In this episode we explore the connection between music and silence, two apparent opposites that are nevertheless connected in their being the object of scorn by “Uncle Screwtape,” the senior demon in C.S. Lewis’ classic book. “Noise” on the other hand is hell’s response and the true opposite of both music and silence. We’ll explore these notions and look for insight into the ways music, silence, and noise, can each respectively elevate or drag down our day-to-day life.

What does OBEDIENCE have to do with FRIENDSHIP? In this episode, JonMarc and Teresa discuss how human friendship reveals the Divine. What is friendship like in Heaven? Are our friendships built on a common love or a common hate?

When you think of Jane Austen novels, DO NOT think romance. Think “The Office” of Georgian England - witty, ironic, keen, and full of mea culpas. JonMarc and Teresa are joined by Brittany Inzeo of Good Books for Catholic Kids to discuss their FAVORITE Jane Austen novel — Pride & Prejudice — with special commentary on the Catholic virtues and vices.

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” JonMarc and Teresa are joined by Brittany Inzeo, a “3rd generation book lover” from “Good Books for Catholic Kids: A Catholic Parent's Guide to Worthwhile Literature”. She is devoted to helping parents fill their homes with what is true, good, and beautiful.

Check out Brittany’s work and BOOK LIST at GoodBooksForCatholicKids.Com.

JonMarc and Teresa are joined by special guest, Conni Rossinni, author and speaker on temperament studies, spiritual direction, and spiritual growth for children, to discuss the Four Temperaments and why they matter to the development of virtue and your spiritual life.

“The gift of the freak-out.” In this episode, Teresa and JonMarc praise God for the gift of Teresa’s hysterics and discuss the ways in which you can take your subconscious worries to conscious prayer through the to-do list.

What do our human relationships tell us about how we should build a relationship with GOD?

Bandwagons are the height of SOCIAL IMPRUDENCE. They seek to capture and control the interior lives of everyday people.

Why do we jump on bandwagons? God gave us freedom of thought, so why do so many people fall for a group think mentality that restricts freedom? JonMarc and Teresa discuss movements that try to use and abuse our interior lives and what the Catholic Church has to say about man’s FREE WILL.

What do our human relationships tell us about how we should build a relationship with GOD?

In this episode of Elevate Ordinary, JonMarc and Teresa usher us into Lent with a reflection on the crisis that Lent presents for each Christian: the battle with self-will.

This episode will blow your mind! JonMarc and Teresa discuss the Church’s teaching on gossip, slander, and the revelation of the interior life.

JonMarc and Teresa discuss the merits and value of different methods of re-reading great books. How does re-reading, Lectio divina, audiobooks, movie-versions enhance the ways in which we great works of literature.

In this episode, JonMarc and Teresa examine one of the most powerful prayers for self-reflection and growth in virtue, The Litany of Humility.

“What do you do alone that you wish you could do with someone else?” In this second episode in the Elevate Ordinary series on Hospitality, Catholic writer and speaker Leah Libresco joins JonMarc and Teresa to discuss the desperate need for messy hospitality and why third spaces are so important for forming community.

In this episode of Elevate Ordinary we share THREE simple things you can embrace in order to observe a more fruitful and prayerful Advent in preparation for Christmas. We also have fun recounting some of trials and tribulations that involved in the development of our own Advent traditions. Enjoy!

In this episode of Elevate Ordinary, we welcome a special guest, JonMarc's brother, Father Peter Grodi to discuss working with your hands — how manual labor and the fruit of artistic labor are deeply tied to our human nature and are thus indispensable aspects of life.

How do parents of 5 children under the age of 10 get good sleep?!! JonMarc and Teresa cozy up in their robes and blue-blocking glasses to talk about their obsession with getting good SLEEP. Tips, tricks, and theological analysis ensue…

JonMarc and Teresa are joined by Catholic speaker, author, and fellow podcaster, Leah Darrow, to geek out on their favorite show THE OFFICE. The trio discusses personalism, community, and how this American sitcom has deepened their ability to live out the Gospel.

Elevate messy hospitality! Imperfect hospitality is the way we are going to get back our parishes, revive the role of the laity, and fulfill the desire for friendship. In this introductory episode on hospitality, JonMarc and Teresa share a bit about how the hospitality of fellow Christians opened their hearts to intentionally living hospitality. This is Part 1 of many future episodes on hospitality.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit "complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations." JonMarc and Teresa discuss this gift of Fear of the Lord.