The Simple Truth

Bishop’s February Update (Bishop Joseph Strickland) - 2/25/25

2/25/25 - Bishop Joseph Strickland returns to the show to share his latest monthly update with us. What's going on in the life of America's Bishop? We'll also provide an update on the Doorkeepers initiative being led by Jim and Bishop Strickland! Read Bishop Strickland's writings at https://www.bishopstrickland.com/ Doorkeepers: https://www.jimhavens.com/dkpreview

NaPro Technology vs. IVF (Dr. Teresa Hilgers) - 2/24/25

2/24/25 - Dr. Teresa Hilgers is an OB-GYN at the Saint Paul VI Institute. She holds degrees from Baylor University, Georgetown University, and Creighton University. For her residency training, she went to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, and following that she completed a Fellowship at the St. Paul VI Institute in Medical and Surgical NaProTechnology. Her weekly duties include seeing patients in the clinic, performing surgeries, and delivering babies. We'll discuss the ethical and moral implications of two approaches to infertility treatment from a Catholic perspective. Dr. Teresa Hilgers will introduce us to NaPro Technology, a natural alternative that works with a woman's reproductive system to address underlying causes of infertility, and compare it to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which often involves the creation and disposal of embryos. Which method is in closer alignment with Catholic values surrounding life and family? Is there reasonable hope for Catholic women struggling with infertility that doesn't compromise on the values of our faith?

You Are Being Lied To! Here’s Why IVF Fails the Pro-Life Test (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 2/21/25

2/21/25 - While the Trump administration has claimed to be deeply committed to the reimplementation of pro-life values and principles in the United States, many of their statements regarding IVF seem to suggest that they still may not have a full understanding of these issues. The fact is simple: nothing about IVF is pro-life! We'll hear from Donald Trump and JD Vance and explain why they're slightly off-base in this area, well-intentioned or not. We'll also hear from others like Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, whose similar statements seem to suggest that the Republican party as a whole needs to be fact checked when it comes to the reality about in vitro fertilization. They may be ahead of their Democratic counterparts, but they still have a long way to go...

Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today’s Identity Crisis (Dr. Paul Vitz) - 2/20/25

2/20/25 - In Analog Hunger in a Digital World, renowned psychologist Dr. Paul Vitz addresses the troubling fact that scientific progress is no longer making human beings happy. In fact, the reverse trend is taking hold: individuals are more distressed and struggle with overwhelming confusion regarding personal identity and the meaningfulness of life as technology makes daily life more 'manageable.' Dr. Vitz asserts there is a noteworthy connection between the sense of personal identity and flourishing, and the connection between well-being and technological progress has been largely severed because 'progress' in this sense encourages various ways 'losing sight of oneself. This book is written for those who are enthralled by the digital realm and tech advancements, but also for those who are affected by contemporary crises in culture and identity. Get the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587310538?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_fed_asin_title

St. Charbel Makhlouf, The Miracle Monk (Joanne Wright) - 2/19/25

2/19/25 - St. Charbel Makhlouf was a revered Lebanese monk and hermit of the Maronite Order. Born in 1828, St. Charbel lived a life of profound prayer, penance, and solitude in the mountains of Lebanon. His unwavering devotion to God, coupled with his miraculous healings and the many wonders attributed to his intercession, have made him a beacon of faith and hope for people worldwide. Today we delve into his spiritual journey, his deep commitment to monastic life, and his canonization as a saint in 1977. Learn how St. Charbel's example of humility, obedience, and divine connection continues to inspire countless Catholics today.

