The 4th Sunday of Advent. Join us for Episode 28 of How to Speak Catholic, as we prepare for Christmas, reflecting on Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1. What's up with Ahaz? And what did Joseph really think about Mary being pregnant with Jesus? Remember - details matter, and it's the details that will turn your appreciation for Joseph up to an 11!…

A truly Catholic medical school? Join us for Episode 27 of How To Speak Catholic, as we interview Dr. George Mychaskiw, an Eastern Rite Ukrainian Catholic, confronting the Culture of Death with the Culture of Life - from the inside! In a world where abortion, euthanasia, in-vitro fertilization, sterilization, and contraception are touted as "freedo…

The Second Sunday in Advent. Join us for Episode 26 of "How to Speak Catholic," a reflection on the Gospel reading from Matthew 3 for the 2nd Sunday of Advent. How does some basic understanding of a few Aramaic words impact our understanding of John the Baptist's words in this Gospel? How does Genesis 3 tie into this reading? Let's dig into the mea…

First, sorry about the audio - I was trying a new setup, and apparently, I need to make some improvements. In this episode, we touch on how the Church set up Scripture for the purposes of the Mass and how the Church has provided a means for us to get the most out of Scripture, "God's love letters to us." Lectio Divina (Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, an…

Better late than never, right? Join us for Episode 24 of "How to Speak Catholic" - a talk at Family Faith Formation in Osmond, NE, at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Church on the 7th of October 2020, during the height of the pandemic, and just before the 2020 elections. We cover the Scriptural basis for the Church's teaching on penance and Purgatory,…

How To Speak Catholic is BACK!!! Join us for Episode 23 of "How to Speak Catholic," as we're joined by our guest, Dr. Jeff LaCour (jblacour1@gmail.com) from Compassio Medical Education (https://www.compassiomedical.com) to discuss his faith journey, the challenges and joys of being a Catholic physician in an anti-Catholic world, and the fruits of s…

We’re not going to leave you in suspense, this is, in fact, the last episode of the How-to Catholic Podcast. While we are definitely sad about this fact, it is time to retire the podcast and in this episode we tell you why. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Email: hello[at]madetomagnify[dot]com The pos…

Living Out the Gospel in Real Life - Join us for Episode 22 of "How to Speak Catholic," as we discuss 2 topics - How to change the face of healthcare in the United States, with a particular focus on how to serve the poor; and also, the Secret to How Not to Be Bored at Mass. Join us as we explore these questions, and more, and as we discover how to …

In life it can be easy to just go through the motions and miss opportunities to truly live. But how do we live with purpose and intention when there are so many things we could, and possibly should be doing? On the podcast today host Lisa Cotter interviews Catholic speaker, blogger, and now author Kathryn Whitaker on how to make the most of the lif…

Average is a word that accurately sums up most of our lives that are honestly filled with more ordinary moments than extraordinary ones. Yet, we often forget to enjoy and lean into the ordinary. So how do we make the most of the ordinary and find joy in the simple things? On today’s podcast host Lisa Cotter interviews her college friend, who is als…

It’s time for the Q&A episode! You’ve got Qs and we’ve got As. Get ready to have some fun. On the podcast today hosts Kevin and Lisa answer questions about dating, marriage, ministry, parenting, prayer, Kevin’s favorite soccer podcast, advice for our teenage selves and more. Connect with us! Kevin: Twitter | Instagram Lisa: Twitter | Instagram | Fa…

Here at How-to Catholic we are constantly telling you to be saints, yet we somehow we’ve never done an episode on the Saints… until now. So who are these halo wearing men and women of every time and place? What does it mean to have a devotion to them and why should we have one in the first place? On today’s episode hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter share…

Working with other people can be tough. Whether they be family members, coworkers, or fellow Catholics. BUT, what if there was a proven model that could help you identify the problem and find a better way forward? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter share the world-renown Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Along the way we disclose some of ou…

Have you ever gone to Mass and wished that you were able to get more out of the Liturgy? Have you ever walked out wishing you could have given more to God? On today’s episode hosts Kevin and Lisa share 5 easy ways to help you not only give more but also receive more at Mass. Along the way they share why Kevin was hiding things at the Denver Interna…

It’s possibly one of the greatest methods for evangelization and spiritual growth that Christianity has ever known and it’s so simple that almost anyone can do it, including you. On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter talk about small groups and give you 5 steps for leading your own. SHOWNOTES Small Group Programs we Love: ENDOW Walking wi…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of June! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES You can find the books, movies, and items we recommended on this episode, along with even more …

It’s time for the 4th and final installment of our discernment series! Today on the podcast Kevin interviews the incredible Fr. Josh Johnson on how to discern whether or not you might be called to the priesthood. On the episode, they discuss Fr. Josh’s vocation story and look at 3 steps for focusing on what matters most in the discernment process. …

Consecrated virginity might be the most misunderstood vocation in the Catholic Church. It’s often mistaken for a call to the “single life,” but this vocation, which predates religious sisters and nuns, is actually quite the opposite. So what exactly is a consecrated virgin? On this episode, host Lisa Cotter interviews Andrea Politio, who is one of …

It’s time for part 2 of our 4-part series on discernment. On this episode, Lisa interviews her friend, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Albers, who is a religious sister with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). Sr. Mary Elizabeth shares her story of discernment and gives 5 tips for discerning religious life. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe Go…

One of the most frequently asked questions Kevin and Lisa receive is, “How do I discern my vocation?” This question makes sense because in a world that changes so often it can be difficult to pick one final state of life. So to help with your discernment dilemma, on today’s episode How-to Catholic is starting a four-part series on vocational discer…

Our culture constantly offers us different approaches to happiness, but it typically fails to offer us the one way to happiness that has worked for thousands of years. What is this method and how can we concretely work towards happiness? It’s all about virtue. On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter share what virtue is, the different types…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of May! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES You can find the books, movies, and items we recommended on this episode, along with even more p…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of April! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES You can find the books, movies, and items we recommended on this episode, along with even more…

Pilgrimages are a pretty cool idea, but most people need a few more details. Where should you go? How should you get there? What do you need to know to turn these holy opportunities into a reality? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter tackle part two of a two-part series on pilgrimages. They’ll share with you pilgrimage sites from around…

St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Spiritual travel has always been a part of the Catholic faith in the form of a pilgrimage, but what is a pilgrimage anyways? Is it just a Catholic vacation? What’s the significance behind this incredible tradition? In the first part of this two-part serie…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of March! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES March’s Devotion: St. Joseph S3 Ep16: How-to St. Joseph Prayer St. Joseph Novena (written) St.…

It’s no secret that Kevin and Lisa recently had a baby and after going through this experience of transition for the 4th time they’ve continued to learn more and more about how to care for a newborn and themselves. On today’s podcast, the Cotters share with you 4 dos for life with a newborn. Along the way, they also share the birth story of baby Is…

So you know that you’re called to spread a message that God wants you to share, but what’s the best way to do it? In our digital world, there are so many options and endless mediums to figure out, where should you start? On today’s episode, Kevin and Lisa finally get back to podcasting and share with you best practices on social media, speaking, po…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of February! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES February’s Devotion: The Holy Family Prayer: Prayer to the Holy Family Reading Familiaris C…

After a retreat, conference, mission trip, or pilgrimage most attendees experience a sort of “spiritual high” that lasts for a few days or weeks. However, if the high isn’t capitalized on, once it’s gone, it’s easy to let things go back to normal. In an effort to prevent this kind of spiritual backsliding, on today’s podcast, which was recorded liv…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of January! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES January’s Devotion: The Holy Name of Jesus Prayer: Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus or the J…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of December! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES December’s Devotion: Immaculate Conception (Also, the Divine Infancy) Prayer: Litany of the…

Have you ever thought about having a Catholic platform? Have you ever wondered what it might take to publish a book, become a public speaker, or start a podcast? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa discuss 5 questions about launching a platform. They look at discerning your calling, finding your niche, spreading your message, spending money, a…

