Catholic Answers Live #12318 – How Has Catholic Answers Changed Lives?

Host: Cy Kellett
Guest(s): Chris Check (President, Catholic Answers), Emily Torres (Catholic Answers staff, CatholicConvert)
Date: August 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode marking the final hour of the quarterly pledge drive, Catholic Answers Live focuses on the real-world impact of its ministry. Host Cy Kellett and president Chris Check are joined by Emily Torres, a recent convert and staff member, to share moving testimonies from listeners and supporters whose lives have been changed by Catholic Answers. The dialogue illustrates how Catholic Answers helps Catholics and non-Catholics alike deepen their faith, find answers, and even discover their vocation—all thanks to donor support.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pledge Drive Momentum and Goals

• Final Hour Push: The show opens (00:00–04:00) with Cy and Chris discussing the urgency of the final pledge drive hour, highlighting the need to raise $33,000 more to reach their $145,000 quarterly goal.
  • Double and triple matching opportunities were available, especially for gifts over $500.
• Engaging Listeners: Cy repeatedly encourages listeners to call early, emphasizing how every donation is matched and directly enables the apostolate to continue its outreach.

2. Power of Catholic Answers Resources

• Book Offers & Resource Development:
  • Donors at various levels were rewarded with newly published Catholic books, including a brand-new book by Cy Kellett and Steve Dawson, How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone.
  • Cy elaborates on the book’s mission: "If there’s one thing people should want to learn how to do... how to talk with anyone about Jesus." (07:48, Cy Kellett)
  • Practical tips from street evangelist Steve Dawson show that even the reluctant can learn to sensitively share the faith.

3. Testimonies of Lives Changed

a. Emily Torres’ Conversion and Role

• Emily shares how Tim Staples’ video on Mary was pivotal to her own conversion:
  • "Tim Staples... was one of the pivotal moments for me where I realized, oh, Our Lady really matters... I googled any question about Catholicism, your articles were the first ones that came up." (11:58, Emily Torres)
• Now on staff, Emily manages the Society 315 monthly giving club and interacts with donors, collecting thousands of responses to how Catholic Answers has impacted their lives.

b. Listener and Donor Testimonials

Emily shares selected, impactful stories:

• Karen’s Return:
  • "I explored all sorts of faiths... One day I said out loud, 'I wonder if there's a Catholic answer to that.' A few blocks later, I saw a car with a Catholic Answers bumper sticker. I tuned in, returned to the church, and now I know I will never leave again." (18:59, as shared by Emily Torres)
• James Discerns Priesthood:
  • "Catholic Answers brought me to accept the truth of the Catholic faith... I was brought into the church in 2024 because of you and am now discerning a vocation to the priesthood." (24:19, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Family Transformation:
  • "Catholic Answers had big influence. All but one kid converted. One son is a Focus missionary. Our brother is a CFR priest. My wife opened a Catholic bookstore." (30:48, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Protestant Pastor's Appreciation:
  • "As a Presbyterian pastor, I've still found [Catholic Answers] remarkably helpful... Their willingness to engage challenging questions... with both depth and sensitivity has broadened my own view. It's a reminder that unity in Christ requires love and humility." (34:47, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Teens & Youth Ministry:
  • "When I worked in youth ministry, teens would always ask... questions. Thankfully... I was listening to Catholic Answers... When they would say, 'How do you know all of this?' I would reply with 'Catholic Answers Live.'" (41:36, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Conversion Through Archived Content:
  • "I am Catholic entirely... due to the work of Catholic Answers... I found those recordings of the radio show in my podcast app back in early high school... It has changed my entire life in all the best ways." (37:08, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Bringing Spouses Home:
  • "My wife and I became Catholic this year thanks to you. God be praised." (50:14, as shared by Emily Torres)
• Helping Understand a Loved One:
  • "My brother is Catholic and you help me understand his faith." (52:59, as shared by Emily Torres)

c. The Multiplying Effect of Giving

• Chris Check draws analogy from the Gospel to illustrate the ripple effect:
  • "The work that you do, my friends, is going to be multiplied by the Holy Spirit... what does our Lord do? He feeds the 5,000... So, my friends, we are asking you to come with your loaves and your fishes." (24:58, Chris Check)

4. Philosophy Behind Catholic Answers’ Approach

• Gentle Dialogue, Not Combat:
  • Cy and Chris emphasize that the apostolate’s mission is not to “bash” opponents but to offer conversation and clarity, especially to separated brethren (Protestants, etc.).
  • "We've always spoken with Protestants, but it's always like he said... We are not trying to bash you over the head and prove that you are wrong about everything. We're trying to say Jesus Christ gave the world seven sacraments... Come and get him." (32:52, Cy Kellett)

5. Hope for the Next Generation

• Emily on Young People:
  • "So many people in our generation... realized, oh, this isn't actually fulfilling us. Only Jesus Christ in the fullness of his Catholic church can fulfill us." (53:56, Emily Torres)
• Engaging Youth with Digital Media: Emily encourages young donors to give online or via text, reflecting her peer group’s preferences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris, on impact:
  • "Steve [Dawson] doesn't come by this [evangelizing] naturally... The first thing he will say is 'I feel uncomfortable.' ... I think that describes many, maybe most of the people listening." (09:26)
• Cy, on matching gifts:
  • "If you give $100, it's $200 to Catholic Answers." (30:03)
• Emily, on being part of Catholic Answers:
  • "It's like a good fever dream. Like, oh my gosh, this is crazy. This is insane. Like I never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured at 22 years old I'd be working for you guys. It's really a dream come true." (12:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00–04:00] – Pledge drive urgency, setting the context and stakes.
• [06:26–10:32] – Special donor book packages, unveiling of new resources like How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone.
• [11:52–13:41] – Emily shares her conversion thanks to Catholic Answers.
• [18:59–21:30] – Listener Karen’s testimony about returning to the Church.
• [24:19–24:58] – Testimony on vocation; Chris Check’s “loaves and fishes” analogy for giving.
• [30:48–32:52] – Powerful family conversion story and discussion on non-combative apologetics.
• [34:47–37:14] – Presbyterian pastor’s appreciation; youth ministry story.
• [50:14–51:13] – Spouses converting together thanks to Catholic Answers.
• [53:56–54:22] – Emily’s hopeful words for the future of young Catholics.

Episode Takeaways

• Catholic Answers Live is more than a call-in show—it serves as a spiritual lifeline for Catholics, seekers, and even non-Catholics worldwide.
• Donations are essential; each contribution is directly connected to lives changed—people entering the Church, discovering vocations, or simply deepening their faith understanding.
• The ministry’s approach—dialogue over debate, multiple voices, rich content—makes it accessible, trustworthy, and deeply transformative.
• Final call: As the episode makes clear, Catholic Answers is sustained by its listeners—a “communal effort” where every donor plays a truly vital part.

Listen if You Want To:

• Be uplifted by real testimonies of conversion and renewal.
• Learn how Catholic Answers’ approach to apologetics fosters gentle, fruitful dialogue.
• Discover creative ways to evangelize—even if you’re shy or reluctant.
• Find hope for the future of the Church among younger generations.

For more information or to support the ministry:

Visit catholicanswersradio.com or call 888-291-8000.