On this episode of The Inner Life, Patrick Conley teamed up with Fr. Eric Nielsen to chat about silence: how to find it, embrace it, and let it deepen your relationship with God. Father Eric, associate pastor at All Saints Parish in Berlin, WI, shared his wisdom on tuning out the noise (both literal and mental) and making space for God.



Here are the highlights from their convo. Check out the whole hour here!



🌟 Why Advent is Perfect for Silence



Advent = prime time to chill out. It’s like the liturgical version of "cozy season." Think: shorter days, long nights, and the chance to slow down.



Father Eric suggested embracing the stillness of Advent by delaying the Christmas parties (yes, even the ugly sweater ones) and leaning into the quiet.



Silence isn’t just the absence of noise; it’s the space where God’s voice becomes louder. 🔇✨



🛠️ Balancing Ambition, Prayer, and Fun (for Busy Folks)



John from LA called in with two big questions:



How do I balance ambition and silence?



Here's what Father said:



Ambition = good: but only if it’s rightly ordered. Father reminded us to align our goals with giving glory to God and loving others. 



The key? Carve out times of prayer where you don’t think about work. (Yes, it’s hard, but your soul will thank you.) Try dedicating a few days a week to prayer that focuses solely on God, not your to-do list.



What about hobbies?



Hobbies = also good! God wants us to enjoy life. But if you’re married with kids, make sure your hobbies don’t pull you away from your family. 



A creative idea? Choose hobbies your family can join in. One guy ditched golf for fishing because his kids could join in: and, surprise, it turned into quality family time. 🎣



💡 Takeaways



Silence is fertile soil for growing in faith, especially during Advent.



Put ambition in its place: not at the center, but as a way to glorify God.



Hobbies should build relationships, not break them.



Challenge for this week: Find one moment of silence each day. Even if it’s 5 minutes in the car or before bed, let that stillness prepare your heart for Christ this Advent. 🕯️







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 this episode of The Inner Life, Patrick Conley teamed up with Fr. Eric Nielsen to chat about silence: how to find it, embrace it, and let it deepen your relationship with God. Father Eric, associate pastor at All Saints Parish in Berlin, WI, shared his wisdom on tuning out the noise (both literal and mental) and making space for God.
 
Here are the highlights from their convo. Check out the whole hour <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2024/12/silence-the-inner-life-december-5-2024/">here</a>!
 
🌟 Why Advent is Perfect for Silence
 
Advent = prime time to chill out. It’s like the liturgical version of "cozy season." Think: shorter days, long nights, and the chance to slow down.
 
Father Eric suggested embracing the stillness of Advent by delaying the Christmas parties (yes, even the ugly sweater ones) and leaning into the quiet.
 
Silence isn’t just the absence of noise; it’s the space where God’s voice becomes louder. 🔇✨
 
🛠️ Balancing Ambition, Prayer, and Fun (for Busy Folks)
 
John from LA called in with two big questions:
 
How do I balance ambition and silence?
 
Here's what Father said:
 
Ambition = good: but only if it’s rightly ordered. Father reminded us to align our goals with giving glory to God and loving others. 
 
The key? Carve out times of prayer where you don’t think about work. (Yes, it’s hard, but your soul will thank you.) Try dedicating a few days a week to prayer that focuses solely on God, not your to-do list.
 
What about hobbies?
 
Hobbies = also good! God wants us to enjoy life. But if you’re married with kids, make sure your hobbies don’t pull you away from your family. 
 
A creative idea? Choose hobbies your family can join in. One guy ditched golf for fishing because his kids could join in: and, surprise, it turned into quality family time. 🎣
 
💡 Takeaways
 
Silence is fertile soil for growing in faith, especially during Advent.
 
Put ambition in its place: not at the center, but as a way to glorify God.
 
Hobbies should build relationships, not break them.
 
Challenge for this week: Find one moment of silence each day. Even if it’s 5 minutes in the car or before bed, let that stillness prepare your heart for Christ this Advent. 🕯️
 
 
 
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 <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.