What is the purpose of Challenges in life?

Joseph

Break 1

Nacy

Cindy

Fr. John Gordon joins Patrick to discuss Keeping the Faith through Challenges
(4:02) - What is the purpose of Challenges in life?
How does suffering sanctify us?
(17:15) Joseph - I'm going through some anxiety and paranoia right now, but I'm a firm believer. I know I have a great faith in God. Right now as I'm going through some health issues, I pray to not worry, but I still have that fear. I know the evil is trying to work on me. How can I overcome it?

(27:00) Break 1
How can we regulate our emotions when dealing with challenging situations?
(31:32) Nancy - In 2017, I had been diagnosed with arthritis and other ailments. They didn't have my meds worked out well, and one night my left shoulder felt like a hot stabbing pain. I looked at the crucifix and said, 'Oh dear Lord, how did you ever carry that cross?' I heard a voice that said, 'I saw your face.' I learned you have to be very specific to God. I was in such awe. Then, the pain stopped and haven't had it since.
(40:23) Cindy - I'm experiencing challenges with news about my dog. I'm a person of faith and have faith in the Lord, but what do I do when things like this happen in our lives? How do we know if it's a spiritual battle or God's will?

Fr. John Gordon joins Patrick to discuss Keeping the Faith through Challenges
<ul>
<li>(4:02) - What is the purpose of Challenges in life?</li>
<li>How does suffering sanctify us?</li>
<li>(17:15) Joseph - I'm going through some anxiety and paranoia right now, but I'm a firm believer. I know I have a great faith in God. Right now as I'm going through some health issues, I pray to not worry, but I still have that fear. I know the evil is trying to work on me. How can I overcome it?</li>
</ul>
(27:00) Break 1
<ul>
<li>How can we regulate our emotions when dealing with challenging situations?</li>
<li>(31:32) Nancy - In 2017, I had been diagnosed with arthritis and other ailments. They didn't have my meds worked out well, and one night my left shoulder felt like a hot stabbing pain. I looked at the crucifix and said, 'Oh dear Lord, how did you ever carry that cross?' I heard a voice that said, 'I saw your face.' I learned you have to be very specific to God. I was in such awe. Then, the pain stopped and haven't had it since.</li>
<li>(40:23) Cindy - I'm experiencing challenges with news about my dog. I'm a person of faith and have faith in the Lord, but what do I do when things like this happen in our lives? How do we know if it's a spiritual battle or God's will?</li>
</ul>

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

Bringing Christ to the world through the media

The Inner Life

Keeping the Faith through Challenges - The Inner Life -August 20, 2025

does self-denial lead to freedom?

Nicole

the communityâs role in helping us with self

Break 2

Silvia

Heather

Fr. Craig DeYoung joins Patrick to discuss Self Denial
What is self-denial?
(5:21) How does self-denial lead to freedom?
How does self-denial lead to virtuous living?
(16:27) Nicole - How this lent has been more fruitful for me and helping me lean more into it this way.

(20:24) Break 1
How does time play into self-denial?
(25:09) the community’s role in helping us with self-denial?

(34:03) Break 2
(35:43) Sylvia - Trying to understand when I do something for others, I feel a lot of joy, but when they thank me, I don't know how to respond. I want to understand that part.
How can we discern what would be best for us to give up in our lives?
(42:21) Heather - OCIA and wanted to know if you're allowed to change what you're doing for Lent. I don't know if I'm doing enough?

Fr. Craig DeYoung joins Patrick to discuss Self Denial
<ul>
<li>What is self-denial?</li>
<li>(5:21) How does self-denial lead to freedom?</li>
<li>How does self-denial lead to virtuous living?</li>
<li>(16:27) Nicole - How this lent has been more fruitful for me and helping me lean more into it this way.</li>
</ul>
(20:24) Break 1
<ul>
<li>How does time play into self-denial?</li>
<li>(25:09) the community&rsquo;s role in helping us with self-denial?</li>
</ul>
(34:03) Break 2
<ul>
<li>(35:43) Sylvia - Trying to understand when I do something for others, I feel a lot of joy, but when they thank me, I don't know how to respond. I want to understand that part.</li>
<li>How can we discern what would be best for us to give up in our lives?</li>
<li>(42:21) Heather - OCIA and wanted to know if you're allowed to change what you're doing for Lent. I don't know if I'm doing enough?</li>
</ul>

Self Denial - The Inner Life - March 11, 2026

what is the role of Literature in the life of 

what is the Catholic influence of Shakespeare.

Richard

C.S. Lewis one of the evangelists?

Karen

St John Henry Newmanâs authorship and teachi

Chestertonâs importance in the common people

Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss English Literature
(2:41) what is the role of Literature in the life of the Church?
What is the history of the Catholic Church in England?
(10:26) what is the Catholic influence of Shakespeare.

