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The John Passadino Show

The John Passadino Show

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The John Passadino Show delivers compelling insights on self-awareness, mental health, and spirituality through in-depth interviews with international authors, educators, and philosophers.

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Episodios
  • Surviving and Thriving: The Enduring Relevance of Rhetoric and Grace

    Surviving and Thriving: The Enduring Relevance of Rhetoric and Grace
    Oct 3 2025
    In my latest episode is from “The John Passadino Show,” I interviewed Professor Daniel B. Gallagher, a philosophy and literature professor at Ralston College with prior experience a decade of secretarial service at the Vatican for Popes Benedict XVI and Francis. Professor Gallagher, a former Catholic priest, specializes in medieval philosophy and Latin literature and is an accomplished writer on metaphysics, aesthetics, and theology.We opened with a discussion of rhetoric — defined as the art of persuasion, informing, motivating, or entertaining. Gallagher explained the three classical pillars of rhetoric:- Ethos (character/credibility)- Pathos (emotional appeal)- Logos (logical argument)He also highlighted that these elements were central in ancient and classical education, that people cultivated persuasive skills instead of naturally possessing them, and discussed their shifting role and perception in today’s social media-driven society. I agreed that social media posting and messaging have dramatically changed our communication for better and for worse.Professor Gallagher compared ancient and modern communication, noting the erosion of face-to-face conversation and the prevalence of online interactions. We discussed how emotional appeals (pathos) often dominate internet discourse, sometimes at the expense of reason, and how combining ethos, pathos, and logos makes for effective communication.When I asked Daniel to point out an example of stellar execution of rhetoric, he used Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as his example. The professor cited King as a master of blending all three rhetorical aspects. The professor hailed King’s “I Have a Dream” speech as a specific example of rhetorical excellence.Gallagher also mentioned Donald Trump, for purpose of analyzing speech patterns, saying that even though his style is often criticized, Trump communicates rhetorically on purpose, using persuasive techniques from his business experience, and that his speech is calculated. I agreed and emphasized Trump has specialized in “pathos,” in a manipulative style since the 2016 election, during which he bragged of free press coverage. Like moths to a light, the media flocks to every word he says, good or bad, and propagates it out to the public, who leap to emotional conclusions, which I feel is Trump’s goal. Incite emotional responses. Pathos.Gallagher suggested looking beyond political debate for good examples of communication — community meetings, fiction, and non-political writing all provide valuable models. He believes practical, local debates open opportunities for constructive dialogue, contrasting them with the polarization of “big questions” and national politics. We thought back to the concept of town meetings, where community members need to solve a particular problem, such as whether to invest in a town pool, versus determining what ideology works best for the vast population of a complex nation, a near impossible task when not using a rhetorical skill set.The professor made a great point while comparing today’s world to the ancient world stating, “…in the ancient world, you had to either fight really well…or you had to speak really well and usually you had to do both and Julius Caesar is a good example of someone who could do both….”Imagine a world in which you needed to refine your skills to survive versus today when simply filming an altercation and posting it can garner hundreds of thousands of views. What would our political world look like if it consisted of skilled orators?The conversation then shifted to Gallagher’s experience working with the Vatican on the Pope’s secretarial staff. His duties included speechwriting, diplomatic communication, and translating in Latin. He provided insights into the Vatican’s structure, the Pope’s spiritual — rather than purely administrative — authority. I talked about the grass roots Catholics who volunteer in parish life and how far removed they are from the hierarchy of the Pontiff yet are true representatives of the church.We spoke of the new Pope Leo and how he reached out recently to families whose loved ones were victims of a school shooting. Daniel said, “It was directly to console the families of the victims and the community. And it goes via the archbishop…it was a very touching…” and it typified the form of communications Daniel accomplished.I commented on how we focus so much on ideology and who is following proper rules and the resulting negative opinon while neglecting to see the goodness in the Holy See.We then spoke of God’s grace, and Gallagher shared his personal journey from priesthood to parenthood, emphasizing grace as an unearned, freely given gift. We discussed human suffering — its theological implications, and the role of free will in suffering. Sometimes humans create their own suffering through choices made. We spoke of dealing with diseases like cancer and of collective ...
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    1 h y 18 m
  • Jack Martino's Journey: Resilience, Entrepreneurship, and the Power of Faith

