Father and Joe E384: Strengthening Relationships Through Future-Focused Messages

In this episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks dive into the powerful concept of nurturing and strengthening relationships by focusing on the future. Over the course of nearly 400 episodes, one recurring theme has been how relationships form the foundation for living a holy and fulfilling life. Today, they discuss a unique and practical tool that Joe shares with his clients—recording regular voice or video messages for loved ones, addressing them at future milestones in their lives.

Joe explains, “The real secret of life has really not been articulated correctly. It’s not the accumulation of power, money, or time. It’s building the best relationships.” These weekly messages—crafted with love and intention—are intended to help us visualize the long-term development of our relationships, ensuring they remain strong over the years. Joe suggests setting aside 20 to 30 minutes on Fridays to record a message, thinking about how you want your relationship to look a decade from now.

Father Boniface reflects on how this practice connects with spiritual exercises and insights from psychology, drawing comparisons to Jordan Peterson’s concept of self-authoring, which involves looking ahead to one's future and visualizing a positive path. He shares a touching story from his own life where his mother chronicled his childhood, and how that long-term reflection offers a deeper understanding of our relationships.

Joe also provides insight into how this practice has worked with his clients, even those who are introverted or pessimistic, helping them see a more positive and realistic future. As he says, “Problems and barriers that used to be insurmountable start to fade over time.”

Key points covered in this episode:

The Power of Future-Focused Messages: Joe outlines a practical way to improve relationships by recording messages for loved ones to receive years down the road, helping to foster stronger, more loving bonds.
Real-Life Client Examples: Joe shares stories of clients whose lives have been changed by this exercise, explaining how it helps them face and overcome fears, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.
A Practice for Everyone: Father Boniface emphasizes that this exercise is not only valuable for those who have a naturally optimistic outlook but can be transformative for anyone, regardless of their emotional disposition.
Spiritual and Psychological Perspectives: Reflecting on how this practice aligns with spiritual growth and psychological principles, the discussion brings out the profound benefits of focusing on the future with hope and love.
As Father Boniface says, "Just going out of ourselves and thinking positively about other people has a really positive effect on ourselves as well." This episode encourages everyone to try this practice—whether for a spouse, child, or friend—and experience the ripple effect of improved relationships in all areas of life.

We invite you to listen and take this exercise into your own life. Discover how intentional, future-focused messages can deepen your relationships and make a lasting impact on both you and your loved ones.

Thank you for joining us in another insightful conversation. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with those who are looking to bring more love and intention into their relationships. We'll be back next week with more.

Tags: relationships, future-focused, positive messages, family bonds, relationship advice, Father Boniface Hicks, Joe Rockey, spiritual growth, Catholic podcast, love and faith, faith-based relationships, long-term relationships, strengthening family, communication tips, life advice, Jordan Peterson, self-authoring, personal development, faith and relationships, podcast, relationship building, spiritual exercise, family communication, future planning, emotional intelligence,