In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Piece Benefield. A fierce defender of Calvinism, Pierce converted to the Catholic faith after a long and fascinating journey – including going head-to-head with Catholics in a group chat, fulling intending to convert them to Calvinism, but being challenged by their through and thoroughly biblical responses to many of his objections to Catholicism!

This week, we talk about Pierce's evangelical upbringing, his shift to the serious and intellectual strand of Calvinism, and what eventually drew him into full communion with the Catholic Church – as a former anti-Catholic evangelist! Plus, we tackle objections like Mary, understanding the Early Church Fathers, and the amazing story of other converts Pierce has met along the way!

For more from Pierce check out two of his other appearances on YouTube.

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For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.

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Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,

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A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.

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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Mark Saunders, who has an incredible "reversion" story to tell.

Raised in a devout Catholic household Mark explains why he initially left the Catholic Church – despite working as an altar server and even discerning the priesthood at one point! – and how his success as a musician led to a life of sin, depravity, and eventually found him seeking out Jesus once again – and finding him in an anti-Catholic, Evangelical church.

From there, Mark's story gets even more fascinating as he begins to work as a pastor, serving his Church and even publicly discrediting his Catholic upbringing until, much to his surprise, he began to be drawn back, once again, to the Church of his childhood.

Mark's story is incredible and Mark is a wonderful guest: open, honest, and absolutely on fire for Christ and His Church.

To connect with Mark you can check out his YouTube channel, his TikTok account, and connect with him via e-mail at markjpsaunders@yahoo.co.uk.

Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.

To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.

Please consider financially supporting this show!

For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.

If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.

Thank you to those already supporting the show!

Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,

Become a supporter of Former Ruins on Bandcamp Today!

A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Find and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:

Instagram: @cordialcatholic
Twitter: @cordialcatholic
YouTube: /thecordialcatholic
Facebook: The Cordial Catholic
TikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by ETWN's Dr. Matthew Bunson to talk about everything related to the Pope.

We discuss Pope Leo XIV but also the history of the papacy, the biblical roots of the idea of the pope, how popes are elected and how that's changed over time, why the development of papacy authority is actually not what you think, and what we can make of the early papacy of the first American Pope.

This plus a ton more on an amazing episode of The Cordial Catholic!

For more from Dr. Bunson check out his book Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope.

Also, be sure to visit The Catholic International University to see what courses Dr. Busnon is teaching and to learn more about their programs. Seriously, I am!

Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.

To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.

Please consider financially supporting this show!

For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.

If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.

Thank you to those already supporting the show!

Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,

Become a supporter of Former Ruins on Bandcamp Today!

A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Find and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:

Instagram: @cordialcatholic
Twitter: @cordialcatholic
YouTube: /thecordialcatholic
Facebook: The Cordial Catholic
TikTok: @cordialcatholic