Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

Alex Jones, co-founder and CEO of the Hallow prayer app, shares his inspiring transformation from an atheist to a devoted Catholic evangelist. He discusses the catalyst behind Hallow, its explosive growth to one billion prayers, and how it resonates with those yearning for peace amidst digital chaos. Alex highlights powerful testimonies of users who found hope through prayer and touches on the unique challenges of being a Catholic entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. His insights into blending technology with faith are both illuminating and uplifting.

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” But you can't have faith unless you know what it IS. And even a great mind like Jordan Peterson seems to be missing something in his definition. Faith can't be reduced to a moralistic view of obeying the rules and it demands that we let go of any skepticism about the existence of God. Our relationship with God is not conditional and our faith can't be, either. In this reflection, I want to set the record straight on what faith is, what faith isn't, and some practical steps we can take to grow in our faith. At its core, faith is clinging to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even when we don’t fully understand, even when we fall short, even when we can't prove it. If you struggle with your faith, pray the powerful words of the man whose son was healed by Jesus: "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." Discussion Questions 1. Have you ever struggled with seeing faith as just “following rules”? How does thinking of faith as a relationship change things for you? 2. Jordan Peterson often says he “acts as if God exists” but avoids saying outright, “I believe.” Why do you think it’s hard for some people (maybe even us) to make that leap from thinking about God to trusting in God and his existence? 3. Chris compares faith to marriage—you can learn about someone, but at some point you have to say “I do.” Where do you see yourself on that threshold with God right now? What would it look like for you to take a step deeper in faith? 4. The fastest way to lose faith is to neglect your relationship with God. What distractions pull you away from God most easily? How can you give more time to your faith? 5. Chris outlined three ways to grow in faith: Ask for it, act as if you believe, and fill your life with holy things. Which of these do you most need to focus on right now? ——— ✉️ Sign up for Chris’s Daily Anchor for free daily encouragement: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20 Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission as a monthly donor (a Missionary of Joy): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ Come on Pilgrimage and Retreat with me in Assisi! https://canterburypilgrimages.com/1226

Leah Libresco Sargeant, a Catholic writer and policy worker, dives into her groundbreaking work on redefining dependence as a source of strength rather than weakness. She argues that societal constructs often favor men, challenging listeners to rethink modern feminism and its impact on family policies. Leah connects dependence to care for the vulnerable, asserting that true interdependence can foster compassion and community. The conversation reveals how understanding our need for each other enhances human dignity, encouraging a more caring world for everyone.

Can money truly buy happiness? This podcast dives into Jesus’ teachings that serving the poor directly impacts our eternal judgment. It explores the sobering tale of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that wealth should uplift those in need, not isolate us. Surprisingly, studies show that giving boosts our joy more than spending on ourselves. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize generosity, realigning their values to create a lasting impact both in this life and the next. God remembers every act of love for the poor—what investment will you choose?

Are TikTok and endless scrolling killing our ability to think, pray, and even enjoy life? The truth: yes. And it’s worse than you think. Entertainment isn’t entertaining anymore, it’s addicting. And it’s rewiring an entire generation. What used to refresh us—stories, music, and conversation—has been replaced with noise that is designed to keep us hooked. The result? Shorter attention spans, weaker relationships, and a creeping emptiness that no amount of scrolling can fix. In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Deacon Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College (and a real-life cowboy ), to talk about what’s really happening to us and how to fight back with faith, beauty, and real human connection. Deacon Kyle also talks about the unorthodox and refreshing ways that Wyoming Catholic College forces students to unplug from screens and plug back into the world around them. We weren’t created to be slaves to our screens. We were made for freedom. And the good news is you don’t have to stay stuck in dopamine culture. With small, intentional choices, you can retrain your heart to savor and wonder at life again. So put the phone down, seek out something real, and be present with the people God has put in your life. ---------------- Kauai Pilgrimage: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/kauai/ Wyoming Catholic College: https://wyomingcatholic.edu/ Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20 Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission and become a monthly donor (A Missionary of JOY!): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ✈️ To learn more about all of Real Life Catholic Pilgrimages, visit: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In a world craving instant success, the discussion centers on the beauty of patience and growth in hidden seasons. David’s overlooked years as a shepherd highlight how small tasks prepare us for greatness. The power of a simple slingshot is explored, demonstrating how humble beginnings can lead to monumental achievements. Listeners learn lessons from moso bamboo, emphasizing that slow roots lead to explosive growth. Ultimately, faithfulness in the ordinary lays the groundwork for extraordinary futures.

What if God is so powerful that he can take your biggest mistakes and deepest wounds and turn them into your greatest strengths!? Good news: He really IS that powerful.  That is what today’s story is all about. In this episode, I sit down with January Donovan, founder of The Women’s School, international life coach, and most importantly, mom. Her whole mission to bless women flows from her deepest wound: walking through the pain of abortion and letting God transform her life into a testimony of HOPE and FREEDOM! January’s story is proof that God doesn’t waste a single wound. What should have been the most painful, destructive part of her life became the very place He poured out His mercy and power. And out of that healing, He didn’t just restore her, He gave her a mission. The brokenness that could have defined her became the catalyst for a new chapter in her story that is now lifting up thousands of women.  Timestamps:  00:00 What if your biggest wound became your greatest gift? 8:35 From poverty to living with a billionaire  20:50 The day January’s abortion nearly crushed her life at 16 23:29 How your wound can become your greatest contribution  26:36 From shame to mission: how God turned it all around 33:49 Why beautiful marriages save the world 37:58 Training in discipleship with Sister Elaina   45:22 Letting your wounds become the compass to other courage   52:10 Can you be a world-changer AND a mom? 56:18 The lie that keeps women stuck (and how to break it) 1:04:13 Why healed women change the world 1:11:03 Study the desires God puts on your heart and then pursue it 1:12:22 Be a student of your husband    The Women's School: https://thewomanschool.com/januarydonovan  ........  Franciscan University Steubenville: https://franciscan.edu/  ........  Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20       ........  Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission and become a monthly donor (A Missionary of JOY!): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........  The Chris Stefanick Show will soon be premiering on EWTN+ Streaming! You can start watching more great content at: EWTN.com/ondemand/  ........  ✈️ To learn more about all of Real Life Catholic Pilgrimages, visit: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/ ........  ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20

Where do we go from here? Even in the darkest of times, Christ remains our hope and there is a path forward. I offer my reflections on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and some suggestions for a Christian response to the violence and hatred that are engulfing our country. Please continue to pray for all the victims and families affected by these recent tragedies. Lord have mercy.

What if I told you the Cross, the most brutal symbol of defeat in history, is actually the greatest sign of victory the world has ever seen? In this episode, I’m unpacking the Triumph of the Cross and what it means for YOUR life right now. From the assassination of Charlie Kirk, to 9/11, to violence filling our headlines, we’ll see how the Cross rewrites every story of death with hope and glory. What You’ll Discover: Why death dominates today’s headlines—and why it doesn’t win The shocking truth behind the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross How Jesus turned Rome’s weapon of humiliation into victory St. Patrick’s kidnapping and slavery—and how God used it for glory Why your suffering might be the very thing God is using to bless others The hope that outshouts even the darkest news The Cross doesn’t mean you won’t suffer. It means your suffering isn’t wasted. God flips the script. He turns pain into power, tragedy into triumph, defeat into victory. That’s why we can face the darkest headlines and our own daily crosses, with HOPE.  Come on a pilgrimage and retreat with me in Assisi! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/  .... Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20  .... Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission and become a monthly donor (A Missionary of JOY!): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/

Ever wonder what really happens behind the walls of a monastery? In this week’s episode, I welcome back our favorite Benedictine monk with a surfboard, Fr. Augustine Wetta. We’re stepping into a hidden world that’s been quietly defying the noise and chaos of modern life for over 1,500 years with silence, prayer, community, and a whole lot of humility. But don’t expect some dreamy fairy tale. This is real life behind the habit: petty arguments over pens, broken irons held together with the wrong glue, and golf cart joy rides. It’s raw, funny, and surprisingly relatable. Turns out, becoming a monk doesn’t make you perfect; it just means you’ve committed to growing in love. 00:00 Intro  6:24 Why Fr. Augustine became a monk  12:11 What Fr. Augustine discovered about himself in his 1st years as a monk   13:24 Why silence isn’t scary; it’s clarifying 14:44 The monastic trick to handling distractions during prayer 17:49 The unexpected joys of Monastic life 19:22 And... the surprisingly holy story of a broken iron (short) 22:00 What monks fight about (spoiler: it’s hilariously petty and deeply human) 28:07 Why doing the dishes for someone who annoys you can be sanctifying 28:37 The power of apologizing even when you think you're right (short) 32:22 Settlers of Catan and golf carts in the monastery!? 35:51 Three simple ways to make your house more monastic (yes, even with kids running around) 36:26 Deliberately lose your next argument  This episode reminded me that monastic life isn’t about escape, it’s about living with radical intentionality. And that’s something every one of us is called to, whether you’re in a habit or a hoodie. ........  Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20       ........  Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission and become a monthly donor (A Missionary of JOY!): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........  The Chris Stefanick Show will soon be premiering on EWTN+ Streaming! You can start watching more great content at: EWTN.com/ondemand/  ........  ✈️ To learn more about all of Real Life Catholic Pilgrimages, visit: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/ ........  ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20