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This Whole Life
Podcast

Seeking Sanity & Sanctity

This Whole Life podcast is full of practical wisdom and honest sharing for real people who are living in the real world. By offering insights and lessons learned from our roles as counselor and minister, spouse and parent, our goal is to equip listeners with principles and practices for a sane and saintly life.

Hear. Heal.

Listen to the most recent podcast episodes for a sense of hope in the storm, practical mental health tools, and a renewed perspective on life.

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How does our mental health
relate to our faith?

How can we become whole
while living in a broken world?

Every day, we all strive to encounter God amidst the challenges of integrating faith and family, work and leisure, our sense of self and complicated relationships. Pat & Kenna Millea bring joy, hope, and wisdom to those who believe there is a connection between holiness and happiness. Kenna is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; Pat served for 15 years as a youth minister; together they have 7 children and a perfectly imperfect marriage. From their education and experience, they share tools, resources, interviews, and stories that point the way to sanity & sanctity.

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We can’t wait to hear from you!

Thoughts, questions, feedback, stories… It’s all welcome, and we’re committed to responding.

Everyone has a story to tell…

Check out TWL’s Storytellers episodes for laughs, profound truths, and super relevant wisdom for daily life

Show Notes & Resources

Ep90. Loving Persons With Mental Illness w/ Beth Hlabse
Ep91. Hope Amid Depression w/ Dr. Anthony Isacco
Ep92. Thank God for My Anxiety? w/ Catherine DiNuzzo
Ep93. Navigating Division and Seeking Peace in Difficult Times
Ep97. How to Trust God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense | Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.
Ep98. What 40 Years of Marriage Actually Teaches You About Christ w/ Peter & Debbie Herbeck
Ep99. Talking To Your Kids About Sex w/ Dr. Julia Sadusky
Ep100. How to Actually Pray Together as a Couple (Without It Being Weird)
Ep101. What Couples Therapy Is Actually Like (And Why Most People Wait Too Long)
Ep102. Raising Sons Who Actually Know Who They Are w/ Paul & Rachel Balducci
Ep102. Raising Sons Who Actually Know Who They Are w/ Paul & Rachel Balducci
Ep102. Raising Sons Who Actually Know Who They Are w/ Paul & Rachel Balducci

  • Episode 11: Embracing Your Emotions

    Episode 12: Fully Alive with Paul J. Kim

    Episode 14: Defeating Defensiveness

    Episode 15: Adoption, Fostering, & Connections That Heal with Ryan O’Hara

    Episode 18: Tearing Down Walls & Building A Connected Marriage

    Episode 19: Sanity in the Sacred Triduum & Easter

    Episode 20: The Resilience & Healing of our Brains with Sofia Carozza

  • Episode 21: Do I Need Therapy? with Vonda Tiede, LMFT

    Episode 23: Staying Grounded in the Chaos

    Episode 24: Men & Mental Health: Do I Have What It Takes? with Ben Baker, LMFT

    Episode 25: Moving in the Right Direction, Together with Andy Norton

    Episode 27: 10 Tips for Parenting Toddlers (and other kids of any age)

    Episode 28: Choosing Greatness Over Comfort with Isaac Schmidt

    Episode 29: The Parts of Me In Harmony: Internal Family Systems with Louisa Hall

    Episode 30: Conquering Contempt

  • Episode 42: Your Body is a Gift: Body Image & Eating Disorders w/ Megan Lawrence, LMFT