    Jack Martino's Journey: Resilience, Entrepreneurship, and the Power of Faith
    Sep 24 2025
    I’ve been interviewing people who I’ve observed have spiritual or mental health insights whose knowledge can help me and others learn. On the latest episode of my show, I interviewed entrepreneur and author Jack Martino. This article reviews my experience with Jack.Jack Martino’s story is one of a powerful expression of faith, entrepreneurship and family and how putting Jesus first transformed both his personal life and business success. His book “God and Pizza” chronicles his great American dream journey of resilience, spiritual awakening initiated by unexpected sources, and practical business wisdom gained along the way.When young, he worked for his father, who had developed top-tier business acumen as a restaurant owner. It was through him; he learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance. For example, his father, instead of granting him access to a primary role, made him start at the bottom, mopping floors. With this approach, Jack learned every aspect of the business and built layers upon layers of experience.He graduated from his role as a menial worker, observing his father’s technique along the way, to becoming a pizza maker alongside him. Although he thrived with his father, he wanted to go out on his own and start his own business.So, like the prodigal son of the New Testament, who went off on his own despite having the benefit of his father’s support, he left the thriving pizza business in New York to start his own in Florida. Then, like the prodigal son of the Bible, he found himself in trouble. He lost his business and a great deal of money because he said, “I wasn’t praying for God’s presence,” which he later learned lifted him up during the times he took for granted.Eventually, mirroring the biblical story, his father celebrated his return. In the New Testament story told by Jesus, the father celebrated because his son “was lost and then was found.” As I listened to Jack and reflected on that story, I realize Jesus meant the son was spiritually lost as was Jack Martino.A key to Jack being found was a generous family he met in Florida, who helped him get back on his feet and led him on the path to Christian enlightenment. Their generosity, including making and serving Jack food and giving him a place to sleep when he had nothing, resembled the famous story of the Good Samaritan as written in the New Testament. In that story, a person in need, passed by others in the street, was inexplicably helped by a Samaritan. But more importantly, they led Jack to a different version of Christianity than the one he knew. It consisted less of rules and dogma and more of a direct acknowledgement of the Lord through prayer, scripture, and practice.Spiritually enriched by God and his friends, he returned home, where alongside his father again, he built a restaurant, and saw the business thrive, and his material possessions increase. According to Jack, his love for possessions had risen above his love of God, and that caused another downfall. Ultimately, his new business failed, and he lost his wife to divorce.We both concluded that ego and selfishness choked off God’s power, which supported his hard work, business and family, and that he needed to reconnect with it, and that is what he did.Some call what he experienced a catharsis; others could say it was a spiritual awakening, and some Christians may say he was born again. Regardless of the label, he understood he should commit wholly to Jesus, permanently, so he committed.Today, he runs another business, while thoroughly invested in Christ, and the business does very well. Christian rock blares from the restaurant speakers, and a poster of his book adorns its front window.During the candid interview, Jack shared valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, drawing from his hands-on experience in the foodservice industry. His advice combines practical business sense with his faith-based principles for sustainable success.He spells out his ten tips for prospective business owners clearly over a page and a half. For example, know what kind of business you would like to be in, where your talents lie and what you love to do. Then investigate finance, location, and legal aspects.I said, “Jack, I have an MBA, and you said more in one page than I learned in two years.” We both laughed, because we knew it was true.Jack’s expertise is not only in the spiritual and business world. His book offers practical recipes for creating delicious homemade pizza. He opened his kitchen to me and prepared two delicious pizzas, one Neapolitan and the other Sicilian. Then we sat at a restaurant table, and we literally broke bread together.In closing, the interview offered both spiritual insights and concrete business advice, making it valuable for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey, plus those in any walk of life who will benefit from Jack’s decades of experience in family life and spirituality.Talking to Jack reminded me of my ...
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Healing Hearts: Navigating Grief, Coping with Loss, and Finding Peace

