

Manly Catholic: Igniting Men to Light the World on Fire
James Caldwell
Voted #1 Catholic Podcast for Men!Jesus Christ is the epitome of what it means to be a man. With masculinity in our culture more confused than ever, join us at The Manly Catholic as we strive to ignite men to be on fire for Christ. Men are challenged and fight battles that often distract them from their ultimate goal: to become a saint. We will help you become saints and become the men God created you to be. And have some laughs along the way. Because who couldn't use more laughter in their life?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2025 • 20min
Fr. Dom's Homs - The Mass: The Most Powerful Weapon in the Universe from the 30th Sunday in OT
Holy Mass is not just a ritual. It is not a routine. It is the Sacrifice of Calvary made present before your very eyes. In this homily, Fr. Dom breaks open the truth of the Mass with fire, clarity, and conviction. He reminds us that the Eucharist is heaven on earth, the most powerful prayer, and absolutely necessary for salvation.If you have ever drifted through Mass without purpose or conviction, this episode will shake you awake. Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, Church Fathers, and Sacred Scripture, Fr. Dom calls men to approach the altar with humility, reverence, and hunger for the living God. He challenges every man to return to Mass not as a spectator but as a soldier stepping onto the battlefield of Calvary.You will learn:Why the Mass is the same sacrifice as Jesus’ death on the Cross—offered in a sacramental, unbloody way.How venial sins can be forgiven in the Mass and when to call them to mind.Why the Third Commandment (“Keep holy the Sabbath”) is the most broken commandment today—and how to fix it.How to prepare properly for Mass: through repentance, reading Scripture, and interior silence.What the saints taught about the unfathomable value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.Why humility, not pride, makes our prayers powerful and pleasing to God.Fr. Dom reminds us: “If the Mass were man-made, we’d be fools to be here. But it’s not. It’s a gift from the Father who loves us.”The Challenge: This week, go to daily Mass at least once. Prepare before you enter. Read the readings. Call to mind your sins. Offer your week, your struggles, and your family at the Offertory. Listen intently to the prayers of the priest. Then receive the Eucharist with devotion and gratitude. This is your lifeline. This is your weapon.Three Powerful Quotes from the Homily:“The celebration of Holy Mass has the same value as the death of Jesus on the Cross.” — St. Thomas Aquinas“If we knew the value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how much greater effort we would put forth to attend it.” — St. John Vianney“The Mass is where heaven meets earth. This is the Holy of Holies.” — Fr. Dominic CouturierKey Takeaway for Men: The Mass is not optional—it’s the foundation of a man’s spiritual life and the weapon that protects his soul and family from evil. Every Catholic man must anchor his life around the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where Christ gives Himself completely so that we may have the strength to finish the race and fight the good fight.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep 172 - Ancient Weapons for an Ancient Enemy: Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Dan Schneider
It is time to stop fighting like amateurs and start waging spiritual war like soldiers. In this powerful episode of The Manly Catholic, James sits down with Dr. Dan Schneider, a frequent flier (no pun intended) combat veteran, theologian, and co-author of Spiritual Warfare and Q&A for the Priest and Laity to expose the real strategies of the enemy and the ancient weapons every man must wield to defend his home, his wife, and his children.You’ll learn:How prayer, fasting, and vigils are the “ancient weapons” that defeat an ancient enemy.The true difference between power and authorityHow to protect your homeWhy humility and obedience are the most dangerous weapons against the devil.How Mary, the Queen of Heaven and the Destroyer of All Heresies, terrifies demons by her very presence.Dr. Dan’s message is clear: you are the spiritual head of your household, and the enemy knows it. Stop acting like a passive observer while your family is under attack. Take up your weapons. Impose order. Fast. Pray. Consecrate your home. Engage the battle.The Challenge: This week, every Catholic man must bless his home, pray a perimeter prayer before bed, and consecrate his family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Order begins when the man takes his rightful place as protector and provider.References:Spiritual Warfare & Q&A for the Priest and Laity by Dr. Dan Schneider and Jesse RomeroLiber Christo Method by Dr. Dan SchneiderTrue Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de MontfortTo Raise the Fallen by Fr. Willie DoyleThe Rule by St. Benedict (Referenced in context of authority)Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Oct 22, 2025 • 44min
Ep 171 - The Rosary: Heaven’s Weapon with Shaun McAfee
Men, it’s time to reclaim your weapon. In this episode of The Manly Catholic, James sits down once again with author and lay Dominican Shaun McAfee to discuss his newest children’s book from TAN Books, "Saints and Sacramentals: Saint Dominic and the Rosary" and why the Rosary remains one of the most powerful spiritual weapons in the Church’s arsenal today.Shaun shares the origins of the Rosary, tracing it back to St. Dominic’s battle against heresy in 1208, when Our Lady herself gave him the “battering ram” against the enemy: the Angelic Psalter. He unpacks how this Marian prayer transformed the Church, crushed falsehood, and became the spiritual sword of saints, soldiers, and families for centuries.James and Shaun challenge Catholic men to stop viewing the Rosary as an old lady’s devotion and start wielding it as the weapon for warriors. The discussion dives into why Our Lady chose something so simple yet so profound, how the Rosary defends the home, and why it must be restored to the heart of every Catholic household today.In this episode, you’ll learn:The true story of how St. Dominic received the Rosary from Our Lady.Why the Rosary is still relevant and needed in our modern spiritual war.How parents can introduce prayer and sacramentals to their children without frustration.How to reclaim the Rosary as a weapon for yourself and your family.Challenge for Men: Pick up your Rosary every day this weekProducts/References Mentioned:Saints and Sacramentals: Saint Dominic and the Rosary by Shaun McAfeeCompendium of Sacramentals by Shaun McAfee20 Answers: Relics and SacramentalsArticle: “The Controversial History of the Rosary”Powerful Quotes:“Our Lady called the Rosary the battering ram against the enemy — and that’s exactly what it is.”“Truths don’t stop being true. The Rosary endures because it works — it forms saints.”“The Rosary is a gift. If we treat it like that, our children will learn to cherish it too.”Key Takeaway for Catholic Men: The Rosary is not a relic of the past — it’s your daily weapon of protection, purification, and perseverance. Pray it, teach it, and defend your home with it.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep 170 - From Death to Life: The Miracle and Mission of Paul Zucarelli
What happens when a man literally dies and comes face to face with God? In this gripping episode of The Manly Catholic, James sits down with Paul Zucarelli, a former businessman who flatlined eight times, died for over two hours, and was miraculously brought back to life through intercessory prayer by Bishop Thomas Olmsted. Paul’s story isn’t just a testimony but a wake-up call for every Catholic man asleep in the comfort of lukewarm faith.Paul shares how his “successful” life hid a spiritual bankruptcy that nearly cost him his soul. But God’s mercy broke through. After his near-death encounter with the Divine Light, Paul saw his life laid bare before God and was given a mission: to call men back to true faith, hope, and conversion of heart.This episode isn’t for the passive. It’s for men ready to confront the idols in their lives—the pride of self-sufficiency, the worship of comfort, the false security of worldly success—and return to the Cross.James and Paul discuss:Paul’s miraculous resurrection through the power of intercessory prayerThe spiritual danger of living a “half-hearted faith” Jesus calls lukewarmWhy Catholic men must prepare not for “earthly retirement,” but for eternal lifeThe battle between self-will and surrender to God’s willThe critical role of priests, bishops, and the sacraments in spiritual warfareHow faith, hope, and charity must be lived, not merely professedPaul’s testimony proves God’s miracles are alive in His Church and that faith can literally raise the dead. The question is, are you living as if you believe that?Products/References in the Episode:The Manly Catholic Episode 136 (Paul’s first interview)Into the Breach by Bishop Thomas J. OlmstedPrayer of Abandonment by St. Charles de FoucauldFaithUnderstood.orgPowerful Quotes from the Episode:“I spent my life building an earthly retirement plan while ignoring my eternal one.”“A half-hearted faith is nauseating to Christ. He will spit you out of His mouth.”“Hope is in the will. You must choose to hope in Christ, every single day.”Key Takeaway for Men: Die to self. Stop living as if this world is your home. Commit 100% to Christ. Anything less is spiritual suicide.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Oct 8, 2025 • 57min
Ep 169 - Silence, Strength, and Sacrifice: The Call of a Catholic Warrior
Father Dominic Couturin, a dedicated Catholic priest and founder of Harmel Academy of the Trades, dives into the essential disciplines of spiritual life. He discusses the importance of silent retreats, fasting, and physical discipline as pathways to spiritual growth. Father Dominic shares insights on the beauty of the Latin Mass, the meaning behind vestments, and the intense journey of the priesthood. He encourages men to embrace their roles as warriors for souls and emphasizes the necessity of prayer and support from the laity for priests.

Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ep 168 - Warriors for Christ: Pope Leo XIV, Spiritual Combat, and the Battle for the Mass
Catholic men, we’re at war—and this episode is a rallying cry. Fr. Dominic joins me as we dive deep into the election of Pope Leo XIV, what his papacy means for the Church, and how men must rise as warriors in the spiritual battle of our time.We discuss the symbolism of Pope Leo taking his name in continuity with the great Leo XIII, the Rosary Pope who gave us the St. Michael Prayer. We look at the promise of strong leadership, the dangers of confusion in the Church, and what it means for men who want to fight for holiness in their homes.This isn’t just about papal history—it’s about how you as a husband, father, or single man must embrace discipline, prayer, fasting, and leadership in your vocation. Fr. Dom challenges every man listening: if you want to be a warrior for Christ, it starts in the daily grind of loving your wife, leading your family in prayer, working with integrity, and refusing to let Satan through the front door of your home.We also go into the liturgical battles surrounding the Mass—Novus Ordo vs. the Extraordinary Form, the loss of silence, the confusion over extraordinary ministers, and how Pope Leo XIV might restore clarity. Men, this is not a passive conversation. It’s a call to arms.Challenge from this episode:Stop chasing spiritual “special forces” experiences and embrace the ordinary duties of your vocation with the heart of a warrior. Pray with your wife. Lead your children. Guard your home. That is the frontline of the battle.Products/References Mentioned:EWTN (coverage of the conclave)【6:Jimmy】Harmel Academy of the Trades (founded on Leo XIII’s Catholic social teaching)Mass of the Ages (documentary series on the Latin Mass)Books/Encyclicals referenced: Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII), Amoris Laetitia, Fiducia Supplicans3 Powerful Quotes from the Episode:“It’s ingrained in our DNA as men to guard, defend, and protect. Satan doesn’t want you to know that. He wants you effeminate.” – Fr. Dom“The warrior in you is going to have to embrace the things you don’t want to do—loving your wife the way she desires to be loved, disciplining your children, staying cool under pressure.” – Fr. Dom“Don’t be afraid to fail. As long as you’re grounded in your faith, every failure becomes an opportunity for growth.” – JamesKey Takeaway for Men:Being a warrior for Christ doesn’t begin with grand gestures—it begins with the daily, often hidden, acts of faithfulness in your vocation.Do you want me to also condense this into a shorter YouTube description version (SEO-friendly but tighter), like we did for past episodes?Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Sep 24, 2025 • 49min
Ep 167 - Eucharistic Visions of St. Francis of Rome with Fr. Robert Nixon
Most men today go through the motions of their faith without reverence, without preparation, and without fire. In this episode of The Manly Catholic, I sit down with Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB. He is a monk, translator, and retreat master of the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity in New Norcia, Western Australia and he is here to confront that complacency head-on.We dive into his newest translation from Sophia Institute Press: The Eucharistic Visions of St. Francis of Rome. St. Francis of Rome was a wife, mother, and mystic who experienced profound visions after receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist. She shows us what it looks like to carry piety and devotion into marriage and family life without compromise. Her life is a direct challenge to modern Catholic men: prepare yourself, receive the Eucharist with reverence, and recognize who it is you are receiving.Fr. Nixon brings these mystical visions to life, featuring fountains of living water, flames of divine love, angelic guidance, and even demonic attacks. They remind us that the spiritual life is not a hobby but a battle. If St. Francis of Rome, a married woman in 14th-century Rome, could fight this battle faithfully, so can you.This episode will stretch you, confront you, and call you to action. Are you preparing to receive Our Lord, or are you treating Him casually? The Eucharist is not symbolic. It