The Joyful Friar

Father Nathan Castle, O.P.

The Joyful Friar Podcast explores the soulful, the meaningful, and the mystical in three different ways. First, Afterlife, Interrupted stories, in which someone who died suddenly and traumatically seeks my help and the help of my prayer partners.Second, Compassionate Responses, to readers’ and listeners’ questions and concerns that arise from those stories. And third, Spiritual Practices, influenced by the Catholic Christian tradition I’ve been shaped by that reveal how goodness is at work throughout the universe and within each of us. Each episode reveals insights about living in the present with faith and joyful hope. Be inspired to more fully receive, magnify, and share love. www.nathan-castle.com

  1. FEB 3

    Finding Joy with Guest: Andrew Monks

    Father Nathan's guest this week is his nephew, Andrew Monks. Andrew shares his culinary journey, highlighting that pursuing one's passion with purpose can lead to joy. Andrew is a classically trained chef with a taste for adventure!  His career as a chef has allowed him to live and work across many remote and beautiful corners of the globe, immersing himself in an array of different cultures and cuisines. Andrew now calls remote Western Australia home and lives with his wife, Mel, and Stock, the border collie. They both work as educators: Andrew passing on his experience and love of the Culinary Arts, and Mel at the other end of the education spectrum, teaching Kindergarten. Andrew and Mel continue to travel, teach, and inspire the next generation to open life's windows and let joy in. Click this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show ​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOP Listen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5 Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province. Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his pra...

    39 min
  2. JAN 20

    Compassionate Response: Sami Madden, Jessica Cox, and Louis Fazio Jr.

    Father Nathan's extraordinary guests are Sami Madden, Jessica Cox, and Louis Fazio Jr. Each brings a unique, compassionate perspective to the conversation. Sami Madden, an advocate for inclusivity, spoke about the importance of creating environments where everyone can thrive. Jessica Cox, known for her incredible achievements as a pilot, motivational speaker, and author, emphasizes the power of determination. Louis Fazio Jr., a social worker and author, highlights the need for compassion for everyone we meet. Samir (Sami) Madden is a quadrimembral amputee and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and History. Sami is the President of the International Child Amputee Network (I-CAN). I-CAN is committed to bringing together these children and their families to enhance the quality of life for the children and young adults based on the concept of mentors helping families, parents helping parents, and kids helping kids. Jessica Cox is a motivational speaker featured around the world. Jessica was born without arms and uses her feet the way most people use their hands. She learned to see the blessings in her life and accept herself as a whole person. Now, Jessica flies airplanes, drives cars, is married, and otherwise lives a normal life.  Jessica is the author of Disarm Your Limits (https://a.co/d/fvTgaCS). Jessica, along with volunteers, is building The Impossible Airplane, a custom 200 mph, 4-seat airplane she will use to circumnavigate the world. She founded Rightfooted Foundation International to further her advocacy for children with limb differences and other disabilities around the world.  Louis Fazio Jr. is both an author and a social worker. His upcoming book, Privilege Interrupted: My Brother's Keeper, is co-authored with Matthias J. Mahoney. Born into privilege—but shaped by adversity, this compelling memoir explores themes of resilience, identity, and advocacy.   Click this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show ​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOP Listen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5 Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province. Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his pra...

    47 min
  3. JAN 6

    Finding Joy with Guest: Cathryn Castle Garcia

    Father Nathan and his sister, book publisher Cathryn Castle Garcia, discuss finding joy and going into the new year gently. Cathryn shares insights on setting meaningful intentions and how to make a “I’m not going to” list that helps to sidestep exhaustion. The conversation emphasizes embracing each day's potential and finding joy in simple moments.   Cathryn Castle Garcia loves words and water and wild places. She delights in helping people cultivate joy, ease, and abundance in their personal and professional lives. Her motto is, “Make it fun. Let it be easy.” As the owner of ClearStoryCoach.com, she specializes in writing coaching, editing, publishing, and marketing. Together with her husband, Capt. Gui Garcia lives on a small island in the Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The couple owns C2G2Productions.com, specializing in wildlife and underwater filming. Connect with Cathryn: https://www.clearstorycoach.com/ https://c2g2productions.com/ https://www.facebook.com/C2G2Productions https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZx_ZscBLY5Iewpdt3SJhIA?app=desktop Click this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show ​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOP Listen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5 Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province. Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his pra...

    46 min
  4. 12/30/2025

    Finding Joy with Guest: Carl McColman

    Fr. Nathan's guest today is Carol McColman, a spiritual director, author, and contemplative. They discuss his work and his latest book, "Read the Bible Like a Mystic."  Carl McColman a spiritual director, author, retreat leader, and speaker on mystical spirituality and contemplative living. His books include Read the Bible Like a Mystic, The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart, and Unteachable Lessons. He is one of the co-hosts of the Encountering Silencepodcast, and maintains a Substack newsletter (www.anamchara.net) and a blog (www.anamchara.com).  Carl’s approach to contemplation and mysticism is joyful, inclusive, and expansive; with a dedication to exploring the common ground between faith traditions, with a particular interest in the connecting points between Christian, Buddhist and Pagan wisdom. Carl lives with his wife, artist Fran McColman, in Clarkston, Georgia, near Atlanta.   Connect with Carl: https://www.anamchara.com Click this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show ​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOP Listen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5 Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province. Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his pra...

    1h 3m

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

The Joyful Friar Podcast explores the soulful, the meaningful, and the mystical in three different ways. First, Afterlife, Interrupted stories, in which someone who died suddenly and traumatically seeks my help and the help of my prayer partners.Second, Compassionate Responses, to readers’ and listeners’ questions and concerns that arise from those stories. And third, Spiritual Practices, influenced by the Catholic Christian tradition I’ve been shaped by that reveal how goodness is at work throughout the universe and within each of us. Each episode reveals insights about living in the present with faith and joyful hope. Be inspired to more fully receive, magnify, and share love. www.nathan-castle.com

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