This week’s episode of The Walk was recorded on a quiet trail in the Wicklow Mountains. It’s my last full day in Ireland, and I wanted to soak up every second of it. No plans, no pressure—just following my nose, as I often say. I ended up walking past pine forests being replaced with ancient native trees, climbing fences into meadows full of purple wildflowers, and eventually finding my way to a mirror-still lake that felt like something out of Tolkien’s Middle Earth. It was breathtaking. And qu...
Jul 11, 2025•49 min
I always thought retreats had to happen in silence. In a monastery. With stillness, books, and maybe the sound of a distant bell. But this week, soaked to the bone on a rain-slicked mountain trail in Wicklow, I realized something: my real retreat begins when I move. When I walk through mist and sheep-speckled hills. When a deer appears out of nowhere and follows me like an old friend. When my only distractions are waterfalls, wind, and the sound of my own footsteps. It’s in those long, quiet hou...
Jul 04, 2025•42 min
I’m writing this from a quiet mountain trail overlooking the Upper Lake of Glendalough. The same path Saint Kevin walked 1,500 years ago. And maybe, in some small way, I’m walking it too. I came to Ireland not for a vacation, but for something I’ve needed for a long time: space. A chance to step out of the noise of everyday life and into the stillness that lets me hear again—really hear—what matters. Why do we create, write, or tell stories when the world feels like it’s falling apart? That’s th...
Jun 27, 2025•47 min
This week, I walked 40 kilometers in the heat, visited my favorite zoo, got a nasty blister, and accidentally outlined three new books. All while talking to myself. That’s the power of walking. It doesn’t just move your legs—it unclutters your mind. When I walk, I stop performing. I start creating. No timer. No to-do list. Just me, the trees, and a brain full of stories that won’t shut up. But then I come home… and the temptation hits. I post a story on Substack and immediately want to check: “D...
Jun 16, 2025•43 min
I used to be what the Dutch call a “stress chicken.” Always on edge, grinding my teeth over deadlines, trying to please everyone, and convinced that anything less than perfect was failure. In high school, I’d wait till the last minute to study—then push myself so hard that I’d physically hurt. I carried that mindset into seminary, parish life, and media work. Even good things—like writing or podcasting—could become stressful if I felt I had to do them. But here’s what changed everything: I start...
Jun 09, 2025•55 min
For years, I kept telling myself the same story. That I never finished my doctorate. That I start too many things and finish too few. That I’m wasting time while others are moving ahead. And honestly, that story shaped how I saw everything. It drained my energy. Made me doubt every new idea before it even had a chance. But something changed. I started telling a different story. Yes, I didn’t finish that academic degree. But I discovered storytelling and media and found a way to reach people that...
Jun 02, 2025•49 min
Last week was a blur. Between TV interviews, an online course, rainy bike rides to Mass, and hosting a Star Wars convention, I found myself teetering between total exhaustion and surprising moments of grace. In this episode of The Walk , I share: What it was like to interview three radically different guests for TV in one day—especially one who claimed God told her she’d die at 62 if she didn’t stop drinking. Why being a priest at a fantasy convention might be the most “Jesus-like” thing I do. H...
May 26, 2025•47 min
It’s taken me years to admit this, but I think I finally know what I need to focus on in my life. I’ve always juggled many roles—priest, content creator, coach, podcaster, commentator, media guy, you name it. And for the longest time, I thought I had to do them all equally well. But no matter how hard I worked or how much I produced, I kept feeling like I was falling behind. I couldn’t keep up with myself. Then came this moment of clarity—helped along, of all things, by ChatGPT. I asked it to lo...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 13 min
This was a tough one to share. A few weeks ago, I asked ChatGPT to give me an honest, unfiltered analysis of my life—based on everything it “knew” about me from past podcast transcripts and conversations. What came back hit me harder than I expected. Not because it was cruel. But because it was true. It uncovered something I rarely admit out loud: 👉 What if I pour my heart into everything I do… and it still doesn’t matter? 👉 What if I go unseen—not just by others, but even by God? That’s a fea...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This past week, I almost walked straight into a burnout. I had convinced myself that every hour had to be productive. That every moment of rest needed to be “useful.” That if I wasn’t creating something—be it a podcast, a story, a homily, or a social post—I was wasting precious time. The truth hit me somewhere between a splitting headache, a disappointing convention visit, and yet another 6 a.m. wake-up after too little sleep. And here's what I realized: Even good work can become destructive whe...
