Podcast
On The Road To Perfection
Hosted by Beth and Kristofer Cowles · ENGLISH
Holy Owned and Operated presents “On The Road To Perfection,” a weekly discussion between Beth and Kristofer Cowles focused on living the Catholic Faith as they take their evening walk.
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Episodes
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Our Favorite Scripture – Episode 152
Jun 15, 202300:23:49Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 152: Our Favorite Scripture Our Favorite Scripture may seem a bit-self-serving, but this episode is actually the first one for us to offer you to directly participate in On The Road To Perfection! Priming the pump with our individual favorite scripture passages, we end by encouraging you to send us your favorites, in a short video. After an impromptu musical interlude, we each provide three of our favorite scripture verses. We have lots of scripture passages we like, but we whittle it down so we stick to the twenty minutes. Kristofer kicks it off with his favorite and most consequential verse: an obscure verse from Jeremiah… After a brief visit with a new neighbor – Molly – Beth shares her first favorite. She does not have a “top” verse, so she has to pick her number one from all of her favorites, and of course comes out with a grand slam. And then Kristofer goes full-Protestant on her! Our favorite scripture verses are personal, and we give the reasons why, and we know you have your own personal favorites, for very personal reasons. There’s a lot of back story to each passage in their3 meanings to us, so this is a very personal episode where you learn more about us than perhaps any other – or all – episodes. As we get closer to our third anniversary episode in a few weeks, we have begun to share more and enjoy our intimate relationship with you, and this is part of that. We also point out that our favorite scripture does not have to be memorized to know its meaning, and its meaning to us. And there’s some Greek in this episode – oddly enough uttered and defined by me! I slip in an extra favorite scripture passage before going for the throat with the most impactful verse in the raising of our children and growing ourselves as a couple and a family. Beth then wraps up our favorite scripture with the coup de grâce. As I produce this episode, I think of how miraculously these favorite scripture verses work together and have worked together – without us talking about it before now – to form and be the foundation for our lives and raising our Family on this Road to Perfection. We hope you take to heart the idea of sharing your favorite scripture with us, along with the reason for them being favorites, via video, and we’ll be glad to share those with others if you let us. Email us your video links! Enjoy! ~Kristofer OUR VERSES, IN ORDER THATWE SHARE THEM: Jeremiah 21:8b John 1:1-14 Psalm 23 (King James Bible Version) Heb 11:1 Mt 5:48 Mt 28:19-20 Some items on our site that will help in exploring this topic: PAGE: TWMWU:The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph TWMWU:To Each According to Need TWMWU: This Great Gift TWMWU: Sacred Scripture Remember: Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Our Favorite Scripture.  
Transcribe →Why Do We Go On Retreat? – Episode 151
Jun 8, 202300:23:00Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 151: Why Do We Go On Retreat? Why do we go on retreat? Is it really just to get away from people we do not want to be around> Well… Elijah, Moses, Jesus – these guys went on retreat, so why not us? In fact, they went on retreat more than once. All the time, it seems! We often say to ourselves we should go on retreat, which is a great indication that God is telling us that very thing. In this episode, we talk about all that, from the Prodigal Son to the Apostles, “retreat” is everywhere in the Bible. We break it down for you, giving you the reasons God is calling you to retreat, and the fortitude you need to put your foot down and do it. And, we do all that while looking at flowers and singing songs. You can skip that part… From brief less-than-a-day retreats to thirty-day Ignatian retreats. From mere moments in your room or the Adoration Chapel, to a crowd of hundreds. Whether we need a retreat for or from that moment with a short walk around the block to get away from the frustrations of family or work, to a retreat aimed solely at our spiritual development – we retreat for our soul to take a breath! We “Re treat”, as Kristofer puts it. We give ourselves a treat again, allowing for a respite because we do have to have that time to detach ourselves from the day-to-day stuff, so that we can be present for God. We should prep before Mass with a retreat. Just ten minutes of inward reflection before Mass makes the Mass so much more efficacious, making us better able to listen to Him, be in his presence, and relieve ourselves of the pressure we may be feeling in other aspects of our life. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, to rejuvenate and regain the zeal for His exhausting ministry. As a parent, spouse, child, we are in ministry, and because of that we need to take time to retreat. The first reason for why we go on retrea is “Because Jesus did.” And if He did, why shouldn’t we? The saints and prophets did – so why shouldn’t we? Ask around. Ask your Spiritual Director. Find a retreat YOU should go on. We offer some insights, advice, and recommendations here – so no excuse! REFERENCES: Here is the article Kristofer wrote a long time ago that mentioned: Why Doesn’t God Shout? Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: Page:FAR OUT – Faith and Reason Outdoor Unity Tour Page: HOO™ We Are Page: HOO 100 Podcast Episode: Retreat- Episode 37 Podcast Episode: Spiritual Works Of Mercy – Episode 93 Podcast Episode:Giving Back – Episode 127 Remember: Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Why Do We Go On Retreat?
