https://simplecast.com For People Who Like The Heels of Bread is a collection of short stories, recollections, anecdotes about my immediate and extended family. Youngstown, Ohio, the middle-child dying steel town between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, was rich in its variety of ethnic groups and churches, especially Catholic ones like ours, and it had plenty of bars and taverns... and it was all we knew, so it was the whole world to me. Some members of my family refused to eat the heels of bread, but then there were those of us who gave in... And then came seminary — with many episodes of life in between… Season 2 — really SERIES 2 is about my seminary and call experience, so far… 2020 For People Who Like The Heels Of Bread en Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:30:22 +0000 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:30:33 +0000 https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/6be6a24d-e295-4d29-923b-f6ffe0a466f1/421b0e7b-5c93-4f29-a34b-3b833e26405d/3000x3000/90d51865-e983-4511-b0f4-1bcc65670442.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com serial For People Who Like The Heels of Bread is a collection of short stories, recollections, anecdotes about my immediate and extended family. Youngstown, Ohio, the middle-child dying steel town between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, was rich in its variety of ethnic groups and churches, especially Catholic ones like ours, and it had plenty of bars and taverns... and it was all we knew, so it was the whole world to me. Some members of my family refused to eat the heels of bread, but then there were those of us who gave in... And then came seminary — with many episodes of life in between… Season 2 — really SERIES 2 is about my seminary and call experience, so far… Thomas Martin Conroy, Thomas Conroy false https://feeds.simplecast.com/AJUw9K3I ohio, music, debt, family, gambling, hypochondria, irish, lebanese, storytelling, youngstown Thomas Martin Conroy tconroywriter@gmail.com 60dfb71e-2451-489c-b458-7cff22efa055 All spoken and musical content belong to the author. All sound effects are in the public domain—from Pixabay. 

]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:30:22 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/suicide-in-san-francisco-take-this-broken-wing-jmc3mggA All spoken and musical content belong to the author. All sound effects are in the public domain—from Pixabay. 

]]> Suicide in San Francisco — TAKE THIS BROKEN WING Thomas Martin Conroy 00:30:20 Suicide in San Francisco — During the first of my two lives in San Francisco, I met many men in search of acceptance, validation, and love. This series (season 3) comprises reflections of my interactions and what I learned from all these figures. TAKE THIS BROKEN WING: I know what happens when a wing gets clipped or mangled. Nothing works. Balance is off. We instinctively want to avoid injury, especially on our wings. Yet, we want to listen to our inner voice when it entreats us toward healing others. However, sometimes, after you have done everything you can think of to heal them, it is best to abandon injured birds in the serenity of the park and let nature take its course. Suicide in San Francisco — During the first of my two lives in San Francisco, I met many men in search of acceptance, validation, and love. This series (season 3) comprises reflections of my interactions and what I learned from all these figures. TAKE THIS BROKEN WING: I know what happens when a wing gets clipped or mangled. Nothing works. Balance is off. We instinctively want to avoid injury, especially on our wings. Yet, we want to listen to our inner voice when it entreats us toward healing others. However, sometimes, after you have done everything you can think of to heal them, it is best to abandon injured birds in the serenity of the park and let nature take its course. true full 1 3 0511cdff-b125-4656-9c2c-3c824e978157 All spoken and musical content belongs to the author. 

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:17:37 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-ordained-by-god-ZSxL7fus All spoken and musical content belongs to the author. 

]]> I Am Called — ORDAINED BY GOD Thomas Martin Conroy 00:08:06 God has already ordained you. God has already ordained you. false full 6 2 d246461c-c7ff-4d4a-be28-8ac157af36b6 All spoken and musical content belongs to the author.

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:17:07 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-samson-T_2e_gXU All spoken and musical content belongs to the author.

]]> I Am Called — SAMSON Thomas Martin Conroy 00:12:02 YHWH is always at work behind the scenes. YHWH is always at work behind the scenes. false full 5 2 bdddccd5-b544-4598-9c71-1992c84e8a2d All spoken and musical content belongs to the author. 

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:16:48 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-talented-4tKR6x7_ All spoken and musical content belongs to the author. 

]]> I Am Called — TALENTED Thomas Martin Conroy 00:05:08 Tom is talented …. and…. Tom is talented …. and…. false full 4 2 bc62d85b-cf74-4e4e-9452-f719eda2bdb7 All spoken and musical content belong to the author. 

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:16:24 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-im-from-missouri-0lWyOtoa All spoken and musical content belong to the author. 

]]> I Am Called — I’M FROM MISSOURI Thomas Martin Conroy 00:10:28 Ordination Track Process: How does it work in your diocese? Ordination Track Process: How does it work in your diocese? false full 3 2 b98b3e91-ffde-4014-aad6-b9ca2b1757d0 All spoken and musical content belong to the author.

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:16:02 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-seminal-seminarians-8NAnBvG_ All spoken and musical content belong to the author.

]]> I Am Called — SEMINAL SEMINARIANS Thomas Martin Conroy 00:10:14 What is your call story? What is your call story? false full 2 2 89c43349-bf6e-4a14-a1f4-799212debc5b All spoken and musical content belong to the author. 

