Along "The Way"

Some say that radio is a dying medium that will share the same fate as the dinosaurs.  True that radio is an old form of communication, but it is still on the front line of the new evangelization. All across this country Catholic radio stations are producing content, and as great as the national content is, I love the locally produced content. Each morning I begin my day with one such radio station from Columbus Ohio. St. Gabriel Radio begins my broadcast day with prayer and guest’s that I find interesting and thought provoking. I hope that you will check them out on line at the link below. St. Gabriel café is hosted by Amanda, Cam and my new friend Dave Orsborn.

Doctor Ray Guarendi is both a television and radio personality seen and heard on the EWTN global Catholic Network. His radio show is a staple to my daily line up. Dr. Ray’s strait forward approach to parenting and other human interaction is truly a refreshing change from the typical and cultural norms. I always enjoy his comical delivery and experience based advice. In this episode I asked the good Doctor what is wrong with people? Before you know it I was on the preverbal couch getting my head shrunk because I was getting too big for my bitches and needed a reality check. The Doctor is in and he is joining me Along The Way!

Joining me along the way in this episode, is someone that has been there since my reversion back to the Catholic faith and EWTN’s beginning, right next to Mother Angelica. I love his down home approach to Catholicism. But, please don’t think what he says is simplistic in any way.  This episode I have the pleasure to talk with Fr. Mitch Pacwa about his new book “Commentary on the Book of Isaiah”. In this casual conversation Fr. Mitch shares with me the depth of the of this amazing prophet.

Every time I talk with Bear Woznick I always take something away from our conversation that honestly I find life changing. He always gives me something that causes me to explore myself at a deeper level. Talking with this man of such deep faith makes me realize that life with God is the adventure of a lifetime. In this episode we discuss His new book and so much more. I guarantee there is something in this casual  conversation that you too can build upon and go deeper with your faith and experience with God.

Catholic Conferences and Parish missions are a great way to expand our knowledge and increase our faith. There are so many factors that go into choosing the right speaker. Well today’s guest started out by helping his sister find her calling and eighteen years later Joe Condit is still helping the best of the best in Catholic speakers find a venue and more. Joe Condit is the founder of the world’s largest Catholic speaker’s bureau in the world. In this episode Joe gives me some good practical advice on what conference organizes want.

No God, no peace. Know God know peace. However you say it, it is a true statement. In this society of sensationalism being the bearer of bad news can raise us to the status of celebrity. Bad news can be worth millions of dollars for those that control the twenty four hour news cycle. This is only one aspect of life that can rob us of the peace that Jesus Christ promised us. So how do we keep that peace or find it in the first place? In this episode Father Gabriel Burke, host of the podcast “Forgotten Treasures” talks with Down The Hall Dave and Deacon Dave about finding peace through trust in God.

John Lennon said “Give peace a chance”, maybe the reason the world is falling apart is because we don’t give God a chance…the source of true peace.

I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is a master of opportunity. I recently had a chance meeting at our guest’s recent speaking engagement. For months I was trying to contact him to be a guest. His extremely busy schedule and his priestly duties made it nearly impossible to schedule a time that we could sit down and have a casual conversation. However when the time was right the Holy Spirit brought us together and a block of time was opened.

This interview with Fr. Larry Richards was a long time coming and it was so worth the wait. I hope and pray that you will get out of it as much as did.

It seems like forever since I have posted an episode of Along The Way. In fact it has been about a month and a half since my last episode. To be honest we had two guests that had last minute schedule conflicts and had to postpone their conversations with Deacon Dave And me.

However, a chance meeting with today’s guest was another introduction to God’s friends. One that has gone on to his eternal reward and one that has written a book about him. My guest today is about Father Aloysius Schwartz. A twentieth century priest that is responsible for the care of thousands of children, even up to today. Father Al as he was known embrace the cross of poverty and made his own.

Joining me along the way to discuss Father Al and the continuing work of the order he founded is Catholic Speaker and author of “Priest and Beggar” Kevin Wells.

With the world in a downward spiral, a morality death spin of sorts, and the numbers increasing in those that practice the occult, it is no wonder why exorcist’s case-loads are at an all-time high. This episode is a conversation about just that. First we begin by discussing Exorcism and what the Exorcist priest sees and the battle he fights.  We will also discuss the rise of the occult.

Joining me along the way is Charles Fraune, Author of two outstanding books that discusses both these topics. “Slaying Dragons” and “Slaying Dragons II The Rise of The Occult” both books are fascinating and for me eye opening.

When your prayer is to God, that he introduces you to his friends, it is amazing the parade of life long introductions he will make. For me this began with St. Ignatius being an example of Gods of what God had in store. St. Ignatius’s life was transformed by his introduction to the saints, and so would mine. I am so proud to be a Catholic because of our connection to the holy men and woman. In fact it is such an important part of our faith that we profess it as part of the mass. “I believe in the communion of saints”

This episode is about how the saints play such an important part in our spirituality, and it is an introduction to who I hope will be the next saint given to the world from Ireland, Fr. Willie Doyle SJ. With Catholicism on the decline not just worldwide but especially in Ireland Devotion to Father Willie may be the answer to the loss of joy that secularism has left us. Joining me Along The Way to discuss the saints and Fr. Willie Doyle is the postulator of his cause is Fr. John Hogan a priest of the Diocese of Meath in Ireland and one of the host’s of EWTN’s Forgotten Heritage.

In this episode my good friend Dave Imhof sits down with me in studio to discuss his recent ordination to the Diaconate. From the astute observation of a parishioner and the wise guidance of a trusted spiritual director, God spoke to Dave’s heart. This is the complete story of Dave Imhof’s answer to the call. This episode is in memory of Deacon Michael Puskis who passed away suddenly during the formation of this class of candidates. As much as this episode is a memorium, it is also remembers with gratitude the wonderful work done by Deacon Ben LoCosto who continued on in the Place of Deacon Puskis.

From everyone at Spirit of Truth Radio Arts Congratulation Deacon Dave Imhof!

When I returned back to the Catholic Church, My prayer was for God to introduce me to his friends. From that day forth I have had a devotion to many saints. St. Teresa of Avila being my favorite and a long list of saints and blessed men and women that I call on daily to guide my journey along the way. But really this episode is I opening to me because none of the saints that I call upon were ever married. Except For the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph none of the saints I ask for their intersession understand what it was like to be married. Joining me along the way to open my eyes to the list of married saint is Patrick O’Hearn, Author of the new book Courtship of the Saints.

Thank you to my friend Eddie Trask, host of the podcast Catholic ReCon. It was Eddie’s redesign of Along The Way’s cover art that lead me to consider a more contemplative approach to season 8. In this season I hope and pray to help you find the spirituality that helps you along your way.

In this episode Fr. Larry Barile and Dave Imhof are in studio to discuss the sacrament’s, and how they are connected to the spiritual life.

Here in America, if you hear the word pilgrim you more than likely think of a guy with matching buckles on their shoes and hat eating a turkey drumstick. The truth is, the word pilgrim and pilgrimage goes back beyond centuries old. In this episode Steve Ray shares his experiences on what sets a pilgrimage aside from a vacation. Steve is the author of many books, an international speaker a documentary film maker. But with over two hundred trips to the Holy Land to his credit he is an amazing “Pilgrims Guide”

This Episode really was just a casual conversation between two guys. I wanted to talk to my guest for so many reasons. So we did we talked about his journey to the Catholic Church, his rise and falls in a career he looked to get out of. Then his acceptance of God’s will to remain in that career, only to mentor other’s and go on to be one of the host of a very successful morning show that airs on Salt and Light Radio in Boise Idaho. I am really glad that I got to talk with Brian Howell so that I could share my dream with him and get the advice I really need to move forward.

This show will have a different feel to it. This show was done as an experiment. It was done to study a process for future endeavors. This episode is one that I have been giving a lot of thought to, because It is a revisit of episode one with my friend Larry Barile. I have titled this episode “Lessons From Along The Way”. It is a nervous as episode one because the comfortable format has been thrown out the window for a more structured radio format. Also my good friend Eddie Trask makes an appearance to tell us about his new booklet based on an essay he wrote about the Protestant Reformation. All and all this episode was an experiment that I hope you will like. Please remember to subscribe to this show where ever you listen.

Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is share our faith, Especially, outside of the safety of the church walls. Maybe we don’t feel qualified to be an evangelist. Maybe we think it is the priest’s job to do all that. No, Jesus himself said to go and make disciples of all nations. In this episode I learn some simple strategies to evangelization. What more can I say? Spreading the Gospel is up to each of us.

To find out more about the St. Paul Street Evangelist go to

I am embarrassed to say that before I heard my guest talking about them, my knowledge of the California missions was only what I had seen in a John Wayne movie. After hearing the story of this part of American history that is under attack and in danger of being re-written, I am so intrigued to someday visit the Sunshine state.  As an American the history of California touches my heart, but as a Catholic it touches my soul.

In this episode, author of the book “Pilgrimage” joins me along the way to discuss the California Mission and his 800 mile journey to becoming a better husband and a better father. Please welcome Christian Clifford.

I have always enjoyed seeing new places and meeting new people. That is really what this podcast is all about. I enjoy discovering a deeper faith through these simple conversations. In this episode, I talk with my new friend Andy Bull about the Walsingham Camino. This is a revived version of the ancient pilgrimage to one England’s most holy sites. This casual conversation has me adding one more thing to my life’s bucket list Joining me along the way is author Andy Bull.

Fr. Francis Adagyine is a Catholic Priest from Ghana Africa. He grew up as a Shepard, herding cattle to support his family. He also grew up in the Traditional African religion but a chance meeting with a group of Catholics set Father on a different course. This is a great story of how a Shepard of cattle becomes a Shepard of people.  And he does so, guided by the Holy Spirit. Without the walls of a church this humble man of God leads his flock to experience the Good, The Beautiful and The True in the simplest of ways.

My guest in this episode has worn many hat in his life, studied many subjects, but most of all he has done what he has needed to do to support his family. In this episode I talk with Sam Todzia about his true passion in life…ministry. Sam is the founder of Red Barn Ministries, a Connecticut based ministry that provides children a solid Catholic confirmation retreat and a men’s ministry that “Meats and Greets” men where they are. This is the ministry that is Sam’s passion, the hat he would really like to wear.

Eddie Trask is the host of the popular podcast Catholic “Re.Con.”, seen on You Tube. Eddie has a great following because his show is genuine and honest. He also has a seemingly endless guest list because everyone has a story and in this episode that is what we discuss, telling your story. Joining me Along The Way is my new friend Eddie Trask.

Deacon Ben LoCasto has been a friend for a while. I have always know him to be a man with great focus especially when it come to the matters of spirituality. Many times he has been asked to join the Knights of Columbus or some other worthy organization, Deacon Ben certainly lends his support but always puts being a Deacon first. So when I heard that he not only joined a worldwide organization but represented its leadership in the New York region I had to find out more. So I made phone call to my dear friend and He  told me that he was now the Commander of the New York Commandery Of the Templar Knights. Honestly, I didn’t know what to think. I thought that the Templer Knights was some historical group that fought in the crusades and was disbanded by the church and would later be part of freemason folk lore. To my surprise the Templar Knights still around and still defend the Catholic way of life. Joining me along the way is Deacon Ben LoCasto to discuss the Knights role in a modern world.

A good conversation always has a great take away. This casual conversation is no exception, in fact it has left me with a simple reminder, a new life maxim. Nunc Coepi. It is a simple and beautiful reminder to me to persevere in faith. This casual conversation begins by discussing life in Rome and delves into the spiritual teachings of Venerable Bruno Lanteri. Joining me from Rome is the writer and producer of the documentary about the 19thcentury founder of the Oblates of The Virgin Mary is Fr. John Wykes.

To watch the documentary Nunc Coepi

Being a man in this day and age certainly has its challenges, especially as real role models of the faith become harder and harder to find. Fortunately there is a group that exists and it is bringing both young and old together to mentor each other. I have known about this group for quite some time and to day I get to have a casual conversation with its founder Mark Houck. Mark is the founder of the Kings Men.

To find out more about The Kings Men or any of the projects they are working on go to;

This Show is a bit different. It is hosted by my friend Jayson Goodman, host of the popular podcast “Talking with a Good Man. In this episode Jayson sits down with me to talk about some of the things I have learned Along The Way. That’s right I am the guest on my own show! Please welcome guest host Jayson Goodman.

The world will tell you that they will believe in those things that they can see and measure. They question the existence of God even when the odds point to his existence as the only logical answer. At least I always thought that. Joining me along the way to discuss where God is in science and reason is the founder of the Magis Center, Father Robert Spitzer.