The Real + True Podcast
The Real + True Podcast explores the Catechism of the Catholic Church, presenting it not as a textbook or set of rules but as a faithful echo of God's revelation. The show aims to create beautiful, captivating, and relevant content to help people understand and live their faith. It is part of Real+True, a global initiative of Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) under the patronage of the Holy See, available in multiple languages. The podcast is designed for personal reflection or parish study, with additional resources at realtrue.org.
Episodes
46 Minutes to Understand the Entire Catholic Faith (Masterclass)
In this pilot episode of Season 5 of the Real+True Podcast, Edmund Mitchell shares a practical masterclass on how to unlock the entire faith through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Most Catholics experience the faith like a “bag of disconnected beads” (random doctrines, books, videos, and quotes floating around). But master evangelists and catechists think differently: they see how the entir
Amen! And new beginnings
In this heartfelt episode, Edmund, Emily, and special guest Edmundo Reyes reflect on the final paragraphs of the Catechism and five transformative years of Real+True. They explore the deeper meaning of the word “Amen” and how it connects us to Mary’s fiat, the heart of evangelization, and the ongoing mission of the Church. With touching personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and a look ahea
Discernment, the Heart, and Temptation
00:00 Emily and Edmund kick off the episode by introducing the sixth and seventh petitions: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”. They explore how modern generations oscillate between moral relativism and hyper-vigilance about right and wrong, despite many still praying regularly. This sets the stage for examining how the Catechism helps us discern objective morality amid today’
Mercy Myths, Forgiveness Conditions, and the Lord’s Prayer
In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the complexities of forgiveness as reflected in the Lord's Prayer. They discuss the importance of understanding the catechism's teachings on forgiveness, exploring common myths and misconceptions of mercy. The conversation includes practical advice for implementing forgiveness in daily life and ho
Teaching Real Life Reliance on God in Prayer
In this episode of The Real+True Podcast, co-hosts Emily Mentock and Edmund Mitchell unpack the meaning and significance of the petition 'Give us this day our daily bread' from the Lord's Prayer. They explore its implications for personal spiritual growth and trust in God's provision. They discuss common experiences of unanswered prayers and the importance of having faith in Go
Catechesis, on Suffering, Prayer, and Discerning God’s Will
Episode DescriptionIn this episode co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, 'Thy will be done.' They discuss teaching the importance of accepting God's will, especially in the context of suffering. The conversation explores how this petition impacts various aspects of ministry, emphasizing the need for practical applications
Bringing God’s Kingdom to Your Parish Boundary
In this episode, Edmund and Emily discuss the meaning and applications of the petition 'Thy Kingdom Come' from the Lord's Prayer for parish ministry. The episode emphasizes the importance of engaging parish communities in bringing God's kingdom into their local community through both prayer and action. They share personal experiences and practical examples, including the need f
How "hallowed be thy name" challenges our life and prayer
In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the significance of the phrase 'Hallowed be thy name' in the Lord’s Prayer, from the fourth pillar on prayer in the Catechism. They reflect on the often-overlooked importance of revering God's name and how this contributes to our spiritual lives and evangelization. The discussion touches u
Learning to Pray to God Our Father
In this episode of the Real Plus True podcast, co-hosts Emily Mentock and Edmund Mitchell dive deep into the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on the opening words, 'Our Father who art in heaven.' The discussion covers the role and qualities of a father, comparing earthly fatherhood with the divine fatherhood of God as revealed by Jesus. They explore the theological foundations o
What the Catechism says about the Practice of Daily Prayer
In this episode, Emily and Edmund dive into the Catechism’s call to make prayer “the life of the new heart” (CCC 2697), exploring how daily rhythms and personal expressions of prayer deepen our relationship with Jesus. They reflect on the importance of modeling prayer for others, learning from witnesses, and creating space for personal encounters with God. Practical tips include building habits of
Using the Liturgy, Church Documents, and Scripture in Catechesis on Prayer
In this episode of the Real+True podcast, hosts Emily Mentock and Edmund Mitchell explore prayer's wellsprings in the Holy Spirit and the Church. They discuss the use of Church documents, the Catechism, Scripture, and formal prayers in evangelization and catechesis. They also talk about the importance of the liturgy in evangelization and catechesis, and practical steps for making prayer a mor
From Creation to Christ: The Story of Prayer in the Bible
Summary: In this episode of The Real+True Podcast, co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock explore part four of the Catechism, focusing on Christian prayer and its roots in the Old Testament. They discuss prayer and Scripture and how the gradual revelation of God in the Old Testament can deepen our prayer life. Key figures such as Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets are highlighted, showcas
What the Catechism says about building a prayer life
Episode Description: In this first episode of Season 4 of The Real + True Podcast, co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the fourth pillar of the Catechism: Christian Prayer. They explore how prayer is the heart of the Christian life and not just something we do, but a personal relationship with God Himself. Throughout this episode, Edmund and Emily share personal stories about thei
Truth, Witness, and the Eighth Commandment with Ryan O’Hara
In this episode, Edmund welcomes special guest Ryan O’Hara to dive into the Eighth Commandment. With over 25 years of ministry experience, Ryan shares his insights on the deeper implications of “bearing false witness” and how it extends beyond simply "not lying." They explore practical advice for catechists and parish ministers, discuss the importance of right speech, and offer tips for
God’s Gifts and Our Responsibility: Living the Seventh and Tenth Commandments
In this episode Edmund Mitchell welcomes special guest Nick Sawicki, the Associate Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and a member of CAPP USA, the American branch of a Vatican foundation that promotes Catholic social teaching. Nick brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, including his work with America's Catholic social teaching initiatives and his le
Addressing adultery, healing, and sexual sin in a ministry context with Dr. Bob Schuchts
In this episode, Edmund is joined by Dr. Bob Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center and the author of the best-selling book Be Healed: Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life. They delve into topics around sexual sin and the 6th and 9th Commandments, exploring issues of adultery, chastity, and healing within a ministry context. Dr. Schuchts shares his personal and profes
What Catholics believe about the Death Penalty
In this conversation, Edmund interviews Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), about the fifth commandment and the work of CMN in promoting the value of life over death. They discuss the history and implications of the death penalty, the role of faith-based advocacy, and the challenges of promoting restorative justice. They also explore the m
S3 E8 Family, Trauma, and Honoring Your Father and Mother with Brya Hanan
In this conversation, guest Brya Hanan joins to discuss the Fifth Commandment, trauma, healing, and the challenges of parent-child relationships. Brya shares her journey into the field of Catholic marriage and family therapy and explores the concept of trauma-informed therapy and how trauma impacts our bodies, minds, relationships, and spirituality. The discussion also focuses on the intersection
S3 E7 Understanding and Living the First Three Commandments with Father Joe Krupp
In this episode of the Real+True podcast, host Edmund Mitchell talks with Father Joseph J. Krupp about the practical application of the first three commandments in catechesis and evangelization, emphasizing love of God. Father Joe shares insights from his broad pastoral experience, including his roles in parishes, schools, and other ministries. They dive into how the commandments guide believers i
S3 E6 How Jesus’ Teaching on the Beatitudes Changes Evangelization and Catechesis
In this episode, Edmund and Emily discuss the Beatitudes, which the catechism reminds us is central to Jesus’ preaching. They discuss how the Beatitudes are often easy to overlook in ministry, causing us to miss the key to the third pillar of the catechism, Life in Christ. The third pillar of the catechism deals primarily with the Ten Commandments. However, the key to understanding God’s vision fo
S3E5 What Young People Ask to Hear about the 10 Commandments
Summary: In this episode, expert evangelist Julianne Stanz joins to talk about the challenges and importance of discussing the Ten Commandments in the context of evangelization. We also discuss insights from Julianne’s new book, The Catholic Parent’s Survival Guide, and what she learned from interviews with parents and teens about discussing moral teachings and the Ten Commandments. We discuss the
S2 E16 Grace, Heresies, and Avoiding Extremes with Fr. Stephen Pullis
Summary: In this podcast episode, host Edmund Mitchell engages with Fr. Stephen Pullis, Director of Pastoral Formation, and a professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, to explore the nuances of grace in catechesis. They discuss the challenges of moving beyond traditional catechesis, emphasizing the need for lifelong discipleship. Fr. Pullis shares insights into integrating faith into daily life in
S2 E15 A Framework for Evangelization and Catechesis Using the Theological Virtues and Dr. Scott Sollom
In this podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Scott Sollom to discuss better catechesis through the lens of the theological virtues. We focus on Dr. Sollom’s publication in the book “Speaking the Truth in Love”, in which he wrote a chapter titled: The Theological Virtues in Catechesis: Faith, Hope and Charity in the Pedagogy of the Catechism and the Life of the Catechumen. Dr. Scott Sollom is a professor o
S2 E14 Psychology, Morality, and Better Catechesis with Dr. Joseph White
(00:00) In this podcast episode, co-host Edmund Mitchell interviews Dr. Joseph White, a licensed family and child psychologist with a focus on the intersection of psychology and catechesis. Dr. White, an associate publisher for Our Sunday Visitor, discusses his journey into this field, emphasizing the connection between his psychology background and a Catholic university's influence. The conv
S2 E13 What Teaching Morality Looks Like as Evangelizing Catechesis
Summary: In this podcast, Emily and Edmund discuss how to effectively use the third pillar of the Catechism. We dive into the challenges and strategies for presenting the Church's teachings on morality effectively to a modern audience. We also discuss the importance of understanding the audience and some aspects of effective catechesis. This episode also covers the significance of approaching
S2 E12 Evangelization and Community for Young Catholic Professionals with Jennifer Baugh
In this podcast, we’re joined by Jennifer Baugh, the founder of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP). Parish ministries often overlook one crucial age range – people who have recently graduated college but haven’t yet fully established themselves in a career or marriage. For the Church to better evangelize and accompany this age range, we need to understand their unique needs. We discuss Gen Z and t
S2 E11 Liturgy and the Sacraments as Moments of Evangelization with Dr. Timothy O’Malley
Summary: In this podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Notre Dame Professor of Theology and Director of Education at the McGrath Institute. This episode tackles the relationship between catechesis and evangelization and what parish leaders can practically do in light of this relationship. The need to evangelize plays out on the ground in parishes. And many parish leaders don’t know where
S2 E10 Bioethics, morality, and seeking truth with Dr. Lesley Rice
Summary: “We are entrusted to each other.” In this podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Lesley M. Rice, Assistant Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America. Today she shares about the WHY behind the Church’s teachings on IVF, reproductive technologies, end of life care, and how God’s plan for life and love leads
S2 E9 Praying with the Bible and the Catechism
Summary: This episode is a concise and practical explanation of a way to use a unique feature of the catechism to unlock scripture. Using the index of citations, found in the back of the catechism, we can look up specific passages of scripture and find all the paragraphs of the catechism that reference this scripture passage. This is a great way to read scripture and the catechism together and vi
S2 E8 Helping Others with Tough Church Topics with Mari Pablo
S2E8 Podcast Show Notes: Mari Pablo Mari Pablo, a seasoned religious educator and youth minister, joins Edmund on this episode of the Real+True Podcast. Their discussion starts with dissecting Maris’ pedagogy in presenting the Church’s moral teaching, the importance of ‘first principles,’ building trust with students, and finally the power of personal testimony. Edmund asks Mari how she’d respond
S2 E7 The First Steps in Evangelization and Catechesis with Dcn. Bob Rice
“I'm convinced most of our problems in catechesis is we spend more time talking about what God wants of us than who God is.” Deacon Bob Rice, professor of Catechetics at Franciscian University of Steubenville, joins us to dive into the heart of catechesis, what our youth are most hungry for, how we can share the Gospel with those far from God, and how to make the bridge between dogma and ever
S2 E6 - Evangelizing Catechesis in Catholic Schools
Emily and Edmund welcome John Galvan, Vice President of Assessments at the National Catholic Education Association. John has served in Catholic ministry for many years and brings to the podcast a wealth of wisdom and fever for sharing the Catholic faith. Together with our host, he discusses the power of experiences, practical ways to share the faith in your home, and what’s giving him hope these d
S2 E5 - Missionary Discipleship and the Catechism with Julianne Stanz
Summary: “I think to look at the catechism as a just book would be a mistake.” Edmund welcomes Julianne Stanz, author, speaker, USCCB consultant and Director of Parish Life and Discipleship for the Diocese of Green Bay. Julianne shares her extensive knowledge on discipleship and how she sees the role of the Catechism within the life of a missionary disciple. Get to know her story, how her relation
S2 E4 - Evangelizing Young Adults and the Role of the Catechism with Pete Burak
Summary: Edmund and Emily invite Pete Burak to this episode of the Real+True Podcast. Pete is the Director of i.d. Young Adult Ministry, and Vice President of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He’s a graduate of Franciscian University, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Pete has been in young adult ministry for a decade and shares his insights into the roadblocks young adults are facing in
S2 E3 - The Universe, Astronomy, and the Catechism w/ Br. Guy Consolmagno
“The dogmas of the faith are points that we can start at to begin the lifelong adventure of trying to understand them.” Edmund welcomes the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Br. Guy Consolmagno. Together they dive into the mystery of the universe, science, and how all of God’s creation leads back to him. Listen to hear practical advice of walking with science-minded skeptics of the faith, and
S2 E2 - The Mission of the Catechism with Dr. Petroc Willey
Emily and Edmund welcome to the Real+True podcast Dr. Petroc Willey, Ph.D, who has dedicated his life to studying and sharing the gift of the Catechism with our Church. This episode tackles the questions, “what’s the difference between catechesis and evangelization? Do they overlap at all? And how do we encounter Christ in the Catechism?” Dr. Petroc Willey, Ph.D shares how he first encountered the
S2 E1 - Art and catechesis with Dr. Jem Sullivan
What role does ‘beauty’ play for our catechesis in the modern world? Emily and Edmund welcome Dr. Jem Sullivan, an expert in catechesis and sacred art, and professor at the Catholic University of America. Together they explore how beauty is a path for catechesis, including architecture, sacred music, paintings, sculptures, mosaic, and stained glass. They give practical tips to incorporating beauty
Real + True Season 2 Coming Soon!
Join us for a NEW season of the Real+True podcast. We have some exciting changes planned – including interviewing expert guests about the intersection between the catechism and the modern world.Plus: we'll be talking about how we can continue to use the catechism to answer relevant and important questions people have, and where we see the catechism as a source of inspiration for our lives and
S1E13 - Unit 12: Jesus died to destroy death and rose to restore life until he comes again
Show Notes: (00:11) Your hosts Emily and Edmund welcome you to the Unit 12 podcast. This unit’s theme is: Jesus died to destroy death and rose to restore life until he comes again. These videos cover Catechism paragraphs: https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/988-1065 (988-1065). Proclamation video: How to die well. Explanation video: What happens after we die? Connection
S1E12 - Unit 11: Jesus gave the Apostles and the Church the power to forgive sins
Show Notes: (00:11) Your hosts Emily and Edmund welcome you to the Unit 11 podcast. This unit’s theme is: Jesus gave the Apostles and the Church the power to forgive sins. These videos cover Catechism paragraphs https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/976-987 (976-987): Proclamation video: Is there room for mercy in the justice system? Explanation video: How does the Catholic
S1E11 - Unit 10: Who makes up the Church?
Join Emily and Edmund as they dive into the gift of our heavenly friends, the saints. In this unit, Real+True explores the power of role models, and the communion of saints. Our hosts explains who the saints are, how we can have a relationship with them, and what role they can play in our lives. Watch out for news about Real+True presenting at the Vatican this fall.(00:08) Your hosts Emily and Edm
S1E10 - Unit 9: The church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Join Emily and Edmund as they dive into the mystery of the Church! Unit 9 is all about the Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. This episode breaks open the invitation of unity offered to us by the Catholic Church, and reveals how the Catechism articulates that invitation. Emily references Star Wars, and Edmund reflects on how we can transform our attitudes toward our neighborhoods. Take
S1E09 - Unit 8: The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life
This unit is all about the Holy Spirit. Join Real+True as we explore God’s breath, and how we are transformed by the Holy Spirit. Edmund gives us a new tool for teaching about the Holy Spirit. Emily shares behind-the-scenes insights about a major Real+True announcement. Together they explain how the Holy Spirit wants to lead us and guide us on our faith journey. (00:11) Emily and Edmund welcome yo
S1E08 - Eucharistic Revival: The Eucharist is Sacrifice and Communion.
Summary: Why do we take pictures of our food for social media? This episode enters into the mystery of the Eucharist- as sacrifice and communion. This is the first themed Unit for Real + True. It is inspired by the USCCB’s Eucharistic Revival that launches this summer. Take a listen as Emily and Edmund explain the decisions behind using the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, imagery from Frank Sheed,
S1E07 - Unit 7: Jesus is true God and true man
Summary: Dive into Unit 7, which brings to focus the center of our faith: Jesus Christ. Explore the heart of the Catechism as your hosts Emily and Edmund explain how these videos can be used to share the faith. Learn about a strategy change for the Proclamation video, and learn what lines are “worth the whole Catechism” in the Explanation video. We touch on feedback from a listener, newly publishe
S1E06 - Unit 6: God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth
Join Emily and Edmund as they dive into Unit 6. This podcast is packed. You’ll hear about Emily’s wonder at creation, Edmund’s favorite Catechism passage, and some listener feedback. A highlight of this episode is the process around animating imagery for the Trinity; Emily explains the “why” behind what you’ll see in Unit 6. Edmund takes on a Catechism Challenge in this episode. And finally, learn
S1E05 - Unit 5: I believe in God
This Unit 5 podcast is packed! Your hosts Emily and Edmund share about animating the burning bush, the power of knowing God’s name, and much more. The thesis for Unit 5 is, “I believe in God.” Belief in God as a person, not as a distant concept is addressed. Edmund shares about being cast as an astronaut for a day and the power of the Creed. Emily shares a story of persecuted Christians professing
S1E04 - Unit 4: Faith is a free and personal response to God
In our Unit 4 Podcast, we discuss the thesis of this unit: Faith is a free and personal response to God made possible by grace. To highlight what trust in God really is, Emily shares a childhood experience that went into the scripts, and Edmund gives insight into a fatherhood moment with his kids. Plus: We have an announcement about our animation team, and share the news that we’re out of the pilo
S1E03 - Unit 3: God Desires to Reveal Himself to Us
In this episode, we discuss the videos from Unit 03. The Real + True Podcast is a place for us to discuss the unit of videos in more detail, dive deeper into the content, and share a bit of the behind the scenes of working toward our mission. In this episode, we'll cover the videos from Unit 03 which explore the Catechism paragraph 50-141.*[00:53] Welcome and Unit Overview! *Emily and Edmund
S1E02 - Unit 2: The Desire for God is Written on the Human Heart
[00:30] Welcome and Unit Overview!Emily and Edmund open the second episode sharing a brief overview of the videos from Unit 01 and the thesis statement that holds it all together. “The Desire for God is Written on the Human Heart”[01:30] Proclamation VideoWe explain the content strategy behind the Proclamation Video, and a little behind the scenes of how we brainstormed and came up with the approa
S1E01 - Unit 1: The life of man is to know and love God
The Real + True Podcast is a place for us to discuss the unit of videos in more detail, dive deeper into the content, and share a bit of the behind the scenes of working toward our mission.In this episode, we cover the videos from Unit 01 which explore the Catechism paragraph 1-25.*[00:30] Welcome and Updates! *Emily and Edmund open the first episode sharing about the launch of Real + True and set
Unlock the Catechism: Introducing the Real + True Podcast
Real + True videos are the product of creativity, prayer, and a lot of hard work. We would love to share the journey from the inception of an idea to publishing a video with you. From behind the scenes insights into how we animated complex themes, to favorite sections of the Catechism, we want you with us as this project develops. We’re excited to share with you some of the “how” and “why” behind
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