Weekly Theme: Letting Go of Fear and Trusting God's Victory Holy Week brings us face to face with fear. Fear of loss. Fear of suffering. Fear of uncertainty. But the journey of Christ shows us something greater — that fear does not have the final word. God does. Overview As Holy Week begins, we remember the joy of Palm Sunday — people shouting "Hosanna," meaning "Save us now," welcoming Jesus as the Messiah. There is confidence. There is excitement. There is no fear. But that doesn't last. As th...
Mar 26, 2026•11 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Fifth Sunday of Lent – Letting Go of Limits Weekly Theme: Letting Go of What We Think Is Impossible We all place limits on what we believe God can do — in our lives, in our struggles, and in our future. But this week reveals a powerful truth: God is not bound by our expectations, our pain, or even death itself. Lent calls us to release the limits we place on God and trust in His power to bring life where we see none. Overview There are moments in life when we feel spiritually empty — going throu...
Mar 21, 2026•8 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Weekly Theme: Labels - Letting Go of False Identity This week we are invited to bring truth into the light. Many things that grow in darkness — shame, fear, and false identities — lose their power when exposed to God's truth. The label the world gives us is never the identity God gives us. Lent calls us to release the labels that limit us and rediscover who we truly are as children of God. Overview Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly chooses the people no one expects. In the first reading from ...
Mar 13, 2026•8 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Weekly Theme: Letting Go of Sin and Returning to Hope In order to be made new, we must release anything that separates us from God. Lent invites us to confront the wrongdoings that quietly shape our hearts — not to shame us, but to heal us. This week reminds us that no sin is stronger than God's desire to restore us. Overview At this point in Lent, many people begin to feel the weight of the journey. The enthusiasm of the first days fades, discipline becomes harder, and spiritual warfare can int...
Mar 07, 2026•10 min•Season 1Ep. 4
SUMMARY: Following Jesus is not a half-hearted "I'm in." It is surrendering our expectations to His design. This week challenges us to release the version of faith we've imagined and trust the glory God wants to reveal — even when it unfolds differently than we expected. RELATED SCRIPTURES: First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4 "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk…" Faith requires movement before clarity. Second Reading: 2Timothy 1:8-10 "He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our...
Feb 27, 2026•9 min•Season 1Ep. 4
The First Sunday of Lent sets the tone for everything that follows. This week calls us to examine where we are trying to take control instead of trusting God. From Adam and Eve to Jesus in the desert, we are reminded that the battle is not new — but neither is God's faithfulness. Lent invites us to release the illusion of control and return to reliance on the One who gives us life. Overview The readings begin at the beginning — Adam and Eve in the Garden. Everything was good until the serpent in...
Feb 20, 2026•9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Ash Wednesday invites us to begin again. Not halfway. Not casually. But with intention. The ashes remind us that everything in this world fades away. What does not fade is our relationship with God. This week is about letting go of whatever competes for our heart so that we can return to Him completely. Overview Ash Wednesday marks the start of our Lenten journey — and the first days are often the hardest. When the novelty wears off, so can our discipline. That is why this day calls us to roots,...
Feb 18, 2026•7 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Lent is not simply about giving something up — it is about choosing life. In this series, we reflect on how the readings call us to let go of what is false, harmful, or spiritually distracting so that we can grow closer to Christ. God has given us the freedom to choose between life and death, good and evil. When we release what weighs us down — excuses, compromise, fear, or sin — we open our hearts to receive something far more beautiful in return. Lent becomes not just a season of temporary sac...
Feb 18, 2026•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Why I Am Catholic Why stay Catholic in a divided Christian world? In this deeply personal episode, Greg Wasinski and Jeff Stinson share their faith journeys — from doubt and anxiety to Eucharistic conviction and rediscovering the beauty of the Catholic Church. They discuss: Converting from Protestantism Nearly leaving the Catholic Church The power of the Eucharist (John 6) Holy Saturday seasons of waiting The beauty of the Triduum The saints who shaped their faith This isn't about winning argume...
