What happens when we are defined by our worst? What does it do to the human heart when we are considered without redemption?

Fr. Dustin Feddon has spent over a decade walking alongside men in maximum-security prisons and on death row. In this episode, he shares the stories that changed him — stories of trauma, responsibility, trust, remorse, and unexpected dignity.

This isn’t a political conversation. It’s about shame, relationship, and what it means to see someone as more than the worst thing they’ve done.

These are stories from death row — and what they reveal about all of us.

Fr. Dustin Feddon is a priest of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and the founder/executive director of Joseph House. Fr. Dustin combines his dedication to those on the margins of society with his service to the Church. After spending years visiting the incarcerated in Florida’s massive prison system, he believes that the church has the resources and the community to assist those that are returning back into society from prison.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:05:30 - First Experiences in Prison Ministry

00:06:49 - Impact of Prison Ministry on Father Dustin

00:13:39 - Returning to Seminary with a New Focus

00:24:55 - Encountering the Harsh Realities of Solitary Confinement

00:31:21 - Establishing Joseph House

00:46:35 - The Concept of Irredeemability and Its Impact

00:58:28 - The Story of Daryl: Accompanying Men at Their Execution

01:02:45 - The Execution of Daryl: A Witness's Perspective

01:18:59 - Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Joseph House: https://www.josephhouseus.org

More Than Halfway Home Book: https://www.josephhouseus.org/more-than-half-way-home

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To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-hope/id1437447070

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EfQGHAQLHkQcmHeWjlCJF?si=6e6199090a0b4f0c

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Full Courses:

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The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance.

We talk a lot about masculinity — but far less about how it’s actually formed. In this conversation, we step back from the usual talking points and look at masculinity from the ground up.

Drawing on firsthand experience working with men in seminary formation, Dr Mario and Fr Josh Johnson explore what consistently shapes men well, what often gets overemphasized, and what quietly gets overlooked. The patterns that emerge aren’t limited to young men or religious settings — they show up across the board.

Whether you're a seminarian, a priest, or just a dude looking to grow in your understanding of masculinity, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice. Join us as we explore how to embrace true masculinity and foster deeper connections with ourselves and others.

Fr. Josh Johnson is a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. He is the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and director of the Propaedeutic Program for Baton Rouge seminarians. He travels widely as a speaker at conferences, retreats, and youth events, and was one of 3 MCs at the historic National Eucharistic Congress in 2024. He is well-known for his popular podcast Ask Father Josh as well as his Q&A videos on Ascension Presents. He is the author of several books including On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Restoring God’s Vision for Race and Discipleship.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:15:20 - The Importance of Vulnerability and Boundaries in Seminary Formation

00:17:35 - Learning and Adapting in the First Year of Formation

00:19:45 - Observations and Surprises in the House of Formation

00:30:58 - Adapting to Individual Needs and Challenges in Formation

00:46:18 - Addressing Distrust within the Seminary and Priesthood

00:49:55 - The Importance of Creating Structure and Trust in Relationships

00:56:02 - The Challenge of Creating Personal Structure and Maintaining Relationships

01:01:14 - The Importance of Perseverance and Grit

01:04:30 - The Simplicity of Faith and the Challenges of Returning to Basics

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church: https://sacredheartbr.org

Every Word Scripture Journal: https://everyword.press/products/on-every-word-scripture-journal

✉️ Sign Up for The Beacon Email Newsletter: www.drmariosacasa.com/newsletter-opt-in

🎧 Subscribe for more Catholic Christian dating advice, emotional health tools, and honest conversations about love, faith, and healing.

Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at www.drmariosacasa.com/dating-toolkit

To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-hope/id1437447070

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EfQGHAQLHkQcmHeWjlCJF?si=6e6199090a0b4f0c

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights!

www.youtube.com/@drmariosacasa

Follow me on the socials:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa

Full Courses:

Dating Well: www.drmariosacasa/datingwell

Overcoming Stress and Anxiety: www.goodcatholic.com/product/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety/

The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance.

Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood—and emotionally challenging—parts of healing. In this episode, Dr. Mario sits down with Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in forgiveness research, to unpack what forgiveness truly is, what it is not, and why getting it wrong keeps so many people stuck in pain. Together, they explore forgiveness as a process rather than a feeling, how it differs from excusing or forgetting, and why it has profound emotional, psychological, and spiritual impact. Rooted in both clinical psychology and a Christian understanding of suffering and redemption, this conversation offers a clear and hopeful path toward freedom, healing, and unity in Christ.

Professor Robert Enright is a licensed psychologist and holds the Aristotelian Professorship in Forgiveness Science, Human Development Area, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has pioneered the scientific study of forgiveness, which now claims over 1,000 researchers worldwide. He teaches courses in moral development with an emphasis on the psychology of forgiveness. He is a popular speaker on the moral development of forgiveness, with his work appearing in such outlets as Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and ABC’s 20/20.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:06:22 - The Controversy and Challenges of Studying Forgiveness

00:08:52 - Understanding Forgiveness in the Context of Christianity

00:18:15 - The Importance of Distinguishing Forgiveness and Reconciliation

00:22:10 - Introduction to Dr. Enright's Model of Forgiveness

00:33:12 - The Role of Compassion and Suffering in Forgiveness

00:34:18 - The Fulfillment of Forgiveness as a Moral Virtue

00:37:30 - The Impact of Forgiveness on Psychological Health: Case Studies

00:43:03 - The Process and Importance of Self-Forgiveness

00:51:10 - The Role of Self-Forgiveness in Spiritual Warfare

Forgiveness as Unity in Christ Book Link: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/forgiving-as-unity-with-christ/

Salvifici Dolores John Paul II: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html

Every Word Scripture Journal: https://everyword.press/products/on-every-word-scripture-journal

✉️ Sign Up for The Beacon Email Newsletter: www.drmariosacasa.com/newsletter-opt-in

🎧 Subscribe for more Catholic Christian dating advice, emotional health tools, and honest conversations about love, faith, and healing.

Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at www.drmariosacasa.com/dating-toolkit

To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-hope/id1437447070

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EfQGHAQLHkQcmHeWjlCJF?si=6e6199090a0b4f0c

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights!

www.youtube.com/@drmariosacasa

Follow me on the socials:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa

Full Courses:

Dating Well: www.drmariosacasa/datingwell

Overcoming Stress and Anxiety: www.goodcatholic.com/product/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety/

The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance.