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In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Catholic speaker and author Doug Barry to talk about what it means for men to embrace their God-given call to heroism.

We discuss the challenges facing men today, the temptation toward comfort and passivity, and why authentic masculinity requires sacrifice, discipline, and a willingness to take responsibility. Doug shares why men are called to be the “first line of defense” for their families and how prayer, the sacraments, and devotion to Our Lady prepare us for the spiritual battles we face.

We also talk about Doug’s new book, First Line of Defense: The Catholic Man’s Call to Heroism, co-written with Daniel O’Connor, and the practical ways men can grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Get Doug’s book:
https://ignatius.com/first-line-of-defense-fldfp/

Learn more about Doug:
https://dougbarryofficial.com/

This episode is sponsored by Truthly, a Catholic AI app designed to help you find answers about the Catholic faith and navigate everyday questions through a Catholic lens.

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Why do honest conversations matter? And can sharing our struggles actually help lead one another toward holiness?

In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Rob Kaczmark, founder of Spirit Juice Studios and host of the new podcast Flicker & Burn.

Rob has spent nearly two decades using film and media to share the Catholic faith, but this conversation goes well beyond his latest project. We talk about why people need meaningful conversations, the danger of pretending everything is okay, and the role that suffering, friendship, vulnerability, and storytelling can play in bringing us closer to Christ.

Rob also shares how some of the most honest conversations of his life have happened in an unexpected place: the tattoo chair. Those experiences helped inspire Flicker & Burn, a show built around real conversations with people from very different backgrounds about suffering, hope, conversion, loss, and what ultimately sustains us.

We also talk about why suffering can open the door to deeper relationships, what Father Stu teaches us about carrying our crosses, why Catholics need to take digital evangelization seriously, and how God patiently works on each of us, even when our path to Him isn't clean or straightforward.

A podcast can never replace authentic friendship or Christian community. But a good conversation can remind someone that they aren't alone, challenge the way they see their circumstances, and perhaps even help them take another step toward Christ.

In this episode:

• Why honest conversations are essential to the Christian life
• Rob's story and the mission behind Spirit Juice
• The unexpected conversations that inspired Flicker & Burn
• Why Rob intentionally talks with people from different backgrounds and levels of faith
• Isolation, friendship, and our need to be known by others
• Why we shouldn't pretend everything is okay when it isn't
• What suffering has taught Rob personally
• How suffering can allow us to accompany others more deeply
• Father Stu and the Christian understanding of suffering
• Why everyone's journey toward God looks different
• The future of Catholic media and evangelization on YouTube
• Rob's favorite tattoo and how it has opened conversations about Jesus

Resources mentioned:

Flicker & Burn
Listen to Rob's new podcast and find episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/flickerandburn/

Spirit Juice
Learn more about Spirit Juice Entertainment Group and its Catholic media projects:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/

Support Flicker & Burn / Spirit Juice Entertainment
Flicker & Burn and Spirit Juice's other original Catholic content are made available for free through the support of donors:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/flickerandburn/

Juice Box
Spirit Juice's Catholic YouTube content for children and families:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/donate/juicebox/

About Flicker & Burn

Hosted by Rob Kaczmark, Flicker & Burn explores the everyday struggle between life and faith through long-form conversations about doubt, hope, loss, redemption, conversion, suffering, and the search for meaning.

As Rob explains in our conversation, the guests don't all have the same story or even the same relationship with faith. That's part of the point. Whether someone's conversion happens dramatically or unfolds slowly over years, God continues working.

If you're looking for conversations that are real, raw, hopeful, and willing to wrestle with life's harder questions, give Flicker & Burn a listen.

Truthly
Gotta Be Saints is proud to partner with Truthly, a Catholic AI app designed to provide answers grounded in Scripture, the Catechism, and the teachings of the Church. Use code gottabesaints at https://get.truthly.ai/TlbX/GOTTABESAINTS.

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What can the great Gothic cathedrals teach us about God, beauty, evangelization, and our own call to holiness?

In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Branden Stanley of Spirit Juice Studios, co-director of Bishop Robert Barron’s new documentary, Heaven in Stone and Glass. Rather than simply talking about how the film was made, we dive into the deeper ideas behind it: why beauty has the power to stop us in our tracks, how sacred architecture can draw people toward God, and why the Church should never underestimate beauty as a means of evangelization.

Branden shares his experience filming some of France’s greatest Gothic cathedrals, what these buildings communicate about God, and why beauty, alongside truth and goodness, remains essential to the Church’s mission. We also discuss what ordinary Catholics can learn from the people who built these cathedrals and how each of us can create something beautiful with our own lives that points others toward Christ.

