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Can a saint have a criminal past—or be condemned for doing what was right? Matt and Father Sam discuss saints who experienced conversion, false accusations, and in some cases, martyrdom. From St. Paul and St. Mary of Egypt to St. Joan of Arc and St. Maximilian Kolbe, they revisit history with a hopeful reminder: no one is too far gone. Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam and I (Matt) sit down to discuss how God is both fully Just and fully Merciful. Admittedly, we open up with about ten minutes about the saints, about having a true relationship with them. But, in all fairness, it turns out that the saints epitomize living out God's Justice & Mercy. All there in the end!  Enjoy this week's episode of the Tangent!  - Matt  NOTES  Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam and Matt discuss Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of Him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the Holy Angels”.  The conversation goes into discerning how each of us are called to share the Gospel (we're not all called to be public speakers), how to share the Gospel with humility instead of arrogance, and why are not to be ashamed of the Gospel.  Enjoy this week's episode!  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Apple released the iPhone Duo. Naturally, we turned it into a discussion on the way technology has changed how we pray. Quit Googlin, Keep Prayin. -Matt  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam and Matt each returned from trips last week. They sat down to discuss those trips and quite nicely transitioned into a conversation on the goodness of God. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of the Tangent!  - Matt  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Noelle Mering, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of "No Contact" & "Awake, Not Woke", traces the cultural forces behind the cultural trend to cut off family members. She shows how political conflict, gender ideology, and COVID disputes have helped turn ordinary tension into permanent rupture. She also makes the case that the real danger isn't just fractured family ties - it's the way this mindset trains people to see disagreement as an attack on identity. You'll discover: - Why "no contact" is sometimes necessary, but often overused - How boundaries stopped meaning "protect the relationship" and started meaning "protect myself" - The difference between legitimate abuse and the social contagion of cutting people off - Why politics and identity have become so tightly fused that disagreement feels personal - How resentment, self-justification, and nonstop narrative-rehearsal keep wounds open - What "high differentiation" means and how it helps people disagree without collapsing into fear - Why levity, gratitude, and a strong family culture matter more than perfect arguments Notes Noelle's Book: https://sites.prh.com/nocontactbook Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

In this episode of The Tangent, Fr. Sam and Matt sit down with Doug Barry — founder of RADIX, longtime EWTN host of Battle Ready and Life on the Rock — for a conversation about what Catholic manhood actually requires, naturally AND spiritually. What we get into: The difference between authentic Christian manhood and the "macho" counterfeit Why demons are "lawyers from hell" — and what changes when the father of the house prays out loud Pearl Harbor, December 8, 1941, and the quality of courage men have lost Bailing water vs. plugging the holes in the boat: why confession alone isn't a strategy Discipline as formation, and how physical training builds spiritual strength A concrete day-one regimen — Mass, confession, adoration, the Rosary, fasting, mortification "Exodus 365" and how to offer up a bad knee, a traffic jam, or one more Zoom call What St. Joseph teaches men about deep prayer and immediate obedience The 85–90% statistic: what happens to kids' faith when DAD leads it, not just mom Why "I'm sorry" is the hardest and most healing thing a father can say "No one cares about your bench press" — surrender, quiet desperation, and peace Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam just got back from four days with the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C. He and Matt discuss the retreat/seminar that he offered them, rehashing the topic: Mary's perfect humanity. They go also discuss the origin story of the Missionaries of Charity, St. Mother Teresa's profound impact on the world, Fr. Sam's personal experience with Pope St. John Paul II and his experiencing of reading in front of (to?) Pope Benedict XVI. The essence of the retreat was based off a quote from St. Mother Teresa, "We imitate Mary's spirit of loving trust, total surrender, and cheerfulness." Taking some cues from his training with Catholic Psych Institute, Fr. Sam breaks open how to imitate Our Lady's perfect humanity. Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Maria Palma Smith, the translator of Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You joins the Tangent today to discuss the life of Don Dolindo Ruotolo and his famous surrender novena.  Maria Palma Smith is a Third Order Franciscan, Italian translator, Author, and Catholic Life Coach.  NOTES  Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You: The Life of Don Dolindo Ruotolo The Surrender Novena Maria's Substack The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities  The Betrothed  Email List  Support Veritas Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Deacon Kyle Washut president of Wyoming Catholic College joins the Tangent to discuss Truth on Trial, Wyoming Catholic College's unique curriculum, and the relationship between Eastern & Western Catholicism. If you're interested in the Catholic Land Movement and different types of education (especially classical education) this episode is for you!  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Dr. John A. Cuddeback has been a professor of Philosophy at Christendom College for thirty years. He lectures and writes on how to live the good life today. His first book, True Friendship, and his new book The Intentional Household are published by Ignatius Press. His work at LifeCraft is renowned for applying a timeless wisdom to life today. Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam and Matt sit down for another round of tiny Tangents. This time, they test Fr. Sam's ability to discern whether or not the questions asked were written by Matt or... the robot.  Some of the topics covered include:  - the excommunication of the SSPX - God's love and mercy in the Old Testament  - Catholic Moral Theology - Pope Leo XIV (and the previous Pope Leo's)  and way more!  Thanks for listening to this week's episode of the Tangent!  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

This week on the Tangent Fr. Sam and Matt sit down to discuss a myriad of topics:  What is liberation theology? Why should married couples take advice from celibate priests? Where should someone start if they want to begin reading Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI)? What are their favorite movies?  plus many others!  Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

When you pray with another you open yourself before them and before God. The real intimacy & vulnerability that requires makes it one of the most worthwhile acts spouses can do together. It can also make it really difficult. That’s why Fr. Sam and I sat down with Deacon James Keating PhD to discuss his new book Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness.  Deacon James answered plenty of our questions,  How should spouses pray together?  What if one spouse doesn’t want to pray with the other?  How does personal healing affect spousal prayer?  How can Spouses practically mimic Christ’s spousal love for the Church?  All this plus a story about my son wanting to bring balloons to Mass (don’t worry, we didn’t).  Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of the Tangent!  In Christ,  Matt Sperrazza  Co-Host of the Tangent

Most Catholics know the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Far fewer know the quiet 17th-century Jesuit Saint who helped who helped to popularize it. In this episode, translator Brandon Otto walks us through the life of St. Claude La Colombière, the French Jesuit and confessor to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque who helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart.  Brandon shares the saint's own words so we might grow in humility, mercy, and perseverance. We get into St. Claude's interior struggle with vainglory, a true practical lesson for anyone trying to stay engaged with the world without being owned by it. In an age that runs on fame, image, and more stuff, his case for detachment and quiet, hands-on charity is powerful. We also discuss two miracle stories. First a story about Blessed Solanus Casey and second a healing miracle Matt's mother received through the intercession of St. Joseph.   St. Claude's advice can help you live in the world without losing your soul!  Brandon Otto is the translator of Not of the World by St. Claude LaColombière    Notes Email List  Support Veritas Other Veritas Shows The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)   Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)