Way of the Heart Podcast

Jake and Brett talk with Father Boniface Hicks, a monk who serves as the director of The Institute for Ministry Formation at St Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He is also Jake’s spiritual director. :) This conversation dives deep into this season's topic of "the Good Life?" from the perspective of a monk. The guys talk about the different ways to be a man and how the lives of the saints contrasts with how society tells us to live.  Key Points What the good life looks like in the priesthood/religious life. Learning from the saints about what life can look like. Dealing with repetitive tasks as a priest, husband and father and how to keep our hearts in it. What it means to let yourself be loved. The false pursuits people often follow that don't actually lead to happiness. Why St. Joseph is a strong male role model. Being overwhelmed in inadequacy.   Key Quotes “Love until it hurts and then there is no more hurt & only more love.” Mother Theresa “St. Joseph was perpetually inadequate but never weak.” -Jake References Fr. Boniface’s WebsiteThe Institute for Ministry Formation @ Saint Vincent Seminary Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic  

In this episode of Way of the Heart, Jake & Brett are joined by long time friend, Peter White. Peter is a Registered Clinical Counselor that has known Jake professionally for years and watched Brett hoop during his prime basketball years. They discuss a wide variety of topics including the beauty and difficulties of marriage, how men and women respond differently to conflict, how conflict can lead to great things & the importance of good fathers. This is one of our deepest conversations yet and we hope that it speaks to your heart. Key Points The beauty and difficulties of marriage. A discussion about how people, especially men, get married without an understanding of what it takes for a marriage to thrive. Trends in boy’s/men’s personal growth since the feminist movement Psychologically, men tend to have a fight or flight mentality. Women tend to have a tend and mend mentality. This dates back to the earliest humans. Men tend to fight alone. Women work together.  Conflict in marriage can be generative. The importance of fatherhood. Inviting our sons to something higher by letting them punch a little above their weight. The distorted desire to build an empire instead of serving your neighbor. How to drop the facade and get to more of your true self.   Key Quotes “Most men are far more sensitive than they let on.” -Peter “Your wife cannot fully understand the contents of your heart if you’re shouting at her.” -Peter    References Peter’s Website Warren Farrell’s Website Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic

In this episode of Way of the Heart, Jake and Brett are joined by a close friend of the show, Dr. Christopher West. Christopher is a renowned Catholic author and speaker on the topic of human sexuality. This conversation touches on many topics that appear in our everyday lives. The guys also address the temptations of worldly desires and how they give a false sense of what is considered good. Dr. West shares several examples from his life experiences about what “the good life” has meant to him and the lessons he has learned in his personal life and professional training. Key Points The modern idea of the good life that is pushed on us in today’s culture is actually a lie There is always going to be an unreachable ideal of what society expects you to be Having security in yourself as it comes from the Father A discussion of the 4 levels of happiness The idea of the good life being a journey References Dr. West’s Website Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake and Brett sit down this week and speak with Dr John Bergsma. Dr. Bergsma is a professor at Franciscan University and one of the leading Scripture scholars in the nation. The guys talk about “The Good Life” and how it relates to Dr. Bergsma’s personal faith and professional expertise. They touch on how the Catholic faith allows people to connect with the Father through both Scripture & Tradition and what cultivating a deeper relationship with the Lord might look like. Key Points Why we need more than just the Bible as Catholics. How Scripture and Tradition work hand in hand. What it means for a man to have access to his heart and how that awareness helps us to grow into better men. What the good life means to Dr. Bergsma Maximilian Kolbe - What is sin? We are loved by a God that wants to be our Father What is the weight of the word "good?" Making "Nourish and Cherish" a central part of your relationships References Dr. Bergsma’s Website Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic  

