The Storydram

What does a hotel full of baseball fans celebrating a playoff victory have to do with the joy of heaven?

In this episode, Chris shares a memorable moment from a family road trip when the Milwaukee Brewers' big win sparked an eruption of cheers throughout their hotel. That brief moment of celebration leads to a much bigger reflection: If we can get this excited about a baseball game, can you imagine the joy in heaven when even one sinner returns to God?

The guys explore the communion of saints, the extraordinary grace of confession, and the beautiful reality that heaven is cheering us on as we journey toward holiness. Along the way, they share encouraging stories of people returning to the Church, young people seeking the sacraments, and the incredible things God is doing in our midst.

It's a reminder that while the excitement of a sporting victory eventually fades, the drama of salvation has eternal significance. And every step we take toward Christ is a reason for heaven to erupt in joy.

As parents, we spend years trying to teach our children what is good, what is right, and what it means to live a virtuous life. But every once in a while, we get a glimpse that those lessons are actually taking root.

In Episode 179, Kory shares a moment of genuine pride in his son—not simply because of something he accomplished, but because of the character and virtue he sees developing in him.

What does it mean to raise children of virtue? How do we recognize the work of grace in our children's lives? And how can the everyday experiences of family life remind us of what really matters?

Join the guys for a conversation about fatherhood, Catholic parenting, character formation, and the joy of watching our children grow into the people God created them to be.

Because sometimes the greatest victories in parenting aren't measured by achievements, but by the goodness taking root in our children's hearts.

What do two mice, a stash of sunflower seeds, and a very frightened wife have to teach us about the spiritual life?

This week on Storydram Chris shares the unexpected discovery of some unwelcome passengers living in his car—and the hilarious (and slightly horrifying) adventure that followed.

But what begins as a story about rodents quickly becomes a deeper conversation about fear. From our everyday phobias to our fears of rejection, failure, loneliness, and even death, how often do our fears shape our decisions and keep us from trusting God?

Just in time for Halloween and All Saints Day, the guys explore what it means to have our fears rightly ordered, to cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, and to choose the greater good—even when it requires sacrifice.

Because sometimes God uses the most unexpected things—even mice in your car—to remind us what matters most.

What do a childhood collision with a picnic table, a set of lost keys, and a rosary prayed one bead at a time have in common?

This week on Storydram, Chris and Kory begin with some laughs about the wild adventures of St. Louis's City Museum before turning to a powerful story about finding light in the darkness.

Chris shares a childhood memory of losing his mother's keys in the dark and how that experience speaks to the seasons when our faith feels lost. Through an honest reflection on his own struggles with prayer, anxiety, and trusting God, the conversation explores a beautiful truth: Even when we feel we have nothing to offer God, He meets us in the little we can give.

Sometimes finding our way back doesn't require a blazing light. Sometimes all we need is enough light to take the next step.

What if true hospitality isn't about having the perfect meal prepared or the house completely clean, but about inviting others into the beautiful messiness of our lives?

In this episode of Storydram, Kory shares an unforgettable dinner invitation where the entire family was put to work preparing a meal together. What began with fried plantains, flying footballs, and a kitchen full of kids became a powerful lesson about friendship, community, and welcoming others as Christ.

The guys explore the difference between entertaining guests and making them feel like family, St. Benedict's call to receive every guest as Christ, and the beautiful tension between God's transcendence and His intimate presence in our everyday lives.

Sometimes the greatest hospitality isn't rolling out the red carpet. It's handing someone a dish towel and saying, "You're family. Come on in."

Sometimes the things we said when we were thirteen have a way of sticking with us.

When Chris was the new kid at a Catholic school, one innocent theory about why conversations suddenly go silent—“everyone breathed at once”—turned into years of teasing and a story he still carries decades later.

In this episode of Storydram, the guys revisit that awkward locker-room moment and discover an unexpected lesson about evangelization. Sharing the Gospel takes courage, but it also takes relationship, trust, and the wisdom to know when someone is ready to hear what we have to say. At the same time, fear of saying the wrong thing can keep us from saying anything at all.

Maybe the goal isn’t to always say the perfect thing. Maybe it’s to build real relationships, listen well, and still be willing to speak when the moment comes.

Sometimes the Gospel gets very practical, very quickly.

After hearing Jesus’ call to forgive at Sunday Mass, Kory heads home to discover an overflowing bathroom, a broken toilet, and a child who appears to be responsible for the whole mess. Frustration takes over—until a rusty bolt reveals that the story isn’t quite what it seemed.

In this episode of Storydram, the guys talk about forgiveness, parenting, conviction versus condemnation, and what it means to actually carry the message of the Mass into the rest of the week. We may not live the Gospel perfectly, but when we learn to listen, reflect, and remember, God has a way of bringing us back to it.

What do pitchfork-fried steaks, eight pounds of State Fair food, and an awkward encounter with a teenage boy on a crowded bus have in common? Apparently, they can all teach you something about humility.

Chris shares the moment he mistakenly thought a teenager was calling him out for taking a seat—only to discover much later that the kid wasn’t talking to him at all. That embarrassing realization opens up a bigger conversation with Kory about “main character syndrome,” the temptation to assume other people’s moods and reactions are about us, and what changes when we remember that we aren’t actually at the center of the story.

From marriage and ministry to State Fair buses and pitchfork steaks, the guys explore what it looks like to trade an egocentric view of life for a Christ-centered one—and why life tends to go a whole lot better when we stop fighting reality.

Plus: should Pitchfork Steak Night become the next great Storydram men’s event?

Throwback to the National Eucharistic Congress when Chris is convinced he is bringing home a prized case of Spotted Cow—only to discover that he bought something entirely different.

What begins as a tale of Wisconsin beer, mistaken packaging, and profound disappointment becomes a conversation about the counterfeits we reach for when our hearts are really hungry for God. The guys reflect on the Eucharist, daily distractions, unexpected interruptions, and the freedom of realizing that prayer does not depend on our ability to manufacture the perfect spiritual experience.

Sometimes we think we know exactly what we are looking for. Sometimes God has to open the case and show us what is actually inside.

What does a sketchy neighborhood, a roadside barbecue joint, and the Catholic Church have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of Story Drām, Chris shares the story of discovering an unforgettable Kansas City barbecue restaurant—and realizing that sometimes the best things are worth driving through a few rough neighborhoods to find. That experience becomes a surprisingly powerful image for the Church: no parish is perfect, and every community has its weaknesses, but the Church as a whole contains the fullness of what we need in Christ.

From smoked meats to the saints, from the Transfiguration to the Eucharist, this conversation explores what it means to recognize Jesus at the heart of the Church even when everything around Him feels imperfect. We also wrestle honestly with the reality that people sometimes find different pieces of their Catholic faith in different parishes—and why that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you've ever been frustrated by your parish, wondered whether you're in the "right" church, or struggled to see Jesus through the imperfections of the people around you, this episode is for you. Sometimes, after all the twists, turns, railroad tracks, and questionable directions, you finally arrive and realize: this is going to be good.