Episode 242: What We Can Learn From a Dying Father: Former Senator Ben Sasse Speaks

We avoid thinking about death until it forces its way into the room. But what happens when a husband and father is suddenly told he has ninety days to live?

In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt examine the striking story of former Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, who recently revealed a stage-four pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Drawing from his candid interview reflecting on that moment, they explore how the ancient Christian discipline of memento mori, remembering death, cuts through ambition, noise, and distraction to reveal what actually matters in a man’s life. Sasse speaks openly about regret, fatherhood, selfishness, and the urgency of redeeming time when the clock is no longer theoretical.

John and Devin unpack his reflections through the lens of the Church’s tradition, from Sirach’s warning to “remember your last end” to the teaching of saints like Jerome, Augustine, and Alphonsus Liguori, while confronting the questions most men quietly push aside: what would change if you truly believed your days were numbered?

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Video Producer – Pietro Damasceno

About the Podcast The Catholic Gentleman Podcast

A Podcast for Catholic Men on Faith, Virtue, and the World Today

The Catholic Gentleman is a show for Catholic Men on the topics of living with virtue and holiness in the modern world. Featuring interviews and commentary, the show seeks to provide practical insights for men of all ages.

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