Are podcasts reshaping how Catholics engage with their faith? In this episode of Religion to Reality, we explore the explosive growth of Catholic podcasting and what it means for modern faith formation. From survivors finding their voice to Latino communities building networks, discover why this medium is uniquely positioned to meet people where they are—both spiritually and literally.

Paul Fahey - Host of Third Space podcast, limited licensed professional counselor, retreat leader, and catechist who focuses on survivors of church-related abuse. Paul stumbled into podcasting a decade ago and found it uniquely suited to catechesis through dialogue rather than static writing.

Christina Semmens - Host of Say Yes to Holiness With 230+ episodes under her belt, Christina brings a framework of head-heart-hands-feet to integrated Catholic living. Her podcast emerged from her book work and has become a continuous discernment journey.

Jose Manuel de Urquidi - Founder of the Juan Diego Network Leading a podcast network dedicated to Latino Catholics with shows covering everything from church history to children's stories. His mission: evangelize, form, and entertain—preferably all three at once.

01:00 - "I can listen to a podcast while driving, running, doing dishes, mowing the lawn" - Why convenience matters for busy Catholics

05:00 - The fundamental question: What even counts as "the church" in new media?

07:00 - "There's a lot of bad Catholic content out there that misrepresents God" - The dark side of unregulated faith content

12:00 - The head-heart-hands-feet framework for integrated spiritual assessment

15:00 - Why passion and joy matter more than metrics in discernment

18:00 - "What unsuccessful podcasts don't want you to know: it was really just for us all along"

23:00 - The critical realization: Are we preaching to the choir while ignoring the ocean?

26:00 - Why St. Ignatius's book-driven conversion is no different than what a podcast can do

28:00 - The internet as culture, not just communication tool

In our next episode, we're diving into what the data tells us about community—why it matters and how it shapes discipleship in measurable ways. 

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Learn More About the Discipleship Study: Religion to Reality is built on comprehensive research into how Catholics are living their faith today. Visit our website for more details and resources from the study. 

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Are you attending Mass regularly but struggling to live out your faith in everyday life? You're not alone. In this episode of Religion to Reality, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore why so many Catholics feel confident in their sacramental life but struggle with the expressive fruits of discipleship, particularly the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Drawing from their groundbreaking discipleship study, they sit down with three inspiring guests who are living these works of mercy in radically different ways: Renee Roden from the Catholic Worker Movement, Fr. Jim O'Shea of Reconnect Brooklyn, and Christina Semmens of Say Yes to Holiness. Together, they unpack what it truly means to become Eucharist in the world and how small acts of mercy in our daily lives can transform both ourselves and our communities.

Renee Roden - Journalist, author, and member of the Catholic Worker movement. Former marketing team member at DeSales Media and Notre Dame alumna. Renee brings firsthand experience of living in intentional community while serving those in need.

Fr. Jim O'Shea - Passionist priest and co-founder of Reconnect, an organization providing training, opportunity, and direction for at-risk youth in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Fr. Jim has dedicated his life to building bridges between disparate communities.

Christina Semmens - Author and founder of Say Yes to Holiness, a ministry dedicated to helping Catholics recognize and embrace God's call to holiness in everyday life. Christina specializes in helping people identify works of mercy already present in their daily routines. 

"There is no division between people who do the helping and the helped. I'm not just a helper. The point of the works of mercy is we're all supposed to be doing it for each other." - Renee Roden

"The Eucharist contains a call for us to go be Eucharist in the world, right? To become what we received." - Renee Roden

"If we do it well, our narrative is going to be upset. And none of us want that narrative messed with." - Fr. Jim O'Shea

"One of the biggest things I think we all can do is start listening to the people. There's so many people and groups of people that we have written off." - Fr. Jim O'Shea

"Until we had talked about what the corporal works of mercy and spiritual works of mercy were, he didn't realize that he was feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and instructing the ignorant by simply sitting down with his younger brother after school, getting him a snack and then helping him with his homework." - Christina Semmens

Join us next week as we’ll be getting a little meta with it and talk about podcasting.

Learn More About the Discipleship Study: Religion to Reality is built on comprehensive research into how Catholics are living their faith today. Visit our website for more details and resources from the study.

Why do so many Catholics struggle to share their faith, even when they want to? In this episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the personal and professional barriers that prevent Catholics from evangelizing effectively. Through conversations with Monica Martinez, parish lead at Hallow, Emily Ricci, founder and CEO of Gloriam Marketing, and Peter Andrastek, a senior consultant at the Evangelical Catholic, they discover that the solution isn't more training or techniques, but something far more fundamental: authentic relationship, genuine encounter, and what you might call "pre-evangelization." If you've ever felt uncomfortable with the word "evangelization" or wondered why your parish's outreach efforts fall flat, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that puts listening, presence, and personal holiness before programs and strategies.

Monica Martinez - Parish Lead at Hallow, a chart-topping Catholic prayer app. Monica brings extensive experience in evangelization ministry and parish engagement, having worked with parishes across the country to understand what works in getting people to encounter Christ.

Emily Ricci - Founder and CEO of Gloriam Marketing, a Catholic marketing agency that serves parishes and Catholic businesses. Emily specializes in helping Catholic organizations communicate more effectively and reach the people they're called to serve.

Peter Andrastek - Senior Consultant at The Evangelical Catholic with over 20 years of experience in adult faith formation. Peter works with faith communities from college campuses to military bases, helping establish vibrant Catholic communities focused on authentic discipleship.

"If we reduce evangelization to something you can just train someone for, just a set of skills or a technique for saying something, we reduce evangelization to the manipulation of human techniques." - Peter Andrastek

"The person who feels called to evangelize needs to also equally feel called to be evangelized by the person they are trying to evangelize." - Fr. John Gribowich

"Everyone is a walking Christ already, so what are we doing to honor and reverence the walking Christ in our midst?" - Fr. John Gribowich

"It's not so much about saying 'tell me that God loves me.' It's experiencing the love of God." - Monica Martinez

"People want to [evangelize], we just have no idea how to. That's not something that most of us were taught how to do in faith formation." - Emily Ricci

Join us next week as we explore the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, from understanding their meaning to how we can better live them out in our daily lives.

Religion to Reality explores the gap between religious belief and lived experience, bringing research-based insights from the Called Learning Community's discipleship study into conversation with real practitioners. Hosted by Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich, each episode examines how Catholics can move from simply identifying as religious to living out their faith in authentic, transformative ways.

If you found value in this conversation, please subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Ratings and reviews help others discover the show!

Website: religiontoreality.org
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What does it mean to truly hear someone versus simply listening? In this episode, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the transformative practice of spiritual direction—examining how this ancient tradition helps us tune into God's presence in our daily lives. Through intimate conversations with three practitioners, discover why seeing yourself as lovable might be the most important spiritual work you'll ever do, and learn how one diocese is making spiritual direction accessible to thousands. Whether you're seeking your first spiritual director or wondering if this practice is right for you, this episode offers practical wisdom and surprising data about one of Catholicism's most powerful yet underutilized resources.

Mary Glowaski is a spiritual director based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and serves as Dave's spiritual director

Father John Gribowich reflects on the intersection of sacramental confession and spiritual direction

Deacon Tom Whalen coordinates spiritual direction for the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina

Hans Plate is founder and president of Vinea Research and partner on the Religion to Reality discipleship study

The Interior Journey Moving the 18 inches from head to heart, integrating theological knowledge with lived experience, and recognizing that spiritual direction is about what's being done in us rather than what we accomplish.

Access and Availability The gap between those who would benefit from spiritual direction and those who can access it, plus innovative diocesan solutions to increase accessibility.

The Role of Self-Love Understanding ourselves as lovable as the foundation for experiencing God's love—a theme that emerged repeatedly across conversations.

Finding the Right Director Practical wisdom on navigating the search process, recognizing it takes time, trust, and often multiple attempts.

"Too often I find people, Dave, that it is not that they don't feel loved, they don't see themselves as lovable."
— Mary Glowaski (06:45)

"Spiritual direction is about looking at what's being done in us."
— Mary Glowaski (06:00)

"I'm not really interested in directing them anywhere. In fact, I think spiritual direction is just a bad term."
— Father John Gribowich (15:00)

"I'm always going to be in awe of what God is doing, and so therefore, how do I show up to be able to reverence that presence in the person."
— Father John Gribowich (15:00)

"This is beyond just, I'm going to keep your trust. It's going to, I'm going to keep you in love."
— Mary Glowaski (11:00)

"God will reveal his love to us by any means necessary."
— Father John Gribowich (16:00)

"To listen is to blinker yourself... but to hear is to put yourself on the same wavelength as the speaker."
— Marshall McLuhan, The Medium and the Light (02:00)

"It's not only finding a spiritual director, but it's finding one that you think you can open up to and have this relationship... finding that right match."
— Hans Plate (26:00)

"It was quite obvious to me... there is an incredible need."
— Deacon Tom Whalen on discovering the spiritual direction gap (18:00)

Join us next week as we explore evangelization—examining personal barriers, professional experiences, and how to share faith authentically in the modern world.

Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, created by Dave Plisky and produced by Conor Donnelly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and help others discover the show by leaving ratings and reviews.

In this thought-provoking episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the significant generational gap in Catholic discipleship and church attendance. Drawing from their recent discipleship study of mass-attending Catholics, they examine why younger generations are largely absent from churches and what can be done to bridge this divide.

The hosts speak with three experienced Catholic leaders who share practical insights on meeting the unique spiritual needs of different age groups: Mike St. Pierre (Diocese of Allentown Superintendent and former Catholic Campus Ministry Association Executive Director), Paul Morisi (Principal of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and former Director of Youth and Young Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Brooklyn), and Friar Rick Riccioli (Franciscan Pastor in Brooklyn).

Opening Discussion: The Generational Church Gap [00:00:00 - 06:00]

Interview with Mike St. Pierre [06:00 - 15:30]

Conversation Analysis [15:30 - 21:00]

Interview with Paul Morisi [21:00 - 32:00]

Interview with Friar Rick Riccioli [34:00 - 42:00]

Closing Reflections [42:00 - 48:00]

Mike St. Pierre

Paul Morisi

Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM

Website: religiontoreality.org
Community: Called Learning Community at calledcommunity.com

Next Episode Preview: Spiritual Direction - exploring accessibility and role in discipleship

Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, created by Dave Plisky and produced by Connor Donnelly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and help others discover the show by leaving ratings and reviews.

In this episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Father John Gribowich explore the critical topic of faith formation, examining the barriers that prevent Catholics from receiving ongoing spiritual development and highlighting practices that have proven successful. Through conversations with three experienced formation leaders, they uncover why trust and personal relationships are foundational to authentic spiritual growth.

Deputy Director, Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University

Pastoral Associate, St. Vincent de Paul Parish

Parish Ministry Leader

"Ministry is defined by degree of intimacy and nothing else." - Dr. Bill Keimig

"The end of evangelization is for you to go out and do it - to radically love people, not have the next thing that you get something out of." - Cindy Black

"Formation aims at the soul for yearning, while education aims at the mind for learning." - Dr. Bill Keimig

"The opposite of faith is not doubt, but the opposite of faith is certainty." - Father John (quoting Anne Lamott)

Trust is Foundational: Authentic formation requires proving you're trustworthy and demonstrating trust in God through daily interactions.

Relationship Before Program: Personal conversion happens through intimate relationships, not programmatic approaches that prioritize calendar schedules over individual needs.

Belong → Believe → Behave: The most effective formation welcomes people into community first, allowing belief and behavior to follow naturally.

Formation vs. Education: Formation targets the soul and develops yearning for God, while education primarily addresses intellectual understanding.

Avoiding Consumer Mentality: True discipleship involves giving what you've received rather than constantly seeking the next spiritual experience or resource.

Long-term Commitment: Effective formation programs often take years to develop culture and see significant results.

Created by: Dave Plisky
Produced and Edited by: Connor Donnelly
An Initiative of: DeSales Media

Religion to Reality explores the intersection of Catholic faith and modern life, helping listeners move from theoretical belief to lived discipleship. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and visit our website for additional resources and community connection opportunities.

What if prayer isn't just something you do at scheduled times, but the very attention you give to everything around you? In this transformative episode, we explore how "attention taken to its highest degree is the same thing as prayer" and discover why everyone—from busy parents to spiritual seekers—is called to be a mystic in their unique circumstances.

Spiritual Director & Educator, Sunday to Sunday Ministry

Parish Lead at Hallow Prayer App

Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield, CT

Father John's insight: You know your spiritual foundation is strong when you become less judgmental of how others pray, not more zealous about your particular method (29:30)

Kathy Lorentz serves as a spiritual director and educator, working with the Sunday to Sunday ministry alongside Father John. A mother of five adult sons, she teaches mindfulness in the contemplative tradition and draws on decades of experience in marriage and family counseling.

Monica Martinez leads parish engagement for Hallow, the Catholic prayer app with millions of downloads. She works directly with diverse faith communities and has unique insights into how technology intersects with spiritual practice across denominational lines.

Father David Roman pastors St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield, Connecticut, and specializes in mysticism and the universal call to holiness. His reverent celebration of the Eucharist originally drew host Dave Plisky into deeper friendship and faith exploration.

"Pure unmixed attention is the highest form of prayer." - Simone Weil (via Father John, 1:45)

"Everything you're engaging with is far more than what it appears to be... there's a great mystery that lies behind everything." - Fr. John Gribowich (18:30)

"Mystery is not something you can't figure out... it's the reality that you can never exhaust knowing something." - Fr. John Gribowich (20:30)

"You don't need an app to pray, but you also don't need a trainer to get fit. But gosh, it really does help." - Monica Martinez (23:50)

Ministries & Organizations:

Books Mentioned:

Apps & Tools:

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Join the Community: Ready for deeper formation? Join the Called Learning Community's free online gatherings at calledcommunity.com

For more resources, visit religiontoreality.org for episode transcripts, additional materials, and ways to continue the conversation.

Join Dave and Father John as they explore how we actually grow in faith through both formal learning and life experience. They'll explore the distinction between catechesis and evangelization, and why belonging must precede believing.

Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, created by Dave Plisky and produced by Conor Donnelly. This episode features the wisdom of Kathy Lorentz, Monica Martinez, and Father David Roman.

What if your "spiritual life" is actually holding you back from true faith? In this inaugural episode, we challenge the idea that faith should be separated from daily life. Through powerful conversations with pastoral associate Cindy Black and journalist Andrea Sarubbi, discover how encounters at bars can be more transformative than Sunday services, and why the Martha vs. Mary debate misses the point entirely. Learn practical ways to integrate contemplation and action into one unified approach to living.

Bottom Line: Stop treating faith like a separate compartment of your life. Instead, learn to encounter God in every person and situation, from church pews to neighborhood bars.

The Problem with Compartmentalization (03:00)

Sacred Encounters in Unexpected Places (12:00)

The Eucharistic Worldview (15:00)

Beyond Martha vs. Mary (26:00)

The Freedom to Choose Well (27:00)

Cindy Black - Pastoral Associate at St. Vincent DePaul Parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana. Former Catholic radio professional with extensive experience in youth ministry and helping newcomers approach the Catholic Church. Known for her authentic approach to relationship-building across diverse communities.

Andrea Sarubbi - Freelance journalist, former member of Italian Parliament, and contributor to the Pope Video Project spreading awareness of papal prayer intentions. Draws extensively from Ignatian spirituality in his approach to integrated living.

"Attention taken to its highest degree is the same thing as prayer." —Simone Weil

"The truth isn't a set of moral ideals. The truth is a person whose identity is love." —Cindy Black

"The difference between a church and let's say a bar is razor thin... whatever someone is trying to seek in a church, which is some form of acceptance in community, I can guarantee you that's what they're looking for in a bar too." —Fr. John Gribowich

"God is either everything, Christ is either everything, or he is nothing." —Fr. John Gribowich

Episode 2: Prayer - From Personal Practice to Data and Trends
Discover what weekly Mass-attending Catholics really think about their prayer lives and learn practical approaches to deepening your relationship with God.

Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, created by Dave Plisky and produced and edited by Conor Donnelly. This 11-episode series emerges from groundbreaking research on Catholic Intentional Discipleship, featuring conversations with priests, lay ministers, industry experts, and podcasters exploring where data-driven insights meet lived faith experiences.

Have a story about living an integrated life? Email us at [[email protected]]

Listen to the trailer for the Religion to Reality podcast, where we help you live a more integrated life.