Spirituality (Catholic) Episodes

Evangelical and Pentecostal Protestants say that salvation begins with being "born again" or "born again in the Spirit." They also say that the Catholic Church doesn't believe in or help Catholics to become "born again," and so many or most Catholics aren't really saved. Is that true? Greg and Ed the Protestant explore what being "born again" means in the Bible and how the Catholic Church brings that about in the life of every baptized Catholic. Support this ministry so more people can consider...

Ed the Protestant asks, "What is Lent, where does it come from (not in the Bible), and why do Catholics practice it?" This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. Please consider supporting its production: DONATE

Greg and Cory continue their discussion of how the historical Christian, particularly Catholic, understanding of funerals is at odds with current cultural trends. (Part 2 of 2) This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. Please consider supporting its production: DONATE

How are current trends in the format of funerals in America and Europe a significant break with historic Christian understandings of the body, death, and the central claim of the Gospel? (Part 1 of 2) This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. Please consider supporting its production: DONATE

For Protestants and other non-Catholics, relics are one of, if not the, weirdest things about Catholicism. Why do Catholics have and treasure relics -- bits of bodies and clothing -- of the saints?

Greg and Cory discuss "sacramentals" (not sacraments), objects and devotional practice which have been blessed by the Church.

Ed the Protestant has never held or owned a rosary, much less prayed it. So Greg teaches him how.

Ed is curious about the Rosary, and Greg explains where it came from, its purpose, and why Catholics pray it.

I had to overcome my Protestant fear of the Hail Mary, but once I did, I realized that it isn't really about Mary at all.

Ed was deeply moved by Greg's explanation of the significance of the Blessed Virgin Mary back in Episode #29, and wrote an article about how it impacted him. In this follow-up conversation, they explore what "To Jesus Through Mary" really means.

Ed asks Greg, "If I become Catholic, how will it make my life better in the here and now?" (Part 3 of 3 about Salvation).

Greg and Ed compare Protestant anxiety about being saved to the comfort of Catholicism (Part 1 of 3 about Salvation).

In the first of a series of lessons on the Eucharist, Greg explains why it's such big deal to Catholics when it's only a medium-sized deal to Protestant Evangelicals.

The bishops of America are deeply concerned that too few Catholics understand, believe in, or take the Eucharist in a "coherent" way. And so, they have launched a three-year "Eucharistic Revival." In this first episode in a regular feature on the Eucharist, Cory and I discuss the why, what, and how of this revival.

My Protestant friend Ed finally got around to asking me about the biggest problem that Protestants have with Catholicism: the Virgin Mary.

Greg's Protestant friend Ed brings up all the arguments that he's heard that Catholicism isn't real Christianity.

Is Catholic devotion to the saints pagan idolatry? Greg and his Protestant friend Ed talk about the saints.

Greg and his Protestant friend Ed talk about the sacrament of confession and reconciliation.

I sat down with a member of the millennial generation, Cory Lakatos, to talk about the vocation of Catholic parenthood in 21st century America, and the choices, costs, and even criticism that can come with it.