EP034: Everett Fritz Faith formation for young people is an abysmal state. Everett Fritz, founder of Andrew Ministries, has made it his life's work to reform and equip youth ministers around the country to better serve young people and their families. In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, he dives into what families, priests, youth ministers, and parish staff can do to foster discipleship and create a place of true encounter for the next generation. Learn more about Everett by clicking here . Fo...
Nov 29, 2022•20 min
EP033: Peter Rex In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary sits down with Peter Rex, a tech entrepreneur who’s not afraid to stand up for his values and his faith - even if he’s standing alone. This podcast dives into who Peter Rex is, his decision to move his company from the West Coast to Texas, his advice to young entrepreneurs, and how to focus on what’s truly important - your faith and your family. You won’t want to miss this unique episode! Please click here for more biographical informat...
Nov 17, 2022•44 min
EP032: Ryan Ellis In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary talks with Ryan Ellis about what’s going on with inflation. She asks (and gets answers to) questions like: What caused inflation? How can we work our way out of the current economic downturn? How can we best model the person-to-person solidarity that’s needed now more than ever? If you haven’t seen Ryan’s EDIFY video, please watch it at edify.us . Please click here for more biographical information on Ryan. Follow us on social media! I...
Oct 25, 2022•27 min
EP031: Dr. Aaron Kheriaty In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, psychiatrist and ethicist Dr. Aaron Kheriaty discusses missteps to the COVID-19 response, both by public health officials and our Church leaders. He also examines the effects of our loss of interpersonal connection during the pandemic, the sense of political homelessness many are feeling today, and how his Catholic faith inspired him through one of the hardest times in his life. BONUS: Hear Dr. Kheriaty’s reaction to a rapid-fire of...
Oct 18, 2022•43 min
EP030: Kellie Fiedorek As Americans, our first amendment freedoms are essential to our lives. But what happens when the government starts to chip away at those rights? In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary sits down with Kellie Fiedorek, a legal expert who works to protect First Amendment freedoms, the sanctity of life, and the right to privacy. Kellie eloquently answers questions about religious freedom, the separation of church and state, and free speech so that you can know how to respon...
Oct 04, 2022•15 min
What do first dates, incense, and KISS all have in common? Listen to Jeff Cavins’ conversion story on this episode of The EDIFY Podcast. EP029: Jeff Cavins In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary sat down with her long-time friend Jeff Cavins about the surprising success of the Bible in a Year Podcast, the difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles, and what Jeff’s favorite book of the Bible is and why. Also, hear Jeff’s story about how he came back to the faith and he and his wife’s f...
Sep 20, 2022•27 min
EP028: Rachael Killackey In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary sits down with Rachael Killackey, founder and director of Magdala Ministries - a powerful resource for women struggling with pronography and sexual addiction. Rachael offers incredible wisdom and testimony to her struggles and vocation. Rachael also answers questions like: How does pornography affect men and women in different ways? Does their path to healing follow the same model? How does so-called purity culture actually harm...
Sep 06, 2022•18 min
Why are pregnant mothers dying at much higher rates in the United States compared to other developed countries? Dr. Monqiue Chireau Wubbenhorst, an OB/GYN, has the answers. EP027: Dr. Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Dr. Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst tackles the data and debates surrounding maternal mortality rates in the United States. As an OB/GYN, Dr. Wubbenhorst also discusses some of the unintended consequences of abortion and the dangers she sees with the gro...
Aug 30, 2022•25 min
As we prepare to send our kids back to school this fall, Theresa Farnan discusses the state of public education in America. EP026: Theresa Farnan In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Theresa Farnan discusses the current state of public education in the United States. What are both the historic and modern goals of the public education establishment? What can parents do to stand up for their kids and their family values? Is public education redeemable at this point? If you haven’t seen Theresa’s ...
Aug 23, 2022•15 min
Does the pro-life movement have a chance in deep blue states like California? Listening to this episode will truly give you hope. EP025: Theresa Brennan In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary sits down with Theresa Brennan, the director of the Right to Life League in California and a strong advocate for pro-life legislation. Mary and Theresa discuss abortion tourism, how abortion has opened the doors to increased gender clinics and sex trafficking, and the degradation of informed consent. Wh...
