
Hosted by Keith Little · EN

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Diane Pietras to share the story of her incredible faith journey. Raised Catholic, Diane's story isn't the typical story of a Catholic convert from another faith tradition – although she does, indeed, become a non-denominational Evangelical at one point – but rather a story of proper conversion: of falling away and coming back to the faith, again and again. Diane's story is one of deep tragedy and trauma, of spiritual warfare and physical violence, of demons and dreams and visions, of incredible mystical experiences and a near-death encounter. It's an amazing story. Listener discretion advised: some content is not suitable for all listeners.Please do listen to Diane's daughter, Carolyn, in Episode 353 of the podcast.For more from Diane and her daughter Carolyn, please follow her brand new YouTube channel.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend theologian, Bible scholar, and former Protestant pastor Dr. John Bergsma to dig into one of the most nefarious misconceptions about the Catholic Church versus Protestantism and, cordially, share some of his shocking conclusions. Is Protestantism really more "Biblical" than Catholicism? Dr. Bergsma says, no. On topics of how the Church is organized, what worship looks like, what Jesus taught, how authority is passed on, and how decisions and interpretations of Scripture are made Dr. Bergsma shows, over and over again, that the Catholic Church is more closely aligned to Scripture than Protestantism at its very core.This is a truly fantastic episode!For more from Dr. Bergsma visit his website. Check out this book Stunned by Scripture from Our Sunday Visitor Press and his podcast of the same name.To purchase any of John's fine books visit the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show!For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Deacon Mark Komula to share a conversion story like nothing you've ever heard before! Raised in the New Apostolic Church – a Christian sect (or cult) headed by a leader called the "Chief Apostle" – Mark was part of a dynamic and faithful family of devout "New Apostolics." His father, brother, and other extended family members were deeply involved in church leadership so it was no surprise that Mark became involved too. But it was when Mark met a Catholic theology professor, began to look into the Early Church, and began to ask questions about Communion following some doctrinal changes in the New Apostolic Church, he realized that things he'd believed and taught faithfully all of his life didn't quite add up.This and so much more is part of Deacon Mark's conversion story this week on the show. For more from Deacon Mark please check out his website. You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the incredible Father Sean Davidson to talk about his journey into the Catholic Faith. Raised by a lapsed Catholic mother and a Pentecostal Minister father, Father Sean describes himself as a "baptized pagan" for most of his youth. However, a miraculous encounter with Christ led Father Chris to give up the bar fights for a relentless pursuit of God – a complete 180 in his life – becoming a serious disciple of Christ and, eventually, going on to become a priest! Father Sean's journey is an incredible one filled with the unmistakable grace of God, amazing miracles, and divine providence left, right, and centre! From the saints to the Eucharist to adoration and prayer: this is a story you aren't going to want to miss. Check out Father Sean's new book, Prophet of Fire: The Witness of St. John the Baptist, out from Emmaus Road Publishing now!Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Brandy Babcock to tell the incredible story of her conversion – from a New Age Guru to a devout Catholic sharing and teaching the faith to others – it's an incredible tale! Brandy was a bonafide New Age practitioner, a teacher of teachers, paying the bills by running her own courses and classes, teaching hundreds to channel and practice a variety of psychic and healing energies until she discovered Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity. From there, Brandy's radar for what's Real and True led her to question the Protestant version of Christianity that she first encountered and it was then that the discovered the ancient Catholic Church!Her story, in all of its incredible twists and turns, is one that you don't want to miss!Please find and follow Brandy on Instagram and YouTube.Check out the Catholic Converts group on Facebook.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Carolyn Dunlap, who's here to share her miraculous, miracle-filled, mystical journey into the Catholic Church. Carolyn's story, as she says, begins before she was even born and the miracles that punctuate her birth story seem to follow her throughout the rest of her lives: miraculous visions, encounters with Christ, and a throughly entertaining and edifying journey!Carolyn is a simply wonderful storyteller and her journey – out of Evangelicalism and into the Catholic Church – is a truly fantastic tale!For more from Carolyn, please follow her brand new YouTube channel.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic convert Eric Rudolph to talk about his journey as a Bible-loving, small-town Church of Christ Christian into the Catholic Church. Eric is warm, funny, and a great storyteller and his story is a fantastic one. From a deep faith and love for the Bible it would be an encounter with his future wife – a cradle Catholic – that would lead him to reading start the Catechism of the Catholic Church in an attempt to prove that her doctrines and dogmas weren't correct. Eric was surprised by what he found – a deeply biblical church that traced its origins back to Christ and an entire history – with martyrs and saints – that he had no idea even existed!Eric's story is incredible and I hope you enjoy our conversation!Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined, for an absolutely remarkable conversation, by Steve Sjogren, the founding pastor of one of the most influential churches in America, the Vineyard Church Cincinnati, to talk about his conversion to Catholicism. Steve not only founded and pastored one of the most influential churches in America, but was one of the founding pastors of the Vineyard Church movement from the beginning – worshipping alongside the likes of Bob Dylan and Keith Green in the earliest incarnation of the charismatic church movement in Los Angeles. Steve's story is one of servant leadership, radical evangelization, and following the Holy Spirit wherever he was led – including right into full communion with the Catholic Church. You're going to absolutely love Steve's story.For more from Steve Sjogren visit his website. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author, speaker, and Catholic convert Shemaiah Gonzalez to share the remarkable story of her journey into the Catholic Church. From the profound beginnings of her life, through some wild ups and downs and everything in between, Shemaiah's story is a fantastic tale of following Jesus where he leads – through heartbreak and joy – with utter abandonment. And, when Shemaiah begins to grow close to a long-time friend of hers and realizes that he's Catholic, her story takes a thrilling turn! Shemaiah is a fantastic storyteller and I hope you enjoy her story! For more from Shemaiah visit her website or follow her on X.Her book, Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Joy is available everywhere books are found.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William. A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined after a four year long hiatus, by the one and only Father Gregory Pine, OP to talk about the Eucharist. We dig deeply on the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, and how, truly, an understanding of the 2,000-year old tradition of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist, available at every Catholic Church in the world, is an absolute game changer. Plus, we talk about Eucharistic adoration, how the "altar call" in Charismatic Christianity finds its fulfilment in a real altar, and we learn that Father Gregory is a "medium-sized" hugger. Good to know. For more from Father Gregory you can check out his book Your Eucharistic Identity: A Sacramental Guide to the Fulness of Life from Ignatius Press.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic