Events and media that awaken hearts and minds to ‘Truth through beauty’
Grow in mind and spirit
THE EUCHARIST
The Ultimate Love Story Unveiled
by Nick De La Torre
Foreword by Dr. Christopher West
The Awaken Catholic Show
Nick interviews the bright young David Billings, a teenager who started his own website for young people discerning their true calling in life. David talks about his desire from a young age to be involved in the mass, discerning his own vocation, being homeschooled, and how he turned his passion into a website for helping others to discover their true vocation. David’s website offers a simple avenue for those beginning their journey of discernment towards marriage, religious life, or single-life.
Nick interviews Kathleen and Troy Billings, the authors of the new book for married couples called “Simply Love”. They share their amazing love story, including having both been married before. They talk annulments, reconnecting, weekly adoration as a couple, the importance of keeping God at the center of their marriage, and how the devil tried to stop their book before it could be published.
In this CATHOLIC WEIRD STUFF segment we discuss CONTRACEPTION. What constitutes contraception, why the Church forbids it, and the beauty of marital love being completely open to God’s will.
Nick is joined by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Ellen Holmes-Steve LeBlanc, the two additional hosts of The Prodigal Life podcast. Learn how one chance meeting at a Catholic Marketing Network Conference led to the creation of the Prodigal Life! The three discuss how the show covers topics such as theology, Church history, personal faith journeys, everyday Catholicism and how God’s love and mercy are always waiting for you to return to Him. God loves the prodigal son. You are never too far gone!
In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we talk about aliens! What do Catholics believe about extraterrestrial life? Are Catholics allowed to believe in life beyond our planet? Join us as we have a fun conversation about the potentiality for alien life forms in the universe.
The Catholic Citizen
Physically Spiritual
This episode of Physically Spiritual is a conversation with Catholic Counselor Jeff Mazzone. He shares his journey from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to the vocation of marriage and the apostolate of Catholic psychotherapy. We discuss the integration of St. Thomas Aquinas and Sigmund Freud by Catholic psychiatrists Anna Terruwe and Conrad Baars. We contrast true affirmation with unconditional positive regard and attunement, and highlight how to find a counselor that integrates Dr. Anna Terruwe's approach.
In this episode of Physically Spiritual, Andrew Reinhart converses with author Daniel Fitzpatrick about his book, Restoring the Lord’s Day. They explore the significance of Sunday observance, the impact of sloth on spiritual life, and the essential role of family and liturgy in fostering a deeper connection with God. The discussion emphasizes the importance of engaging with God in everyday life, the transcendentals as patterns for family life, and the power of storytelling. Practical applications for observing the Sabbath are also shared, culminating in a reflection on Christ’s ongoing work in our lives.
In this episode of Physically Spiritual Dr. Gerry Crete shares his personal journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a mental health counselor focused on trauma, particularly in men. He discusses the unique ways men experience trauma, the societal pressures that inhibit vulnerability, and the importance of breaking the cycle of shame. The dialogue explores various therapeutic approaches, including parts work and integration EMDR. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the human experience and the need for vulnerability and connection.
In this conversation, Chase Crouse shares his journey from a lukewarm Catholic upbringing to leading a Catholic fitness apostolate called Hypurofit. He discusses the integration of fitness and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of self-mastery and endurance in both physical and spiritual realms. The conversation explores the unique approach of Hypurofit, which combines personal training with a Catholic perspective, and highlights the insights from Chase's book, 'God of Endurance,' co-authored by Dan Burke. The discussion also touches on practical steps for achieving health and holiness, the significance of having a 'why' rooted in relationships, and the necessity of grace in the journey of self-improvement.
Pop Culture Catechism
Fr. Ambrose Little, OP. explores whether AI can have a soul, using Aristotle, Aquinas, and Catholic philosophy to examine personhood and artificial intelligence.
Bad Bunny just played the Super Bowl and won a Grammy! So let’s revisit this episode from a few years back. Fernando Catragena joins the show to talk about:
- How to have hope amidst brokenness
- Do our failings define us?
- Can we really change?
- Are you blessed?
- Dealing with haters
- Why Puerto Rico is awesome
- And much more!
What does a Korean demon-hunting girl group have to do with 500-year-old Catholic spirituality? More than you'd think. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" has become a cultural phenomenon—and according to Jesuit scholastic Andrew Milewski, it's basically an Ignatian fever dream in animated form.
In this episode of Pop Culture Catechism, Mike Tenney sits down with Andrew Milewski (currently teaching in Beirut, Lebanon) to break down the hit series "K-Pop Demon Hunters," exploring how St. Ignatius's tools for discernment show up in unexpected places—from anime girl groups battling demons to your everyday life decisions.
What We Discuss:
"K-Pop Demon Hunters" plot breakdown - Girl group members hunt demons while navigating fame, friendship, and spiritual warfare
Ignatian spirituality 101 - What are consolation and desolation, and how do they help you hear God's voice?
The dark night of the soul - When Roomie sings "I'm seeing the beauty of the broken glass," she's living the paschal mystery
Why the lyrics are "insidious" but the songs are "bops" - How pop culture can be both entertaining and spiritually profound
Discernment in real life - How Andrew uses Ignatian tools to make major life decisions (spoiler: it works)
The Suscipe prayer - Offering everything back to God instead of grasping for control
K-Pop's global phenomenon - Why Korean culture and spirituality resonate with Western audiences
Songs Discussed: "Golden," "Your Idol," "Takedown," "Soda Pop"
Why This Episode Matters:
Whether you're trying to figure out if you should take that job, end that relationship, or just understand why you feel anxious and disconnected from God—Ignatian discernment offers practical tools for hearing God's voice in the noise. And if a demon-hunting K-Pop group can embody these ancient spiritual truths, maybe there's hope for all of us.
Perfect for: K-Pop fans, Catholics struggling with big decisions, anyone interested in Ignatian spirituality, youth ministers looking for cultural entry points, or people who just love when faith and pop culture collide.
Guest: Andrew Milewski, SJ - Jesuit scholastic teaching in Beirut, Lebanon (5 years from ordination). Former teacher in Seoul, South Korea. Studied psychology and English, master's in social philosophy. Contributor to The Jesuit Post.
Elevate Ordinary
JonMarc and Teresa Grodi go in-depth in examining feelings-based decision-making versus intellectual openness. How can I tell if I’m rationalizing? What are the hallmarks of prudential reasoning?
Sinning sucks. We all do it. So what does a Saint do when they sin? JonMarc and Teresa discuss different ways that a sinner reacts to their own sin and what trajectory those reactions have. What it means to live in fear and what it means to live as a Son or Daughter of the King.
JonMarc and Teresa Grodi share thoughts about the experience of prayer they’ve had over the course of their lives. Some mistaken ideas and practices and some hacks.
Should Catholics be afraid of looking for the truth in aliens and UFOs? Are accounts of aliens a trick of the devil? JonMarc and Teresa Grodi welcome Dr. Paul Thigpen, former editor of TAN publishing, author of “Manual For Spiritual Warfare” and “Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Catholic Faith: Are We Alone in the Universe with God and the Angels?”, to discuss the long history of Church dialogue on the subject of extraterrestrial intelligent life.
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man.
Catechism of the Catholic Church