The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

Noelle Mering, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of "No Contact" & "Awake, Not Woke", traces the cultural forces behind the cultural trend to cut off family members. She shows how political conflict, gender ideology, and COVID disputes have helped turn ordinary tension into permanent rupture.
She also makes the case that the real danger isn't just fractured family ties - it's the way this mindset trains people to see disagreement as an attack on identity.
You'll discover:
- Why "no contact" is sometimes necessary, but often overused
- How boundaries stopped meaning "protect the relationship" and started meaning "protect myself"
- The difference between legitimate abuse and the social contagion of cutting people off
- Why politics and identity have become so tightly fused that disagreement feels personal
- How resentment, self-justification, and nonstop narrative-rehearsal keep wounds open
- What "high differentiation" means and how it helps people disagree without collapsing into fear
- Why levity, gratitude, and a strong family culture matter more than perfect arguments
Notes
Noelle's Book: https://sites.prh.com/nocontactbook
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In this episode of The Tangent, Fr. Sam and Matt sit down with Doug Barry — founder of RADIX, longtime EWTN host of Battle Ready and Life on the Rock — for a conversation about what Catholic manhood actually requires, naturally AND spiritually.
What we get into:
The difference between authentic Christian manhood and the "macho" counterfeit
Why demons are "lawyers from hell" — and what changes when the father of the house prays out loud
Pearl Harbor, December 8, 1941, and the quality of courage men have lost
Bailing water vs. plugging the holes in the boat: why confession alone isn't a strategy
Discipline as formation, and how physical training builds spiritual strength
A concrete day-one regimen — Mass, confession, adoration, the Rosary, fasting, mortification "Exodus 365" and how to offer up a bad knee, a traffic jam, or one more Zoom call
What St. Joseph teaches men about deep prayer and immediate obedience The 85–90% statistic: what happens to kids' faith when DAD leads it, not just mom
Why "I'm sorry" is the hardest and most healing thing a father can say "No one cares about your bench press" — surrender, quiet desperation, and peace
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The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 

Fr. Sam just got back from four days with the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C. He and Matt discuss the retreat/seminar that he offered them, rehashing the topic: Mary's perfect humanity.
They go also discuss the origin story of the Missionaries of Charity, St. Mother Teresa's profound impact on the world, Fr. Sam's personal experience with Pope St. John Paul II and his experiencing of reading in front of (to?) Pope Benedict XVI.
The essence of the retreat was based off a quote from St. Mother Teresa, "We imitate Mary's spirit of loving trust, total surrender, and cheerfulness." Taking some cues from his training with Catholic Psych Institute, Fr. Sam breaks open how to imitate Our Lady's perfect humanity.
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Maria Palma Smith, the translator of Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You joins the Tangent today to discuss the life of Don Dolindo Ruotolo and his famous surrender novena. 
Maria Palma Smith is a Third Order Franciscan, Italian translator, Author, and Catholic Life Coach. 
NOTES 
Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You: The Life of Don Dolindo Ruotolo
The Surrender Novena
Maria's Substack
The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities 
The Betrothed 
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Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
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Fr. Deacon Kyle Washut president of Wyoming Catholic College joins the Tangent to discuss Truth on Trial, Wyoming Catholic College's unique curriculum, and the relationship between Eastern & Western Catholicism.
If you're interested in the Catholic Land Movement and different types of education (especially classical education) this episode is for you! 
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Dr. John A. Cuddeback has been a professor of Philosophy at Christendom College for thirty years. He lectures and writes on how to live the good life today. His first book, True Friendship, and his new book The Intentional Household are published by Ignatius Press. His work at LifeCraft is renowned for applying a timeless wisdom to life today.
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Fr. Sam and Matt sit down for another round of tiny Tangents. This time, they test Fr. Sam's ability to discern whether or not the questions asked were written by Matt or... the robot. 
Some of the topics covered include: 
- the excommunication of the SSPX
- God's love and mercy in the Old Testament 
- Catholic Moral Theology
- Pope Leo XIV (and the previous Pope Leo's) 
and way more! 
Thanks for listening to this week's episode of the Tangent! 
Notes
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Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 

This week on the Tangent Fr. Sam and Matt sit down to discuss a myriad of topics: 
What is liberation theology?
Why should married couples take advice from celibate priests?
Where should someone start if they want to begin reading Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI)?
What are their favorite movies? 
plus many others! 
Notes
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Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)