This Whole Life
How does our mental health relate to our faith? How can we become whole while living in a broken world? Every day, we all strive to encounter God amidst the challenges of balancing faith and family, work and leisure, our sense of self and complicated relationships. Pat & Kenna Millea bring joy, hope, and wisdom to those who believe there *is* a connection between holiness and happiness. Kenna is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; Pat served for 15 years as a youth minister; together they have 7 children and a perfectly imperfect marriage. From their education and experience, they share tools, resources, interviews, and stories that point the way to sanity and sanctity. (Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.)
Episodes
90 episodes
Ep100 How to Actually Pray Together as a Couple (Without It Being Weird)
"Being connected to your spouse in prayer, even when things are hard, maybe especially when things are hard, is one of the best ways to know that person." ~ Pat MilleaWhy do so many couples want to pray tog...
Hikers Survive Moose Attack: Storytellers #13
"What...what are those?"Don't miss this harrowing tale of escape, invisibility, and survival from Dr. Julia Sadusky 🫎😱
Ep99 Talking to Your Kids About Sex | Dr. Julia Sadusky
"There is literally nowhere else on the face of the earth I'd rather you go than to me." ~ Dr. Julia SaduskyWhy do so many well-meaning Catholic parents freeze when it comes to talking to their kids a...
Wait...who's on their way to our house?! Storytellers #12
Communication in marriage is important.Especially when it involves someone recently released from prison.Peter & Debbie Herbeck are back with some hilarious stories of (mis)communication & forgiveness.
Ep98 What 40 Years of Marriage Actually Teaches You About Christ | Peter & Debbie Herbeck
"The love of Christ was the magnetic force that really drew us together."~ Debbie HerbeckWhat does it actually take to keep Christ at the center of a marriage through decades of real life?What do you do when one ...
Born at 26 Weeks & a Saint's Prayers: Storytellers #11
"We love you, St. Charbel."Who knew those words might have been the ones to save her baby's life?Listen in to this moving story from St. Faustina Maria Pia!
Ep97 How to Trust God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense | Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.
“The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” ~ Jesus, to St. Faustina- Why is it so hard to trust God?- What do...
An Ode to Grandmas: Storytellers #10
Grandmothers can have a beautiful impact on us, even when our families are far from perfect.Kenna brings stories of her two grandmothers in this heartfelt storytellers episode!
The most dangerous career fair in history: Storytellers #9
But don't worry, she can still see.Addy Diaz returns to This Whole Life to share a hilarious story of gaming, shame, and vulnerability. Listen in!
Ep93 Navigating Division and Seeking Peace in Difficult Times
“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."~ John 16:33What do I do when I feel like giving up?Is God present even when things feel hopeless?Is it up to me to sol...
Jesus, Take The Wheel: Storytellers #8
You're on a road trip with Jesus. Where is he sitting?Where are you sitting?
Ep92 Thank God for My Anxiety? w/ Catherine DiNuzzo
"Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you."~ 1 Peter 5:7What is anxiety, really?How do I process my anxiety when it's not helpful?Seriously - thanking God for my anxiety?In this ep...
Screening Prospective Priests & Religious: Storytellers #7
What's it like to have the responsibility of discerning whether a man or woman would be a healthy and suitable priests or religious?Dr. Anthony Isacco shares his humble insights into the quietly holy work of psychological assessments in ...
Ep91 Hope Amid Depression w/ Dr. Anthony Isacco
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed."~ Psalm 34:19Is it a sin to be depression?Is depression really able to be treated and healed?How can I help my loved one who...
A Wondrous Walk in Wyoming: Storytellers #6
What does a Wyoming girl do every time she visits the family farm?Beth Hlabse joins us for this edition of Storytellers and a glimpse of the grandeur, quiet, and beauty of her childhood home.
Ep90 Loving Persons With Mental Illness w/ Beth Hlabse, LMHCA
"But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight."~ Luke 10:33How can I better support my loved one who suffers with mental illness?What is the Church's place in caring for...
When the Hernons *knew* they were meant for each other: Storytellers #5
When do you know that you're meant to marry someone? How much do you ever really know?? Mike & Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project share the story of the...
Ep89 Family from 30,000 Feet w/ Mike & Alicia Hernon
“Where there is no vision, the people perish."~ Proverbs 29:18Why do my spouse and I fight over such trivial things?How can we be more connected in our marriage?How do we create a vision of hope for our...
Spinach & A Spanking: Storytellers #4
Every parent has bad days, but some of those bad days become great stories over time.Especially when there's a literal fork in the road.
Ep88 The Window of Tolerance
"If you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him quietly and simply."~ St. Francis de SalesWhat is wrong with me that I feel so overwhelmed sometimes?Why do I fr...
The Christmas Workout That Didn't Work Out: Storytellers #3
People have different ways of approaching the holidays and holy days.Even people who are sacramentally vowed to one another.And sometimes that's really tricky - but pretty funny in retrospect.
Ep87 Sane Celebrations & Holidays
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."~ 1 Corinthians 10:31Is it really possible to stay sane around the holidays?What if I have real baggage from past holida...
Why This University President Stopped Using Email: Storytellers #1
"Monsignor James Shea stopped using email in 2013."What?!In this inaugural Storytellers episode of This Whole Life, hear about this University president's story of deleting his email entirely: his reasoning, what...
Ep85 Creating Integrated Catholic Culture w/ Msgr. James Shea
"The Christian faith does not destroy culture, but purifies and uplifts it. It takes away nothing of genuine value from a society or nation, but strengthens whatever is good for the betterment of all."~ St. John Paul II
Ep84 Holy Sex, part 3: Expectations, Desires & NFP w/ Renzo & Monica Ortega
"Each family finds within itself a summons that cannot be ignored, and that specifies both its dignity and its responsibility: family, become what you are."~ St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, §17...