S2E17: Is Self-Protection Keeping You from Growing? | with Dr. Matthew Breuninger

In this episode, we sit down with Catholic psychologist Dr. Matthew Breuninger for a powerful conversation on healing, virtue, and what it actually means to live in the freedom Christ promises.

We unpack the ways our wounds can lead us to live out of self-protection and self-preservation—and how those patterns can quietly keep us from loving freely and growing in virtue. Dr. Breuninger shares practical wisdom on identifying our own self-protections, understanding virtue signaling, and recognizing how our attachment styles and childhood experiences can shape the way we relate to God and others.

We also dive into parenting, healthy attachment, and how parents can create safety for their children while still holding boundaries and teaching virtue.

This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for understanding ourselves more deeply, healing the places that keep us stuck, and becoming more free to love God and others well.

Resources Mentioned

📖 The Whole-Brain Child — Dr. Daniel J. Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Brysonhttps://www.tinabryson.com/thewholebrainchild

📖 No-Drama Discipline — Dr. Daniel J. Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Brysonhttps://www.tinabryson.com/nodramadiscipline

📖 Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts — Dr. Matthew Breuningerhttps://stpaulcenter.com/product/finding-freedom-in-christ-healing-lifes-hurts/

Connect with Dr. Matthew Breuninger

📸 Instagram: @askacatholictherapisthttps://www.instagram.com/askacatholictherapist/

🌐 Wellspring Counseling & Coachinghttps://www.wellspringccc.com/

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