Being Human

• Episode 214: Mental Health & Social Media: How to Start a Digital Detox for the Soul

  Feeling overwhelmed by endless scrolling? Discover how a faith-based digital detox can help you reclaim peace of mind. In today's hyperconnected world, our minds are constantly bombarded by notifications, newsfeeds, and endless scrolling. But is social media helping us—or hurting us? Dr. Greg Bottaro sits down with Darrell Miller of MAX Studios to explore the mental, emotional, and spiritual effects of digital overload. Together, they discuss why social media fuels anxiety and comparison, and how faith-based mindfulness can help us unplug and reconnect with real life. Key Topics: The hidden mental health costs of digital overload How dopamine addiction keeps us glued to our screens Why social media fuels anxiety, comparison, and loneliness How faith & mindfulness offer a Catholic alternative to secular digital detox trends Practical steps to set healthier tech boundaries—without missing out Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 07:30 – How Social Media Affects Mental Health 12:48 – Faith & Mental Well-being 14:25 - Helping Children with Anxiety 21:30 – Social Media Causing Loneliness 35:50 – A Catholic Digital Detox Plan Learn More: MAX Studios at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, creating innovative digital content. Duc In Altum Schools – Supporting Catholic educators and fostering faith-based education. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – A book exploring the impact of social media and digital culture on mental health. Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier – A book examining modern therapy trends and their effects on mental well-being. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – A book on trauma, stress, and how the body holds psychological distress. Catholic Mindfulness Program – Dr. Greg Bottaro’s mindfulness approach integrating Catholic faith and psychology. The Church and the Internet  – Vatican document on the internet and technology use. Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

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• Episode 213: Are Faith and Psychology at Odds? Unpacking the Biggest Mental Health Questions

  Think faith and mental health don’t mix? Think again. In an interview with Oscar Rivera on Ave Spotlight, Dr. Greg breaks down the biggest myths about psychology and Catholicism. Are faith and psychology at odds? Where do we draw the line between normal emotions and real mental health struggles?  Can prayer cure anxiety? Is therapy un-Catholic? How do you beat seasonal depression? Tune in for a fresh perspective on faith and mental well-being! Discussed in this episode: The surprising connection between faith and mental health; Why Catholicism and psychology are not at odds; How the Catholic Church has studied the human person for centuries; Why anxiety and depression don’t mean you lack faith; How Jesus, Mary, and the saints experienced human emotions; The biggest myths about mental health in the Catholic community; When to seek professional mental health support; How to tell if you’ve crossed a threshold into needing professional help; Practical steps to combat seasonal depression; The power of relationships and community in mental well-being; How prayer and gratitude affect mental well-being; How the CatholicPsych Institute is changing the mental health conversation; A personal story of Dr. Greg’s first encounter with Jesus; Encouragement for anyone struggling with mental health today. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Listen to more episodes of Ave Spotlight with Oscar Rivera Follow Ave Maria Press & Oscar on Social Media: @AveMariaPress @OscarTwoten Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;  Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you! Rate, review, and subscribe Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends. Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings. For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

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• Episode 212: Take Your Prayer Life to the Next Level: Discover the Secret to Unlocking Your Deepest Capacity

  If you’ve ever felt stuck in your spiritual life—doing all the right things but still not feeling closer to God—this episode is for you. Dr. Greg explores the layers of distraction that keep us from deeper prayer, and how to quiet the noise of our own narratives and hear God's voice in the stillness.  Discussed in this episode: Why doing all the right things in your spiritual life doesn’t always lead to feeling closer to God; How interior noise and distraction can block us from hearing God's voice; Understanding the layers of inner narratives that shape your perception of God; Why silence in prayer can feel uncomfortable—and how to move through it; The role of self-awareness in spiritual growth; St. John Paul II’s concept of “incommunicability” and what it means for your interior life; How to discern between your own thoughts and God’s voice; How God speaks in ways we don’t expect—and how to recognize His presence; The importance of patience in deepening prayer and overcoming distractions; How to redirect thoughts that pull you away from prayer; What to do when God’s only response seems to be silence; How past wounds and false narratives can affect your ability to hear God; Practical ways to apply Catholic mindfulness in your daily spiritual practice. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Learn more about Catholic daily accompaniment: Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship; Grow in self-awareness and freedom through the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat; Once you clear away the noise and listen to God's voice in the silence, learn how to how to understand what God is saying to you through the Discernment of Spirits; Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;  Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you! Rate, review, and subscribe Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends. Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings. For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

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• Episode 211: The Growth Myth: Why You Can’t Do It Alone

  Think growth is all about grinding harder or going it solo? Think again. In this episode, Dr. Greg dives into the surprising truth about growth: it takes both trusting God and showing up yourself. Tune in for practical tips and a fresh perspective on breaking through plateaus to experience real transformation. Discussed in this episode: The importance of balancing trust in God with personal responsibility in the growth process; Why relying entirely on God or entirely on yourself leads to stagnation; A practical understanding of the phrase: "Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you"; Why growth is a process of continual conversion, fueled by grace and effort; The dangers of self-sufficiency and extreme self-reliance in the growth process; How spiritual paralysis and passivity can hinder growth; What it means to start growth from where you are, not where you want to be; Why mistakes are essential for growth and learning; The importance of humility and being open to correction in the growth journey; The necessity of dreaming big and aligning those dreams with God’s greater plan. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Learn more about Catholic daily accompaniment: Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship; Grow in self-awareness and freedom through the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat; Previous episodes on Growth: Episode 210: Are You Safe But Stuck? Uncovering Hidden Obstacles Blocking Your Growth Episode 208: A Trick to Unlock Hidden Secrets in Your Unconscious Episode 207: The Consequences of Not Dreaming Big Enough Episode 10: Why Failure Is a Good Thing Need help? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;  Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you! Rate, review, and subscribe Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends. Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings. For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

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• Episode 210: Are You Safe But Stuck? Uncovering Hidden Obstacles Blocking Your Growth

  Discover the blind spots and defense mechanisms quietly holding you back from real growth. In this episode, Dr. Greg unpacks tough truths, shares relatable personal stories, and offers practical insights to help you break free and flourish. Discussed in this episode: The importance of growth and development in becoming the best version of yourself; Blind spots and defense mechanisms: how they form and why they hold us back; The role of avoidance in blocking personal growth; Personal insights from Dr. Greg’s life and leadership at the CatholicPsych Institute; The value of outside perspectives, such as consultants, mentors, and spiritual directors; How blind spots are similar to scabs and calluses—defense mechanisms that protect but also limit us; The connection between personality traits and defense mechanisms; Why personality tests can be helpful but don’t define your identity; The beginner’s mind: approaching growth with humility and openness; How blind spots can lead to years of avoiding challenges or tough decisions; The importance of seeking help proactively rather than waiting for crises to force growth; Why embracing growth is a lifelong journey that leads to freedom and fulfillment. Resources mentioned or relevant:  Feeling stuck? Schedule a free consultation to to explore how working with a Mentor can help you move forward;  Grow in self-awareness and freedom through Catholic Mindfulness; Feeling called to help others? Learn more about our Certification program (CPMAP): CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism; Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available; Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more; Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more! Follow:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicPsych  Instagram: @catholicpsych  X: @CatholicPsych Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you! Rate, review, and subscribe Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends. Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings. For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!

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