Being Human

Dr. Gregory Bottaro
  • 5.0 (18)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

At the CatholicPsych Institute, we're doing something new when it comes to therapy. In the Being Human podcast, Dr. Greg Bottaro, Founder and Director of the CatholicPsych Institute, shares with you his vision for Catholic therapy and a revolutionary approach that is focused, finally, on what it means to be human.

  1. Not All Satisfaction Is Good: Understanding Codependency As Relationship Cancer

    2 DAYS AGO

    Not All Satisfaction Is Good: Understanding Codependency As Relationship Cancer

    What if you're mistaking something emotionally dangerous for love? In this episode, Dr. Greg tackles a painful but common pattern: relationships that look close, committed, and appear to be flourishing, yet quietly trap both people in fear, dependence, and anxiety.  Key Topics: Why both partners can feel "happy" even as the relationship becomes unhealthy How codependency distorts the kind of free, fruitful relationships God calls us to Why awareness and willpower aren't enough to break these cycles – and what we can do to heal them Learn More: Pilgrimage to Poland - Learn more about this interior journey with St. John Paul II Being Human episodes on the Dependent Defense Pattern: Ep. #266: You're Giving Too Much! Uncovering How Anxiety Disguises Itself as Holiness Ep. #265: Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing Person and Act by Karol Wojtyla (Pope Saint John Paul II) Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope Saint John Paul II) Discernment of Spirits - Learn more through the lens of Catholic anthropology and Catholic mindfulness Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    56 min
  2. You're Giving Too Much! Uncovering How Anxiety Disguises Itself as Holiness

    17 FEB

    You're Giving Too Much! Uncovering How Anxiety Disguises Itself as Holiness

    What if the reason you feel anxious, resentful, or exhausted from "doing the right thing" isn't a lack of generosity—but anxiety hiding behind virtue? This episode explores the crucial difference between authentic Christian self-gift and giving that's really about survival, revealing how true sacrifice should expand freedom, not erase you. Key Topics: The difference between Christian self-gift and anxiety-driven giving Why humility is not the same as self-erasure How attachment wounds can fuel overgiving How dependent and narcissistic patterns reinforce each other Why true love always increases freedom Learn More: Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Casti Connubii (Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Christian Marriage) Being Human episode on the Dependent Defense Pattern: Ep. #265: Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    1h 7m
  3. Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing: A Deep Dive into the Dependent Defense Pattern

    10 FEB

    Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing: A Deep Dive into the Dependent Defense Pattern

    Have you ever felt safer letting someone else decide—not because you didn't care, but because choosing for yourself felt overwhelming or even dangerous? Dr. Greg explores the dependent defense pattern and why giving up agency can feel like survival—until healing restores the freedom to exist, choose, and love. Key Topics: Why dependency isn't just fear of being alone—but fear of not existing alone How proximity can start to feel like survival Why some people lose touch with what they want, like, or dream about How dependency can quietly shape marriages, families, and faith And how healing doesn't erase need—it restores freedom Learn More: Being Human episodes on narcissistic personality patterns: Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Ep. #262: Spiritual Narcissism: Exposing the Sneaky Way We Use Religion as a Pattern of Protection Ep. #263: Holiness and Narcissism Ep. #264: IFS, JP2 and Narcissism Is Leadership of the Family a Man's Job? (Being Human, Ep. #201) Correcting Aquinas: JP2's Truth Bomb on Gender and Human Dignity (Being Human, Ep. #197) Being Human episodes on Parts Work:  Ep. #34: A New Theory! w/a Catholic Lens Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Thoughts? w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski Ep. #49: Internal Family Systems & External Family Tensions  Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    56 min
  4. IFS, JPII and Narcissism: Unburdening the Subconscious on the Way to Healing

    3 FEB

    IFS, JPII and Narcissism: Unburdening the Subconscious on the Way to Healing

    Dr. Greg wraps up the series on narcissism by going beneath behavior and willpower, drawing on JP2 and psychology to show how real healing happens at the subconscious level. Learn how narcissistic patterns can be unburdened and integrated with compassion—not erased or fought—so healing can actually take root. Key Topics: Why a narcissistic part is not a monster, but a protector How deep wounds get buried beneath conscious awareness and still drive behavior Why healing isn't about willpower or "trying harder" How narcissistic patterns can be unburdened and integrated, rather than erased Learn More: Being Human episodes on Narcissism: Ep. #263: Holiness and Narcissism: Undoing the Knots with Awareness, Self-Determination, Empathy and Our Lady Ep. #262: Spiritual Narcissism: Exposing the Sneaky Way We Use Religion as a Pattern of Protection Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Related blog articles: The Problem with the Bishop Scandals Outlining Narcissistic Personality Disorder The Two Types of Narcissism Being Human episodes on Parts Work:  Ep. #34: A New Theory! w/a Catholic Lens Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Thoughts? w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski Ep. #47: How to Turn Your Inner Worst Enemies into Your Inner Best Friends Person and Act by Karol Wojtyla (Pope Saint John Paul II) Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment   Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    46 min
  5. Holiness and Narcissism: Undoing the Knots with Awareness, Self-Determination, Empathy and Our Lady

    27 JAN

    Holiness and Narcissism: Undoing the Knots with Awareness, Self-Determination, Empathy and Our Lady

    "Die to yourself." "Offer it up." What happens when these phrases get tangled with woundedness? In this episode, we explore spiritual narcissism—and the path back to freedom through awareness, empathy, self-determination, and Our Lady.   Key Topics: Why "good advice" can sometimes feel silencing rather than supportive How being told to "pray more" can replace real listening The hidden ways love can feel conditional in spiritual spaces How spiritual environments can quietly erode trust in your own intuition Learn More: Related blog articles: The Problem with the Bishop Scandals Outlining Narcissistic Personality Disorder The Two Types of Narcissism Being Human episodes on Narcissism: Ep. #262: Spiritual Narcissism: Exposing the Sneaky Way We Use Religion as a Pattern of Protection Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    46 min
  6. Spiritual Narcissism: Exposing the Sneaky Way We Use Religion as a Pattern of Protection

    20 JAN

    Spiritual Narcissism: Exposing the Sneaky Way We Use Religion as a Pattern of Protection

    When faith is used to silence, control, or end conversations, something has gone wrong. In this episode, Dr. Greg exposes spiritual narcissism—the hidden way woundedness disguises itself as holiness and quietly breaks relationships from the inside out.   Key Topics: Why spiritual maturity does not automatically include emotional maturity How faith can unconsciously be used to shut down dialogue Why boundaries can be an authentic act of mercy How real healing requires integration, not just more prayer or effort How spiritual language can become a shield against vulnerability rather than a path to communion Why grace perfects nature but does not bypass psychological woundedness Why marriage is not a chain of command but a mutual gift of self How authority language can become a warning sign instead of a virtue Why feeling confused, guilty, or silenced in a "faithful" relationship signals deeper misalignment Learn More: Related blog articles: The Problem with the Bishop Scandals Outlining Narcissistic Personality Disorder The Two Types of Narcissism Being Human episodes on Narcissism: Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Ep. #68: "I'm Not Narcissistic, You're Narcissistic!" Ep. #67: An Antidote to Narcissism Ep. #21: A Look at Narcissist Personality Disorder Being Human Ep. #201: Is Leadership of the Family a Man's Job? Being Human episodes on Parts Work:  Ep. #49: Internal Family Systems & External Family Tensions  Ep. #47: How to Turn Your Inner Worst Enemies into Your Inner Best Friends Pastores Dabo Vobis (St. John Paul II) – On human formation as the foundation of spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    44 min
  7. Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary: Why Real Change Happens through Love not Willpower

    13 JAN

    Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary: Why Real Change Happens through Love not Willpower

    Everyone's talking about narcissism — but most of the conversation is missing what's really going on underneath. In this episode, Dr. Greg uncovers the blind spot driving narcissistic patterns, and why willpower never creates the change that only love can.   Key Topics: Why willpower alone never leads to real change  How blind spots protect us from unbearable shame  What "the terror of being ordinary" actually means  Why patience and sacrifice don't heal narcissism  And what does create the conditions for change Learn More: Being Human episodes on Narcissism: Ep. #21: A Look at Narcissist Personality Disorder Ep. #67: An Antidote to Narcissism Ep. #68: "I'm Not Narcissistic, You're Narcissistic!" Being Human episodes on Parts Work:  Ep. #34: A New Theory! w/a Catholic Lens Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Thoughts? w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski Ep. #36: A Guided Exercise w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski Ep. #47: How to Turn Your Inner Worst Enemies into Your Inner Best Friends Ep. #49: Internal Family Systems & External Family Tensions  Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    42 min
  8. The Secret Story of Guadalupe: The Untold Depth of God's Plan to Save the Americas

    6 JAN

    The Secret Story of Guadalupe: The Untold Depth of God's Plan to Save the Americas

    The tilma is so astonishing that it may have actually distracted us from the deeper story of Guadalupe. In this episode, Dr. Greg and Joseph González uncover the ancient prophecies and cultural preparation that reveal an even bigger plan at work.   Key Topics: Why the tilma may actually distract us from the real Guadalupe story. How God was preparing the Americas long before the missionaries arrived. The ancient "flower world" poetry that mirrors Juan Diego's tilma. What the four-petaled flower over Mary's womb really means. Why almost 10 million conversions suddenly made sense. How Guadalupe shows the right way to evangelize a culture. How archaeology is only now uncovering what God was already doing. What Guadalupe reveals about how God is working in your life, unseen. Learn More: Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy – Dive deeper into the book and additional work by Joseph Julian & Monique González Being Human Ep. #257 — "This Book Just Changed My Life" – Dr. Greg's first exploration of Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy. Joseph Julian González on YouTube – Watch more of his reflections, research, and musical explorations into the Flower World tradition. Misa Azteca (by Joseph González) – The musical work that first opened the door to Joseph's research into Guadalupe and the Flower World. Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials:   Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

    1 hr
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Trailer

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

At the CatholicPsych Institute, we're doing something new when it comes to therapy. In the Being Human podcast, Dr. Greg Bottaro, Founder and Director of the CatholicPsych Institute, shares with you his vision for Catholic therapy and a revolutionary approach that is focused, finally, on what it means to be human.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Gregory Bottaro
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    268
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Being Human

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