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.

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.

Nick is joined by the host of Pop Culture Catechism, Mike Tenney. This conversation addresses the danger of viewing faith as a transaction, idolatry, and why rituals are a good thing. Mike shares how he began his podcast with a desire to digest pop culture through the lens of faith in order to reach those who feel broken and wounded.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss Catholic Social Teaching. Did you know that “Social Justice” actually came from Catholic theology and social teaching? But what does it mean to fight for justice in social issues as a Catholic?

Nick is joined by the president and founder of Mass Impact, Greg Schleuter! This episode addresses living an authentic life of faith, pursuing holiness and how that impacts your family. Nick and Greg discuss creating a strong faith environment at home, intentional moments together, living a holy life, the value of true humility, and recognizing that one’s ultimate purpose is to know God.

This Catholic Weird Stuff Segment addresses Catholic obligation. What does it mean to have Holy Days of Obligation? Why are Catholics obliged to do specific things? We cannot stress enough the importance of the disposition of the heart. God’s commandments are meant for our good and spring out of His love for us.

LIVE from the Awaken Theater, Christopher West joins Nick De La Torre to talk about sex, love, and satisfying the hunger of the human heart. In this lively discussion Nick and Chris address making the rules make sense, understanding the beauty of salvation, true love, Christian morality and sexuality. Digging deep into healing from porn addiction and the redemption of human sexuality vs repression. We end with a Q and A from the audience and Things. Get. REAL.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss “Divinization” and the idea that we are called to become gods. We unpack this mystery of participating in the divine nature and how by grace we are called to become like God.

Nick interviews the two savvy and humble founders of the Catholic company "Sock Religious". Scott and Elisabeth Williams share their story of falling in love, going from ministry work to business owners, finding sudden popularity, developing their umbrella group Catholic Concepts, and how simply wearing Catholic socks can help you spread the faith.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff segment we discuss dead bodies and relics. Why do Catholics cut up and disperse the bodies and clothing of Saints as relics to be venerated and what does the Church say about cremation?

Nick interviews attorney at law and leader of the new Toledo chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP), John (Jack) Kelly. Jack talks about his discernment process in finding his vocation, being open to the will of God, his journey to studying law, being Catholic in the workplace, and how YCP helps connect Catholic professionals with each other as well as inspire Christians to invite Christ into the workplace.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss Feast Days and why Catholics love to party. Every wondered why Catholics celebrate the death of the saints with “feast days”, especially when many of them died horrific deaths? We discuss some of the weird traditions for specific days and how they started.

Nick interviews host of the Physically Spiritual podcast, Andrew Reinhart. The two recount how their friendship began with Andrew taking the time to mentor Nick through heart to heart evangelization. Andrew relates his internal pressure to be perfect, the difference between the natural and supernatural, “New Age” spirituality, healing is a means to an end, and the journey to discovering truth.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss Bilocation. What does it mean to be in two places at once? What saints are known for this phenomenon and how do we know it isn’t just astral-projection?

In this episode Nick interviews the hosts of Elevate Ordinary, JonMarc and Teresa Grodi. Join the laughter and the tears as the three discuss how their glorious friendships began, JonMarc and Teresa’s romance, how they started their talk show, and the joy of “marrying-up”.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss “Memento Mori” and what it means to “remember your death”. Additionally, we dive into Natural Family Planning (NFP), how it works and helps you understand your own biology. We dive into how it helps you grow in your marriage, the spiritual depth it brings, and how it can improve your sexual relationship.

Nick invites to the show Life Coach and founder of CrisisPregnancysupport.com, Lauren Loboda! She shares her journey to becoming a life-coach and founding her non-profit company to help women struggling with unplanned pregnancies. Lauren discusses mindset management, overcoming negative thoughts, and the modern dilemma of isolation along with the ways in which her online company helps pregnant women work through their emotional needs.

ln this Catholic Weird Stuff’s Segment we discuss the radical awesomeness of Saint Padre Pio and some random miracles surrounding his intercession.

LIFE is freakin BUSY sometimes and nobody knows this better than my guest, Fr. Leo Patalinghug. That's why today we are discussing the need to keep your eyes on Jesus through all circumstances and why pilgrimages are SUPER important for spiritual growth. Father reminds us that pilgrimage is a chance to literally "taste and see that the Lord is good" and if you allow yourself to accept the call, it will BLOW YOUR MIND!

Join us on our pilgrimage to Mexico this November 26 - Dec 2, 2022!

https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/food-and-faith-of-mexico-november-26-december-2-2022-22ja11mxac/

Nick interviews Catholic Americana musician, Mike Mangione, in front of a first-ever LIVE audience! Mike shares about his humble beginnings, his love for artistic expression, how he began to take his faith seriously and a profound experience of prayer laying in a hospital bed in the Fall of 2021.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss the incorruptibles. These miraculous saint bodies have been preserved after death!

Nick is joined by Rob Holler and Beverly Monahan to talk about their amazing experience on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. Learn about the impact of walking where Christ walked, the power of stepping into the River Jordan, and seeing the beauty of faith in a city dominated by three major religions. Join us and discover how visiting the Holy Lands adds to the joy of being Catholic.

Nick and Fr. Eric Schild recount their amazing Holy Lands experience with Select International Tours. Through their journey they share about following the Holy Spirit, the significance of each holy location they visited, the history of the papacy, and sharing in the darkness of Christ's suffering.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss the Nativity of the Lord. The REAL Nativity. What it was like to visit the physical location, its significance, and what it means for our faith.

In this Special Edition episode Nick recounts his life changing pilgrimage to the Holy Lands with Select International Tours. He shares his moving experiences through personal photos and videos detailing the profound impact this trip had on the whole group.

Stick around for the second half of the episode where we talk about AWAKEN'S 2021 year end updates and exciting new plans for the future!

In this epic episode Nick interviews two members of the Knights of Columbus. David Cary and John Desmarteau get personal sharing life journeys, coming to faith, falling in love, and why they each made the valiant decision to become knights! Discover what makes this Fraternal Order of Catholic laity so enticing, the career opportunities it offers, and why all Catholic men should consider taking the pledge.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss the origin story of the Knights of Columbus. Who exactly are the knights, what do they do, and how does a person join? Find out in today’s episode!

Nick invites to the show enthusiastic Catholic, Children's book author, Susan Joy Belevance! Baptized über Catholic, Susie (Z) bursts with a love for Christ and His gospel. She and Nick talk about everything from how she became a diehard Catholic, to what led her to write 3 awesome children’s books that speak to the heart of the faith.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff segment Nick and Susie discuss the Consecration to Our Lady. What is it and where did it originate? Find out the benefits of this devotion and the importance of committing it to your own life!

In this episode Nick is joined by Catholic super-star Amanda Vernon! As an author, speaker, and musician Amanda discusses the sacrifices she has made to be both a performer and a mother. She shares her personal story about growing up in a vibrant Catholic home with a strong foundation in faith to the time she first felt God calling her to share her faith through music. She and Nick get deep when they address what it means to believe in “Divine Providence” and God’s sovereignty and how that has impacted the way they both view their own lives.

In this Catholic Weird Stuff Segment we discuss what CHASTITY is and why it matters. How does this virtue actually EMPOWER women in an overly sexualized society?