Fatherhood is one of the most important jobs on the planet. Many in our Church and society recognize that fathers are struggling to be the dads their children need them to be. What can Catholic men do today to reverse this trend and be great dads in the 21st century? On the podcast today hosts Kevin and Lisa discuss 7 tips for fathers. Along the way, they’ll talk about Kevin’s own dadhood, our favorite commercial of all time, and give you a feast day hack that will ensure that you never again fo...
Oct 02, 2018•37 min
Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of October! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES October’s Devotion: Holy Rosary Books Total Consecration to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley The Secrets of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort Praying the Rosary Like Never Before by Dr. Edward Sr...
Sep 28, 2018•41 min
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We’re mid-way through season 4, so on today’s podcast, we’ll open up the listener mailbag and answer your burning questions. On the episode today we’ll talk about getting nervous before giving a big talk, building community as a young family, discussing your faith with non-Catholics, living balance, kids and cell phones, and much more. SHOWNOTES Our Love Story: Via the FOCUS Blog Communicating for a Change Secrets of Dynamic Communication (SCORRE Method f...
Sep 24, 2018•38 min
Do you ever wish you could deepen your relationship with your significant other? Do you struggle to invest in your relationship like you know you should? Date night is a universally recognized way to strengthen romantic relationships, but what does it look like and what are some ways to make sure it happens? On today’s podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter discuss 3 date night killers and 3 date night don’ts. Along the way, they’ll share their own date night successes and failures, announce a giv...
Sep 18, 2018•33 min
Have you ever felt like God was distant? Have you been in a place where you felt spiritually dead? Feeling dry is a common occurrence in the spiritual life, even saints struggled with it , but we don’t often talk about it. What can we do in these moments when we feel apart from God? On today’s podcast, we talk about 6 steps to rehydrate your spiritual life. Along the way, Kevin talks about why we’ve had so much drama in our lives even though we aren’t dramatic people and Lisa shares a hack to he...
Sep 10, 2018•33 min
Our Church needs leaders. We don’t just need bishops and priests to lead. Not just those who are smart or influential. Now, more than ever, our Church needs everyone to use their gifts and talents to lead. But, what does this look like? How do we learn to lead? Today on the podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa talk about 5 habits of great leaders. On this episode, they discuss how to think and act like a leader and give you tips on how to strengthen your leadership. Along the way Lisa shares a hack to ...
Sep 03, 2018•36 min
Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of September! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES September’s Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows Prayer: Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary Buy a Seven Sorrows Chaplet Craft: 7 Sorrows Mobile: Catholic Icing The Pope’s Monthly Intention: Young People in Africa: That young people in Africa may...
Aug 30, 2018•34 min
Friends, let’s be honest: It’s been a summer of scandal and crisis. There are so many things to sort through, so many emotions, and so many questions that remain. But one question, in particular, continues to linger: What are we supposed to do? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter give you 5 actions that you can take during this current crisis. Along the way, they’ll share their own reactions to what is happening and an amazing sign of God’s providence from their gender reveal party t...
Aug 27, 2018•36 min
It’s been 6 weeks since we last podcasted because life has been full of transitions. In this informal episode, we update you on what we’ve been up to and address the recent Church scandals*. God-willing, we will get back into the swing of regular episodes next Monday! *Please note, the last half of this episode and the below show note links are not appropriate for children. SHOW NOTES Homily by Fr. Brian Larkin on the seminary scandal On Cardinal McCarrick – Pope Accepts Resignation of Cardinal ...
Aug 20, 2018•32 min
Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of August! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES August’s Devotion: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Encyclopedia on the Immaculate Heart of Mary The connection between Mary and Saturday Prayers Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Litany to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Activ...
Jul 25, 2018•33 min
Let’s face it: parish life can be hard, but it can also be very fulfilling. As Catholics the parish is a primary place where we are called to encounter God and accompany others, but how do we connect with our parish in a real and meaningful way? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter answer 3 questions about parish life. Along the way, they will share their own journey on this topic. Plus, they’ll update you on their house search and share a Catholic hack that will help you wake up on t...
Jul 02, 2018•36 min
Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of July! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES July’s Devotion: Most Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood An Offering of the Precious Blood for Souls Pope Francis’ Monthly Intention: Priests and Their Pastoral Ministry: Pray for priests who feel tired and lonesome. Pray...