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 21:15:33 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/i-am-called-the-cops-IpUNeFMd All spoken and musical content belong to the author. 

]]> I Am Called — THE COPS Thomas Martin Conroy 00:11:23 If you have contemplated a call to ordained ministry, I invite you to listen. If you have contemplated a call to ordained ministry, I invite you to listen. virginia theological seminary, ordination, seminarian, gatekeepers, seminary, call story false full 1 2 3e427819-b895-4e3c-a332-e8b7de134464 All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain.

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:53:08 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread-5-apfuaqR9 All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain.

]]> For People Who Like The Heels Of Bread 5 Thomas Martin Conroy 00:18:07 Episode 5 is a continuation of episode 4.... We needed to make sure indeed if anyone did, in fact, want toast. The toast prince and the hypochondriac in training, spending another normal summer at 940 Edenridge Drive, the house with three front yards, could, hopefully, all be saved by a lucky lottery pick or an answered prayer.... should God will it to be. Episode 5 will be a continuation of this story. Episode 5 is a continuation of episode 4.... We needed to make sure indeed if anyone did, in fact, want toast. The toast prince and the hypochondriac in training, spending another normal summer at 940 Edenridge Drive, the house with three front yards, could, hopefully, all be saved by a lucky lottery pick or an answered prayer.... should God will it to be. Episode 5 will be a continuation of this story. ohio, youngstown, toast prince, irish, lebanese, dream book, lottery, toast, hypochondriac, numerology false full 5 1 3ee28a4b-7a56-4db7-a13c-b57f7fa1cfcd All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:44:45 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread-4-b_nMOa2J All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> For People Who Like The Heels Of Bread 4 Thomas Martin Conroy 00:20:31 The toast prince and the hypochondriac in training, spending another normal summer at 940 Edenridge Drive, the house with three front yards, could, hopefully, all be saved by a lucky lottery pick or an answered prayer.... should God will it to be. Episode 5 will be a continuation of this story. The toast prince and the hypochondriac in training, spending another normal summer at 940 Edenridge Drive, the house with three front yards, could, hopefully, all be saved by a lucky lottery pick or an answered prayer.... should God will it to be. Episode 5 will be a continuation of this story. youngstown, toast prince, irish, lebanese, dream book, lottery, toast, edenridge drive, hypochondriac, numerology false full 4 1 3dc34125-f2ad-4928-8c8d-00eb2a9c2089 All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:31:16 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread-3-VbFwYD6H All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> For People Who Like The Heels Of Bread 3 Thomas Martin Conroy 00:20:00 A FIVE BY SEVEN FRAMING THE HAPPIEST DAY OF HIS LIFE, episode 3. A FIVE BY SEVEN FRAMING THE HAPPIEST DAY OF HIS LIFE, episode 3. ohio, youngstown, dysfunctional, irish, functional, lebanese, memories, family, living in the past, storytelling false full 3 1 188cfff7-b613-41d9-8820-deea9469e86b All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. 

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:15:33 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread-1-di72zTaE All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. 

]]> For People Who Like The Heels of Bread 1 Thomas Conroy 00:05:34 My mother had cigarettes and coffee for breakfast and spaghetti sandwiches for lunch. My father returned from church slamming the bulletin on the table angry about the damn nuns up on the altar who weren’t supposed to be touching the communion in the first place. My brother took inventory of their ability to guide and raise us and verbally expressed the brutally obvious while acting out in his own destructive ways. I played records in my room and was the silent observer, often praying that my mother would not die and leave me in the chaos of our little house with no one to turn to. My mother had cigarettes and coffee for breakfast and spaghetti sandwiches for lunch. My father returned from church slamming the bulletin on the table angry about the damn nuns up on the altar who weren’t supposed to be touching the communion in the first place. My brother took inventory of their ability to guide and raise us and verbally expressed the brutally obvious while acting out in his own destructive ways. I played records in my room and was the silent observer, often praying that my mother would not die and leave me in the chaos of our little house with no one to turn to. ohio, youngstown, irish, lebanese, catholic, storytelling false full 1 1 271a43c8-5299-4815-850b-e34e6e2757a8 All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:15:21 +0000 tconroywriter@gmail.com (Thomas Martin Conroy) https://for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread.simplecast.com/episodes/for-people-who-like-the-heels-of-bread-2-kmjr5z_U All content is original. I am the author and speaker. I am the composer and pianist for the underscoring, CIRCULAR SKETCH. In episode 3, I use a short music excerpt from a church hymn, IMMACULATE MARY, which is in the public domain. 

]]> For People Who Like The Heels Of Bread 2 Thomas Martin Conroy 00:09:38 John, my brother, was the first one to enlighten me that our mother lived in the past. Holding vigil for all her dead relatives, in constant prayer and in reverence of pictures displayed all over the house, we, the living, stood by. Do you know what day this is? This is the date.... John, my brother, was the first one to enlighten me that our mother lived in the past. Holding vigil for all her dead relatives, in constant prayer and in reverence of pictures displayed all over the house, we, the living, stood by. Do you know what day this is? This is the date.... youngstown, irish, lebanese, steel mill, dead relatives, sorry, fathers, mothers false full 2 1