Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

What happens after we die? If the answer is "nothing," then what are we doing here? The good news is that we ARE headed somewhere. Our Christian hope changes everything—we have our eyes fixed on heaven as a final destination. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, our entire story can be redeemed by a good ending. Jesus won that victory for us, so death becomes a comma instead of a period. This hope also grants us the opportunity to perfect ourselves after death—and to pray for those who have died before us who are in Purgatory preparing to meet the Lord. We can even reconcile with our loved ones through these prayers and sacrifices for their souls. You can help get them to heaven...and they will be made pure once they get there. The sin and wounds of their earthly existence will be erased. It's a beautiful and healing aspect of our theology! Learn more in my video reflection and join me in praying a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the holy souls in Purgatory. Hope does not disappoint! Chapters: 0:00 Is your life going somewhere? 1:52 Pope Benedict XVI on hope 4:38 Proof from near death experiences 6:30 The Church’s teaching on purgatory 9:40 How to reconcile with loved ones who have died 11:30 Pray a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet with us DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. When you think about your “final destination,” what emotions come up—fear, apathy, hope? Why? 2. How does believing that “if the ending is good, the whole story is redeemed” change the way you view your struggles and failings? 3. What are your thoughts on Purgatory? Did any part of the Church’s teaching on purgatory surprised you or bring relief? 4. Is there someone who has died with whom you still feel “unfinished business”? What concrete prayer or sacrifice can you offer for them this week? 5. After praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, did you notice any shift in your heart (peace, forgiveness, gratitude)? Who can you invite into this hope right now? ----- Watch my interview with John Burke on near death experiences: https://youtu.be/-9Y-hE_ZFQM ----- Sign up for updates from Real Life Catholic to hear about our upcoming series on joy: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ----- Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/chaplet-of-the-divine-mercy-387 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to Poland and Prague: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/12693/

Remember when making friends was simple? Somewhere between adulthood, social media, and COVID…we forgot how. In this new episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Maggie Craig—speaker and author of Friendship Reset—to talk about the loneliness pandemic that is eating away at society and how we can turn the tide in our own lives and relationships. We unpack why we’re more connected than ever yet more isolated than ever, what toxic friendships really look like, whether men and women can really be friends, how to form relationships that actually help you become a saint, and much more. You’ll laugh, be challenged, and walk away with actionable tips to cultivate the friendships God made you for. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 5:43 Loneliness statistics 6:18 Why have we forgotten how to make friends? 8:12 What’s a toxic friendship? 12:03 When is it time to reset a friendship? 16:04 How to rebuild a broken friendship 17:00 Courage, vulnerability, and holiness 24:05 Can men and women really be friends? 29:35 How to be vulnerable 34:39 A message to introverts 39:54 Everyone wants new friends If you’ve been feeling isolated, this conversation will remind you: you were made for real, life-giving relationships. Build a community of holy friends who will help get you to heaven. Don't settle for less! Check out Maggie's book "Friendship Reset": https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Reset-Ditch-Drama-Find/dp/164680385X ........ 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://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........ Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/ ........ Join Chris and Natalie Stefanick on a pilgrimage to beauty in Kauai: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/kauai/ ......... Join Chris Stefanick on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/cs-holyland2026/

We all know it's impossible to avoid suffering. But what if there was a way to respond to the suffering in your own life—from serious tragedies to everyday difficulties—in a way that ultimately led to peace? In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Dave VanVickle, a husband and father who’s walked through some of the deepest suffering imaginable. From raising multiple children with serious health challenges to losing his beloved wife Amber to cancer when she was only 40 years old, Dave has faced hardship and grief that would break most people. But through this pain, Dave found a path that allows him to surrender his suffering to Christ and transform it into a peaceful acceptance grounded in love. Suffering is STILL hard, but Dave shares a perspective of gratitude and grace that will help you to offer up your daily crosses and not take any of your blessings for granted. This episode isn’t just about grief—it’s about finding hope in the resurrection when you're living through Good Friday. Timestamps:0:00 Intro1:51 His children's health challenges7:20 His wife Amber's journey through cancer 14:33 What it means to “offer it up” 17:28 Managing grief 19:24 Preparing your spouse for death 26:30 The peace that surpasses understanding 29:00 Learning to live again after loss 32:13 Living in the moment with gratitude and love 35:41 When you feel abandoned by God Jesus didn’t suffer so you wouldn’t have to. He suffered so you’d know how to. If you’re in pain, if life doesn’t make sense right now—this conversation is for you. You’re not alone. Christ is with you in the cross, and he’s preparing you for heaven through these trials. ........ 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://www.reallifecatholic.com/subscribe ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: 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/ ........ Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/

I’m so excited for you to watch this week’s Sunday Reflection that I filmed on a recent pilgrimage to Mexico City while literally climbing up Tepeyac Hill—the place where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531. The story of Juan Diego ties in perfectly to what Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." It doesn’t get much humbler than Juan Diego. He was a peasant…an absolute nobody by the standards of the world. But God chose to work through him to bring about the largest mass conversion to Christianity in history! Are you feeling like a nobody? God doesn’t see you that way. Mary never appeared to celebrities, politicians, or influencers. She spoke to people that no one else was paying any attention to. God is exalting you in your humility. Don’t reject his invitation. Be like Juan Diego and change the world—even for just one person. How might God use you in your personal sphere of influence? Who are the people in front of you right now that need your love? Turn your attention there. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! Timecodes: 0:00 At the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 3:59 Mary appears to a “nobody” 5:11 Juan Diego’s humility 6:39 Mary’s message of comfort 7:51 The miracles of Our Lady of Guadalupe 8:44 The greatest conversion in history 9:46 Ongoing signs: preservation, studies, and protection 10:10 Three Takeaways from St. Juan Diego 13:47 Prison ministry witness—love who’s in front of you 14:28 See St. Juan Diego's tilma 500 years later DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Every Marian apparition was given to someone who seemed insignificant in the eyes of the world. When have you felt like you didn’t matter or weren’t “enough”? How might God want to use you in your humility? 2. Mary said to Juan Diego, “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” What part of that message hits your heart today? Where do you most need to trust that Mary’s protection and God’s love are real? 3.What does humility look like for you in your daily life—at work, in your family, online? What’s one small, hidden act of love you can do this week? 4. Juan Diego’s tilma still hasn’t decayed after 500 years. How does that ongoing miracle strengthen your faith? What miracles—big or small—have you seen in your own life?5. True greatness comes from focusing on the person right in front of you. Who is that person for you today? How could you love them in a way that might change their world? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20 ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com ----- Join Chris Stefanick on an upcoming pilgrimage: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