Aug 16, 2022•22 min
There’s been some well-coordinated myths circulating, so we asked a doctor to straighten things out. EP024: Dr. Christina Francis Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we are seeing so many pro-abortion activists arguing that treating ectopic pregnancies will no longer be allowed. This is false. In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Dr. Christina Francis, chair of board of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, sits down with Mary to answer questions surrounding pre-na...
Aug 11, 2022•46 min
How is the breakdown of marriage hastening the breakdown of our culture? J.P. DeGance explains. EP023: J.P. DeGance In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, J.P. DeGance, founder and president of Communio, breaks down just how important marriage is to our culture and how the Church can use that to really bring about a renewal of our society. Mary and J.P. also discuss how the gender gap affects ministry within the Church, today’s dating culture, and the four pillars within a relationship. Bonus: He...
Aug 09, 2022•37 min
Mary FioRito and Kristan Hawkins analyze the Dobbs v. Jackson decision and discuss what’s next for the pro-life movement. EP022: Kristan Hawkins In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Mary FioRito and our guest, Kristan Hawkins from Students for Life of America, combine their decades of experience to discuss the Dobbs v. Jackson case and the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Get answers to questions like: What’s next for the pro-life movement? Are women less free in a post-Roe America? What is “abortion t...
Jul 12, 2022•29 min
How is the Culture of Death impacting the practice of medicine? Hear Dr. Mary Keen-Kirchoff’s experience. EP021: Dr. Mary Keen-Kirchoff In this episode of the EDIFY Podcast, Dr. Mary Keen-Kirchoff, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, joins our host, Mary FioRito. She shares how being Catholic and growing up in a large family impacts her medical career and how the culture is affecting the practice of medicine. If you haven’t seen Dr. Keen-Kirchoff’s EDIFY video, please watch it at EDIFY.us . Take ...
Jun 27, 2022•8 min
What does it mean to be a great communicator? Paulina Guzik shares her perspective from growing up in Poland and now teaching communications at a Catholic university. EP020: Paulina Guzik Paulina Guzik, a communications professor at the Pontifical University of John Paul II, shares her unique experience growing up in Poland after the fall of Communism, witnessing to the hope and strength exemplified by Pope Saint John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan. Paulina also discusses the need for stron...
Jun 21, 2022•20 min
Life is busy. How are we also supposed to make time for prayer? Matthew Leonard gives a step-by-step guide to developing a life of prayer. EP019: Matthew Leonard Life is busy. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, family obligations, how are we also supposed to make time for prayer? Matthew Leonard, creator of the Science of Sainthood, explains what prayer is, why it's necessary, and how to practically integrate it into your day. In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, we also discuss ...
Jun 07, 2022•27 min
Helen Alvare discusses the role of the family and its intersection with faith and law. EP018: Helen Alvare Helen Alvare, a distinguished law professor and author, sits down with Scot to share her previous experience as the spokeswoman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and her wisdom on how Catholics can be hopeful in the face of unfavorable laws and judicial rulings. Helen shares why she focuses on core issues such as religious freedom, parental rights, healthy feminism, the i...
May 24, 2022•33 min
EP017: Sister Virginia Joy, S.V. How can we best serve women impacted by or considering abortion? Sister Virginia Joy shares what the Sisters of Life have learned. Sister Virginia Joy of the Sisters of Life joins Scot to talk about the mission of the Sisters of Life, why they were founded, a little bit of her vocation story, and how we can all help women who have had or are contemplating having an abortion. Want to learn more about becoming a coworker with the Sisters of Life? Find more informat...
Apr 26, 2022•20 min
EP016: Daniel Lipinski Congressman Daniel Lipinski shares his advice on how to be Catholic FIRST and avoid compromising your values in public life. On this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Congressman Daniel Lipinski meets with Scot to discuss what it was like to be a pro-life Democrat in Congress. Lipinski shares his first-hand experience on being Catholic FIRST and his advice on how to avoid compromising your values even when under pressure. He adds his perspective on the relationship between pol...
Apr 12, 2022•16 min
EP015: Andrew Abela In this episode of The EDIFY Podcast, Scot talks with Andrew Abela, Dean of The Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business. How does a faithful Catholic bring his or her faith to business? How does Catholic Social Teaching speak about advertising, corporate culture, and the pursuit of profit? How can business people become a force for good in the world? Find more information on CUA’s Busch School of Business here , on their website. Please click here for more b...
Mar 29, 2022•8 min
EP014: Andrea PIcciotti-Bayer A first amendment lawyer and mom of 10, Andrea Picciotti-Bayer speaks with Scot on religious freedom, conscience rights, and the first amendment. What does the separation of church and state really mean? What is our role as Catholics to ensure our God-given rights (such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) are protected for generations to come? Is it true that recently the Supreme Court is hearing more religious freedom cases? Andrea answers these questio...
Mar 15, 2022•15 min
First Things editor Rusty Reno discusses how Catholics can respond to the decrease in solidarity and the increase in populism across America. Rusty Reno is the Editor of First Things, America's most influential journal of religion & public life. Today in America there is economic and cultural disenfranchisement, voter and intellectual dissatisfaction, and a crisis of solidarity. This has led to societal fragmentation, despite the slogans of “inclusion” and “tolerance.” This episode discusses...
Mar 01, 2022•11 min
Curtis Martin discusses how to grow from a passive believer to an active disciple for Christ. Curtis Martin, founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), discusses how we can magnify the Catholic Faith. FOCUS serves over 200 physical and 100 digital campuses, involving tens of thousands of college students in weekly discussion groups. In this episode, Curtis shares his recommendations for how you can strengthen your parish and domestic church. You can find FOCUS’s curated r...
Feb 04, 2022•7 min
Thomas W. Carroll discusses why prioritizing Catholic Identity leads Catholic Schools to thrive. EP011: Thomas W. Carroll In this podcast episode, Thomas W. Carroll, Superintendent of Schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, shares with Scot how he got involved with Catholic schools, key areas that are needed to “put the Catholic back in Catholic schools” and discusses his newest project, Lumen Verum Academy . Thomas’s tips for putting the Catholic back in Catholic schools: Catholic school administ...
Jan 19, 2022•22 min
Mary Eberstadt discusses the evolution of American culture, and Fr. Arne Panula’s lasting wisdom. Mary Eberstadt provides great resources to help Catholics talk about hard issues such as the sexual revolution, increased secularization, the importance of the traditional family, and religious freedom. In this episode, Scot and Mary discuss her research and writing - diving into many topics, including the sexual revolution’s effects on men, women and children, what it is doing to churches and the i...
Jan 18, 2022•10 min
Father Roger Landry discusses the universal call to holiness, giving practical resources to grow in your faith - privately and publicly. EP009: Father Roger Landry Becoming holy doesn’t happen by accident. Father Roger Landry, the twin brother of EDIFY podcast host Scot Landry, gives us a handful of great (and practical) resources to begin or advance our journey on the road to holiness, including how to lead others into the light of Christ by living our faith publicly. Father Landry also discuss...
Dec 16, 2021•11 min
Mary FioRito discusses Cardinal George’s leadership and legacy as well as pro-life hopes for 2022. EP008: Mary FioRito Our guest, Mary FioRito, talks with Scot about her experience working with Cardinal George, the former Archbishop of Chicago, how he was one of the intellectual giants of the Church in this age and how he embraced physical suffering for the good of the Church. Mary also addresses Cardinal George’s advice for living boldly as Catholics in the public square, her hope resulting fro...
Dec 10, 2021•28 min
Chris Stefanick discusses the importance of living a joyful life - even when the world seems dark. EP007: Chris Stefanick Chris Stefanick, founder of Real Life Catholic, joins Scot to discuss living in authentic joy, the power of personal invitation and friendship, and that the blueprint of your life should be the truth of the Gospel. Chris also discusses his new program, Living Joy, a video retreat on the 9 rules that will change your life. Chris Stefanick is President of Real Life Catholic . H...
Dec 06, 2021•17 min
How might the Dobbs’ case change abortion law in America? Carter Snead explains. EP006: Carter Snead How could the Dobbs’ case impact abortion law going forward? In this episode, Carter and Scot discuss that topic as well as the impact of new developments in biotechnology as they affect human dignity and Carter’s ongoing work at the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture. Carter Snead is Professor of Law and Director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame...
Nov 17, 2021•12 min
This entrepreneur defended JPII’s life as a Swiss Guard. EP005: Andreas Widmer Andreas Widmer, author of The Pope & The CEO, recalls his time as a Swiss Guard and the impact that Pope St. John Paul II had on him as a young man. Andreas also discusses his current work at The Catholic University of America where he teaches students how to build businesses that succeed through implementing the Church’s wisdom on economics and the human person. Andreas Widmer is the founder and director of the C...
Nov 11, 2021•10 min
