Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen

Bishop William Joensen, Jeanne Thill

Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines gets personal with his guests discussing both their personal and spiritual life.

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22 episodes
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Avg 26 min
English

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#328
Saturday · 26 min
From Storm Chaser to Shepherd: Fr. Ross Caniglia on Weather, Music, and the Call to Priesthood - 08/29/2026
Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jeanne Thill welcome Father Ross Caniglia — a former television meteorologist turned Catholic priest and published composer — for a conversation about weather, music, suffering, and the winding path to a vocation. A Council Bluffs native and Creighton graduate, Father Caniglia worked as an on-air meteorologist in Sioux City before entering seminary in 2013, and he now serves as pastor of Our Lady of the Plains Parish in the Diocese of Sioux City. He joins the s
#327
August 22 · 26 min
Freer Men: Duncan Kyhl and Parker Corwin on Silence, Sacrifice, and Saying Yes to the Call – 08/22/2026
Seminarians Duncan Kyhl and Parker Corwin join Bishop William Joensen and Jean Thill fresh off their first year of priestly formation, the Propaedeutic Year, to talk about trading careers, relationships, and even their phones for a deeper life of prayer. From a six-day tech fast and silent retreats to poverty immersion experiences at Phoenix's Andre House of Hospitality and Des Moines' Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the two men share how disconnecting from the world helped them discover real fr
#327
August 15 · 26 min
From Dominican University to the Vatican: Dr. Donna Carroll on the Future of Catholic Colleges – 08/15/2026
On this episode of Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill welcome Dr. Donna Carroll, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), for a conversation on faith-driven leadership in Catholic higher education. Drawing on her 27 years as president of Dominican University in Illinois, Dr. Carroll discusses the shrinking tenure of Catholic college presidents, the growing need for trust between bishops and campus leaders, and a recent private audi
#326
August 8 · 26 min
From the New Age to the Sacred Heart: Michael Paul Hart's Conversion Story - 08/03/2026
On this episode of Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and Co-Host Jean Thill sit down with retired CNA and author Michael Paul Hart, whose memoir Could You Push Me in the Toilet? blends decades of hands-on health care experience with humor, heartbreak, and grace. Hart shares his unlikely path from the New Age movement to a life-altering vision of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, ultimately, to the Catholic Church. Bishop Joensen opens the show with diocesan news, including the election of
#325
August 1 · 25 min
Encountering Our Lady of Guadalupe: Giovanna Redondo on the Story Behind the Pilgrim Mother – 08/01/2026
Bishop William Joensen and Jean Thill welcome Giovanna Redondo, general coordinator of the Pilgrim Mother pilgrimage, for a conversation about the life-sized statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe now touring the Diocese of Des Moines ahead of the 500th anniversary of the Guadalupe apparitions in 2031. Redondo shares the origin of the six-year pilgrimage, the remarkable craftsmanship behind the statue, and what visitors can expect from the bilingual veneration experience as the Pilgrim Mother travels f
#324
July 25 · 25 min
Faith, Science, and the Search for Truth: Dr. Laura Upenieks on Bridging the Divide – 07/21/2026
Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill sit down with Baylor University sociologist Dr. Laura Upenieks to unpack why so many young people believe faith and science can't coexist. Fresh off her February address to U.S. bishops at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Upenieks shares new research on religious disaffiliation, clergy engagement with science, and the surprising link between awe, spirituality, and wellbeing among scientists. It's a thoughtful, data-rich conversation about restoring
#323
July 18 · 25 min
The Doctor and the Eucharist: Dr. Diana Marar on Faith, Medicine, and Ministry in Council Bluffs – 07/18/2026
Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill sit down with Dr. Diana Marar, an internal medicine physician in Council Bluffs, Iowa, whose remarkable ministry brings the Eucharist directly to hospital patients. Dr. Marar shares her journey from Jordan's Melkite Christian community to the Catholic Church, describing how her deep prayer life and devotion to the Rosary shape both her medical practice and her Eucharistic ministry. The conversation also covers diocesan news, including the Saint Louis
#322
July 11 · 26 min
Gen Z On Fire for Christ: Alexis & Elik Mattis on Alpha, Marriage, and the London Leadership Conference - 07/06/2026
Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill welcome Alexis and Elik Mattis, young married members of Saint Boniface Parish's Alpha Advocates in Waukee, for a conversation on faith, marriage, and Gen Z evangelization. Elik shares how the Alpha course led him from no religious background into full communion with the Catholic Church, while Alexis reflects on returning to her cradle Catholic roots as an adult. The couple also recaps their trip to the international Alpha Leadership Conference in Lo
#321
July 4 · 26 min
Newly Ordained Fr. Stan Asjes Shares the Joy of His Ordination, with Family Friend Fr. Frode Eikeness – 07/04/2026
Newly ordained Fr. Stan Asjes joins Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill to share the graces of his priestly ordination for the Diocese of Des Moines and his first days celebrating the sacraments. He's accompanied by lifelong family friend Fr. Frode Eikeness, a diocesan priest from Oslo, Norway, who offers a striking perspective on faith, secularization, and renewal in Scandinavia. Recorded for Independence Day, the conversation also reflects on Catholic life in America at 250 years, vo
#320
June 27 · 26 min
From Advertising to the Altar: A Homilist's Journey with Fr. Richard Veras - 06/27/2026
Father Richard Veras, Director of Pastoral Formation and homiletics professor at Saint Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, joins Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill to share how he forms future priests to preach with authenticity and conviction. A longtime Magnificat contributor and author of The Word Made Flesh, Father Veras traces his path from writing advertising copy for a toy company to the parish priesthood, ministry at Ground Zero after 9/11, and the lay movement Communion and Liber
#319
June 20 · 26 min
Faith That Crosses Generations: Inside Intergenerational Faith Formation with Jenni Lihs - 06/20/2026
Jenni Lihs, Director of Faith Formation at Saints John and Paul in Altoona, joins Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill to unpack intergenerational faith formation — a whole-family model the parish has run for 23 years. She shares how a shared meal, community-building, and side-by-side learning draw parents, kids, grandparents, and even unchurched and interfaith families into deeper discipleship together. Bishop Joensen also previews a graced weekend across the Diocese of Des Moines, fro
#318
June 13 · 26 min
From Classroom to the USCCB: Faith, Formation & Family Life with Maria Parker – 06/13/2026
Bishop William Joensen sits down with Maria Parker, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to explore how Catholic education and intentional faith formation shape lives from the ground up. Maria shares her personal journey from a parish school in Philadelphia to the national stage of the USCCB, tracing how dedicated lay teachers, her time as a FOCUS missionary, and ongoing formation fueled her vocation
#317
June 7 · 26 min
Building Communities of Belonging: A Conversation on Disability Ministry with Patty Origer – 06/06/2026
Patty Origer, Evangelization and Catechesis team member and Disability Coordinator for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins Bishop Joensen and Jean Thill to reflect on over six years of disability ministry work. The conversation explores what it truly means for parishes to move from inclusion to belonging — ensuring that people with disabilities are not just welcomed, but fully embraced as members of the Body of Christ. Patty also highlights an upcoming virtual summer intensive on accompanying aging
#316
May 30 · 26 min
Confirmation Preparation and Discipleship with John Gaffney | Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen - 03/30/2026
On this episode of Iowa Catholic Radio’s Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill welcome John Gaffney, Director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines. Together they discuss the Diocese’s decision to move the normative age of Confirmation to sixth grade, the discernment process behind the change, and how the Church is strengthening family-centered discipleship formation for young Catholics. The conversation explores Eucharistic Revival, restored ord
#315
May 23 · 27 min
Body and Identity: A History of the Empty Self with Dr. Angela Franks - 05/23/2026
Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Dr. Angela Franks, associate professor of theology at The Catholic University of America, to discuss her new book Body and Identity: A History of the Empty Self. The conversation explores modern identity, the relationship between body and soul, social media culture, anxiety, authenticity, and how Christianity offers a deeper understanding of the human person. Dr. Franks reflects on philosophy, theology, family life, and the call to become the saint
#314
May 16 · 27 min
Servant Leadership in a Distracted World with Dr. Dan Ebener - 05/16/2026
Bishop William Joensen welcomes leadership expert, author, and educator Dr. Dan Ebener for a thoughtful conversation on servant leadership, emotional intelligence, humble inquiry, and strategic visioning in the Church. Drawing from decades of experience helping organizations navigate change, Dr. Ebener shares insights on listening, vulnerability, empathy, and building authentic relationships in leadership. Together they reflect on diocesan strategic planning, synodality, discipleship, and the im
#313
May 9 · 27 min
Faith, Education, and Encounter with Dr. Holly Peterson - 05/09/2026
Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Dr. Holly Peterson, Assistant Superintendent for Academics in the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, for a conversation about Catholic education, Communion and Liberation, the importance of encounter in evangelization, and the upcoming Des Moines Meeting on June 6. Dr. Peterson shares her personal journey from California to Italy, how a transformative encounter with young Catholics shaped her vocation, and why silence, beauty, and authentic community ar
#312
May 2 · 25 min
Called from the Beginning: The Archbishop Emeritus of Omaha Reflects on 50 Years - 05/02/2026
Bishop William Joensen welcomes Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Omaha to reflect on a remarkable milestone: the 50th anniversary of his episcopal consecration and nearly 68 years of priestly ministry. Archbishop Emeritus shares stories from his upbringing in rural eastern Oregon, his early call to the priesthood, his years as rector of Mount Angel Seminary during the transformative years surrounding Vatican II, and his service as bishop of Helena before being appointed Archbishop of O
#311
April 25 · 26 min
Anglican Ordinariate, Vocations Surge & MercyOne Ministry with Fr. Jason Catania - 04/25/2026
Bishop William Joensen reflects on a surge in vocations, diocesan events across Iowa, and the spiritual momentum of the Easter season before welcoming Fr. Jason Catania. A former Anglican priest now serving in the Catholic Church, Fr. Catania shares his journey into full communion through the Ordinariate, his ministry as a hospital chaplain at MercyOne, and the beauty of bringing Anglican traditions into Catholic life. The conversation explores vocation, liturgy, pastoral care, and the quiet pow
#310
April 18 · 27 min
Communion & Liberation Comes to Des Moines: Encounter, Faith, and the Des Moines Meeting - 04/18/2026
Bishop William Joensen sits down with Curtis and Maximillian Brown to explore the Communion and Liberation movement and an exciting new event coming to central Iowa—the Des Moines Meeting. Through personal stories and powerful reflections, they share how faith begins with encounter and how this gathering invites all to rediscover Christ in everyday life.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes