Taylor, Scott, Jordan, and Emily celebrate one full year of Practicing Catholic with a special anniversary episode! They share never-before-seen bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage, revisit favorite moments from the past year, and reflect on the biggest lessons they've learned about pursuing holiness with consistency rather than intensity.

The crew looks back on standout episodes — the Book of Ruth study, the coffee episode with Father Rennier, and Fr. Ken Geraci's vocation story — while sharing their honest "batting averages" on personal challenges and what saying "yes" to God has taught them about friendship, perseverance, and trust.

Looking ahead, they dream about what Year Two might hold, including taking the show on the road and welcoming even more guests. This episode is a fun, lighthearted look back at a year of practicing holiness in everyday life.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here:
http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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What do we do when we're called to Christian joy but find ourselves in difficult, frustrating, or even painful circumstances? Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explore how Catholics can cultivate joy even when life isn't joyful.

Drawing on the witness of Mother Teresa and St. Maximilian Kolbe, they discuss the power of changing our perspective, seeing Christ in others, surrendering our circumstances to God's providence, and turning outward through gratitude and service. They ultimately offer a simple roadmap for difficult seasons: smile, surrender, and serve.

The episode also answers a listener question about what Scripture means by loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

Watch Triumph of the Heart on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1507373

Check out the Surrender Novena on the Amen app: https://amenapp.org/prayer/aznmzn

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What can St. Augustine teach us about living a holy life in the modern world? Taylor and Scott welcome Dr. Elizabeth Klein to explore the life, writings, and enduring influence of this great Father and Doctor of the Church. From his conversion and vocation to his love of Scripture, Augustine shows us how holiness grows through saying yes to God, loving the people closest to us, cultivating friendship, and being radically available to those around us.

The conversation also explores how Augustine’s thought continues to shape Catholic theology, what we can learn from his approach to Scripture, and how his example can help us resist the egocentrism and isolation of modern life. Plus, the hosts discuss practical ways to pray with Scripture through lectio divina, recommendations for getting started with Augustine’s writings, favorite Bible passages, and personal challenges inspired by the episode.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

Listen to the Catholic Saints Podcast: https://www.augustineinstitute.org/podcast/catholic-saints

Watch The Heart of Prayer with Bishop Cozzens on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1473553

Watch Lectio: Prayer on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/115705

Watch an Overview of the Confessions with Dr. Klein and Dr. John Sehorn on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/765930

Take Dr. Klein’s short course on Augustine’s Confessions: https://courses.augustineinstitute.org/courses/the-confessions-of-st-augustine

Purchase Dr. Klein’s book, “What Every Catholic Should Know about God”: https://catholic.market/books/god-what-every-catholic-should-know/

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What happens when a family places faith, beauty, and artistic excellence at the center of family life? Taylor Kemp sits down with the Wolavers of the Annie Moses Band to talk about music, parenting, the arts, and their mission to help families raise children who can use their God-given talents for His glory.

The conversation explores why the arts matter for evangelization, how parents can introduce music and artistic disciplines to their children, the importance of community and perseverance, and how families can reclaim the arts from a culture of fame and self-promotion. The Wolavers also share practical advice for parents who did not grow up in musical families and reflect on the beauty of building a family tradition together.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com/

Watch the Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/226781

Watch the Annie Moses Show here: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1125806

Learn more about the Wolaver family here: https://www.anniemoses.org

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Jesus tells us that unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven—but what does that actually look like in everyday life? In this episode, Taylor and Scott reflect on the surprising spiritual lessons they've learned through raising their children. From wonder and joy to honesty, play, fairness, and presence, they explore how children reveal what it means to live a deeply human—and deeply Christian—life. They also answer listener questions about helping teenagers grow in freedom while staying rooted in the faith, and how to persevere in prayer during difficult seasons when God feels distant. Whether you're a parent or not, this conversation offers practical wisdom for growing in holiness through the ordinary experiences God places before us. Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com/

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What is virtue, and how do we actually become more virtuous? Taylor Kemp sits down with Dr. Joe Scherrer—retired Air Force colonel, leadership coach, and secular Discalced Carmelite—to explore how the habits we practice shape the people we become.

Together, they discuss the cardinal and theological virtues, the relationship between prudence and leadership, the need for temperance in everyday life, and why humility is essential for holiness. Dr. Joe Scherrer also offers a practical approach to growth: identify one virtue, practice it through small concrete actions, and cooperate with God’s grace over time.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

Learn more about Dr. Joe Sherrer and the Leadership Forge: https://theleadershipforge.com

Watch The Rescue Project on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1492637

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Taylor Kemp and Scott Hefelfinger continue their conversation on artificial intelligence, this time focusing on practical principles for using AI well in daily life and work.

They discuss why Catholics should think before prompting, protect their areas of expertise, avoid treating chatbots like real relationships, and stay rooted in the human goods of creativity, work, conversation, and prayer.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: https://formed.org/practicing-catholic-podcast

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Artificial intelligence promises greater efficiency, easier access to information, and solutions to many everyday problems. But what happens when efficiency becomes the standard by which we measure human worth?

Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger examine the Church’s response to AI and the technocratic mindset behind it. They explore how technology shapes our habits, weakens our capacity for patient thought, and can tempt us to treat people as problems to be optimized rather than persons made for relationship and communion.

How can Catholics evaluate new technologies without rejecting their benefits or embracing them uncritically? This conversation invites us to pause, examine our use of AI, and ask whether our tools are truly helping us become more human.

Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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