Restoring the Hearts of Priests w/ Matt Rudolph

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by John Eldredge, president of Wild at Heart, to discuss what authentic discipleship looks like in a distracted digital age. They explore the subtle ways constant connectivity and information overload can erode our spiritual focus, hinder intimacy with God, and ultimately fragment our souls. John also shares stories and insights from his own journey, highlights how unchecked busyness can mask deeper wounds or spiritual emptiness, and encourages listeners, with practical advice, to seek genuine communion with Jesus for true restoration.   Key Points: A true disciple is someone who has fallen in love with Jesus. This love sustains their commitment to following His commands The internet conditions people against intimacy with God. While the internet is not always be, it is important to recognize its impact on your spiritual life Intimacy with God requires intentionality and focus, especially when it comes to our phones and computers Mystery and wonder have been twisted into something negative. In reality, mystery and wonder are a beautiful part of spiritual life Jesus actively seeks to heal each fragmented part of yourself and continually invites you deeper into relationship with Him   Resources: Wild at Heart Website Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldredge  The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge A Full List of John Eldredge’s Books The Pause App Pray As You Go App Healing the Whole Person Virtual Retreat (August 4-8th, 2025)   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. John Horn, co-founder of the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF). Fr. Horn shares details behind how IPF was founded, the significance of St. Ignatius' spiritual exercises in priestly formation, and the beauty of how formation has evolved within the Church. They also discuss the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the importance of addressing the roots of sin, and the heart-level transformation that occurs when we bring our fears to the Lord.    Key Points: The Institute for Priesthood Formation was founded to address the need for spiritual formation Confession can become more than just a repetitive listing of sins It is important to examine our hearts before we go to Confession Finding the roots of our sin and bringing them to God in Confession can lead us to greater intimacy with Him Confession can unlock our true selves and thus transform communities   Resources: The #1 resource is attending an annual silent directed retreat Institute for Priestly Formation Website Amoris Christi Institute  Amoris Christi Institute - Trifold on Confession (downloadable PDF) Healing the Whole Person Virtual Retreat (August 4-8th, 2025)   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Teresa Pitt Green, co-founder of Spirit Fire, a ministry dedicated to “facilitating healing dialogue among those wounded by abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.” Teresa shares her own story of healing from abuse, the challenges she experienced, and what she learned along the way. She also shares practical advice to help priests approach conversations with survivors, common mistakes to avoid, and insights into the complexity of what it’s like to heal from abuse. Ultimately, it is Jesus who heals, and He can use whatever we have to offer to bring about restoration in the Church and her members.  If you are experiencing or have experienced abuse of any kind, we encourage you to reach out to Teresa or check out her resources on Spirit Fire’s website.   Key Points: Navigating conversations with survivors of abuse requires sensitivity and receptivity For many survivors of clergy abuse, there is little distinction between priests and abusers  Healing from abuse is an ongoing journey, it isn’t something someone can just “get over” If someone approaches you about abuse, be careful to listen and not judge their experiences Even if we make a mistake in our approach to a conversation, God can still work through that moment. He is the one who is ultimately doing the healing work The journey of healing is complex and nonlinear   Resources: Spirit Fire’s Website   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Matt Rudolph, co-founder of Chrism which is a ministry for priests. Matt dives into the challenges faced by priests today including a need for community,  support in embracing imperfections, and formation that emphasizes personal healing. They also share their visions for a more integrated approach to the priesthood that fosters true spiritual fatherhood. Matt ends the episode by sharing how Chrism supports priests in becoming happy, healthy, and holy in their vocations.   Key Points: Many priests experience loneliness and isolation in their ministry Human formation is also relational, not just intellectual Priests need to be known and not just loved by their parishioners Formation needs to continue beyond seminary and into the priest's ministry at a parish A thriving priesthood requires happiness, health, and holiness Personal woundedness can impact how a priest is leading his parish   Resources: Chrism Priest Ministries Website Wounds Assessment - send an email to [email protected] (click here for more information) Freedom Series for priests with the JPII Healing Center   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob share ideas on how to foster a healthy parish community. They not only reflect on the challenges of developing true community within a parish but also ponder how healthy parish life revolves around our personal healing and freedom. Through the use of multiple personal examples, Jake and Bob also explore the importance of the Sacraments, the role of forgiveness, and how love and fear bonds affect our relationships with God and those around us.   Key Points: Building community in small groups and then coming together for Mass on Sunday is one way to begin fostering community The Pastor of a parish has the important role of spiritual father and can foster community and connection by his example Many people may feel unsafe to build community in their parishes due to past wounds and judgements Fear and love bonds not only affect our relationships with others but also with God  Fear bonds are formed from wounds and can lead to anxiety or avoidance in relationships Love bonds are built on trust and intimacy Sin and unresolved issues can affect the health of a parish community Judgement and Rigidity can hinder community growth  Healing our own woundedness on an individual level contributes to a more vibrant community on the parish level   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob discuss intergenerational healing, taking into account recent pastoral advice from Bishops around the world. Intergenerational healing involves understanding how wounds and sins from previous generations can affect individuals in the present. Jake and Bob not only reflect on the Bishops’ letters, which express concern regarding the practice of intergenerational healing, but also share personal experiences of miraculous healings that occurred after addressing generational issues in prayer.   