is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. If you are going to Mass without reverence, without confession, without preparation, you are asleep in the battle. Wake up.Products and References Mentioned:Eucharistic Visions of St. Francis of Rome – Sophia Institute Press New Norcia AbbeyPowerful Quotes from this Episode:“We should never allow ourselves to have the Blessed Sacrament as something which we just take for granted.” – Fr. Robert Nixon“God has this mysterious way of making up for whatever we give. People who are generous do not send themselves into ruin—He provides.” – Fr. Robert Nixon“The important thing is persistence. As men, we strengthen our faith by supporting others in theirs.” – Fr. Robert NixonKey Takeaway for Catholic Men:Prepare yourself before receiving the Eucharist. Do not approach casually. Confess your sins, fast, and come with reverence. Recognize Who you are receiving.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 14min
Ep 166 - Get in the Arena - Jonathan Kuplak on Fighting Comfort, Choosing the Cross, and Becoming Saints
Men, we are losing the battle because too many of us are sitting on the sidelines. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jonathan Kuplak, co-founder of Sebaste, to talk about fighting back, breaking free from mediocrity, and choosing the cross in our daily lives. From running 214-mile endurance races to leading life-changing summer intensives for young men, he embodies what it means to get in the arena and stay there, even when you get knocked down.Sebaste is raising up a generation of Catholic men who refuse comfort, refuse passivity, and refuse to be sedated by the world. Instead, they are choosing discipline, brotherhood, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of sanctity.The challenge I issue in this episode is simple and direct: stop making excuses, get up, and get back in the fight. Whether that means eliminating one obstacle holding you back, committing to daily prayer, or training your body to match the strength of your soul—your time is now.Be sure to help Johnny by sponsoring a mile for his upcoming MAMMOTH run!We dive into:Why men must reclaim discipline and physical training as spiritual warfare.The mission of Sebaste and why it’s transforming young men across the country.The reality of spiritual combat and the need to “choose the cross.”Why men must take quitting off the table and recommit every single day.Products & References Mentioned:Sebaste (organization & summer intensive)“Choose the Cross” movement on Sebaste.orgThe Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter3 Powerful Quotes from the Episode:“I want to be a man that never stops coming, that’s always getting back in the arena, always getting in the ring. Even if you’re getting blasted, you can always get up and go one more round.”“You were born into a battle. Whether you like it or not, you’re in it. The only question is—will you engage or will you sit on the couch and have another Twinkie?”“Most men don’t even have skin in the game of their own salvation. But when you commit, everything changes. Life is an endurance test—and we’re called to run it to become saints.”Key Takeaway for Men: Remove one obstacle from your life that is holding you back from Christ, and replace it with one physical discipline and one spiritual discipline—then refuse to quit.Brothers, the bar for men today is on the floor. It’s time to raise it. Get in the arena, take up your cross, and start fighting like your soul depends on it—because it does.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Sep 19, 2025 • 20min
Fr. Dom's Homs - The Cross: The Key That Unlocks Heaven and Destroys Satan’s Kingdom
The Cross is not a symbol. It is a weapon. It is the key that unlocked Heaven, crushed Satan’s kingdom, and stands as the central reality of our Catholic faith. In this homily, Fr. Dom dives deep into the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the power of relics, and the meaning of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.Fr. Dom begins with something extraordinary: a documented relic of the True Cross. Not just a piece of history, but a Eucharistic relic, tied directly to the mystery of Christ’s Body and Blood. Men, this is not something to treat lightly. As Catholics, we are called to kneel, reverence, and recognize that even the smallest fragment of the Cross carries with it the full power of Christ’s victory.From there, we move into the heart of the liturgy. The Mass is not a community gathering. It is not about us. It is the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. Every altar, every crucifix, every movement of the priest points us back to this truth: the Mass is the Cross made present again in an unbloody way. If you want to know your faith, if you're going to grow as a Catholic man, you must learn the Mass.You will hear how the Old Testament foreshadows the Cross: the bronze serpent lifted in the desert, a sign of healing and freedom for those who look upon it. Just as the Israelites were saved from death by turning to the serpent on the pole, we are saved by looking upon Christ crucified. But to look upon Him requires something of us: repentance, confession, and obedience to the Church He founded.The challenge issued in this episode is simple yet piercing: stop treating the Mass as an obligation and start treating it as the greatest privilege of your life. If you truly knew what was happening, you would run to it. The Cross demands your reverence, your attention, and your sacrifice.Brothers, stop living like Mass is boring. The question is not whether the Mass is alive. The question is whether you are dead inside. Bring your struggles, your marriage, your children, your work, your sin, your hopes—all of it—to the altar. Lay it down. Unite it to the sacrifice of Christ. That is the only way to be the man God has called you to be.3 Powerful Quotes“The key that has unlocked heaven, the weapon that has destroyed Satan’s kingdom, the very piece of wood which God’s body hung from because He loves us so much.”“The Mass is a re-presentation of the one-time sacrifice of Christ on Calvary in an unbloody, sacramental way.”“Stop asking if the Mass is boring. Ask yourself—what are you putting into it?”#SpiritualWarfare#CatholicMen#MassIsEverything#TrueCross#DefendTheFaith#SaintMichael#ArmorOfGodSend us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Sep 18, 2025 • 16min
Charlie Kirk: A Martyr’s Call to Courage for Christian Men
Brothers, this episode of The Manly Catholic is unlike any other. I come to you with a heavy heart, grieving the assassination of Charlie Kirk: a husband, a father, and a fearless warrior for truth. This isn’t just about the death of a public figure. It’s about the loss of a brother in Christ, a man who stood boldly in a culture that mocks our faith and hates everything we stand for as Catholic men.Why does this tragedy cut so deeply? Because we see ourselves in Charlie. We saw in him the courage we wish we had when the world presses in. He didn’t whisper his convictions. He proclaimed them from stages, debates, and airwaves. And he did it with both conviction and charity.Charlie Kirk was gunned down in cold blood. Let’s not hide from the truth: this was evil, this was diabolical, and it is proof that spiritual warfare is no longer lurking in the shadows but it is right in front of us. The gloves are off. The enemy has revealed himself. The question is, what will you do about it?As Catholic men, we are called to rise. To protect. To lead. To fight for truth and defend the defenseless. Charlie showed us what fearless faith looks like. Now it’s our turn. His light must not go out. It burns in us now.This is my tribute to Charlie Kirk, but it is more than that, it is a challenge. A challenge to stop being silent. A challenge to take up your cross. A challenge to be the kind of man God has called you to be.Products/References Mentioned:Turning Point USA (founded by Charlie Kirk)Scripture: John 15:183 Powerful Quotes from the Episode“Charlie showed us what fearless faith looks like in action. And now I’m calling on all of us: what are we going to do about it?”“Men, there is a deep calling in our hearts to be that man who says, ‘Get behind me. I will defend you.’ That is our God-given duty.”“This is not just politics. This is spiritual warfare. You cannot celebrate someone’s murder unless you are in the deep, dark clutches of Satan.”Key Takeaway for MenStop being silent. Pray harder, live boldly, and defend the truth without compromise. Silence in the face of evil is no longer an option.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com


