Explore every episode of the podcast CHNetwork Presents
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Evangelical to Anglican to Catholic Pipeline - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 35 | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:54:48 | |
It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's happened to enough people to warrant a discussion: Why do so many people who come from Evangelical backgrounds feel drawn to explore history and liturgy through the Anglican tradition? And why do so many of those same people feel ultimately drawn to the Catholic Faith? Matt Swaim talks to Andrew Petiprin, who grew up Evangelical, became an Anglican priest, and then later entered the Catholic Church. They discuss some of the themes that commonly come up for people who travel this specific path of faith, and how now as Catholics they look back on appreciation for the Evangelical and Anglican ideas and spirituality that helped to form them. Andrew Petiprin's site: https://www.andrewpetiprin.com The Spe Salvi Institute: https://www.spesalviinstitute.com More Stories and Resources: https:///www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support Our Work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass | |||
| Evangelicalism, Catholicism, and the Literary Imagination - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 34 | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:47:48 | |
As writers of fiction and converts to Catholicism from Evangelical backgrounds, Rhonda Ortiz and Lorelei Savaryn talk to Matt Swaim about their perspective on the literary imagination as Catholics compared to how they understood creative writing in their previous Christian experience. They reflect on some of the Christian authors who have been most influential to them in this regard, and how their experience of the sacramental life has informed the way they approach their fiction writing. Rhonda's books: https://rhondaortiz.com/the-molly-chase-series Lorelei's books: https://loreleisavaryn.com/books/ More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass
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| Do Converts Really Make the Best Catholics? – CHNetwork Presents, Episode 25 | 16 Mar 2023 | 00:55:35 | |
Often, due to their zeal and the amount of research they do, converts to Catholicism are treated like experts on the Faith, who have somehow figured it out more even than people who've been Catholic their whole lives. But is that really the case? Matt Swaim talks to Casey and Erin Phillips and Lorelei Savaryn about their own experience of being active Evangelical Christians, the way that formed them to think about Christianity, and how it fueled their passion about being Catholic once they discovered the reality of the Church. They also discuss the pitfalls that can be present to new converts, and how those who are new to the Church shouldn't let the fact that they've learned a lot of information serve as a substitute for actually experiencing formation in their newfound faith. | |||
| Fitting in at Your Parish as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 24 | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:48:47 | |
Many inquirers feel drawn to the Catholic Church because of the beauty and power of her teachings and sacraments. But many of them are coming from church backgrounds -- especially Evangelical ones -- where they felt welcomed and included, and their experience of visiting a Catholic parish can feel like the exact opposite of that. Matt Swaim talks to Jennifer Fitz and Rakhi McCormick about their own experience of this phenomenon when they were becoming Catholic, how to remedy some of those frustrations, and how the Mass is fundamentally different than the kind of worship experience that so many of us have come from. Jennifer's Substack articles on this topic: http://jenniferfitz.substack.com Jennifer's Journey Home episode: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/jennifer-fitz-catholic-revert/ Jennifer's written conversion story: https://chnetwork.org/story/tossed-about-then-reeled-in/ Rakhi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakstardesigns Rakhi's Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/rakhi-mccormick-former-hindu/ More of Rakhi's story: https://chnetwork.org/insights/hinduism-and-catholicism-rakhi-mccormick/ Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate
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| The Ripple Effect of Becoming Catholic – Episode 23 | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:55:56 | |
Monica Anyango grew up Catholic, but left the faith for years before feeling a strong pull back to the sacraments. Raven Yohannon lived in Monica's apartment building, and one day when she got locked out, she knocked on Monica's door, and an immediate friendship began. They talk about how friendship and community are essential components of sharing faith, and what it means to truly walk with people as they seek to grow in relationship with Christ. Monica's work: monicaanyango.com Raven's work: saintsalivepodcast.com | |||
| Catholic Lent and the Human Desire for Self-Discipline - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 22 | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:56:35 | |
