Religion To Reality

Dave Plisky
  • 5.0 (6)
  • CHRISTIANITY

This is the Religion to Reality podcast, where we explore the compartmentalization that’s happening as so many Catholics file away their faith lives as something disconnected from the rest of their lives. We designed this podcast to help you live a more integrated life. Let’s bridge the gap between what we believe… and how we can realistically live it.

Episodes

  1. Other Studies and Data with Hans Plate, Josh Packard, and Fr. Joe Gibino

    13H AGO

    Other Studies and Data with Hans Plate, Josh Packard, and Fr. Joe Gibino

    Other Studies and Data with Hans Plate, Josh Packard, and Fr. Joe Gibino Quick Summary In this insightful episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich step back from theory to examine the hard data behind Catholic discipleship and faith formation. They explore surprising findings from their comprehensive discipleship study and discuss what the numbers reveal about modern spiritual practices, evangelization comfort levels, and the changing landscape of faith in America. Featuring interviews with three leading voices in faith research, Hans Plate (Vinea Research), Josh Packard (Future of Faith), and Fr. Joseph Gibino (Diocese of Brooklyn), this episode bridges the gap between data and pastoral practice. Discover what Gen Z really thinks about God, why 100% of people with spiritual directors found them through a spiritual community to which they already belong, and how the Synod on Synodality is reshaping the Church's approach to listening. Key Takeaway: Data isn't just for businesses—it's essential for understanding how to meet people where they are in their faith journey and creating meaningful pathways to deeper discipleship. In This Episode, We Explore: [00:00:00] Opening Reflection "Listen and silent share the same letters" - the importance of silence in listening [00:01:00] Why Data Matters for the Church How businesses use data to serve customers Applying data-driven insights to church ministry Understanding where people stand in their faith journey [00:02:00] Surprising Study Findings Both physical and digital prayer aids are used across all generations (only 6% use exclusively one type) 100% of people with spiritual directors found them through their parish or faith community Prayer apps correlate with increased prayer frequency The challenge of measuring interior spiritual life [00:04:00] The Omnichannel Approach to Faith Why multiple touchpoints matter in spiritual formation The integrated life as the ultimate goal Different seasons require different spiritual resources [00:06:00] Interview with Hans Plate (Vinea Research) Majority of respondents pray over an hour daily 76% are comfortable evangelizing; 56% are proactive about it High interest in learning more about evangelization The need to understand what "evangelization" actually means to people [00:09:00] Rethinking Evangelization Chapters (00:06:00) - Interview with Hans Plate (Vinea Research)(00:17:00) - Interview with Josh Packard (Future of Faith)(00:31:00) - Interview with Fr. Joseph Gibino (Diocese of Brooklyn)

    49 min
  2. Community with Dr. Mark Heyman, Renée Roden, and Luisamaria Hernandez

    NOV 3

    Community with Dr. Mark Heyman, Renée Roden, and Luisamaria Hernandez

    The Power of Community in Faith Formation with Dr. Mark Heyman, Renée Roden, and Luisamaria Hernandez Quick Summary How do you find authentic Catholic community in a world that's more connected yet more isolated than ever? In this episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore why community keeps emerging as a central theme in faith formation, and why finding the right fit can be so challenging. From whiskey tastings to Catholic Worker houses to digital book clubs, discover how different forms of community serve different spiritual needs. You'll hear honest conversations about parish shopping, the struggle to commit, and why sometimes the best community isn't the one with perfect liturgy or programs, it's the one where you show up consistently. Whether you're searching for your spiritual home or wondering if online connections can ever replace in-person fellowship, this episode offers practical wisdom for the journey. In this Episode, We Explore: Community Happens When People Need It (2:00-3:30) Why genuine encounters with God spark the desire for community How passion and shared interests naturally create fellowship Whiskey and the Word: An Unconventional Small Group (4:00-14:00) Guest: Dr. Mark Heyman, Licensed Psychologist & Small Group Leader Creating low-barrier entry points for men's fellowship Why forced sharing turns people off from faith groups The importance of consistency: same time, same place, every week Understanding that not every group can (or should) be for everyone How whiskey breaks down barriers without being about getting drunk Living in Community: Lessons from Catholic Worker Movement (20:00-32:00) Guest: Renée Roden, Journalist & Catholic Worker Member The reality check: community life is hard, even with a 1,300-year-old rule Why intimacy and friendship are foundational to sustainable community The temptation to become dictators of our own countercultural communes How families are successfully living the Catholic Worker vision Why conversion of heart requires healthy community support Digital vs. In-Person Community (37:00-52:00) Guest: Luisamaria Hernandez, DeSales Media Success Consultant Using digital spaces as entry points to in-person connection Why commitment leads to consistency (and vice versa) The power of showing up: how to actually find communities in your area Chapters (00:04:00) - Interview with Dr. Mark Heyman (Whiskey and the Word Small Group)(00:20:00) - Interview with Renée Roden (Catholic Worker Movement & Community Life)(00:37:00) - Interview with Luisamaria Hernandez (Digital vs. In-Person Community)

