Father Hoda’s Message

“Suffering is the ice axe that breaks through the frozen sea inside." Father Hoda  Chasing Chickens by G.M. Corrigan

Father Hoda

My dear and admired friend, Mike Corrigan, writing under the name G.M. Corrigan, is a brilliant investigative journalist.  Jack and I have had him as a guest on our radio show two times with a third coming up on July 26. (See podcast links of earlier shows below.)

Mike has done an inspired writing job of translating his personal observations into a coherent social and political thesis, in not only one insightful, non-fiction treatise, Exposing America’s Secret Civil War, but also a rather spirited, tongue-in-cheek  fiction piece, Chasing Chickens: A Love Story.  (Hear the podcasts at the preceding links here. And, find out how to order Mike’s books and read his commentary here.)

What dedication and determination to help make our country a better one!

Last Sunday, Mike presented his viewpoints at an engaging discussion forum at a local coffeehouse at which I was in attendance.

Lo and behold all did not immediately go simply and smoothly.

Oops! No way!

A presentation and discussion on overcoming polarization quickly headed in the direction of being – what else??? -- fraught with potentially polarizing audience comments.

But – here’s the good news --- for which we can credit Father Hoda, Mike’s wise and loveable priest character from Chasing Chickens.

When someone in the audience (who just happened to be me) suggested that those present might be slipping into the pitfalls of intellectual debate, permitting the unacknowledged heart; the pain and suffering of our “dysfunctional” divisiveness (our social and political schisms) to drive us further apart, Father Hoda made a timely appearance and helped guide the discussion into smoother channels.

We could have stayed with the building tensions but each chose not to. So we managed to move forward with calm and respect for one another with an attentive ear turned toward Mike’s inspired thesis.

Thus a good time was had by all.

Imagine that!

From snags to synergy by simply listening to the words of a wise and kindly priest!

(As we truly wish our President and Congress could manage.)

Father Hoda arrived at just the right moment to remind us that –

“Suffering is the ice axe that breaks through the frozen sea inside.”

Hear Jack and I discuss this lively forum that went quickly into a budding polarization – and – then equally as fast from snags to synergy.

Suffering And The Challenges (And Rewards) Of Leaning In

With Anastasia Rosen-Jones and Jack Slattery

Hear The Podcast!

Hear more Father Hoda-isms 

Journalist and author G.M. (Mike) Corrigan joins us again.

Saturday, July 26, 11:30 a.m

“100 Ways To Sunday”

 (or how to become a possible society in motion rather than a troubled one)