Respect Life Radio

On this week’s episode of Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff welcomes weekly guest Emily Chaffins, a fiction writer and journalist whose work combines a passion for storytelling with a Catholic perspective on faith and everyday life. Emily’s writing has been recognized with multiple Catholic Media Awards and she recently earned First Place for Graduate Fiction from the Florida International University Student Literary Awards. Her journalism has appeared in publications including EWTN News and the National Catholic Register. Deacon Geoff and Emily discuss her recent Catholic Exchange article, “St. Charbel’s Miracles Continue,” which explores the life and powerful intercession of St. Charbel Makhlouf, the Lebanese Maronite monk and hermit canonized in 1977. Emily shares several remarkable accounts of healing attributed to St. Charbel’s intercession, including the restoration of a woman’s sight, a cancer survivor’s testimony and a woman whose long-standing surgical wound unexpectedly healed. The conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on the power of prayer, the witness of the saints and how St. Charbel continues to point people toward Christ in times of suffering and uncertainty. To see more of Emily’s work visit: https://www.instagram.com/the.smallest_things/

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, Deacon Geoff welcomes Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine, Catholic author and speaker, for a thoughtful discussion on the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) and its place within the life of the Church. Eric has dedicated his career to helping Catholics better understand the faith through his writing and leadership at Crisis Magazine. Through many of his recent articles, Eric encourages Catholics to be well-formed in the truth of the Church's liturgy and traditions, empowering them to worship more intentionally and grow in a deeper relationship with God. During the episode, Deacon Geoff and Eric explore the history of the SSPX, its relationship with the Catholic Church and how a proper understanding of the Church's liturgical heritage can strengthen faith while fostering unity within the Body of Christ. To learn more about Eric and his writings visit: https://ericsammons.com/

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, Deacon Geoff welcomes author, teacher and Catholic Exchange contributor Derek Rotty. A husband, father and educator from Jackson, Tennessee, Derek is the author of Prophet of Hope: Fulton Sheen Responds to the Modern World and writes extensively on Catholic history, faith and family life. Together they discuss his newest Catholic Exchange article, Fulton Sheen's Antidotes for Anxiety, exploring how Venerable Fulton Sheen's timeless wisdom can help us find peace in an anxious world. As Rotty writes, "Worship, the virtue of detachment, and works of mercy are eminently practical ways to transform worry, fear, and anxiety into a holy yearning that allows us to experience the abundant life here and now." Tune in to discover how these three practices can lead us away from fear and toward the lasting peace found in Christ.

To read the full article visit: https://catholicexchange.com/fulton-sheens-antidotes-for-anxiety/

Join host Emma Ramirez on this week's Respect Life Radio as she welcomes Gerard Graveline, Executive Director of the FIRE Foundation of Denver. Gerard shares how FIRE Foundation is championing the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, supporting teacher training, funding special education professionals and promoting a culture where every child is welcomed, supported and valued. Together, they explore how authentic inclusion reflects the dignity of every human person and strengthens the entire Catholic school community, allowing students of all abilities to learn, grow and thrive in faith. Gerard also shares his own journey of faith and leadership, offering practical ways families, parishes and individuals can help build a more welcoming Church for everyone. To learn more about the FIRE Foundation visit: https://firefoundationdenver.org/

This week on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff Bennett is joined by Joshua Arnold, a senior writer at The Washington Stand, to discuss his recent article, Christianity Is Normal. In a culture that increasingly treats Christian beliefs as strange or out of step, Arnold explores the reality that Christianity is not something new or abnormal but has been a foundational part of human history and culture for centuries. He encourages Christians to resist the temptation to feel ashamed or defensive about their faith and instead to confidently live out the truth of the Gospel.

Deacon Geoff and Arnold discuss what it means for Christians to recognize the goodness and normalcy of a life rooted in faith, family and the dignity of every human person. They explore how Christians can respond to a culture that seeks to marginalize biblical beliefs while remaining grounded in the truth and hopeful in their witness. Through their conversation, listeners are encouraged to remember that following Christ is not something to apologize for but a joyful calling that can transform individuals, families and society.

To read the full article, visit: https://washingtonstand.com/article/christianity-is-normal.

