Best Recovering Catholic Podcasts (2025)

1
Parenting After Leaving High-Demand Religions: Why It’s Harder but Healthier 14:38

Play Pause

2d ago14:38

14:38

Are you worried about how leaving a high-control or high-demand religion might affect your children's upbringing? Many parents fear that without the strict structure of their former faith, their kids may struggle or become "rebellious." This episode challenges those fears, explaining why parenting outside authoritarian religious systems can actuall…

1
Personhood Rising: A Catholic Call to Defend Every Human Life (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 11/21/25 48:42

6h ago48:42

48:42

11/21/26 - We explore the growing movement for legal and spiritual recognition of every pre-born child as a human person made in the image of God. As personhood becomes an increasingly urgent topic in the public square, we reflect on the Church's clear and unwavering teaching that human life must be protected from the moment of conception. We also …

1
The Most Dangerous Man in England: Newman and the Laity - Paul Shrimpton 1:30:29

10h ago1:30:29

1:30:29

Paul Shrimpton assisted in the process of making St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. He joins the podcast to discuss his involvement in the process, and his new book from Word on Fire Academic, "The Most Dangerous Man in England": Newman and the Laity. During his lifetime, Newman was a controversial figure within the Catholic Church in la…

1
SOTC 2025 Mini Fall Appeal - Day Two - 11/20/25 50:14

2d ago50:14

50:14

11/20/25 - Today on The Simple Truth, Jim Havens recaps the Men's March to Abolish Abortion as well as the Rally for Personhood. If you enjoy The Simple Truth and the other great Catholic programs from The Station of the Cross, please consider making a donation of any size to support our apostolate! As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, your …

1
SOTC 2025 Mini Fall Appeal - Day One (Joanne Wright) - 11/19/25 49:34

2d ago49:34

49:34

11/19/25 - We are joined today by Joanne Wright, co-founder of The Station of the Cross Catholic Media Network! If you enjoy The Simple Truth and the other great Catholic programs from The Station of the Cross, please consider making a donation of any size to support our apostolate! As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, your donations are tax…

1
An Exploration of MAGIC in Kabbalah's Hidden Lineage w/ Dr. Marc Gafni #510 1:28:38

1d ago1:28:38

1:28:38

In this surprise-topic conversation, Rebbe Dr. Marc Gafni takes us deep into the esoteric and magical threads of Kabbalah- first confirming that magic is real- exploring how invisible forces connect all things and how we can participate in them through intention, devotion, and love. Moving beyond *only the realm of* spells and mysticism, Marc revea…

1
How Our Lady of Martyrs National Shrine Transformed My Life (Bill Baaki) 49:10

3d ago49:10

49:10

11/18/25 - Bill Baaki, attorney and dedicated board member of the historic Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Fultonville, New York, shares the deeply personal journey that drew him into a life of faith, service, and devotion to the North American Martyrs. Bill reflects on the moments of grace, suffering, and providence that shaped his spiritual path, t…

1
#122 Count Your Blessing, and Count Your Crosses as Blessings too : Meet Fr. Michael Sliney 46:35

4d ago46:35

46:35

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life Podcast, Cathy Jo meets and talks with Father Michael Sliney. Father Michael was born and raised in a Catholic, faith-filled and loving home. His personal relationship with Jesus started at a very young age. And, it continues to lead Father in all areas of his life and ministry. Father shares deta…

1
Embryo Adoption Explained: Moral Questions Every Catholic Must Understand (Dr. Elizabeth Rex) - 11/17/25 47:54

4d ago47:54

47:54

11/17/25 - Dr. Elizabeth Rex, president and co-founder of the Children First Foundation and one of the nation's leading advocates for "snowflake" embryo adoption, joins us for an in-depth Catholic examination of the moral questions surrounding the rescue and implantation of frozen embryos. Drawing on decades of pro-life research and testimony, Dr. …

1
"You'll only need your degree if your husband dies" | Deconstructing spiritual trauma from high control groups 13:39

6d ago13:39

13:39

Have you ever been told that your education only matters if your husband dies, and felt something inside you recoil even while you tried to believe it was "godly wisdom"? This episode explores the spiritual trauma women face in high control religious groups and the process of recovering from abuse and harmful conditioning. If you were taught that y…

1
Bishop Joseph Strickland Speaks Up to the USCCB… And Gets Ignored (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 11/14/25 50:05

7d ago50:05

50:05

11/14/25 - We examine Bishop Joseph Strickland speaking out during the USCCB fall assembly about a confirmation liturgy on 8 November in which Gio Benítez - in a civil same‑sex marriage - was confirmed, his spouse acted as sponsor, and both received Holy Communion at a Mass concelebrated by James Martin, S.J. Bishop Strickland told the Committee on…

1
Should mothers work outside the home? w/ Margaret H. McCarthy 1:51:16

8d ago1:51:16

1:51:16

Should mothers work outside the home? If you want an answer more solid than groundless internet opinion or conveniently vague appeals to personal discernment, this is the podcast for you. Margaret McCarthy joins the Catholic Culture Podcast to discuss her essay on why anti-sex-discrimination law's treatment of the sexes as abstract interchangeable …

1
Springs in the Desert: Navigating Infertility From A Catholic Perspective (Ann Koshute) - 11/13/25 49:08

8d ago49:08

49:08

11/13/25 - We welcome Ann Koshute, co-founder of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic ministry dedicated to walking with those struggling with infertility. Ann shares her own journey and the mission behind Springs in the Desert: to bring hope, understanding, and healing to men and women who often suffer in silence. We discuss the emotional, spiritual,…

1
“Who Controls Your Mind?” ADVANCED Mind Techniques of a Champion | Bode Miller #509 1:19:08

9d ago1:19:08

1:19:08

Olympic champion Bode Miller is the greatest USA Downhill Skier of all time. But it wasn’t because he was bigger, stronger, or more athletically gifted than his competitors. It’s because of the absolute mastery of his mind, and the way he merged the spiritual with the physical. I have NEVER met a single human with more control over their thoughts t…

1
Venerable Patrick Peyton: How One Priest's Rosary Revolution Changed the World (Joanne Wright) - 11/12/25 49:31

9d ago49:31

49:31

11/12/25 - Venerable Patrick Peyton was a priest whose devotion to the rosary reached millions worldwide. Born in 1909 in Ireland and later emigrating to the United States, Fr. Peyton experienced the hardships of immigrant life, which shaped his mission to strengthen families through prayer. As the founder of the Family Rosary Crusade, he used radi…

1
Breaking the Rule to Always Say Yes: Reclaiming Intuition from Religious Trauma 15:34

9d ago15:34

15:34

Why were women taught to always say yes, even when their intuition screamed no? In this episode, we dive deep into how religious trauma and spiritual abuse in high control and high demand religions train women to ignore their inner voice, often at the cost of their safety and self-worth. If you grew up in such an environment, you might have been co…

1
#121 Looking for Inspiration to ignite Your Faith? Meet Professional Athlete and Catholic Evangelist, Dan Venezia! 47:28

11d ago47:28

47:28

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life, Cathy Jo talks with Dan Venezia. Dan is a Professional Athlete, Speaker and Author of "Surviving Covid"- How Faith, Focus, Fitness, and Hydroxychloroquine Saved Me. Dan was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY by a single parent and Catholic Mom. In 1993 he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. And, the…

1
Learning to Pray with the Book of Common Prayer — with Jonathan Kanary 1:26:21

11d ago1:26:21

1:26:21

Most of us learn to pray by listening to others. But what if we could learn from the prayers of believers who have gone before us — prayers shaped by Scripture, refined through centuries, and written to form our hearts and words together? In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Kanary about The Book of Common Prayer — what it is, how it’s structured…

1
Religious Trauma and the Pressure to Have Many Children: Healing Spiritual Abuse from High-Control Religions 15:11

12d ago15:11

15:11

If you were raised in a high-control faith and still feel guilt around having fewer or no children, this episode offers healing for religious trauma and spiritual abuse pressures. Many women learn to prove their worth through unlimited childbirth, often at the expense of their health, finances, and dreams. In this episode, we explores the motives b…

1
Inside the National Men's March to Abolish Abortion: Boston 2025 Recap (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 11/7/25 49:23

14d ago49:23

49:23

11/7/25 - Jim Havens and Father Stephen Imbarrato, co-founders of the National Men's March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood, look back on a powerful weekend in Boston, Massachusetts — a gathering of thousands of men of faith who marched, prayed, and publicly witnessed to the truth that abortion is the preeminent moral crisis of our time…

1
Settling Differences Between Catholics and Protestants (Dr. Adam Van Wart) - 11/6/25 43:47

15d ago43:47

43:47

11/6/25 - Many of the sharpest divisions between Catholics and Protestants trace back not to Scripture itself, but to how words and ideas have been interpreted across centuries of separation. Dr. Adam Van Wart, professor of theology at Ave Maria University, unpacks the roots of these misunderstandings and offers a path forward rooted in truth and c…

1
#120 Anxiety, Worry and Fear Getting the Best of You? You're Not Alone! 10 Things you can do to keep anxiety at bay! 24:01

16d ago24:01

24:01

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life, Cathy Jo addresses the topic of Worry. If you worry too much, anxiety overwhelms you, or fear controls your actions, this episode is for you! Anxiety is a feeling. And, we all experience it at certain degrees. But, if you are in a constant state of worry or fear, there are things that can help. A…

1
The Schoolteacher Who Bore the Wounds of Christ: Teresa Higginson's Hidden Holiness (Joanne Wright) - 11/5/25 46:36

16d ago46:36

46:36

11/5/25 - Teresa Helena Higginson (1844‑1905), born in Holywell, Wales, spent her life as a humble schoolteacher while living a remarkable hidden sanctity. From her childhood in a devout Catholic family to her work in schools across Wigan, Bootle, and Edinburgh, she quietly bore suffering, illness, and the challenges of teaching with unwavering fai…

1
Deconstructing "Men are the head, but women are the neck" | Reclaiming your voice after spiritual abuse and leaving a high-demand religion 17:19

17d ago17:19

17:19

If you grew up in a high-control religion and are recovering from abuse, you might still find yourself self-censoring or managing others subtly instead of expressing your true needs. This episode deconstructs the "men are the head, women are the neck" metaphor, unpacking how it fuels sexism and unhealthy communication patterns that linger even afte…

1
How One Catholic Theologian Found God Through Augustine and Thomas Aquinas (Dr. Gerald Boersma) - 11/4/25 45:43

17d ago45:43

45:43

11/4/25 - Dr. Gerald P. Boersma, Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University and Humboldt Fellow at the University of Tübingen, shares his personal journey of faith, scholarship, and conversion of heart through the wisdom of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. In this conversation, Dr. Boersma reflects on how studying the Church Fathers and the…

1
#119 Looking for Programs and Services that Support Children and Families with Special Needs? : Meet Executive Director of Sensational Fun:Cheryl Guggemos 33:32

18d ago33:32

33:32

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life, Cathy Jo introduces Listeners to the Cheryl Guggemos. Cheryl is the Executive Director of Sensational Fun, and she shares her passion for working with children with special needs. Cheryl talks about where this passion comes from, and how and why she and Jennifer Vasquez started this organization …

1
“I know this church is true” deconstructed. | The role of blind faith in religious trauma and spiritual abuse in high demand religions 15:48

19d ago15:48

15:48

What if letting go of the need to be 100 percent certain is the very thing that finally gives you peace? If you grew up in a high demand religion repeating statements like “I know this church is true,” you were trained to prize certainty over curiosity. This episode helps you recognize how that conditioning can fuel anxiety, people-pleasing, and bl…

1
Final Call to Catholic Men! Join the National Men's March to Abolish Abortion in Boston (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 10/31/25 51:30

21d ago51:30

51:30

10/31/25 - Tomorrow, men from across America will gather in Boston, Massachusetts, for the National Men's March to Abolish Abortion—and this is your final call to stand up for life. Join Jim Havens and Father Stephen Imbarrato, co-founders of the Men's March, as they deliver one last powerful invitation for men of faith and courage to take their ri…

1
Catholic Men Rally in Boston to End Abortion Now! (Pam Stenzel) - 10/30/25 49:35

22d ago49:35

49:35

10/30/25 - Jim Havens sits down with pro-life powerhouse Pam Stenzel to preview this weekend's National Men's March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood, a bold public witness calling men of faith to rise up and lead in the defense of life. Pam shares how this movement is awakening Catholic and Christian men across the nation to take respon…

1
# 118 Looking for Inspiring and Quality Entertainment by a Country Music Artist and Songwriter from Buffalo, NY? Meet Noah Lee Koningisorn from Noah and The Stetsons! 26:03

23d ago26:03

26:03

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life Podcast, Cathy Jo has the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Noah Lee Koningisorn, otherwise known as "Noah Lee and The Stetson's". After seeing Noah perform live and enjoying his undeniable talent and showmanship , Cathy Jo wanted others to know and experience Noah's God-given talent as well! …

1
Why Christianity Needs To Return To CHRIST w/ Aaron Abke # 508 2:26:51

23d ago2:26:51

2:26:51

What if the Christianity we've been taught has almost nothing to do with what Jesus actually said? What if modern Christianity has less to do with the message of radical love from Jesus, and more to do with the zealous teachings of the ‘apostle’ Paul? In this mind-blowing conversation, former pastor and biblical scholar Aaron Abke drops bombshell a…

1
How Frank Duff and the Legion of Mary Transformed the Catholic Church (Joanne Wright) - 10/29/25 48:01

23d ago48:01

48:01

10/29/25 - Servant of God Frank Duff (1889–1980) was an Irish layman whose deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary led to the founding of the Legion of Mary in Dublin in 1921. Rooted in the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort, Duff encouraged ordinary Catholics to become apostles through prayer, humility, and personal outreach. His vision transform…

1
Am I Still a Good Person After Leaving Religion? Heal Spiritual Abuse, Trauma, and Shame from High Demand Religion 15:32

24d ago15:32

15:32

After you left your high-control group, do you secretly worry that leaving may have made you a 'bad' person? Spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and shame from high demand religions can impact our lives long after leaving. This episode speaks to that lingering fear by separating your personal morality from church attendance, so you can stop second-g…

1
Cardinal Cupich, Pope Leo & the Fight for Life (Bishop Joseph Strickland) - 10/28/25 49:06

24d ago49:06

49:06

10/28/25 - Join us for a powerful and timely conversation with Bishop Joseph Strickland as he addresses the Catholic Church's moral duty to speak clearly and forcefully against abortion. Drawing from his recent pastoral letter, "Before I Formed You in the Womb, I Knew You," Bishop Strickland responds to Pope Leo XIV's recent remarks and the controv…

1
Replay: What Every Christian Can Learn from the Church Fathers 57:24

25d ago57:24

57:24

We’re reposting this episode in anticipation of Reformation Day. John Henry Newman once said, "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." Dr. Michael Haykin disagrees — and in this conversation, he shows why Christians today need the wisdom of the early Church Fathers. Join us as we explore: What Cyprian, Athanasius, Augustine, Ignatius, …

1
Meet the Lawyer Who Helped "Roe" Find Redemption — and Changed History While Doing It (Allan Parker Jr.) - 10/27/25 47:49

25d ago47:49

47:49

10/27/25 - We're joined by Allan Parker Jr., President of The Justice Foundation, as he shares the history, mission, and spiritual conviction behind one of America's most influential pro-life legal ministries. Founded in 1993, The Justice Foundation provides free legal representation to protect life, faith, and family while defending the constituti…

1
#117 The thought of The Holiday Gatherings and Opposing Political Views Stressing You Out? 5 Ways to deal with conflict this Thanksgiving and Christmas 29:55

26d ago29:55

29:55

Inside today's episode of the Unplanned Joyful Life, Cathy Jo addresses the issue of opposing political views being the culprit for stress and tension at holiday gatherings. Holiday traditions might change. You may not celebrate with the regular crew this year. And, there might be less faces gathered around the table for Turkey Dinner. But there ar…

1
Deconstructing “Submit to Your Husband” | Women’s empowerment as an antidote to spiritual abuse after leaving high-demand religions 16:34

26d ago16:34

16:34

Have you ever been told to “submit to your husband”? This episode of Brainwash Be Gone unpacks one of the most damaging and normalized teachings from high-control, high demand religions and reveals how it impacts women’s autonomy, self-worth, and relationships even after leaving religion. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, self-censorsh…

