Ave Spotlight

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:

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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.

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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.

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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:

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On this episode, Oscar sits down with Helena Heffernan of Life Teen International to explore the often challenging journey of discernment. Helena shares how prayer, silence, and honest self-awareness helped her recognize where her gifts could truly flourish. Their conversation is a powerful reminder that vocation is not about forcing a path forward, but faithfully responding to where God is genuinely calling you.

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In this episode, my wife, Pamela Rivera, joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how motherhood changes when our prayer life and interior life begin to deepen. Pam encourages listeners to embrace humility, rediscover the beauty of silence, and make space for the Lord to speak in the quiet moments of Adoration. Sometimes what our souls need most is less noise and more time in God’s presence.

In this conversation, we explore:

Plus, I sit down with my own mother to ask one simple question: “What was I like as a kid?”

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