The Devil in The Details

Dan and Jordan Burke

Welcome to a journey into the depths of spiritual warfare led by a father & son (Dan and Jordan Burke). Through devout Catholic beliefs and unwavering search for truth, we carefully examine complex topics with reverence and diligence. We explore intricate questions, navigating subtleties, debunk misconceptions, and reveal hidden truths that are often shrouded by confusion or false teachings. Drawing from centuries of Catholic tradition & wisdom, as well as expertise from those in the field, we strive to uncover the mysteries of this spiritual battle and learn how to be victorious in Jesus.

  1. 1h ago

    You Don’t Get to Correct Everyone (And Shouldn't)

    And it might be taking you to hell. When should you correct another Catholic… and when should you stay silent? Many Catholics sincerely want to defend the truth, but good intentions are not enough. In this episode, Dan and Jordan explore one of the most neglected virtues in the Church today: charitable correction. Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, and hard lessons learned through years of ministry, they unpack why many attempts at “fraternal correction” actually become sins of pride, rash judgment, and speech. Together they discuss Christ’s teaching in Matthew 18, St. Paul’s description of charity in 1 Corinthians 13, and practical principles for discerning whether you should speak at all. They also examine real-world examples involving public figures, online debates, and the unique dangers of social media, showing why being right is not enough. Truth must always be spoken with humility, patience, and genuine love for the other person’s salvation. In this episode: Why not every battle belongs to youThe difference between defending truth and defending your egoWhat Matthew 18 actually teaches about correctionWhy private conversations should come before public criticismThe importance of earning “a seat at someone’s table”How charity changes the way we speakWhy assumptions are often forms of rash judgmentThe danger of online Catholic outrageHow to know whether God is calling you to speak or remain silentThe goal of correction is never humiliation. It is always the salvation of souls.

  2. Jul 20

    How to Finally Break Habitual Sin | Devil in the Castle Chapter 3 (Part 3)

    Why do so many Catholics remain trapped in the same sins year after year? In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke continue their journey through The Devil in the Castle, beginning a closer examination of the purgative way, the first major phase of the spiritual life. Most Catholics are somewhere within this stage. The soul may sincerely desire God and regret serious sin, yet still struggle with habitual mortal sin, inadequate confession, avoidance of suffering, inconsistent prayer, and a lack of awareness about the patterns that repeatedly lead to failure. Dan and Jordan explore the first stage of the purgative way, which Dom Chautard calls mediocre piety, and explain what must change before genuine spiritual progress can occur. They discuss why regret alone is not enough, what a firm purpose of amendment actually requires, how venial sins prepare the way for more serious falls, and why freedom demands more than simply “trying harder.” It requires humility, strategy, accountability, prayer, and a willingness to suffer rather than continually escape through distraction or sin. In this episode: What the purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways meanWhy most Catholics remain in the purgative wayThe signs of mediocre pietyWhy habitual mortal sin must become your highest spiritual priorityWhat makes a confession inadequateThe meaning of a firm purpose of amendmentHow to identify the patterns that lead to repeated sinWhy venial sin cannot be treated as insignificantHow the avoidance of suffering keeps us spiritually immatureWhy prayer often begins as self-focused petitionHow a daily examination of conscience wakes us upThe importance of gratitude, accountability, and a rule of lifeThe spiritual battle is rarely fought in dramatic moments. It is fought in the ordinary details of daily life: getting out of bed, resisting temptation, examining your choices, accepting suffering, and returning faithfully to prayer and the sacraments. Freedom begins when excuses end and the soul becomes willing to cooperate seriously with grace.

