What happens when our desire to become holy starts working against the very freedom we're seeking? In this conversation, Bill, Christopher and Mike explore how certain spiritual practices, especially around self-denial, humility, and the desire to be loved, can be misunderstood in ways that lead to fear, defensiveness, or even neurosis rather than genuine freedom. But the conversation goes far beyond that. They talk about childhood wounds, relationships, vulnerability, the human desire to be loved, prayer, suffering, and learning to recognize God's presence in everyday life. At the heart of it is a challenging question: Are some of the things we think are helping us become holy actually keeping us from receiving love?

🎙️ Word Made Fresh Links:
📩 Send us your art & questions: [email protected]
🎵 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/45zfXd4tSlqoQQObSCLkwy?si=i1fda-9KSPe7hfP9QzYD4w
🎧 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/word-made-fresh/id1846137904
📍 Tour Dates: https://tobinstitute.org/live-events/

Christopher West:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwestofficial/
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwestofficial
🎤 Ask Christopher West Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dCkL6l7ogGgbNiqMf7K65?si=d39f694c9eb7486a

Mike Mangione:
🎵 Mike's Music: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikemangione/promised-land
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mangionemusic/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikemangione
🎸 Mike's website: https://www.mikemangione.com/

Bill Donaghy:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewayofwonderofficial/

📸 Discerning Marriage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discerningmarriage/reels/?hl=en
👩‍❤️‍👨 👩‍❤️‍👨 If you’re seriously dating and thinking about getting engaged, check out our Next Step course to help discern if you’re both ready for engagement. https://tobinstitute.krtra.com/t/FHStfXMv36Xc

Theology of the Body Institute Resources:
🔥 3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on the TOB: https://www.tobforfree.com/
💬 Text TOB to (404) 647-7682
⚡️ Support us & get access to leading TOB formation: https://www.tobpatron.com/
📚 Course schedule: https://tobinstitute.org/our-schedule/#course-schedule
🏔️ Pilgrimages: https://tobinstitute.org/pilgrimages/
🛍️ Store https://shop.corproject.com/

List of trusted counselors, psychologists and coaches: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GI1XK7viPMV36eBBNjxoKqzCENSRVyR1IoLpX6lqrw/edit?usp=sharing