Matters of Soul Importance with Roxane Salonen

Fariba Roughead, a proud mother of four and grandmother to seven living in West Fargo, North Dakota, is a convert from Islam to Catholicism and a Benedictine Oblate, tied to the Assumption Abbey in Richardton, North Dakota. After retiring as a corporate nutrition scientist, she completed her master's degree in pastoral theology at the Augustine Institute. A Certified Coactive Professional Coach™ and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she founded Ascensia Consulting, LLC, an apostolate dedicated to helping Christian organizations thrive by stewarding the giftedness of their people.   SHOW NOTES: Fariba suggests the following resources for growing in Christian virtue:  Formed.org, a free app through most Catholic parishes with helpful, quality information on many topics to aid in striving toward a fuller Christian life The Hallow app for prayer and other resources  "The Four Levels of Happiness" by Fr. Robert Spitzer to help us know what to aim for in the spiritual life "The Ignatian Exercises" by David Fleming for the discernment of spirits "The Rule of St. Benedict" to help in structuring our lives  "Prudence" by Fr. Gregory Pine, a book told help with bold decision-making For more on Fariba's life and conversion: The Forum "Faith Conversations" (July 26, 2026): "Born a Muslim in Iran, local woman shares her story of faith": https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/born-a-muslim-in-iran-local-woman-shares-her-story-of-faith

Victor M. Sweeney is a licensed funeral director living in the small northern town of Warren, Minnesota. In addition to his primary work as a husband, father of four, and his day (and night) job, he's a new author, having received a book deal with Simon & Schuster for "Now Departing: A Small-Town Mortician on Death, Life, & the Moments in Between." Dubbed the "Internet's favorite mortician," Victor has amassed more than 50 million views on YouTube; hosts a weekly podcast, "Death AND;" and has spoken with prospective mortuary students on every continent, save Antarctica. SHOW NOTES:  Victor's book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Now-Departing/Victor-M-Sweeney/9781668062111 Podcast: https://deathandpodcast.com/ Instagram: @victor.m.sweeney Youtube: @victormsweeney Faith Conversations feature article on Victor Sweeney from Oct. 25: https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/small-town-mortician-rerouted-from-seminary-to-cemetery  

Vijaya Bodach is a scientist-turned-children's writer, an atheist-turned-Catholic, and an author-turned-publisher. She's the author of over 70 books for children for all ages, from "Ten Easter Eggs" for the youngest reader to "Bound" for children 12 and up. She's the wife of one, mother of two, and a new grandmother of two. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where she sings in her Latin schola and a barbershop chorus.   SHOW NOTES:  Personal blog: http://vijayabodach.blogspot.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vijayabodach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573541473970 Vijaya's latest picture book, "Shunya Means Zero," illustrated by Nayantara Surendranath, about the history of zero and some culture of India. https://amzn.to/46coaPe Vijaya's book, "Little Thief! Chota Chor!", also illustrated by Surendranath. "This book encourages children to question everything," Vijaya says, "which is sorely needed in today's world." https://amzn.to/4xKteGo Vijaya's picture book, "Ten Easter Eggs," https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Easter-Eggs-Vijaya-Bodach/dp/0545747309? Vijaya's debut young adult novel, "Bound," https://www.amazon.com/BOUND-Vijaya-Bodach/dp/1983227412/ref

REPUBLISHED EPISODE: "What is mercy?" earned a top award at the National Federation of Press Women conference in Ellicott City, Maryland, on Sept. 26, 2026. Original publication date: April 18, 2025.  Monsignor Thomas Richter was named a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis in 2015. During that year, he traveled to various places throughout the United States to share the Good News of God's mercy for his people. Now, in 2025, a Jubilee Year dedicated to hope, it seems all the more necessary for people of faith to grasp mercy. In this episode, Monsignor Richter, currently serving the Bismarck Diocese as a pastor in Dickinson, North Dakota, will share what he's learned of mercy during his life, and how it connects with the Easter season in which we find ourselves.  SHOW NOTES: Missionaries of Mercy website: https://missionariesofmercyusa.org/ "It is mercy I desire" talk from 2016: https://archive.org/details/It_Is_Mercy_That_I_Desire_-_Monsignor_Thomas_Richter_at_OLP_in_Marshfield_WI Presentation on how to receive the mercy of God in five steps, for 2016 Thirst conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luo5qeJkKfI Prime Matters publication featuring some of Monsignor Richter's speaking: https://primematters.com/contributors/msgr-thomas-j-richter Explanation of the Year of Mercy: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/33084/the-year-of-mercy-whats-it-all-about Sherry A. Weddell's, "Forming Intentional Disciples," as mentioned by Monsignor Richter: https://a.co/d/7l6AlA9 "Do you pray like a pagan?" (Roxane's "Living Faith" column based on a talk by Monsignor Richter): https://roxanesalonen.com/2021/11/12/do-you-pray-like-a-pagan/

Elizabeth Rex is a Catholic bioethicist and an associate scholar of the Lozier Institute, the prestigious research arm of the pro-life movement. Dr. Rex was a pre-med major who graduated from Columbia University before pursuing a master's degree in philosophy and a doctorate in Thomistic Ethics in Rome through the University of Navarra. She is the author of three books on the morality of embryo adoption and a national speaker who faithfully presents the magisterial teachings of Donum Vitae and Dignitas Personae, as well as on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. SHOW NOTES:  Dr. Elizabeth Rex's website: www.DonumVitaeInstitute.org Dr. Elizabeth Rex's email: [email protected] Dr. Elizabeth Rex's phone number: (914) 629-3710 Book: "The Zygote of Christ & the Mystery of Man: Selected Essays," En Route Books & Media, May 2025: https://www.amazon.com/zygote-christ-mystery-man-selected/dp/b0f9phltjg The Angelus Prayer: https://theangelusprayer.com/ Book: "What Should Be Done with 'Orphaned' Frozen Embryos? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Magisterial Answers Quoted Directly from Donum Vitae and Dignitas Personae," co-edited with Dr. Alicia Thompson, DO. MPH, En Route Books & Media, March 2025: https://www.amazon.com/What-Should-Orphaned-Frozen-Embryos/dp/B0DYMLKKN5/ Book: "A Handbook on the Moral Arguments in the Embryo Adoption Debate: What Does the Catholic Church Teach?" co-authored with Dr. Charles Robertson, En Route Books & Media, December 2024: https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Arguments-Embryo-Adoption-Debate/dp/B0DS219SLF/ Trailer for the forthcoming "Frozen Orphans" documentary: https://frozenorphans.org/ Podcast: "Italy's Embryo Protection Law at 20: A Legacy of John Paul II and Benedict II." Dr. Rafael Gonzalez interviews Dr. Elizabeth Rex on his "My Catholic Two Cents" regarding her recent article published in the National Catholic Register on October 22, 2025. The YouTube interview is titled, "This Law Changed Everything – And Nobody Noticed." November 25, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=jJk__XhsuTo Podcast: "Is It Licit to Adopt Frozen Embryos? A Catholic Bioethicist on IVF & Embryo Adoption" with Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut interviewing Dr. Rex on his weekly podcast, "Let Me Be Frank," October 17, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo4JoqUI6KE Podcast: "Mercy and Hope for the Millions of Orphaned Frozen Embryos" Virtual Conference Speaker at the 33rd International Week of Prayer and Fasting: "Mercy & Healing for the Jubilee Year of Hope," November 18, 2025: https://iwopf.org/this-years-event/ Podcast: "Embryo Adoption Explained: Moral Questions Every Catholic Must Understand" - Part II of II. Jim Havens interviews Dr. Rex on "The Simple Truth," November 17, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLDbPclKTwI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo4JoqUI6KE Podcast: Elizabeth Rex with Francis Etheredge on WCAT TV to discuss their co-authored book, "The Zygote of Christ & The Mystery of Man": https://youtu.be/RvXEoAiexek?si=CPiG5xxGYpi44NoH