  3. Jul 13

    Real Signs You’re Growing Spiritually | Devil in the Castle Chapter 3 (Part 2)

    How can you tell whether you are actually growing in the spiritual life? In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke continue their series through The Devil in the Castle, exploring the Third Mansion of St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle and the signs that a soul is beginning to make real spiritual progress. The Third Mansion marks a serious transition. Habitual mortal sin is being overcome, mental prayer has become more consistent, and love of God begins to reshape how a person speaks, dresses, works, manages responsibilities, and treats others. But spiritual growth is also easy to misunderstand. Dan and Jordan discuss why mystical experiences are not reliable evidence of holiness, how pride can distort our perception of where we are spiritually, and why love, humility, virtue, and fidelity are far better indicators of progress than visions, locutions, or extraordinary experiences. They also examine the three traditional stages of the spiritual life: the purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways, and explain why understanding your general trajectory matters more than obsessing over exactly which mansion you occupy. In this episode: Signs of progress in the Third MansionWhat it means to overcome habitual mortal sinWhy mental prayer is essential for spiritual growthHow love changes speech, dress, work, and relationshipsWhy sins of the tongue reveal spiritual immaturityThe purgative, illuminative, and unitive waysWhether someone can be in two mansions at onceWhy mystical experiences do not prove holinessHow the enemy can imitate spiritual experiencesWhy humility and love are the truest signs of progressThe importance of confession, the Eucharist, and a rule of lifeThe spiritual life is usually not dramatic. It is built through ordinary fidelity: getting up, praying, fighting sin, receiving the sacraments, fulfilling your duties, and beginning again.

  4. Jun 2

    Influencer Fatigue: The Corruption of Catholic Commentary

    What happens when zeal moves faster than spiritual maturity? In this episode of The Devil in the Details, Dan and Jordan discuss the growing feeling of “influencer fatigue” in Catholic media: the trend of new converts, reverts, commentators, and public personalities being elevated too quickly before they have the prayer life, accountability, formation, and humility needed to sustain that platform. From celebrity conversions to Catholic social media scandals, this conversation examines how the enemy can use genuine zeal, real gifts, and even orthodox teaching as a kind of spiritual judo, turning momentum against the soul. Together, they discuss: Why new converts and reverts are especially vulnerable to premature public platformsThe danger of making Catholic media about personality instead of ChristWhy daily mental prayer and spiritual direction are non-negotiableHow ambition can disguise itself as zealThe need for accountability, humility, and silence before teachingWhy followers should be cautious about quickly elevating new Catholic voicesHow the devil can use even good desires to pull souls off courseThis is not a call to cynicism or gatekeeping. It is a call to discernment, humility, and prayer. Because the goal is not to become known. The goal is to become holy.

  5. Apr 13

    The Seduction of Suspicion: A Critical Spirit in Catholic Commentary

    Read Mark's full article here: https://www.catholicunscripted.com/p/the-seduction-of-suspicion Why does so much Catholic commentary today feel suspicious, divisive, or even spiritually draining? In this episode, we unpack the rise of a critical spirit and how it often disguises itself as discernment. Drawing from Mark Lambert’s article The Seduction of Suspicion, we explore how partial truths, oversimplification, and emotional reactions can lead souls away from clarity, humility, and ultimately, Christ. We also discuss practical warning signs to watch for, why conspiracy thinking is so attractive, and how to remain grounded in truth without losing charity.

  6. Feb 2

    Should Lay People Lay Hands? Authority, Charismatic Gifts, and Spiritual Warfare

    In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, Dan and Jordan tackle a hot-button topic in Catholic circles: can lay people lay hands on others in prayer? Responding to a listener’s question, they walk through: How Vatican II’s call for greater lay participation was sometimes distortedWhy blurring the line between priest and laity weakens belief in the EucharistThe connection between priestly gestures, apostolic authority, and spiritual warfareWhy exorcists like Fr. Gabriele Amorth and experts like Adam Blai warn against lay people laying hands on headsHow the enemy can use “healing” experiences and false power to ensnare peopleThe real difference between supplication and assuming spiritual authority you don’t haveClear, practical guidelines for lay Catholics who want to pray for others without crossing dangerous lines Dan also shares personal experiences assisting at exorcisms and explains why priestly gestures are never for the laity, while Jordan lays out a simple framework for understanding spiritual authority in the family and beyond.