Key Points: The Church teaches that while individuals are not guilty for the sins of their ancestors, they can still be affected by the consequences of those sins Intergenerational healing involves understanding how the wounds and sins from previous generations can affect individuals in the present A genogram is a tool for mapping family history and identifying patterns of sin and dysfunction Baptism wipes away the guilt of sin but the effects of sin may still remain Healing your wounds and forgiving those who have hurt you can have a profound impact on the lives of your loved ones    Resources: Spanish Letter (this letter is in Spanish and you will need to translate it) Please note: In this episode, Jake and Bob mention other letters in addition to the Spanish letter linked above. They were given access to an unreleased document from the USCCB that is currently unavailable to the public. We are unfortunately not able to link them here at this time.   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob welcome back Dr. Christin McIntyre, a Thomistic psychiatrist, to discuss the concept of personality disorders. They begin by defining what a personality disorder is and explore how modern culture and social norms can influence and twist this definition. Then, they discuss the interplay between inherited traits, early life experiences, and individual choices in shaping one’s personality. Through the analogy of a sailboat, Dr. Christin also shares how the intellect, will, and emotions are all interconnected and why navigating the waters of healing not only involves the formation of the intellect but also the conforming of our will to God’s.   Key Points: A personality disorder is identified by a pervasive pattern of experience and behavior that is abnormal with respect to any two of the following: thinking, mood, personal relations, impulse control (from Dr. Cristina Lynch) Individuals with personality disorders have much hope for change Inner healing is an important aspect of addressing personality disorders Inherited traits, early life experiences, and individual choices all contribute to the development of a personality disorder Healing involves the formation of the intellect and conforming of your will to God Healing is a continuous process, not a one-time event Virtue is essential for true healing and involves habitual good choices Resources: Thomistic Institute of Psychology    Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob return to an important topic: the healing power of forgiveness. Both Jake and Bob have encountered forgiveness and mercy in their healing journeys and share personal stories about receiving forgiveness and forgiving others. They also discuss why forgiving and forgetting is not possible, how to know if you’ve truly forgiven someone, and how our memories are transformed through the process of forgiveness.    Key Points: Forgiveness is essential for healing and spiritual growth Trust is often lost in areas where we have been wounded Fear often surrounds these areas where we have lost trust  Forgiveness can transform pain into compassion Unforgiveness hardens our hearts and reduces our ability to receive the love God desires to pour into us Memories can be purified through the process of forgiveness Sin not only wounds those we hurt but also ourselves It is important to also forgive ourselves   Resources: Identity Course by Jake Khym (use this link to get 10% off) Trusting Our Father’s Provision by Dr. Bob Schuchts Healing Prayers Booklet   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob continue their conversation and focus on the primary mechanisms of our human nature when it comes to change. We are a composite of body, soul, and spirit, but many times we isolate change and healing to only one part of our nature. While this can lead to some change, when integrated on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level we can experience greater progress. Jake and Bob discuss incremental vs transformational change, how the Sacraments pour out grace into our lives, and share stories of experiencing change in their lives.   Key Points: If you want to take care of yourself, you first have to understand yourself We are a composite of body, soul, and spirit and healing largely occurs when we integrate all three There are two types of change: incremental and transformational Incremental change often precedes transformational change Being in relationship with others is a healing experience The Sacraments pour out grace into our lives that aids us in making a change   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob explore the complex process of personal change, what change requires, and why change can seem out of reach. In today’s culture of near instant gratification, it’s easy to think change should and will come about quickly and without much effort. While God can and does work many miracles, the reality is, change takes time, effort, and a lot of grace. Jake and Bob have experienced this in their lives, understand the struggle, and share their GIVE framework as a guide to help you navigate the beautiful and yet painful waters of change.   Key Points: Change requires an understanding of the human experience Relationships and community play an important role in personal transformation An open disposition of the heart is key to allowing grace to change us Judgements and beliefs can “block” the grace we receive in the Sacraments from transforming our lives Healing requires personal responsibility, it should not be approached superstitiously God does work miracles and healing can come quickly. But most often healing occurs over time and with consistent engagement GIVE: Grace, Intention, Vision, Equipment Change is often accompanied by suffering and sacrifice Resources: The Huberman Lab Podcast with Jordan Peterson: How to Best Guide Your Life Decisions and Path Diary of a CEO with Jordan Peterson: How to Become the Person You’ve Always Wanted to Be The Huberman Lab: How to Focus to Change Your Brain   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!