Explore every episode of the podcast The Cordial Catholic
Dive into the complete episode list for The Cordial Catholic. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
325: Where Did All the Atheists Go? (w/ Dr. Christopher Kaczor)
03 Dec 2025
01:07:41
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Christopher Kaczor, to discuss his new work on the reasonableness of belief in God and some of the most popular challenges – and changes – with how we approach this fundamental topic.
What can we make of the shifting landscape of belief? Catholic conversions are on the rise! How do we address the perennial problems of Evil? God's hiddenness? And, hey, where did all those atheists go?!
Dr. Kaczor is wonderfully articulate even when I am not – so hopefully you enjoy this episode!
For more from Dr. Kaczor you can follow him on Twitter and you can find his book, Is Belief Believable? from Ave Maria Press and everywhere you find fine books.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
324: A Lawyer Takes the Protestant Bible to Court – Becomes Catholic! (w/ Matthew Mark McWhorter, Esq.)
26 Nov 2025
01:13:02
n this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Matthew Mark McWhorter, a high-powered, high-profile corporate lawyer who turned his skills in the courtroom towards the Bible and Christianity.
After a life-changing experience made him consider Christianity, McWhorter set out to research the evidence for belief in Jesus. He encountered the Bible and quickly realized that not all Christians believed in the same canon of Scripture – so which one is right.
In this episode, we dive deeply into this exact topic and unpack why McWhorter thinks that a Protestant reliance on the *wrong* books of the Bible actually undermines their complete case for Christianity – and why Protestants should seriously rethink their "smaller" Bibles.
For more from Matthew McWhorter including his wonderful book Canon Crossfire please visit his website.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
315: The Three Calvinist Brothers Who Became Catholic (w/ Jason and Adom Postma)
24 Sep 2025
01:48:01
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Adom Postma and his brother Jason, a former Anglican priest, to talk about the incredible conversion – a journey made by three brothers into Catholicism.
Raised in the Reformed tradition, these brothers loved their faith deeply and regularly spared with one another, as iron sharpens iron, on all kinds of topics in Evangelical Christianity. But when one brother began to look into the Early Church Fathers in order to win a debate with a Jehovah's Witness, things begin to take an interesting turn.
Listen and learn how slowly their conversation turned towards Catholicism. How Jason, a devout Anglican priest with a church and a ministry and a family to take care of, wrestled with the same questions he watched his brothers wrestle with – and come to startlingly similar conclusions. And how, ultimately, the only thing that made sense to do for all of the brothers was to become Catholic!
This is a fantastic story that you won't want to miss.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
230: One Heck of a Conversion Story (w/ Joe Goodwin)
13 Dec 2023
01:39:28
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Joe Goodwin. Joe was an evangelical seminarian, worship leader, and a Catholic convert. Since his conversion, Joe's gone on to work in campus ministry for a number of years and is currently the Executive Director of Canadian Priests for the Third Millennium, a group working to meet the needs of the next generation of priests.
This week on the show, Joe tells his incredible conversion story which, remarkably, intersects with my own at several different points. Joe's story is one of deep love of his faith, of Christ, and of studying the Church Fathers in an Evangelical seminary which ultimately led to his asking deeper questions and deciding to become Catholic.
Joe's an amazing guy and I hope you enjoy this conversation. It was absolutely thrilling to be able to bring it to you.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
229: Can Catholics and Evangelicals Agree on How We're Saved? (w/ Dr. Matthew J. Thomas)
06 Dec 2023
01:14:12
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew J. Thomas to talk about justification, salvation, and whether or not Evangelicals and Catholics can agree on how we're saved.
This is a wonderful topic and one of the bread-and-butter type conversations on this podcast: unpacking what both Catholics and Evangelicals believe about how we're saved and trying to come up with some agreement.
Dr. Thomas explains how the definition of words like "justification," "works," and "salvation" can often be misused and misunderstood across different groups and that being clear with our language, looking for similarities, and working through differences is how we can better understand what divided and shockingly still divides Protestant Christianity from Catholic and Orthodox believers.
Be sure to listen to Dr. Thomas' wife's incredible conversion story, too. A female Anglican priest-candidate, Leanne Thomas discerned a different path when she encountered the Catholic liturgy and the Early Church Fathers and ended up, along with her husband, becoming Catholic. Her episode is number 210.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
228: The Catholic Tools for Spiritual Warfare (w/ Father Ken Geraci)
29 Nov 2023
01:09:37
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic convert, author, speaker, and, of course, Catholic priest Father Ken Geraci, CPM to talk about the realm of spiritual warfare and the uniquely Catholic tools we have to combat sin, Satan, and the demonic.
Father Ken is a truly wonderful priest – with a great conversion story! – and is full of fascinating insights into the spiritual realm and how, as Catholic, we possess the unique tools to draw us closer to Christ and away from spiritual darkness, in all its forms!
