Father And Joe

In this episode of Father and Joe, hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive into a profound yet often overlooked aspect of faith and life: curiosity. While curiosity isn't explicitly commanded in scripture, its presence is seen throughout the Gospel, serving as a catalyst for growth, understanding, and deepening relationships. Father Boniface shares, “Curiosity in one sense is a luxury. It’s the kind of thing you can only do when you’re not in danger of being eaten,” highlighting how essential safety and freedom are to allowing curiosity to flourish.Curiosity, as Joe and Father Boniface discuss, isn't just a casual interest; it’s a choice—a vital force that encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, fostering new connections and enhancing the relationships around us. By choosing curiosity, we open ourselves to discovering new insights, encountering diverse perspectives, and building deeper bonds with others and with God.Father Boniface explains that when we feel secure and supported, cur

In this episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive into the powerful concept of nurturing and strengthening relationships by focusing on the future. Over the course of nearly 400 episodes, one recurring theme has been how relationships form the foundation for living a holy and fulfilling life. Today, they discuss a unique and practical tool that Joe shares with his clients—recording regular voice or video messages for loved ones, addressing them at future milestones in their lives.Joe explains, “The real secret of life has really not been articulated correctly. It’s not the accumulation of power, money, or time. It’s building the best relationships.” These weekly messages—crafted with love and intention—are intended to help us visualize the long-term development of our relationships, ensuring they remain strong over the years. Joe suggests setting aside 20 to 30 minutes on Fridays to record a message, thinking about how you want your relationship to look a decade from now.Father Boni

In this heartfelt episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks explore the deep-rooted issues of trust, control, and healing. Through an insightful conversation, they uncover how past wounds, fear, and betrayal shape our present lives, impacting everything from relationships to business leadership. Joe opens up about his experiences as a consultant, where he helps business owners learn to delegate and trust others. The challenge many face, however, is letting go of control and learning to trust after being hurt.Father Boniface reflects on how our need to control, whether in business or personal relationships, often stems from past pain and disappointment. "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together," he shares, illustrating the importance of collaboration and trust. He emphasizes that it’s essential to look inward and explore the reasons we struggle with these control issues: “We don't trust unless we have a reason for it…often an experience of b

In this insightful episode of the Father and Joe Podcast, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks delve into a profound and timely issue – loneliness. As society faces an unprecedented wave of isolation, driven largely by the modern digital world and changing social structures, it can often feel impossible to form meaningful, Christ-centered relationships. But, as Father Boniface shares, these relationships are not only vital for our emotional well-being, they are essential for our spiritual growth."We cannot grow as human beings without what kind of relationships? Well, let’s just call them Christ-like relationships, in the sense that relationships of real trust and mutual love."Father Boniface explains the importance of cultivating relationships of love and trust, where individuals affirm each other’s goodness and uniqueness. It is through such bonds that we truly thrive as human beings. This episode explores the detrimental effects of being relationally starved, and how loneliness can become a self-

In this enlightening episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive deep into the journey of becoming a saint, breaking down the practical steps that lead to holiness. Drawing parallels between mastering worldly skills and growing in faith, they offer insights into how we can gradually build the habits of virtue that will lead us closer to Christ.Joe starts by reflecting on how seemingly difficult tasks, like getting on the front page of Google, appear impossible until we learn the specific steps. He compares this to the spiritual journey: “Many people have this feeling of becoming a saint as so strange or foreign that there’s no way I'd be able to do it.” However, just as with learning a skill, holiness requires consistent effort and daily practice.Father Boniface builds on this by discussing the importance of making Christ a part of our everyday actions. He explains that “learning Christ” is more than a mental process—it's something that must be embodied, much like learning t

In this insightful episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive deep into the concept of silence and how it plays a crucial role in strengthening your relationship with God. For many of us, silence is often misunderstood as just the absence of external noise, but it goes far deeper than that. As Father Boniface explains, silence is not just about the absence of sound, but about achieving interior peace. It's about quieting the mind and soul amidst the distractions and chaos of everyday life.Joe opens up about his personal struggles with finding silence, saying, “There’s always something going on, whether it be inside my mind trying to think of a solution, or listening to a book or podcast, or falling asleep with the TV on. Yet in prayer, that’s not the case, and it feels weird sometimes.” Father Boniface thoughtfully responds by breaking down what silence truly means, highlighting that it's more about calming our inner restlessness rather than simply eliminating noise. "

In this thought-provoking episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks explore how to live a life rooted in faith, even when it seems overwhelming or impossible. Can we truly live like Christ? What does it mean to be called to holiness in our everyday lives? Drawing from the lives of saints like Pope John Paul II and Blessed Karl of Austria, Father Boniface sheds light on how we can all respond to God's call to holiness.Joe begins the conversation by reflecting on the miracles attributed to saints like John Paul II, who lived in recent history. While the temptation is to think that holiness is reserved for people like popes and priests, Joe and Father Boniface delve into how everyday people can grow closer to Christ, even amidst the demands of family, work, and societal pressures. Father Boniface explains, “We can either draw principles about how to live from the gospel, see them applied in the lives of the saints, and then see how they apply in our own life, and then we’re setting out

