Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)
Ask Fr. Josh is the podcast where I hear you out and do my best to help you navigate the tricky times in life when our Catholic Faith doesn’t give you an easy “fill-in-the blank” answer. On this show, we’ll listen to one another, problem solve together, and ultimately entrust everything to our Lord. If this is your first time tuning in, here’s how the show goes: Each episode, I'll address three to four of your questions. I’ll cover everything from Catholic teaching to moral dilemmas to relationship advice. I'm not perfect, and I can’t guarantee that my advice is going to make things easy, but I'll do my best to share what I've learned during my time as a priest, pastor, and friend. Send me your questions at ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
Episodes
April 24, 2025 • 14 mins
In this special Easter episode, Fr. Josh answers a question about continuing the practice of fasting beyond Lent. He encourages us to reflect on our own fasting and prayer practices that can strengthen our spiritual life. Stay tuned for a new season of Ask Fr. Josh this fall!
Snippet From the Show
"Throughout the year, the Church invites us to remember Fridays as a day of penance."
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April 10, 2025 • 29 mins
How do we practice self-care without falling into vanity or pride? Dr. Brian Pedraza joins Fr. Josh to explore the sin of pride, the deadly vice at the root of all sin. Together, they answer a question about how to care for ourselves while staying humble.
Snippet From the Show
Humility allows the light of Christ to shine through us, while pride focuses all the light on ourselves.
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April 3, 2025 • 29 mins
How much money should Catholics have? Dr. Brian Pedraza joins Fr. Josh to discuss the vice of greed and how Catholics should understand the gift of money in relation to their individual vocations and responsibilities. Together, they answer a question about building wealth while keeping in mind God’s call to stewardship and detachment.
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March 27, 2025 • 23 mins
Have you noticed that busyness, laziness, or procrastination often hinder your efforts to pray? Dr. Brian Pedraza joins Fr. Josh to discuss the sin of acedia or sloth, also known as the "noonday devil". Together, they answer a question about the struggle of maintaining a consistent prayer routine in the face of sloth and explain how developing the virtue of diligence helps us overcome it.
Snippet From the Show
Diligence, rooted in ...
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March 20, 2025 • 31 mins
Do you feel discouraged trying to combat lust in your life? Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Fr. Josh to discuss the sin of lust. Together, they answer questions about strategies to avoid falling into lust and how parents can raise children with a healthy understanding of sexuality in an over-sexualized culture.
Snippet From the Show
"Avoiding the near occasion of sin is crucial for overcoming lust."
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March 13, 2025 • 22 mins
What does the sin of gluttony exactly look like in our lives? Dr. Mario Sacasa and Fr. Josh delve into the vice of gluttony, exploring its definition, manifestations, and the psychological and spiritual dimensions associated with it. They discuss the difference between gluttony and food addiction, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's behavior and seeking help when necessary. They also offer practical strategies for mod...
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March 6, 2025 • 31 mins
In today's competitive society, it's easy to fall into the comparison trap. Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Fr. Josh to explore the sin of envy through the lens of evolutionary psychology and the teachings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Together, they answer a question about how to find peace with the reality that others may be "better" than us in certain areas. They also provide practical advice on embracing our unique place within the body of...
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February 27, 2025 • 23 mins
Pride can mislead us into believing we are the center of everything and that we have complete control. Sr. Josephine Garret joins Fr. Josh to discuss the sin of pride and its various expressions in our lives. They answer a question about relinquishing control in life, particularly when things do not go as we desire.
Snippet From the Show
We are finite, our intellect is fragile, our hearts are cloudy, and we need God's help to be p...
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February 20, 2025 • 29 mins
What do our attractions reveal? Sr. Josephine Garrett joins Fr. Josh to answer questions about navigating attractions we may experience outside of marriage and how to discern a relationship with someone who struggles with lust.
Snippet From the Show
Our attractions reveal the desires of our hearts, but they must always be examined to ensure they are leading us toward the good.
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February 13, 2025 • 31 mins
We all experience anger for different reasons, but how do we prevent anger from turning into wrath? Sr. Josephine Garrett joins Fr. Josh to answer questions about dealing with anger, conflict, and unforgiveness in our families and communities.
Snippet From the Show
To prevent anger from becoming wrath, we need to invite Jesus into our experience of anger and allow him to heal us.
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February 6, 2025 • 29 mins
Why do we feel sadness when others succeed? Sr. Josephine Garrett joins Fr. Josh Johnson to discuss the sin of envy as he begins his season on the seven deadly sins. Together, they answer a question about why it's so hard to desire the success of others and explain how patience and humility help us overcome envious thoughts.
Set Free: Daily Lenten Reflections on Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins (https://ascensionpress.com/pages/f...
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January 30, 2025 • 31 mins
It sometimes feels impossible to stop the deeply rooted sins of the heart. Fr. Mark-Mary joins Fr. Josh to offer advice and encouragement on overcoming persistent vices and allowing God to love us in our messiness.
Snippet From the Show
Sometimes, God doesn't perfect us right away because he wants us to experience his love while we are still imperfect.
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January 23, 2025 • 29 mins
Finding time for the various devotions the Catholic faith offers—such as the rosary, adoration, daily Mass, and reading Scripture—can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this discussion, Fr. Mark-Mary joins Fr. Josh to help us understand how to prioritize these devotions as we build our prayer lives.
Snippet From the Show
Jesus is pleased with our desire to spend time with him no matter how many devotions we are able to fit into our da...
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November 28, 2024 • 22 mins
Are you receiving the Eucharist on the tongue or in the hand? Is one way better? Fr. Josh Johnson provides clarity on this misconception based on information from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and reassures us that the church allows Catholics to receive Communion both ways.
Snippet From the Show
Both are good, both are true, both are beautiful.
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November 21, 2024 • 38 mins
What effect does pornography and masturbation have on relationships and marriage? How can we maintain hope in times of doubt? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio to dissect the assumptions, fears, and practicals of these issues. They also tie the conversation into Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio’s dissertation comparing St. Pope John Paul II and Margaret Sanger’s views on women’s freedom.
Snippet From the Show
Do not doubt t...
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November 14, 2024 • 20 mins
Divorce is a difficult topic. Fr. Josh Johnson shares sympathy and advice based on Catholic teaching for anyone struggling in this season. We are reminded that throughout the hardest times, Jesus is inviting us to join Him on the cross. He is calling us to bless those who curse us, pray for those who hurt us, and forgive those who do not apologize.
Snippet From the Show
Nothing is impossible for God.
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November 7, 2024 • 29 mins
Why is IVF wrong? Fr. Josh Johnson and Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio broach the topic of in vitro fertilization (IVF). They look at the ethics of this subject with a human dignity lens while being sensitive to how deep this cross is for many of us.
Snippet From the Show
Just because certain medical treatments are technologically possible, does not dictate whether or not they are morally illicit or permissible.
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October 31, 2024 • 22 mins
Going to Mass in-person can be hard. Can we make our lives easier by streaming Sunday Mass from home? Fr. Josh Johnson explains that going to Mass is not about what we can get out of it, but what we are offering to God. God deserves our worship, and we are invited to show up as we are. Fr. Josh also shares helpful tips on how to prepare for Mass to enrich our experience and dive deeper into the scriptures.
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G...
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October 24, 2024 • 29 mins
Fr. Josh Johnson and Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio discuss the many facets of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and share resources if this is something that you are learning or struggling with. There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to fertility awareness methods. There are many approved methods depending on your personality, season of life, etc. While looking at the potential challenges of any method, we must keep our hearts cl...
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October 17, 2024 • 21 mins
Is there a right way to suffer? Should we be suffering in silence or bringing others into our pain? Fr. Josh Johnson reminds us to start by crying out to the Lord in prayer. God can show us if it is time to keep our suffering close to our heart or share our suffering with others and ask for help. Allow Jesus to show you how this suffering can glorify Him.
Snippet From the Show
When we allow others to know that we are suffering, we...
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