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© 2026 Ave Maria Press
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A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way.
259 Episodes
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Lent invites us to stand at the foot of the Cross—but never alone. The Christian life is meant to be lived in communion, alongside companions who help draw us closer to the Lord. In this episode, Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa and Ali Hoffman reflect on how friendship and community have shaped their faith over the years. Through their shared journey, they reveal the beauty of growing in intimacy with Jesus through genuine relationships and the transformative grace that comes from encountering the Lord together.
Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen.
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Rooted in their mission to uphold the dignity of every human person, the Sisters of Life witness to the truth that no one is beyond God’s love and mercy. During Lent, we are invited to stand at the foot of the Cross and encounter the Lord’s loving gaze, even in his suffering. Sr. Cora Caeli and Sr. Magnificat Rose share how they live Lent as religious sisters, reflecting on why the cross is not something to avoid but to embrace—especially as we repent, convert, and cling to Christ throughout these forty days.
Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen.
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Lent invites us to trust God’s providence—but it also calls for intention. In this episode, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, author of Witness, joins Katie and her husband, Tommy, to reflect on approaching the season with purpose. Fr. Patrick shares how writing a Lenten reflection journal helped him contemplate the Cross more deeply and why we’re invited to stand at its foot—ready to receive all the grace the Lord desires to give through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen.
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1In this teaser episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, host Katie McGrady sits down with Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, to name a familiar tension: many of us resist Lent, even while longing for the work God wants to do in us. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving aren’t ends in themselves—they’re pathways into deeper participation in the divine life and a renewed ability to recognize God in the ordinary.
Fr. Gregory invites us to begin simply, with an honest prayer: Lord, I need you.
This conversation sets the tone for our Lenten series inspired by Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe’s book Witness. Throughout Lent, we’ll walk alongside those who encountered the Passion firsthand, with weekly videos featuring Fr. Patrick and companion podcast episodes with guests including Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Ali Hoffman, Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa, Laura Fanucci, and more.
This Lent, don’t get stuck in what you dislike about the season. Let God meet you where you are—and lead you where he is calling you to go.
Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen.
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In the final days of Advent, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, reflects on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem—sudden in appearance, yet deeply intentional and necessary. Their path invites us to consider our own journeys during this liturgical season and throughout life, and to recognize the deeper purpose meant to be received with wonder.
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With six kids, busy schedules, and long to-do lists, Deacon Jason and Rachel Bulman understand what it means to try and slow down in the Advent season, and how even best laid plans to slow down are often thwarted. In today's episode, they share how Jesus actually finds us in that chaotic family life, is present to us, and shows us his tenderness and brings joy even when we feel like everything is moving too fast.
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Walk into any Target or Home Goods and you'll see nothing but perfectly curated Christmas décor selling you the right kind of holiday aesthetic, all in pursuit of a perfect Instagram post. Eliza Monts, a popular Substack writer and Instagram influencer, shares how we can't let perfect be the enemy of good while pursuing peace and harmony in the Advent season.
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The season of Advent can become far busier than we'd like it to be, if we aren't careful. Author of Behold the Wonder, Katie Cavadini, offers insights into how incorporating lectio and visio divinia and allowing ourselves to be immersed in the moments of the nativity story throughout the season can provide us numerous opportunities to behold the wonders the Lord wants to show us in this season of hopeful anticipation.
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Matt Maher takes Advent seriously, not only because he spends the season touring cathedrals across the country leading evenings of prayer and praise, but because Advent invites us to remember the gift and majesty of Mary’s “yes.” In this conversation, Matt reflects on how her courageous response shapes our own call to live the faith with renewed trust, hope, and openness each day.
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When Pope Leo was elected on May 8, 2025, Archbishop Nelson Pérez was flying home to Philadelphia from Rome. Mid-flight, he got to share the historic news with his fellow passengers. In this episode, Archbishop Pérez reflects on Pope Leo’s leadership style, his vision for the Church, and his awareness of the world’s challenges—qualities that are inspiring Catholics everywhere to renew their witness to Christ’s love and their commitment to making disciples. And yes, the new pope even has a Philly connection: he’s a Villanova grad with a standing order from Wawa.
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Pope Leo is the first missionary Pope since St. Peter, and it is already quite evident how his formation as a missionary in Peru is guiding his papal ministry. Msgr. Roger Landry, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, shares how the Holy Father is walking in the footsteps of his predecessors by first reminding us that we are called to "go out to all the world and share the good news" with a missionary mindset and a willing heart.
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Katie sits down with José Manuel de Urquidi of the Juan Diego Network and Inés San Martín of the Pontifical Mission Societies to discuss their personal experiences with Pope Francis and Pope Leo. Together, they explore how to understand Pope Francis’s legacy and the unfolding mission of Pope Leo. Reflecting on cultural nuances and the influence of social media, José Manuel and Inés reveal how each pope’s distinct personality and leadership style can be appreciated in light of those who came before.
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Shannon Wimp Schmidt joins Katie to explore the significance of the papacy, highlighting key teachings and defining moments from the past twelve popes—from Leo XIII at the turn of the twentieth century to Leo XIV today. Together they trace how the papacy has evolved through the personalities, styles, and themes each pope brought to their encyclicals and homilies, showing how the Lord continues to guide his Church.
In the end, they consider a personal question: What role does the pope play in our individual faith journeys today?
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When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, he stepped into the metaphorical shoes of the fisherman worn by 266 men before him. Choosing a name that hadn't been held by a pope in over 100 years, he entered an office held by men with varied personalities, lofty goals, numerous agendas and projects. Learning about those popes only helps us understand this current pope, and when we watch what Pope Leo does, says, writes, and where he'll go, we do so in light of all the ones who have done things in the papacy before. This upcoming series of Ave Explores will take a look at the history of the papacy, and the work of the popes, from Pope Leo XIII at the turn of the century up to Pope Leo XIV today.
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Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, dives into the intersection of faith and media in today’s digital world. Drawing on the vision of Bl. James Alberione—the founder of the Daughters of St. Paul—she unpacks how we can integrate our faith into the way we consume, create, and share content. Sr. Nancy also invites us to consider the importance of digital fasting—a spiritual detox that helps us reset our minds and hearts amid constant media noise. This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on living faithfully both online and offline.
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As a Catholic convert and Director of Digital Media at FOCUS, Kaylee Stoll knows the power of storytelling online—but also its limits. In this episode, she shares how digital media can reveal the beauty of the Catholic faith while ultimately leading people to in-person encounters with Christ and authentic community. Kaylee discusses the importance of genuine connection, the “look at this” vs. “come to this” balance, and how FOCUS inspires young adults worldwide to grow deeper in their faith.
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Michelle Benzinger, Heather Khym, and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—the beloved voices behind the Abiding Together podcast—join Katie to reflect on the story behind their show, their commitment to authentic and vulnerable conversations, and the impact of inviting others into their spiritual journey. They share why they believe online spaces can become “holy ground” when we speak with honesty, balance, and love—and why, if a message isn’t real and rooted in truth, it’s not worth sharing.
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Check out the Abiding Together Podcast:
https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/subscribe
https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/abidingtogetherpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/abidingtogetherpodcast
In a world flooded with misinformation and digital noise, how can Catholics use media to evangelize with clarity and credibility?
Montse Alvarado, President of EWTN News, joins Katie to talk about why traditional media—especially television and radio—still matter and what it takes to earn and keep the public’s trust. Together, they dive into the urgent need for honesty and transparency in Catholic media and explore how that same trustworthiness must carry over into digital and social platforms.
This conversation is a timely and inspiring look at how truth, trust, and technology intersect in the mission of evangelization today.
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Grady Connolly, a Gen Z Catholic influencer and digital strategist, shares key principles for discerning how to use social media well—especially when representing the Church. Drawing from his experience managing multiple social platforms for content creators and apostolates, Grady makes a bold claim: if influencers and digital missionaries aren't Christ-focused, they shouldn't be doing the work at all. In this episode, he unpacks the heart behind authentic digital ministry, tells the story of how he got started, and explains why everyone online has the power to influence others in ways they may never realize.
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Katie sits down with Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of the Hallow app, to explore how one of the world’s most popular Catholic apps is transforming lives through digital prayer. Once an agnostic, Alex shares his powerful reversion story and how it inspired him to create a tool that helps people encounter Christ right where they are—on their phones. Hear how Hallow is using technology to make prayer more accessible, engaging, and meaningful in today’s fast-paced world.
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