Purpose and Perseverance Podcast

Deacon Brad Watkins

"By your perseverance, you will secure your lives." Luke 21:19 Conversations ordered to understanding our purpose, living well, and persevering in mind, body, and soul. AMDG

  1. #58 Fully Alive

    3d ago

    #58 Fully Alive

    This week I explore one of the more misunderstood quotations in Christian history: St. Irenaeus' statement that "The glory of God is man fully alive." Drawing from the 13th Sunday readings, St. Paul's call to die to sin and live for God, and Christ's paradoxical teaching that whoever loses his life will find it, I consider what it truly means to become fully alive. Perhaps the path to flourishing is not found in comfort, self-fulfillment, or avoiding suffering, but in self-gift, sacrifice, and ordering our lives toward God.

    17 min
  2. #57 Whispers: Homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Jun 21

    #57 Whispers: Homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    In this homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, I reflect on the contrast between the whispers Jeremiah hears from those seeking to tear him down and the whispers Christ entrusts to His disciples to proclaim from the housetops. We all face the pressure of other people's opinions, criticism, and the desire to fit in, but Jesus reminds us that the greater danger is not opposition - it is silence. The question is not whether we will hear whispers, but which whisper we will carry to the world.

    11 min
  3. #56 The Church Is Ignoring One of Jesus' Commands (sort of)

    Jun 14

    #56 The Church Is Ignoring One of Jesus' Commands (sort of)

    In today's Gospel, Jesus gives His disciples a clear command: "Cure the sick." That passage has become one of the guiding principles of my own life, yet I can't help but wonder whether we have unintentionally narrowed its meaning. I share why I believe one of the greatest acts of charity today may be helping people understand and overcome the chronic diseases of lifestyle that affect the overwhelming majority of Americans. I explore the connection between purpose, intentionality, perseverance, and health, why mindless consumption is one of the greatest dangers of modern life, and what the question "What Would Jesus Do?" might teach us about stress, sleep, nutrition, and movement. Ultimately, I argue that caring for our bodies is not about vanity, but stewardship, and that "curing the sick" may be one of the great works of mercy our age is uniquely called to embrace.

    17 min
  4. #55 The Tyranny of Good Things

    Jun 7

    #55 The Tyranny of Good Things

    Summer is supposed to be the season when life slows down (at least for people working in schools). So why does it often feel busier than ever? In this episode, I reflect on the challenge of juggling work, family, faith, health, and countless good responsibilities while discovering an important truth: the greatest struggle of adulthood is often not choosing between good and bad, but between many good things. Sometimes the path to a meaningful life is not doing everything - it is faithfully doing the next right thing.

    9 min
  5. #54 St. Thomas More Academy Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Mass Homily

    May 31

    #54 St. Thomas More Academy Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Mass Homily

    My homily for the St. Thomas More Academy Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Mass Homily. Godspeed graduates!

    11 min
  6. #53 The Cult of the Emotional Support Water Bottle

    May 24

    #53 The Cult of the Emotional Support Water Bottle

    What does our cultural obsession with giant metal water bottles reveal about modern life? In this episode, I use the rise of "emotional support" hydration tankards as a jumping off point to discuss consumerism, social conformity, unhealthy relationship with food, electrolyte imbalances, athlete health, intentional living, and the importance of learning to THINK rather than blindly absorb whatever trends modern culture happens to be selling. I talk about hydration myths, overconsumption, self knowledge, and wonder how my generation from the late 1900's somehow with little more than water fountains and garden hoses.

    20 min
  7. #52 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Perseverance Under Pressure/OSS

    May 17

    #52 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Perseverance Under Pressure/OSS

    On June 11, 2024, Sam, Chantal, and I walked through the doors of Journey Martial Arts Academy in Youngsville, NC for the first time. It was a practice what you preach moment in terms of the "doorstep mile." What began simply as an opportunity to expose our son to grappling before he matriculated at Virginia Military Institute, and ultimately serves in the Army, has become almost two years of training, learning, and growth in virtue. Today, I wanted to share some of my thoughts on it all.

    15 min
  8. #51 Chantal Watkins (my wife): The Embodiment of Purpose and Perseverance

    May 11

    #51 Chantal Watkins (my wife): The Embodiment of Purpose and Perseverance

    When I started this podcast, I had the aspiration of eventually getting to interviews. Because this isn't my full time job, or even close to it, time for all of that has admittedly been a challenge. However, I knew that if I ever got around to it the first person I interviewed would be my wife, Chantal, who is the living embodiment of purpose and perseverance. Unfortunately, time didn't allow for proper interview prep, so we just sat down and hit record (apologies for the repeated "umms" while thinking and talking at the same time). Also, at this point in life, there is also no time for editing. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this Mother's Day conversation with my wife.

    47 min
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"By your perseverance, you will secure your lives." Luke 21:19 Conversations ordered to understanding our purpose, living well, and persevering in mind, body, and soul. AMDG

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