Not Just Spiritual: My Journey From Personal Religion to the Catholic Faith (Christine Flynn) - 2/18/25

2/18/25 - Christine Flynn is a wife and mother of six young children. On fire for the Catholic faith, Christine is active on Instagram. Like many young women of her generation, Christine Flynn never had much use for "organized religion." In fact, she considered herself spiritually advanced. Unlike her peers who sat in church pews on Sunday, blindly following man-made rules and rites, she was in tune with the powers of the Universe. Her personal spirituality – revealed through the stars, in her dreams, by meditation and self-actualization – made her feel wise, strong, and special. But it never brought her peace. Not Just Spiritual is the raw and real story of Christine's journey from error and vice to the Lord's saving grace. It evokes truths that go beyond just one woman's life, offering a compelling answer to the "spiritual, but not religious" fad that infects our age. Get the book at https://shop.catholic.com/

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker (Cheryl C. D. Hughes) - 2/17/25

2/17/25 - Cheryl C. D. Hughes holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Durham University in England. Her books include Katharine Drexel: The Riches-to-Rags Story of an American Catholic Saint (2014) and Crossing Boundaries and Confounding Identity: Chinese Women in Literature, Art, and Film (2023). Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was one of the greatest spiritual leaders and entertainers in America's tumultuous twentieth century. His television shows, for which he eventually won an Emmy Award, reached millions of viewers, and in the 1950s and '60s, "Fulton Sheen" was a household name. But his greatest gift was in finding lost sheep. Through his thought, wit, and compassion, many thousands of people likely entered the Church, from all walks of life. Among them were jazz legend Ada "Bricktop" Smith, journalist Heywood Broun, Communist activist Louis Budenz, U.S. Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce, spy Elizabeth Bentley, composer Fritz Kreisler, Communist Bella Dodd, and Hollywood starlet Virginia Mayo. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker lets readers inhabit the postwar America where Bishop Fulton Sheen thrived in order to reveal what made him such a magnetic figure in his own era. It peers into the complex lives of the celebrities and fallen stars who saw in the warm, brilliant bishop a sign of God's grace, and it offers a study in the inner dynamics of conversion. Get the book at https://ignatius.com/archbishop-fulton-j-sheen-afsp/

What If I Get An Abortion AFTER It Becomes Illegal? (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato and Pam Stenzel) - 2/14/25

2/14/25 - We'll bring you the latest updates from the pro-life movement and take a look at some recent comments made by Kristan Hawkins and Lila Rose on the "Whatever" podcast. The pair were prompted to share their opinions as to whether or not a woman who defies an abortion ban and therefore breaks the law should be prosecuted and jailed. How did America's modern day pro-life leaders answer? Also in today's show: Is "woke" dead in America? Let's see what President Donald Trump has to say about the state of the country and what lies ahead!

Passport to Perfection: Contemplation and Sacrifice (David Torkington) - 2/13/25

2/13/25 - David Torkington is a Spiritual Theologian, Author and Speaker who specializes in Prayer, Christian Spirituality and Mystical Theology. For the past fifty years, he has been communicating to his audience his profound love of the traditional and authentic Mystical and Biblical Theology that has inspired all his writings on prayer. In Passport to Perfection, renowned author David Torkington, whose books have reached over 450,000 readers worldwide, presents a practical guide to deepening your prayer life, embracing divine love, and achieving spiritual fulfillment. The book offers timeless wisdom and a clear pathway to experience a profound connection with God through prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Today, David will share with us some insights from parts three and four of the book, "Contemplation" and "Sacrifice". Get the book at https://essentialistpress.com/bookshop/passport-to-perfection/ Learn more about David's work at https://davidtorkington.com/

The Eucharist and the Stigmata: The Miraculous Life of Therese Neumann (Joanne Wright) - 2/12/25

2/12/25 - Servant of God Therese Neumann was a German mystic whose deep faith and spiritual experiences continue to inspire Catholics worldwide. Known for experiencing the stigmata, Therese's life was marked by a profound union with God through suffering, prayer, and sacrifice. She also experienced visions of the Passion of Christ, Eucharistic miracles, and an ability to live on the Eucharist alone for extended periods. Her devotion to the Eucharist and the lessons she offers about embracing God's will with love and trust serve as a powerful witness for all who seek to live out their Catholic calling.