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
227: What was Medieval Catholicism Really Like? (w/ Dr. Samuel Klumpenhouwer)
22 Nov 2023
01:14:59
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Dr. Samuel Klumpenhouwer, an expert in Medieval Catholicism, to talk about the day-to-day realities of what it was like for Catholics in the Middle Ages?
Did the Catholic Church really keep the Bible out of the hands of average Catholics? Was doctrine, dogma, and theology out of touch with Scripture and the history of the Church? Did Catholicism really go off the rails? Was the Reformation necessary?
We tackle these questions and much more this week on the show with a wonderful guest.
For more from Dr. Klumpenhouwer visit his website.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
226: The Liturgy of Waiting – Doing Advent Well... (w/ Tsh Oxenreider)
15 Nov 2023
01:09:37
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author, podcaster, and Catholic convert Tsh Oxenreider to talk, first of all, about how the liturgies like those surrounding Advent drew her and her family deeper into the traditions and practices of Catholicism. And then about how each of us can deepen our own walk towards Christmas through embracing the season of Advent and the liturgical calendar.
We talk about trying new Advent traditions (but also doing too much!), how to truly connect with the season through choosing the right Advent traditions to take on, how the Church calls us to embrace that time of waiting, and some of the more quirky celebrations we can take on during the Advent season.
For non-Catholic Christians looking at us Catholics through the keyhole, for new Catholics looking to build some Advent liturgies into their lives, and for those Catholics who want to embrace the season even more, this is a conversation for everyone!
And I really hope you enjoy!
For more from Tsh visit her website. Her fantastic Advent book Shadow and Light is available where most fine books are found.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
225: Why is the Process of Becoming Catholic So Terrible?! (w/ Taylor Schroll)
08 Nov 2023
01:11:25
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Taylor Schroll from Forte Catholic, among other things, to talk about what's wrong (and what's right?) about the official process for converting to Catholicism.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is a long-standing, historical process of initiating non-Catholics into the beauty of the Catholic Church but it's not without its faults, its pitfalls, and its problems and this week Taylor and I talk about what to do when things go wrong, how to stick with it (or move on), and what can be done to make sure the whole thing makes more sense, and creates authentic Catholic disciples.
This is such a fun conversation filled with lots of laughter, some great spicy hot takes from Taylor, and our own personal experiences of struggling through teaching and learning in the RCIA program.
I know lots of listeners to this show have had struggles (or are having struggles) with this process and we're here to try and help!
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
224: How this Dyed-in-the-Wool Protestant Became Catholic (w/ Brantley Rutz)
01 Nov 2023
01:29:43
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend and fellow Catholic convert Brantley Rutz to share the story of his conversion.
Brantley is a wonderful guy. A "dyed-in-the-wool" Protestant who even named one of his children after a famous Baptist preacher – yes, he was that serious of a Protestant. It wasn't until Brantley and his wife began investigating what they believed about Infant Baptism – and looking into what the Early Church believed about the practice – that he had ever even thought about Catholicism!
This story is a fantastic one. Listen, and learn how Brantley, a deep thinker, a dedicated Evangelical Christian, and a Calvinist to boot, made the journey into Catholicism!
To connect with Brantley find and follow him on Facebook.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
223: In Conversation with an Exorcism Expert (w/ Adam Blai)
25 Oct 2023
01:08:20
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Adam Blai, an expert on exorcism out of the Diocese of Pittsburg. Adam has witnessed hundreds of solemn exorcisms, written several fine books on the topic, and helps to train exorcists in his official capacity in his diocese and also all over the world.
In this episode we talk about the nuts and bolts of exorcism, the stages and signs, why God allows demons to possess, oppress, and infiltrate the lives of humans, and what sorts of things we need to pay attention to and be wary of as Catholic Christians a world increasingly interested in the paranormal.
Adam is a great and holy man with amazing insight into the paranormal and the world of spiritual warfare. I hope you enjoy this episode!
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
222: The Incredible Case for the Shroud of Turin (w/ Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, MD)
18 Oct 2023
01:04:35
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, MD to talk about the incredible Shroud of Turin. Dr. Lavoie, a medical doctor who has undertaken a more than 40 year forensic study of the Shroud, shares his incredible insights on what is supposedly the burial cloth of Jesus, venerated by Christians for 2,000 years.
Dr. Lavoie digs deeply into the evidence – what we know and what we don't know – and explains why everything you've heard about why the Shroud is inauthentic is probably wrong. And the evidence for why we should believe in its authenticity. It's amazing.
Dr. Lavoie is an absolute expert on this subject and shares not only insights from science, history, and archeology, but from the biblical evidence as well. And preaches a mean homily on the resurrected Christ while he's at it! What an incredible episode.
