The Walkup

Chad Flores isn’t your typical lawyer. After starting in a big law firm, he carved his own path as a one-man appellate specialist—arguably a modern-day “samurai” of the courtroom.  In this episode, Chad shares how personal crucibles—from caring for his mother after a life-changing accident to navigating early career challenges—shaped his approach to law, life, and adventure. Hear the story of a sc...

In this episode of The Walkup from the New York Encounter, we explore the transformative power of education and human connection.  David & Sean discuss the true purpose of teaching—not just transmitting skills, but nurturing wisdom, judgment, and moral responsibility. From the challenges of the U.S. education system to practical steps fostering unity between Christians and Muslims in the Holy...

In this episode, we sit down with James Van Mieter to explore his 11-year journey with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).  From his first mission trip in the Yucatan Peninsula to evangelizing on college campuses across the U.S. and serving internationally, James shares the joys, challenges, and spiritual growth that come with living fully for Christ. We dive into what it really me...

In this lively conversation, we sit down with Harry Lennix, an actor with a fascinating journey from seminary prep to Broadway.  From the Immaculate Conception and the Eucharist to the symbolism of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Library, we dive deep into the intersections of theology, history, and daily practice. Along the way, we discuss the beauty of church architecture, the meaning behind...

From the sun-soaked streets of Cancun to the elite stages of Cuba and the U.S., Ursula Grunewald shares her journey as a dancer, choreographer, and global performer.  She talks about training at Havana’s prestigious National Art School, touring with top Latin American artists, and finding a sense of home in the unlikeliest of places. This episode explores resilience, artistry, and the pursuit of p...

In this episode of The Walkup , recorded live at the New York Encounter, we explore what it means to live deeply in today’s fast-paced, distracted world. Professor Michael Hanby reflects on cultivating depth through education, art, and attention to the beauty of life. Aaron Richard Carr shares his personal journey of conversion, discovering Christ through encounter, love, and grace. And Harvard bi...

In this episode, Sean is joined by sculptors Dony Mac Manus and Christopher Alles to explore a world most people never encounter up close: the ancient, demanding, deeply spiritual craft of classical sculpture.  Chris shares how a college drawing class, a study-abroad coincidence, and an unexpected invitation led him—at just nineteen—to Florence, where he apprenticed under Dony in the historic stud...

In this episode of The Walkup , Sean O’Hare sits down with actress and writer Iris Bahr for a conversation that moves from the absurd to the deeply human.  Drawing on Iris’s astonishing hit-and-run experience and the surreal world of New York City hospitals, they explore what suffering reveals about vulnerability, resilience, and the desire for healing. Along the way, Sean and Iris reflect on forg...

Bishop Earl Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus joins The Walkup for a candid conversation on the future of the Church and its mission in the digital age.  We explore the Church’s unique opportunity in a world dominated by social media, the rise of young Catholic leadership, and the vocation crisis reshaped by innovative outreach. With both pastoral depth and cultural awareness, Bishop Fernandes...

Recorded at New York Encounter 2025, sociologist Brad Wilcox (University of Virginia), political scientist Robert Putnam (Harvard), and theologian William T. Cavanaugh (DePaul) explore the intersection of religion, relationships, and renewal in modern society.  The conversation spans shifting trends in marriage and family, the revival of spiritual interest among Gen Z, and alternative models of ec...

At New York Encounter 2025, we sat down with two guests working at the intersection of ethics, technology, and public life.  Carter Snead, professor of law at Notre Dame and one of the world’s foremost experts in public bioethics, shares reflections on the moral obligations embedded in our laws and systems. Christine Rosen, cultural commentator and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institut...

This conversation with Fr. Vincent Druding dives into his calling to serve the poor and spiritually afflicted.  Fr. Vincent shares his journey from inner-city ministry to founding the Franciscan Sisters of the Pure Heart, a new religious community rooted in healing, purity, and spiritual deliverance. From exorcism to community building, this episode explores the real-life struggles and deep joys f...

Live from New York Encounter, we speak with two guests devoted to the dignity of the most vulnerable: Julio Egrejas, CEO of Betânia Serviços Solidários, and Antonio Carlos Tavares de Mello, founder of the Jesus Child Community in Brazil.  Julio shares how Catholic nonprofits can thrive through strategic volunteer and fundraising initiatives, while Antonio describes his journey building a home for...

Recorded at New York Encounter, this special episode weaves together two powerful stories—one from a celebrated filmmaker, the other from a Cardinal.  Deniz Demirer shares how art, family, and absurdity coexist in his work, while Cardinal Seán O’Malley reflects on decades of priesthood and the sacred responsibility of leadership. Together, their voices explore beauty, identity, and the pursuit of...

In this powerful episode recorded at the New York Encounter, we sit down with Fr. Don Bosco Darsi, a priest in Vijayawada, India, and the founder of Talitha Cumi Unnati—an organization working to end trafficking and uplift girls through education.  Fr. Darsi shares heartbreaking realities and the transformative hope at the center of his mission. His story is a moving example of how memory and hope...

In this episode of The Walku p, Sean O’Hare sits down with Sarah Royce and Chloe Byers, two Oklahoma-born musicians carving out a unique country music scene in New York City.  From childhoods steeped in music to the serendipity of meeting while working at a restaurant, they share how their passion for performance brought them to the Big Apple. Together, they explore the challenges of pursuing musi...

Armando Martinez is the founder of Sueños de la Calle, a nonprofit born from his own journey through addiction, homelessness, and healing.  In this episode, he shares the story of how charitable work became a path to freedom—not just for himself, but for countless others. From New York to Colombia, and rehab to Proyecto Guajira, Armando's life testifies to the power of mercy, transformation,...

Brother Felipe Chavez is a seminarian with the Legionaries of Christ, currently studying for the priesthood.  In this conversation, he reflects on growing up between Colombia and the United States, his early dreams of playing in the NBA, and the surprising journey that led him to religious life. From powerful retreats to painful goodbyes, Br. Felipe opens up about how he learned to listen for God&...

Juan Dominguez is the founder of Simple Men, a blog and creative platform that invites men into a life of faith, purpose, and responsibility.  In this conversation, Juan reflects on what it means to grow as a man—not in reaction to culture, but in pursuit of virtue. From spiritual fatherhood to social media, martial arts to modern dating, Juan shares the habits and practices that help him stay gro...

In this episode, we sit down with Fr. Alberto Hadad, priest and director of San José School in Cajicá, Colombia.  Speaking from a country shaped by both beauty and struggle, Fr. Alberto shares his personal journey of discerning vocation, the questions that drive spiritual purpose, and the call to lead through education. We recorded this conversation on-site in Colombia, where his mission continues...

In this special episode recorded in Bogotá, Colombia, we sit down with María José Londoño—financial executive at KFC Colombia and Co-Director of Fundraising at Fundación Abraza un Sueño.  María shares how her journey through corporate finance and nonprofit leadership is guided by faith and a commitment to serving vulnerable children. From innovative fundraising to finding purpose beyond the boardr...

Fr. Astolfo Moreno, Director of Aid to the Church in Need Colombia , joins The Walkup to share stories from the front lines of faith under fire.  From combating human trafficking to championing global solidarity, Fr. Moreno offers a compelling window into the work of the Church in some of the world’s most persecuted regions. This wide-ranging conversation explores spiritual resilience, the role of...

In The Walkup's second episode recorded at Night to Shine—an international prom experience honoring individuals with special needs—we sit down with Shanel Richard and Emiliana Mesa.  From leadership to friendship, advocacy to inclusion, their stories reflect the power of radical hospitality and what happens when a community comes together to celebrate every individual as royalty. Subscribe on...

Recorded on location at the unforgettable Night to Shine event hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation, this episode of The Walkup features heartfelt conversations with Jason Valecia and Luciana Bernal.  Night to Shine is a worldwide prom night experience centered on God’s love, honoring the beauty, dignity, and worth of individuals with special needs. Jason and Luciana share their powerful stories of...

Saxophonist Nick Hempton has toured the globe bringing “big fat grooves and strong melodies” to audiences from NYC to Sydney to Shanghai.  In this episode of The Walkup , Nick and his jazz collaborators open up about the legacy of the genre, the culture of jam sessions, the healing power of brotherhood, and the personal journeys that shaped their musical voices. From paying tribute to trumpet grea...