Ave Spotlight

By Ave Maria PressSociety & Culture News Religion & Spirituality News Commentary

Ave Spotlight episodes

October 27Episode 202: Church Communication with Intentionality feat. Justin Dery
Oscar welcomes Justin Dery, founder of Dery Music and Media to explore the growing tension between artificial intelligence and human creativity in church communications. Together they broach the question, are we sacrificing intentionality for efficiency when using Ai in church communications? This conversation challenges Catholics to embrace technology without surrendering the very gifts that make us human. After all, being made in the image of a Creator means we were created to create.
Three Takeaways:
Efficiency doesn't equal intentionality.
AI should assist, not replace.
We were created to create.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Learn More about Dery Music & Media
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42 min
October 12Episode 201: Blessed Fulton Sheen’s Lasting Impact feat. Katie McGrady
Oscar welcomes Catholic speaker, author, and radio host Katie McGrady back to Ave Spotlight for a conversation about the legacy of Blessed Fulton Sheen and the power of media to proclaim the Gospel. Fresh off receiving the inaugural Sheen Award for Impact in Radio and Podcasting, Katie reflects on the importance of using our platforms for something greater than recognition. Together, they explore Sheen’s groundbreaking television ministry and his remarkable gift for communicating timeless truths with clarity, boldness, humor, and a profound understanding of the Church’s mission. From the missionary creativity of the 1950s to today’s world of podcasts, social media, and algorithms, this episode asks a challenging question: If we have more ways than ever to share Jesus with the world, what are we doing with that gift?
Three Takeaways:
The platform is a tool, not the prize. Fulton Sheen understood that the value of media wasn’t found in awards or recognition, but in its ability to communicate Christ and his Church to the world.
The Church is bigger than what we see. The veneration of relics and the communion of saints remind us that we belong to one Body of Christ, united across generations and throughout the world.
Every generation has a missionary opportunity. From television and radio to podcasts and social media, the challenge remains the same: use the tools of our time to bring people closer to Jesus.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
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40 min
September 28Episode 200: From MTV to Ministry with Joe Melendrez
Oscar sits down with Catholic hip-hop artist and evangelist Joe Melendrez for a conversation about identity, creativity, and what happens when an encounter with God redirects your entire life. From appearing on MTV as a teenager to encountering the Holy Spirit at a teen A.C.T.S. retreat, Joe shares how he discovered that his gifts for music, dancing, and performance weren’t meant to build up the world but to glorify God. We explore why Catholic artist should pursue excellence, not because we are perfect but because our God is so perfect.
Three takeaways:
Encounter with Jesus changes our direction in life.
Creativity is part of evangelization
Your gifts are your mission.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Learn More About Joe Melendrez
Check out Joe's Merch
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32 min
September 16Episode 199: From Consumer to Contributor feat. Lauren Gothard
Oscar sits down with Lauren Gothard to discuss how to navigate major transitions without retreating into what feels comfortable. Starting with an insightful takeaway from Spider-Man, they explore what happens when life shifts and we are challenged to embrace who we are becoming rather than clinging to who we’ve been.
Lauren and Oscar dive into the difference between being a consumer of faith and an active contributor to the Gospel. Lauren shares practical insights on overcoming the fear of sharing our faith, getting past the mental blocks that quiet the Holy Spirit, and recognizing that goodness is meant to be shared with those around us. She reminds us that God meets us as a healer in our brokenness so that we can step out in courage.
Whether you’re heading to college, entering a new season, trying to deepen your faith, or just wondering whether God is real, this episode offers a simple challenge: give God an opportunity to lead you somewhere new.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
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Follow Lauren on Instagram
47 min
September 01Episode 198: Going to College, Growing in Holiness with Meg Hunter-Kilmer
On this episode of Ave Spotlight, Meg Hunter-Kilmer talks about staying rooted in Christ during one of life’s biggest transitions: college. Meg challenges the idea that holiness requires having everything figured out—sharing stories of imperfect saints whose lives reveal a God who meets us exactly where we are and calls us forward.
For college students navigating new freedom, relationships, busy schedules, and questions of identity, Meg offers a refreshingly practical path to holiness. Holiness isn’t about becoming someone else; it’s about allowing God to transform the person he already created you to become.
Three Takeaways:
Get into scripture. Make time to read, pray with, and reflect on God’s word.
Make space for silence. Silence creates room to hear God’s voice and recognize his presence.
Embrace the sacramental life. The sacraments give us the grace and strength we need to grow in holiness.
Links:
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
