Podcast Summary

Podcast: Pints With Aquinas
Episode: How Hallow Became the #1 App in the World (with CEO, Alex Jones) | Ep. 515
Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Matt Fradd
Guest: Alex Jones, CEO and Co-founder of Hallow

Episode Overview

This episode of Pints With Aquinas features an in-depth, candid conversation with Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of Hallow, the world’s most popular Catholic prayer app. Matt Fradd and Alex discuss Hallow’s explosive growth, its mission to authentically serve the Church, the challenge and importance of reaching those far from faith, and how partnering with both traditional Catholic figures and high-profile celebrities has played a role in evangelization. The episode further explores personal spiritual struggles, the pitfalls and merits of fame, leadership, criticism, and humility in Christian mission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mission and Growth of Hallow

• Authentically Catholic at Every Turn
  • Alex Jones emphasizes:

    “I care a lot more about me getting into heaven than Hallow having like a couple thousand extra users or whatever. So we take very seriously that everything on the app is in line with church teaching, it's authentically Catholic...” (00:00)

  • Hallow aims to guide users—especially those most fallen away—into a genuine relationship with Christ in accord with Catholic teaching.
• Startup vs. Nonprofit Debate
  • Alex breaks down the discernment that led to Hallow becoming a startup rather than a nonprofit or small business, inspired by the parable of the talents (38:03–39:44).

Encountering Mainstream and Popular Culture

• On Going on Tucker Carlson's Show

  • Alex recounts nerves and preparation:

    “His job at Fox was to make the most capable, like, public speakers look like idiots on national TV... But anyway, he was incredibly kind. It was just about Hallow and his family. His wife uses the app every day...” (01:11–03:31)

  • Tucker only promotes products he genuinely uses and likes.
  • Spike in Hallow's sign-ups following TV and media appearances was massive (10:14–11:02).

• Partnering with Celebrities (e.g., Mark Wahlberg, Chris Pratt, Gwen Stefani)

  • On the impact of celebrities:

    “Getting to partner with somebody like Mark Wahlberg or Chris Pratt, and they have the courage to be like, ‘Hey, I'm going to use my platform to invite other people to prayer.’” (26:44)

  • Celebrities’ testimonies and visibility reach people unlikely to encounter Catholicism through traditional means.
  • At the same time, “99% of the content is not by Mark or Chris, but by incredible spiritual and religious leaders.” (41:45–41:58)
  • Chris Pratt and Mark Wahlberg’s dynamic and humor during Hallow’s Lent programming is highlighted (31:39).

• Gwen Stefani’s Journey

  • She experienced a spiritual reawakening, prays the rosary daily via Hallow, and openly witnesses to her faith (89:35–90:50).

The Power of Catholic Spirituality for Modern Audiences

• Not Just Defending, but Leading with Beauty
  • Alex observes a recent shift:

    “I think we haven't really led—or we have this opportunity to lead—with the beauty of the spirituality of the faith... That for me, I think, is what people are hungriest for.” (14:06)

  • Surges in use for devotions like the Rosary and the Marian consecration.
  • “Rosary: 77 million prayed through the app in the last five years.” (15:36)

Transparency, Humility, and Handling Criticism

• Grace in Not Knowing

  • Both Alex and Matt stress that “I don’t know” is a perfectly legitimate—and sometimes best—answer (08:31–08:38).

• Learning from Criticism

  • Negative feedback is received humbly and constructively, and consultation with bishops and trusted Catholic advisors is ongoing (46:20–47:48).
  • Alex shares the funny misunderstanding regarding Cardinal Sarah’s gender (32:23–33:14).

• Risks and Pressure of Startup Life and Evangelization

  • Risk-taking for the sake of evangelization is rooted in gospel principles, but Alex stresses Hallow’s role as a “tool for the Church” rather than a necessary end itself (43:35–44:17).
  • Alex shares his struggle with criticism, leadership loneliness, and finding consolation in his faith (50:10–54:26).

Spiritual Practices and The Value of Suffering

• Dealing with Vanity and Pride

  • Both discuss how embarrassment and humiliation can draw one closer to God, using real-life anecdotes (68:41–73:14).
  • Alex applies metaphors from working out to show how spiritual “soreness”—being deeply humbled and criticized—leads to growth (69:59–71:02).

• On Silence and Contemplation

  • Cardinal Sarah’s book and audio content highlighted: “The coolest things we see at Hallow do just happen in silence... God just does such cool things in the silence.” (34:58)

• Books and Saints as Inspiration

  • The Lent Challenge features “A Song for Nagasaki” (81:06–88:54), with the extraordinary story of Takashi Nagai inspiring radical faith and surrender.

Leadership and Loneliness

• Crosses Carried by CEOs and Bishops
  • Matt and Alex reflect on unique difficulties faced by leaders:

    “...no CEO is allowed to complain about it because no one cares what a CEO whines about.” (53:32)

  • Importance of having mentors, spiritual directors, and a close circle for discernment and emotional health (46:20–47:48).

The Role and Danger of Fame

• Fame’s burden for celebrities and Christian leaders:

  “Fame is just such a terrible burden... It's this prison, and it's...awful” (56:50)

• Risks of fame and money, and the temptation to power, are discussed candidly (61:24–62:44).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity in Evangelization

  • “You just have to try it.” (16:43) —Alex, arguing that lived experience beats marketing pitches for Catholic prayer.

• On Embracing Mistakes and Humility

  • “One of the most excellent answers you can ever give is, I don't know.” (08:35) —Matt Fradd

• On Vanity

  • “Vanity of vanities. All things are vanity.” (63:23) —Alex paraphrasing Ecclesiastes

• On Fame and Burdens

  • “Fame is just such a terrible burden.” (59:34) —Alex Jones
  • “For Jonathan [Roumie]…your face is now Jonathan’s...So for a lot of people, when they pray...your face is now Jonathan's. You know, like, that's who you see as you pray, which is great.” (58:42)—Alex

• On Evangelization and Celebrity Partnerships

  • “The only real way you can do it is by doing crazy things that almost certainly are going to fail, like a Mark Wahlberg partnership or a Super Bowl commercial.” (44:10)

• On Suffering and Spiritual Growth

  • “When you meet with suffering, contempt or the cross, your first thought should be, what is this compared to what I deserve.” (54:37)—St. Josemaria Escriva, quoted by Alex

Important Timestamps

• Opening Mission Statement — 00:00
• Tucker Carlson Interview Story — 01:11–03:31
• Spike in Users after Media Appearances — 10:14–11:02
• Strategy on Celebrity Partnerships — 26:44–41:45
• Reflections on Humility and Admitting Ignorance — 08:31–08:49
• Handling Criticism & Church Oversight — 46:20–47:48
• Book Highlight: A Song for Nagasaki (Lent Challenge) — 81:06–88:54
• Gwen Stefani’s Spiritual Return — 89:35–90:50
• Discussion on Leadership Crosses and Fame — 53:32–59:34
• Dealing with Vanity and Suffering — 63:23–73:14
• Final Reflections and Why Alex Continues — 94:25–98:10

Underrated Features & Hidden Gems on Hallow

• Sister Miriam’s 33-Day Marian Consecration — Alex's favorite, “has changed my life” (21:18)
• Litany of Humility / Surrender Novena — Alex and Matt both recommend for spiritual growth (93:01)
• Daily Imitation of Christ (read by Jim Caviezel) — Intense and “beautiful” (93:01)
• Chant and Lo-Fi Sessions — Matt’s personal favorite (93:01–93:27)
• ASMR-style Bible stories — Matt requests for more of these! (93:27–93:49)

Conclusion

This episode provides a rich, transparent look at the spiritual, pastoral, and practical challenges behind Hallow's rise to the world's top-used prayer app. At its core are themes of humility, leadership, evangelization in the digital age, and the beauty of Catholic spirituality—all presented with candid humor, vulnerability, and deep faith by both host and guest.

[Listen or watch the full episode on YouTube or your podcast app for more stories and spiritual insights. Free trial at Hallow.com/mattfradd]