Gotta Be Saints

Epizódy

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  The Catholic Man’s Call to Heroism with Doug Barry 28.09.2026 38min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Catholic speaker and author Doug Barry to talk about what it means for men to embrace their God-given call to heroism. We discuss the challenges facing men today, the temptation toward comfort and passivity, and why authentic masculinity requires sacrifice, discipline, and a willingness to take responsibility. Doug shares why men are called to be the “first line of defense” for their families and how prayer, the sacraments, ...
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  Why Honest Conversations Lead Us to Holiness with Rob Kaczmark 10.09.2026 44min

  Send us Fan Mail Why do honest conversations matter? And can sharing our struggles actually help lead one another toward holiness? In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Rob Kaczmark, founder of Spirit Juice Studios and host of the new podcast Flicker & Burn. Rob has spent nearly two decades using film and media to share the Catholic faith, but this conversation goes well beyond his latest project. We talk about why people need meaningful conversations, the danger...
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  Heaven in Stone and Glass with Branden Stanley 18.08.2026 48min

  Send us Fan Mail What can the great Gothic cathedrals teach us about God, beauty, evangelization, and our own call to holiness? In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Branden Stanley of Spirit Juice Studios, co-director of Bishop Robert Barron’s new documentary, Heaven in Stone and Glass. Rather than simply talking about how the film was made, we dive into the deeper ideas behind it: why beauty has the power to stop us in our tracks, how sacred architecture can draw people toward...
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  Marriage Part Four - Hard Conversations 16.08.2026 43min

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the final episode of the Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series! In this episode—Part Four of our series—we’re tackling a vital but often challenging topic: Hard Conversations. I’m joined by Dr. Mario Sacasa, a Catholic counselor, speaker, and host of the Always Hope podcast. Dr. Mario has worked extensively with couples, helping them navigate the tough topics that can arise in marriage while fostering deeper connection and understanding. Summary Why Hard Conversat...
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  Marriage Part Three - Growing Your Family 12.08.2026 42min

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series! In this episode, we’re diving into Part Three of our marriage series: Growing Your Family. I’m joined by Danielle Bean, a mother of eight, writer, and podcaster who brings incredible wisdom and faith-based insight to the joys and challenges of growing a family. Outline Danielle’s Story: Danielle shares her and her husband Dan’s journey of deciding to grow their family. Faith and Family Planning: We discuss how faith sh...
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  Marriage Part Two - Tips for Newlyweds 08.08.2026 1h

  Send us Fan Mail Introduction Welcome back to Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series, where I’m diving into practical advice for newlyweds. This includes things Meredith and I wish we’d known before we got married and reflections on what we learned in these first few years. In this episode, Meredith and I walk through our experiences and key learnings. Outline Our Story So Far Meredith and I start by sharing some of the biggest adjustments we made in that first year. Moving from dating into ...
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  Marriage Part One – The Wedding Day 05.08.2026 40min

  Send us Fan Mail Gotta Marry Well: A Podcast Series for Catholics Welcome to Gotta Marry Well, a podcast series diving deep into the Catholic vocation of marriage. This is part one, focusing on the wedding day itself—not just as a single event but as a sacred vocation. Guest Introduction In this episode, I’m joined by Tanner and Alli Kalina. Episode Summary In this episode, we’ll walk through: The Journey to the Wedding Day Tanner and Alli, can you introduce yourselves and share your st...
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  America the Beautiful: A Catholic Perspective on 250 Years with Dr. Anthony Rizzi 30.06.2026 1h

  Send us Fan Mail As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Brendan welcomes Dr. Anthony Rizzi for an extended presentation on the philosophical foundations of the American experiment. Drawing from his work on natural law, philosophy, and the history of America's founding, Dr. Rizzi shares his perspective on why America's enduring strength lies in its founding principles. Throughout the episode, he explores the relationship between truth, reason, nature, faith, and the intellectual traditio...
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  The Need for Holy Curiosity with Dr. Gregory Bottaro 21.06.2026 47min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, Brendan sits down with Dr. Greg Bottaro to discuss the importance of holy curiosity and what it means to truly listen well. In a culture marked by division, assumptions, quick judgments, and constant noise, Dr. Greg explains why authentic listening is essential for healthy relationships, meaningful conversations, healing, and Christian witness. Drawing from Catholic psychology, Scripture, marriage, friendships, and the example of Christ Him...
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  Seeing Eternity: Michelangelo, Burgundy, and the Catholic Imagination of the Afterlife with Peter Giersch 14.06.2026 49min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, Brendan sits down with Peter Giersch to discuss one of the most important realities Christians can reflect on: eternity. Through the beauty of France, the witness of the saints, the art of Michelangelo, and the Catholic understanding of death, judgment, heaven, and hell, Peter invites listeners to rediscover what so much of the modern world has forgotten. Drawing from his book Talking of Michelangelo, Peter reflects on his experiences in Bu...
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  How Encounter Changes Our Lives with Brian Kissinger 07.06.2026 47min

  Send us Fan Mail This episode is Part Two of a special series in partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville. In Part One, I sat down with Dr. Stephen Hildebrand to discuss why authentic Catholic education matters. Today, we turn our attention to another essential aspect of the Christian life: encounter. Joining me is Brian Kissinger, Executive Director of Steubenville Conferences, for a conversation about those moments when Jesus Christ breaks into our lives and changes everything...
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  The Eucharist Changes Everything with Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP 31.05.2026 54min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP, to reflect on the beauty and power of the Eucharist as we prepare for Corpus Christi. Together, we discuss why Jesus chose to remain with us in the Blessed Sacrament, how the saints were transformed through Eucharistic devotion, and practical ways we can grow closer to Christ through silence, prayer, adoration, and community. Drawing from the lives of saints like St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, and ...
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  Why Catholic Education Matters Today with Dr. Stephen Hildebrand 24.05.2026 1h 4min

  Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, Provost of Franciscan University of Steubenville and Professor of Theology, for a conversation on the importance of Catholic education in today’s culture. We discuss why Catholic education is about far more than academics. It’s about formation, holiness, truth, community, and becoming the person God created you to be. We also dive into the role parents play as the primary educators of their children, the importance of ...
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  The Intentional Household: Living as if People Matter with Dr. John Cuddeback 17.05.2026 44min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, Brendan sits down with Dr. John Cuddeback to discuss what it truly means to live intentionally within the home. Together, they explore how modern life often pulls families toward distraction, busyness, and drifting, while God calls us to deeper presence, sacrifice, prayer, and authentic relationship. Drawing from philosophy, family life, friendship, and Christian tradition, Dr. Cuddeback shares practical wisdom on building a household cente...
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  How the Holy Spirit is Renewing the World with Michael Girgenti 09.05.2026 28min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I’m joined by actor Michael Girgenti, who portrays Jesus in the new docudrama That They May Be One, coming to theaters nationwide May 19–20 through Fathom Events. Inspired by Jesus’ prayer in John 17, the film explores Christian unity, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the invitation for all people to come to know Christ more deeply. Michael shares about his own return to the Catholic faith, what it was like preparing to portray ...
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  The Truth About Sacred Music with Peter Carter 20.04.2026 43min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brendan Gotta sits down with Peter Carter to explore the beauty, purpose, and deeper meaning of sacred music in the life of the Church. Music has always played a central role in Christian worship, from the Psalms of the Old Testament to the chants of the early Church. But what actually makes music sacred? And what role should it play in helping us encounter God more deeply at Mass? Peter, a church musician and Director of the Catholic Sacred Music Project, sh...
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  The Story of St. Philomena with Fr. Peregrine Fletcher 12.04.2026 37min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brendan Gotta sits down with Father Peregrine to explore the powerful and mysterious story of Saint Philomena and why her witness still matters today. Though little is historically known about her life, Saint Philomena’s story has captivated the Church for centuries. From the discovery of her relics to the widespread devotion of saints like John Vianney, her life is marked by courage, purity, and total devotion to Christ. Father Peregrine shares the fascinati...
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  What Christ Suffered - A Journey Through the Passion 29.03.2026 38min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brendan Gotta sits down with Dr. Thomas McGovern to explore the reality of what Jesus endured during His Passion—and why it matters for our spiritual lives today. During Lent, and especially on Good Friday, we hear the Gospel accounts of Christ’s suffering: the agony in the garden, the scourging, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion. But many of us have wondered what these events actually meant physically. What did the huma...
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  A Fearless and Faithful Voice: Discovering Ida Görres 17.03.2026 31min

  Send us Fan Mail Ida Görres is one of the most insightful Catholic writers of the twentieth century—yet many Catholics today have never heard her name. In this episode, Brendan Gotta sits down with Jennifer Bryson to explore the life and legacy of Ida Görres, a fearless German Catholic thinker whose writings on holiness, suffering, and the lives of the saints continue to challenge and inspire readers today. Jennifer shares how she first discovered Görres and why her work remains so relevant i...
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  Training the Tongue and Growing Beyond Sins of Speech with Fr. Gregory Pine, OP 24.02.2026 36min

  Send us Fan Mail Gossip. Lying. Flattery. Crass words. Most of us recognize that sins of speech quietly undermine our pursuit of holiness. In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., to discuss his book Training the Tongue and Growing Beyond Sins of Speech and the path toward verbal virtue. Drawing from Thomistic wisdom and pastoral experience, Fr. Gregory explains why speech is ordered toward communion with God and others, why seemingly “small” faults like exaggeration and gossi...