Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Progress

By Ronda Chervin

Why would I ever think I talk too much? Here are some tiny stories to show you why:

“Ronda,” asked my spiritual director, “what would it be like if you joined a table (at the seminary where I was teaching and took my meals) and didn’t talk first?”

“Ronda,” a co-professor at a university told me: “when you interrupt me while I am talking it feels as if you think nothing I am saying is important, only what you say!”

“Ronda,” a mentor asked me: “how many sentences do you enunciate which start with the word I”?

“Ronda,” someone said: “it’s as if when I talk your foot is on the brake, but ready in a second to jump onto the accelerator to say what you wanted to say, not as a response, but just what you happen to think is more important.”

During a conversation with another talkaholic, David Dowd, a co-author of mine of the book “Always a New Beginning, ” we joked this way: “How about we start a group called Talkaholics Anonymous?”

Paperback: $9.95 | Kindle: $4.99

 

TESTIMONIALS

“How is it that in a society where so many people are experiencing an absence of meaning in their life, there seems to be an epic amount of talking taking place? And this verbosity tends to be rather shallow. It’s light years away from, and not even remotely similar to, the depth of conversation of the ancients; such as we witness in the Socratic Dialogues of Plato. No… the garrulousness of our times is more of a symptom than a solution to the emptiness people are experiencing. Thus, the popularity of books such as The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren; or Victor Frankl’s classic… Man’s Search for Meaning. In this little book, Talkaholic, Dr. Ronda Chervin, the most published Catholic philosopher in the USA (80 books and counting!), takes on this explosion in loquacity and, to use contemporary parlance… “crushes” it! Dr. Chervin, a master of existential/philosophical analysis, walks the reader through this fascinating question of talkaholism, and in the process, witnesses to the truth of Jesus’ profoundly insightful statement: ‘A man is not debased by what goes into his mouth, but by what comes out of it. For what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.’ (Matthew 15:11, and 15:18).” – Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker, SOLT, author of The Prayer of Jesus CrucifiedAdventures in the Father’s Joy! (CMA Book Award); To Whom the Heart Decided to Love (CMA Book Award); The Redemption of San Isidro (CMA Book Award); and Masters of Interior Space

“This book is the cat’s meow! It will be the talk of the town!” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronda Chervin, PhD, is a professor of philosophy, widow, grandmother, and great grandmother. She has taught at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of Los Angeles, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and Holy Apostles Seminary and College. She is the author of numerous books about Catholic living and presents on EWTN and Catholic Radio. Most well-known of her books are The Way of Love, Treasury of Women Saints, Avoiding Bitterness in Suffering: How our Heroes in Faith Found Peace amid Sorrow, and, most recently, with co-author Albert Hughes: Escaping Anxiety on the Road to Spiritual Joy. 

OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

La Sainteté de la Féminité par Mary Kloska

La Sainteté de la Féminité par Mary Kloska

Below is a spiritual talk that Mary gave to a group of Polish youth at a retreat center in Babliniec, Poland about the Love that God has for them. It was on September 3, 2005 and is translated by Hania Przybylo. You can listen to this both in my English and Hania's...

read more
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation

Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation

Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation by Freddie Stewart, Jr. Compelled by his rich evangelical experience of searching the Scriptures alongside Christian brethren seeking spiritual inspiration and practical wisdom, Freddie has sought to share his enthusiasm...

read more
Из Тьмы… Мэри  Клоска

Из Тьмы… Мэри Клоска

Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska Данная работа - собрание сокровищ, с которыми Иисус поделился с сердцем Мэри Клоска. Представляя эту книгу для читателя, Мэри надеется засвидетельствовать о Великой Силе, которая находится в Кресте Иисуса. Её сердце застывает при...

read more
Cloud of Witnesses – 25th Anniversary Edition

Cloud of Witnesses – 25th Anniversary Edition

Published on the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin MaryWomen of Grace with Johnette Benkovic (September 11 & 12, 2023) - When God Offers Us the Cross: Steps to Mining the Treasure, Part 1 and Part 2Cloud of Witnesses by Joni J. Seith This 25th...

read more
Flow Gently Days

Flow Gently Days

Flow Gently Days by Rachel Heise The author endeavors in this book of poetry to demonstrate an alertness to the divine glorious moments in time that often pass by underappreciated. She encourages all readers to be on the lookout for a trail of lights that lead back to...

read more
Into the Heart of St. Joseph

Into the Heart of St. Joseph

Into the Heart of Saint Joseph by Jason Schreder Into the Heart of Saint Joseph immerses the reader through prayerful reflection, Scripture, and art, into Saint Joseph's interior life as the Husband of Mary and Zealous Defender of Christ. Saint Joseph is known to be a...

read more
The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei

The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei

The Eucharistic Revival Project Edited by Phillip Hadden & Jonathon Fessenden Foreword by Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. The Eucharist Revival Project is Missio Dei’s response to Pope Francis’ call to rediscover "the real and loving presence of the Lord” in the...

read more
“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations

“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations

"That They May Have Life" (John 10:10): 35 Meditations by Fr. Julius D. Leloczky, O.Cist. This collection of meditations is a rich anthology of writings very much in the spirit and vein of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and of the ideas represented by...

read more
77 Soundbytes of Love

77 Soundbytes of Love

The Interactive Blog is not yet in working order. Please email Ronda directly if you have any thoughts. chervinronda@gmail.com77 Soundbytes of Love: The Philosophical Spirituality of Ronda Chervin By Ronda Chervin This book is an anthology of soundbytes -- 77 to be...

read more
Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?

Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?

Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist! by Francis Etheredge Reflecting on the reality of childhood, Francis Etheredge explores what is entailed in being a parent who wants to take up the vocation, as widely and as specifically as possible, of helping to found the...

read more
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus

Purgatory in the Words of Jesus

Purgatory in the Words of Jesus by Roger Skrenes In this book, Roger Skrenes explains how the teaching that only two possible realms exist after death, that of Heaven and Hell, as argued by many non-Catholic Christians, is not correct. Christ actually spoke of a third...

read more
The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.

The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.

All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) LORD, HAVE MERCY. The oceans are big; our boat is small.The Sea Lord's Bookshelf by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. This book is a catalyst, of a beginning voyage. Here it is a short one, yet a long...

read more
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy

For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy

For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy Kristina R. Olsen The purpose of this book is to invite you into the Sacred Heart of Jesus to experience his love, and to introduce you to the Divine Mercy devotion to encounter God's limitless forgiveness. We...

read more
The Book of Love: Brief Meditations

The Book of Love: Brief Meditations

Cover design by Sophia ClementsWhen given the chance to submit cover designs, four out of five of Richard Clements' children submitted drawings. The one selected is from among those four submissions. The other three submissions are featured here above.The Book of...

read more
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners

Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners

Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners Editado por Dr. Patrick Castle and Bernadette Costello ¡DIOS primero, VIDA siempre, EQUIPO para siempre! Corredores de VIDA es el equipo Pro-Vida más grande del mundo, correr es opcional, se requiere camiseta y se necesita fe. Nos...

read more
Nuggets of Wisdom

Nuggets of Wisdom

Nuggets of Wisdom By Bob Sizemore with Ronda Chervin In this handy volume, Bob Sizemore and Ronda Chervin engage in a dialogue intended to deliver nuggets of life's wisdom, offering both specific and general insights on navigating one's way through this world and into...

read more
No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative

No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative

No Longer I: Sharing Christ's Gospel Narrative by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Christ entered our world and gave himself completely to us to the point of dying for us, to become nourishment for us and a source of hope. In this book, Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., demonstrates...

read more
His Divine Presence

His Divine Presence

His Divine Presence by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Poetry of praise for the grace that God freely provides at every moment of our lives. Paperback: $9.99 | Kindle: $9.99 TESTIMONIALS "A dancer took off her makeup and costume and asked, "What more is there to life?" A woman...

read more
The Blessings of the Beatitudes

The Blessings of the Beatitudes

The Blessings of the Beatitudes by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about the vision Jesus sets before his hearers of a world ruled by justice and love. The eight beatitudes provide hope to all who listen to and follow the call of the kingdom in their hearts....

read more
Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando

Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando

Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando In this work, Fr. Paul Ezinando demonstrates that though we have knowledge of Jesus Christ from various perspectives, we cannot know Him enough. To help us come to a better knowledge of Jesus Christ, Fr Ezinando...

read more
Such Common Stories by Lawrence Hopperton

Such Common Stories by Lawrence Hopperton

Such Common Stories by Lawrence Hopperton There is one story only. It’s woven out of personal experiences and memories, the worlds that we have actually known and loved. The poems in Such Common Stories connect to our individual stories, so that the experiences they...

