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.

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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!

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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by early Church historian, scholar, and translator Dr. DP Curtin, to talk about what the documents left behind by the very earliest Christians tell us about the faith.

Dr. Curtin, translator of hundreds and hundreds of documents from the Early Church, sits down to explain just how Catholic-sounding the first Christians were. What they believed about Communion – the Eucharist – baptism, the authority structure of the Church, and much more. And how the idea of trying to pick and chooses pieces of Early Christianity – as a Protestant – can be an impossible exercise.

For more from Dr. Curtin visit the Scriptorium Project and check out all the incredible sources available in English.

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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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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the wonderful Dr. Carly York, a former Evangelical worship leader, a student of church music, a musician in her own right, and a Catholic convert. Dr. York's story – a journey from small-town baptist music ministry to studying Gregorian Chant at the Catholic University of America – is an incredible tale!

Dr. York explains how following her passion and her gifts from God – studying and performing Church music – led her deeper and deeper towards the source of some of the greatest music in Christian history, into the origins of Christian music, and into the arms of the Catholic Church.

It's an amazing story unlike anything we'd had on the show before! I hope you enjoy it.

For more from Carly check out her website. You can also find her, Carly York, on , Spotify, YouTube, and your favourite streaming platforms.

Carly has also been gracious to share this free mp3 with listeners to this show.

Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

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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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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Deacon Frank – a deacon, author, columnist, and speaker – to unpack the biblical roots, proof, and evidence for the Perpetual Virginity of Mary.

Using the Bible as the jumping off point, Deacon Frank is speaking directly to our non-Catholic Christian audience as he explains what makes Catholics believe – in tandem with the Early Christians – that Mary was not only a virgin before and after the birth of Jesus but was vowed, from the beginning, to remain one.

This is a great explainer for one of those crucial Marian dogmas that trip up so many non-Catholic Christians. With charity, clarity, and light, Deacon Frank tackles this tough topic. You'll love it.

For more from Deacon Frank check out his articles on Catholic Exchange.

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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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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Catholic Answers author, apologist, and columnist John Clark to talk about the stigmata – the incredible, miraculous wounds of Christ as experienced by some of the most profound saints down through history. And, the incredible evangelical power that the stigmata – and stigmatists – have today!

We dig into the lives of great saints like Padre Pio, St. Francis of Assisi, and more and discuss not only the profound properties of their miracles and miraculous lives but their devotion to the Eucharist, to the Church, and what makes them an unshakable witness to the Catholic faith – in our dialogue with our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters.

Plus, we talk about John's own dad's fascinating conversion story – connected to the stigmatists!

For more from John check out his book God's Wounds from Catholic Answers Press and use the coupon code WOUNDED to receive 25% off!

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

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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.

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

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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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In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Jannah Russell to share her remarkable Catholic conversion story.

Raised in the Jehovah's Witness tradition, Jannah explains how her and her husband became disillusioned with the group, eventually leaving, and rediscovering faith on their own.

Their journey, ever seeking the truth of Christ and His Church, led them into Evangelical Christianity where experiences around Communion, baptism, and the interpretation of Scripture set off some of the same alarm bells they'd heard as Jehovah's Witnesses – and that compelled them to begin their journey in the first place!

Those alarm bells drove them deeper into Scripture, into Church history and the Church Fathers, and from there, the slow realization that maybe, despite their deepest reservations, they needed to explore Catholicism.

This is a truly remarkable story and not only because Jannah managed to tell it while single-handedly taking care of 4 kids (because her husband had to work late!) but because it's a kind of microcosm of some of the same issues that comes up in Protestant Christianity writ large – playing out for two Christ-seeking believers leaving the grasp of a pretty intense Christian sect.

It's not a conversation you're going to want to miss!

Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

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

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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.

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

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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 the incredible Dr. Peter Kreeft, philosopher, theologian, and one of the most important modern converts to the Catholic faith to unpack his own conversion journey and discuss why it makes good logical, philosophical, biblical, and historical sense to become Catholic.

We talk about his journey from Calvinism to Catholicism, the centrality and logical sense of the Eucharist, the Reformation, and much, much more. Including, of course, his objections to Catholicism.

This is one of those "Bucket List" conversations for me as someone who encountered Dr. Kreeft early on in my conversion journey and read just about everything he ever wrote. What an amazing conversation.

For more from Dr. Kreeft check out his website. His new book, From Calvinist to Catholic, is simply wonderful too.

Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

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

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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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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,

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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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