As we celebrate St. John Paul II's feast day on October 22, it's the perfect opportunity to revisit his life and legacy—especially his efforts to free Poland from communism through a peaceful revolution grounded in the public witness of deep faith. In this episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, I discuss all things St. John Paul II with Drs. Peter and Kasia Drag, professors at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. They experienced the last gasps of communism in Poland—and share the stark reality of that existence. We delve into the history of Poland and rise of communism, the tragedies John Paul II faced in his early life under Nazi and Communist rule, and how God raised him to the papacy at just the right moment to begin undoing the Communist regime in Poland…and beyond. Timecodes: 0:00 — The story of Chris Stefanick's heroic great-uncle standing up to communism 06:36 — History of Poland 08:12 — The “Miracle on the Vistula” 12:27 — John Paul II's childhood tragedies and upbringing under communism 23:31 — Daily life under communism 31:12 — “Nine days that changed the world” 36:15 — The assassination attempt on JPII and Providence at Fatima. 39:36 — John Paul II's ongoing impact 49:13 — How Divine Mercy will change the world When you look at Poland’s story, you see how God turns suffering into strength. A nation crushed by war, communism, and loss became the cradle of some of the greatest saints of modern times—Maximilian Kolbe, Faustina Kowalska, and John Paul II. Their secret? They allowed grace to transform them in the midst of evil to unleash God’s goodness. Oppression has the power to raise up saints—and it certainly did that in Poland through Pope John Paul II. But he reminded us that the true spark to renew the face of the earth isn’t a pope or a politician. It’s Divine Mercy—God’s love poured out on a wounded world. Divine Mercy has the power to tear down walls, topple empires, and heal hearts. It took down the Iron Curtain without a single shot being fired. And if it can break the chains of communism, just imagine what it can do in your own heart. St. John Paul II, pray for us! ........ 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 ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........ Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/

Are you waiting to find "the one?" The perfect job? Maybe just a general feeling of contentment in your life? God's timing is often (usually!) not our timing. So what can you do? Meet Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio—a man who built roads, made a fortune, and waited decades for his deepest prayer to be answered, but it didn't go quite like he envisioned it. His story is a powerful reminder that what seems like a delay from God is actually just the unfolding of his perfect plan for you. Sebastian longed for marriage and waited until he was 60 to find “the one.” Both wives died soon after. Only later, at 72 years old, did he finally discover his true vocation as a Franciscan friar—and eventually become known as the Angel of Mexico. In this reflection, I offer three tips for what you should (and shouldn't) do while you play the waiting game. Keep living, keep loving, and keep praying. God is never late, and he will not be outdone in generosity. Blessed Sebastian, pray for us when we’re in a rush and God is not. Timecodes:0:00 – When you’re in a rush and God’s not 0:45 – The incredible life of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio 3:15 – Don’t abandon God’s plan when life feels slow 5:20 – Keep living: the danger of waiting for “real life” to start 7:45 – Keep praying and trust God’s perfect timing ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20 ----- Join the mission! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com

He was a practicing satanist. A successful comedian. And totally lost. Then one day, while sitting in the back of a Catholic church, comedian Shayne Smith had a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life forever. In this 100th episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, Shayne opens up about his journey from abuse, violence, and satanism…to freedom, faith, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He shares how laughter became a way to heal, how radical forgiveness rewired his brain, and how the love of Christ transformed his woundedness into a life of joy—illuminating comedy as a pathway for sharing that joy with others. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:00 How Shayne found comedy (and what makes people laugh) 10:28 The challenge and gifts of ADHD and creativity 18:39 From “the everything guy” to the “Jesus guy” 22:22 Comedy as a sacred calling 26:45 "Laughter is getting close to God." 28:10 Using comedy to uplift rather than tear down 36:00 How conversion redeemed his childhood trauma 43:27 Covering a satanic tattoo to reveal the Trinity 50:07 Shayne's conversion story 56:10 A vision of Mary that changed him instantly 1:06:36 Forgiving those who hurt him 1:11:05 How God redeemed his life experiences 1:15:53 Shayne’s prayer for healing and freedom God can reach into the depths of darkness to remind us that we are his beloved children and redeem any story—no matter how bleak it might seem right now. I hope Shayne's story is a source of hope and inspiration for you if you're still struggling to overcome your wounds or if you're seeking a way to use your talents for the glory of God. ........ 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 ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........ Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/

We love to overcomplicate things—especially when we're trying to make a lasting change in our lives. But in reality, the road to healing and holiness is paved with a commitment to small, simple steps. Want a better marriage? A deeper prayer life? Better health? Freedom from a bad habit? Don’t overthink it. What is the simplest step toward your goal? And why aren’t you taking it yet? In this reflection, I outline four things holding you back from living the life God intended for you...and the small, incremental steps you can take to break free from stagnation in any area of your life. 1. Pride: “If it were that simple, I’d have done it already.” 2. Desire: Sometimes we don’t really want to change.3. Distraction: We stay too busy to make room for change.4. Fear: The simple step feels too hard, so we avoid it. You probably already know what you have to do, and you just need to create and live out some simple rules for yourself to get there. Stop looking at things from 30,000 feet. Ask God for help. And step out in faith today to take that first, simple step on the journey to transformation. ——— DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Which of the four—pride, desire, distraction, or fear—do you struggle with most right now? What’s one small, concrete step you can take this week to defeat it? 2. Can you think of a time when a simple act of obedience or discipline led to real change in your life? What helped you take that first step? 3. Where are you overcomplicating your relationship with God? How might returning to something simple—like daily prayer, Scripture, or confession—help restore peace? 4. St. Benedict changed the world with a “simple rule of life.” What’s one simple rule or habit you could commit to that would draw you closer to holiness? 5. Naaman almost missed his miracle because he thought God’s command was too simple. Is there an area in your life where God might be calling you to trust and act, even if it seems too easy or small? ——— ✉️ 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

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Hallow prayer app. This wildly popular platform has grown exponentially over the past few years to help millions of people to pray—not to mention making a life of prayer more attractive and mainstream. It’s a simple idea with profound results: use a smartphone app to guide people into a habit of daily prayer. Through monthly prayer challenges, reflections, videos, and music from some of the most recognizable and influential Catholics in the world (and I’m on there, too!), Hallow has recently crossed the incredible milestone of logging ONE BILLION prayers. Praise God! In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I am thrilled to welcome Hallow co-founder Alex Jones for an in-depth conversation that goes behind the scenes on the inspiration for the app, Alex’s personal faith journey, glory stories of how God is using this app to change lives, and lessons learned from being a Catholic entrepreneur in the secular world of startups. Highlights: 0:00 Intro 2:50 Alex’s journey from atheism to prayer7:16 Finding the Hallow app’s name through Lectio Divina 11:50 Prayer as a gateway to relationship with Christ 30:00 The sacred surge happening in Catholicism 35:54 When the Super Bowl crashed the app 39:46 Mark Wahlberg, Kevin James, and other Catholic celebs 44:50 Working with Jonathan Roumie 49:49 “The Man Helping Silicon Valley Find God” 54:30 Using Smartphone Technology for Good 58:00 Having an Impact Beyond Metrics 1:06:35 Why Hallow Succeeds in Business 1:19:10 Alex’s Prayer Routine 1:27:48 How God Uses Success to Purify Your Soul 1:39:00 Join Chris and Alex in Silent Prayer Prayer is a fundamental aspect of our faith. If you want to grow in relationship with someone, you have to spend time with them. Same goes for God! I’m so grateful to Alex and everyone at Hallow for creating an app that harnesses modern technology to actually bring us closer to the Lord. If you haven't tried it yet, click below to get a free three-month trial of the Hallow app: https://bit.ly/4odnzEc ........ 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 ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ ........ ✈️ Join Chris Stefanick and Fr. Dave Pivonka on pilgrimage to Assisi: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/1226/