read more
A Spiritual Plan for Families by Fr. Jacob Dankasa

A Spiritual Plan for Families by Fr. Jacob Dankasa

A Spiritual Plan for Families: Preparing your Home for a Life of Faith following the Examples of Saints who Raised Families by Fr. Jacob Dankasa Considering the challenges that many Christian families face today in building faith-based homes, it’s essential that every...

read more
Dear Mr Putin: An Epistolary Inquiry by Peter Breen

Dear Mr Putin: An Epistolary Inquiry by Peter Breen

Dear Mr Putin: An Epistolary Inquiry | Уважаемый господин Путин! by Peter Breen An epistolary exhortation in monthly installments to Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, that asks: "Are you sure about waging war and brandishing a cross against the woman who...

read more
House of Gold by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+

House of Gold by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+

House of Gold by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ Our Lady has spent my entire lifetime blessing me with Her friendship –and so I rejoice today to offer Her this little gift of a book, which I hope brings many more souls into Her humble, Motherly embrace. Paperback:...

read more
Living as Long as I Can as Well as I Can by James Pomeroy

Living as Long as I Can as Well as I Can by James Pomeroy

Living as Long as I Can as Well as I Can by James Pomeroy This is a book that will be helpful to health care providers, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, chaplains, and their patients, because it offers a spiritual foundation for living well,...

read more
A La Sombra de Nuestra Señora

A La Sombra de Nuestra Señora

Mary Kloska speaks to a 'Seven Sisters' Group about her book In Our Lady's Shadow (May 21, 2021)A La Sombra de Nuestra Señora: La Espiritualidad de la Oración por los Sacerdotes by Mary Kloska A la Sombra de Nuestra Señora: ‘La Espiritualidad de Rezar por los...

read more
Voices from the Upper Room

Voices from the Upper Room

Voices from the Upper Room by Father Dominic Lenk, O.S.B. Just who were those people gathered together in the Upper Room during those three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection? Imagine with the author all those people gathered in the Upper Room during...

read more
The Holy Heart

The Holy Heart

The Holy Heart by Holly Garman “My Father will love you so deeply that We willcome to you and make you Our dwelling place.”~ Jesus (Jn. 14:32, TPT) The Scriptural truths of The Holy Heart help us to let God become fully at home in us, as we become fully at home in...

read more
Mornings with Mary (A Rosary Prayer Book)

Mornings with Mary (A Rosary Prayer Book)

Mornings with Mary (A Rosary Prayer Book) by Mary Kloska Sometimes gathering as few as a few hundred people, sometimes as many as 100,000 people a day, Mary Kloska has led spiritual warriors each morning on social media in prayer for myriads of intentions. Following...

read more
The Mercy Ocean

The Mercy Ocean

All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.)LORD, HAVE MERCY. The oceans are big; our boat is small.The Mercy Ocean by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. Simply described as a collection of information, which perhaps will be USEFUL TO YOU AND/OR...

read more
Shared Miracle Stories

Shared Miracle Stories

Shared Miracle Stories of the Dominican Community of Mary Mother of Dominic and Friends of Cedaredge Ed. by Mrs. Helen R. Hawkins, OP This is a book that invites us to share our miracles with one another. Why does God use or allow miracles? First, a miracle is an...

read more
The Fourteen Holy Helpers

The Fourteen Holy Helpers

The Fourteen Holy Helpers Authored by Allison Lunsford and Illustrated by Joan Bennett Saint Acacius, Saint Barbara, Saint Blaise, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Christopher, Saint Cyriacus, Saint Denis, Saint Erasmus, Saint Eustace, Saint George, Saint Giles,...

read more
Led by the Spirit

Led by the Spirit

Led by the Spirit: Into the Consciousness of Christ by Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. Following Jesus means being open to and led by his Spirit. This book explores the meaning of this phrase by looking at the larger picture of why God entered our world and became one of us...

read more
Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies

Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies

Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies by Robin Arthur In this thoughtful reflection, Robin Arthur presents his perspectives on the God experience, addressing the conundrum of faith in Christ crucified, which St. Paul has told us is "a stumbling block to Jews and...

read more
Fuera de las Tinieblas… por Mary Kloska

Fuera de las Tinieblas… por Mary Kloska

Fuera de las Tinieblas por Mary Kloska Aquí, al principio de este libro, no quiero explicar mucho sobre mí (quien soy, o dónde vivo, o dónde estudié), en su lugar, me gustaría simplemente presentarlo como es: una colección de tesoros que Jesús ha compartido con mi...

read more