Respect Life Radio

RLR Interview with Ann Burns: “Propriety: A Skill to Help Avoid Near Occasions of Sin and Scandal — and to Grow in a Happy Life”

Today on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff Bennett is joined by Ann Burns — wife, mother, and founder of The Feminine Project (https://feminineproject.com/), a community dedicated to helping Catholic women cultivate their minds, build authentic sisterhood, and restore the beauty of true femininity at the heart of the home and society.

Ann discusses her recent Crisis Magazine article, “Propriety: A Skill to Help Avoid Near Occasions of Sin and Scandal — and to Grow in a Happy Life”. She explores the virtue of propriety, a habit rooted in charity and humility, and how today’s “you do you” culture often excuses treating others poorly or justifying sinful tendencies. The loss of propriety, she notes, leads many to speak without reflection, neglecting the pauses that allow charity to guide our words and help us see each person as a beloved son or daughter of God.

Deacon Geoff and Ann also reflect on how discernment and reverence can shape the ordinary decisions of daily life. They emphasize the call to witness Christ in all we do and to place Him — rather than personal preference — at the center. Reclaiming the virtue of propriety brings true freedom and teaches us to live well. If you would like to read the full article visit: https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/propriety-a-skill-to-help-avoid-near-occasions-of-sin-and-scandal-and-to-grow-in-a-happy-life

RLR Interview with Dr. Ray Guarendi: Drama-Free Discipline

Join us this week as we welcome Dr. Ray Guarendi — father of ten, seasoned clinical psychologist and beloved Catholic author — for a heartfelt, real-world conversation about family, faith, and raising children in today’s world. Drawing on decades of experience and his own large family, Dr. Ray discusses his latest book, Drama-Free Discipline, offering straightforward, effective strategies for parents seeking calm, consistency, and clarity in the home. Whether you’re navigating sibling rivalries, bedtime battles, morning routines, or the challenge of modern privileges like smartphones or driving — this episode will equip you with solid advice. Dr. Ray’s calm-authority approach helps you replace nagging, arguments, or chaos with respect, consistency and loving leadership. Tune in for a compassionate, faith-rooted take on parenting that doesn’t rely on fancy jargon — just common sense, Christian values and a deep commitment to helping parents raise children with integrity, character and love.

To purchase his book or learn more about Dr. Ray Guarendi visit: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/drama-free-discipline/

RLR Interview with Costanza Miriano: Blessed is the Day We “Got It Wrong”

Today on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff is joined by Costanza Miriano, an Italian wife, mother of four and internationally known blogger with more than 3 million readers. Costanza shares insights from her new book, Blessed is the Day We “Got It Wrong”, which reflects on the beauty, humor and grace found in the messy, imperfect moments of family life.

Her book offers a witty, practical and deeply spiritual guide to thriving in marriage, drawing from her own experiences and real-life stories. With humor and honesty, she explains why holiness grows through struggle, why spouses should stop trying to change each other and how prayer strengthens marital love. Miriano also outlines ten “maintenance rules” for keeping love alive, navigating crises and supporting a spouse through challenges.

Together, Deacon Geoff and Costanza explore how embracing our limitations opens the door to holiness, why joy grows when we stop trying to control everything, and how family life becomes a school of love when lived with trust in God. She also highlights the value of embracing the Cross, overcoming obstacles to conversion and presenting a unified front in parenting. If you are interested in purchasing the book, you can find it here.

RLR Interview with Raquel Rose: The Little Rose Shop

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Raquel Rose—wife, mom, school-counselor-turned-entrepreneur and passionate advocate for life. As a young college student, Raquel found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy at age 21, a moment she describes as terrifying and isolating. But at the same time, she experienced an encounter with the Eucharist that brought healing, hope and a decisive turn toward choosing life. From this thorny season emerged The Little Rose Shop—a creative storefront born out of faith, crafted items and the desire to bring the Gospel into the everyday. Her daughter became “the rose to her thorns,” and the business name is a tribute to the fact that what appeared painful became fruitful.

She shares about how The Little Rose Shop doesn’t just design cute faith-inspired products, but builds a vision of pro-life that reaches from the unborn child to the marginalized person, from the home to the marketplace. Whether you’re a mom, a business person, a church-goer, or someone who simply values life and hope, Raquel’s story is an invitation: say yes to what seems scary, trust God’s plan and let your every-day gifts become part of a larger mission.

Tune in to hear how the “little rose” of her life has blossomed into a movement for dignity and life in every season.

Visit the The Little Rose Shop at thelittleroseshop.com.

RLR Interview with Gabriel Garnica - Distraction and Misdirection: The Demonic Shell Game

In this week's Respect Life Radio, we have weekly guest Gabriel Garnica, Catholic writer, spiritual director and law professor to discuss the spiritual warfare that lies beneath some of today's most pressing social issues. Within the interview, Deacon Geoff highlights Gabriel's article written in the Catholic Stand titled, "Distraction and Misdirection: The Demonic Shell Game". Gabriel unpacks how a tactic of spiritual warfare of "smoke and mirrors" leads individuals to experience misdirection, false narratives and emotional pain. This can prolongs the state of proper regulation that has the power to perpetuate lasting negative impact. Through sharing his thoughts on the debates of abortion and illegal immigration, he calls listeners to a deeper vigilance, reminding us that these are not just policial issues, but eternal ones. Gabriel drives the importance of growing in critical thinking skills and to ponder the narratives that are often presented within society to deepen our ability to respond with a firm and steadfast love. Tune in for a profound conversation on how Christians can discern the real threat and resist the shell game of deception. 