Feb 12, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 8Ep. 801
What if penance isn't about guilt or punishment, but about love, freedom, and healing? Penance is not about shame — it's about love. Not about punishment — but participation. Not about the past — but transformation. In this episode of the Faith & Real Life Podcast , Greg Wasinski welcomes Fr. Jacob Bearer for an honest and pastoral conversation about penance — what it truly is and why it still matters today. Moving beyond the idea of penance as guilt or obligation, this discussion highlights...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 705
When someone you love is drifting, what's the most evangelical thing you can do? Say—and live—"I got your back." In this heartfelt conversation, Greg Wasinski and guest Miguel Chavez unpack the power of accompaniment : authentic friendship that stands with people in their restlessness, grief, questions, and return to God. From airports full of people glued to phones to the quiet courage of making eye contact and asking, "Are you okay?", Greg and Miguel explore how clinging to God's grace changes...
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 704
In this heartfelt episode of Faith & Real Life, Greg Wasinski welcomes special guest Millie Prebel to explore the power of life experiences in shaping who we are and how we live our faith. From unexpected turns to moments of grace, Millie shares personal stories of transformation, hope, and learning to trust in God through it all. Millie's experience as a "Mimi" shares an interesting parallel with her path as a spiritual director trained in Ignatian Spirituality. Don't worry, this isn't a th...
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 703
"The illusion of leadership is to think we can be led out of the desert by someone who's never been there." - Henri Nouwen Have you ever given everything you had—emotionally, spiritually, physically—only to find yourself dry, disconnected, and asking if you belong anymore? You're not alone. In this deeply honest and uplifting episode, Catholic speaker and evangelist Greg Wasinski opens his heart about the very real struggles of spiritual fatigue. Whether you're a ministry leader, a church volunt...
May 29, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 702
There is beauty in community and an opportunity for our lives to be changed when we are are physically celebrating with others. Greg Wasinski asks an important question about why so many go to Easter Mass—"So, now what?" In this episode, Greg not only identifies why people might attend church only once or twice a year but also proposes why, if you fall into that category, you should think about attending worship regularly with a faith community. This isn't just some sort of religious obligation,...
Apr 28, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 701
Readings: Mi 5:1-4 Heb 10:5-10 Lk 1:39-45 Greg Wasinski offers Week 4 of the Advent Mass Prep. "You are Worthy" explores the journey of what God can do in all of us if we believe. From prophets to soldiers, to the Blessed Mother, we see how the presence of God within us can bring about peace, love, and joy. Our job is not easy, though... we must sacrifice and then allow ourselves to be made new through consecration. For more inspiration, visit www.FaithandRealLife.com...
Dec 19, 2024•17 min•Season 6Ep. 607
Greg Wasinski offers Week 3 of the Advent Mass Prep ~ Roses Colored Glasses....The saying "rose colored glasses" reveals itself in this third Sunday of Advent. We light the third candle, the rose one (not pink), as a sign of joy and hope for what is to come. We must all remember that nothing should ever stop us from hoping in the Lord. "No matter how good you think life is, everything with Christ becomes amazing."
Dec 13, 2024•16 min
Letting go during Advent can mean shedding things that are holding you back, which we might consider negative or bad habits. However, it is also about limiting God and how everything is put in place to be perfect—at the right time. Don't put God in a box, instead, let Him blow your mind with abundance. Greg Wasinski shares a short reflection on the Sunday Mass Readings to help you prepare for Mass. Listen on your way to church or while you are getting ready at home, and start preparing your mind...
Dec 06, 2024•14 min•Season 6Ep. 607
Greg Wasinski shares a short reflection on the Sunday Mass Readings to help you get prepared for Mass. Listen on your way to church, while you are getting ready at home and start preparing your mind and heart for the readings you will hear at Mass. First Sunday of Advent Readings: Jer. 33: 14 -16 1 Thes. 3:12 -4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Nov 29, 2024•13 min
"Living our purpose" can be one of those things we reflect on - in the church, this can even be referred to as a "vocation." In Greg Wasinski's conversation with guest, Bill Prebel, they talk about listening for the life moments when we get glimpses into what it means to grow into the person God created us to be. Answering our call comes in many different forms and many different lifestyles. Bill Prebel is currently in the Diaconate program within the Diocese of Cleveland entering his third year...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 606
Sometimes we can caught in the trap between science and faith (or "religion"). This conversation with Psychologist, Dr. Ariane Sroubek, reminds us how our beliefs and the mind's ability to remain healthy are often intertwined. Host, Greg Wasinski, and Ariane discuss a wide range of topics including past hurts, mental illness, chronic pain, loved ones away from the church, and our need for peace in a very confusing time in history. This conversation will inspire you to think more deeply about the...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 605
Transformation at its core takes surrender and the acknowledgment of everything holding us back from living our dreams. Greg Wasinski talks with Certified Coach, Kurt Treu about his path from business leadership to business coaching over a decade ago. His life-giving work found its roots with The Executive Reinvention Program founder, Tracy Goss (Author, The Last Word on Power ) to help thousands of clients identify their winning strategy and break the limits it places on them as time goes on. D...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 604
This episode explores faith for ALL ages. Bill Miller has served in ministry in some form for over fifty years. This conversation with Greg Wasinski explores a wide array of aspects of God's unconditional love. Not only do they look at the basic understanding of forming a relationship with God, but they go deeper to highlight the need for community and also the power we all have, regardless of age, to contribute something to this world. Bill's journey has taken him through the Catholic faith, bu...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 603
Forgiveness of others, and even ourselves, is one of the keys of life. If we're bound by what consumes us with anger, bitterness, or even sadness, we cannot experience life to the fullest. Guest John Smith from Peter's Shadow Healing Ministry in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, and a trained leader in the Unbound program of personal freedom, talks with Greg about the beginning steps to be released from all that weighs us down. Each step takes us beyond what we can do on our own while redirecting our healing ...
Mar 08, 2024•54 min•Season 6Ep. 602
Welcome to season six of the Faith & Real Life Podcast! Host Greg Wasinski interviews his wife, Aimee, for the first time to discuss what it takes to help bring someone back to the faith when they have strayed from church. Over their 29-year marriage, Greg walked away from the Catholic faith he grew up with, while Aimee continued to attend church and raise their kids in a Catholic community. This honest and open conversation will help couples in all stages with the same marriage issues or ev...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 601
What is stopping you from starting the one thing that has been on your heart or mind? Is it a project, exercise/nutrition, a dream, or your relationship with God? Many times we want everything to be "just right," - perfect. Life never offers us the perfect time to do anything, we have to seize the moment and make beauty of the mess. Greg Wasinski talks about the pitfalls we run into when we wait around for "perfect" and how we can allow this moment to be the moment we are curious enough to see h...
Jun 28, 2023•28 min•Season 5Ep. 507
Self-care and personal time are not optional... they are vital for our heart to be fed. What happens when we realize that what we've been doing to solve our problems is only masking them and starving our soul in the process? Staying busy to help our minds cope with the stress of life only remains useful if we are living intentionally focused on the things that can make us better. In this Episode, Greg talks about recognizing where we have gotten distracted and a few simple tips we can use to rem...
May 25, 2023•29 min•Season 500Ep. 506
Recently I watched the movie Jesus Revolution with Kelsey Grammer (Chuck Smith) and Jonathan Roumie (Lonnie Frisbee) about the powerful movement in 1968, beginning at Calvary Chapel. I was reminded we are all looking for "something." We search for it till we find it, from both a participant and a leadership perspective. People can sometimes look for an easier route to find happiness and euphoria, however as we all learn, it's a relationship with our creator that we are looking for. Let's be "Jes...
May 04, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 505
Distractions and busyness in our days cause us to stop asking meaning and important questions to those we care about. We have to look at the ways we move beyond a greeting and intentionally stop, providing the presence someone needs to feel valued. On the flip side, when others in our inner circle inquire about our true well=being, we must be vulnerable enough to share honest answers to allow them in. Greg Wasinski offers three tips and a multitude of suggestions for all of us to start the proce...
Apr 20, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 504
Includes four suggestions to help you commit to a more consistent relationship with God. Host, Greg Wasinski, skims the surface for us to develop a life committed to our passions and our relationship with God. Walking in the middle of the road will never yield the results we are looking to achieve. All of us must be confident in our choice to take life's challenges head on and keep ourselves in check along the way. As Mr. Miyagi says in the Karate Kid , "Daniel-san, must talk. Walk on road. Walk...
Mar 16, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 503
EP:502 - "Raising Sunshine" Guest Ariane Sroubek "If Heaven isn't real, I don't think I can do this." Host, Greg Wasinski, talks with Doctor of Psychology and Author, Ariane Sroubek, about the loss of her infant child and the journey it took her on to not only handle her own grief, but also the grief of her older daughter in the loss of a sibling. This conversation on understanding a little more on how we grieve or feel emotionally with the loss of a loved one is powerful and genuine. Together, ...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 502
