Idaho Catholic Podcast

Every parent wants the same thing: To raise children who grow up to be good people. But in today’s world, parenting is not easy. Even loving, dedicated parents can unintentionally fall into patterns that shape their children in ways they never expected. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • The 5 parenting mistakes many parents don’t realize they’re making • The most important things fathers and mothers can do for their children • How parenting should change as children grow • How to know if what you’re doing is actually working • How to raise children who will still love and respect you as adults If you are a parent, grandparent, or someone who cares about the next generation, this conversation is for you.

Choosing the right spouse may be the most important decision of your life. The person you marry will influence your faith, your peace, your children, and the direction of your future. Yet many people today choose a spouse based only on attraction, emotion, or convenience — and later discover warning signs they missed along the way. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • What qualities truly matter in a future spouse • Red flags you should never ignore • What healthy Catholic courtship should actually look like • How long couples should court and be engaged • Why marriage in the Church is so important If you or someone you love is discerning marriage, this conversation could save years of heartache and help build a relationship centered on God.

What happened to discipline in our Catholic life? In this enlightening episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat explores how discipline, a cornerstone of catholic spirituality, forms the foundation for spiritual growth and true freedom. Reflecting on the challenges faced by today’s youth in a world of comfort and instant gratification, Deacon Pat offers an honest faith discussion about why discipline is essential for both men and women. Discover why maintaining discipline is more important now than ever before, and how a disciplined life rooted in Catholic values leads to peace, freedom, and true joy. Join us on this catholic journey as we reveal how the saints found happiness not through indulgence but through steadfast discipline. Embrace this hidden path to freedom and deepen your spiritual growth today. Listen now.

Have you ever felt like everything in your life was falling apart? In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore how such moments of loss—whether a relationship ending, a plan failing, or a door closing—are not signs of God's abandonment but part of His greater plan. Join Deacon Pat for an honest faith discussion about trusting God through challenges, drawing on Catholic spirituality and practical insights that encourage spiritual growth. This episode offers guidance for anyone navigating change within their catholic life, shedding light on how God's purpose unfolds even when plans seem to fall apart.

Temptation is rarely obvious; it often comes quietly, disguised as something harmless. In this insightful episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explores the subtle nature of temptation and how the enemy quietly traps souls, offering deep reflections on Catholic life and spiritual growth. Discover how to recognize these subtle snares before they pull you away from God and gain a fresh perspective on your own Catholic journey. This honest faith discussion may change the way you view temptation forever.

Everyone desires happiness, but true joy is a gift rooted in Catholic spirituality and spiritual growth. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we engage in an honest faith discussion about the difference between fleeting worldly happiness and the unshakable joy that comes from freedom in Christ. Jesus promised, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11), and we explore how to experience that joy daily through authentic Catholic life practices. Drawing inspiration from the witness of the saints and real-life experiences serving in humble villages in Guatemala, we uncover the profound truth: joy doesn't originate from comfort, wealth, or worldly success but from a heart aligned with God and a life embraced in Catholic spirituality. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, restless, or sensed something missing, this episode will guide you to rediscover the joy only God can provide. Join us as we journey through faith, exploring spiritual growth and the freedom that accompanies a joyful

Why does God allow the journey of Catholic life to feel so long sometimes? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of perseverance in the Catholic journey and how spiritual growth often comes through quiet, consistent faithfulness rather than dramatic moments. Join us as we explore Catholic spirituality through the inspiring story of St. Monica, who prayed faithfully for nearly two decades for her son's conversion. Learn why perseverance is one of the most powerful virtues in the Christian life and how simple daily choices can transform your spiritual journey. If you’ve ever felt discouraged in your honest faith discussion or wondered whether your efforts in Catholic life matter, this episode offers hope and encouragement. Discover how God uses the long road to form saints—and why victory belongs to those who refuse to quit. Listen now to be inspired and motivated to keep walking with Christ on your own unique Catholic journey.

For nearly ten summers, our family immersed ourselves in the Catholic life by living simply in Guatemala—embracing unfamiliar food, learning a new language, and collaborating closely with villagers to provide clean water to remote communities. These transformative experiences fueled our spiritual growth and deepened our understanding of Catholic spirituality. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I share how these mission trips, combined with nearly 20 years of service as a deacon, revealed a powerful truth: the Catholic life is not meant to be comfortable—it's an adventurous path of honest faith discussion and spiritual growth. Join me as I recount how living the Catholic life in such a profound way shaped our faith forever and inspired a richer, deeper journey of faith.

In this insightful episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore the profound role of hope as the anchor of the soul amidst life's trials—including illness, broken relationships, and uncertain futures. Join us for an honest faith discussion on how hope sustains us in the Catholic life and spiritual growth. Discover the inspiring story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest whose unshakable hope endured even in the darkest of places—the Auschwitz concentration camp. His example teaches us powerful lessons about faith and resilience, offering fresh perspectives on what it means to live a hopeful Catholic life. This episode will enrich your catholic journey and deepen your appreciation of catholic spirituality, encouraging you to anchor your soul firmly in hope.

Jesus Knows Your Past… And He Still Wants to Meet You at the Well In John 4:5–42, Jesus meets a woman carrying shame, mistakes, and a complicated past. Instead of rejecting her, He offers her something greater than water—living water that satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul. This powerful encounter reminds us that Christ meets us exactly where we are. He knows our past, our struggles, and our wounds—and still calls us to transformation. This reflection explores how one moment with Jesus turned a broken woman into one of the first witnesses of the Gospel. Come discover the living water that only Christ can give.