To find Dr. Lavoie's book look for The Shroud of Jesus from Sophia Institute Press or on Amazon.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
221: These Saints Became Catholic Because of the Eucharist (w/ Sister Mary Ann Fatula)
11 Oct 2023
01:07:09
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the remarkable Sister Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. to talk about non-Catholic Christians who were converted, and then became saints, through the witness of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Christ at Mass.
These are some incredible stories of how real people encountered the theology of the Catholic Church – the belief that Jesus is really present at Mass – and decided to convert to Catholicism. We'll talk about the Eucharist in the Early Church Fathers, the witness of other Catholics and their reverence towards the Eucharist, and the power of the tenderness of the Eucharist in Adoration. And while these stories are like a lot of the conversion stories we feature on this podcast, these converts, like St. Elizabeth Seton and St. John Henry Newman, are now canonized saints!
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
314: The Catholic Devotion With Old Testament Roots (w/ Steve Kerekes)
17 Sep 2025
01:05:26
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the one and only Steve Kerekes to talk about the Brown Scapular. Steve, who's literally dedicated his life to the promotion of this Catholic devotion, joins us to unpack the origins of the scapular, dispel some of the common misunderstandings, and to share why he thinks that the Brown Scapular is the perfect companion to the rosary – the sword and the shield of our Catholic faith!
Steve is such a dynamic guy and you're going to absolutely love the passion and enthusiasm he brings to this "crazy uncle" Catholic topic.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
220: A Convert's Guide to Catholic Marriage (w/ Rachel Bulman)
04 Oct 2023
01:04:19
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author, speaker, and star of the Word on Fire show, Rachel Bulman. Rachel joins me to talk about Catholic relationships, marriage, and how to understand and approach these from the perspective of the rich teachings of the Catholic Church, as understood through the lens of a convert to Catholicism.
There's so much in this wonderful conversation. We talk about our perspectives of dating, coming from the Evangelical Christian world, to the beauty of the sacramental view of matrimony in Catholicism, how to live out that daily call to spousal love, how to understand the vocation to marriage, celibacy, the priesthood and religious life, and how to impart these values to our children.
Such a wonderful conversation and I truly hope you take something valuable away from this rich discussion.
To find out more about Rachel you can visit her website. Check out her book, Becoming Wife, available everywhere books are sold. And check out Meet the Bulman's from Word on Fire.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
219: The Eucharist Really is Jesus (w/ Joe Heschmeyer)
27 Sep 2023
01:06:16
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic Answers apologist extraordinaire Joe Heschmeyer to talk about Jesus and the Eucharist.
Together we unpack the history of the Eucharist from the Early Church to today, what we mean by "real presence" and how the very first Christians understood this, the Eucharist in light of the Old and New Covenants and much, much more. It's a banger of an episode, filled with all of the best Eucharistic apologetics like you'd expect from a guest as high calibre as my friend Joe Heschmeyer.
I hope you enjoy!
For more from Joe check out latest book The Eucharist Really Is Jesus from Catholic Answers Press and visit his website Shameless Popery where you can find links to all the amazing things Joe is doing – including his podcast Shameless Popery, available everywhere podcasts can be found.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
218: How to have Meaningful Catholic Relationships (w/ Andrew and Sarah Swafford)
20 Sep 2023
00:58:35
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Andrew and Sarah Swafford to talk about the idea of virtue and how to have meaningful Catholic relationships at all stages of life.
Dr. Andrew Swafford and his wife Sarah are the authors of Gift and Grit: How Herotic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships our from Ascension Press. Sarah, the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries is a sought after speaker on these kinds of topics and is joined by her husband Dr. Andrew Swafford, theology professor at Benedictine College, to discuss their perspectives, as a couple, on these topics.
We tackle chastity, emotional virtue, dating, friendships, and much, much more from a Catholic perspective and through the lens of the work of St. John Paul II.
An amazing conversation for listeners at any stage of life!
For everything that Andrew and Sarah are up to follow them on their website.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
217: The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Catholicism (w/ Robert LeBlanc)
13 Sep 2023
01:22:09
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my good friend Robert LeBlanc, co-host of the Pints and Pews Podcast, author, speaker, Catholic educator, and lay leader in his parish community to chat through some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear about Catholicism.
I asked listeners, viewers, and some discerning non-Catholic friends to send in their burning questions about Catholicism and, combined with questions that Robert and I get all the time as two guys practising the faith, we endeavour to answer some frequently asked questions about the Catholic faith.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
216: The Ancient, Biblical Roots of Catholicism (w/ Dr. John Bergsma)
06 Sep 2023
01:03:53
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend theologian, biblical scholar, and former Protestant pastor Dr. John Bergsma to talk about the roots of Catholicism which stretch back not only into the Old Testament with the Levitical Priesthood but the very beginning of the Old Testament itself in Genesis and the Garden of Eden.
