Red Dirt Catholics

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In this episode, Jayce and James explore how the FACT framework (Faithful, Available, Contagious, Teachable) serves as both a barometer for disciple readiness and a personal examination tool for those leading others toward Christ.

Have you ever wondered what truly makes someone ready to be a disciple-maker? This episode dives deep into the first half of the powerful FACT framework – Faithful and Available – that serves as both a barometer for discipleship readiness and a personal examination tool for spiritual growth.

• Faithfulness includes alignment with Church teaching, honest acknowledgment of struggles, and consistent striving toward holiness
• Being faithful requires humility and obedience rather than elevating personal opinions above Church teaching
• True availability doesn't mean an empty calendar but rather a heart oriented toward what truly matters
• Availability means being present in the moment, putting down phones, and prioritizing prayer despite competing demands
• Our availability or lack thereof reveals "who we are bowing to" - what we truly worship
• A "schedule conversion" may be necessary if we're too busy for prayer and silence
• Seeking counsel from trusted friends provides essential perspective on our blind spots
• Making even small adjustments can significantly align our lives more closely with Christ's call

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

In this episode, Jayce and James are joined (again) by Jared Williams, a FOCUS missionary at the University of Memphis, who shares his transformative experience living on mission and the beautiful intersection between personal holiness and evangelization efforts on campus.

• Campus outreach strategies including move-in assistance and root beer float stations
• "The little way" of evangelization through genuine friendship and authentic relationships
• Daily prayer routines incorporating Mass, holy hour, and rosary as the foundation of missionary life
• Intercessory prayer as a powerful tool in campus ministry
• The rewards of watching students embrace their faith and begin to lead others
• Learning to surrender when faced with rejection or unexpected outcomes
• How mission transforms the missionary even more than those being served
• The inseparable connection between holiness and evangelistic mission
• Practical ways anyone can build Catholic community in their parish

Ready to take the next step in your faith journey? Look into opportunities like Zeal in Oklahoma City, or simply introduce yourself to someone at your parish you've seen but never met. "You can't expect to have good Catholic community and grow in your faith if you're by yourself."

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

In this episode, Jayce and James are joined by Josh Paiement to discuss authentic community from its theological roots to practical application in our parishes and ministries. Building real community means moving beyond surface-level gatherings to sharing our authentic selves with one another.

• Community finds its origin in the Trinity as the original communion of persons
• The root word "communio" combines "with/together" and "gift/service" – pointing to communion as mutual contribution
• Authentic community goes deeper than social activities to real relationship and vulnerability
• Josh shares his step-by-step approach: meet individuals, befriend them, introduce to others, help them integrate
• Taking off our "masks" and being vulnerable is essential but challenging for community building
• A major pitfall is the "hot tub mentality" where communities become comfortable but closed and sterile
• True community naturally leads to mission – without outward focus, communities stagnate
• We need both "breathing in" (receiving formation) and "breathing out" (mission) for healthy community
• Personal invitations and investments matter more than large events or programs

We invite you to reflect on your own approach to community. Are you keeping people at a surface level, or allowing yourself to be truly known? Consider one relationship you could deepen this week by taking a small step toward greater vulnerability.

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

In this episode, Jayce and James are joined by author and speaker Carrie Gress to share her powerful testimony and discuss faith, family and feminism.

Imagine if someone told you that the framework of dignity and equality you've been taught to champion might actually be undermining the very foundations of your faith. In this thought-provoking conversation with author and speaker Carrie Gress, Jayce and James explore the profound tension between feminism and Catholicism that many modern women feel, but struggle to articulate.

Through personal stories of evangelizing her own family and navigating the transition from career focus to motherhood, Carrie offers practical wisdom for those trying to live authentic Catholic womanhood in a culture that misunderstands it. She reminds us that evangelization succeeds not through winning arguments but through loving people exactly where they are—a lesson she learned through her own failures.