1
Tucker Carlson GOES OFF on Abortion At Turning Point USA Event at Indiana University! (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 10/24/25 49:45

28d ago49:45

49:45

10/24/25 - Jim and Father Imbarrato faithfully unpack remarks made by Tucker Carlson at a Turning Point USA campus event at Indiana University, in which he characterized abortion as "murder… the same ritual that every civilization ever studied has engaged in… human sacrifice," and asserted that "the only thing that matters is having children" in co…

1
Incorruptible: The Life and Faith of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster (Royce Hood) - 10/23/25 50:56

29d ago50:56

50:56

10/23/25 - Catholic filmmaker Royce Hood shares the extraordinary story behind Incorruptible: The Life and Faith of Sister Wilhelmina, a new Catholic film that explores the miraculous discovery and profound holiness of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, foundress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. When her body was discovered remarkably pres…

1
Meet John Bradburne: The Devoted Poet Whose Life Ended in Service to Lepers! (Joanne Wright) - 10/22/25 47:51

1M ago47:51

47:51

10/22/25 - John Bradburne's journey from England to the heart of Africa is a story unlike any other. A decorated World War II veteran and Oxford-educated poet, he spent years wandering through Europe and the Holy Land in search of God's will. His path ultimately led him to Zimbabwe, where he devoted himself to caring for men and women with Hansen's…

1
Triumph of the Heart director faced glorious trials making great Catholic art - w/ Anthony D'Ambrosio 54:31

1M ago54:31

54:31

An episode from Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast, too good not to share for Catholic Culture Podcast listeners! Anthony D'Ambrosio directed, wrote, and produced the outstanding new film Triumph of the Heart about St. Maximilian Kolbe. In this inspiring interview, he discusses the difficult path he and his team charted to produce this independent…

1
Heck yeah, “My Body is a Temple” | What women exvangelicals, exmormons, recovering catholics, and former jehovah’s witnesses need to recover from religious trauma and fully enjoy our bodies 12:59

1M ago12:59

12:59

Have you ever been told “your body is a temple” in a way that left you feeling ashamed, restricted, or disconnected from yourself? For many of us, this is part of our religious trauma. If you’re healing from high-control religion, rules about modesty, purity, and appearance can linger as anxiety, scrupulosity, and disconnection from your own desire…

1
This Catholic Bioethicist Traveled to 81 Countries Defending Life — Here's What He Learned (Dr. Joseph Meaney) - 10/21/25 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

10/21/25 - Dr. Joseph Meaney has spent his life defending the sanctity of life on every continent, from Vatican halls to remote mission fields. In this powerful personal testimony, the internationally respected bioethicist and pro-life leader shares the journey that led him from studying history and Latin American culture to earning a PhD in bioeth…

1
# 116 The Magnificent Vocation of Motherhood: Meet Suzanne Bilodeau Wife, Momma of 6, Podcast Host and Author 40:14

1M ago40:14

40:14

Inside today's episode of The Unplanned Joyful Life Podcast, Cathy Jo will meet and talk with Suzanne Bilodeau. She is a Wife, Momma of 6, Podcast Host and Author. An Academic and Professional Overachiever who encountered Christ in the early stages of motherhood. After being brought to her knees due to her inability to do this incredible work alone…

1
“Motherhood is your highest purpose” can lead to low self-worth and religious trauma. How exvangelicals, excatholics, and exmormon women can choose an authentic life whether they have kids or not. 15:32

1M ago15:32

15:32

What if your worth has nothing to do with whether you become a mother, how many children you have, or how perfectly you parent? If you were taught that motherhood is your highest purpose, you might still feel pressure, guilt, or confusion when your real life does not match that script. This episode helps you untangle those messages so you can build…

1
Virginia Governor Race 2025: What's at Stake for the Pro-Life Movement (Fr. Stephen Imbarrato) - 10/17/25 49:32

1M ago49:32

49:32

10/17/25 - Virginia's governor's race has become one of the most consequential political battles in the country, not just for partisan control, but for the future of pro-life protections in the Commonwealth. At the heart of the race is a stark contrast between candidates who promise to increase abortion access up to birth and those who have pledged…