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What if the most powerful pilgrimage your family could take this year started just a few hours down the road? Jason Spoolstra, creator of the Light and Heavy Pilgrimages YouTube channel, joins Jim and Meghan to make the case that every Catholic family is called to pilgrimage, and that it is far more accessible than most people think. Drawing from nearly two decades of Catholic ministry and years of personal experience leading pilgrimages around the world, Jason unpacks both the spiritual depth and the practical steps that can turn any journey into a sacred act of faith.

What’s in this episode:

• Pilgrimages as accessible, affordable, and doable for every Catholic family
• Tying a pilgrimage into your next road trip or family vacation
• The spiritual warfare and sacrifice woven into every pilgrimage journey
• The American Saints tour: finding blesseds, venerables, and saints near you
• Adapting pilgrimages to your children's ages, temperaments, and interests
• A moving story of consecration to Our Lady and answered prayer in Brazil
• Practical steps: devotions, budget, timeframe, and choosing your destination
• The difference between a pilgrimage and a regular vacation
• Using AI tools to discover Catholic shrines along your travel route
• One resource every Catholic family should know: Handbook of Prayers & Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Book he is currently reading: The Theology of the Body
• Advice to his younger self: Learn to pray more and trust in the Lord more
• Final wisdom for listeners: In the words of JP2, do not be afraid to go on pilgrimage

Resources Mentioned:

National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate (NASPA)

Catholic Pilgrimage Sites

The Faithful Traveler - Map of US Shrines

The Little Pilgrim

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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What if the most radical thing a Catholic family can practice is simply learning to shut up and listen? Father Augustine Wetta joins Jim and Meghan for an episode packed with laughter, vivid storytelling, and hard-won monastic wisdom. Drawing from encounters that range from classroom rap battles to an unexpected night with LA gang members, Father Wetta reveals what genuine humility looks like when it is lived out in the messiest corners of real life.

What’s in this episode:

• The Kendrick Lamar lyric that echoes Father Wetta's first piece of monastic advice
• Silence as the hidden key to real humility and genuine human connection
• Father Wetta's creative approach to teaching Theology of the Body with humor and AI
• A rugby teammate whose quiet attention made the girls think he had beautiful eyes
• Why a monk ended up drinking Coronas with LA gang members until sunrise
• The Black Lives Matter protest encounter that launched an unlikely friendship and podcast
• Chesterton's invitation to present Catholicism as an exotic near-Eastern religion
• The crisis of beauty in modern culture and how art can heal the imagination
• One resource every Catholic family should know: The Rule of St. Benedict
• Book he is currently reading: The Hidden Hindenburg by Michael McCarthy, A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and Why I Am Not an Atheist by Christopher Beha
• Advice to his younger self: Don't bother trying to be popular
• Final wisdom for listeners: Spend five minutes a day in complete silence and listen with the ear of your heart

Resources Mentioned:

jaugustinewetta.com – Father Wetta's website and books

Disagreement Podcast – Father Wetta's podcast with Umar Lee, where unexpected common ground unfolds

The Hidden Hindenburg by Michael McCarthy – A New York Times bestseller written by a St. Louis Abbey alumnus with a Catholic lens

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson – A witty and wide-ranging guide to science and the world

Why I Am Not an Atheist by Christopher Beha – A philosopher's honest account of his journey from atheism to faith

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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What if the anxiety you carry every day is not who you are but a temptation you were never created to bear alone?

Jim and Meghan sit down with Dr. Jillian Hawks to explore what it truly means to move from managing anxiety to healing from it. Drawing from her personal journey through breast cancer, burnout, and a renewed encounter with God, Jillian shares how surrendering her work to Christ transformed her practice and her own heart. With honesty and hope, she points every family toward the radical peace that is fully available through daily relationship with the Lord.

What’s in this episode:

• The difference between managing anxiety and truly healing from it
• Jillian's story of burnout, breast cancer, and being called back to God
• The dangers of becoming a "checklist Catholic" and losing depth in faith
• Why anxiety is a temptation to resist, not an identity to accept
• The surrender prayer and how to personalize it throughout your day
• Anxiety as an invitation to run to the Lord rather than carry it alone
• The light bulb moment when clients discover they were not created to be anxious
• The distinction between shame and guilt in the healing process
• Simple strategies: surrender prayer, daily walks, good nutrition, and rest
• The Little Way of St. Therese as a foundation for spiritual and mental wellness
• One resource every Catholic family should know: Catholictherapists.com
• Book she is currently reading: I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée
• Advice to her younger self: Discover and embrace the concept of surrender
• Final wisdom for listeners: Embrace the little way and trust that God is in control

