Forte Catholic Podcast: Making Catholicism Fun Again

This episode had one topic and one topic only: Vocations. Choosing to follow Christ is the most important decision we will ever make; discerning and living our vocation is the second. Whether you have been married, a priest, or a religious for many years or are single and discerning your vocation, this is the episode for you.  In the first segment, I share what I learned from a recent talk I heard from the Vocations Director of the Austin Diocese. He brought a great pamphlet for those discerning vocations that I share from to start off the show. It tackles many of the common objections to living the priesthood or religious life with a little comedy along the way. In the second segment, I am joined by Dean Ouellette "The Married Catholic Guy." He shares about how his faith took him from the brink of divorce twice to having a happy and loving marriage. He now shares his story and encouragement with other married couples to prevent and help heal broken marriages.. For more from Dean, check out his website. In th

Tune in to hear Tim Staples call me "bro" and "friend"!!! He also talks about his book "Behold Your Mother" which tackles common objections to Marian devotion. As a convert, one of Tim's final struggles with Catholicism was Marian devotion so he has great insight on answering the tough questions. I learned a lot in the interview so I hope it helps you as well! In the first and third segment, we talk about giving and receiving mercy. We do so in the context of talking about receiving presents so we had interaction on social media of people sharing about the best gift they've ever received. I then look through the parable of the prodigal son to see what we can learn from the story about sharing mercy.

Mardi Gras! Lent is upon us, so let's talk about getting prepared for this great season while also dealing with the reality of stress in our lives. This weekend, I went on a retreat called "Stressed Out" about how to deal with stress as a Christian. I share what I learned over the weekend and how it applies to our Lenten season. We also do a Forte Five countdown segment of the best 5 things I've ever given up for Lent. I am also joined by the founder of Saint Paul Street Evangelization. He has a great story of how God has worked in his life and also talks about how their ministry works and what they can do to help us grow in our ability to share the Gospel.

In the 21st episode of Forte Catholic, we have a large focus on the Scripture in Mass with the introduction of the "Who Was Paying Attention At Mass?" segment about the past Sunday's readings. So often we go to Mass on the weekend and have forgotten what we heard by the next day so we revisit it to help us continue the lesson of the Scriptures throughout the week. In the second segment, I am joined by the Ragin' Cajun Apologist, Karlo Broussard. Karlo is a southern louisiana musician turned Catholic apologist and speaker for Catholic Answers. Tune in as we talk about his conversion, share laughs and discuss his newest book on miracles. Then in the final segment, the "Mass Text" segment returns as we dive into the day's first reading from Sirach and what it tells us about suffering, God's faithfulness and Lent.

Big new episode! The latest Forte Catholic Radio Show includes my interview with the amazing Trent Horn from Catholic Answers! Tune in now to hear the interview as well as Pope Francis' thoughts on sports/the Super Bowl and the final segment about everyone in the studio's best and worst #ValentinesDay with the radio's general manager Thaddeus Romansky and youth minister's Sam Shepard and Jake Blaszak

In this week's episode, we talk about the amazing Super Bowl that happened this weekend, why we love sports, what sports can teach us and how it can help us grow in our faith. I talk about the things that I learned while playing sports growing up and how those lessons have made me a better Christian. In the last segment, I interview youth minister Chris Johnson, also known as the Pokevangelist. Tune in to join in our laughter and find out what the heck a Pokevangelist is, how pop culture can be used to assist in ministry and more.

Here in Episode 18, I start by discussing the Holy Spirit. By looking at the story of Pentecost, we explore together how the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit completely transformed them and what this means for modern day Catholics. In segment 2, listen to an interview with Matt Arismendez, the leader of Tongues of Fire Ministries in San Antonio. He is a mentor of mine and it was a pleasure to have him on the air to talk about the importance of commitment. In the final 20 minutes, we do the Mass Text segment, looking at the Gospel reading from Monday about Jesus healing a possessed man. It is quite an interesting story that has meant a lot to me in a stressful week. Tune in and enjoy! If you like it, please share it with your friends.