Transcribe →Just War (and Explaining It To Kids) – Episode 150
Jun 1, 202300:22:49Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 150: Just War (and Explaining It To Kids) The doctrine of Just War is a difficult thing to comprehend, let alone explain. We all question every armed conflict, and support or decry it based on our own perceptions of the situation. Is that right? How does the Church view the conflict in Ukraine? How does the Church view its own armed conflicts, and those warriors who fought and killed in the name of Jesus and Mother Church? Where does following orders fall into this doctrine? For more than 1600 years, The Church has reconciled turning the other cheek with a natural right to self-defense. In this episode, we tackle the doctrine of Just War, giving the four tests as laid out in the Catechism, and attempt to share the idea in a way that can be shared with children to help them understand – which means Kristofer understands, too! We get into specific conflicts, keeping it relevant to most recent memory – the Cold War, the Gulf War, the War in Iraq – and include the intervention of Pope St. John Paul II while the Catechism was being written. His involvement, putting into practice the doctrine of just War to help end the Cold War, sets a standard and example. We discuss how leaders with informed consciences can make wrong decisions, but have a shot at redemption when they meet their Maker if they made their informed decisions based on the principles of Just War. It is not difficult to determine if a conflict is just if one is making the decision to go to war or to refrain. It is extremely difficult for anybody, even the soldier, to determine if they are fighting in a Just War because they are not in on the big picture. We discuss all of this, helping (or at least hoping to help) provide some perspective on determining if a military action is just based on what we know. This is more of an educational topic than a faith-oriented one, but we thought it useful in this time to share the Church’s teaching on what a Just War is, and even why the Church does or does not declare a war to be just. REFERENCES: Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: PAGE:Catechesis and Other Funny Words Podcast Episode: Faith- Episode 50 Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 1 – Episode 74 Podcast Episode: Raising Kids In These Times – Episode 122 Podcast Episode: Taking Kids to Mass – Age 7 and Above – Episode 128 Remember: Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Just War (and Explaining It To Kids).
Transcribe →Indulgences – Episode 149
May 25, 202300:27:18Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 149: Indulgences Indulgences are controversial because they are confusing, and confusing because they are controversial. What gives!? You got questions? We got answers…but not all of them! But certainly, the big ones to help you understand indulgences, and even answer a few questions others might have. In this episode, we tackle indulgences at the request of a listener. After reading the request, we dive in, starting with Beth blindsiding Kristofer with the task of defining indulgences. Then it becomes a journey of theology, Biblical studies, and an exploration of the Church’s command and responsibility received from Jesus Christ Himself. We look at everything from the First Crusade to Purgatory to Confession, Divine Mercy to Suffering, and even rock throwing and Jimmy Carter! We dive deeper, sharing how we as members of the Church Militant can gain indulgences for the Church Suffering, and explain the difference between Plenary and Partial indulgences, giving a shout out to martyrs – known and unknown – and practices. We even admit that we don’t know everything about them, and that there is more to indulgences than what we share. Embracing technology while we walk (Actually, Beth does, since Kristofer would trip all over himself!), Beth gives us some straight doo-doo after Kristofer picks the right Pope out of his back pocket! It’s truly a fun walk on a deep topic, and we hope you can hang on for the ride! REFERENCES: Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: TWMWU: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord TWMWU: Intercessory Prayer TWMWU: This Great Gift TWMWU: What Does Ephphatha Mean? Be Opened! TWMWU: We Believe In The Resurrection TWMWU: Take Up Our Cross! Podcast Episode: The Magisterium – Episode 47 Podcast Episode: Death – Episode 52 Podcast Episode: It’s All In The Little Things – Episode 69 Podcast Episode: What Are Good Works – Episode 114 Podcast Episode: All Soul’s Day – Episode 119 Podcast Episode: The Sacred Role of Women in The Church – Episode 124 Podcast Episode: The Immaculate Conception – Episode 125 Podcast Episode: Giving Back – Episode 127 Podcast Episode: Are You Saved? – Episode 136 Podcast Episode: How Do I Listen To And Hear The LORD? – Episode 145 Podcast Episode: Why Do We Believe In and Follow Church Teachings? – Episode 147
Transcribe →Faith And Reason – Episode 148
May 18, 202300:24:51Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 148: Faith And Reason Faith and Reason do not conflict – in fact, they MUST co-mingle in and infuse our daily lives. This week Beth and Kristofer discuss a topic on which they should be called experts. For many years they have catechized us, adults, elementary, middle-school, high school, and college youth on this topic that some of the greatest minds have never been able to wrap their heads around. Beth and Kristofer give us the Church’s response to Nietzsche, Hawking, Russell, and many other’s in their down-to-earth well-reasoned manner, that will help you declare and be confident in your reasoned and reasonable faith! As Kristofer says, the resurrection happened. It’s a reality LOTS of people saw. It takes reason to explain it. Faith and Reason go hand-in-hand, and this episode laser-focuses on that reality. Beth and Kristofer discuss Faith and Reason in the daily life of Americans in particular, using the topics of abortion, loving your neighbor, and what an informed conscience truly is. They even cover the Golden Rule – from a Christina perspective and the satanic perspective! Plus, the unreasonable idea of being baptized again, and how Jesus took care of that – reasonably! Kristofer reminds us why we believe in the Creed, the prayer we recite at every Mass. But we can’t forget that we can’t have blind faith, as Beth and Kristofer put it succinctly, without Reason, there can be no Faith! REFERENCES: Pope Saint John Paul II’s quote from Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason): “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.” Our FAR OUT (Faith And Reason, Outdoor Unity Tour) Retreat for middle school students is great for young people before they are put headfirst into the morally dubious institution know as High School. It prepares them to defend their faith on the basis of reason, and gives them an opportunity to explore God’s great Earth at the same time, God Willing, FAR OUT IV will be next year! Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: PAGE: What is Pentecost? PAGE: Spirit In Life – Exploring The Holy Spirit – A Video Series Podcast Episode: Why Do We Believe In and Follow Church Teaching? – Episode 147 Podcast Episode: What is Lent? – Episode 81 Podcast Episode: Caring For Our Earthly Home – Episode 95 Podcast Episode: Giving Back – Episode 127 Podcast Episode: Lust And Love – Episode 133 Podcast Episode: That’s The Resurrection We Believe In – Episode 143
Transcribe →Why Do We Believe In and Follow Church Teachings? – Episode 147
May 11, 202300:25:06Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 147: Why Do We Believe In and Follow Church Teachings? Beth and Kristofer answer the question and right from the beginning explain where we can find the answer about the Truth of Church Teachings. Kristofer explains his own revelation that God gave him, and they discuss the Magisterial infallibility and when it is infallible. They give us some ways to defend our faith and what we’re to do if we disagree with something the Church teaches. And after a long absence, their neighbor Larry rides by and says hello. Beth discusses that when we don’t understand things, we search for the answer. There is a reason why we do believe in and follow Church Teachings. They explain what separates the Catholic Church from Protestant Christians, and why we are the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. REFERENCES: Here’s our episode on The Magisterium. Here is the bible verse for the foundation of the Church instituted by Christ: Matthew 16:18 Here is Father Will’s Holy Thursday Homily. Please pray for him and all priests. They need it, too! Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: TWMWU: Follow Christ! TWMWU: All Things Are Possible For God TWMWU: Glorify God By your Life TWMWU: Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday Page: FAR OUT – Faith and Reason Outdoor Unity Tour Podcast Episode: Giving Back – Episode 127 Podcast Episode: That’s The Resurrection We Believe In – Episode 143
Transcribe →Making Time For Prayer – Episode 146
May 4, 202300:23:16Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 146: Making Time For Prayer A segue from last week’s episode, Beth and Kristofer discuss this emotional topic they have struggled with, to help us all (including themselves!) lead better prayer lives! After Kristofer defines the difference between making time for prayer and praying out of love for our creator, they dive into why we need to, as Beth puts it, “Make an appointment with God.” Creating a Prayer life is difficult, but if we work towards the goal of creating a life of prayer we will have abundant joy and calm in our life; maybe someday we will all be able to say “I’m always close to God.” Beth and Kristofer mention that our coping mechanism can be any of a plethora of things: Video Games, Movies, TV, reading, drinking, etc. These things can be replaced with something better than any of them: Prayer. Beth brings to the table the importance of prayer to de-stress from work, and that Prayer is the greatest de-stress-or. Kristofer addresses the issues of running a household, homeschooling, and working from and in the home all at once and purposefully making time for prayer. Make time for Prayer. And when you do, pray for us. We’ll keep praying for you! Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: PAGE: Prayer Basics TWMWU: This Great Gift Podcast Episode: Family Prayer – What and How -Episode 8 Podcast Episode: Family Prayer – Why – Episode 9 Podcast Episode: It’s All In The Little Things – Episode 69 Podcast Episode: The Triduum – Episode 91 Podcast Episode: Being a Family of Prayer – Episode 121 Podcast Episode: The Sacred Role of Women in the Church – Episode 124 Podcast Episode: Giving Back – Episode 127 Podcast Episode: How Do I Listen To and Hear The LORD? -Episode 145
Transcribe →How Do I Listen To And Hear The LORD? – Episode 145
Apr 27, 202300:25:07Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 145: How Do I Listen To And Hear The LORD? Kristofer and Beth did not want to do this emotionally packed episode, as evidenced by the pregnant pause at the beginning and the tears that follow. They share the difficulties of knowing how to listen to God and not being able to do it; the busy-ness of life getting in the way when you crave to just hear The LORD. With example and self-admonishment, they open up their own admission of preaching what they find difficult to practice, though they both admit to being really good at doing it – when they do it! We need quiet time. That’s the key. Make the time to be quiet. Make the time to listen and hear The LORD. REFERENCES: Here’s the article Kristofer wrote, Why Doesn’t God Shout? Fr. Albert Haase’s book on listening to God, Saying Yes: Discovering and Responding to God’s Will in Your Life Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: Post: Prayer Basics TWMWU:What is Humility? Overcoming our Passions TWMWU: This Great Gift TWMWU: The Bread That Came Down From Heaven TWMWU: 2nd Week Of Lent – The LORD is My Light Podcast Episode:Dignity and Pride Part 2 – Episode 102 Podcast Episode: What Are Good Works – Episode 114
Transcribe →Foul Language – Episode 144
Apr 20, 202300:26:49Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 144: Foul Language Spurred on by nothing but their wit and experience, Beth and Kristofer bring forth a topic in need of much discussion: Language! Or more specifically, foul language. Many use it in their day-to-day and don’t even think about it; others are highly offended by it, and some don’t care one way or the other. In this episode, Beth and Kristofer remind us of the importance of the use of proper language. They discuss the sanctity of some words, and the decorum and what we are expressing when we use it. But don’t worry! Beth and Kristofer refrain from using any words (although “Hell” is spoken as part of the question they are answering) so this episode remains family-friendly! Using foul language used to mean something, that you were uneducated and had bad verbal skills. Today, despite our over saturation with it, it is still uncouth and vulgar to use uncouth and vulgar language. We may not recognize it, but the use of foul language debases us and those around us. We are in this world, not of it, and the words of this world are not to be trifled with. Beth and Kristofer discuss the Theology behind the use of foul language, and it will help you think twice about using any the next time you feel like it. Also, Kristofer offers us a way to break the habit of foul language if we’re struggling with that specific vice. REFERENCES: We are Easter People is the episode we refer to toward the end of the episode. Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: TWMWU: Words Matter TWMWU: Be Doers of the Word TWMWU: Are We Sure We Know Jesus? Podcast Episode: Glory- Episode 78 Podcast Episode: What Are Good Works – Episode 114 Podcast Episode: The Sacred Role of Women in the Church – Episode 124 Podcast Episode: Giving Back – Episode 127 Remember: Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Foul Language.
Transcribe →That’s The Resurrection We Believe In – Episode 143
Apr 13, 202300:29:01Tap to summarizeOn The Road To Perfection Episode 143: That’s The Resurrection We Believe In You have to believe in the resurrection to be a Catholic. But what does that mean? In this episode, we get into this specifically, invoking Pope Benedict, and our own pastors, Father Brian Eilers and Father Will Rooney in the process. We dive right in on this topic that Beth sprung on me…but I put her on the spot to pick a topic. It was Easter Sunday when we recorded this, and we accidentally reveal Pope Benedict’s D&D level. Having some fun while we wait for our potatoes to marinate and our ham to cook, we hope you enjoy the faith formation in-between my distractions. If you stick around, you’ll hear us talk about the resurrection of Holy Owned and Operated. – Kristofer So many people saw Jesus after the Resurrection, there is no legitimate or credible way to deny it. How do we approach this in our daily lives; how do we deal with this reality? The reality is that it is different from Lazarus’ resurrection. Lazarus died again. Jesus is alive! And that is the promise we can believe in and expect for ourselves. That’s why we are On the Road to Perfection; why we can be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. The Resurrection is a BIG DEAL. We hope you believe that. REFERENCES: We are Easter People is the episode we refer to early in the episode. Some items on our site that will help in understanding this topic: PAGE: Easter Resources TWMWU:We Believe In The Resurrection TWMWU:God of the Living TWMWU:This Is the Day the Lord Has Made TWMWU:The Glory of God: If You Believe You Will See It Podcast Episode: Lust And Love – Episode 133 Remember: Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with That’s The Resurrection We Believe In.
Transcribe →