Catholic media, events, & community
The Prodigal Life
Hosted by
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Nick De La Torre
Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc
Ep73. Apologetics and a Competitive Mentality w/ Steve Cunningham
In this episode we are joined by Steve Cunningham, the founder and president of Sensus Fidelium and host of several faith based podcasts. Steve shares about his upbringing as a Sunday Catholic whose primary focus was sports, how his obsession with understanding his faith grew out of a competitive spirit, and how his apologetics ministry grew out a simple desire to promote a Christian movie. Come find out how a regular guy became a wildly popular Catholic apologist.
Ep72. The Devil, Temptation, and God’s Permissive Will
Have you ever wondered why a good God allows bad things to happen? In this episode we discuss the Devil, Temptation, and God’s Permissive Will. The angels were created with infused knowledge; thus the Devil possessed knowledge of God’s plan for humanity and chose to rebel. Our conversation addresses how the Devil tricked Adam and Eve, how to respond to temptation, to love God means obeying his commands, parameters for faith, God permitting bad things to happen, free will and Nazis, and finding ultimate freedom.
Ep71. The Paradox of the Beatitudes w/ Hector Molina
Once again we are joined by famous Catholic Evangelist Hector Molina! This episode we discuss the controversy of the Sermon on the Mount and paradoxical promises of the Beatitudes. These ten blessings are not just “pious platitudes” but rather paradoxical promises that reveal how humanity was made for happiness, joy, and fulfillment.
Ep70. Cradle Catholics | The Church Needs to do Better w/ Hector Molina
Today we have the privilege of speaking with famous Catholic Evangelist and legendary head of hair, Hector Molina! Hector shares his story of being a cradle Catholic, becoming a rebellious teenager, the power of a beautiful girl, and KNOWING Jesus vs knowing about Jesus. Throughout this episode we discuss how parents can evangelize their children, the power of a personal testimony, why so many cradle Catholics leave the faith, and how the Church can do better. Join us as we address these topics of faith, hope, and love with one of the sexiest Latino Catholic Evangelists!
Ep69. The Value of Discovering Your Own Vocation
Do you know what your vocation is? In this episode we discuss the infinite value of discovering your personal vocation and fulfilling your calling in life. Through our own stories we talk about being open to God’s guidance, not being afraid to ask all the questions, and how vital it is to have quiet times of prayer and reflection in order to listen to God’s voice and know His will for you.
Ep68. Pray the Carmelite Way | How to Get the Most Out of Your Prayer Life w/ Sue Brinkmann
In our third episode with Sue Brinkmann we discuss the stages of prayer in the Carmelite Order. Sue shares how she became a Discalced Carmelite, Contemplative Prayer, the different stages of prayer, and Western vs Eastern meditation. We address what prayer is, how to get the most out of your prayer life, and why Centering Prayer is NOT the same thing as Contemplative Prayer.
Ep67. The Lie of The New Age Movement: Modern Satanism w/ Sue Brinkmann
We are joined again by the Director of New Age Research at Women of Grace, Sue Brinkmann, to discuss the lies of the New Age Movement. Most people wonder what's wrong with adopting some “innocent” practices such as yoga or reiki. In our conversation we cover the various forms of New Age practices: blood rituals, astrology, fortune telling, yoga, sage burning, witchcraft, and divination. We discuss the difference between evoking and invoking the dead, preternatural and supernatural powers, and how to avoid the demonic by remaining in a state of Grace. You won’t want to miss this powerful and informative episode!
Ep66. How an Angry Feminist Became a Catholic Author w/ Sue Brinkmann
Today we are joined by Sue Brinkmann the Director of Communications and New Age Research at Women of Grace. Sue shares her story of going from an angry feminist to discovering God and becoming a successful Catholic author. She details her life as a strong feminist, becoming “spiritual” not religious, delving into the New Age movement, uncovering the lies of feminism, finding God through the Psalms, and discovering her dignity as a woman in the life of faith.
Ep65. Physical Gratification and Reflecting the Image of God
Is physical pleasure a bad thing? In this episode we discuss physical gratification and what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God. We address what the Catholic Church has to say about pleasure, being a temple of the Lord, and how to glorify God in your body.
Ep64. The New Wave of Catholic Education with w/ Mosongo Osong
In this episode we continue our conversation with Mosongo Osong, the genius behind the CatholicBrain! Mosongo shares how the mission of the CatholicBrian is to engage children in their faith formation. Focussing on making faith learning fun, exciting, and truly educational. Mosongo's brand breathes new life into Catechism classes through interactive programs, daily lessons, educating parents, helping catechism teachers, and inspiring children to love their faith. This is the new wave of high quality faith filled content for our children.
Ep63. Accepting God’s Purpose for My Life | The Powerful Story of Mosongo Osong
In this episode we are joined by Mosongo Osong, the founder and CEO of CatholicBrain! Mosongo shares his incredible story of growing up Catholic in Cameroon, falling in with a bad crowd as a teenager, developing a life of consistent prayer, experiencing tragedy, questioning God, and discovering the Lord’s purpose for his life. We conclude with the power of taking risks and stepping out in faith to do what God put you on earth to do.
Ep62. Fulton Sheen: The Saint Our World Needs w/ Dr. Peter Howard
In this episode we interview Dr. Peter Howard, founder and president of the Fulton Sheen Institute. Dr. Howard shares his life story from early life miracles, to his conversion of heart, discerning priesthood, how his life changed after listening to a teaching from Venerable Fulton Sheen, and finding his mission in bringing the messages of Fulton Sheen to the modern Catholic.
Ep61. Miracles, Continual Conversion, and Fulton Sheen w/ Dr. Peter Howard
In this episode we interview Dr. Peter Howard, founder and president of the Fulton Sheen Institute. Dr. Howard shares his life story from early life miracles, to his conversion of heart, discerning priesthood, how his life changed after listening to a teaching from Venerable Fulton Sheen, and finding his mission in bringing the messages of Fulton Sheen to the modern Catholic.
Ep60. Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and How to Die With Grace
Death comes to us all and suffering is an unavoidable reality. So in this episode we discuss what it means to “die with grace”. Through our discussion we address euthanasia, medically assisted suicide, suicide, and redemptive suffering. As Catholics we believe that both suffering and death can have dignity and meaning when united with Christ. And we believe that society and the government should NOT dictate whether or not a person’s life has value.
Ep59. Racism, Prejudice, and the Catholic Response
In this episode we discuss racism vs prejudice and how Catholics should respond to these issues. Defining the difference between racism and prejudice, we go on to discuss whether Catholics should have racially driven parishes, the power of culture, and how Catholics respond to racial differences. No matter how we define ourselves, we are first and foremost sons and daughters of God.
Ep58. Finding Your Vocation, Calling, and Purpose in Life
God has given each person a calling/vocation by which they glorify Him and add to the beauty of the world. In this episode we discuss vocations, personal calling, finding your purpose, and what that looks like. We are each called by God in a unique way to use our talents and gifts for His glory and a willingness to obey Him is the first step toward discovering your vocation.
Ep57. The Sacrament of Confirmation and Receiving The Holy Spirit
In this episode we conclude our discussion on the Sacraments of Initiation with Confirmation. The completion of Baptism, Confirmation is necessary for full communion within the Catholic Church and includes the reception of the Holy Spirit. The key to the Sacraments is cooperating with God’s grace and with Confirmation we activate the grace already present in a person who has been baptized. This is why the Sacrament is so powerful and necessary for our faith.
Ep56. You Should Go on a Pilgrimage | Just Do It
In this episode we discuss going on pilgrimage! We begin with what a pilgrimage is, why people go on them, the life changing aspects, and how it can powerfully impact your faith. Find out why going to the Holy Lands is sometimes called “The Fifth Gospel” and how you don’t have to leave the country to find a pilgrimage site.
Ep55. Baptism, Holy Communion, and Sanctifying Grace
Today we dive into the touchy subject of marriage, divorce, and annulment. Beginning with the definition of marriage, we address what Scripture says, why it's a Sacrament, and how the Church decides a marriage was not valid. The Church approaches divorce and annulment with seriousness and we discuss the importance of understanding the differences between them.
Ep54. Marriage, Annulment, and Divorce | What the Church Says
Today we dive into the touchy subject of marriage, divorce, and annulment. Beginning with the definition of marriage, we address what Scripture says, why it's a Sacrament, and how the Church decides a marriage was not valid. The Church approaches divorce and annulment with seriousness and we discuss the importance of understanding the differences between them.