In a heartfelt interview on Let’s Talk Local, host Sarah Zubieta Bennett sits down with Father Josh Whitfield to discuss his new book Why Sunday Matters.
The conversation quickly transcends religious boundaries, delving into universal themes of work-life balance, parental exhaustion, and the modern neglect of Sabbath practices.
Bennett candidly admits the book’s profound personal impact, revealing it touched on recurring tensions in her marriage and forced her to confront uncomfortable truths about her own relationship with rest.
Father Whitfield approaches the subject with notable vulnerability, acknowledging the personal nature of his writing process.
“Writing it was a cause of pain as well, because the things which probably poked you were poking me writing the book,” he explains to Bennett.
The exchange takes a revealing turn when Bennett discloses her past struggles with workaholism, including a period of inpatient treatment. This admission highlights the book’s relevance beyond religious contexts, positioning it as a cultural examination of modern burnout.
Whitfield describes his motivation for writing as emerging from his own experiences as “an exhausted person, as an exhausted parent” with a sense that “something deep is not right with our rhythm.” His observations reflect a wider societal neglect of rest that resonates across diverse audiences.
Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, the interview explores how the ancient concept of Sabbath might help heal contemporary exhaustion. The conversation illustrates how traditional practices can offer unexpected remedies for distinctly modern problems.