Ave Spotlight

You loved this episode from Tommy Tighe so much that we have brought it back! We hope you enjoy this new feature of Ave Spotlight in which we replay these "best of" episodes from time to time. Oscar Romero. Dorothy Day. Thérèse of Lisieux. Edith Stein. All these great saints struggled with their mental health. Join Chenele Shaw and mental health counselor Tommy Tighe on this sp...

Are you interested in spiritual direction but not sure how to get started?  Join us this week as Chenele talks with Vinita Hampton Wright about the difference between spiritual direction and therapy, why it is valuable to one's faith journey, and how to find a spiritual director. Wright also introduces us to her new book, Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat wi...

Do you wish your work culture reflected the values of your Catholic faith? Join Chenele Shaw and John Cannon, founder of SENT Ventures—an organization that supports and mentors Catholic entrepreneurs— as they discuss how change in the workplace begins with one person who wants to grow in holiness. Cannon encourages those he mentors—and you—to be more intentional about scheduling time for prayer, M...

What do a priest, baseball, and the beatitudes have in common? Join Chenele Shaw this week as she talks with popular YouTuber Fr. Casey Cole, OFM, about social media, the priesthood, and this summer's Bleacher Brothers tour. He will visit all thirty MLB parks in eleven weeks with his friend Fr. Roberto "Tito" Serrano, OFM, to share the good news.

We only have a few firsts in life, but we have many new beginnings. Do you embrace a fresh start as an exciting opportunity or do you mourn what you left behind? In this week's episode, Chenele Shaw and Joel Stepanek discuss how to meet new beginnings with grace and as moments to encounter Jesus Christ. Stepanek—vice president of parish services at Life Teen—also offers practical strategies for be...

The Very Reverend Mark Morozowich joins Katie Prejean McGrady and Chenele Shaw, in a special crossover episode of Ave Explores and Ave Spotlight, to discuss the war in Ukraine and provide historical and spiritual context to the conflict, tell the stories of resilient and holy Ukrainian Catholics, and offer insights into how to pray and fast for peace.

In this episode, Fr. Michael White of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, talks with Chenele about how fully engaging in Holy Week services, the Triduum, and the Easter season can be a powerful source of renewal.

How can God allow horrible things to happen? In this episode, Chenele talks with Tom Corcoran, coauthor of _Seriously God?, about evil and navigating the challenges of life. Corcoran says that difficulties are actually opportunities to rely on the Lord, learn more about him, and deepen our relationship with him.

Therapist Regina Boyd joins Chenele this week to talk about Lenten promises, scrupulosity, and not being too hard on yourself.

This week Chenele talks with Santonio Hill about how Vagabond Missions evangelizes to communities on the peripheries. Also, find out how you can answer the call to serve with your unique gifts.

Have you ever wondered what a scapular is and why Catholics wear one? Chenele talks with Steve Kerekes, founder of scapulars.com, about how he came to love the devotion of wearing scapulars and how it has changed his life.

Join us on our last episode for Black History Month where we visit with author and speaker Deacon Harold-Sivers. We talk about his journey to becoming a deacon, serving his community, and his new book Our Life of Service.

Chenele and Meg Hunter-Kilmer talk about the blessing and importance of befriending saints whose life experience is much different from our own. Meg also introduces lesser-known Black saints and shares her personal story of becoming friends with saints who are different from her. Do you ever think of the saints as your friends? What if you befriended a saint who is different from you?

Chenele talks with Shannon Wimp Schmidt, founding member and media director of Catholics United for Black Lives about responding to racism, educating the Church, and faithfully supporting the Black Lives Matter movement while staying true to Church teaching.

Happy Black History Month! Join Chenele and Marcia Lane-McGee in this special episode to talk about the uniqueness of Black Catholic culture, Marcia's new book Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s , and her work as cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast.

How can we use social media to evangelize? In this episode, Chenele talks with Jon Blevins—AKA "Bearded Blevins"—founder of Little Flower Media, about building a community for Christ through gaming.

What does it mean to be consistently pro-life? This week Samantha Povlock, founder and CEO of FemCatholic, chats with Chenele Shaw about the pro-life movement and what being pro-life means. They also discuss how best to support women while maintaining ethical consistency. If you have ever wondered what the Church has to say about these issues, and how to go about living this out in your every...

What would happen if gay Christians began to believe the truth about God—that he loves all people unconditionally? Join Chenele this week as she talks with Eve Tushnet about navigating rejection and embracing God's love as a gay Christian. She'll discuss her new book ,_ Tenderness_, and what drew her to the Catholic Church.

How can parish communities best love and support those with visible disabilities, as well as those with disabilities we cannot see? Join Chenele and author Christy Wilkens as they talk about Christy's experience with family members who have disabilities. They also discuss how members of a parish can create a more welcoming community for those with disabilities.

Shelby from Good Body Nutrition joins us this week where we talk nutrition, faith, and learning to love your body.

How can we walk with loved ones struggling with gender dysphoria and stay true to the Catholic faith? Psychologist Julia Sadusky discusses with Chenele what she has learned about gender identity through her research and clinical practice. Sadusky shares helpful tips on talking about gender and most importantly on how to listen well.

Join Chenele on this special Christmas episode of Ave Spotlight with our good friend Fr. Joe Laramie, SJ, of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, as he leads us through an Ignatian meditation and talks about why Elf is the best holiday movie!

Enjoy this special episode from Ave Explores! Katie Prejean McGrady talks with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, about drawing near to Jesus during Advent for peace and comfort in times of sorrow and distress.

Servant of God Thea Bowman--a renowned Black Catholic evangelizer, teacher, writer, and singer--continues to inspire many people more than two decades after her death. Join Chenele as she talks with Karianna Frey, editor of We Are Beloved: 30 days with Thea Bowman , about what can learn from this holy woman.

Discernment can be a blessing and a challenge. In this episode, Sr. Dolores Carmel Benitez shares her story of discernment and how she responded to God's call!