers four main tools: a will, a Catholic health care directive, a funeral planner, and a digital account keeper.

One of the most important resources is the Catholic health care directive, created with help from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Preston explained that it helps Catholics make legally binding decisions in advance, while also ensuring their wishes are guided by the Faith. That includes naming someone to make medical decisions, clarifying treatment preferences, requesting a chaplain, and even specifying the desire to receive last rites. Doug noted how important that can be, especially when family members may not share the person’s faith or understand the seriousness of those final spiritual needs.

The funeral planner is another key tool. It allows families to document everything from readings and music for the Funeral Mass to practical details like the funeral home, cemetery, and luncheon. Preston emphasized that this matters especially now, as many Catholic families are drifting away from funeral Masses and traditional burial. Having a plan in place can help ensure that a person’s Catholic wishes are known and followed, while also sparing loved ones from making difficult decisions during a time of grief.

Catholic Legacy also includes a digital account keeper, which helps people record where their accounts, loans, subscriptions, and assets are located. In an age when so much financial information is paperless, this kind of document can save families enormous stress after a death or serious illness. As Doug pointed out, in the past you could often figure out a person’s finances by sorting through the mail. Today, important information can be almost impossible to track down without a clear record.

Preston stressed that everything on Catholic Legacy is free because the ministry wants to remove barriers and help families get started. While it does not replace an attorney, it gives people a strong foundation and makes it easier to take the next step. More than that, it helps prevent confusion, family conflict, and unnecessary suffering.

As Doug and Preston made clear, planning ahead is not just about documents. It is about stewardship, protecting your family, and living your Catholic Faith with love and responsibility, even to the very end.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Talking about wills, funeral plans, and medical directives is not easy, but on Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer and Preston Allex showed why this kind of preparation is one of the most practical and loving gifts Catholics can leave behind.
Preston, chief financial officer of Relevant Radio and president of Catholic Legacy, explained that Catholic Legacy is a free ministry of Relevant Radio created to help people prepare important estate-planning documents in a way that is simple, accessible, and faithful to Catholic teaching. The platform currently offers four main tools: a will, a Catholic health care directive, a funeral planner, and a digital account keeper.
One of the most important resources is the Catholic health care directive, created with help from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Preston explained that it helps Catholics make legally binding decisions in advance, while also ensuring their wishes are guided by the Faith. That includes naming someone to make medical decisions, clarifying treatment preferences, requesting a chaplain, and even specifying the desire to receive last rites. Doug noted how important that can be, especially when family members may not share the person&rsquo;s faith or understand the seriousness of those final spiritual needs.
The funeral planner is another key tool. It allows families to document everything from readings and music for the Funeral Mass to practical details like the funeral home, cemetery, and luncheon. Preston emphasized that this matters especially now, as many Catholic families are drifting away from funeral Masses and traditional burial. Having a plan in place can help ensure that a person&rsquo;s Catholic wishes are known and followed, while also sparing loved ones from making difficult decisions during a time of grief.
Catholic Legacy also includes a digital account keeper, which helps people record where their accounts, loans, subscriptions, and assets are located. In an age when so much financial information is paperless, this kind of document can save families enormous stress after a death or serious illness. As Doug pointed out, in the past you could often figure out a person&rsquo;s finances by sorting through the mail. Today, important information can be almost impossible to track down without a clear record.
Preston stressed that everything on Catholic Legacy is free because the ministry wants to remove barriers and help families get started. While it does not replace an attorney, it gives people a strong foundation and makes it easier to take the next step. More than that, it helps prevent confusion, family conflict, and unnecessary suffering.
As Doug and Preston made clear, planning ahead is not just about documents. It is about stewardship, protecting your family, and living your Catholic Faith with love and responsibility, even to the very end.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Bad Odds, Bigger Harms: The Dangers of Online Sports Betting (Morning Air)

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