The Point Man Podcast

Special Episode: From a Father’s Heart: Living Out the Consecration to the Sacred Heart with Archbishop James Checchio

Recorded on location at the historic Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, this special episode of The Point Man Podcast features Archbishop James Checchio, Fr. Andrew Gutierrez and the The Point Man Podcast Crew.

The conversation begins with Archbishop James reflection on the profound influence of his father—a man whose love for God and devotion to his family helped shape his faith and vocation. From there, the discussion explores the meaning of consecration, the healing power of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and why the Church is inviting Catholics to renew their hearts, homes, and families through this powerful devotion.

Together, the guests discuss the importance of evangelization, the Archdiocese's "Welcome Home Sunday" initiative, and the call for every Catholic to personally invite someone back to the Church.

Whether you're discovering the Sacred Heart devotion for the first time or seeking to deepen your faith, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for living a life centered on Christ's love.

Recorded in the heart of priestly formation at Notre Dame Seminary, this episode is a reminder that the Sacred Heart continues to call each of us home.

Episode Notes

📍 Recorded On Location
This special episode of The Point Man Podcast was recorded at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana—the oldest Catholic seminary in the Gulf South and a cornerstone of priestly formation for the region.

🎨 The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (c. 1601–1602) by Caravaggio

Referenced during the conversation, this masterpiece depicts the moment the Apostle Thomas places his hand in the wound of the risen Christ. The painting beautifully illustrates the invitation to encounter Jesus personally—not merely through ideas or arguments, but through a direct experience of His presence and mercy.

Learn More

For information on the Archdiocese of New Orleans Sacred Heart Consecration initiative and Welcome Home Sunday, visit:
 https://nolacatholic.org

In this season finale, The Point Man sit down with special guest Ryan Foley—husband, father, military veteran, and Catholic entrepreneur—for a powerful conversation on faith, work, and mission. As the Church transitions from Lent and Easter into Ordinary Time, this episode explores the deeper meaning of the “now what” in our spiritual lives.

Ryan shares his journey from military and security consulting into full-time apostolic work, and how consecrating businesses, families, and daily life to the Sacred Heart transforms not just outcomes—but purpose. Together, they unpack what it means to live out faith beyond big moments, embracing Ordinary Time as the place where real growth, leadership, and holiness take root.

From balancing work and family to redefining success as “eternal return on investment,” this episode challenges men to see their homes, careers, and communities as true apostolates.

Plus, a heartfelt season wrap-up, personal check-ins, and a reminder: the journey isn’t over—it’s just beginning.

Show Notes:

The Fruit of Her Womb: 33 Days of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary by Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB
Referenced by Chris during the episode as he and his family prepare to consecrate their daughter, Juliana, to Our Lady.

Season Sponsor: Arena Collective
Special thanks to Jared Miguez and the Arena Collective team for sponsoring Season 9 of the Point Man Podcast. If you're a friend of this show, there's a good chance you already know Jared through his involvement in the parish, the local community, and countless initiatives around town.

Whether you're looking for help growing your business, navigating real estate decisions, planning your estate, or finding trusted guidance for your family, Jared and his team are committed to serving others with excellence and integrity.

Learn more at: www.arenacollective.com

About Our Guest: Ryan Foley

Ryan Foley is a Catholic entrepreneur, military veteran, husband, and father dedicated to helping lay Catholics live their faith through their families, businesses, and communities. Throughout the episode, Ryan shares insights from his work helping business leaders consecrate their companies to the Sacred Heart and build organizations rooted in Catholic social teaching.

Ryan has been involved with numerous apostolic and leadership initiatives, including:

• Mission Network – Supporting and coordinating Catholic apostolates and evangelization efforts.
• Conquest Boys Clubs and Challenge Girls Clubs – Youth formation programs focused on developing virtue and leadership.
• The Catholic CEO – A growing network helping Catholic business leaders integrate faith into leadership, culture, and decision-making through consecration, community, and formation.
• Covenant Eyes – A leading accountability and screen-monitoring platform helping individuals, families, and organizations pursue digital integrity and freedom from pornography.

Annoucement: Our Lady of the Lake Men's Club in Mandeville, LA is hosting a golf tournament Friday May 15th with a noon shotgun start. You can check early the Lake Men's Club in the golf tournament out on Facebook at oll men's club. Join them Friday, May 15th to support the parish, the men's club and the oll school community

Epoisode: 

"SOLDIER FOR JESUS CHRIST" 

I am a soldier for Jesus Christ! The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line of fear and doubt. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, be still, silent or afraid. 

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. 

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, am fed by the Eucharist, love with patience, live by prayer and endure with His power because His word is in me. 

My eyes are focused, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear so why FEAR? I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or suffering, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity. 

till 

I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and spoken up for the cause of Jesus Christ! YES!!! I am a SOLDIER FOR JESUS CHRIST! I must go He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My heart is for Him! I will not waver, because I'm a SOLDIER FOR JESUS CHRIST!!! 

AMEN! AMEN! 

