Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle share their thoughts on Pope Leo, unpack the meaning of “synodality” which the pope has mentioned various times, and address key differences and similarities between this papacy as opposed to previous ones. They also remind us that while the pope is important, we must not become hyper focused on every single detail of the papacy. Snippet from the Show “I’m super cautiously optimistic about everything with Pope Leo. Everything he’s written so far, I’ve been so exci...
Jul 02, 2025•38 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle answer questions from listeners, discuss the Biblical evidence behind purgatory and the best logical responses to support it. They also explain the acolyte and their role in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Snippet from the Show “What is Purgatory? It is the application of the merits of Jesus Christ to my soul so that even my desires are in union with God’s will for my life.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/commen...
Jun 25, 2025•44 min
How do you handle your own wounds or the wounds of others? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle open up about childhood pain, suffering, and the path to healing. Through personal stories and shared experiences, they explore the tools needed to move forward and the deep healing that comes when we bring our wounds to the Lord. Snippet from the Show “If you have a wound like that, and you don’t bring it to the healer, you don’t bring it to the Divine Physician, then it is going to infect.” We want to he...
Jun 18, 2025•38 min
Why is the feast of Pentecost important? What place should the Holy Spirit have in our life? Dave VanVickle unpacks on the importance of the Holy Spirit and gives practical tips for how we can all increase our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Snippet from the Show “Every year we celebrate the mystery of pentecost, why? We celebrate it to renew the idea that we need the Holy Spirit in our life and to see the mystery of the Church being built throughout that time and we can have a stronger relat...
Jun 11, 2025•27 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Dr. Mike Sirilla to explore the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ. Together, they unpack heresies, clarify common misconceptions, and highlight key biblical and historical moments that reveal the true essence of God. Snippet from the Show “Who is Jesus? What is Jesus? He is the perfect union of Divinity and humanity.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777...
Jun 04, 2025•36 min
How can the Church be renewed from within? How do we faithfully follow our conscience while acting with prudence? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle explore how saints, popes, and everyday men and women—including themselves—have embraced the real work of the Kingdom, responding to the failures of Church leadership not with bitterness, but with holiness and give tips on how you can too! Snippet from the Show “The fact of the matter is that no matter the office, no matter the charism, holiness has al...
May 28, 2025•39 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle talk about reviving the diaconate. They discuss how deacons are not just “married priests” but that they have different yet important roles. They also talk about the origin of the diaconate, how the role has evolved through the ages, and share their raw thoughts on the diaconate. Snippet from the Show “I’m grateful for the diaconate because I’ve always seen it as a part of the way the Church has ministered over the centuries, the way the Apostolic Church saw a nee...
May 21, 2025•29 min
What does it mean to be a priest today? In this episode, Gomer and Dave reflect on the beauty and burden of the priesthood—its spiritual power, real-world challenges, and the call to bold, Christ-centered leadership. With insights and wisdom from Pope Benedict, we explore how priests can renew their role as shepherds—and how we, as laypeople, can support them in their mission. Snippet from the Show If you're a priest and you learn and communicate the Faith, your parish is going to grow. We want ...
May 14, 2025•47 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss the importance of understanding priests; what their role is, how they should be set apart and how we should approach the priesthood. They also talk about the significance of sacrifice and the biblical roots of the priesthood. Snippet from the Show Jesus Christ is the high priest, he’s the unique mediator. There is no priesthood without Jesus Christ. When you are baptized into Christ, you enter into the role of priest, prophet and king. So the whole communi...
May 07, 2025•43 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by cannon lawyer, Fr. Brian Austin. Together they discuss the origins of canon law, the difference between church and secular legal law, papal primacy, and discuss the role of the Catholic Church through the chaos of history. Snippet from the Show If you believe that God wants you to be happy then how does that change what law is? Well it goes from being the arbitrary, tyrannical, imposition of an authority over me, right? And the scariest thing is not ...
Apr 30, 2025•48 min
Why does the Church need bishops? Dr. Michael Sirilla joins Mike Gormley and Dave Van Vickle to explore the role of bishops in the Church, referencing St. Thomas Aquinas' insights. They discuss the spiritual fatherhood, pastoral duties, and theological understanding of bishops. They also unpack the processes of selecting bishops and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church. Snippet from the Show "Bishops are more than administratros, they are spiritual fathers." We want to hear from you...
Apr 23, 2025•50 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle unpack Church history, explain papal theology, highlight the importance of Rome, and the importance of St. Peter. They also explain papal infallibility, what it is and what it is not. Snippet from the Show "So the Pope is supposed to be this thing of unity amongst the communion of the bishops, but he is not supposed to be the CEO of a bunch of franchises and that is an ugly way to view the Church." We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with...
Apr 16, 2025•44 min
Have you ever wondered why Peter was the first pope? Do you question the idea of a pope or of papal infallibility? Where does priestly authority come from? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle continue their season of exploring church leadership through the examination of the Old Testament, the New Testament, the priesthood and the role of St. Peter. Snippet from the Show If Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament as the Davidic King, he has a right hand man as it were the chief steward of t...
Apr 09, 2025•42 min
Are you ready for a new season of Every Knee Shall Bow? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle kick off their new season by addressing the topics they’ll cover in upcoming episodes regarding church hierarchy, where it comes from, all the common problems people have and many other topics around church leadership. Snippet from the Show Even in the face of incredibly competent leaders, that aren’t priests, that aren’t bishops, that isn’t the pope, Christ ordained and established that rule. We want to h...
Apr 03, 2025•28 min
Gomer and Dave will return next week with a new season on Church hierarchy. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow
Mar 26, 2025•2 min
How do you deal with pastor changes, church updates, and closing parishes? Are you trying to serve the church, but keep hitting roadblocks? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explore what to do when you feel stuck in an unfortunate church situation and how to handle the chaos of change. Snippet from the Show It’s important to let this be a reminder to us that we follow Jesus Christ and not a building or a certain pastor or something like that. We have to evangelize, we have to be a church that g...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min
Does the idea of apologetics intimidate you? Do you feel inadequate defending the Catholic faith, but want to build confidence in evangelizing? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain the gift of evangelization and how God wants us to participate in the good work He started. Snippet from the Show The sacraments are not our work to please God, it is God’s work to save humanity. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB...
Mar 12, 2025•33 min
What is your plan for Lent? Is there anything you’ve been avoiding that the Lord is tugging at your heart to revisit? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain where our focus should be and how Lent is a time to become more disciplined, virtuous and free. Snippet from the Show “The purpose of Lent is a time of quickening, a time of intensity, it’s a time of renewed focus. It is a time where we don’t give up our sin… it’s a time where we renounce good things.” We want to hear from you! Email us ...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min
When you’re facing suffering, it’s very natural to ask why. However, if we suspend that question and instead ask ‘God, how can I love the most at this moment?’, you’ll get more answers than if you were to actually get the answer to your question. Today, Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle give tips on how to suffer well and weather the storms of difficulties. Snippet from the Show Tips from Mike and Dave on How to Suffer Well: Remind yourself that everyone is fighting their own battle. Remembering t...
Feb 26, 2025•38 min
How can there be pain and a loving God? Gomer and Dave explain how the Cross is the answer to the problem of pain and how we need to find our place in the crucified Christ. They also unpack the things that separate us from God in the midst of suffering. Snippet from the Show When you look at the Cross, you see the love of God, for you poured out. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes r...
Feb 19, 2025•34 min
Does our sin cause suffering? Yes and no. Gomer and Dave explore the complex relationship between sin and suffering. They discuss the nuances of attributing suffering to sin, the role of divine justice, and how miracles fit into God's greater plan. Snippet from the Show We have to trust that in God's "no", there is something greater that is being done. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shown...
Feb 12, 2025•34 min
Why do innocents suffer? Why does God allow me to suffer in ways that keep from accomplishing good things? There are many parts to suffering that are difficult to understand and can build resentment within us. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle address these questions and share how they help others let go of their resentment in suffering. Snippet from the Show God suffers for you for a purpose, but he also suffers with you in the darkness no matter how bad it gets. We want to hear from you! Emai...
Feb 05, 2025•45 min
How can a loving God allow suffering to exist? This question may be one of the most asked questions about Christianity. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle begin a new series on the Problem of Pain where they respond to this question. They begin by discussing why suffering exists, why God allows it to exist, and where God is at in our suffering. Snippet from the Show Suffering becomes transformed in the cross and resurrection. It becomes something that purifies and refines us so that we can draw ...
Jan 29, 2025•36 min
New ventures, consecration to Mary, and struggles with productivity are just some of the topics that Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle touch on in this week’s episode. While somewhat random, Mike and Dave’s conversation offers encouragement and resources that will aid you in your discipleship journey. Snippet from the Show We all need to ask Mary to be a primary mover in our lives. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB...
Jan 22, 2025•32 min
Dave VanVickle responds to some of your questions regarding spiritual warfare. The topics of these questions range from possession to scrupulosity to whether St. Michael is an archangel or not. Dave responds to each question with both wisdom and encouragement so that each of us can continue striving for greater union with God. Snippet from the Show The saints were people like you and I who responded generously to the call that God put on their life to be holy and follow him. We want to hear from...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min
Are horoscopes actually dangerous? What should I do if a family member or friend is exploring the occult? Why is the occult against Catholic teaching? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle share information on popular occult practices we should avoid and what to do if you or someone you know has been involved in the occult. Snippet from the Show There is only goodness and the distortion of goodness. There is only God, and God has no infinite opposite. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensi...
Dec 04, 2024•35 min
Did you know that temptation is one of the biggest battles of spiritual attack? How can we avoid temptations? What should we do when we give in to temptation? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss these questions and outline practical solutions for resisting temptation and repenting from temptation. Snippet from the Show We don't have to completely abandon society. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to challenge these things. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with...
Nov 27, 2024•38 min
Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle reveal how the saints can help us in our battles of spiritual warfare. They share why honoring the saints does not detract from God and explain how you can draw closer to your patron saint. Dave also shares a personal story of how a saint saved his life. Snippet from the Show Let the saints be the saints and do their saintly thing. They want to be our allies for a reason because we are in Christ. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with y...
Nov 20, 2024•37 min
What’s the difference between a sacrament and a sacramental? How can we use the sacraments to fight evil? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain the incredible power of Baptism and Confession and how to use sacramentals to overthrow the powers of darkness. In this episode, they explore the history of the sacraments. Snippet from the Show Baptism is an absolute revolution in the life of the soul. You remove from it its current tyrannical leader, and you place it under the lordship of Jesus Chris...
Nov 13, 2024•45 min
The term “Apotropaic” means seeking Christ’s warrior presence. In this episode, Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss more weapons of warfare and how we can seek his warrior presence in spiritual warfare. They teach us how truth and love can be used to fight the devil and the best ways to live out the corporal works of mercy. Snippet from the Show Truth and love are probably the most exorcistic things on Earth. Those two things are incredibly powerful in warding off the devil. We want to hear ...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min