Dr. Bergsma unpacks his own conversion to Catholicism which involved not only looking at how the Early Church understood Christ, his mission, and the nature of the Church, but digging right back into the Old Covenant priesthood to understand the template that God was establishing with the Jewish people – a template He would use to fulfill that covenant in Christ with the establishment of the Catholic Church.
This is an episode for the history books. If you want to understand the paradigm through which so many Catholic converts come to understand Christianity, this is a conversation you aren't going to want to miss.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
SPECIAL: When Catholic Keiths Take Over! (w/ Keith, Keith, and Keith)
01 Sep 2023
01:18:19
In this special episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm happy to share a livestream I recorded with Keith from Grassroot Catholic and Keith Nester from Down to Earth Ministries. It was a chaotic mess but lots of fun and, I hope, worth listening to!
For more from Keith check out Grassroot Catholic on Instagram and YouTube. You can find out more about Keith Nester from his website or on YouTube.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
215: Why the Eucharist is God's Greatest Gift to the Church (w/ Dr. Lawrence Feingold)
23 Aug 2023
01:08:38
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined once again by one of the Catholic Church's leading theologians (and one of my favourite guests) Dr. Lawrence Feingold to talk about the Eucharist.
In this conversation, Dr. Feingold explains why, according to St. John Paul II, the Eucharist is the greatest gift God gave the Church; an enduring presence, closer even than what was experienced by the Apostles – and why this is so important!
If you're an Evangelical wondering what Catholics are talking about with the Eucharist or a Catholic looking to grow in your love for the Sacrament, this episode is sure to fire you up!
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
214: How the Catholic Church Proves the Bible (w/ Gary Michuta)
09 Aug 2023
01:10:27
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend historian, researcher, apologist, and author Gary Michuta to talk about his latest masterpiece The Gospel Truth and how the Catholic Church helps to prove the veracity of our accounts of Jesus in the Gospels.
Gary, in typical fashion, approaches the question of the veracity of the Gospels like a dog with a bone. His research is deep, his conclusions are astounding, and his thesis -- that the Catholic Church provides necessary and important credibility to the Gospel accounts of Jesus -- is pretty incredible. You've never heard anything like this!
How does the Catholic Church prove the veracity of the Bible? Listen and you'll find out.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
SPECIAL: St. Jerome and the Monepiscopate in the Early Church (w/ Suan Sonna)
03 Aug 2023
01:19:48
In this special episode of The Cordial Catholic, I join my good friend Suan Sonna on his YouTube channel Intellectual Catholicism to share some of my research on St. Jerome and the monepiscopate.
The monepiscopate, or the monarchical episcopate, is the idea from the Early Church that one bishop was put in charge of a church, a city, or a diocese and that this is how Christian churches were governed. This is in opposition, to what some, especially Protestants, would argue which is that these churches were ruled by a plurality or collective of priests of bishops -- a more organic, haphazard arrangement.
In this conversation, I share work that I've done tracing out the views of St. Jerome, an Early Church Father, and how he understood the origin, existence, and mandate of the monepiscopate.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
213: An Evangelical's Best Arguments for Catholicism (w/ Austin Suggs)
26 Jul 2023
01:12:13
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my very good friend Austin Suggs, to share his perspectives on some of the best arguments for Catholicism.
Austin is an Evangelical and the host of the extremely popular Gospel Simplicity YouTube channel where he's spoken with and learned from some of the best and brightest minds in Evangelical Christianity, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Austin shares what he's learned (so far) and which arguments for Catholicism he finds most compelling.
Austin is a wonderful friend and I hope this is a truly enjoyable episode to listen to!
For more from Austin check out his YouTube channel Gospel Simplicity and search our archives on your favourite podcast app to find his previous appearances, including "Why I'm Not Catholic," which was Episode 136.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
313: St. Augustine Was Not a Protestant! (w/ Dr. Shane Owens)
10 Sep 2025
01:05:50
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the Dr. Shane Owens from the Franciscan University of Steubenville to talk about St. Augustine.
Often claimed by non-Catholic Christians to support a low view of the papacy, the symbolic nature of Communion, and the doctrine of Sola Scriptura I ask Dr. Owens exactly what *did* St. Augustine believe about these ideas and how we can successfully win debates and discussions when a Protestant tries to claim that Augustine supports these views.
With clarity and charity Dr. Owens demonstrates why arguments by popular Protestant scholars like Dr. James White and Dr. Gavin Ortlund – that Augustine supports popular Protestant doctrines – are completely wrong.
