Ave Explores

Week Five: Sharing Faith Online That Leads to Real-Life Encounter Kaylee Stoll of FOCUS

August 13th, 2025  |  Season 29  |  42 mins 46 secs

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As a Catholic convert and Director of Digital Media at FOCUS, Kaylee Stoll knows the power of storytelling online—but also its limits. In this episode, she shares how digital media can reveal the beauty of the Catholic faith while ultimately leading people to in-person encounters with Christ and authentic community. Kaylee discusses the importance of genuine connection, the “look at this” vs. “come to this” balance, and how FOCUS inspires young adults worldwide to grow deeper in their faith.

Week Four: Standing on Holy Ground Online with the Women of the Abiding Together Podcast

August 6th, 2025  |  Season 29  |  48 mins 33 secs

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Michelle Benzinger, Heather Khym, and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—the beloved voices behind the Abiding Together podcast—join Katie to reflect on the story behind their show, their commitment to authentic and vulnerable conversations, and the impact of inviting others into their spiritual journey. They share why they believe online spaces can become “holy ground” when we speak with honesty, balance, and love—and why, if a message isn’t real and rooted in truth, it’s not worth sharing.

Week Three: Truthful and Trustworthy Content with Montse Alvarado of EWTN

July 30th, 2025  |  Season 29  |  50 mins 1 sec

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In a world flooded with misinformation and digital noise, how can Catholics use media to evangelize with clarity and credibility? Montse Alvarado, President of EWTN News, joins Katie to talk about why traditional media—especially television and radio—still matter and what it takes to earn and keep the public’s trust. Together, they dive into the urgent need for honesty and transparency in Catholic media and explore how that same trustworthiness must carry over into digital and social platforms. This conversation is a timely and inspiring look at how truth, trust, and technology intersect in the mission of evangelization today.

WEEK TWO: Influencer Culture in the Church with Grady Connolly of The Social Thomist

July 23rd, 2025  |  Season 29  |  59 mins 59 secs

abiding together podcast, alex jones of hallow, ave explores, ave maria press, daughters of st. paul, digital evangelization, ewtn, focus, grady connelly, heather khym, katie mcgrady, kaylee stoll, michelle benzinger, montse alvarado, solt, sr. miriam james heidland, sr. nancy usselman, the digital continent, the social thomist

Grady Connolly, a Gen Z Catholic influencer and digital strategist, shares key principles for discerning how to use social media well—especially when representing the Church. Drawing from his experience managing multiple social platforms for content creators and apostolates, Grady makes a bold claim: if influencers and digital missionaries aren't Christ-focused, they shouldn't be doing the work at all. In this episode, he unpacks the heart behind authentic digital ministry, tells the story of how he got started, and explains why everyone online has the power to influence others in ways they may never realize.

Week One: Phones Pushing us to Prayer with Alex Jones of Hallow

July 16th, 2025  |  Season 29  |  1 hr 1 min

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Katie sits down with Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of the Hallow app, to explore how one of the world’s most popular Catholic apps is transforming lives through digital prayer. Once an agnostic, Alex shares his powerful reversion story and how it inspired him to create a tool that helps people encounter Christ right where they are—on their phones. Hear how Hallow is using technology to make prayer more accessible, engaging, and meaningful in today’s fast-paced world.

NEW SERIES Teaser: Exploring the Digital Continent: Why the Catholic Church Cares About the Internet

July 8th, 2025  |  Season 29  |  31 mins 6 secs

abiding together podcast, alex jones of hallow, ave explores, ave maria press, daughters of st. paul, digital evangelization, ewtn, focus, grady connelly, heather khym, katie mcgrady, kaylee stoll, michelle benzinger, montse alvarado, solt, sr. miriam james heidland, sr. nancy usselman, the digital continent, the social thomist

The Vatican has begun using a powerful new phrase to describe evangelization in the digital age: digital mission on the digital continent. As people spend increasing amounts of time online—scrolling, streaming, and searching for meaning—the Church recognizes that the internet isn’t just a tool but a place, a mission field where the Gospel can be shared.

In this teaser episode of Ave Explores: Digital Evangelization, host Katie McGrady introduces the theme of this series and unpacks why the Catholic Church is taking digital evangelization seriously. Why does it matter? Who is being reached? And what does it mean to be a digital missionary today?

Tune in as we begin this essential conversation about faith, presence, and purpose in the digital world.

SPECIAL EPISODE: Let Leo Be Leo: Reflecting on the First Few days of Pope Leo XIV's Papacy

May 14th, 2025  |  28 mins 7 secs

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In this special episode of Ave Explores, Katie McGrady shares her thoughts on the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. She delves into his background, career, and what we might expect in the pontificate ahead. Ultimately, she encourages us to let the new Holy Father introduce himself before we decide who he is as the 267th Pope.

SPECIAL EPISODE: Remembering Pope Francis with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP

May 6th, 2025  |  43 mins

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When plans to attend the canonization of Bl. Carlo Acutis shifted following the death of Pope Francis, Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, traveled to Rome to report for Our Sunday Visitor, while Katie Prejean McGrady stayed in the U.S. to cover events for CNN and SiriusXM. In this special episode of Ave Explores, Katie and Fr. Patrick reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, share personal stories of meeting him, and discuss what may lie ahead for the Church as the 2025 conclave approaches.

BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Lenten Practices People "Hate" the Most

April 10th, 2025  |  Season 28  |  8 mins 4 secs

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Katie and Tommy discuss the most hated practices people “have” to do during Lent. Is it fasting? Extra prayers? Almsgiving? They dig into why these practices feel so hard—and why we often dread them—even when we know they’re supposed to help us grow. Plus, they share some personal stories, spiritual insights, and maybe even a few Lenten hot takes you didn’t see coming.

Renewing Your Relationship with Jesus each Lent with Courtney Roach

April 3rd, 2025  |  Season 28  |  49 mins 50 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within

Courtney Roach, digital marketing manager for FOCUS and host of The Daily Nothings podcast, reflects on her journey to Catholicism and how her conversion ten years ago deepened her love for Jesus. She shares how Lent offers a renewed opportunity to grow in intimacy with the Lord. In this episode, Courtney discusses the power of authentic relationships, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who live their faith, and why turning to Christ before turning to your phone is key to true fulfillment—especially as a young adult.

BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Mercy is Waiting

March 31st, 2025  |  Season 28  |  9 mins 42 secs

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Katie and Tommy discuss the gift of going to confession during the Lenten season through the lens of the prodigal son.

4th Sunday of Lent: Finding Healing in Lent by Embracing God’s Love with Brya Hanan

March 28th, 2025  |  Season 28  |  43 mins 4 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within

The wounds we carry can leave us feeling fractured, but God’s love has the power to restore and heal. In this episode, Brya Hanan—author and licensed marriage and family therapist—shares how Lent invites us to pause, reflect, and tend to the weeds in the garden of our hearts. Discover how embracing vulnerability before the Lord can open the door to his abundant and limitless love.

3rd Sunday of Lent: Lent is Meant for Mercy with Fr. Josh Johnson

March 21st, 2025  |  Season 28  |  42 mins 23 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within

At this middle point of the Lenten journey, Fr. Josh Johnson sits down with Katie to discuss the value of making a good confession in Lent, spending time praying about conversion and brokenness, and what it's like to hear confessions as a priest, in the confessional.

BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Clearing Out During Lent

March 21st, 2025  |  Season 28  |  7 mins 47 secs

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What is bearing fruit in our lives, what is draining us, and what do we need to change or fix when it comes to our relationship with Jesus? Katie and Tommy offer a practical activity to help evaluate things halfway through Lent

BONUS: Lenten Reflections for the Whole Family with Katie and Tommy McGrady | Vulnerability in Lent

March 17th, 2025  |  Season 28  |  7 mins 7 secs

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Katie and Tommy discuss how much we look at our phones, screens, and all sorts of distractions throughout our day, which means we are often unable to be seen by the Lord. Lent is a chance to be vulnerable, and allow ourselves to be seen by Jesus.

2nd Sunday of Lent: Lent Demands Vulnerability with Oscar Rivera

March 14th, 2025  |  Season 28  |  50 mins 38 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within

During Lent, when life feels busy, noisy, and overwhelming, making room for the Lord is more important than ever. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, Oscar Rivera, host of Ave Spotlight, explores how Lent challenges us to embrace vulnerability and authenticity—not just with God, but with others. When we resist the temptation to close ourselves off and instead open our hearts, we create space for real spiritual growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how Lent serves as a training ground for deeper faith and genuine connection.