Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

Discover the striking parallels between Old Testament Joseph and St. Joseph, illustrating deep themes of trust and divine plan. Both faced chaos and uncertainty yet found peace through faith. The connection between their experiences highlights how envy can lead to persecution. The podcast emphasizes that our personal struggles are just one page of a larger story that unfolds according to God's will. Gain insight into living confidently amidst life's challenges, inspired by the saints' trust in a grand narrative.

Eddie Cotter, Jr. is not just a Catholic youth minister but also a talented Santa portrayal artist, known for his heartwarming role at Rockefeller Center. He shares how he accepted the calling to become Santa for his autistic grandson, making a profound connection. The discussion flows from captivating tales of Santa school to the deeper meanings of Christmas traditions. Santa himself joins in, reflecting on the essence of kindness, the hope behind the naughty list, and urging everyone to embody the spirit of generosity and love during the holiday season.

As Christmas approaches, the reflection highlights our true worth through the lens of the Christ child. Listeners are invited to see how God’s sacrifice reveals their value, encouraging self-care and dignity. The discussion stresses valuing oneself and others, likening it to the reverence of the Eucharist. It challenges negative self-talk and emphasizes understanding sin as a devaluation of our worth. The core message inspires taking a moment to reflect on our identity in Christ and to honor that intrinsic worth every day.

Tommy Spaulding, leadership expert and author of The Gift of Influence, shares his journey from rock bottom to rediscovering his value as a child of God. He emphasizes that each person influences around 80,000 others, using the metaphor of a packed stadium to reflect on our impact. Tommy discusses the power of small gestures, like receiving 50 heartfelt letters from loved ones. He advocates for servant leadership over self-serving influence and highlights the importance of intentional interactions to create a legacy of love.

Explore the transformative journey of aligning your dreams with a greater purpose. Discover how good desires can mistakenly shift to a self-centered focus. John the Baptist is presented as the ultimate anti-influencer, exemplifying the power of pointing others to Jesus rather than seeking personal legacy. Dive into the need for humility and the importance of prioritizing faith over ambition. Reflect on your true aspirations and learn to let Christ increase in your life as you embrace joyful repentance during Advent.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Peter Malinoski, a Catholic psychologist and founder of Souls & Hearts, explores how self-love is crucial for loving others and God. He challenges misconceptions that equate self-love with selfishness, emphasizing that true love fosters compassion. The conversation covers practical steps like journaling and inner work to embrace and integrate fragmented parts of ourselves. They even pray the powerful Litany of Self-Love, reminding listeners that receiving God's love can be transformative, not traumatic.

Discover the wisdom from a preacher dressed in a camel's hair cloak, guiding you through the Advent season. Learn how his radical lifestyle strips distractions to focus on love and grace. Delve into the true meaning of 'repent,' which is about a transformative mindset rather than just regret. Chris Stefanick challenges you to embrace divine grace for genuine change, emphasizing that we can't achieve a heavenly perspective on our own. This Advent, make space for a joyful penance that aligns your heart with Christ's intentions.

Why does marriage hurt—and why is that actually a good thing? In this powerful and incredibly vulnerable episode, I sit down with Dr. Christopher West, the world’s leading communicator of Theology of the Body, for one of the deepest conversations we’ve ever had on this show. Christopher doesn’t just teach TOB…he lives it. And today he opens up about the most intimate parts of his story—the childhood wounds that shaped him, the pain that almost broke him, and the moment his wife told him he was "in no place" to write a book of advice for husbands. Christopher has spent his career sharing the truth that the path to true joy always passes through suffering, especially in marriage, where spouses should be carrying the cross together. This interview is PACKED with wisdom on what a real marriage looks like—backed up by Church teachings, the writings of St. John Paul II, and Christopher's lived experience. The ups and downs of married life are not always pretty...but they are beautiful. You might need to watch this one a few times to take in all the nuggets of advice! Highlights: 00:00 Intro02:59 Chris & Christopher: friendship, vulnerability, and real ministry07:50 The book deal & Wendy’s truth bomb: “You’re in no place to write that book.”13:40 The ache of desire: Star Wars, Springsteen, and the hunger of the heart 15:50 The “starvation gospel” vs. the “fast-food gospel” 19:52 Dorm-room trauma & the desperate prayer that began his conversion 25:02 “You don’t know how to love me” — the breakup that launched his mission 30:04 Discovering John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and realizing “this is the answer” 41:03 When ideals hit real marriage: masks, control, and Wendy’s long, painful honesty 50:45 Trying to protect your spouse—but causing harm 55:19 The “sweat lodge prayer” of marriage 56:20 Marriage pain as a feature, not a bug — the cross, purification, and real hope for couples 1:02:14 Why marriage pain is lifelong (and worth it) 1:04:18 Theology of the Body as a North Star in marriage 1:07:01 "Hell is the destiny of those who who refuse purification." 1:14:35 Any path to true fulfillment requires suffering 1:17:37 Prayer for healing your heart and marriage ........ The first 10 people to sign up for The Daily Anchor at this link will receive a free copy of Christopher West's book "Eating the Sunrise": https://bit.ly/4ant67d ........ Take 20 percent off of Christopher West's book "Eating the Sunrise" with promo code SUNRISE. https://shop.corproject.com/collections/books/products/pre-order-eating-the-sunrise-meditations-on-the-liturgy-and-our-hunger-for-beauty-paperback ........ Make a Giving Tuesday Donation to support CORE, a new Confirmation prep experience for today's teens: https://reallifecatholic.com/giving-tuesday-core/ ........ Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for. Get Daily Advent Reflections right now, including exclusive videos with Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

As Advent begins, the host introduces the powerful concept of kerygma—an ancient term for life-changing headlines. This idea connects to the Gospel, emphasizing how the news of Jesus transforms our identity and lives. The discussion includes how significant announcements, like pregnancy or job changes, can reshape our reality. Encouraging listeners to prepare their hearts, the host reminds us that the love of God and the promise of eternal life should be our guiding headline this season.

Michael Miley, the acclaimed drummer of Rival Sons, shares his journey from spiritual seeker to Catholic convert. He dives into the challenges of modern music, emphasizing the need for authenticity in an era of algorithm-driven sounds. Miley outlines his meticulous pre-show routines and the joy that fuels his drumming excellence. He reflects on his transformative experiences with faith, highlighting the role of Opus Dei in sanctifying his work. With fascinating insights on music and spirituality, he inspires listeners to glorify God in every aspect of life.