The Engaged Parish Podcast

What sparked the idea for the Engage Virtual Summit? In this special episode, host Mike Josephs sits down with producer Brandon Duncan to discuss the origin, mission, and vision behind eCatholic’s first-ever summit designed for Catholic communicators and leaders.

🎯 Learn about the theme Made for Mission🎤 Get a sneak peek at the powerhouse speaker lineup🎁 Discover perks of both the Live and All-Access Passes📅 Mark your calendar: October 21–22, 2025
🎟️ Tickets + Details → https://summit.ecatholic.com
📩 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Whether you're a parish staff member, diocesan leader, Catholic communicator, or digital missionary—this episode is your invitation to be part of something big.

In this special on-the-road episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Joe Miller, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications at FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), live from the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, AZ.

Joe shares how FOCUS is expanding beyond the college campus to equip parishes across the country with tools for missionary discipleship. From small group Bible studies to the new SEEK Replay app, FOCUS is forming leaders and reactivating former missionaries to build a culture of evangelization in the local Church.

Topics include:

• The mission and growth of FOCUS since 1998
• Parish-based discipleship and spiritual multiplication
• How retired folks, families, and teens are now engaging with FOCUS
• SEEK Replay and the future of Catholic digital resources
• What to expect from FOCUS at the 2025 Engage Virtual Summit

Watch now to hear how your parish can become a hub of intentional missionary outreach.

🗓️ Save the date: Engage Virtual Summit | October 21–22

🎤 Featuring: Curtis Martin, Brock Martin, and more from FOCUS

🔗 Learn more: https://summit.ecatholic.com

📲 Subscribe for more episodes:

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#CatholicPodcast #FOCUSCatholic #MissionaryDiscipleship #Evangelization #EngagedParish #SEEK #CatholicLeadership #CatholicMediaConference #Catholic #CatholicChurch #MadeForMission

In this special episode recorded live from the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, we sit down with Inés San Martín, vice president of marketing and communications for the Pontifical Mission Societies.

A former Vatican journalist and co-editor of Crux, Inés now helps lead global efforts to support mission territories across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. She shares the incredible impact of World Mission Sunday, how U.S. Catholics support nearly one-third of seminarians around the globe, and why being a missionary is a call for all of us—not just those serving overseas.

🕊 Discover how your prayers and support help bring the Gospel to 4.5 billion people who have yet to hear the name of Jesus.

🔗 Learn more and support the missions: https://www.pontificalmissions.org

📰 Subscribe to Mission Magazine: https://www.pontificalmissions.org/mission-magazine

📅 Mark your calendar: World Mission Sunday – October 19, 2025

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from Catholic leaders and evangelizers around the world.

Show Notes:

• The Pontifical Mission Societies
• Subscribe to Mission Magazine
• World Mission Rosary (Prayers)
• Purchase a World Mission Rosary

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we’re joined by Rob DeFrancesco, Executive Director of the Catholic Media Association. Rob shares his journey from local diocesan communicator to national leader in Catholic journalism and digital media—and why Catholic storytelling must always be rooted in mission.

In this episode, we explore:

• The power of Catholic media to evangelize
• How parishes can simplify their communications strategy
• The evolution from print to digital
• What to expect at the upcoming Catholic Media Conference (June 24–27, Phoenix, AZ)

eCatholic will be there, presenting a workshop on digital communications and recording podcast episodes live from the floor. Come say hi!

Register for CMC at https://catholicmediaconference.org

In this episode of the Engage Parish Podcast, we sit down with Mark Matthews, a visual effects and AI expert with over a decade of experience at DreamWorks Animation. Mark shares his journey from the Canadian prairies to Hollywood, where he worked on blockbuster films like Kung Fu Panda, Shrek Forever After, and Madagascar II.

Beyond his impressive career in animation, Mark is also the founder of Bibles and Brew, a men's fellowship group in Hollywood that focuses on faith, masculine identity, and community. In this candid conversation, Mark discusses how Hollywood influences male identity, the importance of consistency in small ministries, and how men can come together to strengthen their faith in practical, grounded ways.

We also dive into the role of emerging technologies like AI in the Church, exploring how the Church can leverage these innovations while staying true to its mission and values. Mark offers thoughtful insights on how AI could be used in parishes, and the importance of using technology responsibly.

Tune in for a conversation that blends faith, technology, and masculinity—perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of today's cultural landscape and their role within it.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated with all our episodes.

In this special episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Jason Jaynes, CEO of eCatholic, for a powerful conversation on leadership, faith, and the future of Catholic technology. Jason shares his journey from growing up in small-town Texas to working in high-tech startups—then following a providential path that led him to serve the Church through his role at eCatholic. You’ll hear about:

• His personal faith story and how it shaped his leadership
• What it means to build the "engagement platform" of the Catholic Church
• Exciting innovations like eCatholic Connect, Find a Mass, ChMS, and more
• How eCatholic helps Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries do more with less

Recorded on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, this conversation reflects the heart behind everything we do: serving the Church's mission of evangelization with purpose, excellence, and love.

🔗 Learn more about the Engage Virtual Summit: https://summit.ecatholic.com

💻 Discover eCatholic: https://www.ecatholic.com

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Tim Glemkowski, Executive Director of Amazing Parish and former Director of the National Eucharistic Congress. We dive deep into what it takes to renew parish culture in a post-Christian world.

Tim shares behind-the-scenes stories from the 2024 Eucharistic Congress, the impact of the Eucharistic Revival, and how Amazing Parish equips pastors to lead healthy, vibrant, mission-focused communities.

🎧 Also available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
🔗 Learn more: AmazingParish.org

🎟️ Get your access pass to the 2025 Engage Virtual Summit, October 21-22, 2025!

What if your fitness routine could be more than just a workout—what if it was a path to holiness? In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Chase Crouse, founder of HypuroFit, the first-ever Catholic personal training and nutrition coaching company.

Chase shares his powerful conversion story and how he discovered that self-mastery in health is essential for self-gift. We explore:

• Why fitness matters for Catholics (including priests & lay leaders)
• How parishes can bring fitness into their communities
• The Catholic approach to health, exercise, and nutrition
• How to make workouts a form of prayer

HypuroFit isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about building a healthy Church. Whether you're new to fitness or looking to integrate it into your faith life, this episode will inspire you to move for a greater purpose!

Show Notes:

• HypuroFit.org
• The Journey to Self Gift by Chase Crouse & Ben West [Book]
• Nutrivore by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne [Book]

What does it mean to be uncommonly free? In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we talk with Jamie Baxter, CEO of Exodus 90, about the deeper spiritual purpose behind the movement that’s helped thousands of men grow in prayer, discipline, and fraternity.What we cover:

• The origin and mission of Exodus 90
• How asceticism leads to spiritual freedom
• The power of local (and remote) fraternities
• The liturgical rhythm built into the app
• New initiatives like the Desert Fathers in a Year podcast with Bishop Erik Varden
• How parishes can foster powerful men's groups

📲 Start your free 14-day trial (no credit card required)👉 https://exodus90.com🎙 Explore the Desert Fathers in a Year podcast:👉 https://desertfathers.com

What does it mean to live a holy life in a world ruled by screens? In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with filmmaker Tim Moriarty and co-director Christian Surtz to discuss their upcoming documentary Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality — a powerful new film hitting theaters April 27–29, 2025.

This isn't just a biography. It's a deep exploration of Carlo’s mysticism, his love for the Eucharist, and his bold engagement with the digital world — plus a moving look at a pilgrimage of students who left their phones behind to encounter the real presence of Christ.

Show Notes:

• Get tickets: CarloAcutisFilm.com/Tickets
  Free parish poster: eCatholic.com/Carlo