web02.fireside.fm Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:29:42 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Ave Explores - Episodes Tagged with “Claire Swinarski” https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/tags/claire%20swinarski Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way. en-us episodic Everyday Faith for Everyday Catholics Ave Maria Press A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way. no Faith, Ave Maria press, Catholicism, Catholic, Mary, Church, Our Lady, Blessed Mother, Jesus Ave Maria Press katieprejean@gmail.com Week Three: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien: Faith, Imagination, and the Power of Story feat. Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefmaveexplorescatholicisminliteratureswaffordfacista 4bacdb3d-3b16-4f62-bc95-1a5f400c47a5 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 Ave Maria Press full 33 Ave Maria Press In this episode of Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature, Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity’s greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Facista, author of Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien’s works played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism. Drawn into Middle-earth by its unforgettable heroes and villains, she discovered profound lessons about virtue, vice, courage, and sacrifice. In a culture hungry for authentic examples of goodness and bravery, Tolkien’s stories continue to awaken the heart and point readers toward truth. Swafford reflects on encountering Tolkien later in life while reading The Lord of the Rings with his children. Those family readings sparked rich conversations, nurtured their spiritual imaginations, and created opportunities for catechesis. He also discusses introducing students at Benedictine College to Lewis’s Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce, marveling at Lewis’s ability to reach students of every background and faith. Through imagination and story, Lewis demonstrates how art and literature can communicate truths that might otherwise remain hidden. Journey through the wardrobe and wander into the Shire for an inspiring conversation about faith, imagination, and the transformative power of great stories. 43:31 no <p>In this episode of <em>Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature</em>, Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity’s greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.</p> <p>Facista, author of _Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien’s works played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism. Drawn into Middle-earth by its unforgettable heroes and villains, she discovered profound lessons about virtue, vice, courage, and sacrifice. In a culture hungry for authentic examples of goodness and bravery, Tolkien’s stories continue to awaken the heart and point readers toward truth.</p> <p>Swafford reflects on encountering Tolkien later in life while reading <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> with his children. Those family readings sparked rich conversations, nurtured their spiritual imaginations, and created opportunities for catechesis. He also discusses introducing students at Benedictine College to Lewis’s <em>Mere Christianity</em>, <em>The Screwtape Letters</em>, and <em>The Great Divorce</em>, marveling at Lewis’s ability to reach students of every background and faith. Through imagination and story, Lewis demonstrates how art and literature can communicate truths that might otherwise remain hidden.</p> <p><strong>Journey through the wardrobe and wander into the Shire for an inspiring conversation about faith, imagination, and the transformative power of great stories.</strong></p> <p>We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!</p> <p>Editing provided by Forte Catholic (<a href="https://www.fortecatholic.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.fortecatholic.com/</a>)</p> Ave Explores, Fr. Johan Teller, OP, Catholicism in Literature, Katie McGrady, Alex Jones, Haley Stewart, Claire Swinarski, Fr. Michael Brisson, Sr. Allison Gliot, Kaitlyn Facista, Andrew Swafford, well read moms, Marcia Stockman, Colleen Hutt, Hallow, The brothers Karamazov, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien In this episode of Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature, Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity’s greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Facista, author of _Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien’s works played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism. Drawn into Middle-earth by its unforgettable heroes and villains, she discovered profound lessons about virtue, vice, courage, and sacrifice. In a culture hungry for authentic examples of goodness and bravery, Tolkien’s stories continue to awaken the heart and point readers toward truth.

Swafford reflects on encountering Tolkien later in life while reading The Lord of the Rings with his children. Those family readings sparked rich conversations, nurtured their spiritual imaginations, and created opportunities for catechesis. He also discusses introducing students at Benedictine College to Lewis’s Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce, marveling at Lewis’s ability to reach students of every background and faith. Through imagination and story, Lewis demonstrates how art and literature can communicate truths that might otherwise remain hidden.

Journey through the wardrobe and wander into the Shire for an inspiring conversation about faith, imagination, and the transformative power of great stories.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> In this episode of Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature, Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity’s greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Facista, author of _Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien’s works played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism. Drawn into Middle-earth by its unforgettable heroes and villains, she discovered profound lessons about virtue, vice, courage, and sacrifice. In a culture hungry for authentic examples of goodness and bravery, Tolkien’s stories continue to awaken the heart and point readers toward truth.

Swafford reflects on encountering Tolkien later in life while reading The Lord of the Rings with his children. Those family readings sparked rich conversations, nurtured their spiritual imaginations, and created opportunities for catechesis. He also discusses introducing students at Benedictine College to Lewis’s Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce, marveling at Lewis’s ability to reach students of every background and faith. Through imagination and story, Lewis demonstrates how art and literature can communicate truths that might otherwise remain hidden.

