Struggling to find harmony in the relentless rhythm of life's demands, we take an unflinching look into the collision of work-life balance, from nocturnal road work for the Five Borough Bike Tour to the cerebral combat zone of theological finals. Our guest pulls back the curtain on the toll of relentless schedules, contrasting the sweat of manual labor against the heat of academic rigor. We volley between these disparate worlds, revealing the raw edges where personal health, spirituality, and career intersect.Unpacking the weight of industrialism on family life, we cast a critical eye on the legacy of capitalist constraints while confessing a yearning for simplicity beyond New York's skyscrapers. Enter the debate arena: the provocative launch of an AI chatbot dressed in clerical garb, "Father" Justin, igniting a conversation on the sanctity of the confessional and the place of AI in faith. Candace Owens' recent conversion to Catholicism provides a springboard into a discussion on the alignment of faith and the modern world, the encroaching Gnostic right, and the quest for authenticity in media-saturated times.Wading into the spiritual waters, we explore the rich intellectual tradition of Catholicism and the significance of high-profile conversions signaling a cultural renaissance. We traverse the personal journey of engaging with different forms of Mass, the potency of tradition, and the nuanced artistry of faith dialogue. Witnessing a fresh current within the Church, we unpack the transformative potential of orthodoxy, liturgy, and the spiritual compass guiding our innermost quests for truth and authenticity. Join us in this episode to contemplate the intricate dance between the divine and the daily, the sacred and the seemingly mundane.Support the Show.********************************************************https://www.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonOdysee: https://odysee.com/@AvoidingBabylon