• Carrie's journey from secular Oregon to Catholic faith following her father's death
• The challenge of transitioning from individual spirituality to motherhood and finding new ways to pray
• How feminism promotes autonomy as an idol while Christianity celebrates relationship and vulnerability
• The "shadow church" of feminism with its own theological virtues of envy, contempt, and rage
• Why evangelization succeeds through loving people where they are, not through intellectual arguments
• The importance of magnanimity for men and rejecting the "fear of discomfort" that enables dysfunction
• How Our Lady provides the perfect model of authentic womanhood through humility and surrender
• God's providence in preparing Carrie for her mission despite opposition

Find more from Carrie at carriegress.com or visit theologyofhome.com for her blog with daily content offering an alternative to the feminist narrative.

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

During this episode, Jayce and James are back! Join as they dive into powerful stories of discipleship and mission through the lens of recent guest interviews, exploring the transformative moments that shape authentic Christian witness and community building.

• Bold leadership decisions make space for the lost, as demonstrated by a youth minister who chose struggling teens over volunteer convenience
• Creating time and space for authentic response to the gospel is crucial, particularly in retreat settings where distractions are minimized
• Having five invested, faith-filled adults in a young person's life significantly increases the likelihood of maintaining faith beyond high school
• The "art of Christian living" forms the foundation of effective missionary work, focusing on internal growth that fuels external ministry
• Ordinary settings like sports teams and family gatherings provide opportunities to model virtues over outcomes
• Observant, intentional relationships create openings for divine encounters, as seen in Weston's six-hour breakfast with Jared
• Boldly extending invitations beyond comfort zones often results in unexpected growth and mission opportunities
• True discipleship requires scandalous amounts of time and investment that may seem counterproductive but yield profound fruit

Jayce also announces that he's leaving the archdiocese for a new position and we wish him all the best!

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

In this episode, Jayce is joined by Jared Williams. Jared is currently serving as a FOCUS missionary in Memphis, TN, at the University of Memphis. Jared shares his inspirational journey from being a jailer to becoming a FOCUS missionary. His story highlights the power of faith and community in transforming lives and how you don't have to be afraid to step into ministry because you don't feel "qualified."

• Introduction to Jared’s background and current mission 
• The humorous and ironic encounter during a youth conference 
• Jared’s significant moment of awakening at adoration 
• Building community among young Catholics in Oklahoma City 
• Questions of calling and purpose through faith 
• Encountering Jesus: moments of urgency and change 
• The journey of starting the young adult group called Zeal 
• God’s surprising interventions and practical experiences in mission life 
• Balancing faith, work, and community involvement 

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

James is joined by Joe Cipriano to talk about Joe's journey to faith and his work with the group "Vagabond Missions."

You can learn more about Vagabond Missions at https://vagabondmissions.com/.

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

Jayce and James sit down to ring in the first episode of season 6! James, returning from his Artic pilgrimage, is back with Jayce to discuss sourdough, Utah and the "Science of Happiness." "The Science of Happiness" was a talk given at the 2025 SEEK conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, by world-renowned author and speaker, Arthur Brooks.

You can watch a replay of his SEEK presentation here: https://seekreplay.com/video/137 

Happiness is more than a feeling; it's a scientifically backed framework that encompasses enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. Throughout this episode, Jayce and James unpack insights from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, encouraging listeners to reflect on their happiness and the relational aspects of their experiences while seeking a deeper understanding of their purpose in life. 

• Exploring the importance of family and home cooking habits 
• The rise of hobbies like baking and sourdough culture 
• Celebrating the birth of a new family member and what it means to become an uncle 
• Insights from the SEEK conference and the influence of Arthur Brooks on happiness 
• Breakdown of Brooks' framework: enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning 
• Examining the relational aspect of happiness as a functional experience 
• Call to action for self-reflection on life purpose and happiness

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

Jayce and James sat down with Fr. Rick Stansberry, rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and president of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City, to talk about the role of the faith in a Catholic high school. 

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HERE

Exploring the intersection of modern secularism and ancient gnosticism with "The Religion of the Day" from the University of Mary, the follow-up publication to "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission."

This is part 7.

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Links and other stuff from the show:
Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-letters
Red Dirt Catholics Email Address: [email protected]
The Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): Amazon
The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224
Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8z
Lectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa