Author: 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.

Dealing with Anxiety – January 19, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Allen Hoffa joined Patrick for a conversation about anxiety and the spiritual life. Topics included: anxiety & its sources (3:20), anxiety yesterday and today (11:23), depression (14:56), caller: my coworker doesn’t believe in anxiety (19:54), caller: my son has depression; what should we do? (26:18), caller: I have depression & anxiety (33:06), anxiety & […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Processing Hardship – January 18, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Bobby Blood joined Patrick for a conversation about leaning on faith during difficult times. Topics included: dealing with pain (4:56), caller: I like praying the Stations of the Cross during difficult times (11:29), caller: Relevant Radio helps me during difficult times (15:45), caller: I love praying the Our Father (19:30), email: how do you […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Uniting Our Prayer & Work – January 17, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Matthew Spencer, OSJ joined Patrick for a conversation about work. Topics included: work & God’s plan (2:56), why do we work? (9:24), St. Anthony of the desert (12:24), caller: we used to pray in the Navy (16:27), caller: I feel my husband engages more with work than with us (22:16), caller: I left my […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Prayer & Receiving God’s Love – January 16, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Bryce Sibley joined Patrick for the first time to discuss prayer as receiving God’s love. Topics included: what prayer is (5:35), understanding the walls that we have in prayer (12:32), distortions about God (20:37), feelings & the presence of God (27:54), if our sin is too great for God (38:25), and unforgiveness (44:23).  Podcast: […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

All About Fasting – January 15, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Matthew Widder joined Patrick for a conversation about fasting. Topics included: Jesus’ fasting (3:14), temperance & pride (8:54), caller: what if I enjoy fasting? (15:41), caller: is it OK to fast from social media? (23:54), caller: fasting from food is easy; what should I do? (28:53), caller: my mom told me to offer up […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Discerning the Will of God – January 12, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father John Paul Erickson joined Patrick for a conversation about discernment. Topics included: what discernment is (3:39), vocations (11:08), caller: how do I discern? (20:46), caller: discerning the big decisions (25:45), do we get better at discernment with time? (29:03), caller: should our pastor be our spiritual director? (36:23), caller: I feel like I missed […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Overcoming Scrupulosity – January 11, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Patrick Hyde, OP joined Patrick for a conversation about scrupulosity. Topics included: what scrupulosity is (3:29), signs of scrupulosity (11:37), caller: did I make a good confession? (19:18), caller: The Mindful Catholic has helped me (27:40), preparing for confession (35:25), email: how do I grow in trust? (41:37), and seeking professional help (45:27).  Podcast: […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Dealing with Doubt – January 10, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Peter Armenio joined Patrick for a conversation about religious doubt. Topics included: doubt (4:10), the anthesis of faith (10:02), caller: question vs. doubt (14:55), do questions lead to doubt (20:58), email: sometimes I doubt God’s love (24:42), email: Zachariah & Mary’s responses to the angel (30:34), caller: am I worthy of God? (32:40), email: […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Supporting Your Parish Priest – January 9, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Brian O’Brien joined Patrick for a conversation about supporting priests. Topics include: the sacrament of Holy Orders (3:59), Fr. O’Brien’s vocation story (6:38), misconceptions and challenges (9:54), priest burnout (18:37), email: what if your priest doesn’t support you? (21:51), caller: I pray for priests during the rosary! (24:41), caller: I participate in the Seven […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Raising Kids in the Faith – January 8, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Chris Walsh joined Patrick for a conversation about handing down the faith. Topics included: father’s faith growing up (3:16), the family life of Jesus (7:20), caller: I thinking explaining the mass to kids is important (12:34), priests & family life (19:34), parents as primary educators (22:47), caller: I think its important to invest in […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Baptism of the Lord – January 5, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Tom Wilson joined Patrick to discuss Jesus’ Baptism. Topics included: the Baptism of the Lord in the Gospels (4:55), Baptism as a foundational moment (11:19), caller: my daughter won’t baptize her children (21:56), Jesus as priest, prophet, and king (26:12), caller: recognizing Jesus as Messiah (31:22), knowing the date of our Baptism (37:48), connection […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Examination of Conscience – January 4, 2024

Podcasts, The Inner Life
Father Rob Kroll, SJ joined Patrick for a conversation about making an examination of conscience. Topics included: what a conscience is (2:57), St. Ignatius of Loyola (9:35), awareness of our shortcomings (16:59), caller: I struggle with OCD (23:20), caller: how can I distinguish between mortal and venial sin? (28:27), email: I find myself committing the […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more