Unwritten

Join us for an episode filled with thought-provoking discussions as we welcome Abigail Francis, a gifted cantor and spiritual daughter of Father Michael O'Loughlin. Together, we navigate the rich tapestry of faith and community, exploring inspiring themes in anticipation of SEEK. Abigail shares her journey back to the East Coast, her experiences as a cantor, and her reflections on following the Lord with a spirited zeal.

Our conversation takes a deeper look at the nuanced dynamics of podcasting versus preaching, the allure and challenge of public engagements, and the dance between pride and humility. We candidly discuss the differences between temporary attention at events like SEEK and the meaningful connections nurtured in everyday parish life. With Abigail's unique perspective, we highlight the importance of acknowledging human imperfections, offering and receiving constructive feedback, and celebrating the transformative power of open dialogue.

Amidst our reflections, we draw inspiration from the life of Joan of Arc, the patron saint of the conference. Her unwavering faith and courage in the face of adversity serve as a beacon for those seeking to follow their calling against all odds. We delve into her legacy and the broader themes of vocation, persecution, and spiritual guidance. With humor and sincerity, we encourage inclusivity and support in faith-based gatherings, addressing fears of judgment and fostering authentic spiritual journeys. As we wrap up, we extend our gratitude to our listeners and invite you to be part of our community as we continue this journey of faith and discovery.

Register for SEEK: https://seek.focus.org

In this episode, hosts Courtney Roach and Megan Day unpack stories from their adventures at SEEK, weaving humor with spiritual insights. Dive into a candid discussion about the struggles and comforts found in spiritual darkness and light. They tackle personal battles with depression, the liberating power of repentance, and the transformative journey towards embracing Christ’s teachings. Our conversation emphasizes the resilience and hope that come from stepping into the light, inspired by powerful portrayals of Jesus’ compassion in popular faith-based media like “The Chosen.”

Join us as we reflect on the essence of healing and hope, encouraging you to assess the dark and light within your own spiritual journey. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to rise, follow Jesus into the light, and celebrate every step of your journey toward spiritual fulfillment and growth.

Register for SEEK: https://seek.focus.org/registration/

Join us on the Seek Podcast as we delve into the inspiring story of Garrison, an audio engineer whose life is a testament to the transformative power of faith and community. After navigating personal trials and a transformative breakup, Garrison’s rekindled relationship with his Catholic faith led him to profound personal and professional growth. This episode not only explores Garrison’s journey into the heart of the Catholic young adult community in St. Louis but also his integration of faith with his passion for audio engineering.

Discover how Garrison’s spiritual journey has influenced his approach to the arts and provided him with unique opportunities to blend his technical skills with his renewed faith. Garrison shares how Catholicism has anchored his life amidst the challenges of the audio industry and how community support has been pivotal in his journey.

As we accompany Garrison to Catholic festivals and retreats, we explore the dynamic relationship between his professional endeavors and spiritual life, highlighting the power of community in fostering personal transformation and deepening faith commitments.

This episode is not just a story about personal change; it’s about the broader implications of living out one’s faith in every aspect of life, from professional challenges to spiritual enrichment in vibrant, faith-filled communities.

Register for SEEK: https://seek.focus.org/registration/

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Jim Beckman to talk about in the middle of a silent retreat, a walk through a dark graveyard led to a profound, life-altering message from God about deep childhood healing.

Whether you're someone who is interested in sharing the stories of the movement of the Holy Spirit, or just curious about how God brings healing in unexpected places, this conversation will offer a powerful lesson on the ways in which God continues to pursue us and heal us if we only let him.

What You’ll Hear:

• Jim recounts the setting of his silent retreat during the COVID period in the fall of 2020, where he utilized rooms at the pastoral center in Oklahoma City and conducted the retreat over the phone with his spiritual director.

• A mysterious encounter in the cemetery where Jim first saw a lone solar-powered light next to a headstone, only to discover over a hundred of them—an "impossible" proliferation—the next morning, ultimately leading him to the headstone of a little boy named Daniel.

• The intense message Jim received from the Lord after learning that Daniel had died in a house fire at age eight: "When you were eight, your whole house burned down and something in you died, and I want to bring it back to life again," initiating a two-to-two-and-a-half-year healing effort.

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In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Vince Sartori to talk about Vince shares how a persistent invitation from friends led him from a life dedicated to chasing thrills and parties to a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ.

Whether you're interested in stories of the Holy Spirit's movement in the world today, or just curious about the importance of persistence in inviting others to faith, this conversation will show how Jesus never stopped pursuing one person through the example and efforts of others.

What You’ll Hear:

• How Vince spent nine months defining success by being the life of every party, pursuing drinking and thrills, and leaving behind God and faith.

• The persistent efforts of his friends, Jared and Justin, who kept inviting him to Bible study, to play games, and finally, to a Catholic conference—despite Vince writing lists of reasons why he couldn't go.

• The unexpected moment during Eucharistic adoration when Vince felt compelled to go to confession, resulting in a literal weight being lifted off his shoulders and the realization that he was forgiven and loved.

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In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor  sits down with Dorian Arellano to talk about Discover how one simple question, prompted by the Holy Spirit, transformed a reserved student into a courageous witness for Christ.

Whether you're someone dedicated to sharing the stories and movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today, or just curious about the power of intentional accompaniment and friendship, this conversation will exemplify a life that has encountered Jesus in an authentic way and been radically transformed.

What You’ll Hear:

• The story begins with the host, Trevor Bara, sharing his own experience of being drawn to the power of a simple question, and then introducing Dorian Ariano's account of asking a student named Shawn, "When you pray, what is it like for you?". This intentional question sparked a friendship between the focused missionary (Dorian) and the relatively reserved student (Shawn).

• Following several impactful experiences, including a mission trip to Mexico City where he encountered the poor, a Focus conference, and a Father's House retreat, Shawn underwent a radical transformation. He moved from being a somewhat antisocial loner who was overly dedicated to his studies, to being a lively, social person who sought real experiences and conversations with others.

• Dorian shares the conviction that the original question asked of Shawn was from the Lord, and it was the necessary beginning of a friendship that allowed him to walk with Shawn and challenge him. Shawn's transformation led him to pursue uncomfortable situations for the glory of God, such as demonstrating courage by inviting women to dance and gathering weekly to pray with a small group of women past retirement age in a new city.

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In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with John Michael Lucido to talk about how life-altering news about their unborn child led to a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Whether you're someone who has received news that stirred your life in an unexpected way, or just curious about the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today, this conversation will provide an important truth about how God often moves outside of our plans and gives us strength for the unexpected journeys.

What You’ll Hear:

• John Michael recounts the tense moment in the high-risk fetal care unit at KU Medical Center in Kansas City when he and his wife, Emily, learned their six-month-old unborn child would have Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
• The question that weighed on John Michael—"Do I have what it takes?"—was answered by a moment of clarity from the Holy Spirit, who spoke with confidence in his heart, saying: "you don't have what it takes but I do and I'll be with you in every step of the journey".
• The decision to name their son, born February 15th, 2021, Judah Michael (Judah meaning "Praise be to God" in Hebrew), reflecting their commitment that the world should look at their son and say, "Praise be to God," rather than viewing disability as a burden or hardship.

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Kim Zember delivers an Impact Session breakout talk about Same Sex Attraction at SEEK24 in St. Louis, Missouri. She shares an understanding of God's love, and those struggling with same-sex attraction are still deserving of his love.

Check out https://seekreplay.com/ for more talks like this from SEEK24 and visit seek.focus.org to find out how you can join us for SEEK25.

Subscribe to our newsletter to know when new videos are posted weekly: https://focusequip.org/torch/

0:00 The Father's Love
5:40 Struggling with Same Sex Attraction  
8:49 What the Church Says About Same Sex Attraction 
16:40 Who the father is: Prodigal Son  
25:14 God is Love, Love is Not Love  
29:32 You Are Radically Loved 
34:59 Whatever the Sin is God is Bigger

Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. shares an Impact Session talk from SEEK24 in St. Louis, MO where he discusses authentic friendship and shares practical advice in the form of 10 tips to help you improve your current friendships, and find new ones that are fulfilling and that lead you to heaven.

Check out https://seekreplay.com/ for more talks like this from SEEK24 and visit seek.focus.org to find out how you can join us for SEEK25.

Subscribe to our newsletter to know when new videos are posted weekly: https://focusequip.org/torch/

0:00 Opening Prayer 
0:28 Isolation: Why We Need Friends
3:55 #1 Will the Good 
6:49 #2 Share Your Life 
11:26 #3 Pursue Real Interests 
15:32 #4 Commit to Each other 
17:09 #5 Express Your Delight 
20:23 #6 Widen the Circle 
22:46 #7 Bear the Pain 
25:25 #8 Know Your Boundaries  
26:54 #9 Guard Your Heart 
29:39 #10 Work Within God’s Plan

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Carrie Wagner to talk about how recognizing the impact of a historical figure and the legacy of daily choices can recontextualize your life and renew your sense of purpose.

Whether you're someone who has wondered, "What am I doing with my life?", or just curious about finding profound significance in everyday choices, this conversation will help you realize that your life is profoundly significant and that you can impact countless future generations by your yes to Jesus today.

What You’ll Hear:

• The moment Carrie, during her fifth year as a missionary, questioned if her daily efforts mattered and whether she was wasting her life while hanging out with people significantly younger than herself.

• How a visit to Embassy Row led to researching a statue of Irish patriot Robert Emmet, who died for religious liberty, and discovering an unexpected lineage that linked his witness to her own family history.

• The realization that even though Robert Emmet's legacy was built upon sacrifice, it was made up of daily choices, and that faithfulness in the little things ensures your life will affect generations to come.

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