Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

Why would anyone confess to a crime when they have the right to remain silent?

Former K-9 officer and white-collar detective Jeff Wrigley has spent years in the room where criminals confess—and he's discovered something shocking: most of them feel RELIEF when they finally tell the truth.

In this eye-opening conversation, Jeff reveals why guilt and shame work like a "boa constrictor" that squeezes tighter every day, why the interrogation room and the confessional aren't that different, and what physically happens when someone finally comes clean.

We also dive into Jeff's powerful conversion story (including his first confession in a police cruiser), why shame makes kids hide instead of heal, and the one phrase every parent needs when their kid messes up.

This conversation will change how you think about confession—both the sacrament and the human need to be known and loved anyway.

Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

3:07 - From K-9 Officer to White Collar Detective

8:53 - Why Criminals Think They'll Get Away With It

11:55 - The "Boa Constrictor" Effect of Guilt and Shame

18:03 - The Confession Room vs. The Confessional

22:40 - When Shoulders Soften: What Confession Looks Like

26:29 - How a Detective Found God (Conversion Story)

35:25 - "He Can't Redeem What You Won't Confess"

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What do you do when everything just becomes too much?

This Sunday Reflection is deeply personal, as lately God has been bringing me right up to the edge of my own strength—physically, emotionally, spiritually. In prayer, I was reminded of something we all need to remember when we reach our breaking point:

You were never meant to be your own source.

We’re all afraid of running out—of energy, money, patience, creativity, love. As we get older, that fear can quietly run our lives. But Jesus offers a radically different way: trusting God as an infinite storehouse.

In this reflection, I talk about:

The fear of “running out” and how it shapes our stress

Why self-reliance eventually makes us miserable

What Jesus really means by “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

How trusting God sets you free from burnout and anxiety

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or feeling like you just don’t have it in you right now—I hope this video brings you some peace. You’re not running out. You just need to remember where the supply really comes from.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Can you identify a moment in your life when you hit a breaking point? How did God show up — or how did you wish He had?

Where in your life do you most fear “running out” right now?

When you feel overwhelmed, do you tend to withdraw, overwork, or lash out? How does self-reliance show up in your stress, anxiety, or relationships?

How would your daily decisions change if you truly believed God is your infinite storehouse?

What’s one concrete way you can surrender control to God this week?

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Chapters

(00:00:00) - Chris Stefanik on His Challenge
(00:05:23) - How to Trust God in Life
(00:06:09) - Blessed Makarios

You probably have a litany of complaints about your priest. But what does your priest think about YOU?

In this episode, I sat down with Fr. Leo Patalinghug (yes, the priest who beat Bobby Flay), and I gave him permission to unload.

This priest chef turns the tables to serve up an honest assessment of the parishioner behaviors that drain the life out of priests...and how we can do better at bringing our best to Mass and Confession.

And, honestly...we need to hear this!

Our conversation is authentic, funny, and convicting as Fr. Leo reflects on his 25 years of priesthood and parish ministry to offer solid advice on how to further engage at Mass and use the sacrament of Confession for its intended purpose of both absolving your sins and healing your mind and heart.

He shares some funny stories along the way about people using the confessional as a counseling session or confessing other people's sins and not their own, those who don't pray along audibly at Mass, and his impression of the face that so many people in the pews are making while lifelessly staring back at him during Mass. (Don't miss it! )

He also offers sound reasons for WHY we should care about the way we confess our sins and our approach to attending Mass. He has some beautiful thoughts on God's mercy, the seal of Confession, and showing respect to the Lord by fully immersing ourselves in the liturgy.

Let's continue to pray for our priests who have given their lives to serve the Body of Christ. And let's use Fr. Leo's tips to renew our approach to the sacraments and fully embrace God's love and mercy.

HIGHLIGHTS
0:00 Why Catholics love critiquing priests
3:49 Confession is not counseling
6:01 Why saying the sin brings healing
9:00 Scrupulosity, despair, and self-hatred
11:29 Let God love you with his mercy
14:19 Presumption vs. real repentance
18:27 Why confession sets us free psychologically
25:21 What priests need from us at Mass
30:12 “Mouth the words” — why participation matters
35:06 Why you leaving Mass early crushes priests

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Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0
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The Chris Stefanick Show will soon be premiering on EWTN+ Streaming! You can start watching more great content at: EWTN.com/ondemand/
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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages
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Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZOMMAyrrwyFVVcEPU85vV

Chapters

(00:00:00) - The Problem with Our Priests
(00:01:04) - Chris Stefanik: Joy in Everyday Life
(00:03:47) - What's the Nightmare Confession to Hear?
(00:07:55) - The Importance of Confessions
(00:09:33) - Mission: Joy
(00:13:21) - Confession and the Real Sins
(00:17:13) - In the Elevator With Confession
(00:21:22) - The Sacrificial Confession
(00:25:18) - Homilies at Mass
(00:27:54) - 5 Tips Catholics Should Not Make for Mass
(00:31:28) - What Drives All Priests Crazy
(00:35:06) - What Do We Need From You?
(00:36:44) - Priests and the Liturgy

Have you ever felt small? Like just one person among nearly 8 billion—how could you possibly matter?

That's no doubt how the apostles felt...fishermen of little consequence by the world's standards.

Until Jesus called them by using a phrase that rabbis would use to call specially gifted students: "Come follow me."

They were hearing something they'd dreamt of their whole lives—something they thought had passed them by.

That's why they dropped everything instantly.

They mattered to Jesus. And so do you.

God’s attention isn’t divided. He’s infinite. Which means He gives you His full, undivided love—right now...and he's calling you the same way: "Come follow me."

In those small-feeling moments, remember that God is perpetually pouring His grace over you. Sometimes we forget that God is there loving us, but He never forgets about us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When do you most struggle with feeling insignificant or unseen? What triggers those thoughts?

2. How does the idea that God gives infinite attention to each person change the way you see your relationship with Him?

3. What would it look like for you to truly believe that God is calling you personally—not just Christians in general?

4. Are there moments in your life when you felt like God's call to you was clear? What were you called to and how did you respond?

5. What is one concrete way you can respond to God's call this week?

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Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to the Holy Land: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/cs-holyland2026/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Small Enough in the Eyes of God
(00:05:05) - Fishing Lessons for Saints

Suicide rates are rising—and almost all of us have been touched by it. If you’ve ever wondered “What happens to someone who dies by suicide?” or felt crushed by fear, guilt, or unanswered questions, this episode will bring you real hope.

I sit down with Fr. Chris Alar, author of After Suicide, to unpack what the Catholic Church actually teaches: why suicide is grave matter, why that does not automatically mean someone is damned, and how God can work mercy in ways we can’t see.

Our conversation also touches briefly on the lie behind assisted suicide and Fr. Chris tells a beautiful story that explains the power of offering up your suffering as a prayer for the living and those who have died.

We also talk about practical warning signs and what to do when someone is struggling with suicidal ideation.

If you’ve lost someone, love someone who’s struggling, or you’re carrying silent pain yourself—this conversation is for you. God's mercy is real—and it's powerful beyond our human comprehension.

Get Fr. Chris' book "After Suicide": https://www.amazon.com/After-Suicide-Theres-Hope-Them/dp/1596144343

Highlights:

0:00 Intro

5:00 The myth: “Suicide = automatic hell”

9:45 Catechism 2282: mitigating factors & God’s mercy

22:45 Catechism 2283: don’t despair—God can act in ways we can’t see

29:10 Your prayers can still matter (even when it feels “too late”)

37:03 Why some people prefer legalism over mercy

42:12 Suicide today is not an epidemic but a pandemic

44:35 The #1 risk factor for those considering suicide

46:13 Warning signs + what to say when you’re worried about someone

50:11 “I’m a burden” — the lie behind assisted suicide/euthanasia

56:18 Closing prayer + blessing

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or considering self-harm: please call 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or your local emergency number right now. If you’re outside the U.S., look up your country’s crisis line and reach out immediately.

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Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk

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Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

........

Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

Chapters

(00:00:11) - How to Help Someone Who's Suicidal
(00:00:56) - Missionaries of Joy
(00:04:49) - Read Your Own Book
(00:05:03) - After Suicide: The Catholic Church teaching
(00:06:53) - Is Abortion a Mortal Sin?
(00:11:08) - Mission at Joy
(00:16:22) - The Vocation of a Priest
(00:21:53) - The Life of Padre Pio
(00:26:45) - The Crucified Prayer Card
(00:31:01) - In the Elevator With Father Spitzer
(00:35:40) - "I struggle with impatience"
(00:36:40) - The message of divine mercy in the Catholic Church
(00:42:07) - Why Suicide Is an Epidemic
(00:46:11) - How to Talk to Someone About Suicidal Thoughts
(00:50:09) - Abused Suicide and Euthanasia
(00:55:12) - A Suicide by Dignity