Pop Culture Catechism

Can a machine have a soul? It sounds like a science fiction premise, but it's one of the most urgent philosophical questions of our moment. As AI systems pass the Turing test, exhibit what looks like self-preservation, and edge closer to everyday companionship, Catholics have both the tools and the responsibility to think clearly about what personhood actually requires — and what it doesn't. In th...

Chappell Roan's music has exploded into mainstream consciousness, but underneath the anthems about Pink Pony Clubs and late nights in California, there are songs wrestling with longing, identity, and the cost of belonging. For young Catholics navigating questions about sexuality and faith, those songs hit differently. This episode asks a question a lot of people are quietly carrying: can someone w...

Bad Bunny just played the Super Bowl and won a Grammy! So let’s revisit this episode from a few years back. Fernando Catragena joins the show to talk about: - How to have hope amidst brokenness - Do our failings define us? - Can we really change? - Are you blessed? - Dealing with haters - Why Puerto Rico is awesome - And much more! Episode 67 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencat...

Andrew’s Info https://thejesuitpost.org/ Mike's Info: www. MikeTenneyMusic.com

Matt’s Info: https://msha.ke/mattpana Mike's Info: www. MikeTenneyMusic.com

Morgan Wallen is the biggest thing in country music right now. Missionaries from the Culture Project join us to talk about alcohol, cancel culture, relationships, and more. Note: this episode was recorded in Oct 2023. Episode 86 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/morgan-wallen-sin-redemption-and-cancel-culture-w-the-culture-project Culture Projec...

Two of the world’s best singer songwriters, Cody Fry & Ben Rector are both devoted Christians but they don’t make “Christian music.” Rachel Wong (formerly of the Feminine Genius Pod) joins us to talk all about their music and the adventure of trying to follow God’s will.  Ethan Nagy (our producer) joins in the fun as well. Episode 87 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Rachel’s Info: Website...

What's a Catholic to do in such a crazy political climate? Patrick Neve from "the Crunch" joins us to discuss The Daily Show, The Daily Wire, and all things Infotainment. Eisode #86 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/infotainment-and-politics-w-patrick-neve Patrick’s Info: Website: https://patneve.blog/about/ Podcast: https://thecrunchcast.com/ M...

Writer Chris Damian joins the show to talk with Mike about Pride Month & Catholicism through the lens of Taylor Swift’s new album, the Tortured Poets Department. Episode 85 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/queer-catholics-and-the-tortured-poets-department-w-chris-damian Chris’ Info: Website: https://chrisdamian.substack.com/ IG: https://www...

WE’RE BACK! And talking about the biggest song of the last year “What Was I Made For” By Billie Eilish from the Barbie movie, and to take us through it we have the poet Clare McCallan. She shares her wisdom (including some spicy hot takes), a bit about her life, and also a really good poem. She also talks about her new book “Courage To Create.” And as an extra special treat, we have guest musician...

Is Mean Girls the best movie of the 00’s? It’s likely the most quoted. Screenwriter Emily Schmitt joins us to discuss the movie, the musical, and now the movie musical, Mean Girls. So fetch! Episode 83 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/mean-girls-a-catuionary-tale-w-emily-schmitt Emily’s Website: https://www.emilyclaireschmitt.com/ Catholic Merc...

It’s the question Catholics love to argue about. Let’s get into it. Mary Did you Know? Episode 82 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/what-did-and-didnt-mary-know-mary-did-you-know Catholic Merch - https://catholicmerch.store Join my Patron Community www. PopCultureCatechism.com Listen wherever you find podcasts including: Apple Podcasts http...

If you’ve ever had sex or thought about sex, this episode is for you. Ellen Holloway is a Sexuality & Intimacy coach, with a certificate in Fundamentals of Sex Therapy, and the author of “The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women.”  This conversation was amazing and I know I will be listening back to it for years to come. This episode is not one to miss. Episode 81 Show Host: Mike Tenney Ellen...

Mike sits down with Audrey Assad who shares very freely about her journey away from the Catholic faith, her music, her healing and her heart. All of this and more as we also geek out about Celine Dion. Mike‘s wife also makes a few cameos to sing. Episode 80 Show Host: Mike Tenney Audrey’s Info: IG: http://instagram.com/audreyassad Tw: http://twitter.com/audreyassad FB: http://facebook.com/audreyas...

A muslim & a catholic walk into a discussion on The Hunger Games, geopolitics, and human nature. This episode is unlike any I’ve done before. Dr. Shyam Sriram is an Indian-American, muslim convert, and a political science professor at a Jesuit Catholic college. He turned out to be the perfect person with whom to have an open-minded conversation about a controversial and difficult subject. I in...

It’s been 2 years since Olivia Rodrigo trampled the music scene with her debut  “Sour,” and her new follow up “Guts” is even more in your face. Lillian Fallon, author of “A Theology of Style” joins us to talk about self image, modern dating, life in the fashion industry, and why O Rod’s music is just so so so good. Episode 78 Show Host: Mike Tenney Lillian's Website - www.lillianfallon.com/ B...

Mike and his friend Julia (Seven Mile Chats) went to the Eras tour and it reminded us of the mass.  This episode is us being Taylor/pop music/Theology/Liturgy nerds turned up to 11. Episode 77 Show Host: Mike Tenney Julie's website - www.ourgirltalk.org Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/taylors-eras-tour-and-the-liturgy-of-concerts-w-julia-strukley Catholic Merch...

Hi Barbie! It's the biggest movie of the year and it's weird and funny and loud and thought provoking. I was not expecting to like this movie as much as I did and I'm so glad I got to talk to the founder of Girl Talk, Julie Larkin. She has a wealth of experience working with young women and a grounded and wise perspective on what it's like to be a young woman today. Episode 76 Show Host: Mike Tenn...

Is there any show more important for millennial women than Gilmore Girls? Rory, Lorelai, & Emily Gilmore have something to teach us if we are paying attention: What does it take to be a good mother? A good daughter? Does privilege ruin us? Is feminism all it’s cracked up to be? What should a woman look for in a man?  Allison Sullivan, creator of the “Sinner Saint Sister” podcast and Sulli...

Army Chaplain Recruiter, Jumpmaster, and Catholic priest, Fr. Peter Pomposello joins us to discuss the art and moral dilemmas of Christipher Nolan's latest epic: Oppenheimer.  I think this is one of our best episodes so far.  Strap on your parachutes as we tackle: - The morality of killing in war - Weapons of mass destruction - The cost of being a soldier - Can the ends justify the means...

Tight harmonies and soaring melodies tied with soul wrenching lyrics: Folk-Soul power couple Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano are making some of the best music around. Speaker Mari Pablo joins us to talk about why this married couple’s music cuts so deep and rises so high. Episode 73 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/johnnyswim-devastating-love-w...

Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, Tom Haverford, April Ludgate: characters so ridiculous that they can’t be real yet they feel like people we know and love. Actor/Writer/TikTok superstar Kiersten Lyons returns to the show to talk about why Parks & Rec might just be the most important TV comedy so far this century.  We talk about: - How not to be cringe - Developing your own personality super pow...

Was Thanos right? Is Cap really the good guy? Is Tony as self-serving as he seems? Are SHIELD the good guys? Nick De La Torre returns to the show to talk about the moral quandaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Episode 71 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/marvel-and-morality-w-nick-de-la-torre Catholic Merch - https://catholicmerch.store Joi...

Two guys. Sparse Stage. Conversation about the world’s seminal grunge band. Singer-songer Mike Mangione joined us between events at the new AWAKEN Catholic theater to talk about Pearl Jam and why they mean so much to Gen Xers and elder millennials.  We discuss: - Chasing cool - The cost of true communion - Nakedness - Throwing away my secular music? - Why God tests us (it’s prob not why you t...

This is def a PG-13 episode so don’t listen to this with young ears around. Hook up Culture vs Purity Culture? Sex Positivity vs Chastity? Dr Andrew & Sarah Swafford join us to talk about the messages regarding sex that we receive through social media and what is more harmful than helpful. This is a long episode and we cover A LOT including: - Do chastity talks even work? - What does purity cu...