Heaven in Stone and Glass

Bishop Robert Barron’s Heaven in Stone and Glass takes viewers on a cinematic pilgrimage through five of France’s great Gothic cathedrals and explores the spiritual and theological truths expressed through their architecture.

The film will be in theaters nationwide on September 20 and 23, 2026.

Learn more and get tickets for Heaven in Stone and Glass

About Branden Stanley

Branden Stanley is a filmmaker and creative leader at Spirit Juice Studios. He served as co-director of Heaven in Stone and Glass and has spent more than a decade helping Spirit Juice tell stories through Catholic filmmaking and visual media.

Learn more about Spirit Juice Studios

Learn more about Branden Stanley

Sponsored by Truthly

This episode is sponsored by Truthly, the Catholic AI app designed to help you find clear answers to questions about faith, Scripture, morality, relationships, Church teaching, and everyday life through a Catholic lens.

Whether you want to understand a difficult teaching, dive deeper into Scripture, learn more about a saint, or get clarity on a question about the faith, Truthly puts Catholic resources at your fingertips.

Download Truthly

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Support the show, share this episode with a friend, and remember: we are all called to be saints.

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Welcome back to the final episode of the Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series!

In this episode—Part Four of our series—we’re tackling a vital but often challenging topic: Hard Conversations. I’m joined by Dr. Mario Sacasa, a Catholic counselor, speaker, and host of the Always Hope podcast. Dr. Mario has worked extensively with couples, helping them navigate the tough topics that can arise in marriage while fostering deeper connection and understanding.

Summary

Why Hard Conversations Matter:
We discuss why addressing difficult topics is essential for the health of a marriage. Dr. Mario explains how avoiding these conversations can lead to unresolved issues that undermine trust and intimacy.

Approaching Tough Topics Without Defensiveness:
Dr. Mario offers practical advice for initiating challenging discussions with your spouse in a way that minimizes defensiveness. He emphasizes the importance of using “I” statements, staying calm, and focusing on shared goals.

Common Issues Couples Struggle to Address:
We explore some of the most common topics that couples find difficult to discuss, such as finances, parenting, intimacy, and differing expectations, and why these issues often become sources of conflict.

Developing Better Listening Skills:
Dr. Mario provides strategies for becoming a better listener during tough conversations. He highlights the importance of active listening, validating your spouse’s feelings, and avoiding the temptation to immediately offer solutions.

The Role of Forgiveness in Marriage:
Forgiveness is a key part of healing after difficult discussions. Dr. Mario explains how forgiveness fosters trust and allows couples to move forward after past hurts.

Maintaining Intimacy During Tough Conversations:
We discuss how couples can stay emotionally connected, even when addressing sensitive or painful topics. Dr. Mario shares tips for balancing vulnerability with empathy.

Timing and Setting for Difficult Conversations:
Dr. Mario offers advice on choosing the right time and place for tough discussions, emphasizing the value of a calm, private, and distraction-free environment.

Dealing with Differences in Communication Styles:
We explore how couples can navigate differences in communication styles, such as one partner being more direct while the other prefers a gentler approach. Dr. Mario suggests ways to adapt and meet each other’s needs.

The Role of Faith in Tough Conversations:
Faith can be a powerful tool for navigating hard topics in marriage. Dr. Mario shares how prayer, Scripture, and the sacrament of reconciliation can bring peace and clarity to difficult moments.

Rebuilding Trust After a Hard Conversation:
When a discussion becomes particularly heated or painful, rebuilding trust is critical. Dr. Mario explains how couples can apologize, clarify misunderstandings, and recommit to working together.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Mario closes by encouraging couples to see hard conversations as opportunities for growth, intimacy, and trust. He reminds listeners that marriage is a journey and that God’s grace is always available to help couples through challenging times.

Links and Resources

• Dr. Mario Sacasa’s Website
• Always Hope Podcast on Apple Podcasts
• Dr. Mario’s YouTube Channel

Call to Action

Thank you for joining us for the Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

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Welcome back to Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series!

In this episode, we’re diving into Part Three of our marriage series: Growing Your Family. I’m joined by Danielle Bean, a mother of eight, writer, and podcaster who brings incredible wisdom and faith-based insight to the joys and challenges of growing a family.

Outline

Danielle’s Story:
Danielle shares her and her husband Dan’s journey of deciding to grow their family. 

Faith and Family Planning:
We discuss how faith shaped Danielle’s family planning journey, including trusting in God’s timing and staying open to His will, even when plans didn’t go as expected.

Balancing Work, Family, and Marriage:
Danielle shares her approach to balancing a growing family with work and marriage. 

Advice for Couples Considering Parenthood:
Danielle offers practical advice for couples discerning whether they are ready to grow their family. She highlights the importance of communication, prayer, and mutual support.

