He Leadeth Me

Why does Jesus make such bold promises to those devoted to His Sacred Heart—like turning “tepid souls” into “fervent” ones?  In this episode, Jess sits down with Fr. Joe Laramie, SJ, director of the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Sedalia and former director of the Apostleship of Prayer, to explore how this centuries-old devotion speaks directly to the heart of the missionary. Whether you’re feelin...

What if spiritual warfare is more strategic than we think—and the battlefield is closer than we realize? In this episode, Jess sits down with Jesuit priest and Naval Chaplain Fr. Christopher Krall for a powerful conversation on spiritual warfare . Drawing from his experience as a naval chaplain and spiritual director, Fr. Krall offers insight into how we can recognize and resist the subtle tactics...

What really happens when you're confirmed?  In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens takes us into the heart of the Sacrament of Confirmation—far beyond the idea of a “graduation ceremony.” We explore how this sacrament completes what began at Baptism, and how it becomes a personal Pentecost —a moment when the Holy Spirit is poured out for strength, mission, and spiritual battle. Chr...

In this deeply encouraging episode, Fr. John Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about one of the most misunderstood aspects of the spiritual life: how to view our faults through the lens of faith.  Drawing on decades of experience as a spiritual director and confessor, Fr. John shares wisdom that combats perfectionism and opens a new way of seeing failure — not as defeat, but as an invitation to deeper...

This September, "Triumph of the Heart", a movie about St. Maximilian Kolbe, will hit theaters. In this episode, Fr. Gabriel Gillen joins Jess to review the film. Fr. Gabriel and Jess discuss: Their overall impressions, including acting, pacing, and cinematography The director's approach to storytelling as a spiritual meditation The amount of violence in the film and whether it serve...

What happens at the Rite of Consecration of a Virgin? In this episode, host Jessica is joined by liturgical expert Chris Carstens and Elizabeth Black, a Consecrated Virgin, to explore the ancient rite of Consecrated Virginity. Together, they unpack: What makes the vocation of a Consecrated Virgin distinct from religious life The beauty and symbolism of the Rite of Consecration, including the veil,...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Cheryl Hansen, a Tribunal Advocate, to talk about what it looks like to walk closely with someone going through the painful and often confusing journey of divorce and annulment.  Jess and Cheryl discuss: How to support someone considering divorce while still encouraging hope for healing in their marriage. Why people often seek validation from faithful friends—a...

The Church has declared this the Jubilee Year of Hope- but what does that mean for you?  In this episode, Fr. John Ezratty joins Jessica to explore how this special year invites you to delve deeper in the virtue of hope and increase your trust in God. Fr. John and Jess discuss: What makes hope different from mere optimism How to navigate desires, dreams, and unanswered prayers with trust in God&ap...

What will Pope Francis be remembered for? In this episode, Dr. Edward Sri joins Jessica to reflect on the defining themes of Pope Francis' papacy- and what may come next. From his pastoral heart to his global vision, Dr. Sri and Jess explore the impact of a pope who led with compassion. Dr. Sri and Jess discuss: Compassion at the Core- Dr. Sri shares how Pope Francis' papacy emphasized m...

What was Jesus doing on Holy Saturday? While the world lay silent, Christ was at work- accomplishing in His Spirit what He had completed in the flesh.  In this episode, the hosts of the FAD & Dad podcast, Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Joshua Burks, join Jessica to explore the hidden glory of Christ's descent into the realm of the dead and what it means for us today. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess...

 What if one of the most hauntingly beautiful liturgies of Holy Week is also one of the least known? In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens unpacks the rich tradition of Tenebrae, a service that blends candlelight, psalms, and silence to draw us deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. Jess and Chris discuss:  What Tenebrae is, where it comes from, and how it fits into the rhythm of...

Doubt can feel like a lonely place, but the truth is- you're not alone. Even the most devout Catholic experience struggles with faith. In this episode, Fr. John Ezratty joins Jess to talk about what it means to wrestle with doubt and how to navigate these difficult seasons with trust and perseverance. In this episode, Fr. John and Jess discuss:  How Lent is a time not just to “repent” but als...

The Jubilee Year is a rare and powerful opportunity for spiritual renewal- but what does it really mean and how can we fully enter into it? In this episode, theologian, author, speaker, and FOCUS Vice President Dr. Edward Sri joins Jessica to talk about the Jubilee year. Dr. Sri and Jess discuss: What a Jubilee Year is and how Catholics can receive special indulgences and graces during the year Th...

What if the key to deepening our faith isn't just surrender, but wrestling with God? In this episode, Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks return to talk about Jesus' Agony in the Garden. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess discuss: Parallels between Jesus' Agony in the Garden and the patriarch Jacob wrestling with God through the night How Jesus' prayer in the Agony in the Garden can in...

In this episode, Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks, the hosts of the FAD and Dad podcast, return to unveil theological elements in the Biblical accounts of the Last Supper. Jess, Fr. Andrew, and Josh discuss: The 4 cups of a Passover meal and how we see them in the Last Supper Jesus washing the disciples feet and the tradition of the washing of the feet in the Holy Thursday Mass Jesus' deep...

Ash Wednesday is upon us! In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carsten returns to shed light on the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Jess and Chris discuss: Why Ash Wednesday is one of the most highly attended Masses of the year How the Church teaches us about the end goal of Lent through the prayers of the Ash Wednesday Mass Why ashes? Chris' advice for listeners to enter more deeply into Lent thi...

How can you have your best Lent ever?  In this episode, FOCUS national chaplain Fr. Doug Grandon joins Jessica to share his advice on how to make the most out of this Lent. Fr. Doug and Jess discuss: Making the most out of Lenten fasting The power of art and silence in enhancing your Lent How to avoid a spirit of self-reliance in your Lenten sacrifices Fr. Doug Grandon is a priest of the Archdioce...

Accompanying someone into the Church is a great privilege, but what does it actually look like to walk with them well?  In this episode, FOCUS staff and converts Travis Todd and Amber Cybulski join Jessica to talk about their experiences of conversion and how we can accompany someone entering the Church well. Travis, Amber, and Jess discuss: The most helpful things in OCIA and outside of it that p...

"Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!"  This phrase is the daily prayer of the famous Surrender Novena. In this episode, Fr. John Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about the power of this novena. Fr. John and Jess discuss: How Jesus revealed the Surrender Novena to Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo The difference between surrender and resignation or despair in the spir...

"You're doing what?" is a common response when students tell their parents that they want to become FOCUS missionaries. Parents can feel hesitant about this decision, as they wonder, "Will you make enough money fundraising to support yourself? Is this a good step for your career?" In this episode, FOCUS Regional Director Kallin Hill and her father John Zehren join Jessica...

One of the greatest griefs a person can experience is losing a loved one to suicide.  Studies indicate that 85% of people in the United States will personally know someone who has committed suicide during their lifetimes. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. How can we pray through the pain of a loved one committing suicide? In this episode, FOCUS staff Travis Todd...

Dominican friar Fr. James Brent is back to talk about his devotion to praying to the Holy Spirit under the title, "Spirit of Truth". Fr. James and Jess discuss: How praying to the Spirit of Truth led to the downfall of communism in Europe What invoking the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth could do for our country How you can grow in your devotion to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Tru...

In reading the Scriptures, there can be some passages that trouble modern readers, like the accounts of the wars the Israelites undertook against people living in the Promised Land.  In this episode, Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks from the FAD & Dad podcast sit down with Jess to shed some light on these Scripture passes. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess discuss: Did God command genocide when he...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Bonnie Engstrom. 14 years ago, Bonnie's life was turned upside down when she gave birth to a stillborn baby named James. After 61 minutes without a heartbeat, doctors were going to proclaim her baby dead, but through the intercession of Servant of God Fulton Sheen, James' heart began to beat. The miracle was unanimously approved by doctors, theologian...

In the culminating episode of our Advent retreat with the Carmelite mystics, Sr. Shawn Pauline returns to teach us about "The Romances," a poem by St. John of the Cross on the union of the soul with God. Jess and Sr. Shawn Pauline discuss: How John wrote "The Romances", a series of 9 poems that describe the love between the Father and the Son, during Advent while he was impriso...