Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

What if the hardest moments of your life are exactly what God wants to use? In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, Chris sits down with Gordy Demarais—co-founder of St. Paul's Outreach and one of the founding figures behind NET Ministries—for a conversation packed with extraordinary stories of conversion, raw honesty about family struggle, and one of the most hope-filled messages you'll hear for parents of kids who have walked away from the faith. Gordy's story begins in tragedy: losing his father at 15, drifting from the faith, and spending a summer desperately searching for meaning. Then a chance encounter—and a youth center that was on fire for the gospel—changed everything. That same renewal sparked two of the most influential Catholic youth ministries in North America. But this conversation isn't just about ministry. Gordy opens up about the season when his own family hit a breaking point, what it looks like to love a child who is pulling away, and why the only thing that ultimately sustained him was trusting in a Father who loves our kids even more than we do. In this episode, we cover: -How Gordy lost his faith after his father's death—and how God found him anyway -The youth center in Minneapolis that sparked NET Ministries and St. Paul's Outreach -Why the Gospel is Good News, not good advice—and how that distinction changes everything -Wild, real-life stories of conversion happening today -What to do when your family is in crisis and you can't see a way out -How to stay connected to your kids when they seem unreachable -A message of unshakeable hope for every parent with a prodigal child "No matter how much we love our kids, they have a Father in heaven who loves them infinitely more than we do. He is persistent—always pursuing, always pressing in." — Gordy Demarais ....... Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Learn more about St. Paul's Outreach www.spo.org ........ The Chris Stefanick Show will soon be premiering on EWTN+ Streaming! You can start watching more great content at: EWTN.com/ondemand/ ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/ Chapters

John Foppe was born without arms — and he wouldn't have it any other way. In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, John shares how a childhood of trauma, tough love, and feeling different led to a life-changing mission trip to Haiti, a career in corporate motivation under Zig Ziglar, and the founding of Friends of the Forgotten — an organization connecting adults with disabilities to institutionalized children in the developing world. John opened a can of Coke with his feet right in front of me. He eats salads with a fork. He's been traveling internationally by himself for 35 years. As he says, "there are no unsolvable problems." We go deep on embracing your cross, the lies that hold us back, the theology of presence, contemplative prayer, and why suffering isn't just redemptive—it's worship. This is the truth I think every single one of us needs to hear: your pain is not an accident. It's a feature. It's your connection to the crucified Christ. I asked John: if I could snap my fingers and give you arms, would you take them? His answer floored me. If you've ever felt disqualified, not enough, or like your pain has no purpose—this conversation will change that. HIGHLIGHTS 0:00 Intro 3:06 "There are no unsolvable problems." 9:46 A mission trip to Haiti triggers a painful flashback. 11:44 A little boy in Mother Teresa's hospital changes everything. 13:38 He wasn't asking to be picked up — he was hugging me. 24:00 Suffering isn't just redemptive — it's worship. 27:01 Don't follow your passion. Take up God's mission. 40:43 "Would you take the arms?" John's answer is immediate. Check out Friends of the Forgotten: https://www.friendsforgotten.org/ ....... Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages/ Chapters

There's an old Greek storytelling trick called Deus ex machina—"God from the machine." When the playwright wrote his characters into a corner he couldn't get them out of, he'd just lower a god onto the stage on a crane, and boom—everything's fixed. Aristotle called it lazy writing. But here's the thing: the Bible is full of Deus ex machina moments. Not because God is a bad writer—but because we tend to write ourselves into corners we can't get out of. That's exactly what was happening on the road to Emmaus. A couple (a lot of theologians think it was a married couple—Cleopas and his wife Mary) is walking home, devastated. They'd given up time, income, maybe everything, to follow Jesus. And now He was dead. Game over. They're walking home feeling like fools, talking and talking, their problem-solving brains spinning in circles. And right in the middle of that mess, the solution drops down and starts walking with them! The first people Jesus appeared to in the Gospel of Luke after the Resurrection weren't the apostles or the official leadership. It was a husband and wife in their lowest moment, unsure what to do with their lives. He loves you in that moment. Look, your brain is a beautiful problem-solving supercomputer. God gave it to you, so use it. But sometimes the most practical thing you can do in a crisis is stop trying to figure it out, get on your knees, and pray: Lord, I want the mind of Christ. Give me Your eyes to see this. Come, Lord Jesus. David slew Goliath with a sling and five smooth stones. Sometimes the biggest problems get knocked out by the simplest of solutions. Whatever you're carrying—invite Him in. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. When you face a problem or crisis, what's your default move—do you tend to think your way out of it, or do you bring it to the Lord first? Why? 2. The disciples on the road to Emmaus said, "We had hoped he was the one"—past tense. Have you ever experienced a moment when your hope in God felt like past tense? What did that feel like? 3. Chris suggests that Jesus often appears in our "low moments" rather than our high ones. Where in your life right now might Jesus be walking beside you that you haven't recognized yet? 4. The couple invited Jesus into their home. What would it look like, practically, to invite Jesus deeper into your home this week—your conversations, your routines, your relationships? 5. Is there a specific situation in your life where you need to stop trying to figure it out and pray instead? What's one concrete way you can "invite Him in" this week (e.g., a Rosary, a holy hour, prayer with your spouse)? ----- Watch the episode on Divine Mercy with Fr. Chris Alar: https://youtu.be/81-skhKl0-w ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Most people don’t even know men can have eating disorders. In this powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with former college football player Patrick Devenny, who opens up about a hidden battle that nearly destroyed his life. From chasing NFL dreams to spiraling into obsession with food, fitness, and control, Patrick shares how what looked like “discipline” on the outside was actually deep pain, shame, and addiction on the inside. We talk about: -Why eating disorders in men go unnoticed -How fitness culture can mask serious struggles -The role of identity, loss, and control in addiction -The turning point that changed everything -How Jesus, community, and truth led him toward healing If you’ve ever struggled with body image, shame, or feeling trapped in your own mind—this episode is for you. Jesus came for the broken. And healing starts when we stop hiding. Highlights: 0:00 Intro 3:40 Can men have eating disorders? 5:10 Patrick’s football journey & identity 9:30 Losing everything—and hitting rock bottom 12:45 Can Jesus actually heal something like this? 17:50 The hidden world of male eating disorders 22:00 When “discipline” becomes obsession 27:30 The breaking point 31:00 The moment everything changed 34:00 Finding identity beyond performance 38:30 Practical steps toward healing 46:00 Why men must speak up ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

My father-in-law was just baptized. At 85 years old. Watch this week's reflection to hear the whole story—and why it matters for you right now. To watch a lifetime of questions, of searching, and of sin washed away in an instant? That is how powerful the love and mercy of God is. And that's what Divine Mercy Sunday is all about. Jesus told Saint Faustina that his mercy is like an ocean — and our trust is the bucket. The bigger the bucket, the more mercy we can receive. The only thing that limits God's mercy isn't the size of your sin. It's the size of your trust. I'm recording this from Hawaii, where my family is on a pilgrimage to beauty. My kids got to visit Kalaupapa — the remote peninsula on Molokai where people with leprosy were exiled in the 1800s. It was a place of total anarchy and misery. And guess who walked into the middle of it? The Catholic Church. Father Damien came from halfway around the world, and he didn't leave. He stayed. He held people's hands while they died. He built churches. He cut holes in the floor so the sick could stay at Mass without having to leave. He crawled under the building himself to clean it all out. And eventually, he contracted leprosy too. That's what divine mercy looks like when it has hands and feet. We're not just supposed to receive mercy. We're supposed to give it away. People are messy. Life is messy. But mercy says, "I see the mess, and I'm not running from it. I'm stepping right into it—for you." Jesus, we trust in you. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Chris's father-in-law was baptized at 85 after a lifetime of searching. Is there someone in your life you've been praying for who seems "too far gone"? How does this story challenge that assumption? 2. Jesus told Saint Faustina that his mercy is like an ocean and our trust is the bucket. What makes it hard for you to trust in God's mercy—and what would it look like to "bring a bigger bucket"? 3. Father Damien didn't just serve the lepers from a distance—he lived among them and eventually became one of them. Where is God asking you to step into someone else's mess instead of keeping a comfortable distance? 4. Joseph Dutton was a broken man—a Civil War veteran, an alcoholic, divorced—and he gave his brokenness to God on Molokai. Have you ever felt disqualified from serving God because of your own failures? How does Dutton's story speak to that? 5. Chris says we're not just supposed to receive mercy but imitate it. What is one concrete way you can be an instrument of God's mercy to someone in your life this week? Interested in a pilgrimage to Kalaupapa in Molokai, Hawaii? Fill out this form: https://bit.ly/4ck9zEj ----- Watch the episode on Divine Mercy with Fr. Chris Alar: https://youtu.be/81-skhKl0-w ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

I'm going to be honest with you—you might be a little frustrated after watching this. But only because you didn't know it sooner. There is one day every year when Jesus promised that any Catholic who goes to confession and receives Holy Communion will receive the complete forgiveness of all sin and all punishment. Not just forgiveness. Complete wiping of the slate. Like a second baptism. That day is Divine Mercy Sunday—the Sunday after Easter. And in this episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, Fr. Chris Alar explains why this is quite possibly the most extraordinary grace available to us in the entire liturgical year. Here's the part that blew my mind: most of us know about plenary indulgences. But to receive one, you need to meet four conditions—including having zero attachment to sin, even venial sin. St. Philip Neri once said that out of 1,200 people in a cathedral, only two received the plenary indulgence. Divine Mercy Sunday's promise? Confession and Communion. That's it. No other conditions. Fr. Alar explained why Jesus was emphatic about this being on the eighth day of the Easter octave. To the Jews, eight symbolized eternity—the day the groom comes for his bride. Jesus is coming for you. And he wants to find you spotless. So here's what you do: ✅ Go to Confession sometime before Divine Mercy Sunday (even a week before counts) ✅ Receive Holy Communion at any Mass on that day ✅ Go back to your pew and pray: "Lord Jesus, you promised St. Faustina that the soul who goes to confession and receives Holy Communion on this day will receive the complete forgiveness of all sin and punishment. I have. Please give me this grace. Jesus, I trust in you." That's it. That's the whole thing. Remember—God's mercy is the ocean. Your trust is the bucket. Whatever feels hopeless in your life right now? It's a pebble tossed into that ocean. It's nothing. Jesus, I trust in you. HIGHLIGHTS 0:00 — Intro 2:05 — The ABCs of Divine Mercy (Ask, Be merciful, Completely trust) 5:10 — Trust is the vessel for all grace 7:17 — Jansenism and how it distorted our view of God 11:18 — Divine Mercy: God's love put into action 14:15 — The meaning of the eighth day 16:06 — The octave of Easter explained 19:01 — Divine Mercy Sunday as the eighth day 21:16 — The extraordinary promise: forgiveness of sin AND punishment 22:02 — The fulfillment of Yom Kippur 23:16 — John Paul II's death on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday 24:30 — What the two rays in the image symbolize 26:30 — Why this is greater than a plenary indulgence 29:30 — The 4 plenary indulgences any Catholic can do daily 31:00 — The 4 conditions for a plenary indulgence 34:17 — The extraordinary promise requires only confession and communion 36:04 — The simple prayer to claim the grace 38:44 — The nail and the hole analogy 41:01 — Closing prayer: Jesus, I trust in you Understanding Divine Mercy by Fr. Chris Alar: https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Divine-Mercy-Explaining-Faith/dp/1596145390 ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

The Shroud of Turin is the most studied artifact in human history—and after hundreds of thousands of research hours across dozens of scientific disciplines, no one can explain it. In this special episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, I dive deep into the evidence that this ancient linen cloth is the burial—and resurrection—cloth of Jesus Christ. From the photographic negative hidden for centuries before photography existed, to the 3D holographic body data, to the 34 trillion watts of energy required to produce the image, I share 15 mind-blowing scientific facts about the shroud that point to its validity. Then I shift gears to discuss what the shroud reveals about the painful reality of Christ's Passion—over 700 distinct injuries, the brutality of the scourging, the crown of thorns that was actually a helmet, Jerusalem limestone on His nose from falling face-first, and the forensic evidence of both living and dead blood in exactly the right locations. This episode will give you a new understanding of what Christ suffered for us. HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 — Introduction 1:25 — The Shroud Is the Most Studied Artifact in History 2:36 — Fact 1: The Image Is a Photographic Negative 4:12 — Fact 3: The Image Contains 3D Body Data 5:48 — Fact 4: The Image Radiated Straight Up and Down Like a Flash of Light 7:01 — Fact 5: The Back Image Isn't Flattened 7:48 — Fact 6: Undisturbed Blood Clots 8:34 — Fact 7: The Energy Required Is Beyond Modern Technology 10:04 — Fact 8: The Image Is Nearly Invisible Close Up 10:36 — Fact 9: The Image Is Only Two Microns Deep 11:38 — Fact 10: The Image Shows the Inside of the Body 12:05 — Fact 11: The Blood Is Real and Came Before the Image 12:44 — Fact 12: The Blood Is Type AB 14:20 — Fact 14: Jerusalem Pollen Embedded in the Shroud 15:07 — Fact 15: The Face Matches the Oldest Portraits of Jesus 15:31 — Debunking the 1988 Carbon Dating 17:56 — What the Shroud Reveals About the Crucified Man 18:39 — The Scourging: 370+ Wounds from Two Men 20:43 — His Face Was Destroyed 21:23 — The Crown of Thorns Was a Helmet 22:24 — Over 700 Injuries Before He Was Even Sentenced 23:09 — Jerusalem Limestone on His Nose 24:46 — Nailed at the Wrists, Not the Palms 25:08 — How Crucifixion Kills: Progressive Asphyxiation 26:29 — The Spear Wound: Blood and Water Explained 27:07 — Living Blood and Dead Blood in the Right Places 27:52 — Two Options: Forgery or Resurrection 29:19 — He Is Risen — What It Means for You 30:43 — Prayer Download my Shroud of Turin fact sheet to read more and share with others: https://bit.ly/3NWHn1T I am passionate about this subject, but by no means an expert. I'm grateful to the following sources that informed this discussion: the work of Jeremiah Johnston, Doug Powell, Robert Spitzer, the STURP team, ENEA (Paolo Di Lazzaro), Max Frei, Giulio Fanti, Elvio Carlino, and the broader sindonology research community. *and apologies for my sometimes raspy voice in the video! ....... Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Every person who nailed Jesus to the cross thought they were a pretty good person. The soldiers? Just doing their job. The Pharisees? Protecting the system. Pontius Pilate? Just trying to keep his career on track. They all gave themselves a free pass. And we do the exact same thing. Listen to my Palm Sunday reflection to hear why that matters, and why it should change everything about how you enter Holy Week. When we read the Passion at Mass on Palm Sunday, we are forced to say the ugliest lines out loud—"Crucify him!"—because those aren't just ancient words. They're our words, every time we fall into sin. And I'm not saying this to make you feel bad. I'm saying it to make you feel grateful. Because when you see how ugly sin really is, you finally see how far God was willing to go for you. You couldn't pay the price for a single sin. He paid it all. As you enter into Holy Week, stop giving yourself free passes. Look your sin in the face. Take it to confession. And then look at the cross and say thank you. I'll be praying for you. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Chris says every person involved in the crucifixion gave themselves a "free pass." Where in your own life are you most tempted to do the same — and what excuses do you tend to make? 2. How does the image of Mel Gibson's hand holding the hammer in The Passion of the Christ change the way you think about your personal responsibility for sin? 3. Chris describes people who "best life" themselves into destructive choices. Have you ever witnessed this in someone you care about? How did you respond — and how do you wish you had responded? 4. The reflection ends with three responses to the cross: gratitude, repentance, and forgiveness of others. Which of these three is hardest for you right now, and why? 5. Jesus didn't let what was done to him change who he was. Think of a situation where someone has hurt or wronged you. What would it look like to respond the way Jesus did — not letting their sin steal your peace, joy, or ability to love? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Why can't you get yourself to do the things you know you should be doing? It's not a willpower problem. It's a motivation problem—and there's a science behind fixing it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tom Zimmer, a PhD researcher specializing in the science of motivation and a professor at Wyoming Catholic College. Tom has spent years studying why people do what they do—and more importantly, how to change it. We go deep on the stuff that actually matters: how to motivate your kids to love the faith instead of just enduring it, why "good job" is killing your child's growth, the hidden reason boys are retreating into video games, and how the same motivational principles that apply to kayaking and skiing apply to your prayer life and your Lenten sacrifices. I'm already thinking about how I can talk to my own kids differently. There's a reason some kids grow up loving what their parents love—and it's not luck. Tom breaks it all down with practical tools you can start using today. Highlights 0:03:00 — Why the real problem isn't willpower 0:06:30 — Motivating his 8-year-old daughter to nail a kayak roll 0:19:30 — The problem with extrinsic rewards 0:43:25 — Why Dads need to visibly live their faith 1:01:00 — Why "good job" doesn't build self-efficacy 1:04:55 — Flow theory 1:09:45 — Why video games are engineered to exploit Wyoming Catholic College: www.wyomingcatholiccollege.com Read Dr. Tom Zimmer's thesis: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1422680 ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

What do you do when God feels late? In this Sunday's powerful Gospel on the raising of Lazarus, we are invited into one of the most honest, raw moments in Scripture—when Martha looks at Jesus and says what we’ve all felt at some point: “Lord, if you had been here…” Ever been there? Watch this reflection that gets real about why it’s okay to bring your mess straight to God and how Jesus proves He has power over sin, suffering, and even death itself. But here's my biggest takeaway: Martha's faith wasn't just at the beginning when she asked Jesus for help, or at the end when Lazarus walked out of that tomb. She believed right in the middle—before the miracle, before the answer, while she was still upset and heartbroken. That's where most of us live. In the middle. And that's exactly where Jesus is asking: "Do you believe this?" Come to him as you are. Give him your whole messy heart. And trust him right in the middle. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Martha told Jesus exactly how she felt — "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died." When have you felt like God showed up too late, and how did you express that to him? Is there something you need to bring to him honestly right now? 2. Chris talks about Martha having "faith in the middle" — believing before the miracle happened. Where in your life right now are you waiting in the middle, and what does it look like to trust God before you see the answer? 3. Chris shares how the words of absolution in confession felt almost too easy for the weight of what he was carrying — and then he looked at the cross. How does the reality of what Jesus did on the cross change the way you approach confession and God's mercy? 4. A religious sister told Chris that a message about loving yourself bothered her for five years before it transformed her life. Has there ever been a truth about your faith that initially stung or made you uncomfortable, but later became a turning point? 5. Chris says God is strong enough to take on all your messiness — that you don't need a "protocol" to come to him. What keeps you from bringing your real, unfiltered heart to God in prayer? What would it look like to drop the protocol this week? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Most people think St. Patrick's Day is about shamrocks and green beer. But who was the man behind the legend? In this interview with Eddie Cotter Jr., Catholic author, speaker, and founder of the Dead Theologians Society, we uncover the true story of St. Patrick beyond the legends. This episode is packed with inspiration for anyone who has ever felt unqualified by their weaknesses or wounds. St. Patrick was kidnapped as a teenager, dragged to Ireland as a slave, and spent six years in isolation — and that's exactly what made him one of the greatest missionaries in history. His wounds weren't disqualifiers. They were his training. He learned the language. He learned the culture. He loved the people. And then he went back—voluntarily—to the land of his captivity to bring them the faith. He felt unqualified. He felt uneducated. He said so himself. And yet he converted an entire nation. Your wounds might be the exact thing that God is using to prepare you for his glory. Even our darkest moments can become the beginning of our mission. Happy St. Patrick’s Day—and may his rugged faith inspire you to live yours boldly. The episode closes with Eddie reading St. Patrick's Lorica (Breastplate) — the prayer Patrick prayed daily for God's protection throughout his mission. PLUS: Eddie is the talented drummer of an amazing traditional Irish band. They played at my 50th birthday party and you get to listen in on some of the fun at the end of this episode! Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 01:27 – Eddie Cotter Jr. & the Dead Theologians Society 05:00 – St. Patrick's Day vs. the real St. Patrick 06:17 – Eddie's lifelong vow of sobriety 20:25 – Dead Theologians Society: 28 years, 550 parishes, vocations born from it 22:00 – The 35,000-foot view of St. Patrick's life 31:41 – Patrick's wounds were his greatest qualification 38:43 – Croagh Patrick: Ireland's holy mountain 42:23 – Patrick: the first person in recorded history to condemn slavery 50:18 – Patrick's humility: "a stone lying deep in the mud" 52:04 – You don't need credentials to lead people to Jesus 54:05 – Eddie reads the Lorica (St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer) 57:28 – Traditional Irish music from Eddie's band! More from Eddie Cotter, Jr.: Wisdom and Inspiration from the Saints in One-Sentence: https://deadtheologianssociety.com/product/wisdom-inspiration-from-the-saints-in-a-sentence/ Dead Theologians Society: www.deadtheologiansociety.com ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Why does God allow suffering? It’s one of the deepest questions every human heart asks. When things fall apart—when illness hits, relationships break, or life throws unexpected curveballs—it’s natural to wonder: Did I do something wrong? Is God punishing me? The disciples asked Jesus the same question when they saw a man born blind: “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus’ answer changes everything. Suffering isn’t proof that God is angry, and it’s not karma keeping score. Instead, Jesus reveals a God who is a loving Father...one who can bring incredible good even out of pain. And the ultimate answer to suffering isn’t a philosophy. It’s the cross. God didn’t stay distant from our pain. He entered it. If you’re going through something hard right now, I hope this reflection will help you see suffering in a completely new light—and remind you that even in pain, God is working for your good. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Chris talks about three ways people explain suffering: chance, karma, or God bringing good from it. Which of these explanations do you see most often in the world today? 2. The disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Why do you think we instinctively assume suffering must be someone’s fault? 3. How does the Cross of Jesus change the way Christians understand pain and suffering? 4. Chris says Jesus didn’t suffer so we wouldn’t have to, but so we would know how to suffer. What do you think that means in practical terms? 5. Is there an area of suffering in your life right now where you might need to trust that God is bringing a greater good? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Jeremy Rivera was an evangelical pastor who was convinced Catholics didn't really know Jesus. Then he became one. In this new episode, Jeremy shares how honest conversations about authority, Mary, and the Eucharist led him back to the Catholic Church—and why true renewal begins with a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. His journey to the Catholic Church didn't start with theology—it started in the shower on Christmas Eve, 1985, when a 10-year-old boy cried out to God in the middle of his parents' divorce and felt the Holy Spirit show up. His mom, sensing something had happened, pulled a handmade Italian crucifix from under the bed—a Christmas gift she wasn't going to give until morning—and handed it to him on the spot. That crucifix is still in his kitchen today. But the road from that moment to the Catholic Church was anything but straight. We unpack Jeremy's winding journey: losing his faith in college, a crisis pregnancy and abortion that brought him to his knees, and the theological questions that nearly kept him from ever becoming Catholic. We also discuss what the Church gets wrong about evangelization, why most Catholics have never been "ambushed by Jesus," and how an unexpected encounter with the scent of roses in a FOCUS chapel broke through his deepest resistance—Mary. Whether you're a cradle Catholic, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00:00 — Intro 8:00 A powerful encounter with God at age 10 13:00 Abortion, Romans 5:8, and radical conversion 17:30 Surf ministry, seminary, and church planting 23:40 The restlessness that wouldn’t go away 28:00 Meeting Archbishop Chaput 31:50 “I want to ask your forgiveness.” 37:00 Mary: the greatest hurdle 40:00 The fragrance of roses 47:30 Tradition vs. traditionalism 55:00 Do you actually know Jesus? 1:09:00 A prayer of surrender Learn more about Jeremy Rivera: https://thelittlej.com ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to 9 transformative courses: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

You are not too much for God. In this Gospel reflection, we dive into one of the most powerful encounters in all of Scripture: Jesus and the woman at the well. At first glance, it looks like a simple conversation about water—but it’s actually a moment that reveals something shocking about God’s heart. Jesus meets a woman who is hiding in shame, avoiding people, and trying to bury her past. She comes to the well at midday, the hottest part of the day, just so she won’t have to face anyone. But that’s exactly where Jesus meets her. And when he reveals that he knows everything about her life—her mistakes, her relationships, her mess—something unexpected happens. She doesn’t run. Why? Because for the first time, someone sees her completely…and doesn’t flinch. And it wrecked her in the best possible way. She went right back to that village she'd been hiding from and started telling everyone. This Gospel shows us something incredible: God isn’t shocked by your past. He isn’t overwhelmed by your struggles. He already knows everything—and he still chooses to sit with you, love you, and invite you deeper. Even more powerful: the thing she was most ashamed of becomes the very thing that turns into her testimony. If you’ve ever felt like your life is too messy for God, this reflection is for you. Go to Him. With all of it. Watch Him not run. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. The woman at the well avoided the crowd out of shame. Is there an area of your life you've been keeping hidden — even from God? What would it look like to bring it to him? 2. Chris reflects on the Catechism's line that prayer is "an encounter of God's thirst with ours" — that God thirsts for us to thirst for him. How does that reframe the way you think about prayer? 3. Every nudge to pray, every impulse to go to church — Chris says that's God thinking of you first. Has there been a moment in your life where that rings true? What happened when you responded (or didn't)? 4. Jesus named the woman's sin openly, and the conversation didn't end — it deepened. What does that tell us about how God sees us? How does it challenge the way we see ourselves? 5. The woman's greatest shame became her testimony — she ran back to the village and told everyone. Is there something in your own story of failure or struggle that God might want to use for his glory? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

80% of deaths by suicide in the U.S. are men. Men account for over 90% of the prison population, and 149 of the last 155 mass shootings were carried out by men alone. But men are nearly half as likely as women to seek mental health treatment. So what's going on? There's a male mental health collapse happening right now. What can we actually do about it? In this important episode of the Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Dr. Alexandria Coursol, a psychologist who wrote her doctoral dissertation on masculinity, to unpack the roots of this crisis—and more importantly, a way forward. We discuss the concept of "feminine privilege" (it's not what you think), why the patriarchy actually harmed men, how society trained men to suppress emotion and externalize their pain, and why Jesus might be the greatest model of healthy masculinity who ever lived. Whether you're raising sons, loving a husband, or sitting in the struggle yourself, don't miss this conversation. HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – The stat that should stop everyone cold: 80% of suicides are men 03:28 – Meet Dr. Alexandria Coursol + her own journey of letting go and trusting God in relationships 11:22 – How bad is the male mental health crisis? The data is worse than you think 27:32 – "Feminine privilege": the unearned advantage that reveals what men are missing 44:00 – Why the feminist movement left men with an identity crisis 48:42 – Healthy masculinity: what it is, what it isn't, and how to teach it 01:00:01 – Practical steps for parents, clinicians, and men ready to do the work ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “Lord…this is not what I signed up for”? The apostles did. When Jesus told them He would suffer and die, Peter literally rebuked Him. That wasn’t the plan. They thought they were following a conquering king—not a suffering servant. And yet… just days later, Jesus takes them up a mountain and reveals His glory in the Transfiguration. But here’s the wild part: The Transfiguration wasn’t a preview of the future. It was a revelation of what was already there, hidden beneath the ordinary. In this Sunday Reflection, I talk about: • Why your vocation will exhaust you • How marriage exposes (and heals) your wounds • Why parenting demolishes your ideals • The glory hidden in suffering • And why the cross you didn’t choose may be better than the life you would have designed If you’re in a season that feels harder than you expected, this one’s for you. Jesus didn’t promise a pain-free life. He promised resurrection. Push through the hard times and you'll find God's glory...in both the struggle and the outcome. ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4tQCXtP ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Grief can destroy everything—your marriage, your faith, your identity. But what if God can use the worst thing that ever happened to you to build something beautiful? In this powerful episode, Chris sits down with Mark Tripodi, who lost his 3-year-old son Bobby to bacterial meningitis 25 years ago. Mark shares the raw, real story of how that tragedy shattered his life—and how an encounter with God at his son's grave at midnight changed everything. Mark and his wife Christy went from "checking the box" Catholics to founding Cornerstone of Hope, a grief support ministry that has served over 60,000 people. In this conversation, Mark shares the roadmap through grief, why the sacraments sustained him, and what God whispered to him in his darkest moment. If you're walking through grief, loving someone who is, or wondering how God could allow suffering—this conversation is for you. Check out Mark's ministry Cornerstone of Hope: www.cornerstoneofhope.org Highlights: 0:00 Intro 2:47 The sudden loss of their 3-year-old son 8:59 Walking out of the hospital empty-handed 12:30 When everything shattered 16:45 The night at the cemetery 23:10 “My Son died too.” 25:40 Do not waste this pain 28:00 Starting Cornerstone of Hope 33:20 Why faith is essential in grief 36:30 Feeling his son’s presence at Mass 39:00 God is not safe. God is trust. 44:30 A message to anyone grieving ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the RISE study series that features Mark Tripodi's story: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

Who told you who you are? Because if it’s not God…you’ve been listening to the wrong voice. The devil has a very thin playbook. His first move? Attack your identity. He did it in Genesis. He tried it on Jesus in the desert—every single temptation starting with the words, "If you are the Son of God..." He was trying to shake Jesus' sense of who he was. Because here's the thing: as we see ourselves, so we feel. So we act. So our entire life pans out. If he gets your identity, he gets everything. And he tries it with you. Through your worst sins — making you think you are the thing you did. Through the voices of people who were supposed to love you better than they did. Through tragedies that leave you convinced the joys of life just aren't for you. Here's my question for you this Lent: Who —or what—have you given permission to name you? Your bank account? Your worst mistake? What someone said about you years ago? Take that permission back. Give it to Almighty God. Do what Jesus did in the desert: talk back. Preach the truth of who you are. You are a beloved child of Almighty God. And from the cross, he looks at you and says: You are worth dying for. Claim that. Live from it. ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 Get the "I AM ___" course for free with a monthly gift of $15 or more: https://coaching.reallifecatholic.com/i-am/ ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

From hardcore atheist to Catholic convert—author Leah Libresco Sargeant's journey is a story of intellectual rigor leading to faith. In this powerful conversation, Leah explains how a math nerd intentionally raised as an atheist by her university professor parents discovered that moral truth points to God, why her atheism couldn't withstand philosophical scrutiny, and how to build authentic Catholic culture in your own home. Leah shares how she believed in objective morality the same way she believed in mathematics—as something real, transcendent, and independent of human opinion. She explains how her rigorous pursuit of truth created cracks in her atheist worldview at Yale, and why following the philosophical evidence led her to become Catholic. In the second half, she offers practical wisdom on how to actually build Catholic community in your own life...without being performative or Instagram-ready. She talks about hosting "liturgical season poetry parties," why small talk is the enemy of real friendship, and how your home doesn't need to look perfect to be a place where God shows up. If you're trying to defend your faith intellectually, wondering how reason can lead to God, or know someone who's intellectually opposed to the Church, this conversation will bring you hope! Highlights: 00:00 - Intro 02:01 - Raised as an intentional atheist by university professors 03:05 - "I want to know what's true" 05:14 - Moral truth is like math 10:18 - Peak new atheism: trying to liberate Christians from "lies" 13:23 - Joining the Yale Political Union debate group 20:16 - Discovering virtue ethics and Alasdair MacIntyre 24:00 - Virtue ethics and the crack in atheism 27:19 - "I should toast the Nicene Creed and become a Christian" 29:47 - "Morality just loves me or something" 40:12 - Building Catholic culture without Instagram perfection 44:50 - Liturgical season poetry parties and feast day gatherings 47:23 - "God made this person for love" Get "Building the Benedict Option" by Leah Libresco Sargeant: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Benedict-Option-Gathering-Together/dp/1621642178 ........ Sign up for The Daily Anchor to get Chris Stefanick's bite-sized reflections every morning: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters

A lot of people think Jesus was anti-rules. He hated the Pharisees, dined with sinners—so He must be cool with whatever we want to do, right? In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus says something that should stop us in our tracks: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets." And then He doesn't just uphold the moral law—He raises the bar. In this reflection, I dive into the difference between legalism and the moral law, why God's rules aren't arbitrary (they're more like the laws of gravity), and what Jesus actually wants from us: not behavior modification, but a complete transformation of the heart. The gift of love is free—you can't earn it. But love costs you literally everything. And as any lover knows, it's totally worth the price. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Do you ever catch yourself treating your faith more like a checklist than a relationship? What does that look like in your life? 2. What is the difference between legalism and following God's moral laws out of love? How can you tell which one is driving your obedience? 3. Chris says God's moral laws are like the laws of gravity—"you don't break them, they break you." How have you experienced this to be true? 4. Is there an area of your life where you’ve assumed, “God’s cool with it”? 5. What is one concrete step you can take this week to give Jesus not just your behavior—but your heart? ----- Sign up for the Daily Anchor for free daily reflections from Chris Stefanick in your inbox: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ----- Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ----- Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages Chapters