The Office of Marriage and Family Life of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, in partnership with Willwoods Faith and Marriage and the Point Man Podcast, invites men from all around southeast Louisiana to the 2026 Archdiocese of New Orleans Men’s Conference on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Saint Dominic Church, New Orleans.
Building on last year’s theme of trust, this year’s conference - "Let It Be Done" - will focus on the centrality of Mary’s trust in God and her responsibility for the life of the Church and the World.
As we pray in the Memorare: “Never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.” The same can be said of every Catholic man who fully embraces his vocation and lives his faith in the particular circumstances of his life.
This year’s Conference will come at a critical time for the life of our Church in New Orleans. It will be important for us to gather, to be encouraged in the faith, and to look forward in hope to what God is preparing for us.
Visit NOLACatholicMen.com to register, sign up for group discounts, find promotional materials for your parish bulletin, and to learn more about how you and businesses in your community can support the efforts of the Conference.
Questions? Contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life at [email protected].

Lent/Easter Retreat Conference Ep.02 With Greg Raymond

PRAYER TO SAY YES TO GOD THE FATHER:

My good and loving Father! Please allow me the privilege of saying my
"YES" to you...l say YES to you Father in all things. Not a conditional YES that means doing only those things that are comfortable and easy. Not a conditional YES that means doing only those things that benefit me.
NO! I give you my YES in all things Father! Because I know You are pure love and as pure love You can transform all things. Doing Your will can never hurt me. Doing Your will can never harm another. Doing Your will can never separate me from You. Doing Your will can only bring about the rhythm and harmony of Your will here on earth. Doing Your will can only help spread Your love and light to others. Doing Your will can only help bring me to You. Doing Your will can only help bring others to You.
When I step inside Your will, I am experiencing the Divine Order and Peace that can only come from Your Divine Will. When I step outside or reject Your will, I am stumbling alone in the chaos, disorder and discord of darkness. Father, let me listen to Your gentle, loving and comforting voice beckoning me, inviting me into Your Divine Will. I am all Yours Lord, do with me what You will. I surrender my life to You!
Because I know that Your will is love. Even when Your will may seem painful, difficult or unfair, I know that Your ways are not always man's ways. Only You can see the grand scheme of things. Only You know the
"Whys" of my crosses. But despite what may seem to be unjust, I trust in You totally. Why? Because You are my Father and You truly love me.
You want only what is good for me. You desire for me to come home to you. There is nothing in heaven or on earth that i want more. So I say YES Father! I say my YES to You now! I say YES to Your rhythm and harmony to the path You have chosen just for me...l say YES to the fulfilling joys and to the challenging crosses of Your Divine Will with all that I am and all that I am called to be in and with You. I say YES Lord!!!
AMEN!!!

A very special episode with The Point Man Podcast at The Right to Life Gala over at Hilton Riverside New Orleans.

This was a very unique and eventful episode, tape live at the event, our guest were as follow:

Greg Raymond: a Metairie native and a jeweler, formerly with Raymond's Jewelry, Inc. (He was also an LSU football player from 1978-1982!) He is a Retreat Master at Manresa House of Retreats, leads retreats for small groups and days of reflection, and offers parish missions.  Previously, he served as Director of Family Ministry at St. Clement of Rome Parish, where he also taught CCD and Confirmation classes. He and his wife of 42 years, Charlene, are parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and have two children and five grandchildren.

Benjamin Clapper: Ben is a longtime pro-life leader and activist who serves as Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its impact statewide through education, youth activism, legislation, and service, helping position Louisiana as one of the most pro-life states in the country. He also works nationally through the National Right to Life Victory Fund, supports the election of pro-life leaders, and helped launch youth training programs across multiple states. In addition, he is the executive producer of the award-winning adoption documentary I Lived on Parker Avenue. His involvement in the pro-life movement began in high school and deepened through his work with Students for Life of America, where he later founded Louisiana Students for Life and received a top national award in 2013.

State Rep Mark Wright: Mark is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, representing District 77 (including Covington and nearby communities) since December 2017. He has served in leadership roles including Majority Leader of the Louisiana House since January 2024. Before the state House, he was on the Covington City Council and worked in leadership roles in business associations like the American Arbitration Association and American Waterways Operators. In the legislature he focuses on conservative priorities such as tax relief, infrastructure, education choice, and pro-family policies.  

Father Mike Schmitz: Ft. Mike is an American Catholic priest, popular speaker, author, and podcaster. He serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, and is chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He’s widely known for his teaching and evangelization through Ascension Press videos and highly successful podcasts like “The Bible in a Year” and “The Catechism in a Year.” His content focuses on Scripture, Catholic teaching, and spiritual growth, reaching audiences nationally and online.

Senator Bill Cassidy: Senator Bill is an American physician and Republican politician who has served as a U.S. Senator from Louisiana since 2015, after previously representing the state in the U.S. House (2009–2015) and Louisiana State Senate (2006–2009). He’s a trained gastroenterologist and co-founded a community clinic serving uninsured patients before entering politics. In the Senate, he serves as Chair of the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee and on several other major committees. Cassidy has focused on healthcare, infrastructure, coastal protection, and social policy, and was reelected to a second term in 2020.

TPMP-Cocktail Hour Sponsorship for the 1/16/26 Proudly Pro Life Gala With Special Guest Ben Clapper