  7. Jan 5

    Humility, Judging Others and Fear of Sin | Devil in the Castle Chapter 3 (Part 1)

    “Do not judge” is one of the most quoted and most misunderstood lines in the Gospel. Jesus does not say “ignore your brother’s speck.” He says remove the plank from your own eye first, then you will see clearly to help your brother. In other words, humility and self knowledge come before any true correction. In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, Dan and Jordan begin Chapter 3 of The Devil in the Castle and enter the battles of the Third Mansion in St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. Here the soul is more stable in prayer and leaving habitual mortal sin behind, yet it faces a deeper and more subtle war: pride, a critical spirit, and a distorted fear of the enemy instead of a healthy fear of God and of our own capacity to fall. You will hear about • Why we should not fear the devil, but should fear our own ability to rationalize sin and reject God • How humility “knocks off the handles” that sin gives to the enemy • The difference between judging and condemning, and how to read “judge not” together with “you will know them by their fruits” • The real meaning of the plank and speck analogy and what it reveals about gentle correction • How social media and outrage culture feed a critical spirit that can destroy community life and our own souls • Practical ways to guard your tongue, avoid unnecessary criticism and speak only where you have responsibility or relationship • Why God sometimes allows repeated failure so that pride is broken and humility can grow This is Part 1 of a three part look at the Third Mansion. In later parts, Dan and Jordan will explore the transition from meditative to contemplative prayer and how the enemy tries to derail that deeper intimacy with God. To follow along more deeply, get Dan’s book The Devil in the Castle and explore free resources on mental prayer, humility and spiritual warfare at SpiritualDirection.com and in the Apostoli Viae community at ApostoliViae.org.

  8. 12/22/2025

    Second Mansion: Fighting Temptation, Shame, and Discouragement | Devil in the Castle Chapter 2

    In the second mansion of St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, the battle gets loud. You have started praying, you are doing the daily examen, and suddenly you see your sin, your patterns, and your past more clearly than ever. The enemy rushes in with shame, discouragement, confusion, and the lie that “all of this was easier before you started getting serious.” In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, Dan and Jordan continue their series on The Devil in the Castle and unpack the spiritual warfare of the second mansion, where the soul is spiritually awake but still fragile. You will hear about • How daily mental prayer and the examen wake you up to the real state of your soul • The way the enemy weaponizes shame, universal negatives, and “you will never change” • Why quitting prayer to “make the attacks stop” is like paying protection money to the mob • Practical tactics to resist temptation in the first wave and train your will to fight • The need to flee near occasions of sin, change life systems, and sometimes even leave relationships or environments • How detachment from media, noise, and certain friendships actually weakens the enemy’s grip • Why small daily mortifications and physical discipline strengthen you for spiritual battle They also touch on redemptive examen, the sovereignty of God in the middle of the fight, and concrete tools like Into the Deep, Finding Peace in the Storm, and the Holy Habits app to help you keep going when the battle feels most intense. This episode is part of a series on The Devil in the Castle. For full context, start with the introduction and first mansion, then continue through the playlist. Resources and free courses on mental prayer, spiritual warfare, and discernment of spirits are available at SpiritualDirection.com and ApostoliViae.org.

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4.9
out of 5
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About

Welcome to a journey into the depths of spiritual warfare led by a father & son (Dan and Jordan Burke). Through devout Catholic beliefs and unwavering search for truth, we carefully examine complex topics with reverence and diligence. We explore intricate questions, navigating subtleties, debunk misconceptions, and reveal hidden truths that are often shrouded by confusion or false teachings. Drawing from centuries of Catholic tradition & wisdom, as well as expertise from those in the field, we strive to uncover the mysteries of this spiritual battle and learn how to be victorious in Jesus.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan and Jordan Burke
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dan and Jordan Burke
  • Show Website
    The Devil in The Details

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