Resources Mentioned:

Catholictherapists.com – Directory to find Catholic therapists searchable by state

Catholic Familyland – Faith-based family camp and retreat center near Steubenville, Ohio

I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée – A personal retreat based on the Little Way of St. Therese

@thecatholictherapist on Instagram – Jillian's platform for Catholic mental wellness

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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What if great literature could be the very thing that draws a soul from darkness into the light of Christ? Catholic author and literary scholar Joseph Pearce joins Jim and Meghan to share his remarkable journey from white supremacism to Catholic conversion, sparked entirely by the power of books. Drawing on decades of writing, teaching, and producing series with EWTN, Joseph offers a compelling vision of how beauty, truth, and goodness work together to transform families and evangelize a culture in desperate need of both.

What’s in this episode:

• Joseph's conversion from racial hatred to Catholicism through Catholic literature
• The Catholic significance of March 25th in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings
• Three ways to evangelize: goodness, truth, and beauty
• Joseph's documentaries and 13-part Shakespeare series with EWTN
• The upcoming 20-part EWTN series on The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful
• An overview of Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know
• Why reading well is essential to thinking, writing, and knowing God
• Walking through providential open doors with courage and trust
• The call to fast from technology and rediscover silence with God
• One resource every Catholic family should know: Homeschool Connections
• Book he is currently reading: Initiation by Robert Hugh Benson
• Advice to his younger self: Listen to your elders
• Final wisdom for listeners: Disconnect from technology to reconnect with God

Resources Mentioned:

jpearce.co – Joseph's personal website with video podcasts, articles, and all his books

Homeschool Connections – Online live and recorded courses for homeschoolers from grade school through high school

Race With the Devil by Joseph Pearce –– His personal memoir of conversion from racial hatred to rational love

Literary Converts by Joseph Pearce – A history of the Catholic literary revival in 20th-century England

Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know by Joseph Pearce – A panoramic guide to 3,000 years of Catholic literary tradition

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful by Joseph Pearce – A history of Christendom in 20 centuries, basis of an upcoming EWTN series

Initiation by Robert Hugh Benson – A novel on the mystery of suffering and the lessons we carry through it

St. Austin Review – Journal of Catholic culture and thought, edited by Joseph Pearce

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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What does it look like to raise a family anchored in faith when life takes an unexpected turn? Diane Nienas, grief coach, author, and mother of four, joins Jim and Meghan to share how two decades of caretaking for her sons Leo and Trent became the very ground where her faith took root and flourished. With joy that can only come from God, Diane reflects on the miracles, the grace, and the quiet moments that transformed her family and have since brought hope to countless others.

What’s in this episode:

• Leo's remarkable life and the faith that defied every medical expectation
• Suffering as the doorway to a deep and personal friendship with Christ
• Leo's miraculous conversations with Jesus throughout his childhood and youth
• Joy as a daily choice and the freedom that comes from choosing it
• The moment Leo foretold Trent's diagnosis before any doctor confirmed it
• Encouragement for caregivers on living fully in the present moment
• Rest, renewal, and grounding as gifts every caregiver must receive
• How Leo's witness brought friends and family to a living faith in God
• Diane's memoir and children's book series born from her family's journey
• Writing and speaking as Diane's mission to carry God's story to others
• One resource every Catholic family should know: FORMED
• Book she is currently reading: The Way of Wisdom by Lifeway
• Advice to her younger self: Do not let fear keep you from moving into what you were wanting to pursue
• Final wisdom for listeners: Where your focus lies, your life will be led

Resources Mentioned:

www.dianenienas.com – Diane's website with links to her books, social media, and speaking

I See Jesus – Diane's memoir about Leo and Trent's journeys and Leo's conversations with Christ

Living Life with Leo – A four-part children's book series celebrating Leo's adventures and limitless spirit

FORMED – Catholic streaming platform with movies, studies, and children's content

The Way of Wisdom by Lifeway – A Bible study through the Book of Proverbs offering a fresh perspective on wisdom

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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What does it truly mean to call your home the domestic church?

Paige Rienzo joins Jim and Meghan to explore that question with honesty and joy. Drawing from her journey as a convert, a mother of three teen boys and one preteen girl, and a former HGTV designer, Paige unpacks how the home is not a showpiece or a DIY project but a sacred space where faith is handed on and families are formed.

What’s in this episode:

• The meaning of "domestic church" and what it calls every family to
• People over things: the Catholic vision for home and family life
• Paige's story of transforming her glamorous parlor to fit her active boys
• Her books and the case for self-reflection over world-driven home design
• Why influencer culture pulls families away from authentic home identity
• Paige's conversion from Orthodox baptism to Catholicism at 40
• Her work in campus ministry at the University of Maryland
• The faith revival happening among Catholic college students today
• How to support your child's faith as they leave for college
• Lessons from students who found their own faith at a state university
• Letting the home unfurl to reflect the family God gave you
• One resource every Catholic family should know: Catholic in Recovery
• Books she is currently reading: He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Ciszek and The Life-Giving Home by Sally Clarkson
• Advice to her younger self: Be patient; all things work for good for those who love God
• Final wisdom for listeners: Be patient with the domestic church; let beauty unfurl as you discover the family God gave you

Resources Mentioned:

Catholic in Recovery – A 12-step recovery program integrating the sacraments, gospel, and Catholic faith

He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Ciszek – A memoir on surrender, suffering, and living God's will

The Life-Giving Home by Sally Clarkson – A handbook for building a beautiful, faith-centered family home

Love the House You're In by Paige Rienzo – A guide to self-reflective, intentional home design

Revived and Renovated by Paige Rienzo

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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"We're not preparing them for Harvard. We're preparing them for heaven."

That one line captures the heart of everything Aimee Viana brings to Catholic education. Jim and Meghan sit down with Aimee to explore what it truly means to form the whole person for life and for eternity. Drawing from her years of experience in Catholic schools and national education leadership, Aimee shares how intentional faith formation, timeless virtue, and a culture of belonging can transform a school community and the families it serves.

What’s in this episode:

• The vision behind "Timeless Prep" and forming students for eternal life
• Three core virtues guiding Holy Spirit Prep: faith, prudence, and magnanimity
• Why forming confident leaders means choosing truth over trends
• How Holy Spirit Prep weaves faith into athletics, arts, and academics
• The role of parents as primary educators and partners in formation
• Belonging as a building block of student confidence and school culture
• Navigating AI with discernment, temperance, and timeless thinking
• The motto "to serve and not to be served" lived out through community service
• College prep reimagined when heaven is the ultimate goal
• Resources every Catholic family should know: The USCCB website for daily readings and the Hallow App for prayer
• Book she is looking forward to reading: The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks & The Anxious Generation.
• Advice to her younger self: Don't sweat the small stuff. Formation is a long game. Take the next best step knowing you are guided by the Holy Spirit and supported by those around you.
• Final wisdom for listeners: "Jesus, I trust in you." We often carry the weight of every decision on our shoulders. Trust in his guidance, his providence, and his love. He has it figured out.

Resources Mentioned:

Holy Spirit Prep School – Catholic school in Atlanta serving students from six months through 12th grade

Hallow App – Catholic prayer and meditation app for families

USCCB - Daily readings and resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks – Book on meaning, purpose, and happiness by a Harvard professor and devout Catholic

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.

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Most of what Jesus did in the Gospels did not happen in a temple or synagogue. It happened in someone's home. Allan Wright joins Jim to unpack what it truly means to bring Christ into the everyday life of a Catholic family. Drawing from decades of teaching, writing, and his own experience as a husband and father of four, Allan offers practical, accessible ways to live the faith at home without needing a theology degree or a perfect plan.

What’s in this episode:

• The biblical case for faith lived out in the home, not the temple
• Why faith is more caught than taught in family life
• Screen time and the rise of "screen ages" in today's families
• Simple practices to weave faith into everyday routines
• The intergenerational power of grandparents in faith formation
• Forgiveness in the home as the doorway to real miracles
• A Middle Eastern perspective that brings Gospel parables to life
• The New Catholic Bible for Youth with 25 inserts addressing teen issues
• Stories of unexpected witnesses that shaped Allan's own faith
• How patience reshaped his approach to teaching and evangelization
• One resource every Catholic family should know: iThirst, a spiritual initiative for addiction recovery
• Book he is currently reading: Jesus' Last Days by Bishop Arthur Serratelli
• Advice to his younger self: Don't force doors open that are locked
• Final wisdom for listeners: Start with scripture; one chapter of the New Testament takes just 2 minutes and 38 seconds

Resources Mentioned:

Allan Wright’s Website – Books, speaking engagements, and resources from Allan Wright

NJFPC – New Jersey Family Policy Center

iThirst – A spiritual component for addiction recovery developed by Keaton Douglas, accredited through Seton Hall University

Jesus' Last Days by Bishop Arthur Serratelli – A scholarly and accessible reflection on the final days of Christ

New Catholic Bible for Youth (Catholic Book Publishing Company) – Allan's Bible edition with 25 inserts addressing teen topics from a Catholic perspective

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.