Sports, Athletics & Faith (Part 3) w/ Fr. Burke Masters and Trevor Williams

This week, Jake and Bob conclude their series on athletics by welcoming Fr. Burke Masters, the baseball priest, and Trevor Williams, the Washington Nationals pitcher, to the show! Together they discuss finding your identity in Christ when your job is about performing well, evangelizing as a professional athlete, and how sports can aid you in becoming a better Christian. Fr. Burke and Trevor also share how God led them to athletics, the story of how they met, and play a fun game with Jake and Bob at the end of the episode.   Key Points: Even when our jobs demand we perform well, our core identity is as beloved children of God, not in what we do or achieve. True humility is revealed in how we respond both to success and to failure, not just in our losses.   Integrating faith and sports means living out Christian values and witness in every context, not separating religious life from professional or competitive arenas.   Authentic evangelization often emerges through genuine relationships, presence, and consistency of character, more than through words alone.   Practice, discipline, and perseverance in sports mirror the virtues needed in the spiritual life.   The tension between ambition and surrender is navigated by directing all striving and success toward God’s glory rather than personal gain.   Regular self-examination and reflection help transform both athletic and spiritual setbacks into opportunities for growth.   Balancing vocations—such as career and family—requires intentional boundaries and prioritization of what truly matters.     Resources: Grand Slam for God (or on Amazon) Fr. Burke’s Website Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop   Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:33 Trevor’s Family and Journey to Baseball 00:12:06 Fr. Burke’s Baseball Story and Journey to the Priesthood 00:20:18 Finding Identity in God Not Sports 00:26:38 How Fr. Burke and Trevor Met 00:33:52 Evangelization in Professional Sports 00:39:24 Balancing Baseball and Family Life 00:41:55 How Sports Help You Become a Better Christian 00:50:39 Not Relying Solely on Your Own Effort 00:56:25 Sports Teaching Us How to Lose 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 series on athletics, and welcome Bart Schuchts, a former D1 football player, to the podcast. Bart reflects on how athletics shaped his self-identity, beliefs, and relationships from childhood through his adult life. They also discuss sports culture, fear based coaching, and the fine line between healthy competition and idolizing sports. Ultimately, when approached with balance and intention, athletics can foster deep connection, personal growth, and spiritual insight that extends far beyond the game itself, enriching every aspect of life.   Key Points: Athletic achievement is often tied to receiving love, affirmation, and attention in families, especially when there are older siblings who excel in sports. Sports can become an idol when one’s entire sense of self-worth and identity is defined by performance and recognition. Sports teaches “conditional love,” when praise and acceptance are contingent on athletic success. A coach’s coaching style can establish either a positive, formative atmosphere or contribute to wounding dynamics. The question “Am I lovable?” is often unconsciously brought to sports, and how one seeks to answer that can drive them to healthy mastery of athletics or unhealthy obsession. Healthy participation in sports fosters union and belonging. It also highlights both the best and worst ways we seek connection, love, and purpose.   Resources: Church on Fire (Bart’s Website) Interview with Bart and Bobby Bowden Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop   Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:08:43 Sports in Bart’s Life 00:10:44 Sports as an Idol 00:18:55 Finding Our Worth in Sports 00:28:38 The Good and Bad of Sports Culture 00:32:03 Dion Sanders and Work Ethic 00:33:39 Finding the Four Identities of a Human in Sports 00:34:58 Son vs Orphan 00:44:32 Brother 00:52:44 Husband 00:55:31 Father   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 begin a series on athletics, diving into the profound ways sports intersect with faith. Today, they are joined by Dr. Nicole Gabana Chiesa, a sports psychologist and former collegiate athlete. Together they explore the beauty of sports and how they can shape one’s identity, foster virtue, and offer opportunities for healing that extend far beyond the playing field. However, athletics present many challenges beyond just physical injury. They also discuss the dangers of over-identifying with athletic success or failure, the impact of parental and societal expectations, and emphasize the importance of rooting one’s identity in God’s unconditional love rather than achievements.    Key Points: Femininity and masculinity can both find authentic expression through sports Healthy competition in athletics can foster discipline, humility, perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. Sports also offer an opportunity to practice and learn delayed gratification, sacrifice, and adherence to rules which are virtues that lead to human flourishing Wounds can arise from sports through idolatry, performance culture, unhealthy comparison, or losing sight of the bigger story beyond the game Sports rules do not restrict, but rather create the possibility of freedom and meaningful play, much like God’s laws facilitate human flourishing The identity of athletes can become overly tied to performance and success, leading to struggles or loss of self-worth when results or careers end Integrating faith and spirituality into sports helps athletes anchor their identity beyond achievement, rooting it in being a beloved child of God The desire for perfection seen in sports reflects a deeper call toward holiness and striving for spiritual growth Coaches and mentors play a significant, often formative, role in shaping not just athletic skills, but confidence, character, and motivation Playfulness and joy in sports are glimpses of the freedom and delight intended for us by God, paralleling receptivity in the spiritual life   Resources: Pax Perform Website Dr. Nicole Gabana Chiesa’s email: [email protected] Gaudium et Spes On the Christian perspective on sport and the human person, from the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life  Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop   Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:49 Integrating Sports, Psychology, and Faith 00:08:00 Nicole’s Faith and Experience with Sports 00:17:06 Femininity and Athletics 00:20:51 Identity and Comparison in Sports 00:27:53 When Competition Becomes Unhealthy 00:32:14 Virtues of Sports 00:38:02 Personal Experiences of Virtue in Sports and Coaches 00:47:59 Rules, Sacrifice, and Community in Sports 00:51:28 Wounds and Dangers in Sports 00:54:43 Performance Culture and Identity Loss 00:58:16 Sports as Formation and Healing 01:11:25 Sports Draw Us Closer to God   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 conclude their series on integrating faith with psychology. They welcome Beth Stoll, a therapist from St. Louis, to talk about how an encounter with God’s love at a Healing the Whole Person retreat transformed her practice. She not only shares how suffering creates a greater capacity for empathy but also why therapists who have experienced deep suffering themselves are able to more deeply connect with clients. They also discuss why one must first live a life of faith before integrating faith in their practice, define the difference between praying with and praying for someone, and reflect on the challenges of trusting God rather than our own abilities.   Key Points: Personal suffering can deepen a therapist's ability to empathize and connect with clients  One must live a life of faith in their personal life before one can integrate it into their practice As a therapist, it is important to remember Jesus is the one who ultimately heals Learning to receive and allowing God to work in and through us can be difficult for both therapists and clients Integration is about encounter with the Lord through the therapist or Him directly   Resources: Beth’s Website   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:18 Beth’s Journey Through Sorrow 05:58 The Impact of Suffering 11:42 How Prayer Shifted Beth’s Practice 16:24 Jesus as the Primary Therapist 22:40 The Dynamics of Trust in Therapy 28:12 Praying for vs. Praying with Someone 34:57 Learning to Receive 40:42 Being the Presence of Christ 47:02 The Secret of Encounter and Integration   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 series on integrating faith with psychology and welcome Christopher Lafitte, a Catholic counselor based in Texas. Christopher shares his story of formation, from aspiring engineer to therapist, and about the deep encounter with Christ that shaped his journey. They discuss Christopher’s unique approach to counseling, why loving one another is healing in itself, and how a therapists’ own wounds can become blind spots in their ability to help clients. Throughout all of this, Christopher reflects on how nothing in our lives will make sense apart from the reality we are made for communion with God. So whenever we approach therapy or personal healing, we should always remember Jesus wants to heal us so we can be in relationship with Him.   Key Points: Our personal healing and ongoing transformation helps us to more effectively help others. Encountering God’s love is the foundation for true healing. Psychological techniques build upon this foundation. Nothing in our lives will make sense apart from the reality that we are made for communion with the Lord. Whether we realize it or not all our deepest desires are unique expressions of how we are made to be in communion with Him.  Healing often begins when we encounter profound safety and love. This atmosphere allows deep wounds to surface and be addressed Therapists’ own healing, awareness of personal wounds, and openness to being transformed are crucial for effective therapy, as their blind spots can affect the client’s healing. Sometimes the ongoing problems we experience in life, such as anxiety or depression, are rooted in deeper wounds or beliefs. Allowing God into the past experiences that led to the creation of a wound can help transform our current struggles. The ultimate goal of therapy is helping people grow in freedom to love and fulfil their vocation, not just to alleviate pain. Most healing is gradual and requires patience and trust in God’s timing. God heals so we can be in relationship with Him.   Resources: Healing Professionals Virtual Workshop: Healing Sexual Brokenness | October 23-24 2025 with Dr. Bob Schuchts, Jake Khym, and Christopher Lafitte  We invite any clergy who are interested in meeting with Christopher to reach out to us here. We will connect with Christopher to see if he has any availability. San Damiano Ministries | Christopher is the Founder/Executive Director of San Damiano Ministries - a ministry dedicated to healing and forming leaders in the Church.   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 begin a new series where they welcome therapists from around the world to discuss the integration of faith in psychology, real life lessons learned, and the various methodologies they practice. Today, they are joined by Bernhard Streiselberger, a Professional Counselor from Austria, who specializes in Gestalt therapy and EMDR. Bernhard shares his journey from studying psychotherapy in Austria to being formed in monastic life and how it has shaped his approach to therapy. He also delves into the details of Gestalt therapy and the Immanuel approach, how these methodologies have positively impacted his clients, and why affirmation is a key component in everyone’s healing journey.   Key Points: The Immanuel approach facilitates a personal encounter with the Lord Affirmation plays a crucial role in emotional healing Sometimes we may have spiritual blocks that hinder our healing process Emotional deprivation experienced in childhood can be healed through affirming relationships in our present lives Ultimately, it is the Lord’s presence that heals   Resources: Thresh Mountains (Bernhard’s Website) Fritz Perls and Gloria Counselling Video Albert Ellis and Gloria Counselling Video Bob Newhart “Stop It” Healing the Unaffirmed by Conrad Baars  Feeling and Healing Your Emotions by Conrad Baars Intro to the Immanuel Approach by Dr. Karl Lehman   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 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!