The Simple Truth

How Divorce Affects Children - And How to Heal (Joey Pontarelli) - 7/10/25

7/10/25 - Divorce can leave deep emotional wounds, especially in children. But healing is possible, even in the most painful situations. In this powerful episode, we welcome back Joey Pontarelli, founder of Restored, a Catholic ministry helping children of divorce find hope and healing. Joey touches on his own personal experience of living through his parents' divorce and his journey to healing to offer guidance to listeners and viewers as we answer YOUR questions on navigating life after family breakdown. Learn more about Restored at https://restoredministry.com/

Who Was St. Gaspar del Bufalo? Founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Joanne Wright) - 7/9/25

7/9/25 - St. Gaspar del Bufalo (1786–1837) was a Roman priest and founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Arrested and exiled for refusing to swear allegiance to Napoleon, Gaspar returned after years of imprisonment to a war-torn Italy, where he fearlessly preached missions in remote and lawless regions, often facing violence and death threats. He reached out to bandits, prisoners, and the spiritually abandoned, calling them to conversion through the saving power of Christ's Precious Blood. Known for his fiery sermons, unwavering loyalty to the Pope, and deep Marian devotion, St. Gaspar was a reformer who renewed the faith in one of the darkest periods of Italian history.

Faith Behind Bars: Jailed by Biden, Pardoned by Trump (Will Goodman) - 7/8/25

7/8/25 - Pro life activist Will Goodman recounts the day he walked into a D.C. abortion facility during a Red Rose Rescue to offer women alternatives to abortion, and how that act of peaceful witness led to a federal conviction under the FACE Act and nearly a year and a half spent behind bars. He speaks candidly about praying in a cold prison cell, surrounded by hostility, and how his time in jail became a hidden retreat of grace. Goodman also shares the surreal moment he learned he had been pardoned by President Trump in July 2024 and what that pardon means for the future of pro-life resistance in America.

Saints and Sacramentals: Saint Dominic and the Rosary (Shaun McAfee) - 7/7/25

7/7/25 - Jim is joined by Catholic author Shaun McAfee as he discusses his new children's book, Saints and Sacramentals: Saint Dominic and the Rosary. In this engaging conversation, Shaun shares the inspiration behind the book, which brings to life the powerful story of St. Dominic and the heavenly origins of the Rosary through vivid illustrations and accessible storytelling, both perfect for younger readers. He reflects on the enduring role of sacramentals in Catholic life, especially how the Rosary serves as both a prayer and a spiritual weapon for children and families alike. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or catechist, this interview offers valuable insights into how to introduce young hearts to Marian devotion and the beauty of Catholic tradition. Get the book at https://tanbooks.com/products/books/saints-and-sacramentals-saint-dominic-and-the-rosary/

Visions of the End Times: The Life of Venerable Elizabeth Mora (Joanne Wright) - 7/2/25

7/2/25 - Blessed Elizabeth Canori Mora (1774–1825) was a Roman wife, mother, and mystic who turned personal suffering into profound holiness. Trapped in a difficult marriage marked by her husband's infidelity, abuse, and financial ruin, Elizabeth remained steadfast in her faith, raising two daughters while working as a maid and caring for the poor. After a miraculous healing in 1801, she began receiving mystical visions of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and joined the Third Order of the Most Holy Trinity. Despite enduring poverty and abandonment, she prayed constantly for her husband's conversion, a prayer answered after her death when he became a Franciscan priest. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1994, Elizabeth's life is a powerful testament to forgiveness, fidelity, and redemptive suffering.

Catholic. Pro-Life. Unshakable. One Family’s Mission in Naples (Shaun Guevarra) - 7/1/25

7/1/25 - Meet Shaun Guevarra, a devoted Catholic husband, father, and Pro-Life advocate whose journey from Canada to Florida reflects a deep commitment to faith and service. Alongside his wife Nina, a registered nurse passionate about Hospice care and abortion pill reversal, the Guevarras have dedicated their lives to supporting women in crisis pregnancies. With a Master's in Theology focused on Moral Ethics, Shaun brings together years of experience in ministry, non-profits, and development. We'll discuss how this family is embracing a new chapter in Naples, FL, boldly living out their Catholic mission to protect life and serve those in need.

Higher Education is Broken. Can Catholicism Fix It? (George Weigel) - 6/30/25

6/30/25 - Catholic scholar and theologian George Weigel explores why Catholic universities - with their roots in free, rigorous debate - are uniquely positioned to renew higher education amid today's cultural crisis. Dive into excerpts from his addresses, where he challenges graduates to embrace their degrees as a "summons to become trustees of a great tradition," and reflects on the vital interplay between faith, reason, and culture. Discover how Pope St. John Paul II's vision of education influences his call to cultivate the "diakonia of the truth" on campus, and why his advice - part encouragement, part challenge - is so timely. Get the book at https://ignatius.com/pomp-circumstance-and-unsolicited-advice-pcap/

No Justice for Pro-Lifers... AGAIN (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 6/27/25

6/27/25 - Surprise surprise... the man who assaulted two elderly pro-lifers outside of a Baltimore Planned Parenthood appears to be getting off relatively unscathed. Jim and Father Imbarrato unpack the mind boggling decision from the court. We'll also provide an update on baby Chance, whose mother was declared brain dead. What does the safe and successful delivery of the baby mean for similar situations moving forward? Finally, we'll wrap up with pro-abortion legal scholar Mary Ziegler's thoughts on why the pro-life movement hasn't yet been able to come to an obvious consensus on personhood.

Champions of Faith: Catholic Sports Heroes Tell Their Stories (Kevin Wells) - 6/26/25

6/26/25 - Catholic author and former sportswriter Kevin Wells offers his reflections on the documentary Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition, a film that profiles the spiritual lives of Catholic Major League Baseball players such as Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Jeff Suppan, Jack McKeon, and others. As a viewer and longtime observer of professional sports, Kevin discusses how the film powerfully captures moments of prayer, sacramental life, and personal testimony, revealing how these athletes integrate their faith with the pressures and spotlight of the big leagues. He explores the film's unique approach to evangelization through storytelling, its portrayal of Catholic masculinity and virtue, and why its message continues to resonate in a culture often at odds with faith-based values. Purchase a DVD copy of the film at https://sophiainstitute.com/product/champions-of-faith-4/?srsltid=AfmBOor2zTDICpr_uCd0UDTJB532PnRSi8fcjNHtH3P59LD6nn-ZPv9e

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, The Man of the Beatitudes (Joanne Wright) - 6/25/25

6/25/25 - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was an Italian layman who combined a deep spiritual life with a passion for social justice and adventure. Born in 1901 to a wealthy family in Turin, Frassati chose a life of simplicity and service over privilege. He was an avid mountain climber, a student of engineering, and a committed member of Catholic Action and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Despite his short life (he died at just 24 from polio contracted while serving the poor), Frassati left behind a legacy of holiness that continues to inspire young people around the world. He attended daily Mass, spent hours in Eucharistic Adoration, and fearlessly defended the dignity of the marginalized during a time of political unrest in Italy. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II, who called him "a man of the Beatitudes."