The Catholic Man Show

In this episode, Adam and David welcome back longtime friend and mentor Matthew Christoff of EveryCatholicMan.com to talk about what it really means to become a happier Catholic man.Matthew shares the story behind his new devotional, “Becoming a Happier Catholic Man 2026,” and why he believes every man can be happier by drawing closer to Jesus, embracing suffering, and living a zealous Catholic life.Topics discussed:Why God actually wills our true and lasting happinessThe difference between fleeting pleasure and beatitudePracticing the presence of God in ordinary daily lifeUsing “triggers” like sirens, cemeteries, and churches to turn the mind to GodHow technology, curiosity, and pornography are devastating modern manhoodHomeostasis of the soul: breaking habits and building new spiritual baselinesWhy pornography and AI-generated lust are a major assault on men and womenConfession, near occasions of sin, and forming a real battle planThe need for a “penance revival” to accompany the Eucharistic RevivalWhy evangelizing men is decisive for families, parishes, and cultureHow awe of Jesus, not just information about him, is the foundation of conversionThe structure of the book: weekly Gospel commentary, awe-of-Jesus focus, maxims, and prayersUsing the devotional as a couple and in the domestic churchResources mentioned:Becoming a Happier Catholic Man 2026 – devotional for Sundays and feast days of the liturgical yearEveryCatholicMan.com – Matthew Christoff’s apostolate and resources for menBrother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of GodThe Catechism of the Catholic Church (references used throughout the book)Learn more and get the book:Visit EveryCatholicMan.com or search “Becoming a Happier Catholic Man 2026” on Amazon.Support The Catholic Man Show and get access to extra content and community at:TheCatholicManShow.com

This episode is packed — saints, miracles, Marian devotion, vocations, fatherhood, fasting, silence, and the rise of a new generation of men hungry for God.Fr. Charbel, a Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate, joins Adam and David in Tulsa along with first-class relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Charbel, sharing powerful stories of faith, mission, intercession, and what young Catholic men are longing for today.IN THIS EPISODE1. Meet Fr. Charbel — his order, his mission, and why Marian consecration is centralFr. Charbel introduces the Franciscans of the Immaculate, an order founded to continue the Marian mission of St. Maximilian Kolbe:Total consecration to Mary as a fourth vowA spirituality built on St. Francis + St. MaximilianMissionary availability (“Send me anywhere in the world”)Heavy emphasis on prayer, poverty, obedience, and Marian devotionHe explains how Our Lady’s presence has shaped every major moment in salvation history — from Nazareth to the Cross — and why consecration gives Mary “permission” to form us the way she formed Christ.2. A surge of young men seeking GodAs the newly appointed vocations director, Fr. Charbel reveals something astonishing:40+ serious vocation inquiries in just two months.Why the sudden surge?Men want something realThey crave mission and purposeThey want orthodoxy and reverenceThey want a spirituality that demands something of themMarian devotion draws them in a unique way“It’s inspiring,” he says. “Young men want authenticity.”3. Stories of Divine Providence and the adventure of religious lifeThe guys talk about:The Franciscan blend of active + contemplativeThe thrill of trusting God with everythingPoverty that becomes a doorway to providenceWhy Franciscans never seem to fundraise (“God just provides”)Religious life, he says, is more adventurous than most men realize.4. Deep dive: Who is St. Charbel? Why is he exploding in popularity?St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese hermit, is becoming one of the most beloved saints of the century.Father explains why:Lived a hidden, humble, ascetic life23 years in community + 23 years as a hermitEntire life centered on the Holy EucharistBody discovered incorrupt with supernatural light rising from his tombOver 29,000 documented miracles since 1950Miracles among Muslims, Druze, Orthodox, and nonbelieversGlobal pilgrims: 2 million+ per yearOne stunning story:A Muslim sheikh publicly visited St. Charbel’s shrine to thank him for healing his mother of cancer.“Why would God confirm the life of a hermit who spent his life before the Eucharist,” Father asks, “unless the Eucharist is truly what the Church says it is?”5. Lessons from St. Charbel for modern men + fathersWhat does a hermit from Lebanon have to teach us? A lot.Fr. Charbel lays out practical takeaways:Faithfulness in the small thingsSilence — making space for God’s voiceDaily prayer even without consolationsObedience and humilityEucharistic devotionMarian devotion as a way of being formedAsceticism and fasting: dying to self in small waysDoing your duty with loveAs he says: “God doesn’t call you to be successful. He calls you to be faithful.”6. Mary, her titles, and how she draws men to ChristThe guys discuss:Why we must be unashamed of Marian devotionThe richness of her many titles:Mother of GodCause of Our JoyMother of Good CounselUndoer of KnotsSeat of WisdomWhy Marian consecration doesn’t distract from Jesus — it leads to HimWhy she is the “surest and quickest way” to holinessFr. Charbel emphasizes “You can never love her as much as Jesus already does.”7. Books, Resources, and Where to Find MoreFr. Charbel’s order publishes incredibly practical Marian books:“Preparation for Total Consecration” (33 days in the spirit of Maximilian Kolbe)“Beloved Disciple” — how to live your consecration daily“Rule of Life: St. Maximilian Kolbe’s personal spiritual notes” (brand new)Visit: AcademyOfTheImmaculate.comLearn about the order: MaryMediatrix.com

This episode starts with an apology and an update. It’s been a wild stretch—hospital visits, birthday mishaps, broken teeth, truck trouble, cows and pigs headed to the processor—but also a lot of grace and gratitude.Adam shares about Lady Haylee's recent medical scare during pregnancy, the prayers from patrons, and what it’s like to walk through real uncertainty as a husband and father. The guys reflect on how quickly life can tilt from “normal” to “barely holding it together,” and yet how God can still anchor everything in hope and gratitude.Over whiskey (a Pseudo Sue malt from Iowa), Adam and David shift into the main topic: spiritual blindness—how easy it is for men to be convinced we’re right, standing for the truth, and yet be totally off the mark.Drawing from Scripture, the lives of the apostles, St. John of the Cross, Aquinas, and even Dante, they explore:In This Episode:Real-life trials and gratitudeHaley’s hospitalization and recoveryKids’ birthdays, chipped teeth, and car troubleHow chaos at home can either crush us or deepen our trust in GodMiracles, doubt, and the desire for “proof”“If God would just give us a miracle, evangelization would be easy”The everyday miracles we ignore: the Eucharist, confession, conversionsWhy even those who saw Jesus’ miracles still doubted and fledSpiritual blindness in the apostles and in usPeter’s “I’ll never deny you” moment—and the fall that followedThe apostles missing who Jesus really is, even after years of walking with HimLooking back on friendships and seasons of life and realizing, “I was blind to how unhealthy that really was”How our culture and attachments distort our judgmentBringing politics into our faith and letting ideology outrank the GospelThe overworking dad: when “providing” becomes an excuse to avoid the harder work of fatherhoodAttachment to success, busyness, and being “the guy” who makes everything happenThe “theology guy” who knows tons about the faith but never actually prays or servesSt. John of the Cross and Aquinas on blindness of mindDisordered attachments as a cause of spiritual blindnessMisapplying first principles and deforming prudenceWhy ignorance isn’t always innocent—especially when it’s chosenDante, betrayal, and why some wounds cut so deepWhy Dante places traitors and betrayers at the bottom of hellThe pain of realizing someone you trusted was not who you thoughtHow misplaced trust in people can tempt us to distrust GodPractical ways to grow in spiritual clarityDaily (or even twice-daily) examination of conscienceHonest fraternal correction and asking your friends to tell you the truthLiving a real ascetical life: fasting, temperance, and taming appetitesSubmitting your judgment to the Church instead of making yourself the standardTurning to the sacraments—especially confession and the Eucharist—for renewed visionAlong the way, you’ll also hear:A story about accidentally using cardamom instead of cinnamon on a first dateThe strangely satisfying joy of a perfectly vacuumed game roomThe quiet fulfillment of husbandry—raising animals, caring for land, and stewarding what God has givenThis episode is an invitation to ask hard questions:Where am I convinced I’m right, but might be deeply wrong?What am I attached to that clouds my judgment?Who do I trust enough to tell me what I don’t see about myself?If you’ve ever looked back on a season of life and thought, “How did I not see that?”—this conversation is for you.

