Ave Explores

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Heart of Eucharistic Revival with Bishop Andrew Cozzens

June 7th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 21 secs

and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, bishop andrew cozzens, blood, body, catholicism, cfr, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, fr. malachy napier, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, chairman of the USCCB’s evangelization and catechesis committee, talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about the Eucharistic Revival and what can happen when people recommit themselves to Jesus.

The Work of the Eucharistic Revival with Joel Stepanek

May 31st, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 5 mins

and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

Joel Stepanek, chief mission officer for the National Eucharistic Congress, talks about the origin and goals of the movement and previews the tenth National Eucharistic Congress, scheduled for July 17-21, 2024,in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Eucharist and the Abundant Life with Heather and Jake Khym

May 24th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 7 mins

abide, abiding together podcast, abundant life, ave explores, ave maria press, eucharistic revival, heather khym, jake kyhm, katie prejean mcgrady, sr. alicia torres, the eucharist, the national eucharistic revival, timothy p. o'malley

Heather and Jake Khym talk with host Katie Prejean McGrady about how a deeper understanding of the Eucharist can lead to abundant, life-changing healing in your life.

Bringing the Eucharist Home with Scott and Kathryn Whitaker

May 17th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  57 mins 34 secs

and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

Scott and Kathryn Whitaker share how the Eucharist was a key part of the early days of their marriage and remains a root of their family life. Kathryn and Scott also provide practical tips on prioritizing the Eucharist to build a holy and happy culture in the home.

Adoring Jesus in the Eucharist with Perpetua Charles

May 10th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  58 mins 2 secs

and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

Perpetua Charles shares her story of finding comfort, home, and community by seeking out the Eucharist in the various places she's lived and worked and offers insight into how she's allowed the Eucharist to be a source of solace by way of taking time for Eucharistic Adoration.

The Eucharist Renews Our Identity with Timothy P. O'Malley

May 3rd, 2023  |  Season 20  |  44 mins 37 secs

and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

Theologian and author Timothy P. O'Malley talks with host Katie Prejean McGrady about the Eucharist as a renewing force in our lives. Because we come to know Jesus stirring our hearts, the Eucharist can renew our communities, families, homes, and personal identities.