Accepting Who God Made You to Be (Fr. Mike Schmitz) | Ep. 549

144 snips

Nov 5, 2025

Fr. Mike Schmitz, a well-known Catholic priest and campus minister, shares insights on spiritual growth and acceptance of oneself. He discusses the generational differences between Gen Z and Millennials, emphasizing the rising interest in Catholicism among young adults. Topics like fatherhood, the challenges of ministry, and the importance of detachment are explored. Fr. Mike reflects on his own journey, from skepticism to embracing Church teachings, while offering practical advice for modern dating and building a sustainable prayer life.

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INSIGHT

Internet Enlarges Social Fears

Constant internet monitoring amplifies social anxiety by extending gossip and reputational harm beyond physical spaces.
That always-on exposure makes being 'on the outside' feel immediate and relentless for young people.

INSIGHT

Cultural Shift From Doubt To Distrust

Fr. Mike notes a cultural shift: fewer people reject God's existence and more question God's goodness amid visible institutional failures.
This creates openness to meaning but also deeper distrust that the Gospel addresses via the cross and mercy.

ADVICE

Prioritize Presence Over Performance

Prefer pastoral presence over polished preaching: being present to people in hospitals and daily life matters more than stage performance.
Receive people well, listen, and accompany them through messy, long conversions rather than scoring quick rhetorical points.

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In this interview, Matt sits down with the one and only Fr. Mike Schmitz. The conversation focuses on accepting who God made you to be — as it relates to getting older, detachment (even from good things), anxiety, fatherhood, the spiritual life and more.

Also discussed is fitness, the rising interest in Catholicism among young people today, Gen Z vs. Millennials, why Fr. Mike loves being a priest, the impact of Bible in a Year, God's love, grief, Fr. Mike's podcast, and the beauty or religious orders.

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00:00:00 – Introduction and Matt's book 00:03:01 – The challenges and spiritual value of getting older 00:15:16 – Why are Gen Z and Gen Alpha different? 00:23:00 – Are young men becoming more interested in Catholicism? 00:32:52 – Wokeism 00:38:10 – Fr. Mike's early struggles with Catholicism 00:44:52 – How to talk to people the right way 00:50:32 – How Fr. Mike embraced the Church's sexual teachings 01:01:02 – Priestly celibacy and the challenges of being a priest 01:10:18 – Being introverted and dealing with fame 01:25:59 – Fr. Mike's most popular video and Bible in a Year 01:37:16 – Ministering to new Catholics and dealing with discouragement 01:51:05 – Fr. Mike's dating and marriage advice 02:01:28 – Matt loves 2025 02:05:53 – The danger of comparing yourself to others 02:09:13 – Confession and developing a stronger prayer life 02:21:40 – Spiritual reading recommendations 02:28:43 – Questions from viewers and closing remarks

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