This week on the Respect Life Radio Podcast, host Deacon Geoff welcomes John Melnikov, a theology teacher in Trumbull, Connecticut. Melnikov holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Fairfield University and an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. He is a regular contributor to Catholic Exchange and Crisis Magazine, where he writes on Catholic culture, morality and the challenges facing the Church today. The conversation centers on Melnikov's recent Crisis Magazine article, Seeking Absolution from the Crowd: Confession in the Age of Algorithm. Together, Deacon Geoff and John examine how social media has transformed the way people seek validation, replacing authentic repentance with public performances of apology and approval. They discuss the sacrament of Confession as God's true path to forgiveness and freedom, contrasting it with the fleeting acceptance offered by online audiences. This thoughtful episode invites listeners to rediscover the healing power of God's mercy and the peace that comes through genuine conversion.

To read the full article visit: https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/seeking-absolution-from-the-crowd-confession-in-the-age-of-algorithm

For this week's Respect Life Radio podcast, host Deacon Geoff welcomes Fr. Joseph Gill, a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, pastor, high school chaplain and teacher. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Fr. Gill is also a frequent contributor to Crisis Magazine. The conversation centers on his recent article, "Demonic Deception of Kids' Sports," in which Fr. Gill explores how the increasing demands of youth sports and extracurricular activities can subtly pull families away from Sunday Mass and the Eucharist. He argues that while sports and activities are good in themselves, they can become distractions when they are treated as equal to or more important than worship of God. Fr. Gill challenges Catholic families to place Christ at the center of their schedules and reclaim Sunday as a day dedicated to the Lord. Tune in for an engaging discussion on faith, priorities and how families can remain rooted in the Eucharist amid the busyness of modern life.

To read the full article visit: https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/demonic-deception-of-kids-sports

Host Emma Ramirez welcomes Caitlin Burnett, BSN, RN, a registered nurse and Fertility Care Practitioner at Bella Health + Wellness, for an informative conversation on Natural Family Planning (NFP). Drawing from more than 20 years of nursing experience in pediatrics, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, Caitlin shares how teaching women to understand their fertility has become her passion. She is certified in the Creighton Model, Marquette Method, and Standard Days Method and has helped educate families at Bella Health + Wellness since the clinic first opened. During the episode, Emma and Caitlin discuss the beauty of Natural Family Planning as a life-affirming approach that empowers couples to better understand God's design for fertility and women's health. Caitlin explains the differences between several NFP methods, addresses common misconceptions, and highlights how fertility awareness can help identify underlying health concerns while strengthening communication within marriage. Whether listeners are newly engaged, married, or simply interested in learning more about authentic women's healthcare, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement for embracing fertility as a gift rather than a problem to be solved. To learn more about NFP visit Fertility Education — Bella Health + Wellness

Join host Deacon Geoff as he welcomes weekly guest Andrew J. Peach, J.D., Ph.D., a former philosophy professor and current attorney. Andrew is the co-author of An Introduction to Catholic Ethics, a textbook used in Catholic high schools across the United States. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including First Things, The Thomist, Crisis Magazine, Touchstone Magazine and Catholic Exchange. He and his wife Kathryn have four children. In this episode, Deacon Geoff and Andrew discuss his recent Catholic Exchange article, "Teaching Ethics 'The Little Way.'" Together they explore how Catholic ethics should begin not with today's most debated moral issues but with the everyday virtues that shape faithful disciples. Inspired by St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her "Little Way," Andrew explains how practicing humility, charity and self-control prepares us to defend the dignity of every human life. Don't miss this thoughtful conversation on virtue, moral formation and living out the Gospel of Life through the ordinary moments of daily life. To read Andrew’s article visit: https://catholicexchange.com/teaching-ethics-the-little-way/

This week on Respect Life Radio, Deacon Geoff welcomes Michael J. Lichens, former editor of Catholic Exchange and a prolific Catholic writer whose work has appeared in both Catholic and mainstream publications. Holding an M.A. from the University of Chicago Divinity School, Michael has dedicated much of his career to researching, writing and editing works that uncover the richness of Catholic faith, history and literature. The conversation focuses on Michael's recent Catholic Exchange article, "St. Gemma Galgani, A Soul Willing to Suffer." Together, he and Deacon Geoff explore the life of St. Gemma and her profound willingness to unite her suffering with Christ. Michael reflects on what made St. Gemma such a remarkable witness of faith and how her example challenges modern Catholics to better understand suffering, sacrifice and trust in God's providence. Michael reminds us that we do not know what God can do with what we offer Him and to trust that “…great conversion come from the simplest of prayers”. Drawing from the themes of the article, this episode offers a compelling look at the spiritual value of redemptive suffering and the enduring relevance of the saints in our daily lives. Join us for an insightful discussion that invites listeners to see suffering not as an obstacle to holiness but as a path toward deeper union with Christ.

To learn more Michael and his work visit: mlichens.com