Ave Explores
Religion & Spirituality
About
A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way.
Episodes
- BONUS EPISODE: One Year with Pope Leo XIV
On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. In the months since, his leadership, messages of peace, and warm presence among the faithful have offered much to reflect on. In this special episode of Ave Ex…
- Easter: Feast after the Fast with Laura Kelly Fanucci
We usually arrive at Easter ready to stop "counting the days" of Lent and happy to end our fasting. Laura Kelly Fanucci's new Easter devotional, Living Easter encourages us to enter the 50 days of Easter with the same focus and purpose as…
- Holy Week: The Shock of Holy Week with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP
Holy Week arrives with a sudden silence—marked by darkness, stillness, and striking liturgical traditions—that invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery and memory of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe…
- 5th Week of Lent: Lent Makes Us Courageous with Pete Burak
Author of A Man on Purpose , Pete Burak shares how courage doesn’t begin with heroic moments, but with daily faithfulness. In this episode, he explores how small, sometimes difficult Lenten practices—like fasting—form us to respond when Go…
- 4th Week of Lent: The Cross is Humbling with Meg Hunter-Kilmer
Crucifixion was meant to be a humiliating death, a public sign of defeat. Yet Jesus transforms the Cross into the place of ultimate victory. In this episode of Ave Explores , Meg Hunter-Kilmer reflects on how gazing upon the Cross humbles…
- 3rd Week of Lent: Suffering with Christ featuring Mary Lenaburg
When we stand at the foot of the Cross, we encounter true compassion—literally, “to suffer with.” Mary Lenaburg knows this compassion intimately. Having experienced profound sorrow and deep joy, she understands that suffering is not a seas…
- 2nd Week of Lent: Friendship at the Cross with Fr. Jeronimo Espinosa and Ali Hoffman
Lent invites us to stand at the foot of the Cross—but never alone. The Christian life is meant to be lived in communion, alongside companions who help draw us closer to the Lord. In this episode, Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa and Ali Hoffman refle…
- 1st Week of Lent: Dignity at the Cross with the Sisters of Life
Rooted in their mission to uphold the dignity of every human person, the Sisters of Life witness to the truth that no one is beyond God’s love and mercy. During Lent, we are invited to stand at the foot of the Cross and encounter the Lord’…
- Ash Wednesday: Starting Lent with a Plan with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, and Tommy McGrady
Lent invites us to trust God’s providence—but it also calls for intention. In this episode, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, author of Witness, joins Katie and her husband, Tommy, to reflect on approaching the season with purpose. Fr. Patrick…
- NEW SERIES: Not a Fan of Lent? You’re Not Alone with Fr. Gregory Pine, OP
In this teaser episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP , host Katie McGrady sits down with Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, to name a familiar tension: many of us resist Lent, even while longing for the work God wants to do in…
- Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Wonder of the Journey with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP
In the final days of Advent, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, reflects on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem—sudden in appearance, yet deeply intentional and necessary. Their path invites us to consider our own journeys during this liturg…
- Third Sunday of Advent: Joy in the Chaos of Advent with Rachel and Jason Bulman
With six kids, busy schedules, and long to-do lists, Deacon Jason and Rachel Bulman understand what it means to try and slow down in the Advent season, and how even best laid plans to slow down are often thwarted. In today's episode, they…
- 2nd Sunday of Advent: A Peaceful Aesthetic with Eliza Monts
Walk into any Target or Home Goods and you'll see nothing but perfectly curated Christmas décor selling you the right kind of holiday aesthetic, all in pursuit of a perfect Instagram post. Eliza Monts, a popular Substack writer and Instagr…
- 1st Sunday of Advent: Finding Wonder in Advent with Katie Cavadini
The season of Advent can become far busier than we'd like it to be, if we aren't careful. Author of Behold the Wonder , Katie Cavadini, offers insights into how incorporating lectio and visio divinia and allowing ourselves to be immersed i…
- NEW SERIES! Teaser: The Advent of Christmas with Matt Maher
Matt Maher takes Advent seriously, not only because he spends the season touring cathedrals across the country leading evenings of prayer and praise, but because Advent invites us to remember the gift and majesty of Mary’s “yes.” In this c…
- Week 4: From Rome to Philly: Archbishop Pérez Shares the News of Pope Leo
When Pope Leo was elected on May 8, 2025, Archbishop Nelson Pérez was flying home to Philadelphia from Rome. Mid-flight, he got to share the historic news with his fellow passengers. In this episode, Archbishop Pérez reflects on Pope Leo’s…
- Week Three: Pope Leo, the Missionary Pope with Msgr. Roger Landry of the Pontifical Mission Societies
Pope Leo is the first missionary Pope since St. Peter, and it is already quite evident how his formation as a missionary in Peru is guiding his papal ministry. Msgr. Roger Landry, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies i…
- Week Two: The Uniqueness of Each Pope with Inés San Martín and José Manuel de Urquidi
Katie sits down with José Manuel de Urquidi of the Juan Diego Network and Inés San Martín of the Pontifical Mission Societies to discuss their personal experiences with Pope Francis and Pope Leo. Together, they explore how to understand Po…
- Week One: A Dozen Popes with Shannon Wimp Schmidt
Shannon Wimp Schmidt joins Katie to explore the significance of the papacy, highlighting key teachings and defining moments from the past twelve popes—from Leo XIII at the turn of the twentieth century to Leo XIV today. Together they trace…
- Teaser: Leo in the Fisherman's Shoes featuring Katie McGrady
When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, he stepped into the metaphorical shoes of the fisherman worn by 266 men before him. Choosing a name that hadn't been held by a pope in over 100 years, he entere…
- Week Six: Digital Detox with Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP
Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, dives into the intersection of faith and media in today’s digital world. Drawing on the vision of Bl. James Alberione—the founder of the Daughters of St. Paul—she unpacks how we can integrate our faith into the wa…
- Week Five: Sharing Faith Online That Leads to Real-Life Encounter Kaylee Stoll of FOCUS
As a Catholic convert and Director of Digital Media at FOCUS, Kaylee Stoll knows the power of storytelling online—but also its limits. In this episode, she shares how digital media can reveal the beauty of the Catholic faith while ultimate…
- Week Four: Standing on Holy Ground Online with the Women of the Abiding Together Podcast
Michelle Benzinger, Heather Khym, and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—the beloved voices behind the Abiding Together podcast—join Katie to reflect on the story behind their show, their commitment to authentic and vulnerable conversations,…
- Week Three: Truthful and Trustworthy Content with Montse Alvarado of EWTN
In a world flooded with misinformation and digital noise, how can Catholics use media to evangelize with clarity and credibility? Montse Alvarado, President of EWTN News, joins Katie to talk about why traditional media—especially televisio…
- WEEK TWO: Influencer Culture in the Church with Grady Connolly of The Social Thomist
Grady Connolly, a Gen Z Catholic influencer and digital strategist, shares key principles for discerning how to use social media well—especially when representing the Church. Drawing from his experience managing multiple social platforms f…
- Week One: Phones Pushing us to Prayer with Alex Jones of Hallow
Katie sits down with Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of the Hallow app, to explore how one of the world’s most popular Catholic apps is transforming lives through digital prayer. Once an agnostic, Alex shares his powerful reversion story an…
- NEW SERIES Teaser: Exploring the Digital Continent: Why the Catholic Church Cares About the Internet
The Vatican has begun using a powerful new phrase to describe evangelization in the digital age: digital mission on the digital continent. As people spend increasing amounts of time online—scrolling, streaming, and searching for meaning—th…
- SPECIAL EPISODE: Let Leo Be Leo: Reflecting on the First Few days of Pope Leo XIV's Papacy
In this special episode of Ave Explores , Katie McGrady shares her thoughts on the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. She delves into his background, career, and what we might expect in the pontificate ahead. Ultimately, she encourages us to let…
- SPECIAL EPISODE: Remembering Pope Francis with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP
When plans to attend the canonization of Bl. Carlo Acutis shifted following the death of Pope Francis, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, traveled to Rome to report for Our Sunday Visitor, while Katie Prejean McGrady stayed in the U.S. to cover…
- BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Lenten Practices People "Hate" the Most
Katie and Tommy discuss the most hated practices people “have” to do during Lent. Is it fasting? Extra prayers? Almsgiving? They dig into why these practices feel so hard—and why we often dread them—even when we know they’re supposed to he…
- Renewing Your Relationship with Jesus each Lent with Courtney Roach
Courtney Roach, digital marketing manager for FOCUS and host of The Daily Nothings podcast, reflects on her journey to Catholicism and how her conversion ten years ago deepened her love for Jesus. She shares how Lent offers a renewed oppor…
- BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Mercy is Waiting
Katie and Tommy discuss the gift of going to confession during the Lenten season through the lens of the prodigal son. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Cat…
- 4th Sunday of Lent: Finding Healing in Lent by Embracing God’s Love with Brya Hanan
The wounds we carry can leave us feeling fractured, but God’s love has the power to restore and heal. In this episode, Brya Hanan—author and licensed marriage and family therapist—shares how Lent invites us to pause, reflect, and tend to t…
- BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Clearing Out During Lent
What is bearing fruit in our lives, what is draining us, and what do we need to change or fix when it comes to our relationship with Jesus? Katie and Tommy offer a practical activity to help evaluate things halfway through Lent. We would l…
- 3rd Sunday of Lent: Lent is Meant for Mercy with Fr. Josh Johnson
At this middle point of the Lenten journey, Fr. Josh Johnson sits down with Katie to discuss the value of making a good confession in Lent, spending time praying about conversion and brokenness, and what it's like to hear confessions as a…
- BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Vulnerability in Lent
Katie and Tommy discuss how much we look at our phones, screens, and all sorts of distractions throughout our day, which means we are often unable to be seen by the Lord. Lent is a chance to be vulnerable, and allow ourselves to be seen by…
- 2nd Sunday of Lent: Lent Demands Vulnerability with Oscar Rivera
During Lent, when life feels busy, noisy, and overwhelming, making room for the Lord is more important than ever. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN , Oscar Rivera, host of Ave Spotlight , explores how L…
- BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Enter Into Lent with Purpose
Tommy and Katie McGrady talk about how we can fully enter into Lent with a willingness to let Jesus work on our hearts throughout these 40 days, and encourage listeners to find something they can commit to that will help them grow in a dis…
- 1st Sunday of Lent: Jesus's Heart is Safe with Mari Pablo
Being rooted in love is key to thriving in life and experiencing a fruitful Lent. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garett, CSFN , Mari Pablo shares how trusting in Jesus’s love and mercy—and seeking refuge in his Sa…
- Ash Wednesday: Don't Fear the Wilderness with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN
In this powerful episode, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, author of Wilderness Within , invites us to see Lent as more than a checklist of holy practices. Instead, it’s a season to step into the wilderness of our hearts, where God is ready to…
- Lent Teaser: Finding Fulfillment: Comedian Shayne Smith’s Journey to Catholicism Through Lent
Comedian Shayne Smith had everything he thought would make him happy—success, wealth, and recognition—but still felt deeply unfulfilled. His search for meaning led him to a church, where he encountered Christ and Our Lady for the first tim…
- BONUS: Joan Watson Reflects on the Panel of the Repentant Women from Luke 7.
In this reflection from Opening the Holy Door , Joan Watson explains the meaning behind the panel that depicts the repentant woman who washes Jesus's feet with her hair. For more insight into the meaning of this panel, get your copy of Ope…
- Hope does not Disappoint with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN
Join Sr. Josephine Garrett, author of Wilderness Within , as she unpacks the virtue of hope and its transformative power. In this episode, Sr. Josephine reflects on how cultivating hope requires intentionality, patience, and radical trust…
- The Global Relevance of the Jubilee Year with Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, Hungary's Ambassador to the Holy See
In this exclusive conversation, Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See, Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, discusses the significance of the Jubilee year, not just for Catholics, but for all people who long for peace and justice. He reflects on the…
- BONUS: Joan Watson Reflects on the Panel that Depicts the Encounter of Jesus and Peter, after Peter's Denial
In this reflection from Opening the Holy Door , Joan Watson explains the meaning behind the panel that depicts the encounter of Jesus and Peter, after Peter's Denial. For more insight into the meaning of this panel, get your copy of Openin…
- BONUS: Joan Watson Reflects on the Parable of the Good Shepherd Panel of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica
In this reflection from Opening the Holy Door , Joan Watson explains the meaning behind the panel that depicts the Parable of the Good Shepherd. For more insight into the meaning of this panel, get your copy of Opening the Holy Door at htt…
- The Surprises of a Jubilee Year in Rome with Elizabeth Lev
Art historian and professor Elizabeth Lev unveils the fascinating history of the Jubilee Holy Doors and reveals how Rome itself has been shaped by Jubilee celebrations over the centuries. As preparations for Jubilee 2025 unfold, Lev explor…
- Embrace the Challenges of the Jubilee Year with Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ
Join Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, as he unpacks Pope Francis’s bold calls to action for the Jubilee Year 2025. Discover how Catholics—and all people of goodwill—are invited to…
- BONUS: Joan Watson Reflects on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Panel of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica
In this first reflection from Opening the Holy Door , Joan Watson explains the meaning behind the panel that depicts the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. For more insight into the meaning of this panel, get your copy of Opening the…
- Introduction: Opening the Holy Door with Joan Watson
Joan Watson, author of Opening the Holy Door , explores the rich history and purpose behind Jubilees in the Church, shedding light on the profound significance of opening the Holy Doors in Rome's four major basilicas. She offers practical…