For more from Dr. Owens please check out his book Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine's Confessions: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/return-to-the-heart-the-biblical-spirituality-of-st-augustines-confessions
And follow the St. Paul Center at: https://stpaulcenter.com
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
212: Evangelicals, Here's How to Look for a New Church! (w/ Rod Bennett)
12 Jul 2023
01:21:32
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my good friend, Catholic convert, historian, and author Rod Bennett to talk about how someone looking for a new church – especially our Evangelical friends – should go about it.
Rod, a fellow convert, has some incredible perspectives on this question and talks about church unity (and shares some incredible statistics), what the ancient church looked like (and agreed upon), and the perils of finding a "biblical" church when you're the one interpreting your own Bible. Plus, much, much more.
As always, Rod shares some brilliant takeaways that will make your head spin.
For more from Rod Bennett, check out his numerous previous appearances in the archives of the show including conversations about Catholic Witnesses to the Early Church (Episode 141) and Were the Early Christians Catholic? (Episode 089).
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
211: This "On Fire" Baptist Couple Found Catholicism (w/ Casey and Erin Phillips)
28 Jun 2023
01:34:40
In this episode, I'm joined by Casey and Erin Phillips from the Bapticatholic Podcast to talk about their journeys out of their fervent Baptist roots into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Strongly evangelical from the beginning of their journeys, Casey and Erin explain exactly what drew them to Catholicism – and it's an amazing story!
From miraculous experiences of beauty to asking the tough questions to converting in spite of being in the incredible minority of Catholics in their area, this is a story of grace, of Christ calling His own back to Himself, and of exactly why a Baptist couple, on fire for their faith, would ever consider becoming something as crazy as Catholic.
For more from Casey and Erin check out their podcast The BaptiCatholic Show everywhere podcasts are found. You can also visit their website and find them on YouTube where you should subscribe to their channel immediately.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
210: I Was Going to be an Anglican Priest, then I Became Catholic (w/ Leeanne Thomas)
21 Jun 2023
01:24:39
In this episode, I'm joined by Leeanne Thomas to talk about her amazing and seemingly unlikely journey into the Catholic Church. Raised in a small Mennonite town in Northern Canada Leeanne journeyed through Charismatic Christianity, into a deep love for theology and the liturgy, and finally onto a pathway to ordination into the Anglican priesthood before deciding that she ultimately had to become Catholic.
Leeanne's journey is fascinating as she discovers her love for liturgical living while working on a degree at a charismatic Bible college, her calling to the priesthood, and her ultimate struggle with teaching authoritatively from a theological landscape, in Anglicanism, that seemed to accept all points of view.
Plus, her discovery of the Early Church, her realization of the importance of the Pope, and her conversations with her husband, Dr. Matthew Thomas, a guest of this show, all figure into her amazing story.
Be sure to check out the earlier appearances by her husband, and fellow convert, Dr. Matthew J. Thomas in our show archives.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
209: The Mind-Blowing Catholic Vision for Marriage, Family, and Sexuality (w/ Renzo and Monica Ortega)
14 Jun 2023
01:09:11
In this episode, I'm joined by Renzo and Monica Ortega, podcasters, ministry leaders, authors and the couple behind the apostolate Two Become Family. We're breaking down exactly what the Catholic Church believes and teaches about marriage, family, and sexuality – and it's an amazing conversation.
We tackle Natural Family Planning, contraception, the Catholic vision of marriage (and the sanctification of spouses), and much, much more. And I couldn't ask for a better couple to have this conversation with than Renzo and Monica; they're honest, earnest, and humble and have some fantastic insights on these topics.
If you're newly married, newly Catholic, or discerning a conversion, listen and learn exactly what Catholics believe about marriage, family, and sexuality.
For more from Renzo and Monica visit their website. You can find Pre-Cana with the Pope everywhere podcasts are found, and follow them on Instagram too.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
208: New Catholics Raising Authentic Catholic Kids (w/ Olivia Spears)
07 Jun 2023
01:09:51
In this episode, I'm joined by Olivia Spears, mother, educator, and curriculum creator behind the incredible Into the Deep catechetical series to talk about raising authentic Catholic kids.
This conversation, especially for new Catholic families just starting out, new converts, and those looking at the Catholic Church wondering where their family fits in, is filled with incredible insights, ideas, and advice from a seasoned Catholic parent. Olivia is a blast, so wise, and shares some incredible knowledge about how those just starting out in the Catholic faith can pass on the faith, their experience, and their joy.
This was a wonderful conversation that many of you have requested, and I hope it's widely enjoyed!
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
207: I Never Thought We'd Ever Become Catholic (w/ Karen Edmisten)
31 May 2023
01:10:10
In this episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Karen Edmisten, author, Mom, and surprised Catholic convert, Karen joins me this week to tell her amazing story from atheism into the Catholic Church.
Raised without any religion at all Karen was surprised when she began to ask questions about the meaning of life – to encounter people who caused her to ask these kinds of questions by the way they lived – and ended up becoming Christian. To her surprise, she wasn't done yet, and Karen eventually made her way into the Catholic Church.
Her husband, a practical atheist, was as surprised as anyone but he came along for the journey and, eventually, converted to Catholicism as well.
Through struggles, challenges, incredible miracles, and wonderful stories along the way, Karen tells the tale of her amazing journey from atheism into Catholicism and how it's fundamentally changed her life, her husband's life, and the live of their family.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
206: If Catholicism Isn't True then Nothing Is - A Convert's Journey (w/ Lorelei Savaryn)
24 May 2023
01:17:50
In this episode, I'm joined by author, educator, and Catholic convert Lorelei Savaryn to talk about her incredible journey out of Evangelical Christianity into the Catholic Church.
A passionate Evangelical, Lorelei and her husband began questioning the foundations of their faith when they encountered questions of "Once Saved, Always Saved," the example of the Early Church, and the beauty of the liturgy. These questions, and more, tugged at Lorelei's conscience and eventually moved her to declare that either Christ founded a Church which exists somewhere, or he didn't found a Church at all.
The rest is a great story, which Lorelei tells so well in this episode. I think you'll love it!
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
205: Why You Should Love Mary More, and How to do it! (w/ Fr. Daniel-Maria Klimek)
17 May 2023
01:18:26
In this episode, I'm joined by Father Daniel-Maria Klimek, T.O.R. to talk about Mary. Father Klimek has a fantastic new book all about this subject and we dig in deeply. From topics like Mary's role as the New Ark of the Covenant, her power of the demonic realm, her prayers on our behalf, and exactly how and why we can – and should – grow more deeply in love with the Mother of Jesus, all in this fantastic episode.
If you're on the fence about Catholicism because of an "allergy" to idolatry, if Mary is the last objection standing in the way, or maybe even the first, this episode will help you answer some of the most challenging questions.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
204: The Great Big Protestant Problem with Scripture (w/ Casey Chalk)
10 May 2023
01:19:16
In this episode, I'm joined by Casey Chalk, a Catholic convert/revert and author of The Obscurity of Scripture, to talk about one of the great big problems with the bedrock of Protestantism and the interpretation of Scripture.
We're talking about the Protestant doctrine of the clarity of Scripture – the perspicuity of Scripture – or the idea that the Bible is so clear that any Christian can understand it for themselves. This idea, which Chalk argues is foundational to Protestant Christianity, is faulty at its core.
This is a fun episode; about as edgy and controversial as we get on this show but digging deeply into something that both Chalk, as a convert, and myself ran into in our search for how to understand the Bible. Chalk presents some compelling evidence that, we hope, will help Protestant's to evaluate their worldview, and take a second look at Catholicism.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
203: A Protestant Pastor, his Wife, and Their Catholic Journey (w/ Keith and Estelle Nester)
03 May 2023
01:34:26
In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend Keith Nester and his wife Estelle to talk about their Catholic journey.
Keith and Estelle met as Keith was beginning his work as a Protestant pastor; work that would take up 22 years of life his. Estelle, raised Catholic but not practising, was happy to follow Keith into Evangelical Christianity, to get married, raise kids, and live and serve as a pastor's wife.
So, what was it like when Keith began feeling the tug towards Catholicism?
Their journey is an amazing one and their honesty and love for one another and our Lord just shines through this conversation.
For all spouses going through a conversion journey, or thinking about one, this is absolutely the best thing to listen to and I hope it encourages you greatly!
For more from Keith please check out our extensive back catalogue – he's appeared may times – and find him online on his website and YouTube channel. Also, check out the Rosary Crew where Keith and his community pray the rosary every single day (for over 1,000 days and counting). Not bad for a Protestant pastor.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
312: How to Convert to Catholicism Without Ruining Your Marriage (w/ Dr. Ray Guarendi)
03 Sep 2025
01:05:31
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by our Marriage Therapist's favourite Marriage Therapist: Dr. Ray Guarendi!
We talk about one of the most difficult things to do as a Catholic convert: convert without destroying your marriage.
Dr. Guardeni, a seasoned clinical psychologist and devout Catholic, shares his insights into how the convert without destroying your family, while respecting your spouse, and how to create stability and harmony in an otherwise tumultuous situation – one that Dr. Guarendi himself knows all about!
For more from Dr. Guarendi check out his website at: https://www.drray.com
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
202: Crappy Ways to Share the Faith (w/ Katie Prejean McGrady)
26 Apr 2023
01:23:07
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author, radio host, podcaster, and mother extraordinaire, the wonderful Katie Prejean McGrady, to talk about the ridiculous, terrible, and downright crappy ways Catholics can (and do) share the faith.
Katie is an incredible human being and puts herself out there, on the radio and social media, every single day. She's an evangelizer, authentic to the core, and not afraid to share what she's thinking; and this is a topic she's thought lots about. She shares some of her experiences, great stories, and awesome life lessons.
We talk about some of the awful interactions we've had online (and in person) and how to do BETTER when it comes to sharing our faith and being a Catholic, seeking after the Kingdom, on social media and in the pew.
For more from Katie check out her website – everything you need to know is there!
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
201: Eucharistic Miracles, Marian Apparitions, and More... (w/ Michael O'Neill)
19 Apr 2023
01:10:40
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by The Miracle Hunter, Michael O'Neill, to share some of his fantastic insights and stories from years of gathering, cataloging, and investigating miracles around the world.
Miracles, for me as an Evangelical Christian, were one of those things that challenged my paradigm – especially when it came to miracles involving the Eucharist, apparitions of Mary, and the prayers of the saints, things we didn't believe in as non-Catholic Christians.
This week, we dig deeply into some of these incredibly fascinating stories and Michael explains how the Catholic Church investigates miracles, how it declares some authentic, and what that means for believers everywhere.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
200: Reasons to Doubt Sola Scriptura (w/ Jimmy Akin)
12 Apr 2023
01:17:18
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, for our 200th episode, I'm joined by Catholic Answers Senior Apologist Jimmy Akin to share some of the reasons why the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura is problematic – and what a reasonable alternative, in the Catholic Church, may be!
For me, as an Evangelical struggling with divisions over the interpretation of Scripture within my own faith communities, the very bedrock of my faith – the Bible as the sole, infallible rule of faith – became a real point of concern. Could this really be what Christ envisioned for his Church? Jimmy shares some of his concerns, answers some of mine, and explains why even the most innovative and modern formulations of Sola Scriptura, from the top Evangelical apologists, fail some pretty basic tests.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
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Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
199: Seeking After the Kingdom of God (w/ Matt Pana)
05 Apr 2023
01:17:23
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend – the guy who got me into podcasting in the first place! – Matt Pana to talk about the Kingdom of God.
Matt was raised Catholic in a Filipino-American household but drifted into Evangelical Christianity as a young adult. He came enthusiastically back into the practice of Catholicism after being exposed to Catholic apologists like Patrick Madrid and Scott Hahn and, today, joins me to share a bit about that journey and how the Catholic Church understands, and embodies, what Jesus describes as the "Kingdom of God."
For more from Matt, check out on social media @mattpana and check out Deep Cuts on the Array of Hope Network, a wonderful show he hosts on pop culture and Catholicism.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
198: Why We Left Catholicism – and Why We Came Back (w/ The Catholic Brothers)
29 Mar 2023
01:30:28
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, in one of the most enjoyable episodes to date, I'm joined by Daniel and Steven from The Catholic Brothers to talk about their journey out of and back into the Catholic faith.
Raised in a devout Catholic home, Daniel and Steven unpack exactly what drew them out of the Catholic faith and into Evangelical Christianity, then Anglicanism, and finally back into full communion with the Catholic Church.
It's an amazing story that touches on some of the beautiful experiences of Evangelical Christianity, the need for an authority structure in Anglicanism, and, eventually, the authentic witness of the Early Church Fathers for the truth of Catholic Christianity.
This episode is just jam-packed and Daniel and Steven are fantastic storytellers with an excellent story to tell.
For more from The Catholic Brothers check out their podcast (available everywhere) and their YouTube channel. The work is top-notch.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
197: Searching for Christ's Church; Finding Catholicism (w/ Mike Sharp)
22 Mar 2023
01:31:04
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic convert Mike Sharp to tell the incredible conversion journey him and his wife experienced – culminating in their decision to join the Catholic Church!
Mike's journey touches on so many interesting points like the insufficiency of Sola Scriptura, the Early Church and apostolic succession, the liturgy, the Eucharist, confession, authority, and so much more. You name it, Mike wrestled with it, and his thoughtful, deeply spiritual engagement with all of these topics makes this one of the best conversion stories out there. Mike absolutely nails it and by the grace of God has come through this amazing experience with a great story to tell.
I think you're going to love it.
For more from Mike visit his website and check out his podcast, Sharpened Iron, everywhere you find podcasts.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
196: The African Roots of Catholicism (w/ Mike Aquilina)
15 Mar 2023
00:54:10
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined once again by the incredible Mike Aquilina, church historian extraordinaire, to talk about the African roots of the Catholic Church.
Mike unpacks some of the interesting – and surprising – roots of things we take for granted in Catholic Christianity: the liturgy, the Latin language, some of our most important developments of doctrine and dogma and, of course, some of the most important thinkers in Early Christianity.
Mike has a great take on Church history, great insights, and great stories to well. I hope you enjoy it!
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
195: My Husband Was an Anglican Priest – Then We Became Catholic! (w/ Lauren Bacon)
08 Mar 2023
01:13:50
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Lauren Bacon. Lauren is an "expected Catholic convert" and the wife of John Bacon, a former Anglican priest, and a previous guest on this show. John's own story featuring exorcisms, a friendship with Dr. David Anders, miracles, and the Early Church – and, this week, we hear it from his spouse's perspective!
Lauren joins us to tell her own unique conversion story and walks us through what it was like to meet someone destined for ministry, ordained an Anglican priest, only to have God take their relationship with Himself and with one another in a completely different direction. It's a story about faithfulness, trusting God, and thirsting after the Truth!
With lots of twists, turns, and miracles along the way. It's a great conversation.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
194: A Crash Course on Catholic Parishes (w/ Shannon Wimp Schmidt)
01 Mar 2023
01:12:33
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Shannon Wimp Schmidt, Parish Vitality Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago, to talk about the Catholic parish. What exactly should we expect from a Catholic parish? How does it compare to an Evangelical church? How can we get more involved? What if nothing is happening in our parish – is it OK to go somewhere else?
These questions, and many more, are answered this week as Shannon joins me for an honest, sometimes spicy, chat about what's going on at the grassroots level in the Catholic Church.
For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!
To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.
Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
193: Saying Yes to Catholicism (w/ David Patterson)
22 Feb 2023
01:09:23
In this episode, I'm joined by David Patterson from Yes Catholic to talk about his own incredible journey out of, and then back into, the Catholic faith – thanks to some amazing miracles, plenty of grace, and some incredible moments of divine providence!
Then we dig into what it means to say "Yes" to Christ and His Church, the beauty of being Catholic, the Eucharist, confession, and so many incredible stories of grace that David has encountered in his life and the stories he's heard.
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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
311: Did the Early Church Worship like Evangelicals? (w/ Taylor from GemmaintheRough)
27 Aug 2025
01:12:20
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Taylor from GemmaintheRough (on Instagram and TikTok) to talk about her journey as a charismatic, non-denominational Christian leading worship at her church to a full-blown conversion to Catholicism. Taylor's story is amazing as she asks incredible questions about how and why her non-denominational church worshipped the way they did – and how the Early Church worshipped differently!
How could they have weekly "altar calls" without an altar? How could they claim to "worship" God without offering any kind of sacrifice in the biblical pattern?
This and so much more makes up Taylor's awesome conversion story. She is cordial, enthusiastic, and so articulate. You don't want to miss this episode.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
192: Making the Mass Meaningful for Our Kids (w/ Heidi Witte)
15 Feb 2023
01:12:25
In this episode, I'm joined Heidi Witte, aka Miss Heidi, from Children's Liturgy of the Word, to talk about just about everything to do with raising our kids Catholic.
For this listener-requested topic, we tackle bringing kids to Mass, passing on the faith, creating a domestic church within our homes, celebrating the liturgical calendar and feast days, praying as a family, and a whole bunch of other incredible insights, ideas, and tools for not only making the Mass meaningful but for helping us to raise our kids Catholic.
Heidi is an educator, a mom, a speaker, and an bonafide expert on making the Catholic faith intelligible and meaningful for children. She has a lot to share.
For more from Heidi check out her Linktree. And, for a huge list of resources Heidi has generously compiled for our listeners click here.
Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
191: The Mind Blowing Miracles of Lourdes (w/ Marlene Watkins)
08 Feb 2023
01:20:01
In this episode, I'm joined by the Marlene Watkins, founder of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers, to talk about Lourdes: the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a poor French peasant girl, the miracles that followed, and, incredibly, the mind-blowing miracles that science and medicine cannot prove which are still happening today!
This episode is truly one of my favourites. Marlene shares her experience with leading over 200 pilgrimages, bringing thousands of pilgrims to this incredible holy site, and some of the amazing miracles experienced there.
On my own personal journey into Catholicism, miracles surrounding the Virgin Mary left me confused. After all, if Mary was just a simple girl, just a means for Jesus to be born on Earth, then how could she possibly "perform miracles"? It never made sense to me as an Evangelical. Stories like these, of incredible miracles as a result of the prayers of Mary, shook my faith!
If that's you, on the journey, maybe they'll shake yours too!
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!
190: Finding Freedom and Healing in Catholicism (w/ Dr. Matthew Breuninger)
01 Feb 2023
01:08:32
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew Breuninger, clinical psychologist and associate professor of Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville to talk about finding freedom from our wounds in Christ and the Catholic Church. We talk about the healing power of the sacraments, how to begin letting go of what we put in the way of true healing and freedom and, practically, how we can get out of the way and let God do His thing.
This was such a fun and joyful conversation and I really hope you enjoy it!
Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.
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Please consider financially supporting this show!
For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.
If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.
Thank you to those already supporting the show!
A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.
Beyond The Beacon Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!