“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

The world tells you that dependence is weakness, but it's actually what makes us human. The truth is, you can’t live without being dependent. From the moment we’re born to the moment we die, we’re relying on other people. And that’s OK! In fact, it’s the way God intended. In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Catholic writer Leah Libresco Sargeant, to discuss her new book "The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto." Leah challenges the lie of autonomy and makes a bold case that dependence isn’t weakness—it’s the key to a thriving society. Together, we unpack why dependence is not a burden, why our world is literally built for men, what modern feminism gets both right and wrong, and how a Catholic vision of dignity shows us that men and women are equal in worth, but not interchangeable. This is an important conversation that touches on so many fundamental aspects of human life. Leah is ultimately asking what it would take to build a more caring world where everyone—men, women, the unborn, the elderly, and the disabled—can flourish together. God doesn’t want us to hide our need for help. He loves us in our weakness and created us to love each other in those weaknesses as well. That's what real love is all about—depending on one another and on God—not pretending we can do it all on our own. This is a Christian reality that secular society loves to ignore. Living through the lens of interdependence can help us to be a little bit more compassionate and Christ-like in everything we do. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:53 Leah's Tolkien role-playing game 2:48 Why Leah wrote The Dignity of Dependence 3:32 How the world is literally built for men (and why that matters) 10:21 The lie of autonomy vs. the truth of dependence 16:42 Prioritizing interdependence in the workplace 22:18 What mainstream feminism gets right and wrong 30:10 How the cult of autonomy fuels euthanasia 34:39 Why we are obsessed with being independent 37:14 Why men struggle to admit need (and how it’s killing them) 44:06 Leah's hopes for her new book Get Leah’s book The Dignity of Dependence here: https://amzn.to/4pLjF74 Explore her Tolkien-inspired game Back Again from the Broken Land: https://cloven-pine-games.itch.io/back-again-from-the-broken-land ........ 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 ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: 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 Real Life Catholic Pilgrimages, visit: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

Can money actually buy happiness? Believe it or not—Jesus says yes. In this reflection, Chris Stefanick unpacks Matthew 25 and Luke 16, where Jesus makes it clear: a big part of our final exam before God will be about whether or not we loved and served the poor. The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a sobering reminder: if our hearts are closed to the suffering right in front of us, they’re not open enough to receive heaven. But here’s the twist—modern research actually backs this up! Studies prove that spending money on others brings more joy than spending it on ourselves. So your money CAN buy you happiness...if you give it away to help others. What you'll discover: Why serving the poor is essential preparation for eternal life How generosity changes your happiness right now The one thing God will never forget about you Watch now and start investing in the only thing that lasts: love. ❓DISCUSSION QUESTIONS❓ 1. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that the “final exam” is about how we serve the poor. How does that challenge or affirm the way you’ve been living your faith? 2. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16), the rich man isn’t condemned for being wealthy but for ignoring the suffering at his doorstep. Who are the “Lazaruses” God has placed at your doorstep? 3. God forgets every sin we repent of, but he never forgets a single act of love for the poor. How does that truth change the way you view generosity and service? 4. Research shows that giving money to others brings more joy than spending it on ourselves. Can you share a time when generosity—big or small—brought unexpected joy to your life? 5. What is one way you could “reorder your dreams” to align more closely with how Jesus calls us to use our resources? ------ Living Joy by Chris Stefanick: https://real-life-catholic.myshopify.com/products/living-joy-hardcover ✉️ 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

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/

We live in a culture that wants everything fast—success, influence, recognition. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but that's not always how God works. He grows things slowly, starting small and hidden, so they’re strong enough to last. In this Sunday reflection, I’m sharing why being faithful in the “small things” matters more than you'll ever know. We’ll talk about David’s hidden years as a shepherd, the power of a simple slingshot, and what bamboo plants can teach us about waiting (yes, really ). What You’ll Discover: Why God grows things slowly, starting small and hidden How David’s years with sheep and a slingshot prepared him for Goliath What the moso bamboo plant can teach you about waiting on God Why no one, not even the people overlooking you, can block God’s plan How your faithfulness in ordinary tasks sets the stage for extraordinary impact So if you feel stuck or unseen, take heart. Be faithful with the little things God has put in front of you today. He does some of his best work in hidden seasons. It's not just waiting. It's formation for the greatness to come—in this life or the next. .... 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/

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 co...

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,...

Did Jesus really say, “Hate your mother”? It sounds more like a death-metal lyric, right? Nope…those are Jesus’ words in Luke 14. So what’s up with that? Was He telling us to literally despise our parents? Of course not. But He was making one of the boldest, most shocking points He ever made: our love and loyalty to Him must be so much greater, so much higher, that even your deepest family bond looks like hate in comparison. In this episode, I dive into this hard of Jesus and explain why love is free but costs you everything. What You’ll Discover: What “hate your mom” really means (and doesn’t mean) Why following Jesus will cost you everything and why that's GOOD news. Why cheap grace can destroy faith and what costly grace really means. Why you can’t call Jesus a “good teacher” He is either a Lord, a lunatic, or a liar. The saints that went all in and never looked back How putting God first doesn’t take away your life, but gives it back to you in fullness. Jesus’s love is free, but it’ll cost you everything. And when you give Him everything, you discover the only life worth living. .... 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/ .... Research links: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/31/are-religious-people-happier-healthier-our-new-global-study-explores-this-question/ https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/religion-and-divorce https://www.aau.edu/research-scholarship/featured-research-topics/people-religious-affiliations-live-longer-study-shows

Fr. Juan Gutiérrez’s basketball injury ultimately led to the upcoming canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati! In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Fr. Juan Gutiérrez, who experienced something extraordinary: a complete healing of his ruptured Achilles that was officially declared a Vatican-approved miracle and is considered the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Fr. Juan didn’t go looking for a miracle. When he suffered a complete tear of his Achilles tendon while playing basketball with seminarians, his doctor told him there was little chance of recovery without surgery. He turned to prayer, and what happened next left his surgeon speechless and left the Vatican investigating what even medical experts couldn’t explain. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:36 How a basketball game led to a torn Achilles 6:44 How a made-up novena became the turning point of the story 8:38 Intense heat during prayer—was something on fire?! 12:57 The surgeon's stunned reaction 16:29 Why God cares about the little things 16:55 Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: The Patron Saint of Ordinary People 18:27 What’s your Achilles heel? 20:46 What’s it like to be a subject of a Vatican Investigation? 29:55 Who was Pier Giorgio Frassatti really!? 33:32 Why are we given miracles? 35:02 From atheist to… Catholic priest!? So many of us think, “God only steps in for the big stuff.” But Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding… turning water into wine. Not raising the dead or curing cancer. Why? Simply to save a couple from embarrassment. Because that’s who He is. A Father who loves the details. A Savior who cares about your daily life. A Friend who meets you in your need, even when the world says it’s too small to matter. ........ 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 ......... Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZOMMAyrrwyFVVcEPU85vV

What if I told you the most powerful spiritual weapon isn't talent and charisma but HUMILITY! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the one virtue that makes you spiritually unconquerable. We’ll talk jiu-jitsu (yes, seriously ), the wisdom of the Desert Fathers, the ground game of Jesus, and why humility isn’t weakness, it's the key to strength, peace, and spiritual victory. What You’ll Discover: Why I love jiu-jitsu (and what it teaches us about spiritual battle) The kind of spouse you should be looking for What a Polish nun taught me backstage at World Youth Day How God uses trials to keep us grounded Practical ways to grow in humility (and spot pride when it sneaks in) If you’re chasing success, struggling in your marriage, or battling pride and discouragement, this episode is for you! Because in God’s kingdom, the path to victory isn’t up… it’s down. The ground is where grace meets you. And if you’re willing to get low, you’ll find that’s where the real power is. 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

What happens when the one who runs toward danger… can’t outrun his own pain? In this gripping episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Jeff Wrigley, a veteran police officer, father of 7, and Catholic convert, who spent decades racing into crises to protect others—all while silently falling apart on the inside. Jeff opens up about what it's like to carry the invisible wounds of decades in law enforcement: the trauma that piles up, the pressure to stay composed, the moments of despair no one sees, and the burnout that nearly ended everything. He shares the moment it all broke, and the turning point that began his road back to joy. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 15:31 The stigma behind being a cop 20:15 How faith informed him as a police officer 25:22 Why bravery without fear is dangerous 31:10 It is responsible to recognize that there are threats in society 34:06 What's it like to be a first responder to tragedy 46:27 Why stuffing pain never works 50:51 PTSD and hidden anxiety in law enforcement 52:30 The simple prayer that saved his life 54:00 The lie of perfectionism as a cop 59:36 The importance of seeking good counsel Jesus didn’t promise an easy life. He promised we wouldn’t go through it alone. If you’re carrying more than you can handle, this episode will remind you: faith isn’t about faking it. It’s about letting Christ into the dark and letting him carry you out. ........ 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...

How many people are in heaven? How many are in hell? That's exactly the question someone asked Jesus in Luke 13. And His answer? It wasn’t a number. It was a warning: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” In this episode, I unpack what Jesus was really saying and why asking how many is the wrong question. This isn’t about statistics. It’s about YOU. Your heart. Your relationship with God. What You’ll Discover: What Luke 13 actually means (and doesn’t) Why salvation isn’t a system you figure out, it’s a person you cling to The Church’s teaching on purgatory, hell, and mortal sin What Pope Benedict XVI said about how few are truly ready for heavenWhy there’s still real hope for the rest of us If you’ve ever assumed you were “good enough,” or felt too far gone, this episode will challenge you and give you hope. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Lumen Gentium: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html Spe Salvi - Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical on hope: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html St. Cyril of Alexandria’s reflection on Luke 13: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_on_luke_10_sermons_99_109.htm 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

If you’ve been through a divorce or walked with someone who has been, you know the pain runs deep. But you are not alone, you are not disqualified, and you still belong in the heart of the Church. God hates divorce. It’s true. Scripture says it. But here’s the part too many people miss: He hates divorce because of how much it hurts you. Because of the pain it passes from parents to kids. Because of how it can wound generations. But God does not hate the people going through it. He doesn’t hate you if you’ve been divorced. And if you’re walking through that right now, hear me, you still belong in the Church. You’re still part of the family of God. And His love for you has not wavered. In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Klika, a faithful Catholic whose 30-year marriage ended when her husband began living as a woman. She’s lived the pain, wrestled with her faith, and discovered the peace, healing, and freedom that only Jesus can give. Timestamps: 00:42 Why Catholics need to talk about divorce ️ 10:54 Divorce does NOT make you a second-class Catholic 11:52 The first step to healing after divorce➡️ 17:30 How to protect your heart from bitterness ️ 31:01 How to be there for those going through divorce 39:50 Annulments explained 55:17 Turning her deepest pain into a mission of hope Carolyn didn’t just survive her divorce; she turned her pain into a mission, launching a ministry that helps Catholics around the world find healing, restore their identity in Christ, and walk in freedom again. Whether you’re in the middle of a separation, navigating the annulment process, or trying to help someone else, this episode will show you that God can write a beautiful new chapter from even the most broken story. Resources Mentioned: CatholicDivorceHelp.com Support the mission: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/ 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:

Are you ready to become a spiritual warrior to attain true inner peace? In the final week of our Living Peace series, we are talking about the difference between the world’s peace and the peace that Jesus offers us. If you have unresolved emotions, bad habits, or personal experiences holding you back from the peace that the Lord wants you to experience, this episode will start you on the path to conquering those obstacles on the journey to lasting peace. If you want real peace, first you have to go to war. In this episode, we’ll explore Jesus’ very specific definition of peace, and how it offers us so much more than the “ceasefire” of the world’s counterfeit peace. We’ll also look to examples of spiritual warriors who risked it all to overcome evil and sin in the world to pursue Christ’s peace that surpasses all understanding. .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In 1968, something extraordinary happened at St. Mary’s Church in Zeitoun, Egypt: a glowing, floating figure, identified as the Blessed Virgin Mary, appeared night after night, drawing crowds of up to 250,000, defying power cuts, and even prompting both the Egyptian government and the Coptic Patriarchate to investigate. Seen by Muslims and Copts alike, captured on film, and witnessed by over a million people over two-and-a-half years, this is one of the most compelling recorded miracles ever. I’m joined by Dr. Travis Dumsday (Philosophy Professor, Concordia University–Edmonton; author of The Marian Apparitions at Zeitoun & Evidential Inquiry) to sift through eyewitness testimony, debunk every naturalistic claim, from mass hallucinations to holograms, and reveal the astonishing details that leave no room for doubt. Timestamps: 00:00 Proof of the supernatural seen by 1 million 2:33 Muslim transit workers’ first sighting of Mary! 4:47 Lights out, but Mary’s apparition couldn’t be switched off 15:09 How Mary united Christians and Muslims 17:50 Did Mary stop a looming genocide? 27:49 Top natural explanations—and why they fail ❌ 45:52 Why Disney still couldn’t pull this off today Resources Mentioned: Dive deeper: Get The Marian Apparitions at Zeitoun & Evidential Inquiry here: https://svspress.com/the-marian-apparitions-at-zeitoun-an-evidential-inquiry/?srsltid=AfmBOopQHCPtBmi2w0vVS6RRKCHd9tVpuWPr2lT1wvgVvd68cHUyqdIf ........ 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/

Welcome to week 6 of our Living Peace series. We’re still on this journey toward deep inner peace, and today we dive into spiritual detachment: a life-changing practice that unlocks unshakeable joy, deep contentment, and heroic love. If you’ve ever felt your heart chained by worry, ambition, or the need for approval, this episode will set you free. We don’t detach to escape; we detach to love, learning to live in the freedom Christ died to give us. What You’ll Discover: How the samurai–Zen master story reveals the power of radical freedom Why medieval monks used bones to break the world’s grip on their hearts Seneca’s Secret: learning to die as a pathway to true spiritual freedom Christian detachment: detaching from lesser loves to embrace the greatest treasure of Christ’s love The three life-changing fruits of spiritual detachment: Unshakeable joy, deep contentment, and heroic love. Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Jim Blum, a man who served 20+ years behind bars and found God, purpose, and healing in the unlikeliest place: prison. We talk about what it’s like to be sentenced to 32 years, what actually happens after the gavel drops, and how God used Jim’s lowest point to launch one of the most successful reentry ministries in America. We unpack why most inmates go back and why Jim’s My Father’s House has a 100% success rate. And we explore what really changes a man: humility, prayer, and the experience of being truly loved. Timestamps: 2:19 The moment the gavel dropped and Jim was sentenced to 32 years in prison 3:10 What it’s like to see your mom cry as you're led away in cuffs 20:38 When your resume says “20 years in prison”—what happens next 23:02 What it’s like to walk out of prison... with nowhere to go 23:44 Why 60–70% of inmates return and why The Father’s House guys don’t 42:47 What it’s like to personally pick up a man from prison on release day 47:34 The invitation we all need: Love people we’re uncomfortable loving Resources Mentioned: My Father’s House: https://myfathershousedenver.org/ 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 .........

Welcome to Week 5 of our Living Peace series. We’re still on this wild ride toward deep inner peace, and today we hit the real challenge: radical forgiveness. You have to take this step of discipleship to live in the peace of Jesus. It’s so hard that most people won’t even take the leap, which is why true peace remains so rare. We’ve come to see resentment as virtuous, even for wrongs done centuries ago, but Jesus calls us to starve resentment, uproot bitterness, and let the peace He died to give flood our hearts. We’ll dive into Saint Maria Goretti’s powerful story, unpack Jesus’ counterintuitive command: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”and then I’ll personally lead you step-by-step through a prayer of forgiveness. What You’ll Discover: Why resentment feels “owed” and how our gut-sense of fairness becomes a prison Saint Maria Goretti’s mercy: How an 11-year-old’s forgiveness shattered a cycle of hate Jesus’ model on the cross: “Father, forgive them” in the face of betrayal and violence A powerful prayer practice: A guided prayer exercise to drain old hurts once and for all Receive full access to all our video series, including As We Forgive Those, by becoming a monthly donor: https://moj.reallifecatholic.com .... Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Peter Malinowski to explore why you feel like you’re running on fumes because you can’t say “no”. We dig into the hidden mind‑games that keep us saying “yes,” explore how Jesus modeled both fierce limits and boundless compassion, and equip you with simple, actionable strategies to start saying “no” without second‑guessing yourself. By the end of our conversation, you’ll see that healthy boundaries aren’t just a nice idea; they’re the key to reclaiming your time, your joy, and your freedom. Timestamps: 2:06 Jesus didn’t always welcome with open arms - here’s how He knew when to kick out and when to lean in ✋ 5:00 Think setting boundaries isn’t loving? Here’s why “no” might be the most Christ-like word you ever say ❤️‍ 20:35 Why boundary-breakers are drawn to people who won’t push back 34:05 Not good at boundaries? Why doing it awkwardly and badly is still way better than doing nothing 34:47 – Tired of being called “mean” for standing your ground? Try flipping it to “I love you enough to set this boundary” 44:11 – The most freeing thing you can say in a relationship: “I love you… and I can live without you.” ✨ Resources Mentioned: Dr. Peter Malinowski’s work: https://soulsandhearts.com How to Deal with Narcissism with Peter Malinowski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujrC9zmoNdk Interior Integration for Catholics podcast: Episode 123: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcfr8dOj19w Interior Integration for Catholics podcast: Episode 129: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jVXVtth48g 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...

Have you ever noticed how worry can take up residence in your mind, setting up camp as commander‑in‑chief? In Week 4 of Living Peace, we unpack exactly how worry infiltrates your thoughts and equip you with the tools to flush it out. The good news? You don’t have to live in a state of constant worry. When your biggest fears seize your attention, joy and focus are the first casualties, but prayer offers a frontline strategy to reclaim your mind. In this episode, we dive into the kind of prayer that doesn’t just scratch the surface, but actually roots out anxiety at its core. What You’ll Discover: The subtle routes worry uses to hijack your daily life Why sheer willpower falls short—and what actually dismantles fear Three targeted prayer strategies to uproot anxiety at its source How cultivating intimacy with the Father rewires your mind for peace Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & Series Overview: Why Week 4 Matters 1:45 – Worry as Commander‑in‑Chief: How Anxiety Seizes Your Mind 4:10 – The Two Saturations: You Can Only Live in Worry…or Prayer 6:30 – Prayer Move #1: Habitual Presence Prayer 9:15 – Prayer Move #2: The ACTS framework 12:00 – Prayer Move #3: Listening Prayer in Action 15:20 – Real‑Life Stories: Prayer Cracking Anxiety’s Stronghold 23:10 – Practical Next Steps: Embedding Peace into Your Routine Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In this week's episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, we dive into the frontlines of spiritual warfare, exorcism ministry, and deliverance as I sit down with deliverance minister Dave Van Vickle, who has been working in deliverance ministry since he was 14! We unpack real encounters with demonic activity and equip you for battle. Learn the three tiers of demon attack, discover why love, truth, and the sacraments (even a simple hug!) are your most powerful weapons, and see how everyday moments can become acts of deliverance. Timestamps: 12:09 The 4 Tiers of Demonic Activity: From Temptation to Full Possession 16:16 4 unmistakable signs of authentic possession 23:02 Spider-woman? No..How a demonic assault made this woman scale the ceiling on all fours️ 28:02 An animal can be possessed!? This story is CRAZY! 29:36 They kept finding Mary in the TOILET every time they came home until they got rid of THIS!? 30:49 The demons’ handbook of fear: confession and priests send Demons running 32:47 The moment Our Lady forced demons to their knees and pray… 39:27 Everyday Spiritual Combat: how HUGS can be exorcistic! ️ Resources Mentioned: Dave Van Vickle’s Website: http://www.thecatholictruthaboutangelsanddemons.com/#/ 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

We’ve all been duped into thinking that the busier we are, the more successful we must be. But here’s the truth: hurry is a thief. It steals your joy, fractures your focus, and even suffocates your prayer life. In Week 3 of Living Joy, we will journey from ancient sundials to the ping of your smartphone, exposing how our obsession with time has hijacked our souls—and how the Gospel can set us free. What You’ll Discover: How hurry quietly erodes your inner peace and prayer life. Steps to cut loose the tasks and commitments that leave you worn thin. A clear framework to rebuild your day around what truly matters Methods for carving out quiet moments to reconnect with Jesus Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: The hidden cost of relentless rush 1:30 - Time’s takeover: Sundials → Smartphone madness 3:10 - Spot “hurry sickness” in your everyday life 5:00 - Three life‑changing practices to reclaim your pace 7:20 – Next steps: Integrate rest into your routine .... Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Deacon Bob Rice, who has spent 30 years on the front lines of youth ministry, to tackle one of the toughest question for Catholic families: How do we help our teens own their faith in a world of screens, stress, and nonstop noise? Bob and I unpack why smartphones are supercharging teen anxiety, decode the two pivotal growth spurts that make or break faith formation, and reveal why steady presence (even at their big game) is so important. Plus, get practical tips for building a small-team ministry and meeting kids on their turf to help bridge the generational gap. Timestamps: 5:25 Why smartphones have teens more anxious than ever 15:08 The two key growth spurts every parent and minister needs to understand 33:53 The blueprint for assembling a small core team that actually moves the needle 50:10 A simple shift: picturing Jesus as a 12-year-old to see Him in our teens ✝️ 55:10 From flannel shirts to Fortnite: meeting teens where they are—yes, even at the away game 1:00:16 Three practical steps for parents and grandparents: presence, invitation, holy dissatisfaction Resources Mentioned: Sharing the Gospel With Our Lives by Bob Rice: https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Gospel-Our-Lives-Relational/dp/1639661492 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036 Life Teen’s free parent & leader toolkits:https://lifeteen.com/cym/kickstart/ Steubenville Youth Conferences: https://steubenvilleconferences.com/youth-conferences/ 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

Your brain is hardwired to look for threats. That’s great if you’re in a jungle being chased by a bear. Not so great when you’re trying to live in the peace Jesus died to give you. In Week 2 of our Living Peace summer series, I delve into the real reason why so many of us are stuck in fear, outrage, and constant conflict, and how Jesus flips the script in one of His most famous parables: the Good Samaritan. What You’ll Discover: How fear hijacks your brain and lowers your IQ Why you’re always “on edge”—and how to stop living that way How to stop labeling people as threats and start seeing souls The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a challenge to your inner contempt .... Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/

In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with seminary professor Scott Powell to journey through Jesus’ prayer life, from the blazing summit of the Transfiguration to the raw honesty of the Psalms. We’ll strip away the fear of getting prayer “wrong,” unlock God’s original prayer playbook in Exodus, and give you a fresh, step-by-step guide to praying the Our Father with courage and freedom. Plus, learn how to wait on God like Simeon, eyes open, heart expectant. Timestamps: 8:23 - Why Jesus paused on the mountaintop and what It means for you ⛰️ 16:18 - Give your soul a soundtrack—lament and hope like a Psalmist 24:34 -The Exodus roadmap: your ultimate prayer manual 34:33 - “Our Father” decoded: your blueprint for bold prayer ️ 49:15 - How to wait like Simeon: the art of silent, expectant prayer ⏳ Resources Mentioned: Walking with Christ: A Journey Through the Gospel of Luke by Scott Powell: https://ascensionpress.com/products/walking-with-christ-a-journey-through-the-gospel-of-luke ........ 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 ......... Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZOMMAyrrwyFVVcEPU85vV

In Episode 1 of the Living Peace Series, I unpack how Jesus’ very first words in the Upper Room weren’t “Surprise” but “Peace be with you!”—a victorious shout that still echoes for us today, even when life feels totally out of control. We’ll explore childlike trust—the same bold faith that sent His disciples out with zero provisions (Luke 10) and kept Paul anchored in a Roman prison:“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7) What You’ll Discover: Why Jesus sent His disciples out empty-handed—and how that radical surrender unlocks real, unshakable peace. How to carry Paul’s “prison-room of peace” into your boardrooms, traffic jams, and everyday challenges The secret to turning daily stress into steady trust by embracing God’s plan over your own Join the waitlist to receive FREE EARLY ACCESS to our Living Peace program! Coming this Fall! https://mailchi.mp/b10a369356c7/pjky3k02q7 .... St Ignatius’ self-offering prayer: https://us.magnificat.net/great-catholic-prayers/suscipe-prayer/ .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! 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/ In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Andrew Abela—founding dean of the Busch School of Business and author of Super Habits—to show you how to forge your character with practical, science-backed habits. We tackle the lie of an unchangeable personality, dive into the brain science behind cultivating gratitude, courage, and self-control, and share hands-on tools—from a simple night-time gratitude ritual to the split-second virtue that guided Sully on the Hudson. Plus, discover why leaning into God’s grace always wins over raw willpower. Timestamps: 1:52 - Debunking Your Brain: Why “Wired This Way” Doesn’t Fly 5:47 What makes a habit “super” and how to create one that sticks. 39:05 Tame your anger with a velvet glove, not a chain. 33:48 Four virtues that power every choice—discipline, courage, justice & temperance. 48:43 Crash landing—a real-time lesson in virtue that saved lives. ✈️ 1:09:17 Why sailing on God’s grace beats rowing with your own strength. ⛵ Crash landing—a real-time lesson in virtue that saved lives. ✈️ Why sailing on God’s grace beats rowing with your own strength. ⛵ Resources Mentioned: Download the Grow Virtue App and pick your first habit: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/growvirtue/id6740114810 Grab Super Habits by Andrew Abela: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/super-habits/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsp2im0nAsccrVmYJtnpys47gQhhwTNLceb97Rqy5WrAOYlJQX The Anatomy of Virtue: https://superhabit.substack.com/p/the-anatomy-of-virtue?r=457iow&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true ........ 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

In this episode, I unpack the explosive boldness that ignited the early Church—from Peter’s courtroom defiance before the Sanhedrin and Paul’s chains-to-pulpit preaching in Rome to John Paul II celebrating Christmas Mass under communist guns in Poland. We’ll explore how the Holy Spirit fuels unshakable Christian courage, the fierce opposition these saints overcame, and how you can activate that same audacious faith today. What You’ll Discover • How Peter’s stand before the Sanhedrin redefined what it means to witness for Christ • Why Paul’s trials in Rome became the launchpad for global evangelization • What John Paul II’s Christmas Mass under machine guns teaches about fearless faith Get your FREE access to Way of the Apostle! https://coaching.reallifecatholic.com/way-of-the-apostle .... 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/ .... Come on Pilgrimage with me! 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/ In this episode, on The Chris Stefanick Show I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse (economist and Ruth Institute founder to expose the hidden forces that drove the sexual revolution—and the real human cost behind each “breakthrough.” From the birth-control agenda that promised consequence-free intimacy to the no-fault divorce mindset that shattered families, the evolving gender narrative that confuses identity, and the eugenics roots of modern family planning. We’ll also reveal the top-down strategies that fast-tracked transgender policies and debunk the global overpopulation panic that sold billions on contraception. Timestamps: 2:30 The Sexual Revolution: Why It Promised Freedom but Delivered Confusion” 11:31 “You Can’t Have ‘Safe Sex’ and Babies: The Contraceptive Lie Exposed” 13:17 “When Families Fracture: The Hidden Cost of the Divorce Ideology” 23:54 How Transgenderism Was Imposed from the Top Down 41:55 The Overpopulation Myth That Sold Billions on Birth Control” 50:44 Eugenics Unmasked: The Sinister Roots of Modern ‘Family Planning Resources Mentioned: Jenifer Morse Books: The Sexual State: How Elite Ideologies are Destroying Lives and Why the Church was Right All Along: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/the-sexual-state-2/ Love and Economics: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/love-and-economics-it-takes-a-family-to-raise-a-village/ Smart Sex: Finding Lifelong Love in a Hookup World: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/smart-sex-finding-life-long-love-in-a-hook-up-world/ 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage:https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-a-happier-marriage/ The Sexual Revolution and Its Victims: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/the-sexual-revolution-and-its-victims/ 101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-marrying-the-right-person/ Jenifer Morse Website: https://ruthinstitute.org/ ........ 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/pilgrima... ........ ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20 ......... This video includes information, descriptions, video, and images meant to give important context to viewers. By including this context, the overlaid commentary, criticism, and analysis is able to serve the public's interest in the discussed subject matter. Pairing the appropriate context with the included commentary allow...

In this episode, I unpack the mystery of the Eucharist for Corpus Christi Sunday—from Jesus’s bold John 6 teaching (“Unless you eat my flesh…”) to awe-inspiring Eucharistic miracles in Italy, Mexico, and Poland. We’ll explore how bread and wine truly become His body and blood (transubstantiation), why so many first walked away, and how today every Mass brings you into Calvary and the empty tomb. What You’ll Discover • The radical words that made Peter stay (and why they still matter) • Scientific tests that revealed living human tissue on consecrated Hosts • How genuine Eucharistic Adoration can transform your faith Don’t miss our challenge for Corpus Christi: spend ten minutes in Adoration and let Christ’s love reshape your day. .... 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/

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/ He beat Bobby Flay. Now he’s feeding souls with bacon, theology, and the Eucharist. In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Fr. Leo Patalinghug—a priest, chef, and one of the most joy-filled guys I know to talk about something that hits closer to home than you might expect: your dinner table. This isn’t just about food. It’s about faith that shows up in the ordinary. It’s about how the Eucharist connects to your kitchen, why your table is under spiritual attack, and how reclaiming one simple habit, eating together, can literally change lives. Timestamps: 4:55 – Catholicism isn’t boring—it’s meant to feel like a feast. 6:17 – Fr. Leo explains the “baptism of bacon” (yes, really). 8:31 – What REALLY happened when Fr. Leo beat Bobby Flay on national TV? 11:21 – The Eucharist is the most powerful act of divine hospitality. 13:14 – God is a … Foodie!? Exploring the theology of meals. ️ 16:40 – The devil hates your dinner table—and here’s why. ⚔️ 31:25 – Regular family dinners can help fight addiction, anxiety, and more. 35:12 – Turns out, what your kids want most is simple: time with you. This episode is your reminder to slow down, make the pizza, and invite God to the table. Because that’s where heaven touches earth. Resources Mentioned: Father Leo’s Books: Saving the Family: https://shop.platinggrace.com/collections/books/products/saving-the-family Spicing Up Married Life: https://shop.platinggrace.com/collections/books/products/spicing-up-married-life Grace Before Meals: https://shop.platinggrace.com/collections/books/products/grace-before-meals-cookbook Epic Food Fight: https://shop.platinggrace.com/collections/books/products/epic-food-fight-a-bite-sized-history-of-salvation Dining with the Saints: https://shop.platinggrace.com/collections/books/products/dining-with-the-saints Father Leo’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFatherLeoShow ........ 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/pilgrima...

Let’s be real—people can be challenging. But trying to do life without them? That’s even worse. We’re in the middle of a loneliness epidemic—and it’s wrecking our health, our joy, and our souls. Worse than high cholesterol. More isolating than ever. And no one’s talking about it. In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason we feel so disconnected—and what the Trinity has to do with it. (Yep. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have something to say about your friendships.) Discover why the Trinity holds the key to healing our disconnection. Why scrolling can’t replace real friendship How the early Church got it right—and what we’ve forgotten The simple shift that could change your life (and your parish) This one’s practical. It’s personal. It’s powerful.And honestly? It might just change how you think about Church, friendship, and what it means to be human again. FREE Living Joy Small Group Starter: https://coaching.reallifecatholic.com/living-joy-reboot-signup ..... 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/

Tech addiction is real—and it’s stealing your time, your peace, and your purpose. But you don’t have to stay stuck. In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Andrew Laubacher, founder of Humanality, to expose how your smartphone is rewiring your brain—and what you can do to take your life back. 93% of your free time is being eaten by screens The average teen is on social media 5+ hours/day 1 in 5 millennials has no friends And your phone was engineered to make this worse This conversation will give you the truth about tech addiction, the science behind attention loss, and real tools to break free—without going off the grid. Timestamps 2:25 – Goldfish is greater than a human attention span?! 14:41 – Why moderation fails (and what works) 15:25 – 27 years of your life lost to screens 37:17 – The loneliness epidemic no one’s talking about 39:13 – What is a Digital Detox Village? 42:30 – How to reclaim your mind, time, and joy Resources Mentioned Light Phone –

What if everything you’re waiting for hinges on one word: SUDDENLY? Pentecost wasn’t a slow spiritual awakening. It was a detonation. The Church didn’t tiptoe onto the scene—it BURST into the world with power, clarity, and joy. And that same Spirit that flipped the lives of the Apostles upside down… still moves today. In this episode, we delve into what really happened on Pentecost and why it matters more than ever. If you’ve been stuck in fear, burnout, or just wondering where God is, this is for you. This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a call to breathe in the Spirit of God—and exhale His power into the world around you. Because you’re not just here to be inspired. You’re here to be transformed. Come, Holy Spirit. 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/

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/ What happens when “living your truth” leaves you feeling more lost than ever? In this powerful episode, Kim Zember shares her deeply personal journey through same-sex relationships, heartbreak, and the search for identity—and how it all collided with the radical love of Jesus. Kim isn’t here to debate or condemn. She’s here to tell the truth about what it’s like to chase love that doesn’t satisfy… and to be found by the One who does. Her story is raw, redemptive, and full of the kind of hope our world is starving for. Timestamps: 4:35 - “My identity is not in what I do—it’s in what He’s done.” 6:11 - “I just wanted to be loved.” Where the ache began. 11:59 - Can something feel right… and still be wrong? 40:46 - “God’s not trying to fix me. He’s making me whole.” 46:37 - Why affirmation isn’t the same as love 43:42 - What to say when your child says, “I’m gay” 47:52 - Fasting for your children: the forgotten weapon If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, love, or how to walk with someone who is—this episode will challenge and encourage you. There’s a love stronger than any label. A truth deeper than any feeling.And a God who calls you His. Previous Episode with Kim Zember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkxqBIkIwuw Kim's Zember's Website: https://boldlybeloved.com/ Kim Zember's book: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/restless-heart/?srsltid=AfmBOorzpuoHvPNfPuw95SVMjlhojl7WGhNJ8vij00gGKZClmVX5DdDK Kim Kember's New Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1mlyfHaK3A ........ 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/pilgrima... ........ ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/d... ......... ️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2 ......... Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…

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/ Scott Galuska is a former Green Beret who lived through hell: firefights, grenade blasts, the trauma of combat, and the devastating loss of his brothers in arms. But what shocked him more than the bullets or explosions… was the mercy of God that met him in the middle of it all. In this powerful episode, Scott opens up about the battles he fought both on and off the battlefield - his fear of dying without the sacraments, the miraculous protection he experienced in combat, and the slow, steady pull back to the heart of the Church. Timestamps: 15:25 – Broke his leg parachuting—taped it up and kept going. 24:18 – First firefight: “I just ran toward the bullets.” 32:57 – A grenade explodes 10 feet away. Shrapnel hits. No wound. 55:35 – Watching his best friend die—from the base. 1:04:00 – How Eucharistic Adoration began to heal him. 1:08:46 – His message to anyone in the dark: Don’t quit. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of suffering… this one’s for you. ........ 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/pilgrima... ........ ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/d... ......... ️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2

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/ Join Chris and Natalie Stefanick on the trip of a lifetime, diving into the beauty of creation where Natalie found God, in one of the most stunning places in the world: Kauai.https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/rlc-kauai/ “Why do I need church? I find God in nature.” Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. And hey - I get it. I live in Colorado. I love nature. There’s something about standing on a mountaintop that just hits differently. The beauty. The silence. The awe. It stirs your soul. But if we stop there, we’re missing the best part. In this episode, I sat down with my friend Fr. John Nepil—a priest, seminary professor, and the only person to ever celebrate Mass on the summit of all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. Yeah…he’s kind of a legend. This episode isn’t just about mountaintop moments. It’s about the search for something we can hold on to—and the emptiness behind the adventures we seek when the destination isn’t God, and where He intended to be found. The partying, the psychotropic drugs, the adrenaline highs that so many partake in are all betraying a desperate hunger for something real, something eternal. This is a fascinating conversation that will rock you to the core. We talked about everything from creation to confession, beauty to worldview, suffering to Eucharistic joy - and why the mountains, as incredible as they are, can’t give you what you’re really looking for. Because the mountains don’t love you back. But Jesus does. And He didn’t stay “up there.” He came down into the mess and mystery of your everyday life. He meets you not just in sunsets and silence, but in the Eucharist. That’s where the longing ends and the love begins. This episode will challenge the lies we believe, reignite your sense of wonder, and help you see the world—and your faith—with new eyes. ........ 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/pilgrima... ........ ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/d... ......... ️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2

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/ Get your Leo XIV t-shirt: https://reallifecatholic.checkoutstores.com/campaigns/reallifecatholic/products/leo-xiv Pray the Surrender Novena with me and Archbishop Aquila! Here is how to start: https://catholicexchange.com/the-surrender-novena-let-jesus-take-care-of-everything/ We have a new pope. And he’s American!!! When Pope Leo XIV stepped onto that balcony and said, “Peace be with you,” the whole world watched in stunned silence. But what most people missed was what those words actually revealed. This isn’t just about history being made. This is about where the Church is headed next—and what you are being invited into. In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with my friend and Archbishop, Samuel Aquila, to unpack everything we’re seeing in these early days of Pope Leo’s pontificate—and why it gives me hope. We talk about: ️ Why “Peace be with you” was no accident What the name Leo tells us about the mission he’s stepping into How a bishop emailed the Pope—and got a reply the next morning ⚖️ The striking parallels between now and Pope Leo XIII’s time The ONE thing that will unite the Church again (hint: it’s not politics) Why now is the perfect time to pray the Surrender Novena Watch it now, and pray with us for Pope Leo XIV as he carries the weight of the keys. Timestamps: Did that really just happen?! A Pope from the U.S.?! (1:15) A bishop emailed the new pope... and got a personal reply. (3:20) Why the name Leo means more than you think (7:50) What this moment has in common with Leo XIII and global upheaval (10:45)⚖️ The Church’s future is not about sides. It’s about Jesus.(12:10) His first words: “Peace be with you.” The world needs this. (14:30) ️ Why now is the time to pray the Surrender Novena (19:30) ........ 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/pilgrima... ........ ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration in your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/d... ......... ️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2 ......... Listen to the "Chris Stefanick Show" as a podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…

Sign up for the Daily Anchor receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy your 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://reallifecatholic.com/moj/ When a spiritual father dies, it’s not just the end of an era — it’s a moment for grief, gratitude, and renewed faith. In this special episode, I sit down with my friend JD Flynn to unpack the life and legacy of Pope Francis — the parts that inspired us, the parts that challenged us, and the parts that still call us to deeper conversion today. This conversation isn’t about politics. It’s about family. It’s about honoring the man who gave his life to shepherd the Church through some of the most complicated years in recent history — and asking what we are called to do next. Want to jump right to the key moments? Here's where you can dive in: 3:30 - How Pope Francis defied political labels—and why that matters ⚖️ 4:48 - Why this papacy didn’t fit into any easy box 6:51 - The messy moments—and why healing starts with truth 8:46 - His pastoral heart: daily calls to a priest in Gaza ❤️ 13:11 - Why pretending “everything’s fine” actually hurts the Church 29:27 - The call to go back to the heart of it all. ✝️ 32:26 - How his witness challenges you and me to grow in maturity The Church isn’t just an institution, but a family. And when a spiritual father dies, it's time to come together and carry the best parts forward, meet the hard parts with faith, and keep working together—not with anger or division, but with the hope and joy that only Jesus can give. Let's pray for Pope Francis. Let's pray for the Church. And Let’s pray that the future pope would be exactly what the church needs right now. ........ 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 ......... ️ Listen to 3-Minute Reset, my NEW podcast with Pat Lencioni for working Christians: https://apple.co/3RHoSg2