Maintaining Your Marriage Amidst Parenthood:
We reflect on how Danielle and her husband keep their marriage a priority while raising children. She shares strategies for staying connected and nurturing the marital bond, even during the busiest seasons.

Challenges in Growing a Family:
Danielle discusses some of the unexpected challenges she faced as her family grew, from financial pressures to emotional struggles, and how she and her husband leaned on faith and each other to overcome them.

Involving Children in the Faith:
Danielle shares practical tips for fostering a faith-filled home, including making prayer a regular part of family life and finding ways to engage children in their faith journey.

The Rewards of Raising a Family:
Danielle reflects on the most rewarding aspects of family life.

Practical Advice for New Parents:
As a final takeaway, Danielle offers actionable advice for couples embarking on the journey of parenthood, encouraging them to trust in God, lean on each other, and embrace the adventure ahead.

Final Thoughts

Danielle closes with words of encouragement for couples considering or beginning their journey of growing a family, reminding listeners to trust in God’s plan and to cherish the beautiful chaos of family life.

Links and Resources

• Danielle Bean’s Girlfriends Podcast on Apple Podcasts
• Danielle’s Substack Newsletter

Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Don’t miss the final episode in this series, where we’ll tackle the topic of hard conversations in marriage.

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Introduction

Welcome back to Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series, where I’m diving into practical advice for newlyweds. This includes things Meredith and I wish we’d known before we got married and reflections on what we learned in these first few years. 

In this episode, Meredith and I walk through our experiences and key learnings.

Outline

• Our Story So Far
  Meredith and I start by sharing some of the biggest adjustments we made in that first year. Moving from dating into marriage brought changes, and we talked through the surprises and challenges.
• Prioritizing Each Other in Busy Seasons
  Life didn’t slow down after we got married. We reflected on how we made time for each other amidst packed schedules and kept our relationship a priority.
• The Role of Communication
  Communication was crucial for us to understand each other better. We shared what we learned about improving communication and the steps we took to make it more intentional.
• Incorporating Faith into Daily Life
  Keeping our faith central was key. Meredith and I discussed how we wove prayer and spiritual practices into our daily routine as newlyweds, making space for God in our marriage.
• Unexpected Discoveries in Married Life
  There were plenty of things we didn’t see coming. We shared what surprised us most about married life and some of the lessons we took from those moments.
• Advice for First-Year Couples
  Reflecting on our experiences, we offered advice for couples entering that first year of marriage, from managing expectations to finding ways to stay connected.
• Setting Boundaries with Family and Friends
  Navigating boundaries was important as we established our life together. We talked about how we approached setting those boundaries with family and friends and why it helped us grow as a couple.
• Handling Disagreements
  Like any couple, we had our disagreements. We shared how we worked through conflicts and the lessons we took from these moments to build a stronger relationship.
• The Rewards of Married Life
  The most rewarding part of married life so far has been discovering how much deeper our love can grow. We talked about these rewards and how they continue to inspire us.
• Staying Connected and Growing Together
  Meredith and I wrapped up by sharing how we continue to stay connected and grow in our faith and relationship as a married couple.

Why You Should Listen

For anyone starting married life or preparing for it, this episode offers a real look into the first few years. Our reflections might give you ideas on how to navigate that initial season of marriage with love, patience, and faith.

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone who might be starting their journey in marriage. Stay tuned for the next part of our series as we continue to dive into the joys and challenges of a lifelong commitment!

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Gotta Marry Well: A Podcast Series for Catholics

Welcome to Gotta Marry Well, a podcast series diving deep into the Catholic vocation of marriage. This is part one, focusing on the wedding day itself—not just as a single event but as a sacred vocation.

Guest Introduction

In this episode, I’m joined by Tanner and Alli Kalina. 

Episode Summary

In this episode, we’ll walk through:

• The Journey to the Wedding Day
  Tanner and Alli, can you introduce yourselves and share your story leading up to the wedding day—a quick five- to ten-minute version covering the journey from dating to engagement.
• The Wedding Day Itself
  Let’s dive into the day itself! How did it unfold, and what were some memorable moments?
• Spiritual Preparation
  How did you prepare spiritually for your wedding day? Were there any specific prayers, retreats, or practices that were especially meaningful?
• Advice for Engaged Couples
  For couples preparing for marriage, what advice would you offer about planning the day with faith at the center?
• Recognizing God's Presence
  How did you experience God’s presence on your wedding day? Were there specific moments where you felt His grace?
• The Role of Family and Community
  Tell us about the impact of family and community on your wedding day. How did they support or enhance the celebration?
• Balancing Sacred and Celebratory Aspects
  How did you balance the sacred aspects of the day with the joyful celebration?
• Facing Pre-Wedding Challenges
  What were some of the challenges you encountered leading up to the wedding, and how did you overcome them together?
• Looking Back
  Reflecting on that day, is there anything you would have done differently?
• Final Thoughts

Why You Should Listen

If you're engaged or seriously dating, this episode offers valuable insights on approaching marriage with clarity, faith, and a supportive community. Tanner and Alli's experience and advice are helpful for anyone navigating the big decisions around marriage preparation and looking to keep Christ at the center.