On this episode of Forte Catholic, I talk about my experience last weekend on the RED-C Family Retreat that I both spoke at and attended with my family. I share what I learned about growing in holiness as a family in preparation for the retreat and from great speakers like Marcel LeJeune, Matt Rice and more. In the second segment, I interview the Director of the Fullness of Truth conference about how they are helping families grow in holiness, his conversion story and more. And finally, I share a bit from one of my keynote sessions this weekend about what I learned in marriage preparation about relationships between spouses from Ephesians 5 and the book "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.

Tune in to Forte Catholic radio tonight for a really fun show about following, twitter, discipleship, an interview with my Twitter friend Lex Lutheran. I'll also be revealing the order of this top 10 list and more.

Tune in now to the newest episode of Forte Catholic on Red-C Radio with special guest Matt Rice as we talk about his new ministry, St Monica's Army, ministering to those who have had people in their family leave the Church. I also talk about taking my son to the movie "Sing" and what I learned about marriage as an engaged man many moons ago.

Forte Catholic Episode 14 Aired Live on Red-C Catholic Radio. It's my daughter Maggie's birthday and I told the crazy story of how she was born on the side of the road and how God was so much a part of that! I'll also reflect on 2016, interview former NET Missionary Sam Shepard about her 2 years on NET and then address the pros and cons of technology for our faith. Song in 1st Segment is Audrey Asaad "Good To Me"

First show after Christmas so we talk about favorite Christmas memories, the importance of memories in faith, best/worst Christmas gifts, and the newest Star Wars movie with our guest Brian Lennox, Director of Faith Formation at a newly created parish in the Houston area.

Tune in to this week's show from Red C Radio for a conversation about finishing Advent strong, some advent/Christmas songs, overcoming failure, and an interview with youth minister Darren Seibert about celebrating the holidays as a family and more.

Tune in to Forte Catholic today for a fun episode on relationships with Steve Pokorny who started a great ministry called Freedom Coaching and an interview with newly engaged couple. We play the newly made up "Taylor's Marriage Prep Test Game." Tune in to see how they do and learn about Catholic relationships. catholic radio relationships www.fortecatholic.com/radio

Jimmy Akin! Jimmy Akin! Jimmy Akin! I can't believe I got to interview this giant in apologetics! Tune in to hear the interview with Jimmy as well as a discussion about the National Catholic Conference of Youth Ministers I went to this weekend and the Forte Five segment returns.

This episode of Forte Catholic kicks off Advent in a special way with Catholic rapper and New York City Youth Minister Brandon Morel, also known as BeTheSymbol. He will enlighten us on how he brings the Gospel to the New York City youth culture and more. We have an awesome conversation about Advent and inculturation. Ever wondered how the Church and culture mix? Tune in now!

This episode comes during Thanksgiving week and I am very thankful to have such a great guest on the show. Kyle Heimann is from the Catholic Acoustic Humor Rock group Popple and joins us to talk about how music, comedy and storytelling have an impact on reaching people with the Gospel. Popple performed at my Jr. High Youth Rally when I was in 8th grade and his ministry has been growing since. It was such a pleasure and honor to have him on the air. Don't miss this great show with him about music and joy. Have a blessed Thanksgiving week! Special Guest: Kyle Heimann.

We know our nation is in need of healing so that is our topic today! Join for a discussion on Jesus' healings and what they mean for us. Also, a great interview with infectious disease Doctor Seth Sullivan about how he sees God working in his job. For more on healing, check out the books I mention in the show.... Be Healed-Bob Schuchts Unbound-Neil Lozano My Peace I Give You-Dawn Eden Please like/comment/rate/share the show to help the show continue to grow and reach more people. Thanks for listening!

This episode aired in the middle of the #election results coverage! We talked about what this election, the Chicago Cubs and Israel all have in common! I was also joined by special guest, Matt Regitz, a professional speaker and youth minister, to talk about hope in our future and how to have hope in tough times. We finished the night by walking through multiple Scripture passages on hope. Please like, rate and share the podcast to help boost it's reach so that more and more people can hear the show and be encouraged in faith.

This episode, I was on the air to celebrate All Saints Day with a discussion on saints, superheroes and more. I also introduce the new segment "Mass Text” and have a discussion on the biggest thing holding us back from the sainthood we were made for. I also welcome special guest Alex Gotay, a tremendous speaker and youth minister extraordinaire who was in town to speak at a youth event about getting through the craziness in our world today. The song used in the third segment is Confessions by the Poor Kings. Search for it on iTunes.