Courage2Thrive

January 2026: Welcome to Ep3 of Father Bob Flanagan's Courage to Thrive show!

This month's topic: Defense Against the Dark Arts

Live from the Seminary: On the final day of his fall 2025 semester class at the Virginia Theological Seminary, Father Bob interviews Episcopal priest and psychotherapist, Dr. Charles Mayer, on the topic students have been studying all semester — exorcism.

Father Bob and Charles will discuss: What is the difference between mental health and demonic influences? When is this infliction mental illness, and when is it something evil? read more...

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December 2025: Welcome to Ep2 of Father Bob's Courage to Thrive show!

Today's topic: A conversation about Father Bob's newest book, "While Mortals Sleep: Reading Phillips Brooks through Twenty-First-Century Eyes"

Father Bob talks with Karen about: "The hymn 'O Little Town of Bethlehem," which the focus of Karen's chapter in the book.

About our guest: Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D. is a reader, writer, and professor, Karen is the author of The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis (Brazos, 2023); On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018); Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014); and Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012). read more...

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November 2025: Welcome to the Courage to Thrive show, hosted by Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan, best known as Father Bob.

About our host: An esteemed Episcopal priest and author, Father Bob has dedicated his life to spiritual transformation and caring for others. With a profound connection to his faith and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need, he has touched countless lives through his ministry, writings, and teachings. Bob’s book, “Letters of an Unexpected Mystic," was a 2023 Selah Book Award finalist in the Bible study category. read more...

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This week at Elaine's Literary Salon we meet the author of Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles, Rev. Dr. Robert D. Flanagan, also known as Father Bob.

About the author: An esteemed Episcopal priest and author, Father Bob has dedicated his life to spiritual transformation and caring for others. With a profound connection to his faith and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need, he has touched countless lives through his ministry, writings, and teachings. Bob’s book, “Letters of an Unexpected Mystic," was a 2023 Selah Book Award finalist in the Bible study category. read more...

Click here to listen to the podcast!