Open Seat: A Holy Family Podcast

Holy Family Adrian

Welcome to Open Seat, the podcast where we create a space for authentic conversations about faith—unfiltered and unapologetic. With each episode, we invite guests from all walks of life to share their personal journeys, struggles, and revelations moments of doubt, discovery, and everything in between. Here, we believe that every story matters, and in the open seat, there’s room for honesty, vulnerability, and community. Whether you’re questioning, seeking, or steadfast in your beliefs, you’ll find something relatable in these heartfelt discussions. So grab your seat, get comfortable, and let’s dive in to today’s story here - at the Open Seat.

  1. May 15

    Family Boundaries, Confesion and the Eucharist | Hot Seat

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hot Seat, Father Mike and Katie Love tackle some of the toughest questions Catholics wrestle with today: 🔥 What boundaries can you have with family members involved in grave sin or illegal activity? 🔥 Why do priests lay face down during the Good Friday service? 🔥 Do you need to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist? Father Mike breaks down Church teaching on confession, mortal sin, family boundaries, suffering, and the healing power of the Eucharist.Whether you’re struggling with difficult relationships, questions about worthiness, or simply curious about Catholic traditions, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement rooted in the Catholic faith. Do you have a question for a future Hot Seat episode? Submit a question to the podcast at: www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org/Podcast Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    20 min
  2. Trees and Spirituality with Paul Pfeifer

    May 1

    Trees and Spirituality with Paul Pfeifer

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Paul Pfeifer — horticulturist, nature lover, and director at Hidden Lake Gardens — for a thoughtful conversation on faith, family, trees, and spirituality. Paul shares his journey from studying horticulture at The Ohio State University and Purdue University to discovering a deeper spiritual connection through nature, prayer, and the Ignatian spiritual exercises. Together, we explore eco-spirituality, the healing power of slowing down, and how encounters with creation can open our hearts to God’s presence. The conversation also touches on the story behind the canopy walk at Hidden Lake Gardens, everyday blessings, helping people reconnect with nature in a meaningful way as well as finding community at Holy Family Parish.  Whether you love gardening, enjoy being outdoors, or are searching for God in ordinary moments, this episode offers encouragement to notice the blessings already surrounding you.  Reflection Question for this episode: where are you missing blessings in your life by not realizing God is in your midst? Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    36 min
  3. Stepping out in Faith with Dan Schwartz

    Apr 17

    Stepping out in Faith with Dan Schwartz

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Dan Schwartz to explore what it truly means to step out in faith—especially when the path ahead is uncertain. Dan shares his journey about discovering the Catholic faith later in life, a decision that came after years of searching, questioning, and ultimately surrender. But it’s his family’s story that brings faith to life in a profound way. Through their experience as foster parents, Dan,his wife Beverly and their two children, opened their home and their hearts to multiple children, learning to love deeply while also learning how to let go. What begins as a difficult “yes” to fostering becomes a story filled with unexpected grace, miracles, and ultimately, adoption —a moment Dan describes as nothing short of divine providence. Throughout the conversation, Dan reflects on the importance of prayer, trust, and discernment when facing life’s biggest decisions. He also speaks candidly about forgiveness, family struggles, and recognizing the spiritual battles that often lie beneath everyday challenges. This episode is a moving reminder that stepping out in faith isn’t always easy—but it’s often where the most meaningful moments of our lives unfold. Listen in and consider: Where is God calling you to take a step of faith? Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    23 min
  4. Apr 1

    Nervous to Get Involved in Church? Watch This First

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Beth Deline to hear her powerful journey of faith, rediscovery, and courage. After stepping away from the Church, Beth unexpectedly found herself knocking on a rectory door, Beth shares the moment that changed everything—when a priest told her, “All the angels and saints in heaven are rejoicing at this moment.” Beth opens up about coming back to the Church and overcoming the fear to step into ministr, finding purpose and belonging in parish life and how a small “yes” can lead to big transformations Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to come home—and that sometimes, the things we’re most afraid of are exactly where we’re being called. 💬 Reflection Question: How can you become more involved in your church or community? If you’ve ever felt hesitant, unqualified, or unsure about taking that next step—this conversation is for you. Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    14 min
  5. Mar 20

    Faith Beyond the Pew with Ethan Huston

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Ethan Huston, a recent college graduate navigating the uncertainty of life after school while staying deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. Ethan shares his journey of growing up in the Catholic Church, choosing to stay involved when many walk away, and what it really means to live your faith instead of just showing up on Sundays. From starting a young adult Bible study to reading the Bible in a year (twice!), Ethan offers an honest look at faith in real life—questions, struggles, and all. We also dive into: What discernment looks like when you don’t have a clear plan, How prayer and Scripture shape everyday decisions, Why young people struggle to stay in the Church, The importance of actually trying the faith before rejecting it, Saints, relics, and choosing a confirmation name with purpose Whether you’re searching, struggling, or strong in your beliefs, this conversation offers encouragement to take your faith seriously—and make it your own. Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    17 min
  6. Mar 6

    Returning to the Center with Sister Janice Brown, OP

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Sister Janice Brown, OP, an Adrian Dominican Sister, to talk about centering prayer, discernment, and following God’s call at any stage of life. Sister Janice shares her remarkable journey from working in banking and finance and raising her daughter as a single mother, to later entering religious life and dedicating herself to Catholic ministry and spiritual formation. Today, she serves as the Director of the Dominican Center for Spirituality and Mission, helping others grow deeper in their relationship with God. We also explore centering prayer, a powerful Christian meditation practice that helps quiet the mind, rest in God’s presence, and discover our true self in Christ. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: • Sister Janice Brown’s unexpected path to becoming a Dominican Sister • How centering prayer helps us listen to God in silence • The role of discernment in Catholic life and vocation • Ministry in adult literacy and education in Detroit • Discovering your true self and spiritual calling If you are searching for Catholic prayer practices, discernment guidance, or inspiration for your faith journey, this conversation will encourage you to listen for where God is leading you. Reflection question: Where is the Lord calling you today?  If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, follow, and share to help others grow in faith. Want to see the video version of this podcast? Go to: https://youtu.be/K3ZdebM5e3A Support the show This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond. www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

    15 min

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to Open Seat, the podcast where we create a space for authentic conversations about faith—unfiltered and unapologetic. With each episode, we invite guests from all walks of life to share their personal journeys, struggles, and revelations moments of doubt, discovery, and everything in between. Here, we believe that every story matters, and in the open seat, there’s room for honesty, vulnerability, and community. Whether you’re questioning, seeking, or steadfast in your beliefs, you’ll find something relatable in these heartfelt discussions. So grab your seat, get comfortable, and let’s dive in to today’s story here - at the Open Seat.

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