May 04, 2025•38 min
This past month, I took some time off — not for a trip or a big project like I had planned, but simply to pause and reflect. And something unexpected happened: I finally found clarity about my own vocation. I’ve always juggled a lot of roles. Parish work, media work, creative projects. And honestly? I often felt torn between what I wanted to do and what I thought I should do as a priest. But then came the sudden passing of Pope Francis. Listening to the stories of his life, especially how he fol...
Apr 28, 2025•48 min
When the news came that Pope Francis had passed away, I was surprised by how peaceful I felt. No panic, no sadness—just deep gratitude. Gratitude for a man who, without ever knowing me personally, changed my life as a priest more than anyone else has. In this week’s podcast, I reflect on what Pope Francis meant to me—not as a celebrity or a headline—but as a father figure, a shepherd who showed me a different way of being a priest. What struck me most about him wasn’t his position. It was his wa...
Apr 22, 2025•45 min
It’s spring. As I walked past the frontyards of my neighborhood, full of blooming tulips and roses, I couldn’t help but think: this is what Easter feels like. New life. New hope. The promise that no matter how dark the world seems, the light has already won. This episode of the podcast turned out to be more personal than I expected. I reflect on a recent fantasy festival—its last edition at a fairytale castle. That event wasn’t just fun; it reminded me who I am and how far I’ve come. I used to s...
Apr 19, 2025•42 min
There’s so much uncertainty right now. The economy is wobbling, the headlines are overwhelming, and it feels like everything we counted on is shifting. I’ve definitely felt that weight. And if you have too, you’re not alone. But here’s what I’ve discovered: you don’t need to fix the world to find peace. Lately, I’ve been escaping to the woods. Not to run away, but to remember . Out there, among trees that have seen decades of storms, I realize a few things: I can’t control global events. But I c...
Apr 07, 2025•37 min
I wasn’t planning to walk another Camino. Not this year. Not yet. But as I wandered through the woods this week, enjoying the first signs of spring, I felt that familiar pull. A quiet nudge that kept whispering: it’s time to walk again. Last year’s trip to Ireland was amazing—but also exhausting. I told myself I needed a break from that kind of travel. And yet... I just found a Camino Primitivo guide in my mailbox (no idea who put it there), and everything suddenly clicked into place. The Camino...
Mar 31, 2025•34 min
A few days ago, I went for a long walk. No phone. No recorder. Just me and the quiet of the woods. That’s unusual for me. Normally, I’m always recording something — podcast episodes, course materials, you name it. But that day, I needed to step back. Why? Because I was burning myself out. Trying to keep up with my own routines, like cranking out five podcast episodes a week, just because I set that standard for myself. It’s great to have goals, but the constant push to achieve them was making me...
Mar 25, 2025•43 min
Lately, I've been wrestling with a big question: How do I stay truly me in the content I create? I've spent years fine-tuning my videos, optimizing my titles, and chasing the perfect format. I even bought a teleprompter to keep my scripts structured and my delivery polished. But something strange happened—the more "perfect" my videos became, the less people seemed to care. Then, a funny thing happened. I uploaded a relaxed, off-the-cuff segment from a live stream—just me talking about my favorit...
Mar 18, 2025•36 min
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with social media and content creation. For years, I measured success in numbers—views, likes, followers. But I’ve come to realize that the most valuable interactions aren’t the ones the algorithm prioritizes. They’re the small, meaningful conversations, the real connections that enrich my life and, hopefully, the lives of others. This Lent, I’ve taken a step back from platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Instead of doom-scrolling through AI-cura...
Mar 11, 2025•41 min
Every year, as Lent begins, the question always comes up: What are you giving up? For many, it’s sweets, coffee, or social media. This year, I’m making a bigger decision—I’m stepping away from Meta entirely. That means no more Facebook, Instagram, Threads or WhatsApp. Why? Because I’ve been paying attention to what’s happening with these platforms, and it doesn’t sit right with me anymore. With Meta scaling back moderation, prioritizing profit and growth over user well-being and social responsib...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min
Today, while walking in the woods, I noticed something simple yet profound. I watched dog owners and their playful pups, and it struck me how the dogs react to a little conflict. Whether they choose to run away, bark back, or simply surrender by rolling over, their behavior reminded me of the choices we face in our own lives. I couldn’t help but recall my own past—times when I felt bullied and alone, caught between the urge to fight and the pressure to give in. Over time, I learned that standing...