In this episode of the Father and Joe podcast, hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks explore the deep and often complex relationship between human desires, self-control, and the journey of faith. Through thoughtful and personal examples, Joe shares his experiences as a parent of a toddler, facing the daily challenges of saying "no" to his son and teaching him what is truly best in the long run. Father Boniface provides insightful reflections on how our innate human tendencies, from childhood through adulthood, can shape how we approach life's choices—whether it’s something as simple as craving candy bars or something as profound as navigating sexual desires.As Joe explains, "What we want now keeps getting debased lower and lower with less and less forethought down the road...this is why you see much more obesity, diabetes, etc. because, ooh, it tastes good now." This concept of instant gratification versus long-term good is central to the discussion, with Joe and Father Boniface

In this episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks tackle a pressing issue we all face today: navigating the hateful and divisive political climate that is so prevalent during election seasons. Joe shares his observations on how political advertising today is filled with negativity, hate, and division. He explains, “One of the responsibilities of building a successful society, of being holy, is to not spread hate. Hate being pretty much the opposite of love.”Together, Joe and Father Boniface reflect on how we can protect ourselves from falling into these traps of negativity, starting with personal responsibility. As Father Boniface highlights, “When you notice something that is irritating, frustrating, or hurtful, rather than simply condemning others for it, you're asking the question, 'Am I doing that?' That attitude is already such a remedy. If we were all doing that, we'd be much better off.”Father Boniface takes the conversation deeper by connecting it to the examp

In this powerful and insightful episode of the Father and Joe podcast, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks delve into the profound topic of vulnerability, particularly in the context of our modern, digitally connected world. With the rise of social media and the pressures it brings, many of us—and our children—are navigating a landscape where personal worth is often judged by likes and comments. But is this really the vulnerability that leads to growth and meaningful relationships?As Father Boniface Hicks eloquently shares, true vulnerability is not about seeking validation from strangers online, but rather about taking the courageous step to be open in our real-world relationships, even when it comes with the risk of getting hurt. "Wisdom needs you. Wisdom is experienced, it's lived knowledge, it's embodied insight," he explains. The conversation challenges the misconception that vulnerability is merely about being exposed to judgment, instead framing it as an essential element of wisdom

In this enlightening episode of "Father and Joe," Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks delve into the transformative power of establishing a consistent prayer life. Discover how building a habitual practice of prayer can not only deepen your relationship with God but also provide profound benefits in your daily life.As Father Boniface shares, "Relationships depend on habits. Relationships depend on regularity." Just as any strong relationship requires consistent effort, so too does our connection with God. The episode explores the importance of making prayer a priority, emphasizing that, "If you’re not advancing, you’re falling away," a concept that applies to both our spiritual and personal lives.For many, the idea of praying more can seem daunting, especially with busy schedules and daily responsibilities. But Father Boniface reassures us, "A lot less time goes a much longer way. 15 minutes of prayer compared to 15 minutes of exercise—you're getting a lot more out of

In this enlightening episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks delve into the Gospel of Mark, offering profound insights and reflections on the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ. Starting with Jesus sending his apostles out in pairs to teach, the discussion spans pivotal events including John the Baptist's assassination and the miraculous feeding of the 5000.Father Boniface shares, “There’s an endless amount that we learn from Jesus’s pedagogy, the way that he forms his disciples, preparing them for various future revelations.” This episode emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible slowly, thoughtfully, and reflectively, encouraging listeners to immerse themselves in the scriptures beyond the piecemeal Sunday readings.Joe reflects on the apostles' experiences, “Some of them are sitting there thinking they completely messed up because they didn’t have the best story and experience compared to the other ones...But to look at that event, seeing ever

Welcome to another episode of Father and Joe. I’m Joe Rockey, joined by Father Boniface Hicks, as we dive into the recent National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis, an event that has left a lasting impact on thousands of believers across the country.From July 17th to the 21st, Catholics from all over the United States gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first National Eucharistic Congress in 80 years. Father Boniface shares his incredible experience, detailing the profound significance of bringing the Eucharist to a massive crowd of 55,000 attendees."Leaving an NFL training camp to go to an NFL stadium...to actually bring the Eucharist to a massive crowd like that just is absolutely phenomenal," Joe remarks. The event, organized over three years with a significant investment of $22 million, was a bold step taken by the bishops in response to a Pew study indicating that less than a third of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.Father Boniface explains, “The bis

In this enriching episode of the "Father and Joe" podcast, hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks delve into the vital importance of asking for help and recognizing the profound relational dynamics it creates.From the moment we are born, asking for help is an intrinsic part of our human experience. As Joe articulates, "Every time that we're trying to accomplish something that we're not doing entirely by ourselves, we are asking for help." This episode explores the multifaceted ways in which we ask for and give help, often without recognizing the deeper implications of these exchanges.Father Boniface expands on this concept by introducing the "logic of the gift," a term from John Paul II's theology of the body. He explains, "I don't even know fully the gift that I am until I give myself and someone receives the gift and I see the gift that I am through how they receive it." This perspective shifts our understanding from transactional interactions

In this episode of the "Father and Joe" podcast, hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive deep into an essential yet often overlooked aspect of human relationships: the power of asking for help.Asking for help can be daunting, perceived as a sign of weakness or failure, and it's something many people struggle with. Joe and Father Boniface discuss why this vital skill is crucial for our development and spiritual growth. They emphasize that "learning how to ask for help because it's a relational skill and it's vital in relationships, and this is really what we're made in the context of and made for."Father Boniface reflects on the vulnerability involved in seeking assistance: "Asking for help is admitting that I don't know. It's admitting weakness. It's admitting that I have something to learn. And it's really putting the other person in a position of power." He shares wisdom from Georges Bernanos' "Diary of a Country Priest&

Welcome to another episode of Father and Joe. I'm Joe Rockey, here with Father Boniface Hicks. Last week, we delved into the importance of identifying your value hierarchy and understanding what you care most about. This week, we’re diving deeper into how we can put our spiritual priorities into practice and truly live a more loving life.Father Boniface beautifully explains that, "We need to know what we're aiming at. We're aiming ultimately at love of the Trinity, which is love within itself is what the Trinity is." He emphasizes the necessity of regular course correction to ensure we're on the right path. But how do we translate this into concrete actions, especially in our relationships?One profound insight Father Boniface shares is, "Have I been as loving as possible towards this person in my life?" This question should be asked in a peaceful, reflective state, perhaps during prayer. He suggests setting aside a dedicated time, whether in the morning, during a lunch

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Father and Joe! I'm Joe Rockey, joined by Father Boniface Hicks, as we delve into the profound impact of truly embracing and living out one's faith. In this episode, we explore the complexities and transformative power of committing fully to a virtuous and holy life, drawing insightful analogies to help understand the journey of faith."Over the last week or so, I've really been thinking about our conversation regarding the numerous variables that can create problems, particularly when discussing social media's net negative impact. We can't isolate variables easily when it involves people in long-term situations," Joe reflects, setting the stage for a deeper discussion on the importance of a steadfast commitment to faith.Father Boniface emphasizes the challenge of living out the faith authentically, comparing it to the dedication required in physical fitness routines: "Those who are all in and truly committed to living a virtuou

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Father and Joe! I'm Joe Rockey, joined by Father Boniface Hicks. In this episode, we delve into the complex topic of judgment—how it permeates our lives, both in social media and in personal interactions, and its role in our spiritual journey."To me, that's a big part of why I believe social media is negative. You're constantly judging each other, good, bad, or ugly," I express as we kick off the conversation. Social media amplifies our natural tendency to judge, often harshly, and this has deep implications on how we interact and perceive one another.Father Boniface offers profound insights, suggesting a distinction between judgment and condemnation. "Is the issue that I'm being judged, or is the issue that I'm being condemned? Those are two different things." This differentiation is crucial, as condemnation often carries a heavier, more negative connotation.We explore biblical references, with Jesus teaching, "Why a

Welcome to another episode of "Father and Joe" with Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks. In this thought-provoking discussion, we tackle a pressing question: "Is social media net more evil than beneficial?" Join us as we explore the complexities of social media and its impact on society, relationships, and personal well-being.Key Quotes from the Episode:"Social media is net more evil than it is beneficial. I get the benefits of it, but on the net, I believe that it's much more negative because of its incentivation package." - Joe Rockey"The call to hospitality, humility, kindness is all out the window. All of these platforms essentially reward extremism." - Joe Rockey"What does good and bad mean? How do you measure that? Maybe we should measure these things around the development of virtue and holiness." - Father Boniface Hicks"The medium is inherently problematic unless there are legal or social pressures to change the algorithms to protect the inn

In this episode of "Father Joe," hosts Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive deep into the concept of creating opportunities for goodness and how to follow God in our everyday lives. Reflecting on their previous discussions about Mary and the fourth commandment, they explore the profound idea of making intentional choices that lead us closer to God and enable us to do good in the world.Joe begins by addressing a common question: how can we create opportunities for others to choose goodness and follow God? He emphasizes the importance of making these opportunities explicit and actionable, even though we are not divine beings with the power of the archangel Gabriel. Joe points out, “I think there's a lot more people that will respond to, yes, I will, but they don't want to figure out how to create the opportunity. And the more I believe the opportunities being created are the catalyst to the effect.”Father Boniface responds by highlighting the importance of being in a prayerful state and