Before he became Catholic, Rob Marco sought to shake off consumerism and embrace self-discipline through extreme outdoor adventures and straight edge punk ethos. Pat Flynn sought it too, through stoic philosophy and hardcore fitness regimens. They share with Matt Swaim how they approached self-discipline and the desire to reject consumerism and appetites before becoming Catholic, and how those concepts took on new meaning when they began to understand how Catholicism treats Lent. Pat's website: https://chroniclesofstrength.com More from Pat: https://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Rob's blog: https://fatherofthefamily.blogspot.com Pat's testimony: https://chnetwork.org/?s=patrick+flynn Rob's Testimony: https://chnetwork.org/?s=rob+marco More stories: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support Our Work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate
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| Science Fiction, Christianity, and the Search for Truth - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 20 | 17 Nov 2022 | 01:02:18 | |
As kids, both Rod Bennett and Jim Papandrea were captivated by science fiction, from H.G. Wells to Star Trek, to Narnia and more. These stories shaped them, and helped them to ask the most important questions about what it means to be human. Now as widely published Church historians, Rod and Jim talk to Matt Swaim about how sci-fi and fantasy stories, and the desire to explore big questions in unfamiliar environments, can help us better understand the debates through the centuries about who Jesus is, how we should conduct ourselves in an ever-changing technological world, and what it means to have a truly Christian imagination. Jim's book, "From Star Wars to Superman: Christ Figures in Science Fiction and Superhero Films": https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Superman-Figures-Superhero/dp/1622823885/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1IRQUO5A089Y6&keywords=james+papandrea&qid=1668699831&s=books&sprefix=james+papandrea%2Cstripbooks%2C57&sr=1-13 Rod's book, "The Popcorn Cathedral: Essays at the Junction of Film, Faith, and Fantasy": https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Cathedral-Essays-Junction-Fantasy/dp/153323549X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= More stories: http://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Make an end-of-year gift to support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Feeling Unworthy to Go Back to Mass – CHNetwork Presents, Episode 19 | 10 Nov 2022 | 01:02:06 | |
Many people who grew up Catholic have just stopped going to Church over the years, and for whatever reason, think the things they've been involved with have made it so they'll never be welcome to come back. They feel unwanted, by practicing Catholics or even by God, and don't want to be just one more hypocrite in a room full of people who they feel will never accept them. Carlos "C2six" Zamora and Fonzie "Separate M1nd" Pedroza of the Catholic hip hop collective FoundNation share their own experience of getting in trouble with gangs and drugs in their high school years, how that affected their relationship with Christ and the Church, and how they came over time to see God as a loving Father who is always calling His children back to relationship with Him. Featured track: "Empty Pew" by FoundNation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FZX3qNi5Vc More tracks: https://www.foundnationfamily.com Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Seventh-day Adventists, Catholic Converts - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 18 | 03 Nov 2022 | 00:58:09 | |
The Seventh-day Adventist movement, founded in the mid-19th century, is in many ways like other forms of American Protestantism, but the writings of Ellen G. White set it apart as its own unique expression of Christianity, most notably in the observance of Saturday as its formal day of worship. Norman bin Yazid, a former Adventist minister, and Arthur and Teresa Beem, who come from generational Adventist families, talk to Matt Swaim about their experience of coming to know Christ in the SDA world, and the key questions they began to ask that would eventually lead each of them to the Catholic Church. Arthur and Teresa's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOoYMICOs_b43LagdV19Vw More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Baptist Hell Houses, Catholic Halloween - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 17 | 27 Oct 2022 | 00:54:50 | |
Many Protestant kids who grew up in the 1980's and 1990's were either not allowed to celebrate Halloween, or went to churches that did Halloween alternatives, because the assumption was that Halloween was a pagan holiday, with demonic origins. Matt Swaim, Sam Guzman and Bo Bonner share their experience of growing up in that world, and what they each came to discover about the Communion of Saints, the power of good over evil, and the Christian vision of the human person once they started to look at the true origins of All Hallow's Eve and its connected feasts. Bo's radio show, The Uncommon Good More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate
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| Career Ideas for Protestant Pastors Who Become Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 16 | 13 Oct 2022 | 00:55:58 | |
For many Protestant pastors who are considering becoming Catholic, the theological issues aren't what's holding them back; it's the question of how they'll be able to support their family when they walk away from the only career many of them have ever known. Mike Allen, who was a Methodist pastor for several years, and Andy McNutt, whose ministry experience was in a Baptist context, share what that struggle was like for them, and offer ideas for fellow Protestant clergy who are wondering if their skills and experience will be worth anything if they leave their pastoral ministry to become Catholic. More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Praying With St. Monica For Our Loved Ones - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 15 | 06 Oct 2022 | 00:51:16 | |
At The Coming Home Network, we're often working with people from various backgrounds on their way into the Church. But most of our support comes from faithful Catholics who have loved ones that have left the faith, because they want to see them return to the sacraments. Patti Armstrong and Roxanne Salonen, authors of "What Would Monica Do," share their own experience of praying for their loved ones to return to faith, as well as some of the most common mistakes that can be made out of zeal or desperation. They share how St. Monica, the mother of the once wayward St. Augustine, can serve as a model and intercessor in these conversations. Patti and Roxanne's book, "What Would St. Monica Do": https://ascensionpress.com/products/what-would-monica-do "Redeemed by Grace" by Ramona Treviño with Roxanne Salonen: https://ignatius.com/redeemed-by-grace-rbgh/ More stories and resources: http://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Observing Advent as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 33 | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:39:03 | |
Many of our CHNetwork members will be observing Advent for the first time this year. They often have lots of questions: How does one distinguish Advent from Christmas? How can I help my family enter into this season in a spirit of prayer and hope? And how does it all fit into the bigger Catholic concept of the liturgical year? Matt Swaim talks Lauren De Witt (a Baptist preacher's kid), and CHNetwork's Rakhi McCormick (who grew up Hindu) about how they've incorporated Advent and the liturgical calendar into their family life since they've become Catholic. More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass | |||
| Stone-Campbell Restorationists, Catholic Converts - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 14 | 29 Sep 2022 | 00:55:15 | |
The Restorationist movement is a uniquely influential one in the history of Christianity in the United States. Churches of Christ don't even consider themselves a denomination! Their desire to return to the Bible alone as the source of authority, and to base their practices on the book of Acts, led to profound renewal -- but also profound division, even among members of the movement, and even over questions such as the use of musical instruments in worship. Dr. David Russell Mosley and Rachelle Parker both grew up in that world, and each of them has a unique story to tell about how that experience formed them as Christians, the positive things they gained from growing up in the Stone-Campbell tradition, and how being part of the Restorationist movement uniquely prepared them to be open to the claims of the Catholic Church. Dr. Mosley's Journey Home episode: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/dr-david-russell-mosley-former-church-of-christ/ Rachelle's Journey Home episode: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/rachelle-parker-former-churches-of-christ/ Dr. Mosley's website: http://www.davidrussellmosley.com More stories: http://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Catholicism and the 70’s Jesus Music Movement - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 13 | 22 Sep 2022 | 00:56:49 | |
The "Jesus Movement" that exploded in the United States in the 1970's had a number of different defining characteristics, but many people who got involved in it were first drawn to it because of the music that the movement produced. Fr. Randy Sly came to a personal relationship with Christ in that world, and worked for a number of years promoting concerts and music festivals, and even in radio. He shares with Matt Swaim some of his favorite memories from that time, and how the experiences he had in the movement uniquely formed him to later follow a call to the Catholic Church and the priesthood. Fr. Sly and Matt even worked for the same Christian music festival, 20 years apart from one another! Listen in to see if your favorite artists from that era got mentioned... Fr. Randy Sly on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/fr-randy-sly-former-charismatic-episcopal-bishop/ Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate
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| 90’s Christian Underground Music and Catholicism - Episode 12 | 15 Sep 2022 | 01:07:04 | |
For those who were a part of it, the Christian music underground in the 1990's and 2000's was hugely formative. It was a hotbed of creative musical expression, but it was also an intense marketplace of ideas. As a result, through Tooth and Nail Records, Cornerstone Festival, and a number of other venues, it changed the lives of countless Christian kids. Matt Swaim, Keith Nester, and Keith Little, who were all Evangelical Christians immersed in that world, share their favorite memories of it, and reflect on why so many of those who were a part of it have deconstructed into agnosticism or atheism, and why the three of them, as a direct result of their experience in that music scene, ended up in the Catholic Church. Keith Little's channel: http://www.youtube.com/thecordialcatholic Keith Nester's site: http://www.down2earthministry.org Keith Nester's channel: http:///www.youtube.com/keithnester More videos: http://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Catholicism, Psychology, and a Life of Conversion - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 11 | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:50:16 | |
Matt Swaim welcomes two Catholic converts from the fields of counseling and psychology to discuss how they approached their disciplines before and after becoming Catholic. Deacon Kevin Stephenson, a counselor from an Anglican and Charismatic background, and Dr. Brent Robbins, a psychology professor from an atheist/agnostic background, share their own stories, and the professional insights they've gained from the wisdom of the Church. Starting with the personal experiences of woundedness that got them interested in their fields, to the role of determinism in psychology, to the way the incarnation and the sacraments help in healing the whole person, it's a pretty intense and enlightening conversation! More on the work of Dr. Robbins: https://www.pointpark.edu/academics/schools/schoolofartsandsciences/departments/psychology/psychology%20faculty/brentdeanrobbins Dr. Robbins on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/dr-brent-robbins-former-agnostic-and-catholic-revert/ More on Deacon Stephenson's work: https://saintaugustinebehavioralhealthsystem.com Deacon Stephenson on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/kevin-stephenson-former-anglican-and-charismatic/ Deacon Stephenson's written conversion story: https://chnetwork.org/story/charismatic-comes-home-conversion-story-kevin-stephenson/ More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/compass
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| Pentecostal Preachers, Catholic Converts - Episode 10 | 21 Jun 2022 | 01:00:02 | |
The road from Pentecostalism to the Catholic Church is more direct than you might think! In this episode, Matt Swaim talks to Marcus Peter and Kenny Burchard, who both had radical conversions to Christ in the Pentecostal movement, and later became convicted to follow the Holy Spirit's leading into the Catholic Church. They discuss how questions of freedom, authority, and the nature of the Holy Spirit led them through the discernment process. It's a great conversation! Marcus Peter's website: stpeterinstitute.com Connect with Kenny Burchard: chnetwork.org/compass Related: Paul Thigpen's Deep in History episode about Pentecostalism and Catholicism Our online community: http://community.chnetwork.org More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents
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| A Protestant Bible Scholar Discovers Catholicism - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 9 | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:52:48 | |
The Bible is God's Word. But what should be the criteria for interpreting it correctly? Matt Swaim talks to Dr. Vern Steiner, who was a Protestant pastor, seminary professor and Biblical scholar, about the value of his Protestant formation in Scripture, as well as its limits, and what led him to enter the Catholic Church and create a Catholic Bible Institute to continue his work in exegesis and Biblical scholarship. Watch Dr. Steiner and his son Chad on The Journey Home Learn more about the Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies | |||
| Preachers’ Kids Who Became Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 8 | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:52:14 | |
There are many stories out there about what happens when a Protestant pastor decides to become Catholic. But what happens when it's their children who are the ones who feel called to the Church? Dr. MaryJo Burchard and Denise Bossert both had dads who formed them strongly in faith, and whose work as Protestant pastors had a profound impact on them as they grew up. They share the unique experience of what it was like to grow up as "PK's," and how living in that world uniquely formed them to ask the kinds of questions that would one day lead them to the Catholic Faith. Dr. MaryJo Burchard's website: http://www.concordleader.com The CHNetwork Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents
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| From Protestant Music Ministry to the Catholic Church - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 7 | 24 May 2022 | 00:47:39 | |
How should Christians think about music in worship? It's an issue long debated among Catholics, but in Protestant circles, the diversity of theological expression, as well as the various understandings of the purpose of gathering on a Sunday, can sometimes make the debate even more intense. TL Putnam and Nick De La Torre both served on worship teams as Protestant Christians, and they share how their different experiences of playing and planning music for congregations caused them to ask questions about the nature of worship, the role of the clergy, and the meaning of liturgy, and ended up leading both of them to the Catholic Church. More from TL Putnam: http:///www.verbum.com More from Nick De La Torre: http://www.awakencatholic.org More episodes of CHNetwork Presents: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our online community: http://community.chnetwork.org | |||
| Fundamentalist to Feminist to Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 6 | 17 May 2022 | 00:46:14 | |
An oft-heard criticism of the Catholic Church is its all-male ordained priesthood. That, along with a host of other ways the Church understands men and women, can be dealbreakers for some who have become interested in Catholicism. Dr. Abigail Favale grew up fundamentalist Protestant, and later did academic work on Christian feminism. During both of these eras of her life and study, she saw Catholicism as one of the worst offenders when it came to its teachings about women on a range of moral and theological issues. She shares how coming to understand Mary as the icon of Christian experience, and the Church's feminine character, and the sacramental meaning of the body were stepping stones that eventually led her to embrace the Catholic Faith. Dr. Favale's site: cultivatingcatholicfeminism.com More episodes: chnetwork.org/presents Our online community: community.chnetwork.org | |||
| Converts Share Their Marian Breakthroughs - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 5 | 10 May 2022 | 00:46:10 | |
For many who are exploring Catholicism, the doctrinal arguments regarding Mary may make sense, but there can often still be a mental or spiritual hesitancy to actually living out what the Church teaches about her. Matt Swaim welcomes Matt Leonard and Denise Bossert to share how they wrestled with this issue on their own journeys, and the extraordinary experiences they had that helped completely change the way they thought about Mary. Matt Leonard's site: matthewsleonard.com | |||
| A Convert's Guide to Purgatory - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 32 | 07 Nov 2024 | 00:51:52 | |
When someone begins to be open to the possibility of some kind of purification process between this life and heaven, often many practical questions arise: How does it work? Does it hurt? How long does it take? Is it avoidable? Matt Swaim talks to Karlo Broussard, author of "Purgatory is for Real," to tackle some of the common questions that come up among people who have come to accept the basic theological premise of Purgatory, but are curious about how the whole picture fits together. Karlo's book, Purgatory is for Real: https://shop.catholic.com/purgatory-is-for-real/ More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Reading Scripture as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 4 | 03 May 2022 | 00:43:23 | |
For new Catholics who are discovering all the ways that Scripture points to the reality of Catholicism, it can be tempting to start seeing the Bible primarily as a tool for making arguments in the realm of apologetics. But for many of us who were raised in Evangelical Protestantism, that's not how we were formed to read the Scriptures. We grew up seeing them as a source of life, hope, comfort and conviction. So how do we get that back? Matt Swaim talks to Sonja Corbitt, who came from a Baptist background, about how new Catholics can still get excited about the apologetics aspects of the Bible, without forgetting its primacy as the living and active Word of God in the life of a believer. Sonja's website: biblestudyevangelista.com More episodes: chnetwork.org/presents | |||
| Converts on Getting to Know the Saints - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 3 | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:37:54 | |
For those exploring the Catholic Faith, understanding the Communion of Saints can often be a stumbling block. And even once someone starts to understand the theology, getting to the point of actually having a relationship with the holy men and women who have gone before can seem scary and strange. Matt Swaim talks to Sr. Julia Mary Darrenkamp, FSP, and Melissa Zelniker-Presser about how their journeys to the Catholic Church began when they had dramatic and surprising encounters with the saints, and gets their advice for anyone wrestling with how to embrace Catholic teaching on the Communion of Saints. Melissa's written testimony, "A Jewish Girl’s Journey to Christ" Sr. Julia Mary Darrenkamp's site: paulinestore.com More CHNetwork resources: chnetwork.org | |||
