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This week on They That Hope, Deacon Bob Rice and Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, tackle the rising tide of anxiety affecting young people—and all of us!  From Super Bowl surprises to shocking NBA trades, it’s a whirlwind of headlines, but the heart of this conversation is deeper: Why are so many teens (and adults) overwhelmed, and what can we do about it? 
Drawing from Dr. Greg Bottaro’s new “In Focus” series, alongside insights from The Anxious Generation and Bad Therapy, the hosts explore how overprotection in the real world and chaos online have created a generation experiencing heightened anxiety. They also reflect on parenting, prayer, digital safety, and the role of faith in fostering real peace and resilience. 
Meanwhile, Father Dave celebrates his 60th birthday (officially “elderly”), Deacon Bob returns from a retreat in Arizona and a week in Texas, and together they close with a hopeful call for Christian unity in a fractured world. 
 
Highlighted Sections 
(00:00) Father Dave Is Officially Old (and Kind of Okay With It)  
The guys reunite after a missed week, and Deacon Bob wastes no time celebrating Father Dave’s 60th birthday. From Googling “what is old?” to surprise parties and retreat moments, the milestone gets a heartfelt and hilarious treatment. 
(01:36) Super Bowl Blowout and the Lost Art of the Commercial  
The Eagles crush the Chiefs in a <a href='https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401671889/chiefs-eagles'>game full of fireworks</a>—literally. Deacon Bob vents about the lopsided score, Father Dave praises the <a href='https://youtu.be/K0iKgJXy_gk?si=Zt7a1Sqxz4HIYMs3'>Clydesdale commercial</a>, and both give nods to halftime outfits that were refreshingly modest. 
(07:02) Luka to the Lakers?! Shockwaves in the NBA  
In a trade that stunned fans and players alike, <a href='https://www.nba.com/player/1629029/luka-doncic'>Luka Dončić</a> heads to L.A. while <a href='https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis'>Anthony Davis</a> lands in Dallas. The guys unpack how the NBA's power dynamic is shifting, and celebrate the Cavs' rise with three All-Stars on deck. 
(10:20) Faith, Anxiety, and Catholic Mindfulness  
Father Dave previews the “<a href='https://faithandreason.com/series/in-focus/'>In Focus</a>” series with <a href='https://catholicpsych.com/'>Dr. Greg Bottaro</a>, diving into the rise in youth anxiety. Deacon Bob brings in themes from <a href='https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book'>The Anxious Generation </a>and <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Therapy-Kids-Arent-Growing/dp/0593542924'>Bad Therapy</a>, reflecting on parenting, digital dangers, and why we need both grace and grit. 
(19:55) Safer Internet Day, Pornography, and Protecting Kids Online  
From age verification laws to the “<a href='https://www.waituntil8th.org/'>Wait Until 8th</a>” campaign, Deacon Bob shares practical ideas for creating safer digital environments—and why this battle has to be fought together, in schools, homes, and communities. 
(26:55) Utopia, TX and the Beauty of Christian Unity  
Deacon Bob recounts a week with <a href='https://younglife.org/'>Young Life</a> leaders in Texas, reflecting on the joy of shared mission between Catholics and Protestants. Father Dave underscores the Church’s call to unity without compromise—celebrating common ground without denying the real differences. 
(33:11) One Easter for All? A Humble Hope for the Future  
They discuss the rare year when all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day—and the <a href='https://www.ewtnvatican.com/articles/pope-francis-calls-for-unified-easter-celebrations-3441'>Vatican’s long-standing willingness</a> to unify Easter calendars as a sign of communion. Spoiler: Pope Francis isn’t the first to suggest it. 
(36:18) Signs of Hope: Lifelong Ministry and Lifelong Friends  
Deacon Bob shares the joy of meeting youth ministers with decades of service. Father Dave reflects on 35 years of friendship and the grace of walking together in faith. It’s a fitting close to an episode that starts with age—and ends with legacy. 
 
Resources Mentioned 
<ul>
<li><a href='https://faithandreason.com/series/in-focus/'>In Focus</a> with Dr. Greg Bottaro </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href='https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book'>The Anxious Generation </a>by Jonathan Haidt </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href='https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Therapy-Kids-Arent-Growing/dp/0593542924'>Bad Therapy </a> by Abigail Shrier </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href='https://endsexualexploitation.com/'>EndSexualExploitation.com</a> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>“<a href='https://www.waituntil8th.org/'>Wait Until 8th” Movement</a> </li>
</ul>
 
Listen to more <a href='https://faithandreason.com/series/they-that-hope/'>They That Hope</a> episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at <a href='https://faithandreason.com/'>Faith and Reason</a>.

Stressed Out

David Colletti is a loving husband, father, and people-focused leader driving outsized impact through a culture of extraordinary teams built on character, magnanimity, authenticity, integrity, and purpose. Colletti is Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Mergers &amp; Acquisitions for 7-Eleven, Inc. He is responsible for all store growth and integration in the U.S. and Canada, including new store builds, acquisitions and integration, store development in partnership with the Construction team, and managing the company’s extensive portfolio of physical assets to ensure they deliver maximum value to 7-Eleven. Colletti serves on the board of the DFW Retail Executives Association. He received a dual-degree Bachelor of Arts from The Catholic University of America and his Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.The show starts with the Dudes slurping up a 7-Eleven history lesson from David. Quickly, we learn that Colletti was drawn to his first job on 7-Eleven’s legal team because of the Jesus conversations he had when discussing servant leadership during his interviews. BIG MOMENT - On Blessed are the Joke Makers, the Dudes must take on the persona of a Brainiac Know-It-All to address the prompt “You know you’re Catholic when you love talking about ______.” But there is a twist - - this version of the game is worth 711 points, and the results may change the Season One scoreboard completely. On TBD, David and the Dudes answer the question of the day, “What is something that makes you mad.” And to wrap up the show with another Reverse Simpsons, the Dudes play a homegrown version of “Catch Phrase.” Nick and Paul take turns trying to get David to guess as many words or phrases as possible out of 10 possible during the one-minute and 33-second timer. <h2>Our Partners:</h2><a href="http://www.joinsolidarity.com/">Solidarity HealthShare</a><a href="https://sockreligious.com/pages/beatidudes">Sock Religious (10% Discount)</a><a href="https://aquinaswealth.com/">Aquinas Wealth Advisors</a><a href="https://spokestreet.com/">Spoke Street Media</a><a href="https://catholiccardgame.com?sca_ref=4057467.xx2t04Acid">The Catholic Card Game</a><a href="https://divinecomedyimprov.com/">Divine Comedy</a><a href="https://www.undivided.life/">Undivided Life</a><h2>Follow The BeatiDudes:</h2><a href="https://www.undivided.life/podcasts">BeatiDudes Website</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/90739902/admin/">LinkedIn</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBeatiDudesPodcast">Facebook</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/beatidudes/">Instagram</a><a href="https://twitter.com/The_BeatiDudes">Twitter</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/schiefelbein/">Jeff Schiefelbein on LinkedIn</a>BeatiDudes Theme Song and Music By<a href="https://thepencilbureau.com/">The Pencil Bureau</a>