<![CDATA[Stoking the Embers: The Catholic Experience]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/s/the-catholic-experiencehttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B1JL!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0feebbac-b1fe-4d30-87d5-0b558e25a682_800x800.pngStoking the Embers: The Catholic Experiencehttps://www.stokingembers.com/s/the-catholic-experienceSubstackSat, 11 Apr 2026 07:13:01 GMT<![CDATA[Choose "The Better Part"]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/choose-the-better-parthttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/choose-the-better-partMon, 21 Jul 2025 17:23:25 GMTWhen life pulls you in a hundred directions, how do you make prayer the anchor? In this fiery, honest, and often hilarious episode, I talk about rebuilding my own spiritual life (for YOUR edification, not to talk about myself), why my prayer went from “being drawn into the deep” to barely staying afloat—and how I’m getting back to that place of depth and intimacy with God. Along the way, you'll hear about shadow bans, spiritual warfare, demonic resistance to the rosary, and why TikTok finally got the boot.

💥 Plus:

  • The power of “building a house of prayer”

  • Why prayer isn’t optional—it’s oxygen

  • What demons said during an exorcism about a woman who always prayed

  • A breakdown of the Gospel of Martha and Mary and what it means for your spiritual life

  • After-Show: Take a trip down musical memory lane! 🎶
    (After-Show is for paid subscribers)

Follow me on: Instagram | TikTok | Catholic Experience Podcast (Links Below)

Whether your prayer life is strong or struggling, this one will remind you why it's worth fighting for.
👉 Tune in. Recommit. Choose the better part.

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Don’t miss this special After-Show that totally breaks the mold!

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]]><![CDATA[Our Peaceful Places]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/our-peaceful-placeshttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/our-peaceful-placesMon, 14 Jul 2025 00:42:11 GMTLet’s explore the idea of “peaceful places”—those sacred, personal spaces (both physical and spiritual) where we can rest, recharge, and reconnect with God and ourselves. But why do we so often wait until we're burnt out to retreat there? Why isn’t peace our Plan A? Why are our “peaceful places” only rest stops, rather than dwelling places?

I then dive into the tension between our desire for peace and our compulsion to chase noise, even when we know it’s draining us. Along the way, I share deeply personal insights—including the powerful truth that even our peaceful places can be infiltrated by negative thoughts and temptations. In those moments, the Lord asks us to choose—to choose peace, to choose grace, to choose Him or to choose the temptation to anxiety.

Another key moment comes when I drop some deep spiritual insight: in every temptation, there’s a clue to your escape. The enemy always tips his hand—if you’re paying attention. So whether you’re battling anxiety, anger, or distraction, this episode shows how awareness and grace can help you reclaim your peace and fortify your soul.

It’s not just about resting in your peaceful place. It’s about living there—intentionally, frequently, and faithfully.

Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

]]><![CDATA[Scripture Sessions: Winning the Race]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/scripture-sessions-winning-the-racehttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/scripture-sessions-winning-the-raceSun, 29 Jun 2025 23:07:55 GMTDescription and Chapters

This special live edition of The Scripture Sessions looks at St. Paul’s letter to Timothy with fresh eyes — and a bit of grit. I break down what it means to compete well, why finishing isn’t enough, and why aiming only for purgatory is a spiritual trap we fall for too easily.

Midway through, this episode turns into a conversation with you — my Substack readers and listeners — as we riff on questions, side notes (yes, even Batman vs. Superman through a Catholic lens), and what it all means for the fight for holiness.

Don’t coast. Don’t settle. Don’t just get by. You’re made for greatness — so run to win.

Follow me on: Instagram | TikTok | Catholic Experience Podcast (All Carriers)

BONUS: The theme song joked about in the episode is embedded at the bottom of this post (Thanks for dusting this one off for us)

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Special Announcement

  • 01:44 Scripture Reading and Reflection

  • 18:55 Competing to Win: A Call to Action

  • 24:54 Competing for Greatness

  • 25:53 Judgment and Effort

  • 31:42 Faith and Superheroes

Greatest American Hero

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]]><![CDATA[The Treasure is In 'The Deep']]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/the-treasure-is-in-the-deephttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/the-treasure-is-in-the-deepSat, 07 Jun 2025 18:50:25 GMTLet’s talk about going deeper in the lived experience of the Catholic faith, beyond the surface. Basing my points on a revelation I recently had on social media (“the surface”) I discuss how viewers often miss important points in my podcast clips because they swipe away too soon, having not found the “surface level” substance they’ve come to expect from a “Catholic video” This is emblematic of what Catholic culture has become even outside of social media, out in the real world. There is some richness on the surface of Catholic life, and so we’re tempted to stay there, resisting invitations to journey into the deep. continues below

Follow me on: Instagram | TikTok | Catholic Experience Podcast (All Carriers)

I compare content on Instagram and TikTok, emphasizing the need for deeper, more meaningful exploration and receptivity to Catholic-based material. The takeaway? True Catholic faith and understanding lie beneath the surface, in the depths.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Greetings

  • 00:18 Catholic Rant: Go Deeper

  • 00:52 Analyzing Viewer Engagement

  • 04:30 Reflections on Social Media Content

  • 07:50 The Depth of Catholic Faith

  • 09:55 Concluding Thoughts

After-Show

Available to everyone for a limited time and then available only to paid members

]]><![CDATA[The Case for 'Catholic Communion]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/the-case-for-catholic-communionhttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/the-case-for-catholic-communionSun, 24 Nov 2024 10:46:17 GMTThe case I would make to protestants, or Catholics who don't believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

This is not my attempt to change minds, but only to give the listener some information to consider. Whether you're a Catholic questioning the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, a Protestant who denies or rejects the Catholic belief about the Holy Eucharist, or someone just keen on deep theological discussions on the topic, I offer some insights in this episode that you'll find thought-provoking. From examining the biblical basis of the Real Presence to addressing common Protestant misconceptions, I provide a robust defense rooted in Scripture and early Church teachings. 

Related Blog Post

]]><![CDATA[Building Faith by Sharing our Talents – #34]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/building-faith-by-sharing-our-talentshttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/building-faith-by-sharing-our-talentsSat, 20 Jul 2024 10:02:36 GMTJohn shares his journey of using his talent in building intricate Lego churches to evangelize, to share his Catholic faith, and bring awareness to the intersection of faith and disability. Despite living with cerebral palsy and other health challenges, John discusses how he turns his struggles into strengths, creating inspiring Lego church displays and engaging in discussions about faith and disability, and trust and surrender to God. He also touches on his writing projects, such as his Substack newsletter ‘Praying at the Bricks,’ and emphasizes the importance of using one’s unique talents to serve God and others.

The conversation highlights John’s resilience, creativity, and deep faith, showcasing how he navigates life’s challenges while staying true to his mission of evangelization. John is very deep but very real. There are a lot of nuggets of wisdom in this conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.

Links:

John’s Substack, Praying by the Bricks

Follow John on Facebook, “Lego Church Project”

]]><![CDATA[Through Spiritual Darkness]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/through-spiritual-darkness-23ahttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/through-spiritual-darkness-23aFri, 21 Jun 2024 18:29:43 GMTI address a heartfelt comment from a TikTok follower that really resonates with me. This person is struggling with feeling abandoned by God and is asking how we cooperate with God's grace. I share some practical advice about putting in a good day, being prayerful, and understanding how God uses our failures for His providence. I also share a personal story from my time in infantry school to illustrate perseverance through failure and how it can lead to mastery and strength. Additionally, I discuss the dark periods of spiritual desolation and how they can paradoxically be a time of growth and sensitivity to God's teachings. This episode is packed with my reflections on spiritual struggle and growth, how God's grace works in our lives, and the importance of continually applying our will in the face of doubt and hardship. Join me on this challenging yet rewarding journey of faith, and don't forget, you owe me a Hail Mary!

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]]><![CDATA[Catholic Karate is Catholic Confidence!]]>https://www.stokingembers.com/p/catholic-karatehttps://www.stokingembers.com/p/catholic-karateTue, 23 Apr 2024 16:00:16 GMT

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