In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Freedom In The Spiritual Life – The Inner Life – June 29, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley
  • (8:24) Fr. Alan Hoffa joins Deacon Patrick Conley to discuss freedom in the spiritual life.
  • Break 1
  • (20:05) Tom – In Russian, the word for freedom connotates no restraint whatsoever. I believe that the Soviet Union had people living out this view.
  • St. Peter and Paul were free because of how they lived their lives in Christ
  • (28:04) Email – Bonnie – In the spiritual canticle St. John calls wandering thoughts nymphs. Is it a sin to have these thoughts?
  • Break 2
  • (39:38) Justin – Freedom of sin led to me to prison but now I’m following the Lord. I tell students in OCIA that we need to follow rules placed by the Church and our Lord allowing us to travel the road of life safely and freedom is gained through that.
  • (44:53) Email – Robin – what are the differences between religious freedom and spiritual freedom. Father Hoffa also addresses how does serving others help us become more free.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.