| What Should Converts Do With Their Protestant Books? - Episode 2 | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:37:26 | |
When someone becomes Catholic, especially if they are an avid reader, they often have lots of titles on their bookshelf that reflect years of study and meditation about questions of faith. But what should happen to those books once someone becomes Catholic? Matt Swaim talks to Andrew Petiprin and Shaun McAfee about what they did with their old Protestant books when they became Catholic. Which ones did they keep? Which ones did they give away? Which ones were they tempted to destroy? For more resources, visit chnetwork.org. | |||
| Overcoming Negative Experiences of Christianity - CHNetwork Presents, Ep.1 | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:47:01 | |
For those of us who have had apathetic, unconvincing, or even traumatizing experiences of Christianity, overcoming those can cause significant hesitation when it comes to the idea of being part of any church, and especially the Catholic Church. In this episode, Matt Swaim talks to Pat and Christine Flynn, whose early experiences of Christianity led them to reject the idea of God altogether. They share how they wrestled with their negative past experiences of institutional Christianity once they started to feel drawn toward the Catholic Church. For more stories, visit http://www.chnetwork.org Our online community: http://community.chnetwork.org Pat’s website: http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com Christine’s website: http://www.thecatholicmama.com | |||
| Christmas Conversions in Film and Literature - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 31 | 20 Dec 2023 | 00:14:58 | |
Ebenezer Scrooge, George Bailey, the Grinch... so many of the most iconic Christmas stories in film and literature hinge upon the idea of a conversion of some kind. Matt Swaim is joined by Joseph Pearce and JonMarc Grodi to look at why Christmas is so often associated with a change of heart, and connect the concepts of memory, charity and truth back to their source: Jesus, whose birth is the occasion for all the celebration. Joseph Pearce's website: https://www.jpearce.co More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| From the Prosperity Gospel to Catholicism - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 30 | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:55:37 | |
For many years, Lisa Cooper was deeply involved in the Word of Faith movement, led by such figures as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Marilyn Hickey. While others were mocking these televangelists for their over-the-top personalities and lavish lifestyles, Lisa was looking to them for spiritual guidance. She talks to Matt Swaim about some of the nuances of that theological worldview: the role of language, the thinking around wealth and health, and the celebrity pastor culture. Lisa shares how deconstructing from that form of Christianity led her to find a spiritual home in the Catholic Church. Watch Lisa on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/lisa-cooper-former-word-of-faith/ Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass | |||
| Living Your First Year as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 29 | 01 Jun 2023 | 01:04:12 | |
Whether you entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, or at Pentecost, or at some other time, that first year of getting your bearings and living the sacramental life can be full of excitement, disappointment, encouragement, and culture shock. Matt Swaim, Keith Nester, and Shaun McAfee reflect on what that first year as new Catholics was like for them: the biggest surprises, the most rewarding moments, and the things they wish they had done differently. Hopefully the conversation is an encouragement to those of you who are navigating your first year in the Church! Shaun on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/shaun-mcafee-former-southern-baptist-non-denominational/ Shaun's book, "I'm Catholic, Now What?" https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Now-What-Shaun-McAfee/dp/1681923432#:~:text=%22Shaun%20McAfee%20has%20packed%20this,how%20engaging%20Catholicism%20can%20be!%22 Keith on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/keith-nester-former-methodist-pastor/ Keith's book, "The Convert's Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church" https://www.amazon.com/Converts-Guide-Roman-Catholicism-Church/dp/1700289772/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13QCCI3HNM2NX&keywords=keith+nester&qid=1685613835&s=books&sprefix=keith+nester%2Cstripbooks%2C62&sr=1-1 More stories: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| A Protestant Guide to Catholic Bibles - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 28 | 11 May 2023 | 00:42:45 | |
