MAX Studios

Climate Change and Global Warming are among the most important fights of our generation, and how we answer that call will affect generations to come. With that in mind we explore our role in nature. In Part 1, Max Linnville reflects on the growing up in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, and how those mountains have followed him throughout his life and impacted his faith life. 

In Part 2, Darnell sits down with Fr. Paul English, Chaplain at the University of St. Thomas - Houston, to talk about the Basilian order and how they are pivoting to better answer the call to stewardship of the environment. With members in Europe, Canada, Central and South America, along with the US, they experience a wide range of climate effects and are learning to work across borders to bring about change.

In Part 3, Nicole teaches us about St. Basil the Great, the patron, but not the founder, of the Congregation of St. Basil. We learn about his early life, his contribution to monastic life and why he is a Doctor of the Church.

In this special World Water Day episode of Protagonists of Change, Max Linnville shares a cause close to his heart: water accessibility! Max sits down with Josh Elliot, the Chief Operating Officer from Wine To Water (https://www.winetowater.org/), an organization focused on fighting the world’s water crisis, based in Boone, N.C. (Max's hometown!) The two share their introductions to the organization and talk about the life-changing experiences they had while serving those who face water insecurities.   

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on March 22 that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Pope Francis named the current Liturgical year the Year of St. Joseph! But what does that mean? Darnell sits down with Fr. Victor Perez, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, to talk about St Joseph, the Year of St. Joseph and how he and his community have began to learn more about the life of St. Joseph and grow in their devotion to him. Ite Ad Joseph! Go to St. Joseph!

Episode Resources:

Consecration to St. Joseph, Fr. Donald Calloway

The Life of St. Joseph, Sr. Maraia Cecilia Baij, O.S.B.

The School of Nazareth: A Spiritual Journey with St. Joseph, Mark Hartfiel

Joseph, the Man who Raised Jesus, Gary Caster

Nicole Labadie sits down with Fr. Casey Cole, OFM, writer, YouTuber and Franciscan Friar, to talk about faith, social media and evangelization. Fr. Casey shares his story, discerning the priesthood, blogging and eventually starting a YouTube Channel as an effort to evangelize. They discuss how our faith calls us to action, empathy and love and discuss how technology allows us to encounter each other and Christ in new ways.

MAX Studios: YouTube and Evangelization

Fr. Casey Cole: Breaking in the Habit (Website)

Fr. Casey Cole: Breaking in the Habit (YouTube)

In this episode of Protagonists of Change we journey down to the Mexican/American Border in the Rio Grande Valley to talk to Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley and one of Time Magazines 100 most influential people of 2020 to learn about her service to immigrants. Sr. Norma shares her first heartbreaking experience visiting children in detention facilities and shares the challenges and joys she encounters everyday in her work.

We also learn that a shoelace isn't just a shoelace, it can be so much more.

Helpful Links: 

Sister Norma Pimentel, Missionary Sister of Jesus Christ and Rio Grande Catholic Charities Director - One of Time Magazine’s Top 100 most-influential people of 2020

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

Catholic Charities - Sister Norma Pimentel 

Understanding how we are called to live out our faith as individuals can be challenging. Luckily, the Church has given us Catholic Social Teachings as a model for us to serve the Church and the community around us Today we talk to Doris Barrow III, Campus Minister at Texas Southern University about the impact CST has had on his ministry and life.

In this episode of Protagonists of Change, Nicole Labadie talks about how motherhood led her to a deeper understanding, appreciation and love for the Virgin Mary.

Darnell Miller speaks to Adrian Fonseca, a 2020 graduate of the University of St. Thomas - Houston about discerning the priesthood  and becoming one of the "Hounds of Christ - a Dominican. He shares insights from his childhood, growing up in strong Catholic family, and developing his love for the Virgin Mary.

In this weeks episode of Protagonists of Change, the team run through a beginners guide to Catholic Social Teaching. They explain the 7 tenets of CST and answer some common questions surrounding history and the practice of Catholic Social Teaching. Finally, They look at the life of St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican who, because of his work and charity, was named the patron saint of social justice.

As we look out into our country, we are reckoning with the sin of racism and a lack of justice. Now, this isn't an easy subject to talk about and we don't expect this podcast is going to change people on the spot, but we do hope that it will lead to thought, dialogue and consideration that will lead everybody closer to the truth.

In Part 1, Darnell talks about growing up Black and Mexican in America.

In Part 2, Max talks to Dr. Krista Stevens, professor of Diversity and Christian Social Ethics at John Carroll University about Racism in American Culture.

Whose that Saint? It is Venerable Pierre Toussaint!

Today we explore the theme of hunger in its various forms. From those who are literally hungry, to those who hunger for love, justice and truth and finally to those who hunger for Christ.

In part one Darnell recounts a humanizing moment while feeding the homeless in college. 

In part two Max explores the complex topic of reading scripture with a hermeneutic of hunger. With the help of his former professor, Dr. Sheile McGinn,  he unpacks what that  means and how anybody can learn to read scripture through that lens.

Finally, in part three Nicole reflects on the life of St. Andre Bessette, the Miracle Man of Montreal, whose humility and hunger for Christ led to the healing of thousands.