Bruh, where do you get these guests man?! They really are just calling me out within the first 5 minutes. Praying for you guys because of the work you do really edifies people spirituality.
This is so good. I have long thought Catholic sacraments are therapeutic for mind, body and soul but there is room for psychiatric therapy as well and we need Christian therapists.
A prayer I was told to pray is, "Father, show me that I'm loved." However, I then ask the question, "How do I know when He shows it, if I don't know Him very well?" How does a child know he's loved by his father? The attention? God is constantly attentive (otherwise you'd stop existing). The commendations for good works? The responsibilities that strengthen you? I could go on. There are SO many spiritual and temporal things that God has done, is doing, and will do to manifest His love for us, but we just want to focus on the bad and pout. I've honestly been praying Psalm 138 that says, "Probe me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if my way is wicked, and lead me in the way of old!" and Psalm 140, "Let the just man strike me; that is kindness. Let him reprove me; it is oil for my head which my head will not refuse." He answers these prayers too. He is filled with joy as He chastises because we are getting closer to Him. Could you imagine Jesus's joy as He was getting scourged? Couldn't stop thinking about us so He kept smiling...do you think he was scourged extra hard for smiling during it? That's the one thing that makes me feel loved by others: do they enjoy seeing me? But, if I don't like it when people respond to my presence with annoyance, then I can't do that to others. You can't love nor enjoy what isn't good so in order to love God and neighbor, we gotta seek, ask, and knock for the good that God has and is bestowing on all His creation.
Matt, you should interview becket cook- he is a great guy, Protestant at the moment, and is doing solid stuff on chastity. He has quite a story. Thanks for doing wonderful work- your podcast is fantastic!
Thank you for having Isaac on the show. His words spoke right to what I've experienced with anxiety and depression and my relationship with the Father. Thank you!
I used to feel free to share and be incredibly vulnerable. Like true vulnerability. Sometimes I overshared as a default and those times were more coping than true vulnerability, but often it was genuine. But... After the last year I feel like the only lessons I've learned are that people really don't care and won't stay and just be with me in the messy life times. And on top of that there is just a seemingly endless tunnel of grief with my husband's disability etc., I just can't imagine a world where things can be okay. I don't even begrudge my best friend for not being there for me because I don't think it's through any fault of her own...but I just don't have hope. I'm not really suicidal, but I just feel a general and persistent feeling of heartache, that I just long to melt into the walls of my house and feel un-needed and just observe the world around me without being missed.
Anytime I felt uneasy or down, I always liked talking to a priest, because I always knew that my turmoil (I guess you could call it) had something spiritual connecfed to it.
I was so glad I listened to this. Over the past year I've really struggled with thinking that God wasn't interested in the goals I had because everything is always wrong, but it's invaluable to know that he cares.
Oh hey! I am in Maplewood, right next to Oakdale, at this very moment! Cool. Now I'm really sorry I missed this. I would have liked to engage. The only therapist who ever really worked for me was a Catholic therapist. He was way overbooked, and Catholic therapists are very scarce. Need someone who understands the role faith plays in attitudes and actions. My therapist actually prayed with me.
Thank you for this interview! My friend and I were just talking about how to integrate Psychology/Psychotherapy with Catholicism - and she sent me this interview the next day. Clearly there is a real need for this!
Absolutely brilliant! I wish these therapists or some like them were here in Australia. They mentioned the book "The Body Keep the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk. How we hold trauma in the body. A book once you start reading is very difficult to put down; holistically written. I would love to see more of these therapists. May God the Father continue to work through you.
I wish Dr. Breuninger could talk to my daughter she suffers from panic attacks but she lost her faith in God and she's being treated but no faith included, so it's not working it passes momentarily but I don't see any change.
Normally they ARE live. But Matt Fradd is in France right now and had to pre-record a few episodes. He only does that when he has to go out of town and thus, can’t do them live.
My cousin names her daughter "January" and she was born in February. I have another cousin who named her daughter "Crystal" which is nice...but when you hear her middle name "Sky" ...your left scratching your head!
Hearing these Godly men speak about trauma in such a sensible way has been more cathartic than the decades of mainstream therapy and antidepressant/add meds I've subjected myself to!! They're obviously well educated and intelligent men, but I perceive their FAITH has sorted the wheat from the chaff! Medication is necessary for extreme cases like bipolar 1 and schizophrenia, but I believe, from personal and professional experience, it is widely over-used. And. People. Need. God.
This episode was way too short, with that being said, I cried way too hard to take much more of that 😭🥹 beautiful and healing and wonderful episode Matt. Dr. Breuninger is one of my all time favorites on your show
I think it would be an interesting interview..but a difficult one. Taylor Marshall is sitting on the safe side of the fence when it comes to the SSPX, and especially when it comes to the idea of Pope Francis...not being the real Pope. I also think that he denies that Pope John Paul II is a saint! He definitely leads people into believing these things...but afraid to come right out and say it for himself. It seems to me, and I am not saying this snarky, I am saying this honestly, that he should have just remained an Anglican priest in schism. Instead he became a Catholic who is heading towards schism..but taking many down with him! I know he loves Jesus, and is a faithful man...and a good man.. I just wish he could wake up..and get a grip on what he is doing! He needs a good friend right now...one that can really talk to him straight! So anyway, I think these important views will be too difficult for Matt. Pray for Taylor Marshall! ⚘️
This is absolutely phenomenal! Do you realize how opening the closets and chests in Abba's attic is so inviting and so compelling ...AS GIFT? Do you even know when you consider...abuse...trauma... attachment?....(Maximus' well being) Thank you 🙏
I like the distinction between therapy and Spiritual direction. My spiritual director did say to me that these are not therapy sessions and that he is not a psychologist when we began the journey.
Matt, you mentioned eye contact. "Gaze aversion" is a thing--it's shame-based. Good for us to recognize this in ourselves so we can work with it. Just thought I'd mention in case you hadn't come across that.
Unbaptized Catecumen here. How can I pray unceasingly, if I have to study and work hard, especially when I have to concentrate on my tasks, let alone in light of Mark 12:30? Is it a sin to not pray unceasingly? I am not sure if you have to work, study and much more like me, but I cant do this 24/7 in a week. BACKGROUND: Sunday or monday (cant remember exactly) till thursday of the last week I kept praying 1 full Rosary each in those days (to my surprise I prayed them better than winter 2023). But on friday and saturday midday I fell to lust (struggling since I'm 11 years old), by comsuming pornographic material. On Saturday evening, out of sudden compunction set in as I watched a vid on youtube after eating and I cried many tears wondering why or how. I played a videogame afterwards and then did Mental Prayer for more than 15 mins I believe and did not fall till the end of saturday. I have scrupulosity and don't know how to pray unceasingly. Thus, I feel like I am sinning everytime I pray ceasingly (or at least I think so) and remain discouraged. I was even tempted to revert to Islam again and nearly consented, because I thought to myself the muslims pray 5 times a day but catholic are supposed to pray every millisecond, the latter being impossible for me. Later then, by coming to my senses, I realized Islam to be false theologically. Today I cussed out Jesus and Mary repeatedly till now, because I think they are expecting to much of me and are tyrannical to me. Out of rage, I imagine myself beating Jesus into a pulp in front of Mary. I feel like Jesus punishing every so minor fault of mine, that how I at least explain to myself the unfortunate situations befalling me. Please Help! I believe Jesus is torturing me.
