Episode 048 – Faith, and Psychology (Part 1) with Dr. Julia Sadusky

  • 32 min

Episode 048 – Faith, Psychology, and the Hard Questions (Part 1) with Dr. Julia Sadusky

The Church Podcast

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In this first part of a two-part conversation, Christopher sits down with Dr. Julia Sadusky, a licensed psychologist specializing in sexuality, gender, and faith. What unfolds is not a debate—but a deeply pastoral and thoughtful exploration of how faith and psychology actually belong together.

Julia shares her personal journey—from a theology of the body student at Ave Maria University to working at the intersection of sexuality, gender, and Christian discipleship. She reflects on the formative influence of Mark Yarhouse, and how encountering real people with real questions reshaped her vocational path.

Together, Christopher and Julia explore:

• Why Catholics don’t need to fear psychology
  
  
• How therapy and spiritual direction can complement one another
  
  
• What the Church actually does well in teaching about sexuality
  
  
• Why wrestling with Church teaching can be a sign of faith—not rebellion
  
  
• How youth ministers can respond when teens ask difficult questions
  
  
• The “iceberg principle” and why the real question is often beneath the surface
  

This episode is especially helpful for ministry leaders who want to hold truth with confidence—but without defensiveness.

Key Takeaways from Part 1

• Integration is possible. Faith and psychology are not enemies; at their best, they illuminate different aspects of the human person.
  
• Teens are often asking deeper questions than the words they use. Beneath “What does the Church teach?” are questions like: Do I belong? Am I safe? Am I loved?
• You don’t have to fix someone to walk with them.
  
• Slowing down is often the most pastoral response.
  
• Admitting “I don’t know” can build trust, not diminish authority.
  

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Connect with Julia

Learn more about her books, speaking, and parent resources at:
juliasadusky.com

Get 10% off Julia’s Course: Talking To Your Teens when you use coupon code Thechurchpodcast10 https://talkingtoyourteencourse.com/

🎧 Be sure to listen to Part 2 (Episode 049), where we go deeper into gender identity, parenting, cultural formation, and practical parish strategies.

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Recorded on Riverside - HERE

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