What happens when timeless stories of faith are told in a way that feels immediate, human, and deeply personal? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Peter Atkinson about the vision behind The Merry Beggars and its rapid growth through audio storytelling. Peter recounts his path from Ave Maria University to pursuing acting, and how an unexpected pivot during the pandemic led to a creative breakthrough. Now working with Relevant Radio, The Merry Beggars produces immersive audio dramas that present the lives of the saints in a compelling and accessible format for modern audiences.

Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of portraying saints as fully human—people who struggled, suffered, and chose courage and faith. These stories, they explain, help listeners better understand their own spiritual journeys, especially in moments of difficulty and doubt. The episode also explores themes of ongoing conversion, the meaning of suffering, and the reality of God’s mercy, ultimately pointing to a larger goal: shaping culture by forming hearts and imaginations through consistent, high-quality storytelling grounded in faith.

Related Episodes:

Faith, film, and the art of story telling w/ Daniel Bielinski

Sharing the Catholic Faith with Generation Alpha w/ Ambrose Bean

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