Ep. 34 The Hidden Power of Kindness, with Ann Royals Vitz and Julia Chandler
I talk with Ann Royals Vitz and Julia Chandler about a book that's been circulating among the Brookewood faculty: The Hidden Power of Kindness, by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik. We find this book, abridged in 1999 from its original 1962 version, challenging and practical, as it ranges from the sort of platitudinous ("A smile costs you nothing") to the surprising ("Even a well-founded suspicion more or less degrades you"). We talk about the way Lovasik's insights broaden and complicate our understanding this important virtue--and we hope you enjoy our discussion.
27 Jan 2026
Ep. 33 Sue Ellen Browder's Subverted, with Ann Vitz and Andrea Francois
In this episode, Ann, Andrea, and I talk about, first, Leah Libresco Sargeant's The Dignity of Dependence, and then Sue Ellen Browder's Subverted. Sargeant's book elicited a variety of responses from us, and we admire her approach to healthy relationships and her articulation of what the ideal relationship would look like. That point, a relational rather than an individual outlook, is the center of the Venn Diagram as we turn to Browder's memoir, which we all recommend. We spoil plot points in the Browder book, and one of them takes us into territory that is not appropriate for listeners of all ages--this might not be an episode to listen to while picking up carpool.
But Ann, Andrea, and I all recommend Browder's memoir, which is about Browder's own life as a young writer and wife in the late '60s and '70s and also about the women's rights movement and how it became merged with the sexual revolution. Browder's personal story weaves into the larger public events, as Browder writes, as Andrea says, "to pierce the lies" of the sexual revolution as she makes her way from the world of Helen Gurley Brown to religious faith.
23 Dec 2025
Ep. 32 Kevin Davern: "Cultural Attitudes That Work Against Educating Children"
This episode is a recording of a talk Kevin Davern, Headmaster of Avalon School, gave to parents. The talk, “Cultural Attitudes That Work Against Educating Children: Help Your Children Do Well in Virtually Any School” identifies eight errors that might befall even thoughtful parents and offers remedies to them. The main backdrop is St. Josemaria Escriva’s statement about the beauty of the Catholic faith, in its ability to clarify and offer hope. Kevin’s talk is itself clear, insightful, practically helpful, and inspiring. I hope you enjoy it.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
16 ratings
Spotify
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
9
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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