Feb 24, 2025•32 min
When I prepared for my first marathon, I thought the hardest part would be the race itself—the 42 kilometers of relentless forward motion. Turns out, I was wrong. The real challenge? Learning when not to run. Like many, I believed pushing harder was always the answer. More training, faster miles, less rest. But my worst injuries, both in running and in life, came not from taking breaks—but from ignoring the need for them. Pushing through can be good—but knowing when to step back is even better. ...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min
I remember standing in Glendalough, the valley of two lakes in Ireland. The air was crisp, the landscape bathed in that soft Irish light, and the echoes of ancient footsteps seemed to linger in the stillness. Centuries ago, a young man named Kevin stood where I had stood. Born into privilege, he walked away from it all to live in solitude, seeking God in the wild beauty of that valley. But solitude didn’t last. People found him, drawn by the authenticity of a man who wasn’t trying to lead… but e...
Feb 10, 2025•38 min
I was standing at the foot of Croagh Patrick, a rugged mountain in Ireland where St. Patrick once fasted for 40 days. Pilgrims were climbing barefoot over sharp rocks, a powerful act of penance. I, meanwhile, was lacing up my sturdy boots, wondering what drove them to do this. This mountain, this saint, and his story all have something important to teach us—not just about faith but about how we navigate an ever-changing world. St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish. He was a kidnapped teenager, taken fro...
Feb 04, 2025•35 min
"I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way." There’s a powerful moment in The Lord of the Rings when Frodo steps forward, against all odds, to carry the burden of the Ring. He doesn’t know how he’ll succeed. He has no guarantee he’ll survive. But he takes that first step, and it changes everything. The world feels overwhelming right now—wars, political tension, economic struggles. It’s easy to feel like Frodo, staring at a monumental challenge and wondering, “What can I possibly do?” He...
Jan 28, 2025•30 min
I'm recording this on the third Monday in January, and for many of us, the spark of the new year feels like it’s fading. The Christmas lights are gone, the weather is bleak, and those ambitious resolutions? They’re feeling more like distant dreams. Some call this day "Blue Monday," and I get it—it’s easy to feel stuck when the world seems gray. But here’s the thing: Blue Monday doesn’t have to stay blue. I’ve discovered a mindset shift that’s helped me push through the gloom and find a little li...
Jan 20, 2025•31 min
Walking through a winter forest earlier today, I saw bare trees and fallen branches. Everything seemed lifeless. But beneath the decay, I noticed something powerful: the forest wasn’t dying—it was preparing for new growth. The trees had left nuts and seeds on the ground. The decaying leaves provided nourishment and protection, waiting for spring to arrive. It made me rethink the changes happening on social media right now. TikTok bans, Meta shifts, platforms falling apart. It feels like loss. Bu...
Jan 14, 2025•44 min
Have you ever wished for a total reset? Not just in your calendar, but in your life? That’s exactly what the ancient concept of a Jubilee Year offers—a fresh start for individuals and communities alike, once every 25 years. In this episode, I dig into the idea of Jubilee and why it’s more than just a historical footnote. It’s about restoration, freedom, and wiping the slate clean. Whether or not you’ve heard of it, there’s something deeply relevant here for all of us. Here’s a sneak peek of what...
Jan 07, 2025•31 min
As we step into 2025, one phrase is shaping how I approach the new year: Perfect is the enemy of good. Like many, I’ve started previous years with big resolutions, only to watch them unravel by February. Why? Because I set the bar so high that a single misstep felt like failure. This year, I’m doing things differently—focusing on small, consistent steps rather than perfection. Here’s what I’ve learned: Big changes stick better when they’re gradual. A five-minute habit is more sustainable than a ...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 4 min
The other day, I woke up with a Christmas song in my head. It wasn’t just any version—it was the Muppets and John Denver, singing 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. Nostalgia hit hard, reminding me of simpler, cozier moments from childhood. But here’s the thing: the world today feels far from cozy or simple. How can we have ourselves a Merry Little Christmas when the world is on fire? Still, the story of the Nativity holds lessons that matter even more now. I talk about it in this week's ...
Dec 23, 2024•37 min
Christmas stress hit me hard this week. I was sitting at my desk after hours of non-stop work when it dawned on me: Christmas Eve is less than an week away. My brain went into overdrive. So much to do. So many obligations. How am I this far behind? I imagined the chaos—rushing to clean the house, prepare meals, and meet commitments I’d promised without thinking. Sound familiar? We romanticize the holidays—lights, calm evenings, and joy. But in reality, we’re sprinting through the season. Here’s ...
Dec 17, 2024•47 min
