Practicing Catholic

Augustine Institute
Augustine Institute
  • 5.0 (44)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

A weekly podcast for everyday holiness featuring real conversations and practical wisdom to arm you in the ordinary pursuit of sanctification. Join the Augustine Institute’s Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they explore topics such as work, family life, prayer, and Catholic culture. Each episode encourages and equips you with timeless wisdom drawn from Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and the Tradition of the Church, offering practical ways to grow in holiness in the midst of daily life. Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://bit.ly/3IHWk5q

  1. 16h ago

    Why 4th Century St. Augustine Is More Relevant Than Ever Today

    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/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Aug 17

    How Music LIFTS the Soul to God with The Annie Moses Band

    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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Aug 10

    What Kids Teach Us about Living Life to the Fullest

    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/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Jul 20

    How to Grow in Virtue, One Choice at a Time

    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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Jul 13

    Catholic Rules for the Age of Artificial Intelligence

    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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jul 6

    We Read Pope Leo's Encyclical, Here's What We Think

    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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jun 29

    Why Patriotism is Actually a Christian Virtue

    What does authentic patriotism look like for Catholics? In this Fourth of July episode, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explore the virtue of patriotism through the lens of gratitude, justice, and Catholic tradition.   Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas, Chesterton, and their own experiences living abroad, they discuss how love of country differs from nationalism and why gratitude is the foundation of patriotism. They reflect on God's providence, civic responsibility, and how Catholics can love their country without idolizing it.   The conversation also offers practical ways to contribute to the common good through family life, local communities, and charitable engagement in an increasingly divided culture. Plus, they answer a listener question about maintaining relationships with family members who have left the faith.   Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com   Get American Pilgrimage by Dr. Christopher Shannon here:   https://catholic.market/books/american-pilgrimage/?srsltid=AfmBOopYpTM47rxVjDIxQo7yk3uu7RIJMFnrwvg7mreqtcS6ev9Lp0XJ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jun 22

    How to Get More Out of Mass (Even When You're Distracted)

    In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger and Taylor Kemp explore how to participate more deeply in the Mass, even during seasons of distraction, dryness, or spiritual fatigue. Drawing from their own experiences as parents and pilgrims in the faith, they discuss why the Mass is not primarily about what we get out of it, but about entering into Christ's sacrifice and allowing the liturgy to form us.   The conversation covers practical ways to listen more attentively, the relationship between confession and the Eucharist, the importance of thanksgiving after Mass, and how learning more about the Liturgy can deepen our love for it. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic or a recent convert, this episode offers encouragement to bring your "five loaves and two fish" to the Lord and trust Him to transform even your imperfect offering.   To learn more about the show, visit http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com   Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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5
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About

A weekly podcast for everyday holiness featuring real conversations and practical wisdom to arm you in the ordinary pursuit of sanctification. Join the Augustine Institute’s Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they explore topics such as work, family life, prayer, and Catholic culture. Each episode encourages and equips you with timeless wisdom drawn from Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and the Tradition of the Church, offering practical ways to grow in holiness in the midst of daily life. Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://bit.ly/3IHWk5q

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