To read the full article visit: https://catholicstand.com/distraction-and-misdirection-the-demonic-shell-game/

RLR Interview with Msgr. Laurence Spiteri: Newman for Our Time: Saint, Scholar, and Doctor of the Church

This week on Respect Life Radio, join us for an engaging conversation with Msgr. Laurence Spiteri as he explores his newly-released book Newman for Our Time: Saint, Scholar, and Doctor of the Church. He delves into the life and legacy of St. John Henry Newman—recently declared a Doctor of the Church—and draws out how Newman’s call to truth, conscience, and conversion speaks powerfully into today’s culture of life and dignity. Msgr. Spiteri shares, “We do not have to give up to be like Christ but have to open up our entire life and all of its aspects so Christ can take it over”. For Newman, his conversion embodies a journey that we all are called to embrace. Every step taken towards Christ, is a step towards wholeness, communion and fulfillment that leads to mission here on Earth. Tune in for a powerful look at how Newman’s heart-to-heart dialogue with God and humanity continues to inspire faithful living in our time.

To learn more about Msgr. Laurence and to purchase his new book visit: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/newman-for-our-time/

RLR Interview with Carolyn McKinney: “What I Hope My Sons Will Learn from the Life of Charlie Kirk.”

On this episode of Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff Bennett welcomes Carolyn McKinney, a Catholic wife, mother, and business owner, to discuss her recent Catholic Exchange article, “What I Hope My Sons Will Learn from the Life of Charlie Kirk.” McKinney shares how reflecting on Kirk’s life and recent passing inspired her to consider the kind of men she hopes her sons will become—men of faith, courage, and conviction. She highlights virtues from Kirk’s example that she wants her sons to emulate: an unashamed faith in Christ, deep love for family, courage paired with charity, kindness toward others, and a vision rooted in what is good, true, and beautiful.

In conversation with Deacon Geoff, McKinney reflects on the challenge and hope of raising sons in today’s culture, encouraging parents to model faith and virtue at home. While acknowledging the grief that follows the loss of a public figure like Kirk, she expresses confidence that his witness can inspire a new generation to live boldly for the Gospel. The episode ultimately calls listeners to form young people who know their dignity in Christ and live it out with courage, compassion, and conviction—carrying forward a legacy of faith that transforms both family and culture.

Read her full article here: What I Hope My Sons Will Learn from the Life of Charlie Kirk

Respect Life Radio: Building Stronger Families with Jordan Langdon

On this episode of Respect Life Radio, hosts Emma and Jennifer welcome Jordan Langdon, Executive Director of Families of Character, a nonprofit dedicated to helping couples parent with confidence by keeping God first, marriage second, and family third.

Jordan shares her personal journey of marriage and raising three children, reflecting on how embracing this Christ-centered model transformed her family life. Through seasons of struggle and growth, she and her husband discovered the power of viewing family as a team—one rooted in love, joy, and mutual service. Jordan also emphasizes the importance of prayer, and how transformative it is in the foundation of marriage and family life.

Families of Character offers practical tools for couples seeking to strengthen their marriages and live out their vocation with purpose. To learn more or explore the Thriving Family Accelerator Program or inquire about speaker opportunities, visit familiesofcharacter.com or contact Jordan at jordan@familiesofcharacter.com.

RLR Interview with David Bonagura: "The Obligation of the Conscience,”—an adaptation from his introduction to Jerome’s Tears: Letters to Friends in Mourning

Join us this week on Respect Life Radio as we welcome back David Bonagura Jr., author of 100 Tough Questions for Catholics: Common Obstacles to Faith Today and adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary and Catholic International University. This episode dives into his recent essay for Catholic Exchange, “The Obligation of the Conscience,”—an adaptation from his introduction to Jerome’s Tears: Letters to Friends in Mourning (Sophia Institute Press). In his essay Bonagura writes:

“Conscience, in recent decades, has been recast as an argument for relativism and a shield to cover one’s immoral choices. … ‘I know that the Church teaches this act is wrong, but my conscience tells me that it is okay, so therefore I’m going to do it.’”

In our conversation we go deeper into questions like:

• What does the Church mean by the “obligation of conscience”?
• How do we properly form our conscience through study, prayer and engagement with Church teaching?
• What happens when conscience is mis‑formed or abused in the face of cultural relativism?
• How does this relate to life issues, moral decisions and a Catholic’s adherence to truth—not merely personal preference?

Whether you’re navigating complex cultural questions or looking to deepen your understanding of Catholic moral life, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement for forming a conscience rooted in truth and faith. Tune in and deepen your understanding of why conscience is not just “what I feel,” but a sacred responsibility to live in alignment with God’s law. 

RLR Interview with Dr. Anne Hendershott - Symbols of Disruption: The Demonic in an Age of Uncertainty

This week on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff sits down with Dr. Anne Hendershott to dig deeper into her Crisis Magazine essay, “Symbols of Disruption: The Demonic in an Age of Uncertainty.” In our conversation, Dr. Hendershott reflects on why horned figures, occult motifs and other disruptive symbols are not just aesthetic trends — she argues they are signs of spiritual dislocation in a culture floundering for identity. “We are living in an age where the demonic isn’t hidden — it’s performing, it’s presenting itself publicly,” she notes, underscoring the urgency of perceiving symbolism as a spiritual battleground. Dr. Hendershott also warns against reducing demonic influence to archetypes or metaphors. She reminds us instead that spiritual evil aims to destabilize truth, confuse identity, and separate us from a transcendent moral order. In responding to this, she emphasizes discernment, sacramental life and a renewed awareness that evil often works through symbols, narratives and cultural gestures before manifesting overtly.

To read the full article visit: https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/symbols-of-disruption-the-demonic-in-an-age-of-uncertainty