The Simple Truth

The Simple Truth, hosted by Jim Havens, airs each weekday from 4-5PM(EST) on The Station of the Cross Media Network. The focus of the show is authentically receiving, living, and transmitting the simple Truth of Jesus and His Catholic Church. We're in challenging times, but we are made to rise up and meet the challenges before us with Christ. We'll be proclaiming all that is good, true, and beautiful, applying it to real life, and we won't shy away from the difficult topics, especially lifting up the truth in those areas where it is most unpopular, and therefore most needed. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The disciple of Christ consents to 'live in the truth,' that is, in the simplicity of a life in conformity with the Lord's example, abiding in his truth. "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth." Join us live on the radio, on YouTube, Facebook, or listen to the podcast!

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Episodes

Wednesday Aug 20, 2025

8/20/25 - St. Margaret Clitherow (1556–1586), known as the Pearl of York, was a courageous wife, mother, and martyr who lived during the persecution of Catholics under Queen Elizabeth I. At a time when Catholicism was outlawed and priests were hunted, she bravely transformed her home into a refuge where the Mass could still be celebrated in secret. Her fearless devotion to the faith ultimately cost her life, as she was pressed to death at the age of 30 rather than deny her beliefs or betray the priests she sheltered. Canonized in 1970 by Pope St. Paul VI, Margaret's story continues to inspire Catholics as a powerful example of holiness lived in ordinary life through courage, sacrifice, and steadfast fidelity to God. This video explores her life, her hidden acts of heroism, the circumstances of her martyrdom, and why her witness remains so relevant today.

Thursday Aug 14, 2025

8/14/25 - In Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth, acclaimed political philosopher and legal scholar Robert P. George tackles one of the most vexing issues dividing Americans today. He argues that the "Age of Faith" of the Medieval period and the "Age of Reason" of the European Enlightenments have been followed by a modern "Age of Feeling," in which people derive their beliefs not from faith or reason—or faith and reason—but from emotion, which becomes the central source of truth. And so, many have embraced a fierce moral absolutism on the basis of beliefs that are the products of nothing more than subjective inclinations and experiences. We'll also ask Dr. George about the U.S. Supreme Court's looming decision on same-sex marriage and whether the original ruling may be overturned. Get the book HERE

Wednesday Aug 13, 2025

8/13/25 - Born in rural Oklahoma in 1935, Blessed Stanley Rother was a diocesan priest who answered the call to serve as a missionary in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, where he ministered to the indigenous Tz'utujil people for 13 years. He learned both Spanish and the local Mayan dialect, translated the New Testament into their native language, and worked tirelessly as a pastor, teacher, and friend amid growing political unrest and violence. As government death squads began targeting Church leaders who defended the poor, Fr. Rother refused to abandon his flock, famously declaring, "The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger." On July 28, 1981, he was assassinated in his rectory, becoming the first U.S.-born priest declared a martyr by the Catholic Church.

Tuesday Aug 12, 2025

8/12/25 - We welcome back Bishop Joseph Strickland to share the spiritual depth and personal conviction behind his powerful reflection, "It Is Well With My Soul." Amid growing confusion in the world and within the Church, Bishop Strickland speaks with clarity and courage about finding lasting peace in Jesus Christ. He opens up about why he wrote the reflection, the importance of anchoring our souls in the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart, and the challenge of standing firm in truth and love during times of trial. This conversation is a heartfelt encouragement for all Catholics striving to remain faithful in turbulent times. "When the Church seems to crumble around us, Christ remains," he reminds us. Whether you're discouraged or seeking deeper trust in God, this interview will inspire you to echo the words: It is well with my soul. Read Bishop Strickland's articles at his Substack: https://bishopjosephstrickland.substack.com/

Monday Aug 11, 2025

8/11/25 - CJ Doyle, Executive Director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, returns to break down some current events, including how Massachusetts elected officials and judges are imposing their immorality beyond their own state and onto the rest of the nation. We'll also get into some of the fascinating history of the Catholic faith in Colonial America. Learn more about the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts at https://www.catholicactionleague.org/

Wednesday Aug 06, 2025

8/6/25 - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, born Edith Stein (1891–1942), was a brilliant Jewish philosopher who became a Catholic nun and martyr at Auschwitz. Raised in a devout Jewish family in Germany, Edith lost her faith in her teens and became an atheist while studying philosophy under Edmund Husserl, becoming one of the leading minds in phenomenology. Her conversion began after reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila, leading to her baptism in 1922. In 1933, she entered the Discalced Carmelite Order and took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, offering her life as a sacrifice for her people and for peace. Arrested by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz, she was martyred on August 9, 1942. She was later canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1998 and declared a co-patroness of Europe.

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025

8/5/25 - Missy Reilly Smith is the founder and president of WAKE UP (Women Against the Killing & Exploitation of Unprotected Persons), a 501(c)(3) charity she established after reading a 1999 exposé in The Washington Times about abortionists torturing infants and selling body parts, a catalyst that led to her lifelong commitment to pro life activism. A mother who openly acknowledges her own abortions and now counsels others through prayer, sidewalk outreach, and training programs, Missy has organized high-profile demonstrations, including 100 consecutive Rosary rallies outside the White House in 2009, and produced WAKE UP Chronicles, a magazine promoting chastity and pro-life education. She has twice run for political office, using striking campaign ads that brought national attention, and continues to spearhead legal efforts, including a class-action suit for women allegedly harmed by abortion medications. She frequently takes her mission to the streets, Congress, and beyond, undaunted even by arrests, determined to "save children's lives in the light of Christ." Learn more at https://www.wakeup.mom/

Monday Aug 04, 2025

8/4/25 - Jim and Father Imbarrato discuss the upcoming National Men's March to Abolish Abortion in Boston this November 2025, reflecting on last year's dramatic events when the 2024 march drew intense counterprotests - including a "Clown March" - and resulted in multiple arrests as demonstrators blocked the route and clashed with police. Despite the disruption, Catholic men stood firm in prayer and public witness, delivering a powerful pro-life message at Boston Common. Now, Jim and Fr. Imbarrato call on men of faith to rise again: stronger, more united, and spiritually prepared to defend life with courage and conviction in the heart of a divided culture.

Friday Aug 01, 2025

8/1/25 - Jim and Father Imbarrato discuss the upcoming National Men's March to Abolish Abortion in Boston this November 2025, reflecting on last year's dramatic events when the 2024 march drew intense counterprotests - including a "Clown March" - and resulted in multiple arrests as demonstrators blocked the route and clashed with police. Despite the disruption, Catholic men stood firm in prayer and public witness, delivering a powerful pro-life message at Boston Common. Now, Jim and Fr. Imbarrato call on men of faith to rise again: stronger, more united, and spiritually prepared to defend life with courage and conviction in the heart of a divided culture.

Thursday Jul 31, 2025

7/31/25 - What is the good life, and how do we truly live it? This age-old question has echoed through the halls of philosophy, culture, and religion for thousands of years. But what is the "good life"? Is it comfort, wealth, pleasure… or something deeper? Along with Dr. John-Mark Miravalle, we're diving into the heart of this question through the timeless wisdom of three great thinkers: the philosopher Aristotle, the great Church Father St. Augustine, and the Angelic Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas. Together, they help us explore the true meaning of happiness, virtue, and human flourishing, not just in theory, but in the light of God's plan for our lives.

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