Parousia Podcast

Welcome to the introductory episode of the Crooked Lines podcast. Join your hosts, Tom and Father Sam French, as they share the inspiration behind this project and the journey of bringing it to life. In this episode, Tom and Father Sam discuss the "crooked lines" of their own lives: the mistakes, trials, and personal challenges that God uses to bring people closer to Him. They move past the "polis...

In the third episode of our four-part series, Salwa Elias sits down with Fr. John Iacono to explore his life-long journey as a missionary. From his early days of parish renewal across Australia to his profound, decade-long prison apostolate in the Philippines, Fr. John shares moving stories of faith, trial, and the transformative power of grace. Fr. John opens up about the reality of serving the p...

Welcome to the second episode of the four-part series, Called to Purpose. Host Salwa Elias sits down again with the beloved Fr. John Iacono (affectionately known as Padre Giovanni) to explore the profound reality of miracles in our daily lives. In this episode, Fr. John shares incredible first-hand testimonies of God’s intervention

In this premiere episode of Called to Purpose, host Salwa Elias sits down with the beloved Father John Iacono to discuss his extraordinary journey. Father John shares personal stories from his encounters with some of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century, including Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, and several Popes.    

In this episode of the Parousia Podcast, Charbel Raish sits down with Father Michael Lim, a priest of the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn, to discuss his extraordinary journey from a successful Buddhist real estate agent in Singapore to the Catholic priesthood. Father Michael shares the dramatic "turning point" of his life: a miraculous healing of his sister at a charismatic session that forced h...

Is the Eucharist just a symbol, or is it something more? In this episode of The Journey to the International Eucharistic Congress 2028, Fr Ben Saliba and Professor Hayden Ramsay are joined by world-renowned theologian Professor Tracy Rowland (University of Notre Dame) to unpack one of the most profound mysteries of the Catholic faith: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As we prepare for...

Episode 4 - Cultivating One's Personal Vocation and Mission This final episode of the series explores how God works powerfully through wounded hearts, generous mentors, and ordinary people who choose to say yes. It reveals that leadership is not reserved for the perfect or the fearless, but for those willing to be shaped through faith, trust, and perseverance. These are stories of personal transfo...

Episode 3 - Growing a Culture of Faith In this third episode of our conversation with Steve Lawrence, we explore one of the most crucial questions facing our Church, our schools, and our families today: How do we grow a genuine culture of faith? Building on the previous episode’s discussion about the challenges within education, Steve reflects on the fundamental truth that you cannot give what you...

Episode 2 - The Challenges Facing Catholic Educators Today In this second episode of A Call to Lead, Steve Lawrence joins us again to dive deep into the real challenges facing Catholic educators and school leaders today. From the inspiring role of Barnabas in forming St Paul, to the pressures teachers face in modern schooling systems, this conversation shines a light on the heart of Catholic leade...

In this episode Charbel sits down with Fr Sam French, one of Australia’s most dynamic Catholic voices online. Fr Sam shares the story of his calling, his journey through discernment, and the moment God made his vocation unmistakably clear. He reflects on how both charismatic and traditional expressions of faith shaped him, and how his experience as a vocations director taught him what authentic di...

In this first episode of our four-part series, Salwa sits down with Steve Lawrence to explore the powerful story behind his life, his leadership, and the calling that shaped his mission. From his father’s remarkable journey in Rhodesia, to the Jesuit mentor who changed the course of his family’s faith, to Steve’s own encounter with Jesus during a turbulent adolescence—this episode traces the key m...

In this Parousia Podcast Archive we look back at Charbel's discussion with Dr Scott Hahn on his book "The Decline and Fall of Sacred Scripture: How the Bible Became a Secular Book." What is wrong with Scripture scholarship today? Why is it that the last place one should go to study the Bible is a biblical studies program at virtually any university? Why are so many faithful priests and pastors, an...

In this episode of the Parousia Podcast, Charbel sits down with children's author, Carmel Assaf to discuss her new book "The Donkey in the Mill." Written to encourage families to explore timeless virtues together. Carmel is a teacher and storyteller who has spent her career inspiring young minds in classrooms across the United Kingdom, Russia, and her home country of Australia. She has taught both...

When and how did we get confused about our gender? In this episode of the Parousia Podcast, Charbel Raish talks with Jason Evert (Catholic speaker, author and founder of the Chastity Project) about his latest book, 'Male, Female, Other: A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender'. They discuss the current brokenness within our culture when it comes to this topic, along with some ideas as to how we c...

In this episode from our Archives, Fr Spitzer speaks about how the soul can be proven to exist by citing many near-death experiences. To find out more about near-death experiences, and to discover many other ways in which the material sciences do not contradict the Catholic faith, and in fact affirm the Catholic faith, visit www.crediblecatholic.com Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.pa...

In this episode, Charbel speaks with Fr Daniel Klimek, to explore his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the power of the Rosary in daily life. Fr Daniel shares the journey of his own Marian spirituality, offering personal reflections that reveal how true devotion to Our Lady always leads us closer to Jesus. He also discusses his new book, With Jesus and Mary, a heartfelt guide for anyon...

In this episode Charbel speaks with author Meg Hunter-Kilmer about her books about Saints. The lives of the Saints are one of the most powerful ways God draws people to himself, showing us the love and the joy we can find in him. But so often, these Saints seem distant―impossibly holy or dull or unlike us in race and age and state in life. In Saints Around the World, you'll meet over one-hundred S...

Fr Spitzer explains some of the miraculous events related to apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He then goes on to give us some tips on how to pray the rosary, digging into the treasury of spiritual wealth found in the Ignatian tradition. Fr. Spitzer is a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit order (Society of Jesus) and is currently the President of the Magis Center and the Spitzer Center.

In this episode, Charbel speaks with author Maura Roan McKeegan. Maura is the author of a number of Catholic picture books, including the award-winning Old and New series; Where is Jesus Hidden?; St. Conrad and the Wildfire; The Poorest Shepherd; Julia Greeley: Secret Angel to the Poor; and Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt, co-authored with Scott Hahn. Purchase Maura's books here: Australia:...

In this episode Charbel sits down with Fr Chris Ryan MGL. They discuss parish life, Fr Chris's new book, the flourishing faith with record adult Baptisms, Catholic social media personalities and the Arete Centre - a program for people seeking to deepen their commitment to serving the Church and its mission. Fr Chris Ryan's book, Preaching On Purpose: https://parousiamedia.com/preaching-on-purpose-...

The Round Table is back! Charbel Raish and Fr Ben Saliba are joined by Helena Roumanus and Anthony Salame. Fr Ben shares his experience meeting Pope Leo, and the rest of the team share about their overseas travels. The team also talk about new content set to be released by Parousia shortly. Parousia fundraising dinner tickets: www.parousia.com.au/fundraiser Dr Edward Sri Tour: www.parousia.com.au/...

In this episode Fr Ian VanHeusen talks about his life, his connection to the Maronite church and his three books. Fr Ian shares his insights on discipline, meditation, contemplation and prayer. Filmed before his talk at St Jerome's Parish, Punchbowl, Fr Ian also shares what his talk will be about. Join Charbel and Fr Ian as the crowd begins to build behind them.   Watch Fr Ian's talk that followed...

In this episode Charbel speaks with author and co-founder of the St Paul Centre, Mike Aquilina. They discuss the early church fathers and the rapid growth of the universal church in the face of such adversity. Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donatio...

In this episode, Fr Ben Saliba sits down with Pro Life doctor Dr Simon McCaffrey. They discuss the failure of the revolution of birth control, the Pro Life movement, Natural Family Planning, peer and family pressure and more. Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/   Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our miss...

In this episode of the Parousia Podcast, Charbel speaks with Scott Hahn about the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. 26 years in the making, Scott shares the reasoning and importance behind a Catholic study bible. Purchase your copy at Parousia: (Leather) https://store.parousiamedia.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-old-and-new-testaments-ignatius-press-scott-hahn-curtis-mitch-leather/?searchid=0&...