Best Fr Rico Passero Podcasts (2025)

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Season 5 Episode 242 - St Vincent de Paul 9:29

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4h ago9:29

9:29

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, a priest known for his deep compassion for the poor and his mission to reform the Church. St. Vincent reminds us that true discipleship means putting the needs of the most vulnerable first—whether through our resources, our time, or simply our presen…

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Season 5 Episode 241 - Walk Hand in Hand 4:43

11h ago4:43

4:43

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Father Rico invites us to reflect on the importance of walking hand-in-hand with one another through life’s journey. Inspired by a beautiful prayer from Michael Buckley, we’re reminded to give thanks not only for the gift of family, but for all the people God places in our lives to guide, protect…

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Season 5 Episode 240 - Conditions for Discipleship - Luke 9: 23-25 8:09

3h ago8:09

8:09

Send us a text In today’s episode, we reflect on the powerful words of Jesus in Luke 9:23–25: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Being a disciple was never meant to be easy, and yet it’s in carrying our daily crosses—big or small—that we truly find hope, strength, and purpose …

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Season 5 Episode 239 - Generational Sin 9:27

2h ago9:27

9:27

Send us a text Welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, Father Rico unpacks the big question: What is generational sin—and do we, as Catholics, believe in it? While some may think the sins of parents get passed on to their children, the Church teaches otherwise, with the one exception of original sin from Adam and Eve. In this episode, Father Rico di…

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Season 5 Episode 238 - Feast Day of St. Padre Pio 10:43

4d ago10:43

10:43

Send us a text Welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, Father Rico reflects on the life and legacy of St. Padre Pio, a humble yet powerful saint of our time. Known for his deep devotion to the Sacrament of Confession, his gift of reading souls, and even bearing the wounds of Christ through the stigmata, Padre Pio showed the world what it means to li…

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Season 5 Episode 237 - Transubstantiation 5:14

2d ago5:14

5:14

Send us a text Welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, Father Rico unpacks a big church word—transubstantiation—and why it’s at the very heart of our Catholic faith. While the word may be tricky to say, its meaning is powerful: at every Mass, the bread and wine truly become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. In this episode, Father…

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Season 5 Episode 236 - Feeding the Fans! - Luke 9: 10-17 11:08

5d ago11:08

11:08

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, Father Rico dives into one of the most famous miracles in Scripture—the Feeding of the 5,000 from Luke 9:10–17. With just five loaves and two fish, Jesus not only satisfied thousands but also revealed how God always provides in abundance. Are you hungry yet? Whether it’s physical food or the deeper hunger of …

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Season 5 Episode 235 - Stained Glass Windows 12:11

4d ago12:11

12:11

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Father Rico invites listeners to take a closer look at the beauty and meaning behind stained glass windows in our churches. More than decoration, these windows have long served as powerful teaching tools, sharing stories from Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the wonders of creation—especia…

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Season 5 Episode 234 - Why do we use Incense 8:57

5d ago8:57

8:57

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we’re diving into the tradition of incense and why the Church continues to use it in worship. From its roots in ancient Jewish rituals to its role in Catholic liturgy today, incense reminds us that our prayers are meant to rise up to God like the smoke we see drifting toward heaven. Beyond its fr…

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Season 5 Episode 233 - Catholic Aerobics 14:27

9d ago14:27

14:27

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we’re tackling something every Catholic has noticed but maybe never fully understood—what Fr. Rico likes to call “Catholic aerobics.” Why do we sit, stand, kneel, or even genuflect when we walk into church? These postures aren’t random motions but powerful signs of reverence, prayer, and presence…

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Season 5 Episode 232 - All for God and for His Glory 10:48

8d ago10:48

10:48

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on Jesus’ powerful reminder that “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” The disciples got caught up in arguments about status, but Jesus flips the script—real greatness is found in humility, service, and putting others before ourselves. Father Rico unpacks what this lo…

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Season 5 Episode 231 - Running the Race 9:12

8d ago9:12

9:12

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into St. Paul’s powerful imagery of running the race of life from 1 Corinthians 9. Just like athletes who train with discipline and focus, we’re called to stay committed in our spiritual journey, keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate prize—eternal life with God. Father Rico unpacks how s…

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Season 5 Episode 230 - Dry Bones 9:59

9d ago9:59

9:59

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into one of the most powerful and vivid passages in Scripture—the vision of the dry bones from the prophet Ezekiel. This incredible story reminds us that no matter how hopeless or “lifeless” things may seem, God’s Word has the power to breathe new life and restore hope. Let's join Father …

