Your Radical Truth podcast

Margaret Mary O'Connor
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

Your Radical Truth is a podcast about Catholic women, women priests, faith, equality, and the courageous women working to transform the Catholic Church and the world. Hosted by Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor, Your Radical Truth shares powerful conversations with Catholic women, ordained women priests, faith leaders, authors, activists, and other trailblazing women who challenge convention and lead with courage. Each episode explores the experiences of women in the Catholic Church, including the movement for women's ordination, gender equality in religion, Catholic Church reform, spiritual leadership, and the barriers women continue to face within religious institutions. Guests share their personal journeys, the challenges they have overcome, and the convictions that inspire them to advocate for meaningful change. The podcast also celebrates women beyond the Church who are breaking barriers, redefining leadership, and creating change in their professions and communities. If you are interested in Catholic women, women priests, women's ordination, female leadership in the Catholic Church, Catholic feminism, faith and social justice, Church reform, women in ministry, or courageous women challenging the status quo, Your Radical Truth offers honest, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversations. Discover the women speaking their truth, living their faith, challenging outdated traditions, and helping create a more inclusive future.

  1. Sep 23

    060: When Hospitality Becomes Radical: Mary Fontana on Migrants, Faith, and Annunciation House

    What would make you leave your home and take your family on a dangerous journey, knowing you might still be turned away when you reached the border? That question opens my conversation with Mary Fontana, author of Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality on the U.S.–Mexican Border. Mary has spent more than 20 years involved with Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, where migrants and refugees are welcomed as guests. We talk about the families behind the immigration headlines, the risks they face on their journeys, and the ways U.S. actions and policies have shaped migration. Mary also takes us inside Annunciation House. Its volunteers do more than provide food and a place to sleep. They live alongside their guests, share meals, learn their names, and build a community together. I was especially moved by how Annunciation House began. Its founders moved into a house near the border before they knew exactly how they would serve. They listened to their neighbors, recognized a need, and opened their doors. Mary's stories ask us to consider both the courage it takes to seek safety and what it means to welcome someone when they arrive. I hope you'll join us for this conversation on Your Radical Truth. Listen to episode 060: https://yourradicaltruth.com/060-Mary-Fontana Learn more about Mary: https://maryfontana.com

    060: When Hospitality Becomes Radical: Mary Fontana on Migrants, Faith, and Annunciation House

  2. Sep 7

    059: Girl in a Box: Paldrom Collins on Spiritual Awakening and Questioning Authority

    What Happens When the Spiritual Path Takes an Unexpected Turn? What if the peace you have spent years searching for has been closer than you realized? In this episode of Your Radical Truth, Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor welcomes Paldrom Catharine Collins, author of Girl in a Box: Seeking Enlightenment as a Tibetan Buddhist Nun. Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, Paldrom left Christianity as a young woman and began searching for enlightenment. Her journey led her to Tibetan Buddhism, where she spent five years immersed in monastic life, meditation, and intensive retreat practices. Paldrom believed spiritual discipline might free her from suffering. Instead, her experience became a deeply human journey filled with insight, physical challenges, difficult questions, and the courage to reconsider a path that once seemed to offer every answer. During this honest conversation, Paldrom shares what she learned about meditation, spiritual authority, belonging, and finding meaning beyond rigid religious structures. In This Episode, You Will Discover Why Paldrom left Christianity and entered Tibetan Buddhist monastic life What daily life and intensive meditation practice were really like How physical practices helped her manage a wandering mind The meaning behind the meditation box featured in her memoir How spiritual communities can offer both support and limitations Why she ultimately decided to leave monastic life What her experience taught her about questioning spiritual authority Why having thoughts during meditation does not mean you are failing How Buddhist practice and contemplative Christianity can intersect Why spiritual peace may be found in ordinary, everyday life Paldrom's story is a powerful reminder that questioning a spiritual path does not mean the journey has failed. Sometimes growth requires the courage to examine what we believe, trust our own experience, and recognize when it is time to take a different direction. Listen to Episode 059: https://www.YourRadicalTruth.com/059-Paldrom

