Conversations with Jackie and Bobby

Bobby talks with Jack Beers, a friend and fellow mentor with the CatholicPsych Institute, about his journey to Catholicism, dealing with health obstacles and Crohn's disease, and the joy of walking with others through the ups-and-downs of their lives.

Jack Beers is the founder and leader of The Catholic Mentor, a ministry dedicated to helping you rise to the occasion of your life. On top of over a decade in ministry as a sp...

Jackie talks with Stacy Trasancos about her recent book IVF is Not the Way and explores the stance of the Catholic Church towards IVF, the rights of human embryos, the cross of infertility, and more.

Stacy A. Trasancos is an adjunct professor of science and theology in the Catholic Studies program at Seton Hall University and in the undergraduate and graduate programs at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, where she is also the Und...

Bobby talks with Michael Gasparro, a licensed therapist and musician about his faith journey, his work in the mental health field and sharing our creative gifts.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #131154 and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #10913 in California, Michael Gasparro helps treat a wide variety of mental health issues with compassion and a Christ-centered worldview. He is passionate about the intersecti...

Jackie talks with Renzo and Monica Ortega about their new book "Lovemaking: How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse,” and share insights into relationships, sex, and love. Renzo and Monica Ortega are Catholic ministry leaders, podcast hosts, authors, and speakers. They host the popular marriage podcast, Two Become Family (also available on YouTube), and are co-authors of the marriage conversation starter, “Lovemaking: How to Ta...

Bobby talks with Laraine Bennett and her daughter Dr. Lianna Bennett Haidar about anxiety, what it is and what we do about it, highlighting their newest book Anxiety: A Catholic Guide from Freedom and Fear.

Laraine Bennett has a master's degree in Philosophy and has co-authored 5 books with her husband, Art: The Temperament God Gave You, The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, The Temperament God Gave Your Kids, The Emotions God ...

Jackie & Bobby celebrate episode #50 of the podcast, recap their Lenten 2025 travels, and breakdown Bobby's newest book, The Postmodern Predicament with Sophia Institute Press, out now!

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The Postmodern Predicament: And a Roadmap for Recovery and Restoration, out now!

Sophia Institute Press:https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-postmodern-predicament/

Amazon: https://a.co/d/aefmVo4

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Thanks for listening! For mor...

In this episode, Jackie speaks with Mary Lenaburg, an author, speaker, mentor, and retreat leader. Mary shares her testimony and remarkable journey of hope and healing in marriage and motherhood.

Connect with Mary and learn more about her ministry at https://marylenaburg.com/ ----2025 Pilgrimage to Croatia & Medjugorje, info here: https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/pilgrimage-to-medjugorje-with-kim-zember-jackie-franc...

We talk in this episode with Fr. Mike Schmitz, longtime friend and collaborator on Ascension Presents, recording from SEEK 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. We reminisce on old ministry moments, the Catholicity of Captain America, and being encouraged in our walks with the Lord. Father Mike Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the Universi...

We talk in this episode with Fr. Carter Griffin, a priest of Washington DC, on the topic of formation specifically for marriages and families. We also talk about his newest book, Forming Families, Forming Saints available now with Emmaus Road Publishing at the St. Paul Center.

Father Carter Griffin is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington. A graduate of Princeton University and a former line officer in the United States Navy,...

Jackie & Bobby talk about their recent travels, notably Jackie's pilgrimage to Poland, some thoughts on Pope John Paul II's earlier work Love & Responsibility, and highlight Jackie's new book---(Memorize Scripture: Simple Steps to Pray, Ponder, and Practice God's Word (https://a.co/d/gFnrmpG)-- coming soon! ... Jackie NEW book, "Memorize Scripture: Simple Steps to Pray, Ponder, and Practice God's Word" with Ave Maria Press...

Bobby talks with ministry friend Johnna Sullivan, a trained mentor with the CatholicPsych Institute. They talk about Johnna's formation, testimony, and her pull towards ministering to "the misfits" within the Church, especially those coming from broken and blended families. Johnna Sullivan served as a missionary in Haiti, is the mother of her 11-year-old son Levi, and lives in Guilford, Connecticut. She attended the Franciscan Un...

Bobby talks with Dr. John Bishop about his work on FORGE, a new platform designed to build a foundation of healthy fathers, strong families, and empowered evangelizers to revitalize the family, transform our culture, and rebuild the Church. John earned his Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on masculine virtue. He worked at FOCUS in various positions before founding FORGE in 2023...

Jackie & Bobby talk about their recent anniversaries, going through withdrawals after the Olympics, and their summer travels, particularly the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years. -- Jackie on Hallow's series on St. John Paul II: https://hallow.com/challenges/244/

Fr. Mike Schmitz on the Olympics' Opening Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ueAVZwFJbwThe

National Eucharistic Congress: https://w...

Jackie talks with María Paula Aldana on her upbringing in Colombia, her testimony of faith, and her global ministry teaching the Theology of the Body. María Paula Aldana is a digital content creator, international speaker, writer and expert in Theology of the Body, and in teaching comprehensive sexuality education. She was a theology student at Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá Colombia and has studied at the Theology of ...

Bobby talks with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames about his life, his calling as a Franciscan Friar, and insights from his newest book "The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You Into the Heart of God." Fr. Mark-Mary Ames is the Director of Communications and the Director of Priestly Studies of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR). The primary mission of the CFR community is a wholehearted embracing of Jesus Christ and their Holy F...

Jackie talks with Dr. Julia Sadusky about her books and clinical work, moving beyond "the talk" as a one-time event, and practical advice for parents to engage in conversations with their kids (or teens) about sex and the goodness of the body. Dr. Julia Sadusky is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of a private practice in Littleton, CO. She is also an author, consultant, speaker, and adjunct professor. Dr. ...

Bobby talks with good friend and fellow minister Chika Anyanwu about her experience in ministry, moving beyond comfort, and going back to (grad) school. Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic evangelist, former Confirmation coordinator/youth & young adult minister, and the author of My Encounter: How I Met Jesus in Prayer.

Her love of God and neighbor enthuses her to share the gospel through testimony, scripture, and honest conversatio...

Jackie talks with friend Mari Pablo about her journey in ministry, why Easter needs to be celebrated for more than one day, and having a relationship with Jesus.

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. She holds bachelor's degrees in theology and psychology from Franciscan University of Steubenville...

Bobby talks with Dr. Bryan Violette about his faith story, psychology and culture, and his new endeavor of hosting "the Catholic Sinner Show." While studying moral theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, CT, Dr. Violette volunteered in local impoverished areas and learned firsthand how devastating mental illness can be to family life. This impassioned him to attend to the growing need for professiona...