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Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

During the Family Rosary Across America, George from Rancho Cucamonga, California, called in with heartfelt prayer intentions for his wife, his three sons, and especially for his son Johan, who had just turned 16. When Fr. Rocky learned Johan was listening, he smiled. “We’re going to give him a special treat,” Fr. Rocky said before inviting Maggie to sing “Happy Birthday” live on the air. What followed was simple, warm, and unforgettable: “Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to youHappy birthday, dear Johan who’s 16Happy birthday to you." Moments like these remind us that prayer is deeply personal. The Rosary unites families not only in times of suffering or worry, but also in gratitude, joy, and celebration. Even over the radio, the Relevant Radio family becomes a place where birthdays are remembered, prayers are lifted up, and hearts are connected through faith. For Johan and his family, this small moment became a beautiful reminder that God works through community, kindness, and the power of prayer. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Few moments in Scripture are as personal and piercing as Jesus’ conversation with Peter after the Resurrection. On Father Simon Says, Fr. Richard Simon reflected on John 21 and the three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter, who had denied Christ three times before the Crucifixion, now stands before the risen Lord by the sea. Fr. Simon explains that the exchange carries a deeper meaning in the original Greek. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him with agape — sacrificial, divine love. Peter responds instead with philia — brotherly affection. Again and again, Jesus asks. Again and again, Peter admits the limits of his love. Finally, Jesus lowers the question: “So you love Me like a brother?” Fr. Simon calls this “the first confession of the first pope.” Peter does not pretend to love perfectly. He simply offers the love he has. Yet Jesus still entrusts him with the mission to lead the Church. That is the hope of the Gospel. Christ does not wait for perfect people before calling them. Instead, He teaches us to grow in holiness through trust, surrender, and perseverance. Fr. Simon points to Jesus’ final words to Peter: “Follow Me.” Though Peter’s love was imperfect, Christ promised he would one day learn to love more deeply, even to the point of sacrifice. The same invitation is extended to every Christian. God receives our imperfect love and patiently transforms it into something greater. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

What does it mean to bear the “fruits of the Spirit”? On The Inner Life, Fr. John Paul Erickson joined Patrick Conley to explain that spiritual fruit is simply the visible evidence of God at work in a person’s life. Just as a healthy tree naturally bears good fruit, a soul united to God through grace begins to reflect His love, peace, patience, and mercy. Fr. Erickson described the Christian life as a process of growth. Trees need time, care, pruning, and nourishment before they flourish. The same is true spiritually. “When we are living in union with God,” he said, “our life will necessarily bear good fruit.” The conversation became especially moving when a caller named Ann shared the pain of family conflict, alcoholism, and mental illness. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, she admitted she was struggling to respond with charity while trying to maintain healthy boundaries. Fr. Erickson responded with compassion, encouraging her to draw close to Christ in prayer. He compared the Holy Spirit to a fire that sustains us during life’s storms. “The Lord knows your heart,” he reminded her. “He knows you’re trying the best that you can.” His words offered hope to anyone carrying difficult relationships or hidden suffering: even painful trials, when united to God, can bear fruit known fully only to Him. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Every marriage experiences moments of hurt. A sharp tone, a careless joke, a distracted silence after a long day — these small wounds can slowly chip away at intimacy if they are left unaddressed. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer explains why learning to apologize well is one of the most important skills a husband and wife can develop. Doug reminds listeners that apology should be a regular part of marriage because no spouse is perfect. “We all have flaws and defects,” he says. “And those flaws and defects are like little dents in our relationship.” A meaningful apology begins by taking responsibility. Vague statements like “mistakes were made” or “I’m sorry you feel hurt” fail to acknowledge the real offense. Instead, Doug encourages couples to be specific: “I’m sorry for my tone of voice,” or “I’m sorry I embarrassed you.” He also warns against overexplaining. Too many explanations can sound defensive or like excuses. Often, the best apology is simple and sincere: “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” But true repentance does not stop with words. Doug explains that good apologies include efforts to repair the damage and a genuine commitment to change. Finally, he reminds listeners that forgiveness is just as important as apology. “If you build your marriage on ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I forgive you,’ you’re going to have a pretty good marriage.” Marriage flourishes when mercy becomes a habit. In a world that often encourages pride and resentment, Doug’s advice is a reminder that humility, forgiveness, and love remain the foundation of lasting relationships. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Can a lifetime devoted to science lead someone to God? For oncologist Dr. Thomas Collins, the answer is yes. Speaking with Drew on The Drew Mariani Show, Dr. Collins shared his remarkable journey from agnosticism to Catholicism while working daily among cancer patients, suffering, and death. Though baptized Baptist as a child, he admitted he lost his faith as a teenager and spent years focused entirely on medicine and scientific achievement. “I just felt like it was all Santa Claus, basically,” he said of religion during his younger years. Driven by intellectual curiosity, Dr. Collins pursued oncology because of its complexity and promise. Yet over time, the suffering of patients began to soften what he described as a once “cold” outlook on life. Then came a moment he could never explain away. While discussing molecular biology research in a lab, an unexpected thought pierced through his skepticism: “Isn’t this a little too amazing to have just happened?” “That voice hit me like a hammer,” he recalled. “It woke me up.” That experience launched a deep search for truth through philosophy, theology, and eventually Christianity. But Dr. Collins says it was more than intellectual arguments that changed him. The love of his wife, the birth of his children, beauty in nature and music, and especially the witness of patients suffering with grace all pointed him toward God. One patient even asked him directly if he was a Christian. Another later gifted him a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis after discerning through prayer that he should do so. Through those encounters, Dr. Collins came to believe that human love, beauty, and suffering are not meaningless accidents, but signs pointing toward God Himself. As Drew reflected, those experiences reveal “the good, the true, and the beautiful” reflections of the Creator drawing souls back to Him. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Most people think of strength training as something for athletes, bodybuilders, or younger people chasing fitness goals. But on Morning Air, Dr. Brian Donahue shared a different perspective: muscle is about much more than appearance. It’s about health, longevity, and protecting the body God gave us. Dr. Donahue explained that studies have found a strong connection between muscle strength and long-term health. In fact, even hand grip strength has been used as a predictor of overall wellness and longevity. Stronger muscles are linked to benefits for cardiovascular health, metabolism, and even reducing the risk of falls as we age. Muscles also play an important role in supporting the joints. As we get older, muscle loss naturally occurs unless we actively work against it. “By 40 years old,” Dr. Donahue explained, “we start to atrophy,” often losing muscle mass year after year. That loss of strength can contribute to knee pain, hip issues, and instability. Another surprising benefit of muscle is its role in regulating blood sugar. Dr. Donahue noted that muscles store much of the body’s glycogen, helping process sugar properly. Without enough muscle, excess sugar is more easily stored as fat instead. The encouraging news? It’s never too late to start. Dr. Donahue emphasized that even people in their 70s and 80s benefit from resistance training. Starting slowly with proper form, lighter weights, or resistance bands can make a significant difference over time. “A body in motion stays in motion,” he reminded listeners. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit moves in dramatic ways. Other times, He speaks quietly through a persistent nudge we can’t ignore. On The Tim Glemkowski Show, Mary from California shared a remarkable testimony about learning to trust that gentle prompting. She had a job she absolutely loved. The people, the work, the fulfillment — everything seemed perfect. Yet she kept feeling that it was time to leave. “I didn’t understand why,” Mary admitted. After wrestling with the decision and praying through it, she finally resigned. Though confused, she also felt an unexpected peace. A few months later, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer during the height of COVID restrictions. Looking back, she realized the Holy Spirit had been preparing her heart long before the diagnosis came. Her husband later told her, “Now we know why you had to quit so badly.” Had she stayed, Mary believes she would have rushed through treatment and ignored the deeper spiritual and emotional healing God wanted for her. Instead, she had time to pray, discern, and lean fully on the Lord. Today, Mary is cancer-free and filled with gratitude. “God heals,” she said. “When He heals, it’s done and done and it’s finished.” Tim connected Mary’s story to the invitation of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit comes where He is loved, invited, and expected. Even in suffering, God brings peace, renewal, and hope to hearts open to Him. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On The Patrick Madrid Show, a caller named Charlie shared a deeply personal struggle: growing up in a faithful Catholic home while also experiencing same-sex attraction. He spoke candidly about feelings of alienation, painful experiences within Catholic circles, and the challenge of reconciling his desires with the teachings of the Church. Patrick responded first with compassion, acknowledging Charlie’s suffering without dismissing the reality of the Church’s teaching. “I don’t condemn you,” Patrick told him. “I’m not here to condemn anybody.” The heart of the conversation centered on a difficult but universal question: Will we allow our desires to master us, or will we surrender them to Christ? Patrick reminded listeners that every Christian, regardless of their particular struggles, is called to live a life of chastity and holiness. To illustrate this, Patrick turned to St. Augustine, who famously wrote, “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in Thee.” Augustine himself wrestled with powerful temptations before discovering that lasting joy comes not from satisfying every desire, but from surrendering fully to God. Patrick emphasized that authentic happiness is possible through grace, prayer, and perseverance. While the struggle may remain, Christ never abandons those who seek Him sincerely. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Why do so many people today struggle socially, emotionally, and relationally? On Trending with Timmerie, psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral psychotherapist Dr. Hannah Spier explores how modern parenting and cultural trends may be contributing to a growing inability to handle discomfort, relationships, and adult responsibility. Dr. Spier explains that many young people, especially girls, are being raised with a heavy emphasis on confidence, ambition, and self-expression, while other essential virtues are neglected. “We confuse rudeness for confidence,” she says, warning that constantly encouraging children to “speak up” without teaching restraint or consideration for others can damage healthy social development. She points to the importance of agreeableness and conscientiousness — traits that help people cooperate, endure hardship, and build strong relationships. Without these virtues, ambition can quickly turn into resentment when life becomes difficult or unfair. “You have people who are very ambitious and they want lofty goals, but if they have no conscientiousness, they won’t reach it,” Dr. Spier explains. “And then they get resentful.” Timmerie connects this struggle to family life, especially the loss of shared sacrifice and responsibility within larger families. Learning to wait, compromise, and think of others helps children understand that they are not the center of the universe. Boundaries, discipline, and even disappointment all help form emotional resilience. The conversation also highlights how modern culture often treats discipline as something negative rather than necessary for growth. Yet Dr. Spier argues that discipline teaches people how to endure discomfort, regulate emotions, and pursue long-term goals with maturity. At its heart, this discussion is a reminder that virtue formation matters. Confidence alone cannot sustain a meaningful life. Real strength comes from humility, self-control, patience, and love for others — virtues that help people flourish in families, friendships, and faith. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

For many Catholics, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is remembered as the “TV bishop” whose wit and wisdom captivated millions. But Monsignor Roger Landry says Sheen’s greatest impact may have happened beyond the television screen. Speaking on The Tim Glemkowski Show, Monsignor Landry reflected on Sheen’s upcoming beatification and the enormous legacy he left behind as a missionary leader, evangelizer, and defender of the Catholic Faith. “He really took the Church in the United States and helped us to become by far the most generous mission in the world,” Monsignor Landry explained. During his years leading the Pontifical Mission Societies, Sheen helped American Catholics fund churches, seminaries, convents, and dioceses across the globe. Monsignor Landry shared that one Nigerian seminary, now the largest in the world with more than 700 seminarians, was built largely through Sheen’s efforts and the generosity of American Catholics. But Sheen’s influence wasn’t only financial. Monsignor Landry believes Sheen also transformed how Catholics were viewed in America. “If Sheen is what it means to be a Catholic, we’ve got nothing to be afraid of,” many non-Catholics began to say. Today, seminarians around the world still read Sheen’s Life of Christ, and his books and recordings continue supporting missionary work through ongoing royalties. “My greatest love has always been for the missions of the Church,” Sheen once said. For Monsignor Landry, Sheen’s beatification is a reminder that holiness and evangelization go hand in hand. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.