Anthony Isacco, PhD is program director, professor, and head of clinical research in the new MS in clinical psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is a licensed psychologist and is the principal of Puritan Psychological Services, a small private practice focused on helping clergy, seminarians, and women religious live healthy, holy, and happy lives in their vocations. Dr. Anthony is a generalist, with areas of expertise in the psychology of men and masculinity, fatherhood, psychological assessment, and religious/spiritual integration in psychology. He is a Fellow of the St. John Paul II Foundation. Dr. Isacco lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and four daughters. Among his many endeavors, Dr. Anthony studies addictions, especially regarding young men. He recently wrote a commentary entitled “Digital Sports Betting Fuels a New March Madness” for the National Catholic Register. We are pleased to have Dr. Anthony on our podcast.

In this episode you will find answers to the following questions about Dr. Anthony:

- How do his endeavors integrate faith?

- How did he become interested in sports betting?

- Is gambling inherently wrong?

- How did a 2018 Supreme Court decision affect sports betting?

- What makes sports gambling so accessible these days?

- How can an activity like betting on a sports game that brings people together and fosters camaraderie become an addiction?

- Why does addictive behavior seem to affect men more than women?

- What is the neuroscience of addiction?

- What does he say about Adam and Eve and Saints Peter and Paul? What do these biblical figures have to do with sports betting addiction?

- What are the three A’s?

- What’s a “prop bet”?

- Are there any programs that can help those who find themselves addicted to sports betting?

- What can family and friends do for a loved one who they feel might be spiraling into sports gambling addiction?

- Can recently canonized St. Giorgio Frassati and/or St. Carlo Acutis help someone with an addiction?

- How does physical exercise help a person?

- He ends the podcast with some meaningful words of wisdom. If a person integrates some (or all) of these suggestions, how might a life be enhanced?

Links:

Digital Sports Betting Fuels a New March Madness| National Catholic Register

16-476 Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn. (05/14/2018)

Wild at Heart | Wild At Heart

In the Footsteps of Saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati| National Catholic Register

Online Clinical Psychology Master's Program | Saint Mary’s

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