“Most Christians Get This Wrong About Faith…” Many people think faith is just believing in God. But the Bible says something very different: “Faith without works is dead.” So what does real faith actually look like in everyday life? In this episode, we explore how faith becomes powerful when it moves into action—and how the courage of saints like Joan of Arc and Damien of Molokai shows us what it means to trust God even when the path is uncertain. You may discover that the freedom you’re searching for begins with one small step of faith.

Why Are Teens Suddenly Becoming Catholic? The Answer Might Surprise You In a world of confusion, shifting values, and constant noise, many teens and young adults are discovering something unexpected — the Catholic Church. Why are young people turning toward one of the oldest institutions on earth? In this episode we explore 10 powerful reasons a new generation is seeking truth, meaning, and faith.

“People Aren’t Rejecting God… They’re Rejecting a Version of God That Was Never True.” Why are so many people leaving Christianity today? Is faith outdated… or have we misunderstood who God really is? In this episode, we explore why modern culture promises freedom but often leaves people feeling more anxious, lonely, and empty than ever before. We’ll also share the powerful story of a man who walked away from God for years—only to discover that the peace he was searching for was waiting for him all along. This conversation might challenge what you think about faith, freedom, and the deep hunger of the human heart.

Humility: Freedom from Pride Pride quietly binds the human heart—convincing us we must prove ourselves, protect our image, and rely only on our own strength. Yet the Gospel reveals a different path. Jesus Himself chose humility, emptying Himself and showing that true strength comes from surrendering to God. In this episode, we explore how humility frees us from comparison, anxiety, and the exhausting need for recognition. Drawing from Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and a powerful real-life story, we reflect on why humility is the foundation of spiritual freedom. When we release pride and embrace humility, we open our hearts to grace, gratitude, and the peace that comes from trusting God. Join us as we discover how humility leads to a deeper life in Christ.

Simplicity: Freedom from Distraction In a world filled with noise, busyness, and endless distractions, the soul can easily lose sight of what truly matters. This episode explores how simplicity—modeled by Jesus and taught by the saints—creates space for God to work in our lives. By letting go of excess possessions, digital noise, and unnecessary commitments, we rediscover clarity, peace, and spiritual freedom. Through scripture, Catholic teaching, and a powerful real-life story, we reflect on how simplifying our lives can strengthen our faith, deepen our relationships, and help us hear God’s voice more clearly. Sometimes the path to a fuller life begins by letting go of what we don’t truly need.

Husband and Wife – 40 Days of Water Fasting – How It Changed Our Life What would happen if a married couple stepped away from comfort, distraction, and routine — and entered the desert together? In this powerful episode, we share the story of a husband and wife who prayerfully and medically supervised a 40-day water fast during Lent. What began as a spiritual discipline became a profound transformation of their marriage. Without food as comfort, they were forced into deeper honesty. Without distractions, they rediscovered presence. Old resentments surfaced and were healed. Prayer intensified. Gratitude grew. Intimacy deepened — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. This isn’t a story about extremism. It’s a story about sacrifice, unity, and how shared discipline can restore what comfort slowly erodes. If your marriage feels busy, distracted, or spiritually dry, this episode will challenge and inspire you to consider what intentional sacrifice could awaken in your own relationship. Someti

Charity: Freedom Through Love What if the freedom we’re chasing isn’t found in independence… but in self-giving love? In a culture that equates freedom with self-expression and personal fulfillment, the Gospel offers a radically different vision. True freedom is not self-centered — it reaches outward. It is discovered in charity: the disciplined, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ on the Cross. In this episode, we explore how love breaks the chains of pride, resentment, anxiety, and isolation. We look at the witness of the saints, the struggles facing modern families, men, and marriages, and the surprising truth that giving ourselves away actually enlarges our hearts. If you’ve ever felt “free” yet restless… successful yet unfulfilled… this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Because love doesn’t reduce your freedom — it perfects it.

Patience: Waiting with Hope In a world that demands instant results, God works through process, formation, and timing. Patience is not passive resignation—it is active trust. It is choosing hope when prayers seem unanswered and believing that God is shaping us in the waiting. Through the example of Saint Monica and the steady endurance of faith-filled perseverance, we are reminded that delay is not denial. God uses seasons of waiting to deepen our trust, purify our hearts, and form Christ within us. When we surrender urgency and embrace patience, frustration becomes formation, waiting becomes worship, and hope becomes our anchor.

Forgiveness: Freedom from the Past We often think forgiveness is about letting someone else off the hook. In reality, it is about setting ourselves free. When we cling to resentment, anger, or betrayal, we remain trapped in the prison of yesterday. Jesus calls us to forgive “seventy-seven times” — not because the hurt doesn’t matter, but because our freedom does. In this episode, we explore how forgiveness unlocks the heart, restores peace, and allows grace to flow again. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and the powerful witness of the saints, we reflect on how letting go of the past is not weakness — it is spiritual strength. If you’ve ever struggled to forgive, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to take one courageous step toward true freedom.

Climb the Mountain This Lent – Second Sunday Reflection with Deacon Pat Join Deacon Pat this week as we reflect on the powerful Gospel of the Transfiguration. On the mountain, Peter, James, and John glimpse Christ’s radiant glory—but they are also reminded that the journey leads back down the mountain, toward the Cross. In this Lenten reflection, we explore how the Transfiguration strengthens us in times of suffering, reminds us that God’s glory follows sacrifice, and calls us to truly listen to Him. What do our own mountaintop moments mean? How do we carry Christ’s light into our daily struggles, our families, and our workplaces? If you’re carrying burdens, seeking hope, or longing to grow closer to Christ this Lent, this episode will encourage you to lift your eyes, trust in God’s promises, and follow Jesus with renewed courage. Come climb the mountain—and be transformed.