    Episode 43: From Conflict to Connection: Process Over Content

    Episode 45: Postpartum Mood Disorders w/ Dr. Lyndsey Day

    Episode 46: The Love That Keeps Us Sane w/ Fr. Marc Foley

    Episode 49: Getting Sunday Right w/ Dr. Michael Naughton

    Episode 50: Senses & Regulation: Occupational Therapy w/ Caitlin Russ

  • Episode 51: Holy Friendship w/ Fr. Luke Marquard

    Episode 52: Surviving Family Trips

    Episode 53: How Women Heal From Sexual Sin w/ Rachael Killackey

    Episode 54: Thriving Through Transition

    Episode 55: Addiction & Recovery w/ Scott Weeman

    Episode 58: What’s Your Story? w/ Fr. Angelus Montgomery, CFR

    Episode 59: The Temperament God Gave You w/ Art & Laraine Bennett

    Episode 60: How to Create a Habit

  • Episode 61: Holy Living in Secular Settings w/ Isaac Wicker

    Episode 62: Training Kids (and Ourselves) for Technology

    Episode 63: Facing the Big Questions w/ Alex Wallace, LPCC

    Episode 64: Parenting Under Control, Not Controlling w/ Rachel Balducci

    Episode 65: Grief & Glory Through Infertility

    Episode 66: The Five Love Languages

    Episode 67: Gender Identity & Gender Dysphoria w/ Dr. Julia Sadusky

    Episode 68: A Future With Hope w/ Bishop James Conley

    Episode 69: Active Listening w/ Addy Diaz

    Episode 70: Men’s Relational Health: Relationship Roundtable

  • Episode 72: Benefit of the Doubt: Positive Sentiment Override

    Episode 74: Stuck in the Middle: Triangulation (Relationship Roundtable)

    Episode 75: Youth Sports: Inspiring or Insane? w/ Matt Birk

    Episode 76: Top Ten Parenting Hacks

    Episode 78: Dating Well Before - and After - the Wedding w/ Dr. Mario Sacasa

    Episode 79: How Fathers Can Find Peace w/ Devin Schadt

    Episode 80: The 4 C’s of Healthy Conflict

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💙 What does it actually look like to raise boys into men of faith and character? 💙 How do you stay united as parents when the chaos of a house full of boys threatens to divide you? 💙 What do you do when your sons walk away from the faith, and how
💙 What does it actually look like to raise boys into men of faith and character? 💙 How do you stay united as parents when the chaos of a house full of boys threatens to divide you? 💙 What do you do when your sons walk away from the faith, and how do you hold on to hope? In episode 102 of This Whole Life, Pat and Kenna Millea sit down with Paul and @rachelbalducci , parents of five sons and one daughter, for a conversation about what it really takes to raise boys well. Paul is an immigration attorney and Rachel is an author, journalist, and co-host of The Gist on Catholic TV. Together they have 32 years of marriage and a lot of hard-won wisdom to share. They talk honestly about what the early years looked like with four boys under five, the exhaustion Rachel carried as a stay-at-home mom, and how Paul's quiet steadiness became one of the greatest gifts he gave his sons. They dig into the difference between parenting from fear and parenting from a secure identity in God, and why that shift changes everything. Paul shares one of the most moving moments in the episode: the story of how a small Wednesday night dinner group, built on nothing more than a meal and a short video, led to a full-scale revival among a group of young men who had stopped going to Mass. It is a story about patience, trust, and what happens when parents refuse to give up. Rachel offers something equally honest for the moms: you cannot pour from a place of anxiety, you have to learn to let go, trust the Holy Spirit, and love your kids exactly where they are. This episode is for every parent who has wondered whether they are doing enough, and every mom or dad who needs to hear that God loves your kids far more than you ever could. 💙🙏🏻 Link in bio! #parenting #boys #men #masculinity #family #catholic #christian #faith #marriage #identity #mentalhealth #joy #hope
Children learn so much from watching what we do. ⁠ ⁠ In Episode 102, Paul Balducci reflects on the importance of modeling godly manhood for his sons and how his own example helped shape their faith and character.
When we can show up as our authentic selves as parents, we can release the pressure to hyper-control every situation or fixate on every interaction with our children. Instead of constantly striving to get everything "right," we create space for genuine connection, trust, and presence.
The most transformative thing you can do as a parent isn't found in a parenting strategy—it's found in knowing who you are in God's eyes.
Sometimes, at the end of the day, it can be difficult to look back and see the good moments or recognize our own goodness. Instead, we often focus on our mistakes and shortcomings.⁠ ⁠ But taking just two minutes to end the day with Our Lord can make
Sometimes, at the end of the day, it can be difficult to look back and see the good moments or recognize our own goodness. Instead, we often focus on our mistakes and shortcomings.⁠ ⁠ But taking just two minutes to end the day with Our Lord can make all the difference. When we ask Him to show us our worth—especially in the moments when we struggle to see it ourselves—we allow Him to remind us of who we are in His eyes.
There’s a relationship between the window of tolerance and authenticity.⁠ When we're able to stay in that middle space—not overwhelmed, not shut down—we gain access to choice. We can take in what’s happening around us, process it, and respond intentionally rather than react automatically.⁠ ⁠ Perhaps this is one way free will participates with the will of God: not by controlling our circumstances, but by choosing responses that align with who He created us to be.
School's out! 😎⚾️🏝️ is IN! 2025-26 was epic! Now for a summer of family, friends and savoring God's goodness 🙏🏽🥰 #family #kids #martincenterforintegration #breathin
School's out! 😎⚾️🏝️ is IN! 2025-26 was epic! Now for a summer of family, friends and savoring God's goodness 🙏🏽🥰 #family #kids #martincenterforintegration #breathin
If you're a parent, you know the frustration and anxiety that can come when your children seem to argue nonstop. You also know how difficult it can be to respond with patience and love while still guiding, correcting, and teaching them along the way.
The human desire for connection and relationship is real and powerful.⁠ ⁠ Especially when tacos are involved 🌮⁠ ⁠ Vonda Tiede, LMFT, tells her side of the story.
The human desire for connection and relationship is real and powerful.⁠ ⁠ Especially when tacos are involved 🌮⁠ ⁠ Vonda Tiede, LMFT, tells her side of the story.
Marital therapy isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about understanding the relationship as its own unique blend of the two spouses.
💙 What does it actually look like to raise boys into men of faith and character? 💙 How do you stay united as parents when the chaos of a house full of boys threatens to divide you? 💙 What do you do when your sons walk away from the faith, and how
Children learn so much from watching what we do. ⁠ ⁠ In Episode 102, Paul Balducci reflects on the importance of modeling godly manhood for his sons and how his own example helped shape their faith and character.
When we can show up as our authentic selves as parents, we can release the pressure to hyper-control every situation or fixate on every interaction with our children. Instead of constantly striving to get everything "right," we create space
The most transformative thing you can do as a parent isn't found in a parenting strategy—it's found in knowing who you are in God's eyes.
Sometimes, at the end of the day, it can be difficult to look back and see the good moments or recognize our own goodness. Instead, we often focus on our mistakes and shortcomings.⁠ ⁠ But taking just two minutes to end the day with Our Lord can make
There’s a relationship between the window of tolerance and authenticity.⁠ When we're able to stay in that middle space—not overwhelmed, not shut down—we gain access to choice. We can take in what’s happening around us, process
School's out! 😎⚾️🏝️ is IN! 2025-26 was epic! Now for a summer of family, friends and savoring God's goodness 🙏🏽🥰 #family #kids #martincenterforintegration #breathin
If you're a parent, you know the frustration and anxiety that can come when your children seem to argue nonstop. You also know how difficult it can be to respond with patience and love while still guiding, correcting, and teaching them along the way.
The human desire for connection and relationship is real and powerful.⁠ ⁠ Especially when tacos are involved 🌮⁠ ⁠ Vonda Tiede, LMFT, tells her side of the story.
Marital therapy isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about understanding the relationship as its own unique blend of the two spouses.

Pat & Kenna joined The Marriage Group to discuss the concept of “quiet quitting” your marriage

Pat & Kenna had a great time with Jessie Weigand of The Marriage Group to discuss the temptation to “quiet quite” in marriage and (more importantly) what spouses can do about it. Check it out!

Pat Millea featured on Practicing Catholic

Pat was honored to join the podcast of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis to discuss hope & healing in the wake of the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church & School

Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

Hebrews 10:23

Countryside near Lisieux, France