    Healing Hearts: Navigating Grief, Coping with Loss, and Finding Peace
    Sep 10 2025
    Author Adrienne Bender—photo credit https://adriennebender.com/In the latest episode of the John Passadino show, I interviewed Adrienne Bender, author of “The Almost Miracle Years” which chronicles her journey as a mother and caregiver to her two children and other family members. Her book is not simply a memoir — it’s a testament to her perseverance, transformation, and her pursuit of healing.Adrienne’s journey to motherhood began as a teen, a challenging position to be in. Yet, she completed schooling to become a psychiatric nurse. That position would anchor her when slammed with unthinkable challenges that would befall her and her family.At the heart of Adrienne’s story are her two children, each beset by a disease that would haunt their youth. Doctors diagnosed her daughter Mackenzie with leukemia when she was just eight years old. She would undergo aggressive surgeries and treatments, causing her horrendous pain and suffering to the point nurses tending to her were driven to tears. Meanwhile, her older stepbrother, Kyler, grappled with substance abuse and addiction in the shadows, with Adrienne torn between providing care for both.Adrienne spoke about the trauma of seeing her children suffer while she stood on the balance beam of motherhood. She described her longing prayers, which resulted in small but temporary normalcy such as her daughter’s five-year remission, and her son’s periods of sobriety. However, those incidents were steps on the ladder of a one step up and two steps down life story.Despite near miraculous recoveries her daughter’s disease returned, and in 2018, Mackenzie agreed to end the desperate attempts to save her life. The book documents fifteen-year-old Mackenzie’s heart-wrenching statement to family, saying it was time to end the fight.… it doesn’t seem like I’m going to make it back from this one. I don’t want my life to be filled with test tubes and hospital visits… I have made a decision that when it comes to that time, I will live to the fullest I can, cross off everything on my bucket list, and die happily…Then in 2023, Adrienne’s son Kyler, trying so hard to get his life together, passed away from injuries and fentanyl poisoning.Those losses and her journey to healing herself and others defined Adrienne’s life forever.We talked about her crushing grief — not just for the death of her core family members including her father, inexplicably from the same disease as Mackenzie, and grandfather from Dementia — but for disappointing partners, one of whom was a husband who left while she dealt with her children’s illnesses.Adrienne and I talked about a quote from her which I had messaged to my grieving nephew just before our interview. She said, “…grief and healing aren’t a straightforward course, it’s a maze, and it’s important for people to know that it’s ok to fumble through it.” She also said grief “feels like you’re drowning in an ocean that doesn’t even have a shore.”That is a small sample of the wisdom Adrienne earned and shared.Adrienne’s path to healing included her own struggles with depression and anxiety, including the use of alcohol to numb her pain. Despite those struggles, she found the strength to document not just her innermost feelings, but those of her mom, via her mom’s journals, who provided support every step of the way.Adrienne’s words, both in print in her book and via our conversation, relayed to me a view of her resilience and strength that enabled her to experience her grief while surviving. Her story is more than a common tragedy of an insidious disease; it is an analysis of the human spirit.Through her writing and her quest to educate others, Adrienne encourages others to speak openly about grief and loss, to resist the status quo of hiding it, and to allow themselves to mourn.While Adrienne would never call herself “healed,” she has found a sense of peace. She spoke movingly about the ways her children’s memories fill her days with meaning and described moments in which she feels their presence. She said, “I feel like they’re not dead. They’re just not here. I just can’t see them.” She also said, “…they’re stronger on the other side than they are here. I fully believe that.”Those statements are a testament to her faith and afterlife.Adrienne Bender’s journey — as a young mother, a nurse, an author, and a survivor — offers invaluable lessons for anyone grappling with loss, grief, or the complexities of life. Her book, “The Almost Miracle Years,” is a tribute not only to her children but to the human spirit.Our podcast conversation was more than an interview; it was an immersion into the depths of grief and resilience. Adrienne’s story challenges us to face our own suffering, to appreciate moments of grace, and to remember that, after the darkest storms, rainbows follow.If you or someone you know is struggling with loss, and we all are to ...
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    1 h y 4 m
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