Jun 26, 2018•26 min
Something new is about to go down on the podcast because tomorrow Lisa is putting up the first of many liturgical lowdown mini-episodes. In order to prepare you for this new series, today hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter are giving you some vision for why to live liturgically and filling you in on some notes about the liturgical calendar that will be helpful to know as you listen in on the monthly liturgical lowdown episodes. SHOWNOTES For personal prayer, this can be a “prayer corner” with the Sacre...
Jun 25, 2018•37 min
Do you know how to have tough conversations about the faith? When we live authentic Catholic lives, friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors will start asking us all sorts of questions. How will we respond in these important situations? On today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa give you 5 do’s and don’ts on how to defend the faith in a winning way by sharing some examples from their own adventures in apologetics. Plus, they have the perfect Baptism present hack that will be remembered for yea...
Jun 18, 2018•33 min
Do you know how to say goodbye? Summer is a time filled with saying farewells to jobs, friends, houses, and schools. Last impressions are really important for how people will remember us and how we will remember them: how can we learn to do this well? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter give you 5 steps on how to say goodbye. Along the way, they’ll update you on their own goodbyes as they change jobs, houses, and the size of their family, plus they’ll share a Father’s Day hack that w...
Jun 11, 2018•32 min
It’s the first episode of season four and do we have a show for you. On today’s episode hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter are talking about fertility as they share what they wish they had known about this topic before they got married. Along the way, they’ll give you a Catholic hack that will help your prayer life in a cost-efficient way and they are giving away not one, but two, items to a lucky winner. Annndddd they have some MAJOR life updates to share! SHOWNOTES Endow website: endowgroups.org Pink...
Jun 05, 2018•35 min
It’s that time of year… Sacraments! Weddings, Confirmations, First Communions and more. Sacraments connect us to Christ and receiving one is a highlight for any Catholics. How can we learn more about these amazing gifts? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa give you 6 things that you might not know about Sacraments. Along the way, we’ll talk about how Kevin is trying to be like Chip Gaines and what Lisa is making for our son’s Confirmation and First Communion. SHOWNOTES Liturgical food websi...
Apr 30, 2018•37 min
BURN OUT! Have you ever felt like you didn’t have anything left to give? It can happen to anyone and it happened to Kevin and Lisa during the last few weeks. How do we get here and how do we get out? On today’s podcast, your hosts talk about 8 tips on how to get burned out. Along the way, they’ll share where they’ve been these last three weeks and what they’re doing to get back on track. If you ever thought Kevin and Lisa were perfect, give this episode a listen. SHOWNOTES Essentialism by Greg M...
Apr 23, 2018•35 min
It’s the most important week in the Church calendar, but what are we supposed to do again? Maybe the best thing is to make sure we take time to experience God’s love in a new way. On today’s podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa talk about 3 ways to receive God’s love this Holy Week. Along the way, they’ll share a huge announcement from Kevin, give you some insight into why they aren’t a stereotypical couple, and offer a Catholic hack for First Communions or Confirmations. SHOWNOTES How-to Holy Week How...
Mar 26, 2018•28 min
Truth: we are all broken and in need of healing, but this a fact that perhaps we don’t like to readily admit. However, keeping our painful memories in the dark causes more trouble than having the courage to bring them into the light. On today’s episode, Lisa interviews the inspirational Crystalina Evert on not only why, but how to begin the process of healing. Listen in as they discuss Crystalina’s four pillars for healing and as a bonus, three fun facts that Lisa learned about Crystalina from t...
Mar 19, 2018•37 min
St. Joseph is the patron saint of the entire universal Church, but how much do we really know about him? Whether you’re fully ready for the Solemnity of St. Joseph coming up or don’t know what a Solemnity is, this episode will help you learn just a little bit more about this important saint. On today’s podcast, we talk about 10 tidbits about St. Joseph. Along the way, we’ll share a Saint Quote to Live By to help you through Lent and Kevin makes Lisa talk about her obsession with tiny houses. SHO...
Mar 12, 2018•34 min
For the very first time on the How-to Catholic podcast we welcome…. a man of the cloth. Fr. Brian Larkin, who’s our friend and soon to be yours, talks to us about spiritual reading. On the episode today, Kevin and Fr. Brian discuss why it’s so important to read (even more than listening to podcasts), how to develop spiritual habits, and recommended authors and books for you to check out. SHOWNOTES Some of the books and authors mentioned in this podcast include: Introduction to the Devout Life In...
Mar 05, 2018•46 min
Every Church has them and now that it’s Lent it’s time to pray them, we’re talking about the Stations of the Cross. Whether you’ve never done the stations before or you think you know everything about them, this episode will help you enter more deeply into this sacred and important tradition. On today’s podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa talk about 3 ways to help you pray the Stations. Along the way, they’ll share what a Catholic celebrity gets wrong about Lent and a Saint Quote to Live by that, perh...
Feb 26, 2018•30 min
One of the three most important aspects of Lent is prayer. But so many people wonder – how do I start? Am I doing this right? What can I do to go deeper? And, do I actually need to pray every day? On today’s podcast, Kevin and Lisa talk about 4 steps for prayer. Along the way they give wisdom from the saints, thoughts on acronyms, and practical tips from their own prayer lives. Plus, they have a saint quote to live by that’s perfect for the start of Lent. SHOWNOTES Time for God by Jacques Philip...
Feb 19, 2018•33 min
Lent is almost here…What are you going to do? Do you need help deciding on how you are going to fast? Do you want ideas on how to make the most of your Lent? On the podcast today, our guest James Baxter from ThoseCatholicMen shares four components from his program Exodus 90 that you can incorporate in your own Lenten fast and you’ll hear about a fun new way to experience Dating Detox this Lent. SHOWNOTES Links: Exodus90.com ThoseCatholicMen.com Exodus90 Podcast Saint Quotes To Live By Exodus 4:3...
Feb 12, 2018•55 min
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We’re mid-way through season 3, so on today’s podcast, Kevin and Lisa open up the listener mailbag and answer your burning questions. On the episode today some of the questions they answer include: what to do about Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday sharing a day on the calendar, how to tackle big books, what we love about living in Denver, and how Kevin and I knew we were called to marriage. SHOWNOTES Homestar Runner. You’ve been missing out… If you are d...
Feb 05, 2018•35 min
Feminism. For many, fewer words bring up positive or negative stereotypes and emotions. Does feminism have anything to do with Catholicism? Would Jesus consider himself to be a feminist? Should all women be feminists? On the podcast today Lisa interviews Claire Swinarski, host of The Catholic Feminist podcast who, spoiler alert, says yes, all women should be feminists, but perhaps not exactly the stereotypical kind you might be thinking of. Join us as Claire and Lisa discuss 5 truths about femin...
Jan 28, 2018•39 min
In our culture, we have a hard time understanding what it means to be a friend. What kind of friendships do we have? What does it mean to be a friend to someone else? And how do we get better at this whole friendship thing? On today’s podcast, Kevin and Lisa look at true friendship as they explore 4 keys to virtuous friendships. Plus, your hosts are doing their first giveaway for Lent, and Lisa has a big announcement that you won’t want to miss. SHOWNOTES Everything you need to know about Lisa C...
Jan 22, 2018•33 min
Christmas is over, Lent begins in just one month, and right now we find ourselves in the season of Ordinary Time. However, this isn’t any ordinary, Ordinary Time. Traditionally in the Catholic Church, this time is known as Carnival Season. But what exactly is Carvnival Season and what does it have to do with the liturgical year? On the podcast today Lisa interviews Louisiana native, Mallory Smyth, on the Catholic roots of Carnival and how we can use it as a time to prepare for Lent. SHOWNOTES Co...
Jan 15, 2018•32 min
FOCUS’ SLS Conference is the real deal. Whether you attended the conference last week or haven’t even heard about it, on this episode Kevin and Lisa will give you an inside look at one of the biggest Catholic conferences of the year. On the podcast today, your hosts discuss eight highlights of SLS. Plus, they share a saint quote from one of the most joyful saints of all-time and sneak in a Catholic hack to help you start off the New Year right. SHOWNOTES FOCUS Facebook Page that contains the SLS...
Jan 09, 2018•35 min