Our Church calls each baptized Catholic to share the faith, but what if you don’t know how? Where would you start? And what would the end goal be? These are the questions that Kevin answers in his new book, Called: Becoming an Everyday Disciple in a Post-Christian World. On today’s podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter share the story behind the boo…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of November! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES November’s Devotion: Holy Souls Prayer: Eternal Rest Prayer Video: Fr. Mike Schmitz on Indu…

Few things can hold us back in life like fear. It steals our joy, it tells us we’re not enough, and it stops us from being fully alive. We know deep down that this isn’t what we were made for, but facing fears and clearly seeing reality takes an immense amount of courage. On the podcast today host Lisa Cotter interviews the founder of Walking with …

Dating is… complicated. For many Catholic singles, the process of finding Mr. or Mrs. Right is annoying at best. After trying Catholic young adult groups, Bible studies, and gatherings at bars, many throw their hands up in frustration because they don’t seem to be getting anywhere. And then the thought crosses their mind, “Should I try online datin…

Fatherhood is one of the most important jobs on the planet. Many in our Church and society recognize that fathers are struggling to be the dads their children need them to be. What can Catholic men do today to reverse this trend and be great dads in the 21st century? On the podcast today hosts Kevin and Lisa discuss 7 tips for fathers. Along the wa…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of October! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES October’s Devotion: Holy Rosary Books Total Consecration to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort 33…

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We’re mid-way through season 4, so on today’s podcast, we’ll open up the listener mailbag and answer your burning questions. On the episode today we’ll talk about getting nervous before giving a big talk, building community as a young family, discussing your faith with non-Catholics, living balance, kids and…

Do you ever wish you could deepen your relationship with your significant other? Do you struggle to invest in your relationship like you know you should? Date night is a universally recognized way to strengthen romantic relationships, but what does it look like and what are some ways to make sure it happens? On today’s podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa…

Have you ever felt like God was distant? Have you been in a place where you felt spiritually dead? Feeling dry is a common occurrence in the spiritual life, even saints struggled with it, but we don’t often talk about it. What can we do in these moments when we feel apart from God? On today’s podcast, we talk about 6 steps to rehydrate your spiritu…

Our Church needs leaders. We don’t just need bishops and priests to lead. Not just those who are smart or influential. Now, more than ever, our Church needs everyone to use their gifts and talents to lead. But, what does this look like? How do we learn to lead? Today on the podcast, hosts Kevin and Lisa talk about 5 habits of great leaders. On this…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of September! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES September’s Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows Prayer: Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary Buy…

Friends, let’s be honest: It’s been a summer of scandal and crisis. There are so many things to sort through, so many emotions, and so many questions that remain. But one question, in particular, continues to linger: What are we supposed to do? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter give you 5 actions that you can take during this current …

It’s been 6 weeks since we last podcasted because life has been full of transitions. In this informal episode, we update you on what we’ve been up to and address the recent Church scandals*. God-willing, we will get back into the swing of regular episodes next Monday! *Please note, the last half of this episode and the below show note links are not…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of August! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES August’s Devotion: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Encyclopedia on the Immaculate Heart of …

Let’s face it: parish life can be hard, but it can also be very fulfilling. As Catholics the parish is a primary place where we are called to encounter God and accompany others, but how do we connect with our parish in a real and meaningful way? On today’s episode, hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter answer 3 questions about parish life. Along the way, the…

Welcome to the Liturgical Lowdown for the month of July! In this episode host, Lisa Cotter will be giving you insights, histories, and ideas on how to celebrate and integrate the liturgical life of the Catholic Church into your life this month. SHOWNOTES July’s Devotion: Most Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood An Offering of…

Something new is about to go down on the podcast because tomorrow Lisa is putting up the first of many liturgical lowdown mini-episodes. In order to prepare you for this new series, today hosts Kevin and Lisa Cotter are giving you some vision for why to live liturgically and filling you in on some notes about the liturgical calendar that will be he…