Today we welcome, Fr. Archer! He shares how to better discern God's plan and how to recognize the charisms you have been gifted. Enjoy!
Today's guest is Sr. Patricia Young, ASCJ. We chat her discernment story, about the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, plus her advice for those needing to make a big decision in life. Enjoy! Follow her on Instagram @sr.patriciaelaine.
Today's guest is Dr. John Sehorn. Dr. Sehorn is the Academic Dean of the Graduate School of Theology and an Associate Professor of Theology. Dr. Sehorn shares insights into his own conversion story, plus what it means to be a Beloved Son of God. For more content, visit @ lettherebelightwithmary on Instagram.
Today's guest is Jackie Angel! We chat about her discernment, story, advice for women looking for that special someone, defining gender roles in a relationship and tips for staying in the present moment. Learn more about Jackie and her husband Bobby's ministry here. Enjoy!
Welcome back to Let There Be Light! This is an extra exciting kick off to the new season because this show is now available on YouTube. Plus, looking for extra content? You can visit the Let There Be Light YouTube page for new content every Tuesday!
Today’s guest is Fr. John Hollowell. Fr. Hollowell was ordained a priest in 2009 for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He is currently serving as a pastor with Fr. Jonathan Meyer over 4 parishes in Dearborn County, IN.
Since the beginning of his priesthood, Fr. Hollowell has had the desire to help the victims of clergy abuse. On today’s episode, he shares why he believes God gave him a brain tumor, and why he believes God took it away. It’s an incredible story of suffering, humility and healing.
Fr. Hollowell’s homilies and more of his story can be found here.
1 year of ‘Let There Be Light.’ What a milestone! Thanks for being here. Today, I share an exciting announcement about what’s to come for the next year. Plus, we take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of my favorite conversations. I will see you on September 2nd!
Today, we welcome back Father Charlie Samson. Fr. Samson was ordained a priest in 2013. He then was sent to Rome to do advanced studies in theology, sacred scripture and biblical and modern languages.
He returns to the podcast to talk about praying with Scripture! Fr. Samson shares different methods of prayer and the importance of reading the Bible. He also shares how Scripture is proof of God's goodness and faithfulness. If you find yourself feeling hopeless or doubting God's love, this is the episode for you!
So often we hear people talk about the heart…he left with a broken heart, do not wear your heart on your sleeve, do not harden your heart. It is safe to say that the heart is powerful. It is a source of love, joy, desires, but also wounds, fears, sadness. I typically forget that Jesus did in fact have a human heart which got me thinking. What do I know about the Sacred Heart of Jesus? So,I called up my very good friend, Deacon Jacob Miller! Deacon Miller is currently a seminarian in formation at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is from the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. He recently took the next step in his formation which was being ordained a Deacon. But what you should know about my friend is he has a beautiful devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He shares with us his own devotion to the Sacred Heart, what we can learn from Jesus’s Sacred Heart, and where the devotion even comes from! If there is one thing you take away from this episode, I pray it is a better understanding of just how much Jesus loves you. Enjoy!
As a television producer, Patrick Murphy has earned six Emmys for his public television documentaries on the history and culture of the American heartland. He is the author of Candy Men: The Story of Switzer’s Licorice, The Irish in St Louis: From Shanty to Lace Curtain, and Places to Pray: Holy Sites in Catholic Missouri.
This week, I chat with Patrick about his books, his own conversion story, and his experience traveling to Churches across the State.
Following the interview, Nate and I share a glimpse into our own love story…which happens to include Patrick getting a flat tire. Enjoy!
Learn more about his book at www.reedypress.com.
Today’s guest is Dr Elizabeth Klein. Dr. Klein is an Associate Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. She completed her PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2016, and after holding a postdoctoral position at Notre Dame, she joined the Augustine Institute in 2017. She is the author of Augustine’s Theology of Angels (Cambridge University Press, 2018), God: What Every Catholic Should Know (Ignatius Press; Augustine Institute, 2019), and most recently Angels & Saints: Who They Are and Why They Matter, Engaging Catholicism Series (University of Notre Dame, 2023). She has also contributed to the nonacademic theological work of the Augustine Institute, including appearances on FORMED, Augustine Institute Bible Conferences, and Augustine STUDIOS productions.
We focused on liturgy: how we worship God, how that’s changed over the centuries. Plus, we also talk the Catholic mass and how it’s a heavenly presentation and ways to better prepare for mass. She also shares about Angels! Enjoy.
Today’s guest is the one and only karaoke priest aka Father Joe Detwiler! Father Joe is the associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Wentzville in the St. Louis archdiocese. His path to the priesthood was far from ordinary. Fr. Joe planned to enter the college seminary right after high school, but all of that changed when he and his sister, Cecilia, were in a car accident on July 4, 2010. Both had critical injuries, and it was doubtful they would survive. So, we chat about his road to recovery which included over 70 days in a coma. Fr. Joe also shares how he now sees God’s goodness at work in this terrible accident. Plus, how he takes this suffering into his role as priest. Enjoy!
For the video referenced in the episode, visit here.
Today’s guest is Father Mark-Mary Ames! Fr. Mark-Mary is the Director of Communications and the Director of Priestly Studies of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The primary mission of the CFR community is a wholehearted embracing of Jesus Christ and their Holy Father, St. Francis of Assisi. Through their commitment to prayer and contemplation, the study of Sacred Scripture, fidelity to the Church and the sacraments, their fraternal life, and their generous service to others especially the poor, the CFRs receive the nourishment necessary to live out their lives as sons of St. Francis.
He is the host of the Ascension Presents video series The CFRs and the host of the 2025 podcast The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR). He is also the host of the CFRs podcast, Poco a Poco. Plus, Father Mark-Mary is the author of both ‘Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress’ and ‘The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You Into the Heart of God.’
In our conversation, we chat more about who Father Mark Mary is like his own Catholic upbringing and how the rosary played a role in his conversion. Then, we dive into the Rosary. He shares so many beautiful insights about the graces of forming a relationship with Mary and what mothers can learn from her. We also end up talking about praying and finding stillness in such a busy world. We both open up about the struggles of making space in our day. Enjoy!
Learn more about Rosary in a Year here.
Paul Cook is a TV news anchor. Prior to his time on screens, he spent over 20 years in the radio industry. While he’s been a public, media personality for decades, Paul still had his struggles! In his book, “Cooked in LA,” Paul shares an in-depth look at his journey into addiction and recovery.
In this week’s episode, we breakdown his story like when he first began his struggle with alcoholism, his time shooting for the stars in LA and working with big names like Ryan Seacrest, to then, facing his own mortality. Of course, we finish with his recovery and how through it all God’s love and mercy shined through. Enjoy!
Find “Cooked in LA” on Amazon.
What are virtues? How can we grow in virtue? What virtues were we gifted at our baptism? How can we better receive these gifts? Your questions…answered! This week, we welcome Sister John Dominic to the show. We chat all about virtues and how true freedom comes from living a virtuous life. It’s a must listen! For further resources/the virtues quiz, visit here.
Our last episode from Destination Jesus 2025! This week, I welcome Catholic Speaker, Brian Greenfield. Brian shares how his own Faith life formed throughout college. He touches on today’s culture and what it takes to follow Christ. He also opens up about vulnerability, specifically for me. Brian also shares some tips to better open up to the love of God and others. It was lovely! Please enjoy!
During our live recordings at Destination Jesus 2025, we thought it might be fun to have the high schoolers take the mic! On this bonus episode, I ask attendees for some insight on their DJ experience. Plus, I ask what living out their Faith looks like in high school. All I have to say is…the future is bright! Special thanks to these students for sharing a bit of their story.
Live from Destination Jesus 2025…PART TWO! On this week’s episode, we chat with Father Richard Doerr. Father Richard is the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Carmel, Indiana. Father Richard opens up about being the ‘crisis priest.’ He talks about his work with those who struggle with addiction and mental health illnesses. Father Richard touches on the love of God, the Father. Specifically, he shares how merciful God is, especially to those who are hurting. He shares his advice for accepting God’s love and how to be a better friend to others. It is a MUST listen! Enjoy!
‘Let There Be Light’ hits the road! This interview was done live at Destination Jesus 2025. Our first live guest is Kim Zember! Kim is a speaker, author, missionary and of course, was the emcee for DJ 2025. Kim travels across the globe sharing how we are all called to step into the truth of our identity: children who are boldly beloved by the heart of God the Father! No matter what sins we struggle with or what identity the world tries to place on us, God the Father is calling us to surrender our disordered desires to Him and pursue the truth of our belovedness. When Kim is not at home in Dallas Texas, she is most likely found serving and playing with her 400+ children in Ethiopia through her ministry Unforgotten Faces. Learn more about Kim by visiting www.overcomemin.com or her book, “Restless Heart: My Struggles with Life & Sexuality”
This week, I am joined by the most wonderful and kindest soul, Mary Serafino! Mary is the Communications Manager at the Catholic Leadership Institute where she helps with the formation of priests, bishops, religious, deacons and lay persons. Prior to this, she worked for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
An active member at the historic Basilica of St. Louis the King, “The Old Cathedral,” Mary is also a catechist in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and is trained to serve infants, toddlers, and children ages 3-6. She teaches in the atrium at St. Francis Xavier College Church.
Mary gives the most beautiful testimonies of her time with these children. In our conversation, we look at our Faith through the eyes of the child. She touches on how to teach the faith to little ones, but also how to surrender and let a child be curious. I also loved her advice on navigating expectations and finding the peace in the chaos of a life of a 4 year old. Great episode for parents, but also, those who are seeking that child like confidence in their faith life. Enjoy!
It is a story of resilience, family and faith. Sam Goodwin was attempting to become one of the few people in history to travel to every single country on the planet. During his travels, Goodwin vanished in a supposed safe-zone run by the Kurds on the Turkish border. What followed was an extraordinary fight to bring him home.
In this episode, Sam shares how he was able to find his way home. He also recounts his reliance on prayer and how it was God’s intervention that led him home. It is a story of…a miracle. Enjoy!
You can find his book, “Saving Sam,” on Amazon. Learn more about Sam by visiting here.