Call to Action

If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone discerning marriage or who is married. And stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue to unpack the joys and challenges of building a strong, faith-filled marriage!

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As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Brendan welcomes Dr. Anthony Rizzi for an extended presentation on the philosophical foundations of the American experiment.

Drawing from his work on natural law, philosophy, and the history of America's founding, Dr. Rizzi shares his perspective on why America's enduring strength lies in its founding principles. Throughout the episode, he explores the relationship between truth, reason, nature, faith, and the intellectual tradition of the Church, while arguing that recovering these first principles is essential for America's future.

In This Episode

• Why Dr. Rizzi believes America's founding principles are rooted in natural law
• The relationship between nature, reason, and Christian revelation
• His critique of modern culture and what he calls "scientism"
• Why truth should be at the center of Catholic intellectual life
• His vision for renewing American culture by recovering first principles

Learn More

Dont miss "Holding These Truths Again: Reclaiming Our Founding Principles" featuring Dr. Rizzi airing on EWTN July 2nd at 8pm CT (9pm ET). Learn more at IAPweb.org/America

See trailer: IAPweb.org/holding-these-truths

About Dr. Anthony Rizzi

Anthony Rizzi, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Advanced Physics, gained worldwide recognition in theoretical physics by solving an 80-year-old problem in Einstein's theory. He has physics degrees from MIT and Princeton University; has been senior scientist for Caltech's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), whose work contributed to the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics; taught graduate courses at Louisiana State University; worked on the Manned Mars Craft and the Mars Observer spacecraft; and received both the NASA Award and the Martin Marietta New Technology Award.

He is the author of The Science Before Science: A Guide to Thinking in the 21st Century and A Kid's Introduction to Physics (and Beyond). In addition to numerous professional articles, he authored the Physics for Realists series: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Quantum Mechanics. The first two volumes were recommended by the American Association of Physics Teachers, and his recent work includes groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics.

Dr. Rizzi is also recognized for his work in history, particularly his articles on America's founding principles, which have drawn praise from scholars and contributed to discussions on the philosophical and Christian roots of the American experiment.

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In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, Brendan sits down with Dr. Greg Bottaro to discuss the importance of holy curiosity and what it means to truly listen well. In a culture marked by division, assumptions, quick judgments, and constant noise, Dr. Greg explains why authentic listening is essential for healthy relationships, meaningful conversations, healing, and Christian witness.

Drawing from Catholic psychology, Scripture, marriage, friendships, and the example of Christ Himself, this conversation explores how curiosity opens the door to understanding another person’s heart without compromising truth. Dr. Greg also shares insights from his own vocational journey, the influence of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and how accompaniment rooted in empathy and attentiveness can transform relationships.

Together, Brendan and Dr. Greg discuss conflict, communication in marriage, emotional wounds, social media culture, and the deep human desire to be truly seen and understood. This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen intentionally, and rediscover the power of presence in a distracted world.

Featured Book

The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time by Dr. Greg Bottaro

Order the Book on Amazon

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In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, Brendan sits down with Peter Giersch to discuss one of the most important realities Christians can reflect on: eternity. Through the beauty of France, the witness of the saints, the art of Michelangelo, and the Catholic understanding of death, judgment, heaven, and hell, Peter invites listeners to rediscover what so much of the modern world has forgotten.

Drawing from his book Talking of Michelangelo, Peter reflects on his experiences in Burgundy, the Catholic imagination found in medieval churches, and why generations of Christians were constantly reminded of eternity through sacred art and architecture. Together, Brendan and Peter discuss suffering, holiness in ordinary life, the vocation of marriage and singleness, the meaning of the crucifix, the Last Judgment, and why modern culture has become uncomfortable talking about heaven and hell.

This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition while remaining practical for everyday life. It is ultimately an invitation to reflect on where our lives are leading and to remember that holiness is possible in every vocation through love, sacrifice, patience, and fidelity to Christ.

Featured Book

Talking of Michelangelo: Burgundy, Eternity, and the Catholic Imagination by Peter Giersch

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Truthly helps faithful Catholics find trustworthy answers to life’s biggest questions through AI built with a Catholic worldview.

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