    059: Girl in a Box: Paldrom Collins on Spiritual Awakening and Questioning Authority

  3. Aug 31

    058: Women in the Church: Ordination, Beth Moore, the GOP and the Fight for Equality

    Why are women still fighting for equal leadership within some of the largest Christian denominations? In Episode 058 of Your Radical Truth, Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor welcomes Father Anne back for a candid and provocative conversation about women's ordination, biblical interpretation, religious authority, politics, and the traditions that continue to influence the role of women within Christianity. Father Anne was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2021 through a reform movement. Because the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize the ordination of women, she was excommunicated. Today, she continues her work for ordination justice while pursuing her desire to serve as a parish priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Women's Ordination Is Not Just a Catholic Issue While the Catholic Church is central to the discussion, Margaret Mary and Father Anne make it clear that questions about women and religious leadership extend far beyond Catholicism. The episode looks at debates within the Southern Baptist Convention and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including ongoing disagreements about whether women should serve as pastors and participate equally in Church leadership. At the heart of the conversation is a fundamental question: If God calls a woman to ministry, who has the authority to tell her that call is not valid? Father Anne makes an important distinction. No one has an automatic right to become a priest, but everyone should have the right to discern whether they have been called. Beth Moore, the Southern Baptist Convention and Speaking Out The conversation also examines the experience of prominent Bible teacher Beth Moore, who left the Southern Baptist Convention following years of tension. Margaret Mary discusses Moore's advocacy for victims of sexual abuse and her criticism of evangelical support for Donald Trump. Moore's experience opens a larger conversation about what can happen when women within religious communities challenge powerful institutions, question established authority, and speak publicly about abuse, gender inequality, and political alliances. The GOP, Christianity and Political Power Father Anne takes the conversation directly into the relationship between conservative Christianity and the Republican Party in the United States. She shares her perspective on how religion and politics have become deeply intertwined, particularly around traditional ideas about masculinity, gender roles, authority, and power. The discussion challenges listeners to consider how religious beliefs about gender can extend beyond the walls of churches and influence politics, institutions, and society. Is God Exclusively Male? Another fascinating part of the episode examines the way Christians have been taught to imagine God. Margaret Mary and Father Anne explore feminine imagery for God found throughout Scripture and Christian history, including descriptions associated with motherhood, childbirth, nurturing, and protection. Father Anne points out that Scripture actually offers an extraordinary range of images for God, including fire, wind, living water, shepherd, gardener, mother, and father. Rather than limiting God to a single gender or image, these metaphors may offer believers a much broader understanding of the divine. Rethinking Faith, Gender and Authority Episode 058 ultimately asks listeners to examine some difficult questions. Are long-held beliefs about women, leadership, and God truly rooted in the divine? Or have centuries of culture, patriarchy, politics, and institutional tradition influenced the way Christians have been taught to understand them? This is a challenging conversation about faith, equality, vocation, political power, and what needs to change for women to participate fully in the future of the Church. www.YourRadicalTruth.com/058-Father-Anne

    058: Women in the Church: Ordination, Beth Moore, the GOP and the Fight for Equality

  4. Aug 1

    057: Women, Calling, and the Divine Feminine: Reverend Liz on Answering God's Voice

    Can a woman be called by God to the priesthood, even if her church says no? In this compelling episode of Your Radical Truth, Margaret Mary O'Connor sits down with Reverend Liz Maitland, whose extraordinary 47-year journey to ordination is a story of perseverance, faith, healing, and unwavering conviction. Raised in the Anglican Church before becoming Roman Catholic, Reverend Liz believed from a young age that God was calling her to become a priest. That calling ultimately led her to the Independent Catholic tradition, where she was ordained after decades of waiting and trusting God's direction. Together, Deacon Margaret Mary and Reverend Liz explore the Divine Feminine, women's leadership in the early Church, biblical images of God as both father and mother, and why these conversations continue to matter today. Reverend Liz also shares her personal journey through mental health challenges, the healing she found through faith and contemplative prayer, and how her ministry now includes training assistance dogs to support emotional wellbeing. Whether you're exploring your own faith journey, interested in the history of women in Christianity, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations that challenge conventional thinking, this episode offers insight, hope, and plenty to reflect upon. In This Episode • Reverend Liz's 47-year journey to the priesthood • Healing through faith and contemplative prayer • The Divine Feminine and Mother God • Women in the early Church • The Independent Catholic tradition • Assistance dogs and emotional healing Full Post https://YourRadicalTruth.com/057-Rev-Liz  Learn More About Reverend Liz  Mother's Messages Church https://mothersmessagesagape.church  Wellbeing Dogs https://wellbeingdogs.org  If you enjoy conversations that explore faith with honesty, compassion, and courage, be sure to subscribe to Your Radical Truth and share this episode with someone who is seeking a deeper perspective on Christianity.