Learn More About Meg Hunter-Kilmer
43 min
August 18Episode 197: Step Up to the Plate feat. Fr. John Garabedian
Fr. John Garabedian, associate director of vocations for the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, talks with Oscar about baseball, priesthood, creativity, and learning to trust God’s call. A former college baseball player and graphic designer, Fr. John reflects on how the highs and lows of athletics taught him to keep success and failure in perspective, and how these lessons transfer to the spiritual life. He also shares his journey from recognizing a possible call to priesthood, and eventually surrendering to the vocation God had been placing on his heart all along.
Three takeaways:
Use the tools without losing the human touch.
Your identity is bigger than your performance.
God’s call requires a response.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
Get 10% off your next order at Ave Maria Press!
— Use AVESPOTLIGHT at checkout.
38 min
August 05Episode 196: What Are We Holding On To with Tom Corcoran
I sit down with Tom Corcoran, co-founder and president of Rebuilt Parish, to explore one of the most challenging encounters in the Gospels: Jesus and the Rich Young Man. Drawing from his new book, Tom unpacks why this story continues to speak to every Christian wrestling with the tension of happiness. Together, we discuss how Jesus always begins with love before inviting us to the cross.
Three Takeaways:
Jesus loves us before He challenges us. Every invitation to sacrifice begins with an encounter rooted in His love and desire for our happiness.
Idols take many forms. Wealth, status, comfort, family, entertainment, and even good things can become obstacles when they take God's rightful place.
Mission begins with surrender. Personal conversion and parish renewal both start by letting go of what keeps us from fully following Christ.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Learn More About Rebuilt Parish
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
31 min
July 20Episode 195: Beyond the Church Walls with Andy Churray
Oscar welcomes Andy Churray, president of Vagabond Missions, to Ave Spotlight for a conversation about what it means to live on mission. Andy shares how Vagabond Missions brings the Gospel to inner-city neighborhoods by reaching young people who are often overlooked by traditional ministry. Rooted in Jesus' words that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head," their mission isn't built on flashy programs but on a simple philosophy: make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ. Through stories of authentic relationships, Andy reminds listeners that evangelization begins not with projects or programs, but with presence, grace, and the courage to go where others will not.
Three Takeaways:
Mission begins with relationships. The Gospel spreads most powerfully through authentic friendships, not elaborate strategies.
Create margin for people. Like Jesus, we must slow down enough to truly see, know, and accompany those around us.
Grace comes before the checklist. Lasting evangelization isn't about completing tasks—it's about allowing Christ's love to overflow into the lives of others.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
Learn more about Vagabond Missions
46 min
June 22Episode 194: Beyond the Scoreboard feat. Santonio Hill
Oscar welcomes Santonio Hill for a conversation that bridges the worlds of sports, faith, and discipleship. Together, we explore why people passionately identify with teams, wear their colors, defend their loyalty, and find community through sports. But what might happen if that same energy were directed toward a relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church?
Drawing from the examples of elite athletes, Santonio challenges listeners to embrace the discipline, sacrifice, and consistency required for spiritual growth. Through his personal conversion story in Eucharistic Adoration, he reveals how falling in love with God transformed his life and gave him a mission greater than himself.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
Follow Santonio Hill on Instagram
35 min
June 09Episode 193: Humanity in the Age of AI with Paul Blanchard
Oscar sat down with Paul Blanchard, director of social media outreach and IT specialist for the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, to explore one of the most important questions facing the Church today: How do we embrace technology without losing our humanity? Drawing from Pope Leo XIV recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Paul shares insights from the front lines of digital evangelization, where technology serves the mission of making disciples rather than replacing relationships. Together we discuss AI companions, social media, human dignity, and the Church’s responsibility to provide moral guidance in a rapidly changing world. Through it all, Paul reminds listeners that the goal of technology should not be efficiency alone, but deeper communion with God and one another.
Three Takeaways:
Technology should serve relationships, not replace them.
Human dignity must remain at the center of AI development.
Evangelization is ultimately personal.
We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!
Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)
Links:
Get 10% off your next order at Ave Maria Press!
— Use AVESPOTLIGHT at checkout.
Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
55 min

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Want to hear more about life from a Catholic perspective? Listen to host Oscar Rivera as he talks with special guests about culture, current events, and all things Catholic. You’ll walk away with a…