For Protestants of any background exploring Catholicism, the idea of a Bible with a bigger table of contents than they're used to can be a bewildering proposition. So why do Catholics have a different list of Old Testament books than Protestants do? And what are some good starting points for a Protestant who wants to get to know these books? Matt Swaim welcomes Gary Michuta, author of "Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger" and "The Case for the Deuterocanon" to unpack the differences between Protestant and Catholic Bibles, and the history behind how those differences came about. Gary Michuta's website: https://www.handsonapologetics.com Gary's YouTube channel, "Apocrypha Apocalypse": https://www.youtube.com/c/apocryphaapocalypse More episodes: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Pro Baseball and the Journey to the Catholic Faith - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 27 | 02 May 2023 | 01:01:18 | |
Dan Venezia grew up in New York City, and while his baseball skills caught the notice of the Minnesota Twins, spiritually he was in the wilderness. Wade Gaynor came from a strong Christian family in Kentucky, and when he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, he took his strong Methodist faith to pro baseball with him, and met his wife, Neena, along the way. Neena, Wade and Dan share the ways their experience of Minor League Baseball shaped their way of looking at the world, especially in regards to faith, and how the things they encountered ended up uniquely leading each of them to the Catholic Faith. Dan's written testimony: The Sacrifice that Brought Me Home https://chnetwork.org/story/sacrifice... Neena's written testimony: A Pick-up, a Pope Book, and a Profession of Faith https://chnetwork.org/story/a-pick-up... Neena's children's book: A Garden for Mary https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Mary-Ne... Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate | |||
| Becoming Catholic While Teaching at a Private Christian School - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 26 | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:55:15 | |
Many private Christian schools have their staff sign an annual doctrinal statement, to ensure consistency of belief and teaching in their communities. But many of those doctrinal statements are also crafted so as to exclude Christians from certain theological backgrounds, especially Catholics. So what happens when a teacher at one of those schools decides to become Catholic? Matt D'Antuono and Dr. Annie Bullock both had that experience, and share how their interest in Catholicism affected their work as private Christian high school teachers, what happened when they actually became Catholic, and how they've found ways to use their gifts and passion for education now that they've come into the Church. Dr. Bullock's episode of The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/dr-annie-bullock-former-baptist-and-episcopalian/ Matt D'Antuono's episode of The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/matt-dantuono-former-evangelical-protestant/ A written version of Matt D'Antuono's story: https://chnetwork.org/story/discovering-the-beauty-of-the-truth/ Matt D'Antuono's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-DAntuono/author/B0764HQM3H?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true More episodes: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate
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| Catholicism, The Rapture, and the End of the World - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 37 | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:56:23 | |
Do Catholics believe in the Rapture? If not, what *do* Catholics believe about the end of the world? Matt Swaim, Carl Olson, and Dr. Paul Thigpen each came from Evangelical Christian backgrounds where there were lots of theories about how to understand the End Times, from Hal Lindsey to the "Left Behind" series. Now that they're Catholic, they reflect on some elements of the history of the dispensationalist theology that helped popularize belief in the Rapture, and look at some of the things that the Catholic Church formally teaches about what will happen when Jesus comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Carl's book, "Will Catholics Be 'Left Behind'?": https://www.amazon.com/Will-Catholics-Left-Behind-Apologetics/dp/0898709504 Paul's book, "The Rapture Trap": https://www.amazon.com/Rapture-Trap-Catholic-Response-Times/dp/0965922820 More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass | |||
| Baptist Converts to Catholicism Discuss Women's Roles in the Church - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 36 | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:53:14 | |
Growing up Baptist, both Sonja Corbitt and Dr. Annie Bullock loved Jesus and Scripture, but at times found themselves in conflict with their pastors as they sought to share their gifts within the churches they attended, specifically because they were women. So why on earth would they join the Catholic Church, given its clear and unwavering commitment to an all-male priesthood? Sonja and Annie discuss that conundrum, and look at a number of other factors -- including the role of Mary in salvation history -- that led them to believe they could not only fit in the Catholic Church, but that their unique gifts to teach and lead could flourish there as well. Dr. Annie Bullock on The Journey Home Sonja Corbitt on The Journey Home Sonja's website: sonjacorbitt.com Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass | |||