Are you interested in spiritual direction but not sure how to get started? 

Join us this week as Chenele talks with Vinita Hampton Wright about the difference between spiritual direction and therapy, why it is valuable to one's faith journey, and how to find a spiritual director. Wright also introduces us to her new book, Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church. 

Links:

• Check Out Our Sponsor, Sock Religious
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Do you wish your work culture reflected the values of your Catholic faith?

Join Chenele Shaw and John Cannon, founder of SENT Ventures—an organization that supports and mentors Catholic entrepreneurs— as they discuss how change in the workplace begins with one person who wants to grow in holiness. Cannon encourages those he mentors—and you—to be more intentional about scheduling time for prayer, Mass, community involvement, rest, and other practices that will allow God to work through you.

Links:

• This podcast is sponsored Sock Religious
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

What do a priest, baseball, and the beatitudes have in common?

Join Chenele Shaw this week as she talks with popular YouTuber Fr. Casey Cole, OFM, about social media, the priesthood, and this summer's Bleacher Brothers tour. He will visit all thirty MLB parks in eleven weeks with his friend Fr. Roberto "Tito" Serrano, OFM, to share the good news.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Check out our sponsor Sock Religious
• Learn More about Fr. Casey Cole, OFM

We only have a few firsts in life, but we have many new beginnings. Do you embrace a fresh start as an exciting opportunity or do you mourn what you left behind?

In this week's episode, Chenele Shaw and Joel Stepanek discuss how to meet new beginnings with grace and as moments to encounter Jesus Christ. Stepanek—vice president of parish services at Life Teen—also offers practical strategies for beginning well that will help you joyfully grow as a Christian.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Learn More about Joel Stepanek

The Very Reverend Mark Morozowich joins Katie Prejean McGrady and Chenele Shaw, in a special crossover episode of Ave Explores and Ave Spotlight, to discuss the war in Ukraine and provide historical and spiritual context to the conflict, tell the stories of resilient and holy Ukrainian Catholics, and offer insights into how to pray and fast for peace.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Fr. Mark Morozowich on Twitter

In this episode, Fr. Michael White of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, talks with Chenele about how fully engaging in Holy Week services, the Triduum, and the Easter season can be a powerful source of renewal.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Learn More about Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland

How can God allow horrible things to happen? In this episode, Chenele talks with Tom Corcoran, coauthor of _Seriously God?, about evil and navigating the challenges of life. Corcoran says that difficulties are actually opportunities to rely on the Lord, learn more about him, and deepen our relationship with him.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Learn More about Seriously, God? by Tom Corcoran and Fr. Michael White

Therapist Regina Boyd joins Chenele this week to talk about Lenten promises, scrupulosity, and not being too hard on yourself.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Follow Regina Boyd on Instagram

This week Chenele talks with Santonio Hill about how Vagabond Missions evangelizes to communities on the peripheries. Also, find out how you can answer the call to serve with your unique gifts.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Learn More about Vagabond Missions

Have you ever wondered what a scapular is and why Catholics wear one? Chenele talks with Steve Kerekes, founder of scapulars.com, about how he came to love the devotion of wearing scapulars and how it has changed his life.

Links:

• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Follow Chenele Shaw on Instagram
• Learn More about scapulars.com