Episode Overview

Podcast: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Host: Ascension
Episode Title: Your Fasting is Doing More Than You Think
Air Date: March 5, 2026
Guest/Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Main Theme:
Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the deeper purpose of fasting beyond abstaining from food, especially during Lent. He explores how fasting can (and sometimes should) go beyond traditional food fasts, addressing those with unhealthy relationships with food, and expands on how one can "empty out" other areas of life to make room for God.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Compassion for Those Struggling with Food-Related Issues

• Fr. Mike begins by acknowledging the struggles many people have with food, body image, and health, even within a Christian context.
• He reassures listeners that the Church, in its wisdom and mercy, exempts certain individuals from traditional fasting requirements:

  "The church will always say, okay, but if there's a person who's too young or too old, the person who's pregnant, a person who's sick, then they're exempted from some of these ... rules of fasting." (01:15)

• Those suffering from physical, mental, or emotional wounds related to food can and should consider alternative forms of penance.

The Heart of Fasting

• Central point: Fasting is not just about food.
• The deeper purpose is "emptying ourselves so that God can fill us." (02:08)
• Fr. Mike broadens the idea of fasting, suggesting that many aspects of modern life are "too full":
  • Full minds (thoughts, distractions)
  • Full ears (noise)
  • Full schedules (activities, events)
  • Full closets (possessions)

What Else Can We Fast From?

• Fasting can mean intentionally letting go of things besides food to create space for God:
  • Decluttering possessions (closets, drawers)
  • Reducing noise (entering into silence)
  • Cutting back on activities (especially when overextended)
  • Limiting entertainment and distractions
• Notable quote:

  "So what could a fast look like? Well, it could look like just no more buying shirts. It also could be like... clear out these drawers that are full. What drawers in your life are full?" (03:00)

The "No" Muscle

• Fasting is described as exercising our ability to say "no"—even to good things—so we can say "yes" to Jesus.
• Developing self-discipline is vital:

  "Fasting, in so many ways, is what? It's saying no. Not no to bad things. Fasting is saying no to good things." (04:45)

• Until we can say "no" well, we can’t truly say "yes" to what matters most.

Practical Invitations

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners, especially those unable to fast from food, to identify areas of fullness in their lives and consider fasting from them.
• Key question:

  "What drawers in your life are full? ... What drawers need you and I to exercise our no muscle so that we can make room to say yes to Jesus?" (06:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the meaning of fasting:

  "The heart of fasting, the heart of any kind of penance, is never just about food. It's about emptying ourselves so that God can fill us." (02:08)

• On alternatives to food fasting:

  "You might not be someone who can fast or is willing to fast from food because of whatever your story is, no problem. But what drawers are full?" (06:10)

• On saying no to good things:

  "Fasting is saying no to good things. ... So I can make myself hungry for communion and take that time to talk to the Lord." (05:08)

• The ultimate goal:

  "Because that's the goal. ... What drawers need you and I to exercise our no muscle so that we can make room to say yes to Jesus." (06:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 01:15: Addressing those with unhealthy relationships to food and the Church's exemptions on fasting
• 01:15 – 02:08: The true purpose of fasting: emptying to make room for God
• 02:08 – 03:45: Fullness in our lives: minds, activities, possessions
• 03:45 – 05:08: Concrete examples of non-food fasting and the power of saying "no"
• 05:08 – 06:24: The spiritual benefits of fasting and practical invitations for the listener

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s message in this episode is one of compassion and encouragement: fasting is ultimately about making room for God, and there are many ways to do this—even for those who can't fast from food. By recognizing where our lives are "full," and disciplining ourselves to let go, we can experience the transformative power of fasting in preparation for a deeper relationship with Christ.