The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Episode: How to Be Okay with Silence
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension Presents)
Date: August 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores our cultural aversion to silence, reflecting on his own compulsion to constantly consume audio content—podcasts, music, audiobooks—and how this can become a barrier to truly knowing ourselves, engaging with God, and experiencing the present moment. He offers insights into the value of silence, referencing Christian tradition and spiritual writers, and challenges listeners to intentionally embrace quiet to deepen their faith and self-understanding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Relentless Pursuit of Noise

• Fr. Mike admits to frequently having “something in my earballs”—whether podcasts, YouTube, audiobooks, or music—rarely allowing for moments of true quiet.
  • Quote: “I'm always listening to something. I don't want to say it's an addiction... I would say it's kind of a compulsion though.” [00:54]
• He confesses that he sometimes even brings audio into the chapel during prayer, compelled by a desire to always be learning or engaged.

2. The Dilemma of Shallow Engagement

• Learning as breadth versus depth:
  • Consuming constant external input leads to understanding that is “a mile wide and an inch deep.”
  • Quote: “Unless I press stop and then think about what I've heard, it's only an inch deep.” [02:24]
• This passivity can result in not knowing our own thoughts, as our minds become echoes of whatever we’ve most recently encountered.

3. The Importance of Discernment

• Fr. Mike urges listeners to pause and discern the value of what they consume—whether song lyrics, opinions, or media messages.
  • Is it true?
  • Is it good?
  • Is it beautiful?
  • Quote: “Many of us have thoughts and we don’t know where they came from. Like many, many of us have opinions. And not all of us have stopped and asked the question: A, what do I think? B, is that true?” [04:32]

4. Noise as Distraction and Comfort

• Filling every moment with sound is often a form of distraction or escape—sometimes from sadness, anxiety, or the demands of the present.
• Noise can also mimic companionship, making it feel “like there’s someone there.”
  • Quote: “Because I'm making it sound like there's someone there, I actually might be missing out on the fact that there is an actual capital S Someone there.” [07:50]

5. The Spiritual Cost of Neglecting Silence

• Over-saturating our minds blinds us not just to our own emotions and thoughts, but also to God’s presence.
• Reference to Psalm 46:10:
  • “Be still and know that I am God.”
  • Fr. Mike unpacks this as both physical and interior stillness—a crucial posture for genuine spiritual encounter.

6. Wisdom from Tradition: Thomas à Kempis

• Fr. Mike highlights the advice of Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ, written centuries ago but deeply relevant today.
  • Kempis urges the faithful to “put down the distractions”—even good activities like study—so they can hear God and attend to their own hearts.
  • Quote: “Put down those distractions and enter into the silence.” [12:07]

7. Jesus as a Model for Silence

• Jesus frequently withdrew from the crowds for solitude and prayer (e.g., mountains, Garden of Gethsemane), demonstrating the necessity and holiness of silence.

8. Practical Invitation: Actively Choosing Silence

• Fr. Mike offers a gentle challenge to listeners:
  • Next time you’re about to fall asleep to media, choose instead to embrace a period of intentional silence, even if only briefly.
  • Quote: “Maybe there can be this act of faith where you press stop on whatever the thing is... and just say, I'm going to lie here in silence.” [15:29]
• Silence allows us to:
  • Become aware of our real thoughts and emotions.
  • Open ourselves to God’s voice and presence.
  • Resist the temptation to escape the present moment through noise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I have not RSVP’d to the invitation to enter into silence.” [01:22]
• “Is that my opinion, or is that just something I most recently heard? What do I think?” [05:28]
• “To be present, not only present to my emotions... but also present to the God of this moment is what we need.” [09:12]
• “If I don’t make the time to do that, I’m going to miss out on what my actual emotions are. I’m going to miss out on what my actual thoughts are. I’m going to miss out on this moment and I’m going to miss God’s voice.” [10:36]
• “Here’s my invitation: enter into silence. Put down the noise.” [13:52]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:24: Fr. Mike’s personal relationship to non-stop audio input.
• 02:25 – 05:28: Mile-wide, inch-deep knowledge and the loss of personal discernment.
• 05:29 – 08:30: How noise distracts from emotions, thoughts, and can serve as false companionship.
• 09:12 – 11:10: Scriptural and spiritual foundation for silence; Psalm 46 and Thomas à Kempis.
• 11:11 – 13:51: Jesus as a model for courageous silence.
• 13:52 – 16:45: Invitation and practical suggestions for embracing silence.

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s episode is a compelling reflection on the modern struggle to embrace silence in a hyper-connected world. He candidly shares his own challenges, roots his teaching in Scripture and tradition, and compassionately invites listeners to risk a few minutes without noise—to discover their true selves and, more importantly, to encounter God in the tranquility of the present moment.