Best Missionary Formation Podcasts (2025)

1
Pope Leo XIV's Vision for a Missionary Church 21:39

31m ago21:39

21:39

How would the world be different if Catholics truly radiated the joy of the Gospel? Dr. Sri explores Pope Leo XIV's vision for a vibrant missionary Church marked by three key pillars: peace, justice, and truth. Snippet from the Show Pope Leo XIV envisions a Church that is truly missionary, a Church with arms wide open and going outward to the worl…

1
Trust: Mental Health Attitude #3 28:01

22h ago28:01

28:01

Do you have trust issues? All of us have experienced the pain of broken trust from people who were supposed to be safe — parents, coaches, pastors, siblings, or friends. Sadly, learning to live in mistrust of others leads to us distrusting God and erodes our mental health. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi get honest about t…

1
Life on Mission with Luke and Megan Reetz // Episode 230 52:17

7d ago52:17

52:17

This is a rare treat! Luke and Megan Reetz join Joseph on this episode, and Luke was one of the most instrumental men in Joseph's deepening conversion in college. We get to hear how each of them ended up joining FOCUS, what they learned, and how their lives are playing out now on mission! As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at h…

1
Hope: Mental Health Attitude #2 29:16

8d ago29:16

29:16

Hope is more than wishful thinking — it’s the anticipation of good things from a good God who has redeemed us, loves us, and cares for us. This is why Jesus' followers have the most reason to be hopeful humans. Even still, all of us experience times when feelings of shame and depression drain our hopefulness and crush our spirit. Join us for this e…

1
Pope Leo XIV's First Five Days: 6 Key Lessons 30:36

7d ago30:36

30:36

What can we learn from Pope Leo XIV's first five days? Dr. Sri reflects on the Pope's inaugural days and shares 6 key lessons from the Pope's early messages and homilies that we can all learn from and apply to our own spiritual lives. Snippet from the Show Pope Leo XIV introduced a core framework for understanding salvation—Jesus as the gift and th…

1
Retreat Experiences and Accompaniment 37:30

11d ago37:30

37:30

Retreats are an ancient practice for Catholics to get away from the day-to-day life and allow God to work in their hearts in a deeply intimate way. Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center and Campus Minister for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank…

1
Life on Mission with Nathan Stanley // Episode 229 52:20

14d ago52:20

52:20

Nathan Stanley, the senior director of Talent and Leadership Development for FOCUS, joins Joseph for this episode, and what a delight it was! Listen in to find out more! As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at https://ouroutpost.org/ join our free resource library platform here catch our other podcast, Love Your Marriage, by clic…

1
Resilience: Mental Health Attitude #1 27:55

15d ago27:55

27:55

A common misunderstanding in Christianity is that you won’t struggle with mental health issues if you read the Bible and pray. The reality is that we’re all human and factors like trauma, stress, and genetics can lead to wrestling with anxiety or depression. Part of apprenticeship to Jesus is engaging difficult yet valuable inner work to become hea…

1
The Risen Christ Makes All Things New 18:25

14d ago18:25

18:25

The resurrection is not just something that happened 2000 years ago, but something that Jesus wants to do in our souls today. Dr. Sri explains how the risen Lord is a wounded surgeon who enters the depths of our sufferings to bring new life, restoration, and wholeness. Most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus doesn't just fix things; it makes al…

1
When God Feels Distant, What do You do? - Psalm 60 1:00:13

16d ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Things were falling apart. The battles weren’t going well. It felt like God had left. Psalm 60 is a prayer from that exact moment—a cry for help when nothing makes sense. In this podcast, we walk through each verse and ask real questions: Why does God let His people struggle? What does it mean to be “beloved” even in loss? And how do we hold on to …

1
Coached by the Curé with Kevin Wells // Episode 228 1:02:42

21d ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Joseph talks to author Kevin Wells about St. John Vianney and his lessons for parents today. Purchase Kevin's book here: https://kevinwells.org/books Kevin Wells is a Catholic writer, speaker, and former sports reporter with the Tampa Tribune, where he covered major-league baseball. He is the author of the best-selling Catholic book The Priests We …

1
The Adventure of Staying Where God Puts You 20:30

22d ago20:30

20:30

Are you feeling bored or restless in your current season with the Lord? It's natural to pursue transition when you feel the itch for something new. Yet all of us know that changing our circumstances doesn't automatically change us. There's often a deeper work of formation and preparation that Jesus desires to accomplish in our lives when he asks us…

1
Tracing the Origins of the Papacy 25:07

21d ago25:07

25:07

The concept of the Papacy has deep historical and biblical roots. Dr. Sri explains these origins, offering key insights into the significance of the papal office. He emphasizes important historical sites in Rome that illustrate the long-standing tradition of the Papacy, as well as scriptural references that affirm the Pope's role within the Church.…

1
Before I Go - Laura Bryce 56:22

21d ago56:22

56:22

Welcome to 'Before I Go', our season on death and dying. In this fifth episode of season five, we talk with Laura Bryce about her experience of chronic illness, being a woman in the church, and smuggling bibles into communist Romania.By Scottie Reeve, Spanky Moore & Rose Morris

1
Jubilee Year 29:01

25d ago29:01

29:01

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, William Tishuk, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, STD, Associate Professor of Practice at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, 2025. The Church has an excellent opportunity to strengthen its hope in the Lord as we prepare for the 20…

1
The Passing of a Pope: Rites, Rituals, and Conclave Explained 21:03

26d ago21:03

21:03

What happens when a Pope passes away? In this sepcial bonus episode, Dr. Sri delves into the ancient and solemn traditions that take place when a Pope dies. Learn about the role of the Vatican Chamberlain, the centuries-old funeral rites, and the process leading up to the conclave to elect the next Pope. Snippet from the Show The Church has beautif…

1
Do You Have Teammates? // Episode 227 7:45

26d ago7:45

7:45

Do you have a mission? And do you know who around you is working toward the same end? Listen in to find out more! As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at https://ouroutpost.org/ join our free resource library platform here catch our other podcast, Love Your Marriage, by clicking here: https://ouroutpost.org/podcasts/ see what we …

1
Restoring Love and Joy After a Relational Cut Off 24:14

29d ago24:14

24:14

Relationships are complex! All of us carry wounds from our past, get triggered, and unintentionally hurt others. This means that conflict is a normal part of life with others. Thankfully, the presence of Jesus is available to help us repair our hearts and relationships even when navigating complicated dynamics and emotions. Tune in for this episode…

1
3 Gifts of Pope Francis' Pontificate 25:43

29d ago25:43

25:43

As we mourn the loss of Pope Francis and pray for his soul, Dr. Sri reflects on the impact of his pontificate. He shares three gifts of his pontificate that we can all appreciate and learn from: understanding the depth of human sin and wounds, leading with mercy, and the importance of missionary discipleship. Snippet from the Show "Pope Francis und…

1
Are You a Spy? // Episode 226 19:20

1M ago19:20

19:20

Happy Spy Wednesday? Odds are good, we all operate as spies in the kingdom of God, from time to time. Today's a good day to repent and stop! As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at https://ouroutpost.org/ join our free resource library platform here catch our other podcast, Love Your Marriage, by clicking here: https://ouroutpost…

1
Space to Grieve – A Conversation with Ben Ries 43:51

1M ago43:51

43:51

“[Grief] is going to stay there whether we want it to orrecognize it or not. Grief finds its way into our bones and if we don’t address it, if we don’t hold it, if we don’t find ways to metabolize it, it’ll remain and more times than not it comes out sideways.” Grief is a part of life, but too often, we don’t make space for it—especially in the chu…

1
The Joy of God is Your Comfort and Strength 25:57

1M ago25:57

25:57

An important part of spiritual growth is learning to be comforted and strengthened by the joy of the Lord. Yet it can be challenging to experience joy in the midst of mundane life and human struggle. All of us can learn from Rabbi Jesus who teaches us to draw joy from Abba that transcends our circumstances. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as…

1
The Crucial Turning Point in Holy Week 17:17

1M ago17:17

17:17

How did Jesus go from the joys of Palm Sunday to the sorrows of Good Friday? Dr. Sri delves into the pivotal events leading to Jesus' death, examining the dramatic shift in the way the Jewish people and leaders perceived him. He explains how Jesus' radical ministry, particularly seen in his cleansing of the temple, led the Jewish leaders to plot a…

1
How Should Christians Act? - 1st Thessalonians 5:12-28 1:14:40

1M ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Years ago Paul, Silvanus and Timothy wrote a letter to a very specific church, telling the body precisely how to live and act. But are these lessons applicable to modern day Christians? Join our discussion as we spend the hour together learning God's word! Want to join live? Follow us on Facebook at Random Acts of Study so you can enjoy the live st…

1
Families at Mass 43:25

1M ago43:25

43:25

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Krissy Pierno and Kate Fowler to discuss their experiences when bringing their families to Mass. Parents with young children understand how getting to Mass and getting through Mass can offer specific challenges. Kate and Krissy offer tips and advi…

1
Life on Mission with Jared Smyth // Episode 225 1:11:43

1M ago1:11:43

1:11:43

We had the delight of hosting Jared Smyth, vice president at Communio and former FOCUS missionary (and Joseph's former missionary!) for this episode! For those in marriage ministry/parish ministry/diocesan ministry, check out Communio and let Jared know if you're interested in their services at [email protected]! As always, check out our work, an…

1
Getting Out of a Shame Storm 29:04

1M ago29:04

29:04

Have you ever been trapped in a shame storm? It’s tempting to isolate when feelings of judgment and rejection overwhelm us. But defending against our emotions only becomes a barrier to embracing our greatest need — to be fully seen, known, and loved by Jesus, often through one of his ambassadors. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and K…

1
Learning to Love the Catechism with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Part 2) 24:39

1M ago24:39

24:39

Dr. Sri and Fr. Mike continue their conversation about the richness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They highlight their favorite sections, particularly those about the nature of true love and the transformative graces of the sacraments. They conclude by emphasizing the importance of trust in our relationship with God. Snippet from the Sho…

1
BOOK RELEASE DAY! 7:49

2M ago7:49

7:49

Thank you, friends, for clicking on this episode of the Pondering Purple podcast, a source of information, insight and inspiration for those who love MKs and those who are MKs. ··· This episode is based on an article by the same name: ⁠⁠⁠Book Release Day ... Other resources mentioned in this episode are: ⁠⁠The book's home page on my website, with m…

1
Life on Mission with John and Caitlin Wojtasek // Episode 224 1:11:55

2M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

John and Caitilin Wojtasek are two lovely former missionaries and we are delighted to have hosted them on the podcast! They share their missionary journeys as well as their struggles with infertility as a married couple, and we hope you find their story to be a blessing to you! You can find out more about John's work here: https://goldeneaglecreati…

1
The Intimacy and Self-Discovery of Prayer 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

It's vulnerable to ask for what we need or desire. Opening our hearts to others cultivates connection and trust but also leaves us susceptible to rejection and disappointment. And it's no different in a relationship with Jesus — depending on him wholeheartedly always requires risk. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk abou…

1
Learning to Love the Catechism with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Part 1) 22:06

2M ago22:06

22:06

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is so much more than a reference book. In this special edition of All Things Catholic Fr. Mike Schmitz joins Dr. Sri at the SEEK 25 conference to discuss the significance of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They discuss how the Catechism serves as a vital resource for understanding the Church's teachings an…

1
Eucharistic Revival: Year of Mission 28:29

2M ago28:29

28:29

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Deacon Mark Krejci of the Diocese of Crookston to discuss the third year of the Eucharistic Revival, Year of Mission. This is an exciting new season of the Revival movement. The Holy Spirit has enkindled a missionary fire in the heart of …

1
Life on Mission with Thomas Ripplinger // Episode 223 48:55

2M ago48:55

48:55

Thomas Ripplinger spent two years as a full-time Catholic missionary at Michigan Technological University, and is still living mission today with his wife and children in a small town in Wisconsin. Join us for a delightful conversation! As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at https://ouroutpost.org/ join our free resource library…

1
Steps to Become New (Conversation with John Ortberg) 46:54

2M ago46:54

46:54

The tension between our need for transformation and our inability to make it happen can leave us feeling helpless. Thankfully change doesn’t happen as a result of our own strength. It's through acknowledging our weakness that we develop a greater dependency on God's revolutionary love, care, and power. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill…

1
The Freedom Behind Mary's Fiat 19:06

2M ago19:06

19:06

Mary's fiat reflects her deep love for God and willingness to serve. Dr. Sri explores the significance of Mary's response to God at the Annunciation. He delves into the meaning of the term 'slave' as used by Mary, contrasting modern and classical views of freedom and emphasizing the importance of virtue in living a life of authentic love. Snippet f…

1
Life on Mission with Amanda Teixeira // Episode 222 46:18

2M ago46:18

46:18

We're joined with Amanda Teixeira, co-founder of WalletWin, to talk about her time as a full-time missionary and the lessons and fruit that came from years with FOCUS and beyond! Hear how she was at the beginning of both FOCUS Greek and FOCUS Summer Projects! In January 2012, FOCUS missionary Amanda Teixeira, and her husband, Jonathan, had $25,000 …

1
Listening for God: A Conversation on Spiritual Direction – A Conversation with Mallory Wyckoff 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

There comes a time in every seeker’s life when the well runs dry, when prayer feels hollow, scripture feels distant, and the certainty that once steadied our steps begins to shift like sand beneath our feet. In those moments, we do not need more noise, more answers, or more tasks to complete. Weneed a companion; a wise and patient listener who can …

1
Your Child's Sacred Wound Draws Them to Jesus 14:29

2M ago14:29

14:29

All of us experience grief when we fall short of caring for others the way the Good Shepherd perfectly tends to us. It can be especially distressing for parents of adult children to look back and realize how their own lack of wholeness wounded their kids. Thankfully, there's hope for redemption! We can pray for their wounds to become sacred and cre…

1
The Legacy of the Early Church Fathers 25:19

2M ago25:19

25:19

The Catholic Church has a rich heritage of apostolic succession. In this special episode, Dr. Sri takes us on a pilgrimage through the historical roots of the Catholic faith in Rome. He explores the significance of early Church fathers like St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius of Antioch, highlighting their contributions to our understanding of apo…

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