Journey through the wardrobe and wander into the Shire for an inspiring conversation about faith, imagination, and the transformative power of great stories.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> Week Two: Murder Mysteries and Vampire Novels with Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, and Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefm10 9d637491-437a-424d-aac6-3d19058f4fa4 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 Ave Maria Press full 33 Ave Maria Press Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, both set out to write fiction, only to find their stories taking unexpected turns. One created a tale involving a priest entangled with the mafia; the other imagined a world where young adults navigate the mysteries of vampires. Unlikely stories from a priest and a religious sister—but perhaps all the more compelling because of their vocations. In this episode, we bring Sr. Allison and Fr. Michael together for the first time to discuss creativity, storytelling, and the surprising paths their novels have taken. 53:05 no <p>Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, both set out to write fiction, only to find their stories taking unexpected turns. One created a tale involving a priest entangled with the mafia; the other imagined a world where young adults navigate the mysteries of vampires. Unlikely stories from a priest and a religious sister—but perhaps all the more compelling because of their vocations. In this episode, we bring Sr. Allison and Fr. Michael together for the first time to discuss creativity, storytelling, and the surprising paths their novels have taken.</p> <p>We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!</p> <p>Editing provided by Forte Catholic (<a href="https://www.fortecatholic.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.fortecatholic.com/</a>) </p> Ave Explores, Fr. Johan Teller, OP, Catholicism in Literature, Katie McGrady, Alex Jones, Haley Stewart, Claire Swinarski, Fr. Michael Brisson, Sr. Allison Gliot, Kaitlyn Facista, Andrew Swafford, well read moms, Marcia Stockman, Colleen Hutt, Hallow, The brothers Karamazov, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, both set out to write fiction, only to find their stories taking unexpected turns. One created a tale involving a priest entangled with the mafia; the other imagined a world where young adults navigate the mysteries of vampires. Unlikely stories from a priest and a religious sister—but perhaps all the more compelling because of their vocations. In this episode, we bring Sr. Allison and Fr. Michael together for the first time to discuss creativity, storytelling, and the surprising paths their novels have taken.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, both set out to write fiction, only to find their stories taking unexpected turns. One created a tale involving a priest entangled with the mafia; the other imagined a world where young adults navigate the mysteries of vampires. Unlikely stories from a priest and a religious sister—but perhaps all the more compelling because of their vocations. In this episode, we bring Sr. Allison and Fr. Michael together for the first time to discuss creativity, storytelling, and the surprising paths their novels have taken.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> Week One: Reading in the Home https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefm9 a364331c-bfa9-453a-b01b-1ea68b6b6266 Tue, 26 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 Ave Maria Press full 33 Ave Maria Press Authors Haley Stewart and Claire Swinarski reflect on how a lifelong love of reading sparked their writing careers, helped cultivate a rich reading culture in their homes, and continues to open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with others. 50:05 no <p>Authors Haley Stewart and Claire Swinarski reflect on how a lifelong love of reading sparked their writing careers, helped cultivate a rich reading culture in their homes, and continues to open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with others.</p> <p>We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!</p> <p>Editing provided by Forte Catholic (<a href="https://www.fortecatholic.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.fortecatholic.com/</a>) </p> Ave Explores, Fr. Johan Teller, OP, Catholicism in Literature, Katie McGrady, Alex Jones, Haley Stewart, Claire Swinarski, Fr. Michael Brisson, Sr. Allison Gliot, Kaitlyn Facista, Andrew Swafford, well read moms, Marcia Stockman, Colleen Hutt, Hallow, The brothers Karamazov, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien Authors Haley Stewart and Claire Swinarski reflect on how a lifelong love of reading sparked their writing careers, helped cultivate a rich reading culture in their homes, and continues to open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with others.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

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]]> Authors Haley Stewart and Claire Swinarski reflect on how a lifelong love of reading sparked their writing careers, helped cultivate a rich reading culture in their homes, and continues to open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with others.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> Teaser: Read like a Friar with Fr. Jonah Teller, OP https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefmaveexplorescatholicisminliteratureteller 9da267bd-eb7e-4343-ac9d-f502c7bb153b Wed, 20 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400 Ave Maria Press full 33 Ave Maria Press To kick off the new series of Ave Explores on Catholicism in Literature, Fr. Jonah Teller, OP, shares how a lifelong love of reading shaped his faith, imagination, and vocation. In an age dominated by scrolling and screens, he reflects on why great books still matter and how the classics form us in wisdom, virtue, and attentiveness to God and the world around us. Fr. Jonah also offers practical ways to build reading into everyday life and cultivate habits that make space for deeper reflection, even amid busy schedules. 56:05 no <p>To kick off the new series of <em>Ave Explores</em> on Catholicism in Literature, Fr. Jonah Teller, OP, shares how a lifelong love of reading shaped his faith, imagination, and vocation. In an age dominated by scrolling and screens, he reflects on why great books still matter and how the classics form us in wisdom, virtue, and attentiveness to God and the world around us. Fr. Jonah also offers practical ways to build reading into everyday life and cultivate habits that make space for deeper reflection, even amid busy schedules.</p> <p>We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!</p> <p>Editing provided by Forte Catholic (<a href="https://www.fortecatholic.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.fortecatholic.com/</a>) </p> Ave Explores, Fr. Johan Teller, OP, Catholicism in Literature, Katie McGrady, Alex Jones, Haley Stewart, Claire Swinarski, Fr. Michael Brisson, Sr. Allison Gliot, Kaitlyn Facista, Andrew Swafford, well read moms, Marcia Stockman, Colleen Hutt, Hallow, The brothers Karamazov, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien To kick off the new series of Ave Explores on Catholicism in Literature, Fr. Jonah Teller, OP, shares how a lifelong love of reading shaped his faith, imagination, and vocation. In an age dominated by scrolling and screens, he reflects on why great books still matter and how the classics form us in wisdom, virtue, and attentiveness to God and the world around us. Fr. Jonah also offers practical ways to build reading into everyday life and cultivate habits that make space for deeper reflection, even amid busy schedules.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]> To kick off the new series of Ave Explores on Catholicism in Literature, Fr. Jonah Teller, OP, shares how a lifelong love of reading shaped his faith, imagination, and vocation. In an age dominated by scrolling and screens, he reflects on why great books still matter and how the classics form us in wisdom, virtue, and attentiveness to God and the world around us. Fr. Jonah also offers practical ways to build reading into everyday life and cultivate habits that make space for deeper reflection, even amid busy schedules.

We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends!

Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Links:

]]>