Detroit Stories

By Detroit Catholic

Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

What's Detroit Stories about?

Welcome to Detroit Stories — a bi-weekly podcast on a mission to boldly share the stories of the people and communities in southeast Michigan.

These are the stories that fascinate us and inspire us — they are the stories that we think everyone should know.

Tune in every other Friday for Detroit-centric interviews and timely, inspirational topics. Brought to you by Detroit Catholic.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Detroit Stories episodes:

06.26.2024
When a Catholic Couple Faces Infertility
In a Church that celebrates big families, infertility can be an isolating cross; how married couples found beauty in God's plan (0:02) Ann Koshute discusses the vision she and her husband had of having children after they were married. Like...
06.12.2024
What Missionaries Bring Home
Three missionary priests draw parallels between the work of the Gospel in far-off lands and the new evangelization in Detroit (0:04) Fr. Stephen Mutie, SAC, a priest currently serving in Wyandotte, reflects on his first missionary assignment with the Irish...
05.29.2024
Life in the Cloister
In a world filled with hustle and bustle, two cloistered nuns pull back the curtain on their life of prayer, silence and peace (0:01) Mother Mary Therese of the Holy Spirit, prioress of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery...
05.01.2024
Young, Catholic and Living in the City
Young adult ministry isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; how Detroit parishes, ministries find success with elusive demographic (0:03) Czeena Kate, co-founder of the Catholic dating ministry Hot and Holy Hearts on Fire for Christ, talks about how the idea for the...
04.17.2024
Msgr. Trapp's Legacy
Parishioners, seminarians and friends recall impact of Detroit pastor, longtime spiritual director who left mark on generations (0:02) Rose Marshall, a lifelong parishioner and social media coordinator at St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish in Detroit, recalls a drive-through the...
04.03.2024
The ‘Wild West’ of College Sports Recruiting
Student-athletes, coaches and ADs offer advice for navigating a complex process amidst a changing landscape for recruits (0:02) Sonny Wilson, a freshman on the University of Toledo’s basketball team, reflects on his recruitment in high school as a standout on...
03.20.2024
What Seminary Life is Really Like
Thinking about the priesthood and nervous about the next steps? Three priests dispel myths about what it's really like in seminary (0:05) Fr. Jeremy Schupbach, 27, a newly ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit serving at the Church of...
03.06.2024
Team Rubicon
How a ragtag band of volunteers launched a global disaster relief organization after Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010 (0:04) Kelly Anne Ruda, a retired travel agent and teacher, unexpectedly becomes a valuable member of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit assisting...
02.21.2024
The Katarina Effect
How a youth minister with an unyielding generosity and love for God continues to make an impact five years after her death (0:05) The narrator introduces the listening audience to Katarina Goitz, a bright, compassionate youth minister with a big...
02.07.2024
Stewards of God’s Creation
Local Catholics are taking Pope Francis' climate concerns to heart, becoming a force for ecological change in their communities (0:02) Jane Linehan, director of religious studies and philosophy at Madonna University in Livonia, talks about the Franciscan values of sustainability...
01.24.2024
The Church and Artificial Intelligence
Does AI present a threat to humanity? Can it improve lives? And what can the Church say about it? Two Catholic experts discuss (0:03) The narrator recalls a media firestorm last year involving an AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing...
01.10.2024
Surviving College as a Catholic
In a space dominated by 'nones' and secular ideology, Catholic college students talk about how faith can thrive on campus (0:03) Fr. Ben Hass, pastor of St. Albert Student Parish at Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula, describes the...
12.21.2023
The Best of 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we share our favorite stories that didn't make the podcast — but we still think you should hear (0:02) The narrator opens the podcast with a brief summary of Detroit Stories’ podcast episodes over...
12.13.2023
Why God’s House is Building Homes
All across the city of Detroit, Catholic organizations are turning vacant land and buildings into vibrant, affordable housing (0:02) Lynne Williams of Detroit talks about how she and her husband, both recovering from addiction, found an apartment in Detroit with...
11.29.2023
Irving Houle: The U.P.’s Saintly Everyman
Why a humble factory worker, grandfather, healer and prayerful man of God from Escanaba could be Michigan's next saint (0:06) Deacon Terry Saunders tells the story of a frantic mother who took her cancer-stricken son to see a man known...
11.08.2023
Serving Those Who Serve
Navy and Marine Corps veterans discuss the indispensable role of their chaplain — and why priests are so desperately needed in the military (0:03) Canton native Deacon Matthew Kurt, a seminarian studying for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary,...
10.25.2023
Do Catholics Believe in Ghosts?
A priest and theologian explain how Catholics understand the supernatural, and where modern 'ghost stories' might fit in Show notes: (0:04) The narrator describes a mysterious event that’s alleged to have taken place in the 1960s at a parish on...
10.11.2023
Alternatives For Girls
In the 1980s, a group of concerned Detroiters set out to help exploited women; today, their program is a blueprint for the nation Show notes: (0:11) The narrator sets the scene of Detroit in the 1980s, when disturbing trends across...
09.27.2023
Healing Arts of the Little Flower
Omar Binno's struggle with blindness and depression nearly led him to despair; today, he helps others see with the eyes of faith Show notes: (0:01) Omar Binno, a parishioner at Holy Cross Chaldean Church in Farmington Hills, discusses his love...
09.14.2023
Selah's Center of Hope
Monroe-based maternity home a haven for mothers struggling with homelessness, paving the way for a future filled with hope Show notes: (0:06) Cassandra, a new mother from Arizona, describes struggling with homelessness and domestic violence while juggling the responsibilities that...
07.19.2023
Cultivating Soil, Cultivating Souls
Since 1998, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Earthworks Urban Farm has been an oasis in the midst of Detroit's food desert Show notes: (0:06) The narrator talks about the history of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks Urban Farm, which was started...
07.05.2023
An Ancient Olive Branch
Scholar discusses journey from Messianic Judaism to Catholicism, and how Catholics and Jews can bridge an ancient divide Show notes: (0:04) The narrator sets the scene with André Villeneuve, Ph.D., in Jerusalem with a group of seminarians visiting the tomb...
06.21.2023
Fr. Hollywood: The Rock 'n' Roll Priest
Former students recall legendary record hops of the 1960s, '70s and '80s at Notre Dame High, and their benefactor, Fr. Bryson Show notes: (0:04) The narrator sets the scene of the 1960s, when teenagers looked forward to Friday nights at...
06.06.2023
Me, You and I Do
Rebecca Martin wrote the book on Catholic wedding planning — literally — but her own wedding was far from what she imagined Show notes: (0:03) The narrator introduces Rebecca Martin, a local book editor who co-wrote “The Catholic Wedding Planner,”...
05.24.2023
God Writes Straight With Crooked Lines
Former oil rigger, seminarian, country music DJ, and teacher Bill Richart spent a lifetime chasing his vocation — and finally caught it Show notes: (0:02) The narrator introduces Bill Richart, a local Catholic musician, lay evangelist and charismatic prayer leader....
05.08.2023
A Different Kind of Healing
Each year, thousands of sick and injured people travel to Lourdes, France, seeking a miracle — and receive something far greater Show notes: (0:03) The narrator introduces Kathy Lewis and her husband, Philip, who in 2011 were both struggling...
04.26.2023
The Elders Project
Gesu parishioner Pat Jones is on a mission to capture stories of faith, resiliency and courage from community's senior members Show notes: (0:02) Emmett Moten Jr., a 79-year-old member of Gesu Parish in Detroit, talks about growing up Catholic...
04.12.2023
A Message of Divine Mercy
Spared on her deathbed, Catherine Lanni's visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus inspired a movement of mercy in Detroit Show notes: (0:04) Catherine Lanni recounts a harrowing deathbed experience, during which she received a message from...
03.22.2023
Jenna's Glimpse of Heaven
How an 11-year-old girl's zest for life inspired her family to help children battling cancer find joy, even after she died Show notes: (0:03) Brett Kast and his mother, Paula, describe Brett’s late sister, Jenna, a spirited young girl...
03.08.2023
A Warm Welcome
How a rotating warming shelter is more than a service for Royal Oak's homeless; it's a blessing for guests and volunteers alike (0:02) Laura Mills, a volunteer at the rotating warming shelter at St. Mary Parish in Royal Oak, talks...
02.22.2023
T.M. Doran's Catholic Imagination
Plymouth author's mysterious worlds capture truth, goodness and beauty of God in the mold of Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' (0:01) Tom Doran, known to his fans and readers as mystery novelist T.M. Doran, reads a passage from his most...
02.08.2023
It's A Funny Story
Canton native Shawn Reynolds is the funniest comic east of the Mississippi — but his devotion to God and family is no joke (0:02) Canton native Shawn Reynolds reflects on how a mundane job at a Dunkin Donuts as a...
01.24.2023
Faith and the Cosmos
Detroit native Bro. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory, gazes at the stars and finds God gazing back. (0:03) Jesuit Bro. Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory and a Detroit native, describes growing up during the height...
01.11.2023
Bearded Blevins Streams His Faith
Jonathan Blevins tried video game streaming at his internet star brother's suggestion; now, he evangelizes with it 0:02: Jonathan Blevins, a video game streamer on the popular gaming site Twitch, engages in a discussion about faith with his followers. It’s...
12.14.2022
When 'Father' Is Also 'Son'
Parents of Archdiocese of Detroit priests talk about the joys, challenges and blessings of raising a member of the clergy (0:04) The narrator talks about Catholics’ perspectives about their priests, who can take on a larger-than-life persona and at times...
11.29.2022
Hope of a Generation
When a local teenager noticed his peers weren't returning to Mass after the pandemic, he took matters into his own hands. (0:02) In early 2021, as Catholics slowly began returning to church after the COVID-19 pandemic, 16-year-old AJ Schena made...
11.16.2022
St. Alexander Still Cares
When St. Alexander Parish in Farmington Hills closed in 2014, a former parishioner resolved to carry on its legacy of service. (0:01) Todd Lipa describes growing up at St. Alexander Parish in Farmington Hills. It’s where his large family was...
11.01.2022
Surviving an Eating Disorder
How a 19-year-old college student defeated anorexia with the help of her family, doctors — and a renewed relationship with God. (0:07) The narrator introduces Maureen Cole, a spirited 19-year-old student at Hope College and an avid dancer. Usually sunny,...
10.19.2022
The Meaning of a Holy Death
A chaplain, a funeral home director and a cemeteries leader explore Catholic beliefs and experiences about death and dying. (0:02) Fr. Rich Bartoszek, chaplain and director of spiritual care for Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe, talks about his experience ministering to the...
10.05.2022
Let's Talk About Foster Care
Pulling back the curtain on the foster system, a foster family and case workers explain the joys and challenges of fostering (0:06) Tom and Anne Marie Malysz of St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish in Auburn Hills discuss how becoming...
09.21.2022
The Urban Playbook
Loyola principal's first book, 'The Urban Playbook,' a blueprint for empowering young Black men with the tools to succeed (0:05) Wyatt Jones III, Ph.D., reads an excerpt from his book, "The Urban Playbook," about when he told his father, Deacon...
09.07.2022
Healing From Addiction
A struggling writer and atheist, Jeff Jay's battle with alcoholism led him to the brink — and finally back to the God who loves him (0:03) The narrator tells the harrowing story of Jeff Jay’s near brush with death on...
07.22.2022
Seasoned Saints: Celebrating Our Elders
On World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Catholics recognize the importance of engaging the 'backbone of our parishes' (0:02) The narrator offers depressing statistics about the state of elder loneliness in America, including one statistic that shows up to...
07.14.2022
Healing After Abortion
A post-abortive couple describes the healing, forgiveness and peace they found through Rachel's Vineyard retreat(0:01) Beth Bauer, who coordinates Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for post-abortive men and women in southeast Michigan, talks about the importance of supporting people who’ve suffered hurt,...
06.15.2022
A Saint Who Can Relate
Inspired by his life, a group of young adults wrote, directed, cast and performed an original musical about St. Ignatius of Loyola (0:11) When Paul Center, a 33-year-old Catholic and automotive engineer from Rochester Hills, and his friends discovered they had...
06.01.2022
Air Support For Priests
How one woman's inspiration to pray for her priest launched an archdiocese-wide movement of spiritual support (0:01) Fr. John Kopson, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Warren, describes a homily he once heard describing the priesthood as analogous to the...
05.18.2022
Catholic Morality in the Age of Crypto
Can the rise of digital assets help or hinder human flourishment? We speak with three Catholic financial experts to find outDisclaimer: Detroit Catholic and the Archdiocese of Detroit do not offer financial advice. The content of this podcast is for...
05.04.2022
Engineering and Empathy
After meeting a man with no arms and no legs, Notre Dame Prep students devise invention to make his life easier — but he changes theirs, too (0:03) Listeners are introduced to Gary Miracle, a 40-year-old father of four from...
04.20.2022
Does the Music Matter?
How can sacred music evangelize? Can drums and chant coexist in the same Church? And what does it mean to have 'unity without uniformity'? (0:38) Horst Buchholz, Ph.D., director of sacred music for the Archdiocese of Detroit, explains why St....
04.05.2022
Let's Talk About Adoption
People whose lives have been touched by adoption share their perspectives and the complexities of adoption – from the joys to the sorrows (00:00) The narrator discusses the stereotypes and tropes that have been used to characterize stories of adoption...

What's Detroit Stories about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Detroit Stories episodes:

When a Catholic Couple Faces Infertility

What Missionaries Bring Home

Life in the Cloister

Young, Catholic and Living in the City

Msgr. Trapp's Legacy

The ‘Wild West’ of College Sports Recruiting

What Seminary Life is Really Like

Team Rubicon

The Katarina Effect

Stewards of God’s Creation

The Church and Artificial Intelligence

Surviving College as a Catholic

The Best of 2023

Why God’s House is Building Homes

Irving Houle: The U.P.’s Saintly Everyman

Serving Those Who Serve

Do Catholics Believe in Ghosts?

Alternatives For Girls

Healing Arts of the Little Flower

Selah's Center of Hope

Cultivating Soil, Cultivating Souls

An Ancient Olive Branch

Fr. Hollywood: The Rock 'n' Roll Priest

Me, You and I Do

God Writes Straight With Crooked Lines

A Different Kind of Healing

The Elders Project

A Message of Divine Mercy

Jenna's Glimpse of Heaven

A Warm Welcome

T.M. Doran's Catholic Imagination

It's A Funny Story

Faith and the Cosmos

Bearded Blevins Streams His Faith

When 'Father' Is Also 'Son'

Hope of a Generation

St. Alexander Still Cares

Surviving an Eating Disorder

The Meaning of a Holy Death

Let's Talk About Foster Care

The Urban Playbook

Healing From Addiction

Seasoned Saints: Celebrating Our Elders

Healing After Abortion

A Saint Who Can Relate

Air Support For Priests

Catholic Morality in the Age of Crypto

Engineering and Empathy

Does the Music Matter?

Let's Talk About Adoption

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