    057: Women, Calling, and the Divine Feminine: Reverend Liz on Answering God's Voice

  5. Jul 17

    056: Faith, Resilience, Near-Death Experiences, and the Saint Who Became a Spiritual Companion

    What gives someone the strength to endure unimaginable suffering without losing hope? In this inspiring episode of Your Radical Truth, Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor welcomes Australian author and retired physician Kate Clinch to explore the extraordinary life of Eileen O'Connor, Australia's second saint-in-waiting. Born with a debilitating illness that left her in constant pain, Eileen transformed her suffering into a life of compassion, co-founding Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor and dedicating herself to serving society's most vulnerable. Kate also shares her own deeply personal journey, including a profound near-death experience and her battle with stomach cancer while writing her debut novel, Every Inch a Saint. What began as historical research became a source of strength, hope, and spiritual companionship during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. Together, Margaret Mary and Kate explore faith, resilience, mysticism, miracles, the relationship between science and spirituality, and the enduring legacy of a woman whose courage continues to inspire more than a century after her death. If you've ever wondered how suffering can lead to purpose, or how faith can sustain us through life's greatest challenges, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Listen now: www.yourradicaltruth.com/056-kate-clinch

    056: Faith, Resilience, Near-Death Experiences, and the Saint Who Became a Spiritual Companion

  6. Jun 29

    055: What Really Happens Inside Opus Dei? Anne-Marie Allen Shares Her Story

    What is Opus Dei really like behind closed doors? Former member Anne-Marie Allen joins Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor to share her powerful firsthand account of life inside one of the Catholic Church's most controversial organizations. Anne-Marie, author of Serve! My Lost Years at the Heart of Ireland's Opus Dei, reveals how she was recruited into Opus Dei as a teenager, believing she was answering God's call. Instead, she found herself living under intense spiritual control, strict obedience, psychological manipulation, and a system that left little room for personal freedom. In this thought-provoking episode of Your Radical Truth, Anne-Marie shares what daily life was like as an Assistant Numerary, the emotional toll of living in a high-control religious environment, and the difficult journey of leaving Opus Dei after years of conditioning. Together, Anne-Marie and Deacon Margaret Mary explore questions many people have asked about Opus Dei, including its culture of secrecy, controversial practices, Vatican oversight, and why growing numbers of former members are now speaking publicly about their experiences. Most importantly, this conversation examines the difference between authentic faith and systems that misuse religious authority. It offers hope for anyone recovering from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, or coercive control while encouraging greater transparency, accountability, and compassion within faith communities. In this episode, you'll learn: • What Opus Dei is and why it remains one of the Catholic Church's most debated organizations • How Anne-Marie Allen was recruited into Opus Dei as a teenager • What life was really like as an Assistant Numerary • The psychological impact of spiritual abuse, fear, guilt, and religious manipulation • The purpose of practices such as the cilice and corporal mortification • Why leaving a high-control religious organization is far more difficult than simply walking away • How Anne-Marie rebuilt her life, faith, and identity after leaving Opus Dei • Recent Vatican reforms affecting Opus Dei and what they could mean for the future • Why transparency, accountability, and listening to survivors are essential for healing Whether you're interested in Opus Dei, the Catholic Church, religious trauma, spiritual abuse, church reform, faith, or survivor stories, this episode offers an honest, compassionate conversation about resilience, truth, and reclaiming one's life. Visit www.YourRadicalTruth.com/055-Anne-Marie-Allen for more.

    055: What Really Happens Inside Opus Dei? Anne-Marie Allen Shares Her Story

  7. Jun 23

    054: Excommunicated for Saying Yes to God: Father Anne, the Twelve Apostles, and the Future of Women's Leadership in the Church

    Excommunicated for Saying Yes to God: Father Anne, the Twelve Apostles, and the Future of Women's Leadership in the Church What happens when a woman believes God has called her to the priesthood, but the Church says no? In this thought-provoking episode of Your Radical Truth, Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor welcomes Father Anne, a Roman Catholic woman priest who chose to follow what she believed was God's call, despite knowing it would lead to excommunication. Together, they explore one of the most controversial issues in Christianity: the exclusion of women from ordained ministry. Father Anne examines the Church's longstanding argument that Jesus chose only twelve male apostles and offers a historical, biblical, and theological perspective that challenges many commonly held assumptions. The conversation delves into the role of Mary Magdalene, the women who followed Jesus throughout his ministry, and the often-overlooked contributions women made in the earliest Christian communities. Father Anne also discusses how cultural attitudes toward women shaped Church teaching over the centuries and why she believes the conversation about ordination justice is far from over. This episode is not simply about who stands at the altar. It is about equality, conscience, leadership, and the future of a Church that continues to wrestle with questions of authority and inclusion. Whether you agree with Father Anne's position or not, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about faith, tradition, and what it means to answer God's call. Learn more: https://yourradicaltruth.com/054-father-anne/

  8. Jun 11

    053: From Adrenaline Junkie to Peacemaker: John Graham's Search for Meaning

    What if the adventures that nearly killed you were actually preparing you for your life's true purpose? In this fascinating episode, John Graham shares his remarkable journey from adrenaline-fueled adventurer to global peacebuilder. As a teenager, he shipped out on a freighter, hitchhiked through the Algerian Revolution, helped make the first ascent of Denali's dangerous North Wall, and reported from war zones around the world. His quest for excitement eventually led him to serve as a U.S. Foreign Service officer in Libya, Vietnam, and at the United Nations. But it was during the Vietnam War that John experienced a profound awakening that forced him to confront the emptiness behind a life spent chasing danger. That turning point set him on a new path—one focused on service, justice, and helping others create meaningful change. John discusses the lessons he learned from surviving life-threatening situations, the search for purpose, his role in international peace efforts, and the inspiration behind the Giraffe Heroes Project, which honors people who courageously "stick their necks out" to make the world a better place. This powerful conversation explores courage, transformation, purpose, and the enduring impact of choosing service over self-interest. Full post: https://www.yourradicaltruth.com/053-John-Graham

    053: From Adrenaline Junkie to Peacemaker: John Graham's Search for Meaning
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About

Your Radical Truth is a podcast about Catholic women, women priests, faith, equality, and the courageous women working to transform the Catholic Church and the world. Hosted by Deacon Margaret Mary O'Connor, Your Radical Truth shares powerful conversations with Catholic women, ordained women priests, faith leaders, authors, activists, and other trailblazing women who challenge convention and lead with courage. Each episode explores the experiences of women in the Catholic Church, including the movement for women's ordination, gender equality in religion, Catholic Church reform, spiritual leadership, and the barriers women continue to face within religious institutions. Guests share their personal journeys, the challenges they have overcome, and the convictions that inspire them to advocate for meaningful change. The podcast also celebrates women beyond the Church who are breaking barriers, redefining leadership, and creating change in their professions and communities. If you are interested in Catholic women, women priests, women's ordination, female leadership in the Catholic Church, Catholic feminism, faith and social justice, Church reform, women in ministry, or courageous women challenging the status quo, Your Radical Truth offers honest, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversations. Discover the women speaking their truth, living their faith, challenging outdated traditions, and helping create a more inclusive future.

Information

  • Creator
    Margaret Mary O'Connor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Your Radical Truth podcast

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