The Church Podcast

Christopher Wesley
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  • RELIGION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each episode features conversations with people from various backgrounds, exploring the real side of ministry. We discuss insights and learnings from the local and national landscape, enriching our understanding of the ministry's impact.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Episode 059 – Fighting the Pornified Culture with Fr. Allen Hoffa

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Fr. Allen Hoffa, priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and speaker and advocate with Integrity Restored, through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Fr. Hoffa shares how nearly two decades of parish ministry — and a defining moment involving a student whose private images were shared without consent — led him to dedicate the last ten years of his priesthood to traveling the world addressing the epidemic of pornography. As a priest, football player turned lineman for truth, and co-architect of the Lumen Christi Commission in his diocese, Father Hoffa brings both pastoral depth and practical urgency to one of the most critical issues facing families and the Church today. Together, Christopher and Father Allen explore the five A's that make pornography the most pervasive threat in our culture, what a comprehensive diocesan strategy actually looks like in practice, how parents and parish leaders can begin having honest conversations without shame or fear, and why the Church's silence on this issue is itself a victory for the enemy. They also discuss betrayal trauma, the connection between pornography and human trafficking, and the recent Supreme Court win that may reshape how pornography is regulated online.

    1hr 12min

  2. 28 APR

    Episode 058 – The Pros and Cons of Social Media Usage in Ministry with John Rinaldo

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with John Rinaldo, Catholic speaker, writer, and former co-host of The Church Podcast, for a Reboot Episode revisiting one of the most downloaded conversations from the show's original run. John brings years of experience in Catholic ministry, communications, and social media — including early adoption of platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, and a history of leading diocesan workshops on responsible social media use. His thinking on the subject has evolved significantly over time, and this conversation captures that honest evolution in real time. Together, Christopher and John revisit the pros and cons of social media for ministry leaders — covering the shift in algorithms, the personal toll of comparison culture, the challenge of posting with charitable intent in a negative online environment, and what responsible, strategic use of these platforms actually looks like today. The conversation is sparked by a real-life moment: a tweet John posted during the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in 2019, and whether Christopher thought it was too soon. For more visit us at https://thechurchpodcast.org

    50 min
  3. Episode 057 – Beyond the Catholic Bubble: Learning to Lead from Unlikely Places with Edmund Mitchell

    21 APR

    Episode 057 – Beyond the Catholic Bubble: Learning to Lead from Unlikely Places with Edmund Mitchell

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Edmund Mitchell, founder of Zealous Parish Ministers and Anthropic-certified AI practitioner, through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Edmund shares his journey from aspiring biomedical engineer to decade-long parish minister — serving in youth ministry, evangelization, and adult ministry — before turning his entrepreneurial instincts toward equipping Catholic leaders through his work with Zealous Parish Ministers. Together, Christopher and Edmund explore why the best parish ministers often learn as much from entrepreneurs, psychologists, and systems thinkers as they do from theologians, and how drawing from outside the Catholic bubble can actually deepen and strengthen ministry. They dig into the formation gap between catechetical education and operational leadership, the undervalued role of intuition and the heart in ministry, and why youth ministry remains the innovation hub of parish life.

    1hr 7min
  4. Episode 056 – Catholic AI and the Church's Moment with John Brahier

    14 APR

    Episode 056 – Catholic AI and the Church's Moment with John Brahier

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with John Brahier, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Longbeard, the Catholic AI company behind Magisterium AI, through the NFCYM Podcast Network. John shares how a decade in Catholic education — teaching math and theology, directing campus ministry at Divine Child High School, and serving in diocesan leadership in the Archdiocese of Detroit — eventually led him to the intersection of Catholic formation and artificial intelligence. His journey into Catholic AI began when students came rushing into his office after the launch of ChatGPT, and it was deepened by the election of Pope Leo XIV and the Church's early engagement with this new technological moment. Together, Christopher and John explore what it actually means to build AI tools rooted in Catholic fidelity, why most ministry leaders are still catching up to the technology around them, and how the Church can approach AI with the discernment and intentionality this moment demands. They also dig into Magisterium AI — what it is, how it works, and why a specialized Catholic AI is different from simply prompting a general tool to "act Catholic." For more show notes visit us at https://thechurchpodcast.org

    1hr 1min
  5. Episode 055 – Illuminating Trends: What the Data Says About the Future of Ministry with Charlotte McCorquodale

    7 APR

    Episode 055 – Illuminating Trends: What the Data Says About the Future of Ministry with Charlotte McCorquodale

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Charlotte McCorquodale, researcher and leader with Ministry Training Source, a Catholic research organization dedicated to equipping Church leaders with credible data, practical insights, and formation resources, through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Charlotte shares how her journey in youth ministry stretches back to the early 1980s — and how that lifelong commitment led her to pursue a doctorate in 2000 and found Ministry Training Source, an organization built around helping the Church form and equip lay leaders. Over the past 25 years, MTS has conducted a series of landmark longitudinal studies on the state of pastoral ministry in the United States, culminating in the recently released Illuminating Trends report. For more visit https://thechurchpodcast.org

    59 min
  6. Episode 054 – Discipleship, Missionary Training, and the Power of Mentorship with Pete Burds

    31 MAR

    Episode 054 – Discipleship, Missionary Training, and the Power of Mentorship with Pete Burds

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Pete Burds, Chief Mission Officer at NET Ministries and co-host of the YDisciple Podcast through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Pete shares his journey from growing up in Chicago in the 90s — shaped by a powerful high school conversion — to campus ministry in Denver and Milwaukee, diocesan leadership, and eventually stepping into a national role at NET Ministries. Along the way, he reflects on what it means to truly disciple someone and why mentorship is not a strategy but the very method Jesus modeled for the apostles. Together, Christopher and Pete explore what it looks like to build a culture of discipleship in parishes and schools today, why so many ministry leaders fall into the trap of ministering from a distance, and how relational investment — not programming — is what actually produces lasting fruit. They also discuss how NET's training model forms missionaries not just spiritually but as whole persons, and how that formation translates into greater confidence, courage, and effectiveness in ministry. For more visit the Show Notes at https://thechurchpodcast.org

    46 min
  7. Episode 053 – Leading from Wholeness: Self-Care, Burnout, and Sustainable Ministry with Kathy Goller

    24 MAR

    Episode 053 – Leading from Wholeness: Self-Care, Burnout, and Sustainable Ministry with Kathy Goller

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Kathy Goller, founder of Teal Horizon Coaching and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Kathy shares how more than twenty years of diocesan ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo — and a season of unexpected transition during the pandemic — led her to found Teal Horizon Coaching, where she now works with ministry leaders, nonprofit professionals, and others in service-oriented work. A master's-level pastoral minister and certified coach, Kathy brings both lived experience and practical tools to the challenges facing Church leaders today. Together, Christopher and Kathy explore what sustainable ministry leadership actually looks like — from recognizing the early warning signs of burnout, to reframing self-care as a spiritual practice rather than an indulgence, to building practical rhythms of rest, renewal, and review into an already full life. They also unpack the importance of identity, delegation, healthy boundaries, and the courage to ask for help. This conversation is an honest and encouraging call for ministry leaders to stop running on empty and start leading from wholeness — for the sake of themselves, their families, and the people they serve. For more go to https://thechurchpodcast.org

    55 min
  8. Episode 052 – Emotional Intelligence, Accompaniment, and Evangelization with Rhyan Ramirez

    17 MAR

    Episode 052 – Emotional Intelligence, Accompaniment, and Evangelization with Rhyan Ramirez

    In this episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher sits down with Rhyan Ramirez, also known as Bro Rhy, Catholic speaker, trainer, and host of the Accompany Podcast through the NFCYM Podcast Network. Rhyan shares his journey from Northern California to ministry leadership in South Carolina, reflecting on how his own confirmation experience and the adults who accompanied him changed the course of his life. From volunteering in catechesis to working in mental health and youth ministry, Rhyan opens up about the path that led him into speaking, training, and evangelization. Together, Christopher and Rhyan explore the connection between emotional intelligence and evangelization, why empathy and self-awareness matter in ministry, and how leaders can better accompany young people who may be carrying unseen burdens. They also discuss the difference between emotional hype and authentic encounter, the importance of practical next steps after retreats and conferences, and how accompaniment must become more than just another parish program. This conversation is a thoughtful and energizing reminder that effective ministry begins not just with what we say, but with how we see, receive, and walk with others. For more visit https://thechurchpodcast.org

    55 min
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About

Each episode features conversations with people from various backgrounds, exploring the real side of ministry. We discuss insights and learnings from the local and national landscape, enriching our understanding of the ministry's impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Wesley
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit

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