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Season 5 Episode 229 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross 7:47

10d ago7:47

7:47

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—a powerful reminder of the greatest act of love the world has ever seen. Father Rico draws a fun comparison between championship trophies in sports and the cross, showing us how this sacred sign is the true “trophy” of victory over sin an…

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Season 5 Episode 228 - Sharing the Faith with Others 6:11

11d ago6:11

6:11

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we’re talking about the call to share our faith with others. Inspired by John 7:25-26, we see how even in Jesus’ time people questioned who He was—yet He kept speaking openly and boldly. Like Jesus, we too are called to witness to our faith, not by shouting from street corners, but through authen…

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Season 5 Episode 227 - The Name of Mary 5:43

12d ago5:43

5:43

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Holy Name of Mary. The Church honours Mary’s name because it reflects her deep faith, her “yes” to God, and her role as the Mother of the Church. Just as we show respect when calling our parents “mom” or “dad,” so too we show love and reverence when we say …

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Season 5 Episode 226 - Remembering September 11 17:37

13d ago17:37

17:37

Send us a text Today’s episode, Remembering September 11, invites us to pause and reflect on a day that changed the world forever. September 11th is a day of sorrow and remembrance, but also a call to pray for peace and healing—for the victims, their families, and all who still carry the weight of that tragedy. We also honor the courage of first re…

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Season 5 Episode 225 - Conversion 5:28

14d ago5:28

5:28

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today we’re talking about conversion, which Saint Paul VI reminds us isn’t a step backward but a push forward—much like when an athlete adjusts their game to become a stronger, more well-rounded player. Conversion is like shifting from only playing offense to becoming a true two-way player: it…

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Season 5 Episode 224 - Cleaning the Inside 7:27

15d ago7:27

7:27

Send us a text Welcome back to God’s Playbook! In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that what matters most is not how we appear on the outside, but the intentions of our hearts. While the Pharisees focused on looking righteous, Jesus challenges us to look deeper and “clean the inside” by rooting out pride, envy, jealousy, and other struggles that ca…

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Season 5 Episode 223 - Happy Birthday Mama Mary 7:44

16d ago7:44

7:44

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, we celebrate a very special day—the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Birthdays are always joyful, but this one is extra meaningful because it’s our Blessed Mother’s! Just as we would honour someone we love on their birthday, today is a chance to honour Mary with our prayers—especially through the rosary, …

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Season 5 Episode 222 - Deny Yourself and Follow Me 9:04

17d ago9:04

9:04

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, we dive into the Sunday Gospel where Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and teaches us the challenging call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. But what does it really mean to “deny yourself”? From small sacrifices like passing on dessert to greater acts of putting others …

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Season 5 Episode 221 - God Sees, Knows, and Hears 7:57

18d ago7:57

7:57

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today we’re reflecting on the wisdom of St. Ignatius Loyola, who reminds us that we should never do or say anything we wouldn’t do in the presence of God—because the truth is, He’s always with us. Not in a scary or intimidating way, but in a loving way: God sees our choices, hears our words, a…

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Season 5 Episode 220 - Feast Day of St. Mother Teresa 9:23

19d ago9:23

9:23

Send us a text Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta—better known to the world as Mother Teresa. Her life reminds us that holiness isn’t found in doing big things, but in doing little things with great love. Even in times of spiritual dryness, she trusted God fully, seeing Jesus in every person she served. May her example inspi…

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Season 5 Episode 219 - Who's on your Team 8:26

24d ago8:26

8:26

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! With the NFL season kicking off, many of us get caught up in fantasy football and choosing the right players for our roster. But just like scouting athletes, we should also be asking ourselves—who’s on God’s team, and do we really know the saints who inspire and intercede for us? In today’s ep…

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Season 5 Episode 218 - Back to School 5:51

24d ago5:51

5:51

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! The day after Labour Day marks a new school year, but it’s also the perfect reminder that learning isn’t just for children—it’s for all of us in our journey of faith. Today, we reflect on what it means to have a “back to school” mentality when it comes to deepening our relationship with God, w…

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Season 5 Episode 217 - The Gift of Work 7:08

27d ago7:08

7:08

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, on Labour Day, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the gift of work—not just as a way to earn a living, but as a way to provide for our families, build up our communities, and share in God’s creation. Whether you’re a student preparing for your future, someone fully immersed in you…

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Season 5 Episode 216 - Sharing our Gifts and Talents 5:56

28d ago5:56

5:56

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, we reflect on the beautiful parable of the talents, where Jesus reminds us that everything we have—our gifts, skills, and even our faith—comes from God and is meant to be shared. Just as the servants were called to use their talents wisely, each of us is invited to put our God-given gifts into action to build…

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Season 5 Episode 215 - He Must Increase I must Decrease - John 3- 22-36 6:24

29d ago6:24

6:24

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we wrap up John’s Gospel chapter 3 with the inspiring words of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase, I must decrease.” John’s humility reminds us that our lives aren’t meant to point to ourselves, but toward Christ, the true bridegroom. As we reflect on his mission and message, we’re invited t…

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Season 5 Episode 214 - The Passion of St. John the Baptist - Standing up for Truth 10:27

30d ago10:27

10:27

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, we celebrate the Feast of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, the great prophet who prepared the way for Christ. John’s life teaches us humility, repentance, and courage, especially in standing up for truth even when it’s unpopular or costly. His fearless witness reminds us that speaking truth must always …

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Season 5 Episode 213 - Feast day of St. Augustine 8:40

1M ago8:40

8:40

Send us a text Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine, a man who went from living a worldly life to becoming one of the greatest saints and Doctors of the Church. His powerful conversion was made possible through the tireless prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, whose example reminds us to never giv…

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Season 5 Episode 212 - Feast Day of St. Monica 9:42

1M ago9:42

9:42

Send us a text Today on God’s Playbook, we celebrate the feast of Saint Monica, one of the great prayer warriors of our Church. Known as the patron saint of wives and mothers, Monica teaches us what it means to persevere in prayer—even when results seem far away. Her life reminds us never to give up on prayer, no matter how long it takes, because G…

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Season 5 Episode 211 - the Teacher vs the Students 5:59

1M ago5:59

5:59

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus reminds us that we have one true teacher—Himself—and we are all students. Just like in the classroom, the teacher sets the rules, offers guidance, and helps us grow, while the student’s role is to listen, learn, and apply what is taught. As we prepa…

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Season 5 Episode 210 - Psalm 63 5:02

1M ago5:02

5:02

Send us a text Friends, in today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we pray with Psalm 63, a beautiful reminder that our souls thirst for God just as we thirst for water on the hottest of days. This psalm assures us that God is not distant but present—satisfying us like a rich feast and filling our hearts with joy. Often prayed in the Church’s Liturgy of…

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Season 5 Episode 209 - Faith and Works 9:55

1M ago9:55

9:55

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico continues our journey through the Letter of Saint James with one of his boldest challenges: faith without works is dead. It’s not enough to say we believe if our actions don’t reflect it—whether that’s feeding the hungry, offering a listening ear, or giving our time in service. Faith sho…

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Season 5 Episode 208 - Not Yet... 1 Kings 19 16b 19-21 9:21

1M ago9:21

9:21

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico dives into the story of Elisha in 1 Kings 19 and the all-too-familiar “not yet” response to God’s call. Just like Elisha, we often delay following God’s lead—putting off His invitations until it feels more convenient or comfortable. But God’s timing isn’t about when we’re ready; it’s abo…

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Season 5 Episode 207 - Focusing on our Language 9:49

1M ago9:49

9:49

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico takes a closer look at the words we use daily and how they reflect our faith. From casually saying “OMG” to more serious misuses of God’s name, our culture has made it easy to slip into habits that chip away at reverence for the holy. Together, we’ll explore why language matters, how eve…

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Season 5 Episode 206 - Settling Differences 9:04

1M ago9:04

9:04

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we reflect on 1 Corinthians 6:1–11, where St. Paul reminds us about handling grievances with love and respect. Differences are a natural part of any relationship, but how we approach them can either build peace or create division. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to communicate with kindnes…

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Season 5 Episode 205 - Rich by Sharing 9:39

1M ago9:39

9:39

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into Jesus’ powerful words about wealth, generosity, and the heart. While He warns how hard it is for the rich to enter heaven, we unpack what He truly means — it’s not about the size of the bank account, but the openness of the heart. From tithing to giving until it hurts, we explore how…

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Season 5 Episode 204 - Attachments 10:30

1M ago10:30

10:30

Send us a text In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we dive into the story of the rich young man who walked away from Jesus, saddened by the challenge to give up his possessions. Father Rico explores how our own attachments—whether to things, people, habits, or even our own pride—can quietly shape our hearts and pull our focus away from what matte…

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Season 5 Episode 203 - Doing Things we Dont Like to Do 8:38

1M ago8:38

8:38

Send us a text Today’s episode might hit close to home—we’re talking about doing things we don’t like to do. From household chores to offering forgiveness, these small, unglamorous tasks can become powerful opportunities to offer daily sacrifices to God. We’ll explore how stepping into the uncomfortable can shape our character, deepen our faith, an…

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Season 5 Episode 202 - Living Forever 10:28

1M ago10:28

10:28

Send us a text Today on the Lord’s Day, we’re looking at one of the boldest claims Jesus ever made: “I am the living bread… whoever eats of this bread will live forever.” Sounds huge, right? But “living forever” isn’t just some distant, fairy-tale idea—it’s a real promise that changes how we live right now. In this episode, we’ll unpack how the Euc…

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Season 5 Episode 201 - Living a Virtuous Lifestyle 6:05

1M ago6:05

6:05

Send us a text Happy Saturday, friends! In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it really means to live a virtuous life, inspired by the powerful message from Ezekiel 18. From showing kindness to others, to staying faithful, to making choices that reflect God’s love, we’ll explore how virtue isn’t just for priests or saints—it’s for all of us, e…

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Season 5 Episode 200 - The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12:28

1M ago12:28

12:28

Send us a text Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — a day filled with hope, joy, and inspiration. Mary’s “yes” to God didn’t just change her life; it changed the world, and her being taken body and soul into heaven reminds us of the destiny God has in store for all who love Him. Together, we’ll reflect on …

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Season 5 Episode 199 - Feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe 6:18

1M ago6:18

6:18

Send us a text Today we celebrate the life and witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest from Poland whose courage and deep love for God continue to inspire the Church. Known for his devotion to Our Lady and his missionary work in Poland and Japan, St. Maximilian’s ultimate act of sacrifice came in 1941 at Auschwitz, where he offered his…

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Season 5 Episode 198 - Encountering God at Sinai 6:39

2M ago6:39

6:39

Send us a text Today, we reflect on Moses’s awe-inspiring encounter with God at Mount Sinai—a moment of thunder, fire, and divine presence. Like Moses, we’re called to approach the Lord with reverence and humility, especially in the Mass. This powerful story invites us to remember that God still calls us to holiness today, guiding us to draw closer…

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Season 5 Episode 197 - This is Holy Ground 5:53

2M ago5:53

5:53

Send us a text Today’s episode, This is Holy Ground, takes us to one of the most powerful moments in Scripture—God revealing Himself to Moses in the burning bush. Just as Moses recognized the sacredness of the place where God stood, we too are called to see our churches as holy ground—spaces set apart for prayer, reverence, and encounter with the L…

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Season 5 Episode 196 - Feast Day of St. Clare 5:30

2M ago5:30

5:30

Send us a text Today on the podcast, we’re diving into the life and legacy of St. Clare of Assisi — a humble yet powerful saint who dedicated her life to serving the poor. Inspired at just 18 by the words of St. Francis of Assisi, she founded the Poor Clare Nuns, living out the Gospel through radical poverty, service, and compassion. We’ll explore …

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Season 5 Episode 195 - Conflict Management: The Appeal 9:47

2M ago9:47

9:47

Send us a text Today’s episode is Part Two of our Conflict Management series, called “The Appeal.” Yesterday, we explored going one-on-one with someone when there's tension. But what happens when that doesn't work? Jesus offers us the next step—bringing in a neutral third party to help us really listen and understand. Because sometimes, it takes an…

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Season 5 Episode 194 - Conflict Management - The Approach 7:37

2M ago7:37

7:37

Send us a text Conflict is something we all face—especially with the people we care about most. In today’s episode, we dive into how Jesus teaches us to deal with conflict in a healthy, faith-filled way. Whether it's learning to apologize, choosing not to triangulate, or simply knowing when to let something go, we reflect on how to be true disciple…

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Season 5 Episode 193 - Feast day of St. Dominic 3:39

2M ago3:39

3:39

Send us a text Hey friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, we’re celebrating the feast of St. Dominic, a powerful preacher and founder of the Order of Preachers—also known as the Dominicans. Born in Spain in 1172, St. Dominic believed deeply in the power of education and the importance of spreading the truth of the faith far and wide. His l…