Way of the Heart continues diving deeper into the theme of “the Good Life.” Joined by Bishop Scott McCaig, the guys dive into conversation regarding the 4 levels of happiness and how that contributes towards our fulfillment. They discuss how the levels of happiness help motivate us to become a better person and often leads to improving the quality of life for yourself and family. They also take a look into the many unhealthy desires for success that people hold in their hearts. This episode is a must listen for anyone wanting to learn more about how to use the levels of happiness to satisfy their needs for fulfillment. Key Points The good life is reaching happiness on all four of it’s levels The foundations of the idea of the good life is the Greek philosophers Finding happiness in something external is the most basic level of happiness: material objects, physical pleasures, etc. The pros and cons associated with the pursuit of each level of happiness Owning possessions is fine unless you let the possessions own you Happiness by comparison. Being happy due to your successes. Happiness from doing good for others. Happiness from reaching out with our hearts to other people. Perfect happiness recognizes that our deepest fulfillment yearns for something not of this world: Heaven.  References“Fulfillment of All Desire” by Ralph Martin “Finding True Happiness” by Fr. Robert Spitzer“Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World” by Miroslav Volf Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake & Brett begin Season 13 with the primary question of “Are you happy?” They discuss where they will be headed in their new season about “the good life.” The guys open up about their personal lives and dive into the matters of the heart on what truly makes them happy and fulfilled. They explain how this season they will be laying out the groundwork for a life worth living. Get ready to explore how we can all live more peaceful, loving and fulfilling lives this season. Key Points Are you happy? We have to take a step back and get under surface level thoughts to examine what is going on deeper in our hearts What are the things that lead to a good life? “The unexamined life is not worth living” -Socrates We need relationships to help give us perspective on how our lives are going. On our own we can become complacent, too negative or over-confident. How do we find peace? ReferencesWay of the Heart S12 E7 with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake & Brett tease they’re upcoming season called “The Good Life.” They share how excited they are and Brett calls it their most important series yet! Some great conversations, guests and life lessons are coming to you starting January 11th. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!  Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!   Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake & Brett close out Season 12 with a conversation about Teddy Roosevelt’s "Citizen in a Republic" speech commonly known as the “Man in the Arena” speech. They discuss how to deal with critics(including your internal one), strive for excellence and battle in the arena of sexuality. Key Points Only voices in the arena matter. Don't listen to external critics. Sometimes the critic is our internal one. In a world of critics, we should be encouraging each other Excellence honors God but it cannot take His place We should be using our charisms to honor God and build up our family and friends, not for our own personal gain. How to battle in the arena of sexuality Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks! Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Have you ever wondered which of your every day thoughts are from God, and which are not? Or have you ever contemplated, “What’s God’s will?” when faced with a decision, big or small? A series of simple principles called the Ignatian Rules of Discernment can bring clarity to these questions and more. They are a 500-year-old playbook to understanding the spiritual movements of our everyday lives and in this bonus guest episode, Jake and Brett unpack the Fourteen Rules of Discernment with the modern master of discernment, Fr. Timothy Gallagher. Fr. Timothy has written countless books on St. Ignatius’s teachings and hosts a podcast to bring these foundational spiritual principles to a modern audience. Though they are simple, they are transformational for growth in the spiritual life. Discussion Questions What stood out to you in this episode? Before listening to this episode, had you heard of discernment? What did you think it was? How has your understanding of discernment changed after listening to this episode? Resources The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living, Fr. Timothy Gallagher (book) The Discernment of Spirits in Marriage, Fr. Timothy Gallagher (book) Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making, Fr. Timothy Gallagher (book) The Examen Prayer, Fr. Timothy Gallagher (book) Discerning Hearts - The Discernment of Spirits (podcast) frtimothygallagher.org (website) Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks! Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Today, Jake and Brett welcome their last guest of Season 12, Simon Kyne, to the podcast. You may not recognize his name, but Simon is the ‘friend’ mentioned in many stories throughout our episodes. In fact, Way of the Heart would not be here without Simon, since he introduced Jake and Brett years ago. For more than two decades, Simon has walked with Brett and Jake individually as a foxhole friend, at different times feeling called to pray for each of them for one hundred days straight. Simon joins the conversation to tackle the absolute necessity of brotherhood, loneliness and what to do when the longing for close friendship is unfulfilled. Discussion Questions What stood out to you in this episode? Who can you ‘lend strength’ to as a brother? Do you believe you are worthy of belonging and deep friendship? Resources The Pope & the CEO, Andrea Widmer (book) Connect with Way of the Heart: Facebook: @wayoftheheartpodcast Instagram: @wayoftheheartpodcast Website: www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow as holy men by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks! Audio editing by Forte Catholic