In this episode, Emily Stimpson Chapman joins us to explore what it truly means to be fully human in a distracted and digital age. We discuss her latest book on St. Joseph, how to live more intentionally, and ways to reconnect with our true selves and with God.
Key Topics:
- The profound significance of St. Joseph as a model of humility, virtue, and fatherhood
- The importance of free will and discernment in our faith stories, exemplified by Joseph’s decisions
- The impact of digital distraction on our ability to live authentically
- Practical ways to reconnect with the real world
- The importance of praying for discernment and trusting God’s invitation in our vocations
- How to cultivate a more human life amid technological and societal pressures
- The significance of living rightly ordered lives and the danger of being hurried and divided
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to the episode’s focus on being fully human
02:32 – Insights into Emily’s new book on St. Joseph and its messaging for children and adults
04:19 – The significance of seeing St. Joseph as a model of fatherhood for everyone
06:33 – Exploring the virtues of St. Joseph, including his humility, faith, and influence
08:50 – The debate about young versus old Joseph and its theological implications
10:24 – The importance of Joseph’s decision to accept God’s plan and his role in salvation history
12:18 – How Joseph’s angelic dreams offered divine guidance and a model of discernment
15:01 – Living in a distracted world and the importance of unplugging from media to live fully human
16:39 – Reflections on technology’s shaping influence and how to cultivate intentionality
18:42 – The cultural shift in social media and the importance of local, face-to-face influence
22:41 – Recognizing the profound loss of what it means to live rightly paced and ordered lives
29:34 – Practical ways to embrace our humanity, including exploring with children and unplugging
30:57 – The metaphor of life as a journey and the importance of wandering to discover God’s beauty
31:08 – Resources for connecting with Emily and her work: website, Substack, and podcast
32:34 – The meaning behind Emily’s Substack name, “Through a Glass Darkly”
33:25 – Final words of encouragement to prioritize living in God’s truth and beautyResources & Links:
- Home | Emily Stimpson Chapman, Catholic Author & Speaker – Official website
- Joseph Keeper of the King by Emily Stimpson Chapman – Book on St. Joseph
- Study the Bible through the Catholic lens – St. Paul Center – Resources on Catholic faith and books