The Cordial Catholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my good friend Robert LeBlanc, co-host of the Pints and Pews Podcast, author, and speaker – and a guy who was born in the same hometown as me! Our conversation this week revolves around that idea: what it's like to be grow up Catholic (for Robert) and Evangelical (for me) in the same small-ish town. Robert shares some incredible stories of his own upbringing from how he inherited and experience the faith of his parents, his peers, and the Catholic Church of his time. I share some of my own thoughts and impressions of the Catholics I knew and experienced and my perspective on Catholicism as an Evangelical – a convert to the faith at age 15. I had this idea for a conversation like this ever since Robert invited me on his podcast and we realized that we both grew up in the same small-ish town. I had no idea how the conversation would go but, as it turns out, it was amazing. I hope you enjoy it. For more from Robert check out the Pints and Pews podcast everywhere podcasts are found and check out his books from Justin Press.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the one and only Melissa Presser to talk about her amazing journey into Catholicism. Raised culturally Jewish, Melissa had an incredible encounter with God which led her to become a devout practitioner of her Jewish faith. Through trauma and abuse Melissa continued to practice and deepen her faith eventually being led by the Holy Spirit into Protestant Christianity and, through some incredible encounters (including St. Edith Stein!), finally home into the Catholic Church. Melissa's journey is great and she's a wonderful storyteller. To find out more about Melissa and her work check out her website and make sure to read her work over on Missio Dei as well.Melissa also asked to include these additional thoughts in our show notes.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this REPLAY episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the incredible Father Mauro Gagliardi, STD, Catholic theologian, to talk about Mary. Fr. Gagliardi is the author of an enormous 1,000 page book on Catholic Dogmatic Theology and, within the context of this massive work, we're talking about his chapter on Mary. It's an absolutely fascinating discussion. We talk about Mary's role in salvation history, the importance of her "yes" to God, her role as Mother of God, and the various Marian dogmas like the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. It's a great talk to help underscore exactly why Catholics make such a big deal about Mary – and her role in the Catholic Church today, which is always pointing back to Christ. For more from Fr. Gagliardi, check out his incredible book Truth is a Synthesis: Catholic Dogmatic Theology from Emmaus Academic.For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our weekly newsletter for my reflections on each episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests! To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this special episode of the show, I tell the story of the one question – asked by a pastor I was working for – that began my journey into Catholicism. For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our weekly newsletter for my reflections on each episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests! To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this REPLAY episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic convert Kenny Burchard. Kenny spent 33 years as an Charismatic, Evangelical Christian, more than twenty of those in full-time ministry, including planting and pastoring churches, before becoming Catholic in dramatic fashion! In this fantastic discussion we unpack the call Kenny heard to become Catholic, what drew him in, and what questions he had about the Bible, authority, and the nature of the Church even before he decided to attend his first Catholic Mass. This is a great conversation not only for those considering Catholicism but for those, like Kenny and his family, who honestly and earnestly are seeking after the leading of God's spirit – and are willing to follow no matter what it means, or where He leads. For more from Kenny Burchard visit his website. Also be sure to check him out at ThinkTheology.org and you can watch a short video of his conversion story on YouTube.For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our weekly newsletter for my reflections on each episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests! To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this special episode of The Cordial Catholic, I share a bit about our journey relying on God, trusting Him to go before us, and the miracles that followed as we bought a house.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by creative artist, musician, television host Benjamin Wolaver to talk about his journey into the Catholic faith – and the journey of his entire family band! Wolaver, who plays Benjamin Cello on the incredible television program The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello, converted to the Catholic faith alongside his parents and siblings – all members of the incredible Annie Moses Band! What happens when an entire family band converts to Catholicism? It's an incredible story told by a wonderful story teller. To see Benjamin's television work visit The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello. Check out the Annie Moses Band for music, touring schedule, and more at their website.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by former Anglican priest and Catholic convert John Bacon to talk about his conversion story – and it's an incredible one!Ordained a priest in the Anglican Church in North America, John tells his story of encountering Catholicism through the Liturgy, the Early Church Fathers, Mary's role in exorcisms (which he encountered as a police chaplain!), and even a relationship which he struck up with another famous convert Dr. David Anders at a Jewish gym where John worked during seminary.John's story is all about what it means to give up so much to follow Christ where he leads, bumps and all along the way, but living for the journey. I'm telling you... this journey is amazing! Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined once again by world renown Early Church expert and author (and one of my favourite guests) Mike Aquilina. On this episode, Mike joins us to talk about how the Early Church read, understood, and used the Scriptures. What does it mean that the primary place of Scripture was in the Liturgy? What's more important Scripture or Tradition? Could all Christians afford Bibles? Could all Christians read? What do we know about which books were accepted and which weren't and the formation of the Canon of Scripture. These questions, and many more, as Mike takes us way back into the early days of Christianity to help us understand how they did (and we should!) read our Bibles and understand it's place in the context of our faith.For more from Mike check out his book How the Fathers Read the Bible: Scripture, Liturgy, and the Early Church.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the incredible, world-renown theologian Dr. Margaret Turek to provide the Catholic case for the atonement. And, boy, is it ever incredible!Dr. Turek lays out in beautiful depth and poetry, the whole of salvation history. Why Jesus had to come, die, and rise from the dead. Why Jesus had to die the way He did. What was the Father's role in "abandoning" Christ on the cross? And what do Catholics believe about it all. This episode is, simply put, the very best case for how the Catholic Church understands atonement as you'll ever find – I'm sure of it! If you have questions about what Catholics believe about the crucifixion, Easter, the Passion of Christ, Good Friday, satisfaction, justification, sanctification, or grace ... this is the episode for you!For more from Dr. Margaret Turek check out her book from Ignatius Press, Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic