On the heels of Covid-19, podcasts have never been more popular. As of 2022, 62% of Americans will have listened to a podcast in their lives, with 26% of Americans listening to podcasts weekly. And this moment has not gone unnoticed by the Catholic Church. Hundreds of Catholic podcasts exist to accompany you on your summer road trips, vacation flights and commutes. They can serve as a discussion prompt within your marriage, in bible studies or young adult groups. They can structure your days, helping you rise each morning with prayerful guidance, commute with purpose, exercise with spiritual inspiration, vacation while rooted in scripture, and reflect before bed.
Unsure where to start? Check out this list of some Archdiocese of Detroit fan favorites, as well as some excellent lesser-known podcasts to kick off your summer of listening.
Unleash the Gospel Podcasts
When it comes to podcasts, Unleash the Gospel has something for everyone.
- Are you a parent looking for guidance on how to raise your kid Catholic beyond Sunday? Nicole Joyce and Rakhi McCormick’s weekly podcast will offer tangible guidance, tears and laughs.
- Would you like to hear directly from Archbishop Allen Vigneron? Listen to Eyes on Jesus to hear him share his vision for the transformation of the Church in southeast Michigan.
- For a podcast with a Catholic This American Life vibe, listen to Detroit Stories, a podcast that is sharing the fascinating and inspiring stories of the people and communities within our Archdiocese.
- Explore the priesthood and listen to vocation stories from priests throughout the archdiocese with Men of the Hearts, a monthly podcast hosted by Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican.
- Get inspired with the weekly stories of men and women who have found healing and transformation in the Eucharist with the I Am Here podcast.
Abiding Together
Podcast hosts Michelle Benzinger, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, and Heather Khym discuss important themes of the spiritual life through conversations with one another, interviews with holy guests and Lenten and Advent book studies. “These podcasts are like sunshine for my soul,” explains one listener. “Their humorous banter that opens the talk and [continues] throughout keeps me laughing. The wisdom they share is so real and profound. I literally share this podcast with every woman I meet.” They offer weekly episodes discussing how to live as a faithful Catholic, covering topics from discerning a fruitful love to family systems to personal revival. It’s at once deep and funny, light and profound. Listen here.
Restore the Glory
Two former therapists, Dr. Bob Schuchts and Jake Khym, MA, share what they have learned professionally and experienced personally about the healing and restoration “of our God-given glory.” Schuchts and Khym tackle issues such as healing in family and relationships, addictions, theology of the body, self-esteem – you name it. Each episode gives both the practical insights of a therapist and the spiritual insights of a devout believer with years of ministry experience. Listen here.
Pints with Aquinas
And speaking of Catholicism’s greatest thinkers…Have you ever wanted to tackle the big guy—Thomas Aquinas—and his Summa Theolgiae but were absolutely overwhelmed by it? Matt Fradd’s podcast Pints with Aquinas was created with exactly this person in mind. Fradd asks listeners, “If you could sit down with St. Thomas Aquinas over a pint of beer and ask him any one question, what would it be?” Fradd breaks down the questions St. Thomas answers in the Summa Theologiae and other writings colloquially so you need not be a theologian or philosopher to enjoy listening. Each episode revolves around a question that enables listeners to grasp the faith more deeply—Should I bother praying for the souls in hell? Can atheists be saved? Is purgatory taught in scripture? These and much more are answered by Matt and his guests. Listen here.
The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic podcast
You’ve finished the Bible and Catechism in a Year podcasts but you’re not ready to say goodbye to the spirited teachings of Fr. Mike Schmitz? Then you’ll love these bite-size weekly reflections on faith, pop culture and the latest headlines. Can I go to confession over zoom? Ask Fr. Mike. Is there a theology of exercise? It’s right here. How do I pray a novena anyway? Fr. Mike can break it down for you. “Wonderful snippets of advice,” gushes one listener, “These are so beneficial to me. His words are so powerful. No condescension.”
Ask Father Josh- Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast
What about some of those stickier apologetic topics, the ones we might be asked to answer in the thick of evangelizing? These are the questions Father Josh tackles head on in his weekly podcast covering everything from Catholic teaching to moral dilemmas to dating advice. He promises listeners he will “hear you out,” and do his best “to help you navigate the tricky times in life when our Catholic faith doesn’t give you an easy fill-in-the-blank answer.” Get a sense of his podcast with these episodes: Is social justice Christian?, Did Mary have birth pains? How much can I trust the seal of confession?
Jen Said What?!
Jen Fulwiler shares highlights from her daily SiriusXM radio show The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, on her weekly podcast Jen Said What? Sharing her take on pop culture and current events from her perspective “as a former atheist, self-professed nerd, and mother of six who can barely deal with life,” she is engaging, thoughtful, and absolutely hilarious. Can’t catch her full show but still need more Jen in your life? Her podcast is sure to deliver what Jen says “is like if someone gave a TED talk after three mimosas.”