In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Father Matthew Hawkins, a former Agnostic and a convert to the Catholic faith from a long line of ministers in the American Methodist Episcopal Church. Father Matthew's story is an incredible one and he's a wonderful storytellers.

From early touchstones and experiences of Catholicism to a deep and abiding love of Scripture to a phase of serious rebellion and turning away from the Church to his ultimate conversion to Catholicism and, decades later, his amazing call to the priesthood – this is a wonderful story you aren't going to want to miss.

You can also read about Father Matthew's story in the article where I first found him from The Coming Home Network.

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,

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 for an absolutely astounding conversation with Dr. Jennifer Bryson, a scholar, a military analyst and lecturer, a former Guantanamo Bay interrogator, and a Catholic convert to talk about the incredible life she's lived – and her amazing conversion to Catholicism!

This episode is absolutely packed. Dr. Byrson begins talking a bit about the work she is currently doing translating the writing of Ida Gorres for Ignatius Press and then launches into the amazing story of her Catholic conversion – from inside Communist East Germany! – and up to her work today in peacemaking, ethics, and freedom of religion.

What an amazing story.

For more from Dr. Bryson visit her website. And check out her books from Ignatius Press.

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,

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 Peter Carter from the Catholic Sacred Music Project and the author, with Cardinal Robert Sarah, of The Song of the Lamb, a wonderful new book from Ignatius Press which explores the idea of the sacred Mass and all its beauty.

We talk about the idea of creating the sacred space appropriate for Mass, the evangelistic opportunities present in Mass, and how we can make the Mass mean more and grow deeper in our relationship to Christ through beauty and through truth.

This was a wonderful conversation that I truly hope you love!

For more from Peter Carter check out The Song of the Lamb from Ignatius Press and visit his project The Catholic Sacred Music Project to learn more.

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,

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.

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

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