(18:55) Break 1
(19:50) Richard - I'm a reader of CS Lewis, George McDonald. I can tell you how I was put on to CS Lewis and then George McDonald.
 (23:54) C.S. Lewis one of the evangelists?
(28:43) Karen - Wanted to talk about reading Tolkien and then becoming Catholic. Heard about it on Fr. Simon's show.

(34:00) Break 2
WWI’s influence on English Writers in their literature.
(37:56) St John Henry Newman’s authorship and teaching.
Who was Ronald Knox and why is he so important?
(45:32) Chesterton’s importance in the common people’s mind.

Resources:
Newman Studies

https://www.newmanreader.org/

Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss English Literature
<ul>
<li>(2:41) what is the role of Literature in the life of the Church?</li>
<li>What is the history of the Catholic Church in England?</li>
<li>(10:26) what is the Catholic influence of Shakespeare.</li>
</ul>
(18:55) Break 1
<ul>
<li>(19:50) Richard - I'm a reader of CS Lewis, George McDonald. I can tell you how I was put on to CS Lewis and then George McDonald.</li>
<li>&nbsp;(23:54) C.S. Lewis one of the evangelists?</li>
<li>(28:43) Karen - Wanted to talk about reading Tolkien and then becoming Catholic. Heard about it on Fr. Simon's show.</li>
</ul>
(34:00) Break 2
<ul>
<li>WWI&rsquo;s influence on English Writers in their literature.</li>
<li>(37:56) St John Henry Newman&rsquo;s authorship and teaching.</li>
<li>Who was Ronald Knox and why is he so important?</li>
<li>(45:32) Chesterton&rsquo;s importance in the common people&rsquo;s mind.</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li>Newman Studies
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/">https://www.newmanreader.org/</a><a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/"></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

English Literature - The Inner Life - March 10, 2026

What is the biggest source of anxiety?

Email - How can we stop worrying we aren’t goi

Lisa

what can we do to keep anxiety down?

Check out this great show from March 24, 2025

Father Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Anxiety in the Spiritual Life
What is Anxiety?
(6:49) What is the biggest source of anxiety?
What is scrupulosity?
(12:58) Email - How can we stop worrying we aren’t going to go to heaven?
Barbara - I have suffered with OCD and scrupulosity. In the last couple years, I discovered Dr. Greg Bottaro's book and he has a chapter called Surrender to the Will of God. Admitting we are powerless over this. That is what I have to do every day. Just turn it over to God.

(22:09) Break 1
What is the difference between anxiety, fear and stress?
(27:41) Lisa - Are there are people who are predisposed to worry and anxiety genetically.? If they don't have faith, but tendency toward perfectionism. How advice would you offer to them?
Thomas - Comments on healing between psychiatric approach and spiritual approach. Action between mental health work and spirituality. Finding healing and that people have the power to trust God and not get anxious.

(40:51) Break 2
Leticia - Anxiety developed into a eating disorder. I battle with that. I do what you are suggesting...Jesus I trust in you. I take some medication. I teach catechism...takes my mind off it.
(46:38) what can we do to keep anxiety down?

Check out this great show from March 24, 2025
Father Dave Heney&nbsp;joins Patrick to discuss Anxiety in the Spiritual Life
<ul>
<li>What is Anxiety?</li>
<li>(6:49) What is the biggest source of anxiety?</li>
<li>What is scrupulosity?</li>
<li>(12:58) Email - How can we stop worrying we aren&rsquo;t going to go to heaven?</li>
<li>Barbara - I have suffered with OCD and scrupulosity. In the last couple years, I discovered Dr. Greg Bottaro's book and he has a chapter called Surrender to the Will of God. Admitting we are powerless over this. That is what I have to do every day. Just turn it over to God.</li>
</ul>
(22:09) Break 1
<ul>
<li>What is the difference between anxiety, fear and stress?</li>
<li>(27:41) Lisa - Are there are people who are predisposed to worry and anxiety genetically.? If they don't have faith, but tendency toward perfectionism. How advice would you offer to them?</li>
<li>Thomas - Comments on healing between psychiatric approach and spiritual approach. Action between mental health work and spirituality. Finding healing and that people have the power to trust God and not get anxious.</li>
</ul>
(40:51) Break 2
<ul>
<li>Leticia - Anxiety developed into a eating disorder. I battle with that. I do what you are suggesting...Jesus I trust in you. I take some medication. I teach catechism...takes my mind off it.</li>
<li>(46:38) what can we do to keep anxiety down?</li>
</ul>

Keeping the Faith through Challenges - The Inner Life -August 20, 2025

In 1 playlist(s)

The Inner Life

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips