Spirit and Spire

The Heart of Michael Schultz on the Eve of his Diaconate Ordination   Today, John sits down with his long-term friend and former youth group "kid" on the eve of his Diaconate Ordination! This is a momentous occasion in the history of the Archdiocese and most importantly for all of Michael's family and friends. Michael Schultz (now deacon as this episode airs) shares his heart on his upbringin...

Erik Huff's Conversion Part 2: From the Netherlands, to Fatima, to Louisville, KY   Today, Isaac spends some more time with Erik Huff as he shares more details of his conversion story. Last time they discussed his time in college as an atheist that involved a series of remarkable and miraculous events. Erik's story is one filled with grace and hope, despite the darkness or confusion from his...

Identity, Purpose, & Lifestyle: Theology of the Body & the Book of Genesis   Today, Isaac & John continue their conversation about "What is Man?" through the lens of Theology of the Body. Starting with Genesis and the Garden of Eden is the perfect place to begin this journey and story, but it's not just about religious or theological concepts. This is about who we are, where we co...

Why I am Not a Christian: Atheism, Fig Trees, and is it really just Turtles all the way down?   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, Isaac & Erik discuss the existence of God through the lens of Bertrand Russell's book "Why I am not a Christian?" They dig into the arguments for atheism in a fair, complete, and powerful conversation. This is definitely worth a listen as they delve int...

New Year? New Resolutions through the Catholic Lens   We apologize for any audio issues in this episode. In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, John & Erik discuss the new movements going on in the Catholic Church that often start each January. From Exodus 90 to Bible or now Catechism in a Year--the Catholic Church is exploding with powerful new efforts of strengthening our faith and f...

Life Lessons from a WW2 Veteran with Mr. Oliver Thibodeaux (Tip)   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, John sits down with a long-time friend and WW2 Veteran, Mr. Oliver Thibodeaux (Tip). Tip is well known at the St. Elizabeth Senior Center near Germantown, and in his spare time he enjoys Wii Bowling, Ping Pong, and Chair Volleyball. His time in the War is just the tip of the iceberg of...

The Life & Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, the guys discuss the impact Pope Benedict XVI has made in the world, the Church, and in our own individual lives. There is so much more we could say about the legacy this man, our Holy Father left in his wake that this episode (and all the episodes we could ever dedicate to him) are an inadequate tribute to...

The History of Louisville: A Story of Absolute Power, Founding Fathers, & Building a Great City   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, John & Erik begin a long and exciting story of how the city of Louisville came to get it's name and why that matters for the future. When things have felt bleak, confusing, or frustrating, it's time to go back in time to unearth some critical trut...

Christmas Family Traditions, Paganism, & the REAL DATE of Christ's Birth   It's the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL on today's episode of Spirit & Spire, and the guys share the importance of celebrating Christmas throughout the whole season from December 25 to January 6 while also breaking down the history of the date surrounding Christ's Birth + potential Pagan origins of the holiday, and of cours...

Reversion to Catholicism, Signs from God, & A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT with Bryan Cain   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, the guys hear Bryan's incredible conversion story PART TWO and all the intellectual and spiritual layers he had to sort through to find himself back in the Catholic Church. We discuss atheistic beliefs, divine providence, and incredible timing or signs only God could...

Toxic Masculinity, Rites of Passage, & Sacrifice: Why 12-18 year old young men should be Catholic!   Is masculinity toxic? Do we really need a rite of passage? Are you ready for real, meaningful sacrifice? On today's episode of Spirit & Spire, John & Bryan discuss the need for young men ages 12-18 should be Catholic and why being Catholic in the fullest sense of the word will lead...

Miracles, Misconceptions, & Math Problems: It's Time to Spend Some Time with the Saints!   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, the guys discuss the Saints of the Church! From asking the saints to pray for us, to learning about sacred relics, learning how to BECOME a saint and get to Heaven, and seeing a glimpse of the Communion of Saints---today's episode is meant to convey a powerf...

African Royalty, Animal Sacrifice, Polygamy, Being Disowned by Family, & Supernatural Grace with Maribelle Djoussi   On today's episode of Spirit & Spire, Maribelle Djoussi shares her powerful story from Africa to her entrance into the Catholic Church. This is a story fit for the movie screen and will keep you on the edge of your seat. With that, we'll let the interview with her speak...

Happy New Year! Have Fun! It's the ADVENT SPECIAL for Spirit & Spire!   It's the Advent Episode on Spirit & Spire with all four of our incredible hosts. What does it mean to "wait in joyful hope"? How can we have fun and enjoy life as we await Christmas like the Holy Family? What was it like for St. Joseph and Mary to prepare for Mary to give birth to baby Jesus? Think of the joy and...

Conversion to Catholicism, A Married Priest, & Harvard vs. Yale with Fr. Jonathan Erdman  In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, Isaac, Bryan, & John interview Fr. Jonathan Erdman, former Episcopal priest, convert, and Catholic priest at Our Lady & St. John Catholic Church of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, AND the new pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Loui...

The Eucharist: Miracles, Manna, & Marriage with the Blessed Sacrament   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, the guys discuss the source and summit of our Catholic Faith, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. What does the Bible have to say about the Eucharist, in the words of Jesus Himself? How can we prove whether or not the Eucharist is truly the Body & Blood of...

Identity, Gender, Compassion, & Hope with Mary Rice Hasson   In today's episode of Spirit & Spire, Mary Rice Hasson shares her family upbringing in the Catholic Faith as well as her expertise on some very critical issues facing our world today concerning identity, gender, marriage, and family. Mary Rice Hasson is the Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington,...

Birth in a Log Cabin, Lord of the Rings, & the Love of God with Isaac Fox   In our 12th episode of Spirit & Spire (can you believe it?!), our very own co-host Isaac Fox shares his incredible story of childhood being born in a log cabin, learning scripture from his father, discovering Lord of the Rings, and being awakened by the love of God years later. Isaac's story is unique in that...

High School Sweethearts + Healing After Abortion + Building Hope for a Culture of Life with Angela Minter On today's episode of Spirit & Spire, Angela Minter, President of Sisters for Life and long-time pro-life advocate shares her powerful testimony of love and life, from the excitement of falling in love to the pain and regret of abortion, Angela's story is sure to inspire and uplift you dur...

What is "Happiness"? How do we make ourselves unhappy? How do we attain happiness?   On today's special episode of Spirit & Spire, the guys discuss an age-old topic: What is Happiness?  How do we make ourselves unhappy? How do we attain and perhaps even -maintain- happiness? Developing upon the themes of our 10.3.22 episode "What is Man? How can we live in a way that brings happiness...

One of the First Youth Ministers in USA, Death & Resurrection + A Spirit & Spire EXCLUSIVE with Dr. Brian Reynolds  What is youth ministry and evangelization? How can we build bridges and healing to those who have felt neglected, forgotten, abused, or rejected? On today's important episode of Spirit & Spire, we are privileged to have our own Dr. Brian Reynolds with us. He serves a...

What is "Man"? How can I find happiness? What is the antidote to this culture of chaos? On today's special episode of Spirit & Spire, John Sohl & Isaac Fox begin a series of conversations surrounding the critical questions concerning the human person and our quest for fulfillment. Delving into the passion and experiences of St. Thomas Aquinas and the humanity and love of the late Holy Fath...

A Childhood without Fun, "All Men Are Created Equal", & Escaping to America with Lily Tang Williams   What was it like growing up during Mao's Cultural Revolution in Communist China? Was it possible to have hope or happiness of any form in such desperate times? The spiritual, interior life of an entire people cut off from authentic culture and their own inherent dignity is what Lily Tang...

A Near Death Experience, Profound Conversion, & Chili Cheese Coneys with Erik Huff Who is the enthusiastic and exuberant co-host of Spirit & Spire, Erik Huff? How did he become the man he is today? Conversion and chili cheese coneys can in fact go together when you hear Erik Huff's incredible story filled with childhood memories, crazy situations, and as you get to know Erik--hilarious and...

Divine Mercy, Discipleship, Devotions, and Dirt with Fr. Martin Linebach, ArchLou Vicar General What drives Fr. Martin Linebach? What's behind that intense, prayerful, quick-witted presence? How do we bring renewal to the Cathedral of the Assumption and Archdiocesan families? Hear from the Vicar General and Vocations Director of the Archdiocese of Louisville as he shares his conversion and vocatio...