    55 min
  3. Podcasting with Paul Fahey, Christina Semmens, and Jose Manuel de Urquidi

    OCT 27

    Podcasting with Paul Fahey, Christina Semmens, and Jose Manuel de Urquidi

    Podcasting with Paul Fahey, Christina Semmens, and Jose Manuel de Urquidi Quick Summary  Are podcasts reshaping how Catholics engage with their faith? In this episode of Religion to Reality, we explore the explosive growth of Catholic podcasting and what it means for modern faith formation. From survivors finding their voice to Latino communities building networks, discover why this medium is uniquely positioned to meet people where they are—both spiritually and literally. In this Episode, We Explore: On the Nature of Catholic Media and Church Authority (00:00 - 08:00) "Anyone who's baptized is the church" - Paul Fahey challenges traditional boundaries of who creates "official" Catholic content Why the institutional church struggles with oversight in the podcast space The tension between empowering lay voices and preventing spiritual harm through misinformation Measuring What Really Matters Beyond Downloads (11:00 - 17:00) "If one person's heart has been touched, you've done your task and mission" - Christina Semmens on redefining podcast success How the head-heart-hands-feet framework applies to both creating and consuming content Why discernment, not downloads, should drive your content decisions From Fishing in Ponds to Sailing the Ocean (20:00 - 29:00) Jose Manuel de Urquidi's wake-up call: "We're all fishing in the same small pond while the ocean is right there" How John Paul II prophetically identified the internet as the "new Roman Forum" back in 2002 Why podcasts can create deep encounters with God despite being one-way communication  Meet Our Guests Paul Fahey - Host of Third Space podcast, limited licensed professional counselor, retreat leader, and catechist who focuses on survivors of church-related abuse. Paul stumbled into podcasting a decade ago and found it uniquely suited to catechesis through dialogue rather than static writing. Christina Semmens - Host of Say Yes to Holiness With 230+ episodes under her belt, Christina brings a framework of head-heart-hands-feet to integrated Catholic living. Her podcast emerged from her book work and has become a continuous discernment journey. Jose Manuel de Urquidi - Founder of the Juan Diego Network Leading a podcast network dedicated to Latino Catholics with shows covering everything from church history to children's stories. His mission: evangelize, form, and entertain—preferably all three at once. Memorable Quotes  01:00 - "I can listen to a podcast while driving, running, doing dishes, mowing the lawn" - Why convenience matters for busy Catholics 05:00 Chapters (00:03:00) - Interview with Paul Fahey (Third Space Podcast)(00:12:00) - Interview with Christina Semmens (Say Yes to Holiness)(00:21:00) - Interview with Jose Manuel De Urquidi (Juan Diego Network)

    32 min
  4. Living the Works of Mercy: Bridging Faith and Action with Renee Roden, Fr. Jim O’Shea, and Christina Simmons

    OCT 20

    Living the Works of Mercy: Bridging Faith and Action with Renee Roden, Fr. Jim O’Shea, and Christina Simmons

