Radio Shows
2022
LA Catholic Morning Radio Interview Archives
Topic: Psychedelic Drugs and New Mental Health Treatments
Novel Approaches to Alleviating Debilitating Depression. In today's morning show, Father Tad explores the possibility of "microdosing" psychedelic drugs as an intriguing and potentially legitimate approach to treating persistent, intractable depression. Hosts Todd Sylvester and Ellen Taylor acknowledge the frustrating complexities of dealing with depression as the apparent uptick in this malady has affected all of us, personally and socially. Father Tad recognizes the dangers of non-monitored or self-administered psychedelics, yet offers the hope that these novel therapeutics may provide relief to subpopulations of individuals under valid medical supervision. He further encourages a multi-tiered strategy for addressing mental health issues, including confronting personal and spiritual issues while working with a credible Christian counselor or psychotherapist.
Broadcast Date: October 18, 2022
Topic: Homosexual Men and Chaste Friendships
Cultivating a Chaste Heart. In this episode with hosts Todd Sylvester and Ellen Taylor, Father Tad delves into the realities of same-sex attraction and the need for healthy, holy friendships for all of us. The hosts and Father Tad speak candidly about our propensity towards sin, yet in the light of hope and redemption. Father Tad commends the important apostolate of Courage and their five guiding principles: The first guidepost is to simply live the virtue of chastity. The second is to develop lives of prayer and dedication. The third is to develop fellowship by sharing our experiences with one another. The fourth is to support each other in chaste friendships. And, the fifth is to give good example to others by the way that we live. This episode invites all of us to deeper sanctity, authentic freedom, and love.
Broadcast Date: September 8, 2022
Topic: A Great Nation Begins to Come to Its Senses
The historic Dobbs decision overturns Roe v. Wade. In the aftermath of the stunning Dobbs decision, today's hosts, Ellen Taylor and Tom McDonald, asked Father Tad to specifically address the case of ectopic pregnancies as this is being advanced by proponents of abortion as a contradiction in the pro-life stance. Father Tad delineates the principle of double-effect to clarify the pro-life position and dispel any misconceptions. He further emphasizes the need to recognize that there are two patients to care for in pregnancy and this must always be kept in focus. Father Tad notes that the "exceptions" to the rule have been used in rhetoric to heighten emotions and mislead the conversation. In light of the landmark ruling, Father Tad implores the listener to take heart and engage with renewed energy in the discussion at the state level. A helpful review for all of us, including those in ministry and medicine.
Broadcast Date: July 27, 2022
Topic: Treasuring Our Future Timelines
Our choices today powerfully affect future timelines in either positive or detrimental ways. Today's hosts, Ellen Taylor and Tom McDonald, invite Father Tad to discuss his most recent column which addresses the profound effects our decisions have both in the moment and in the unfolding of other important life events. Father Tad highlights the heart-breaking cost of abortion in light of the reality that we are losing our future generations within families and society-at-large. This thought-provoking episode presents the challenge of abortion pills and the triumph of Kathy Barnette's personal story.
Broadcast Date: June 29, 2022
Topic: Dehumanizing One Another
Recognizing Each Other's Humanity in the Midst of Conflict. In today’s show Father Tad discusses, the broad temptation to dehumanize one another throughout history and into modern times, looking at an example from the current conflict in Ukraine. In the world of biomedical science, he notes there exist similar temptations to dehumanize others, as seen in expanding societal pressure to encourage abortion and euthanasia. They discuss the need to recognize and respect, whether during times of war or other situations of vulnerability, both enemies and non-enemies such as the unborn and the elderly, as fully human.
Broadcast Date: May 18, 2022
Topic: Too Much Morphine?
Reasonable Administration of Pain Medication. In this segment, Father Tad addresses the proper use of pain medication (such as morphine) at the end of life, and discusses concerns about using it when it is not needed, or is employed in dosages that are unnecessarily high. In order to benefit from pain medication, it should be titered to the actual pain needs of the patient. Additional considerations near the end of life will include whether or not the patient needs to be fully conscious to take care of final matters, such as saying goodbye to others and receiving the last sacraments.
Broadcast Date: March 15, 2022
Topic: Harvesting Organs from Pigs
Clarifying the Church’s Position on a New Organ Donation Procedure. In today’s show, Father Tad discusses the ethics and feasibility of pig organ transplants into humans, a relatively new development with life-saving potential. This has the ability to impact a broader range of issues, such as the diminishing the pressure to harvest organs from the poor and vulnerable overseas, as well as addressing the significant shortage of organ donors in the United States. Pig organs are quite close to a suitable size for humans, and can be rapidly grown for human transplantation, but the ultimate success of such transplantation will depend on further work to optimize the potential for the organs to escape immune rejection, and to function reliably over the long term.
Broadcast Date: February 10, 2022
Topic: Forced Sterilization
The Importance of Learning from the Past. In this segment, Fr. Tad relays the importance of caring for those institutionalized with intellectual disabilities by recounting the dark history of forced sterilization and the call for Christians to embrace the opportunity to advocate on their behalf. Fr. Tad discusses the need to pay attention and exercise caution in situations where the disabled are most likely to be victimized, such as institutional settings or other settings where some patients may not be properly cared for. He discusses the importance of not repeating the mistakes of the past, both on a moral and legislative level.
Broadcast Date: January 18, 2022
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