Opening: Setting the Record StraightNo, The Catholic Man Show isn’t joining The Daily Wire. A sincere congrats to Matt Fradd on taking Pints With Aquinas to a bigger platform—and a case for celebrating a brother’s success without the cynicism.Why Moves Like This MatterMedia realities, families to provide for, and why “selling out” is usually just a lazy take. Bigger reach can mean more souls reached—full stop.Pilgrimage Debrief: Rome, Florence, and AweFlorence surprises: the David, the Medici footprint, and why the city stole the show.Rome moments: St. Mary Major, the House of Loreto, and the joy of praying where the Holy Family lived.Padre Pio: devotion, controversy, and a frank take on the modern shrine aesthetic.A Feast-Day Field NoteSt. Hubert, patron of hunters, meets a proud dad moment: a 12-year-old’s first solo hunt, patience under pressure, and why rites of passage matter for boys.Main Topic: Obedience Without CaricatureAquinas on obedience: not the greatest virtue (charity is), but among the highest of the moral virtues because it orders us to the good.Catechism on authority (cf. 1897ff): authority is legitimate when it seeks the common good and respects moral law; unjust commands do not bind.Three “levels” of obedienceModern resistance to authority vs. Christian freedom: obedience is not blind; it’s charity and justice in action.Socrates, the Coliseum, and Costly WitnessA lively back-and-forth: unjust sentences, martyrdom, and whether courage sometimes looks like staying put.Fatherhood and the Pattern of ObedienceChildren learn reverence for God’s authority by seeing Dad obey the Church, pray when he doesn’t “feel like it,” and submit his will to the good.House rules and spiritual rule: why outside authority often works better than self-made resolutions.Community CornerThanks to patrons, cookies, and a few inside-baseball notes about keeping a niche Catholic show on the air without taking a dime personally.Key TakeawaysCelebrate good work when Catholic creators get a larger platform.Obedience isn’t weakness; it’s strength directed toward the highest good.Legitimate authority deserves assent; unjust commands do not.Fathers model obedience that forms a family’s conscience.Pilgrimage sharpens conviction—beauty and history catechize the heart.Mentioned in the EpisodeSt. Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologiae, II–II, q.104 (obedience).Catechism of the Catholic Church: on authority and the common good (around 1897–1904).St. Hubert: patron saint of hunters.Padre Pio: witness of obedience amid misunderstanding.House of Loreto, St. Mary Major, Florence’s David: moments where beauty meets belief.

Recording on the move along the Adriatic, the guys sit down in Italy with their spiritual guide and friend Fr. Stuart Crevecour to talk about Eucharistic adoration—what it is, why it matters, and how to begin. From stories of Eucharistic miracles in Cascia and Orvieto to practical advice for dads bringing kids to the chapel, this episode explores how adoration “holds a moment of the Mass” so Christ can transform our week. Along the way: pilgrimage anecdotes, incorrupt saints, and a few dad-joke detours.Segment GuideOn the Road (and Sea): Why This Episode Is DifferentFirst-ever episode recorded in transit—pilgrimage vibes, College GameDay energy, and what a Jubilee year in Italy feels like.Eucharistic Miracles: From Casual Irreverence to Deep ConversionThe bleeding breviary in Cascia and the miracle preserved in Orvieto become cautionary tales—and catalysts—for reverence and faith.What Adoration Is (and Isn’t)Fr. Stuart offers a simple frame: adoration as a moment of the Mass held in contemplation—the elevation “stretched” so we can gaze and be changed.Does It Really Do Anything? Why GoFrom “just try it” to “I can’t live without my hour,” we hear how steady time before the monstrance re-centers a life and renews prayer.Awkward at First: How to Start a Holy HourBring a rosary or a good spiritual book. Expect silence to feel long. Keep going. Over time, conversation gives way to presence.Spiritual Communion: When You Can’t ReceiveMaking a spiritual communion at home or in church keeps us oriented toward the tabernacle—especially helpful in seasons of waiting or constraint.Benediction: A Different Kind of BlessingWhy the blessing at the end of adoration is unique: you’re being blessed by Christ himself, truly present in the Host.Family Adoration (Without the Panic)Practical ideas: parish “family holy hours,” short come-and-go windows, and training kids gently in reverence (yes, even page-turning).If Your Parish Doesn’t Have AdorationHow to ask your pastor for a weekly hour or occasional exposition—and ways laity can help make it happen.From Medieval Piety to Today’s RenewalHow devotion blossomed after Corpus Christi and grew again in recent decades—feeding vocations, parish life, and personal holiness.Key TakeawaysAdoration deepens Communion. It doesn’t replace the Mass; it disposes us to receive the Eucharist more fruitfully.Start small, stay steady. Twenty minutes grows into an hour; over time, you won’t want to miss it.Bring the kids. Create kid-friendly windows or family hours; let children encounter Jesus and learn chapel habits gradually.Spiritual communion matters. If you can’t receive sacramentally, orient yourself to the tabernacle and keep showing up.Benediction blesses uniquely. The blessing is given with Christ himself, not merely by the priest.Memorable Lines“Adoration is a moment of the Mass held in contemplation.”“You can’t outgive the Lord—show up and let Him do the work.”“Hang out with Jesus often; we become like the people we’re with.”“Correct the [Eucharistic] abuses, but don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.”How to Begin a Holy Hour (Simple Plan)Arrive and acknowledge: a slow Sign of the Cross; “Lord, I’m here.”Read briefly (5–10 min): a Gospel passage or trusted spiritual classic.Pray a decade or the whole Rosary.Rest in silence: “I look at Him and He looks at me.”Finish with gratitude and one concrete resolution for the week.Resources & Places MentionedBasilica of St. Rita of Cascia (Eucharistic miracle)Orvieto (miracle tied to the Feast of Corpus Christi)Sacré-Cœur, Paris (longstanding perpetual adoration)St. Thomas Aquinas (Eucharistic hymns for Corpus Christi)St. John Vianney (on simple adoration)St. John Paul II (modern renewal of adoration)St. Peter Julian Eymard (19th-century apostle of the Eucharist)For Dads & GrandfathersKeep expectations age-appropriate. Five or ten minutes is a win.Prep gently before you enter; debrief after with hot chocolate or a donut.Rotate one-on-one holy hours so each child sees Dad prayListener ChallengeCommit to one adoration visit this week. If your parish lacks exposition, pray before the tabernacle—or make a daily spiritual communion at home, oriented toward your parish church.

Adam and Dave are broadcasting from the heart of Assisi, Italy—knee-deep in pilgrimage vibes with St. Francis, St. Clare, and the whole crew. They break down the "establish" pillar of fatherhood (you know, the third leg of protect-provide-establish) and get talk about turning your home into fertile soil where your family's faith thrives. Recorded right after a providential run-in with a fan who spotted Adam's voice in the wild—shoutout to Kel from Illinois!Key Highlights:Pilgrimage Gold: Fresh off praying at St. Francis' tomb and St. Clare's incorrupt body. Plus, stories of Francis dodging death in the Holy Land because even the Saracens couldn't handle his holiness. Spiritual overload = total win.The Father's Job: Establish a Culture: Forget the 30-something basement-dwellers—it's time to till that family soil like a pro vintner. They riff on winery chats: Every plot's different, climates change, so adapt your strategy. Build traditions around high feasts (Christmas Nativity read-aloud before gifts? Yes!), guard your wife's prayer time, and echo that husband-wife holiness down to the kids.Resilience Like the Saints: One bad call ruins your day? No. Channel St. Clare ("No suffering bothers me!") and blind-but-joyful St. Francis. Practice gratitude, God's-will-be-done prayers, and bounce back fast—'cause your mood sets the home tone.Focus or Bust: Saints win by laser-focus on holiness. Ditch the noise (X, YouTube, endless projects). Adam's hack: Stopwatch your day. Shocking how 25 minutes of "deep work" gets hijacked by texts. Apply it home—clock real presence with kids over fence-painting busywork.Adam's Four Pillars to Cultivate Christian Life:Silence – God's language. Train kids to quiet appetites at home so they can apply it at Holy Mass.Reverence – Rebel against irreverence. Yes sir/ma'am, genuflect at churches, dress sharp for Mass—builds love for the Eucharist.Hard Work – Outpace 90% by pushing past "I can't." Sports, chess, prayer, fasting—saints weren't smarter, just tougher.Charity – The supernatural crescendo. Serve without quid pro quo (Catechism 2223). Punch in pure love, St. Nick-style.Grandpa Power: You're the tradition custodian! Give "state of the union" fireplaceside talks like Adam's grandpa—wisdom from the trenches and the hilltop.Soul-Crafting Close: Italian churches are stunning, but one holy soul outshines 'em all. You're the craftsman for your wife's and kids' souls—steward God's talents like your life depends on it (spoiler: it does).Action Steps for Catholic Dads:Tonight: List 3 family traditions to start (feast-focused first).Tomorrow: Stopwatch 1 hour of undistracted kid-time. No phone.This Week: Guard your wife's prayer slot—strictly.Pray: "Lord, till my home soil for saints."