    Quick Summary  Are you attending Mass regularly but struggling to live out your faith in everyday life? You're not alone. In this episode of Religion to Reality, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore why so many Catholics feel confident in their sacramental life but struggle with the expressive fruits of discipleship, particularly the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Drawing from their groundbreaking discipleship study, they sit down with three inspiring guests who are living these works of mercy in radically different ways: Renee Roden from the Catholic Worker Movement, Fr. Jim O'Shea of Reconnect Brooklyn, and Christina Semmens of Say Yes to Holiness. Together, they unpack what it truly means to become Eucharist in the world and how small acts of mercy in our daily lives can transform both ourselves and our communities. In this Episode, We Explore: Introduction: The Disconnect Between Mass and Mercy (00:00) Overview of expressive fruits from the discipleship study Why Catholics rate themselves low on works of mercy despite strong sacramental participation Interview with Renee Roden - Catholic Worker Movement (3:00) The relationship between the Eucharist and works of mercy How the liturgical movement influenced Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin Why there should be no division between "helpers" and "the helped" Mass as Commissioning (9:22) Understanding "Go forth, the Mass is ended" as a call to action Integrating material and spiritual needs in service The danger of separating soup kitchens from spiritual community Practical First Steps for Living the Works of Mercy (13:00) Why accompanying someone already doing this work matters Overcoming the awkwardness of personal encounter Building spiritual muscles through community Interview with Father Jim O'Shea - Reconnect Brooklyn (15:00) Working with at-risk youth in Bedford-Stuyvesant How radical solidarity costs us our comfortable narratives The fear that keeps us from authentic engagement The Power of Listening (18:30) Why Fr. Jim says we've "written off" certain groups of people Starting with those in proximity before reaching the margins Working the muscle of deep listening in your own family Interview with Christina Semmens - Say Yes to Holiness (25:00) Chapters (00:03:00) - Interview with Renee Roden - Catholic Worker Movement(00:15:00) - Interview with Father Jim O'Shea - Reconnect Brooklyn(00:25:00) - Interview with Christina Simmons - Say Yes to Holiness

    37 min
  5. Evangelization with Monica Martinez, Emily Ricci, and Peter Andrastek

    OCT 12

    Evangelization with Monica Martinez, Emily Ricci, and Peter Andrastek

    Episode 6: Breaking Down Barriers to Evangelization – Moving from Techniques to Authentic Encounter Quick Summary Why do so many Catholics struggle to share their faith, even when they want to? In this episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the personal and professional barriers that prevent Catholics from evangelizing effectively. Through conversations with Monica Martinez, parish lead at Hallow, Emily Ricci, founder and CEO of Gloriam Marketing, and Peter Andrastek, a senior consultant at the Evangelical Catholic, they discover that the solution isn't more training or techniques, but something far more fundamental: authentic relationship, genuine encounter, and what you might call "pre-evangelization." If you've ever felt uncomfortable with the word "evangelization" or wondered why your parish's outreach efforts fall flat, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that puts listening, presence, and personal holiness before programs and strategies. In This Episode, We Explore: Why the word "evangelization" makes many Catholics uncomfortable (1:00) "There needs to be almost what I would think call a pre-evangelization that takes priority over evangelization... It's so much caught up in the whole realm of listening, proactively hearing what people are saying and hearing it well." - Fr. John Gribowich The medium is the message: How Jesus embodies this truth (3:00) Understanding the incarnation as the ultimate example of medium as message Why focusing on doctrine first can muddy the real goal of evangelization Post-COVID parish evangelization efforts (7:00) Monica Martinez shares what's working: welcoming gestures, hospitality, and simple recognition of new visitors How one parish's director of evangelization makes newcomers feel valued Why Mass is often the wrong entry point for evangelization (9:00) The complexity barrier for outsiders: "This is boring. Why am I here?" The importance of encounter over information: "It's not so much about saying 'tell me that God loves me.' It's experiencing the love of God." Teaching Masses as a tool for formation (13:00) Father John's experiences with Pre-Cana couples, RCIA candidates, and high school students When and how teaching Masses work effectively The mutual evangelization principle (16:00) "The person who feels called to evangelize needs to also equally feel called to be evangelized by the person they are trying to evangelize." - Fr. John Gribowich Recognizing that Christ is already at work in every person's life Parish marketing challenges and solutions (19:00) Emily Ricci on the top three obstacles: lack of time, lack of skills, lack of finances Why "product before promotion" matters: You need something worth inviting people to The language problem in evangelization (22:00) Moving from "what and where" to "why and how" Using testimonial language from actual participants to communicate value What parishes get wrong about evangelization (22:00) "They're typically very different... the parish that's going to be in the best spot to evangelize is the parish that's already active and vibrant." Why you need to engage people in the pews before reaching new people The 12-step program model for Church community (33:00) What the Church can learn: ritual, vulnerability, accessibility, and companionship Shoutout to Catholic in Recovery (catholicinrecovery.org) ... Chapters (00:06:00) - Interview with Monica Martinez (Parish Lead at Hallow)(00:19:00) - Interview with Emily Ricci (Founder and CEO of Gloriam Marketing)(00:35:00) - Interview with Peter Andrastek (Senior Consultant at the Evangelical Catholic)

    45 min
  6. Spiritual Direction with Mary Glowaski, Deason Tom Whalen, and Hans Plate

    OCT 6

    Spiritual Direction with Mary Glowaski, Deason Tom Whalen, and Hans Plate

    Episode 5: The Sacred Art of Listening - Understanding Spiritual Direction Quick Summary What does it mean to truly hear someone versus simply listening? In this episode, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the transformative practice of spiritual direction—examining how this ancient tradition helps us tune into God's presence in our daily lives. Through intimate conversations with three practitioners, discover why seeing yourself as lovable might be the most important spiritual work you'll ever do, and learn how one diocese is making spiritual direction accessible to thousands. Whether you're seeking your first spiritual director or wondering if this practice is right for you, this episode offers practical wisdom and surprising data about one of Catholicism's most powerful yet underutilized resources. In This Episode, We Explore: Opening Reflection: Hearing vs. Listening (00:00) Marshall McLuhan's insight on electronic-age communication and the Gospel The difference between restrictive listening and transformative hearing Why Christ distinguished between scribes who listened and disciples who heard Key Quote: "To listen is to blinker yourself... but to hear is to put yourself on the same wavelength as the speaker." (02:00) Interview with Mary Glowaski - Creating Gentle Spaces (04:00) Mary Glowaski is a spiritual director based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and serves as Dave's spiritual director Why gentleness matters more than technique in spiritual direction The crucial distinction between being loved and seeing yourself as lovable (06:00) Understanding whose we are, not just who we are (07:00) How spiritual directors discern between spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, and mentoring (08:00) The sacred trust of covenant confidentiality vs. simple confidentiality (10:00) Key Quote: "Too often I find people, Dave, that it is not that they don't feel loved, they don't see themselves as lovable." (06:45) Confession and Direction: A Priestly Perspective (11:00) Father John Gribowich reflects on the intersection of sacramental confession and spiritual direction Why confession should be viewed as gratitude rather than legalism (13:00) The challenge of complementing confession with spiritual direction Rethinking "spiritual direction" as "spiritual guidance" Why priests aren't always the right choice for spiritual direction (22:00) Interview with Deacon Tom Whalen - Building Diocesan Infrastructure (16:00) Deacon Tom Whalen coordinates spiritual direction for the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina How one diaconate formation class revealed a massive gap in spiritual direction access (17:00) Creating a diocesan-wide spiritual direction program from scratch Why Spring Hill College's graduate program became the foundation The innovative model: spiritual directors work under pastors, not the chancery (19:00) Addressing the supply and demand crisis in spiritual direction Interview with Hans Plate - What the Data Reveals (23:00) Hans Plate is founder and president of Vinea Research and partner on the Religion to Reality discipleship study The surprising 100% statistic about spiritual direction availability (23:00) Why many Catholics don't understand what spiritual direction actually is Hans's personal journey: discovering spiritual direction through confession (25:00) The challenge of finding the right match when directors relocate (26:00) Com... Chapters (00:04:00) - Interview with Mary Glowaski - Creating Gentle Spaces(00:16:00) - Interview with Deacon Tom Whalen - Building Diocesan Infrastructure(00:23:00) - Interview with Hans Plate - What the Data Reveals

    32 min
  7. Generational Differences with Mike St. Pierre, Paul Morisi, and Friar Rick Riccioli

    SEP 29

    Generational Differences with Mike St. Pierre, Paul Morisi, and Friar Rick Riccioli

    Religion to Reality Episode 4: Generational Differences in Discipleship Quick Summary In this thought-provoking episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore the significant generational gap in Catholic discipleship and church attendance. Drawing from their recent discipleship study of mass-attending Catholics, they examine why younger generations are largely absent from churches and what can be done to bridge this divide. The hosts speak with three experienced Catholic leaders who share practical insights on meeting the unique spiritual needs of different age groups: Mike St. Pierre (Diocese of Allentown Superintendent and former Catholic Campus Ministry Association Executive Director), Paul Morisi (Principal of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and former Director of Youth and Young Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Brooklyn), and Friar Rick Riccioli (Franciscan Pastor in Brooklyn). In this Episode, We Explore: Opening Discussion: The Generational Church Gap [00:00:00 - 06:00] Study results showing 75% Baby Boomer/Gen X participation vs. 2% Gen Z Why young people aren't attending mass The hunger for in-person community among digital natives The impact of mediated society on human connection Interview with Mike St. Pierre [06:00 - 15:30] Moving from "saying prayers" to "prayerfulness" [07:00] Family prayer laboratory concept [11:00] COVID as catalyst for spiritual leadership [10:30] The challenge of spiritual parenting and overcoming resistance Conversation Analysis [15:30 - 21:00] Practical prayerfulness: 3 minutes of intentional listening [18:00] Individual spiritual charisms and the "spiritual laboratory" approach [20:00] Moving beyond one-size-fits-all religious education Interview with Paul Morisi [21:00 - 32:00] Adapting Catholic education for 2024 realities [22:00] Finding "on-ramps" for individual students [25:00] Measuring interior spiritual growth [27:00] The shift from factory model to individualized formation Interview with Friar Rick Riccioli [34:00 - 42:00] Managing parish demographic shifts and legacy infrastructure [35:00] The heartbreak of failed faith transmission [38:00] Funerals as powerful evangelization moments [40:00] Working with aging congregations while attracting youth Closing Reflections [42:00 - 48:00] The limitation of Eucharist-centered faith without life integration [42:00] Mortality encounters and ritual hunger [44:00] The importance of welcoming rather than judging returning Catholics Key Takeaways The "How-To" Gap: Churches excel at teaching doctrine but struggle with practical spiritual formation Individual Approach: Moving from factory-model religion to personalized spiritual development Family as Laboratory: Homes should be experimental spaces for different prayer styles and spiritual practices Generational Bridge-Building: Older parishioners can be allies in youth ministry when they understand the mission Crisis as Opportunity: Major life events (especially funerals) provide powerful evangelization moments Integration Over Compartmentalization: Faith must pervade all of life, not just Sunday worship Meet Our Guests Mike St. Pierre Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylv... Chapters (00:06:00) - Interview with Mike St. Pierre(00:21:00) - Interview with Paul Morisi(00:34:00) - Interview with Friar Rick Riccioli

    49 min
  8. Formation with Dr. Bill Keimig, Cindy Black, and Friar Rick Riccioli

    SEP 22

    Formation with Dr. Bill Keimig, Cindy Black, and Friar Rick Riccioli

    Formation - From Lived Experience to Practical Application Episode Overview In this episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Father John Gribowich explore the critical topic of faith formation, examining the barriers that prevent Catholics from receiving ongoing spiritual development and highlighting practices that have proven successful. Through conversations with three experienced formation leaders, they uncover why trust and personal relationships are foundational to authentic spiritual growth. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Opening quote on ministry and intimacy [00:01:00] Introduction to faith formation experiences [00:03:00] The backwards approach done right: Belong → Believe → Behave [00:05:00] Results from discipleship study on formation needs [00:06:00] Interview with Dr. Bill Keimig begins [00:11:00] Discussion on trust in formation relationships [00:19:00] Interview with Cindy Black on pastoral formation [00:26:00] Consumer Christianity vs. authentic discipleship [00:33:00] Interview with Friar Rick on Alpha program [00:39:00] Practical ministry approaches and flexibility [00:45:00] Long-term perspective on spiritual growth Featured Guests Dr. Bill Keimig Deputy Director, Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University Expert in RCIA/OCIA processes Trainer for over 80 dioceses worldwide Advocate for relationship-centered formation Cindy Black Pastoral Associate, St. Vincent de Paul Parish Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana Experienced in Catholic radio ministry Specialist in welcoming seekers to the Church Friar Rick Riccioli Parish Ministry Leader Experienced with Alpha program implementation Focus on hospitality and evangelization culture Expert in community outreach through arts and media Key Insights & Quotes On Trust in Formation "Ministry is defined by degree of intimacy and nothing else." - Dr. Bill Keimig On Consumer Christianity "The end of evangelization is for you to go out and do it - to radically love people, not have the next thing that you get something out of." - Cindy Black On Personal Conversion "Formation aims at the soul for yearning, while education aims at the mind for learning." - Dr. Bill Keimig On Authentic Discipleship "The opposite of faith is not doubt, but the opposite of faith is certainty." - Father John (quoting Anne Lamott) Main Takeaways Trust is Foundational: Authentic formation requires proving you're trustworthy and demonstrating trust in God through daily interactions. Relationship Before Program: Personal conversion happens through intimate relationships, not programmatic approaches that prioritize calendar schedules over individual needs. Belong → Believe → Behave: The most effective formation welcomes people into community first, allowing belief and behavior to follow naturally. Formation vs. Education: Formation targets the soul and develops yearning for God, while education primarily addresses intellectual understanding. Avoiding Consumer Mentality: True discipleship involves giving what you've received rather than constantly seeking... Chapters (00:01:00) - Introduction to faith formation experiences(00:06:00) - Interview with Dr. Bill Keimig on parishioner formation(00:19:00) - Interview with Cindy Black on pastoral formation(00:33:00) - Interview with Friar Rick on Alpha

    50 min
  9. Prayer with Kathy Lorentz, Monica Martinez and Fr. David Roman

    SEP 15

    Prayer with Kathy Lorentz, Monica Martinez and Fr. David Roman

    Prayer as Attention: Discovering the Mystical in Daily Life  Quick Summary  What if prayer isn't just something you do at scheduled times, but the very attention you give to everything around you? In this transformative episode, we explore how "attention taken to its highest degree is the same thing as prayer" and discover why everyone—from busy parents to spiritual seekers—is called to be a mystic in their unique circumstances. In this Episode, We Explore: Why 43% of prayer app users aren't even Catholic (and what this reveals about spiritual hunger) The one simple test to know if your spiritual foundation is strong enough for growth How to turn off notifications strategically to create sacred space in daily life Why letting go of prayer aids might be essential for a deeper relationship with God Redefining Prayer with Kathy Lorentz Spiritual Director & Educator, Sunday to Sunday Ministry "Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God, and for me that is everything" (8:30) - How awareness of God's constant presence transforms everything into prayer "Attention is like a spotlight that can only focus on one thing at a time" (13:00) - The neuroscience behind why multitasking sabotages spiritual growth Practical digital boundaries: Why Kathy keeps her phone on "do not disturb" and how to create notification-free zones (15:00) Teaching teenagers mindfulness: The two-week digital journal exercise that helps students discover their own habits (14:30) Digital Faith with Monica Martinez Parish Lead at Hallow Prayer App 43% of Hallow users aren't Catholic (22:30) - What this surprising statistic reveals about modern spiritual searching "The Holy Spirit is not limited by an app" (23:45) - How technology creates safe spaces for spiritual curiosity The trainer analogy: Why spiritual apps are like fitness trainers - helpful but not essential (24:00) When prayer aids become idols: The hidden danger of relationship with your streak vs. relationship with God (26:30) Universal Mysticism with Father David Roman Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield, CT Why everyone is called to be a mystic (32:30) - The same grace that worked in St. Teresa of Avila is available to every parent, professional, and person "Formation vs. evangelizat... Chapters (00:00:01) - Opening prayer and introduction to prayer as attention(00:08:30) - Interview with Kathy Lorentz begins: "holy presence of God"(00:22:30) - Monica Martinez on prayer apps and 43% non-Catholic users(00:32:30) - Father David Roman on universal mysticism

    45 min
  10. Decompartmentalizing with Cindy Black and Andrea Sarubbi

    SEP 8

    Decompartmentalizing with Cindy Black and Andrea Sarubbi

    How to Stop Compartmentalizing Your Faith Life and Start Living an Integrated Life Quick Summary What if your "spiritual life" is actually holding you back from true faith? In this inaugural episode, we challenge the idea that faith should be separated from daily life. Through powerful conversations with pastoral associate Cindy Black and journalist Andrea Sarubbi, discover how encounters at bars can be more transformative than Sunday services, and why the Martha vs. Mary debate misses the point entirely. Learn practical ways to integrate contemplation and action into one unified approach to living. Bottom Line: Stop treating faith like a separate compartment of your life. Instead, learn to encounter God in every person and situation, from church pews to neighborhood bars. In This Episode, We Explore: The Problem with Compartmentalization (03:00) Why treating "spiritual life" as separate from "real life" limits our growth "I went to mass on Sundays, but God was very distant to me at that time" - Cindy Black (07:30) Sacred Encounters in Unexpected Places (12:00) How authentic relationships form without evangelization agendas "She was so taken aback that I even cared to learn about her life" - Cindy Black (12:30) The Eucharistic Worldview (15:00) Using the Eucharist as a lens to see God's presence in every person "The Eucharist is not an end point for me. It's like the beginning point." - Fr. John Gribowich (15:45) Beyond Martha vs. Mary (26:00) Why integration means being both contemplative AND active "We are both. Each one of us is both Martha and both Mary" - Andrea Sarubbi (30:15) The Freedom to Choose Well (27:00) Using Ignatian discernment: "What would you do if you were about to die one second later?" How fear keeps us compartmentalized Meet Our Guests Cindy Black - Pastoral Associate at St. Vincent DePaul Parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana. Former Catholic radio professional with extensive experience in youth ministry and helping newcomers approach the Catholic Church. Known for her authentic approach to relationship-building across diverse communities. Andrea Sarubbi - Freelance journalist, former member of Italian Parliament, and contributor to the Pope Video Project spreading awareness of papal prayer intentions. Draws extensively from Ignatian spirituality in his approach to integrated living. Key Resources & Links Called Learning Community - Join Father John's online faith community: calledcommunity.com The Pope Video Project - Monthly papal prayer intentions: thepopevideo.org Ignatian Spirituality - Learn more about St. Ignatius' approach to decision-making: ignatianspirituality.com Religion to Reality Study - 2021 research study on Catholic Discipleship in the US by DeSales Media and Vinea Research: religiontoreality.org Quotes to Remember "Attention taken to its highest degree is the same thing as prayer." —Simone Weil "The truth isn't a set of moral ideals. The truth is a person whose identity is love." —Cindy Black "The difference between a church and let's say a bar is razor thin... whatever someone is trying to seek in a church... Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:06:23) - Cindy Black(00:25:30) - Andrea Sarubbi

    39 min
  11. Introducing "Religion to Reality"

    TRAILER

    Introducing "Religion to Reality"

    Listen to the trailer for the Religion to Reality podcast, where we help you live a more integrated life. Chapters (00:00:04) - Religion to Reality

    2 min

Trailer

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About

This is the Religion to Reality podcast, where we explore the compartmentalization that’s happening as so many Catholics file away their faith lives as something disconnected from the rest of their lives. We designed this podcast to help you live a more integrated life. Let’s bridge the gap between what we believe… and how we can realistically live it.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Plisky
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 DeSales Media
  • Show Website
    Religion To Reality

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