Father and Joe

“If the computer gets smarter than me… is that a problem?” Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks tackle the fear narrative around AI by comparing it to other powerful tools (cars, planes) that required strong safeguards—not panic. They explore why AI lacks moral intuition, how optimization without ethics can harm, and why deepfakes and spoofing demand new habits of verification. The conversation lands in the three lenses: honesty ab...

AI is powerful—but it’s not a person. In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks cut through hype and fear to frame AI as a tool in service of human creativity and relationship, not a replacement for them. We explore how parents and educators can guide kids wisely, why presence beats perfection, and how prudent governance and virtuous use turn technology into a channel for love. Throughout, we hold the three lenses: hone...

Is humility making yourself small… or living in the truth? Joe and Father Boniface unpack humility as honesty—seeing ourselves as we are before God—and why that frees us to use our real gifts in service (yes, even taking the seat that has your name on it). We explore self-forgetfulness, how affirmation heals the reflex to self-protect, and practical ways to grow from self-concern into self-gift. Throughout, we keep all three lenses...

What if the story of your life isn’t “nothing much happened”… but a mission God is speaking through you? Joe and Father Boniface unpack how tiny, daily choices—patience with family, taking out the trash with care—shape a saint’s storyline, and why zooming in on micro-moments actually clarifies the bigger horizon. We explore St. Thérèse’s wisdom about doing the next small thing with great love alongside Pope Francis’ call to see you...

A three-year-old, a muddy car wash, and a sudden flash of Scripture—Joe’s everyday moment becomes a doorway into Holy Thursday. Together, Joe and Father Boniface explore why Jesus, the Master, takes the servant’s role and washes the apostles’ feet—and how that single act reframes leadership, confession, and the Paschal Mystery. We look at what it means for our week: letting Christ love us first, cooperating with grace, and serving ...

When a simple litany lands, you feel it. In this conversation, Joe and Father Boniface reflect on praying the “Litany of Healing and Repentance” before the Blessed Sacrament—four short responses that draw Jesus close, open our wounds to His love, and re-center daily life. We talk about using these invocations before Mass (or anytime), and why letting God into real emotions—abandonment, anger, discouragement—becomes the doorway to h...

In this thought-provoking episode of the "Father and Joe" podcast, hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey delve deep into the potential impacts of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), on human relationships and spiritual life. The conversation builds on the last week's discussion about the encroachment of AI in personal interactions, highlighting the dangers of relying too heavily on technology ...

In this episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey dive deep into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence and its implications on human relationships. With AI becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s crucial to understand its impact, especially on the sanctity and quality of human connections. Father Boniface and Joe explore the nuances of trust within relationships in an age wh...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," co-hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey dive into the often overlooked occurrences of physical disruptions in the Bible and what they can teach us about faith today. They discuss scenes from the scriptures where seemingly reckless acts, like destroying property or radically altering one's environment, are pivotal in revealing deeper spiritual truths. T...

In this compelling episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey delve into the profound concept of what it truly means to make an offering to God during Mass. Often perceived as just the physical gifts like bread and wine, this episode uncovers the depth of offering our entire lives—including our emotions and experiences—as a symbolic gesture transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. Joe sh...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey dive into the complexities of artificial intelligence and its impact on human relationships, work, and spirituality. They continue their discussion from the previous week, sharpening their focus on the socio-economic reasons behind AI's rapid growth and its ethical implications.

Joe opens the conversation by exploring how AI is...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface engage in an insightful conversation exploring the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on contemporary society. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent across various sectors, Joe shares his experiences and observations from a business standpoint, highlighting the economic motivations behind AI's proliferation. He emp...

In this enlightening episode of "Father and Joe", hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey delve into the pervasive issue of distractions that challenge our personal focus and spiritual growth in today’s hyper-connected world. They explore how instant accessibility, through technology like smartphones and emails, has amplified our vulnerability to constant disruptions, pulling us away from our primary goals and weakening our ...

Welcome to today's episode of "Father and Joe," where hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey delve into the intricate dance of navigating human relationships through the lens of faith and spirituality. Amidst a backdrop of familial observations, Joe shares personal insights into the profound differences between his two young sons despite their shared environment. This sparks a deep dive into the challenges and be...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey delve into the profound meaning of sacrifice in the context of spiritual growth and our relationship with God. Building upon past discussions, they explore the deeper implications of the phrase "accept these sacrifices at my hands" uttered during the Mass.

Father Boniface clarifies that this sacrificial act exten...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey delve into the complexities of understanding and applying Jesus’ two greatest commandments, especially focusing on the challenge of loving one's neighbor. Our hosts begin by exploring the often-paraphrased commandments: loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor as yourself, often quoted as the 'Golden Rule.&...

In this enlightening episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey delve into the profound journey of transforming from mere onlookers to active participants in the Mass. This transformation is likened to the difference between watching a NASCAR race and being one of the drivers, feeling every exhilarating moment. Father Boniface emphasizes that this journey is not an all-or-nothing proposition; ...

In this enlightening episode of Father and Joe, hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey tackle a common challenge faced in both missionary work and personal faith journeys: effectively communicating the vast benefits of attending Mass. Using the analogy of sales and products with multiple benefits, Joe introduces the idea that one needs to understand the needs of the person they're engaging with to convey the most relevant benefi...

In this enlightening episode of the "Father and Joe" podcast, hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey dive into the complexities of choice, perception, and how we handle the inevitable storms of life. Set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh's often overcast skies, Joe shares a personal anecdote about making the most out of a rainy day, symbolizing how life's literal and figurative downpours present us with opportuni...