Father Morey, Prior at Clear Creek Abbey and a Benedictine monk, shares profound insights on fatherhood and spiritual strength. He delves into the importance of fathers as spiritual protectors for their families and the role of fasting in building virtue. Morey connects manual labor to a deeper understanding of reality, emphasizing its significance in resisting modern distractions. The discussion highlights the urgent need to transmit traditions, the challenges of prayer as spiritual warfare, and the sanctity found in everyday work. A blend of wisdom and practical advice for men seeking holiness.

OverviewAdam shares a sideline story from coaching I-9 flag football—including a bold moment of public prayer—and the guys dive into practical Marian devotion for men. Plus: the legendary Catholic Man Show Campout, a hilarious kiddo/arcade saga, and this week’s whiskey.In This EpisodeCoaching & Courage: How an I-9 format works for big families, simple plays that win, and leading a team in prayer after a teammate’s injury.Being Bold in Public Faith: Why most people respect prayer, overcoming hesitation, and letting charity—not fear—set the tone.Marian Devotion for Men:Mary as Queen Mother and model disciple (why Mariology protects sound Christology).Practical “Marian hacks”: entrusting your prayers to Mary; asking for her heart before Holy Communion; Undoer of Knots novena.Old Testament typology (Jael, Judith, New Eve) and “she will crush your head” (Gen 3:15).Whiskey of the Week: Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling from Tomatin (Highland), 9-year, charred hogshead, ~59% ABV—hot but opens beautifully with a splash; oak-forward finish.Campout Buzz: Men flying in from across the country; new activities; documentary coming to YouTube.Family & Fun: The token machine misadventure (fire trucks, free passes, and a parental facepalm).Key TakeawaysWhen in doubt, pray anyway—most onlookers receive it as a kind gesture.Daily Rosary is a proven aid against habitual sin (per spiritual masters).Offer your prayers through Mary so she can “clean them up” and present them to Jesus.Consider Total Consecration (St. Louis de Montfort) to root your day-to-day in Marian discipleship.Mentions & ResourcesRosary episode with Dominicans: Fr. Gregory Pine, Fr. Patrick Briscoe, Fr. Joseph Anthony KressSelect International Tours – long-time show sponsor for pilgrimagesDevotions: Our Lady, Undoer of Knots novena; Total Consecration (St. Louis de Montfort); Glories of Mary (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

This week on The Catholic Man Show, Adam and David welcome Chris Carstens—Director of the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, teacher, author, and liturgical scholar.Together, they dive deep into the heart of Catholic worship and explore:How fathers can introduce young children to the beauty of the Mass—even when it feels like a workout.Why children belong in the main body of the church, not just the cry room.The meaning and role of altar serving and how it shapes boys into men of faith.Insights into the ordinary form vs. extraordinary form conversation, and how Pope Benedict XVI envisioned “mutual enrichment.”What the Eucharistic revival accomplished and why the Mass itself is the greatest act of Eucharistic adoration.Practical steps to make parish liturgies more beautiful, reverent, and evangelizing.Resources and books to help families grow deeper in love with the liturgy, such as A Devotional Journey into the Mass and A Biblical Walk Through the Mass.About our guest:Chris Carstens has spent over 25 years in liturgical ministry, teaching at the Liturgical Institute and Christendom College, and serving as editor of Adoremus Bulletin. He is the author of several books on Catholic worship and continues to help parishes and families rediscover the beauty of the Mass.👉 Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Adoremus BulletinA Devotional Journey into the Mass (Sophia Institute Press)Biblical Walk Through the Mass by Edward SriJesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre

Why does the Rosary matter? How do you pray it well when distractions hit? And what about devotion to Mary — is it too much, or exactly what we need?In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, Adam and David welcome three Dominican priests: • Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. • Fr. Patrick Briscoe, O.P. • Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P.They dive into:✅ The history and power of the Rosary✅ Practical advice on handling distractions in prayer✅ The Luminous Mysteries and why they matter today✅ Mary’s role as Mediatrix of Grace✅ Live audience Q&AThis lively, insightful, and often funny conversation will deepen your love for the Rosary and inspire greater devotion in your prayer life.Looking for a book to turn your home into a saint-making machine?https://ascensionpress.com/products/living-beyond-sunday-making-your-home-a-holy-placeBecome a patron and get TCMS whisky glasses and/or beer glasses just like you see on the show: https://www.patreon.com/thecatholicmanshowNew to the show? Check out these cool episodes we did with guests and without guests: https://thecatholicmanshow.com/new-to-the-catholic-man-show/Check us out on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecatholicmanshow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatholicManShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicmanshowPodcast: https://feeds.captivate.fm/thecatholicmanshow/