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Practicing Catholic

Augustine Institute

A weekly podcast for everyday holiness featuring real conversations and practical wisdom to arm you in the ordinary pursuit of sanctification.

Join the Augustine Institute’s Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they explore topics such as work, family life, prayer, and Catholic culture. Each episode encourages and equips you with timeless wisdom drawn from Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and the Tradition of the Church, offering practical ways to grow in holiness in the midst of daily life.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://bit.ly/3IHWk5q

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  • 30 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 45 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #39
    May 25 · 49 min

    From Business Success to the Priesthood: Fr. Ken Geraci’s Conversion Story

    Fr. Ken Geraci, CPM, joins Practicing Catholic to share his journey from a secular Catholic upbringing and agnosticism to a life of grace, prayer, and priesthood. Along the way, he reflects on business, ambition, authentic friendship, the witnesses who helped him return to the faith, and the surprising path by which God called him to become a priest. Fr. Ken also offers practical wisdom for Catholics seeking holiness in ordinary life: learning to love the process of sanctity, investing in one’s

  • #38
    May 18 · 44 min

    How to Make a Pilgrimage Part of Your Faith

    Pilgrimage is more than religious travel. It is a concrete act of faith that helps us step away from ordinary life, bring our bodies and souls before God, and remember that the whole Christian life is a journey toward him. In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger reflect on the tradition of pilgrimage, from major destinations like the Holy Land, Rome, Fatima, Lourdes, and the Camino to small local pilgrimages close to home. They discuss how pilgrimage can in

  • #37
    May 11 · 47 min

    How Mothers Teach Us to Love Like Christ

    Motherhood reveals some of the deepest lessons of love: sacrifice, courage, patience, discipline, encouragement, and the steady gift of making a house into a home. In this Mother’s Day episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger reflect on what they have learned from their own mothers and from watching their wives live the vocation of motherhood. Together, they discuss the art of parenting, the challenge of helping children flourish without controlling them, and the wa

  • #36
    May 4 · 47 min

    How to Build Lasting Catholic Friendships in a Lonely Age

    Friendship is one of the most overlooked yet essential parts of the Christian life—and many people quietly struggle to form and sustain it. In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explore why friendship feels harder today than ever, especially in a digital, mobile, and often isolated culture. Drawing on Scripture, Aristotle, and lived experience, they break open what real friendship actually requires: risk, commitment, shared life, and a willingness to move

  • #35
    April 27 · 44 min

    What Coffee Teaches Us About Prayer, Friendship, and the Catholic Life

    What does coffee have to do with the Catholic faith? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger sits down with Fr. Rennier to explore the surprising connection between coffee, prayer, and the Christian life. From its controversial origins as the “devil’s drink” to its role in monasteries, parishes, and everyday friendships, coffee reveals something profound about how we live—and love—as Catholics. Along the way, they discuss: – The fascinating history of coffee and its unex

  • #34
    April 20 · 43 min

    How to Make a Good Confession (Without Overthinking It)

    Confession can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger walk through what the Sacrament of Confession really is, why it matters, and how to approach it with confidence. Whether it’s been a few weeks or a few decades, they offer practical, realistic tips to help you make a good confession without getting stuck trying to make a “perfect” one. They explain what Confession actually does and why it’s such a gift, brea

  • #33
    April 13 · 46 min

    Did the Resurrection Really Happen? Evidence, Faith, and the Risen Christ

    Did Jesus truly rise from the dead—or is the Resurrection only a symbol of hope? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, hosts Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger welcome Dr. Michael Barber, Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at the Augustine Institute, for a rich and accessible conversation on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, early Christian testimony, and historical reasoning, Dr. Barber explains why the Resurrection is

  • #32
    April 6 · 36 min

    Death & Resurrection in Daily Life: Finding Hope in Life’s Hardest Moments

    What does Easter have to do with your everyday struggles? In this Easter episode of Practicing Catholic Podcast, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explore the pattern of death and resurrection—not just in Christ, but in our own lives. From small daily frustrations to life-altering trials, they share personal stories of loss, conversion, identity shifts, and healing—and how God brings new life out of each one. You’ll hear: How “death moments” show up in ordinary life Powerful personal st

  • #31
    March 30 · 44 min

    How to Grow in Eucharistic Devotion (Even When You’re Busy)

    The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life—but how do we actually grow in devotion to it in the middle of everyday life? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Scott Hefelfinger explore the beauty of the Eucharist and simple, practical ways to deepen your relationship with Christ. From powerful stories of late-night adoration to the reality of distracted prayer, this conversation meets you where you are. Whether you're coming into the Church, rediscovering yo

  • #30
    March 23 · 46 min

    The Best Podcasts for Catholics (and Why They Matter More Than You Think)

    In this episode of Practicing Catholic, the team shares their favorite podcasts—both Catholic and non-Catholic—and explores how what we listen to shapes our minds, habits, and spiritual lives. From productivity and business strategy to theology, parenting, and Sunday homilies, they reflect on how podcasts can help us grow in virtue, deepen our understanding of the faith, and live more intentionally. They also discuss the importance of choosing content wisely in an age of endless information, th

Showing 21–30 of 30 episodes