Catholic Answers Live

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#12843 How Can You Become an Apologist? Tips and Stories - Trent Horn Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

“How can you become an apologist?” This episode shares practical tips and personal stories, including Trent Horn’s own journey into apologetics and insights on how Matt Fradd found his path. Additionally, discover valuable advice on building a supportive team and the importance of engaging directly with the community.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – Trent Horn’s origin story
29:00 – How Matt Fradd became an apologist
35:00 – Tips for becoming an apologist
40:00 – How Trent met Laura
42:50 – Tip Two: Build a team around you
49:10 – Tip 3: Get in the trenches

#12842 Why Does It Take So Long to Become Catholic? Faith and Apologetics - Emily Dinneny Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

“Why Does It Take So Long to Become Catholic?” This question opens a discussion on the intricacies of the Catholic initiation process. Other topics include the concerns of a Jewish individual raised atheist who loves Jesus but hesitates to join the Church, and how Catholics can defend their faith without being apologists.

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Questions Covered:

02:29 – Why is the process to become Catholic so long?
14:13 – I’m Jewish but I was raised atheist. I love Jesus but I’m afraid to go to the Church.
29:14 – I struggle with defending the faith. How should a Catholic defend the faith without needing to be an apologist?
42:01 – Regarding Papal Infallibility in Vatican 1. What historical documents affirm this doctrine?
47:45 – I’m joining OCIA because of the Church fathers and apostolic succession. Do Episcopalian have apostolic succession?
49:58 – I’m reading the Early Church Father and I’m not Catholic because I’m trying to figure what my next step is.

#12841 What Keeps Young People From Mass? Vatican II and Community - Emily Dinneny Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

“What keeps young people from going to Mass?” This question opens a discussion on the challenges faced by the younger generation in engaging with their faith. Other topics include the need for Vatican II, concerns about social dynamics in church communities, and the experiences of recent converts starting young adult groups.

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Questions Covered:

06:09 – What keeps young people from going to Mass?
17:14 – What was the need for Vatican 2?
29:05 – I’ve been trying to go to Mass but the people are weird and lack social awareness. Will I have friends if I join?
40:02 – I’m non-Denom. How can I be sure the Catholic faith didn’t make a change that led it off track?
49:23 – Recent convert. I started a YA group at my parish.

#12840 Is Raphael Lying to Tobias? Keys to Peter and Vatican II - Jimmy Akin Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

“Is Raphael lying to Tobias?” This question delves into the intriguing moment in Tobit where Raphael identifies himself in a way that raises doubts about honesty. Additionally, the discussion touches on the unique role of Peter in relation to the keys of the kingdom, the Ethiopian Bible, and the biblical foundations for Vatican II, showcasing a rich exploration of faith and scripture.

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Questions Covered:

04:13 – I was reading Tobit 5 where Raphael appears to Tobias and Tobias doesn’t recognize him as an angel. In v11 he asks what tribe he’s from, and Raphael replies saying he’s one of Tobias’ relatives. What’s going on here? It sounds like an angel is lying to Tobias.
16:14 – I’m a catechumen and kind of between Orthodoxy and Catholicism right now. When Jesus gives the keys to Peter, later in that chapter he gave the rest of the apostles to ability to bind and loose. Catholics say that they keys give the pope the ability to bind and loose, but if the rest of the apostles have that, what makes Peter unique?
28:43 – What do you know about the Ethiopian bible and the books of Enoch?
33:08 – What recommendations do you have to get a Catholic typological understanding of the bible?
42:23 – Is the scripture materially sufficient for salvation?
52:45 – What are the biblical bases for Vatican II and becoming modern?

#12839 Why Date Johns Gospel Earlier? Melchizedek and Creation - Jimmy Akin Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

“Why date John’s Gospel earlier than the modern consensus?” This question opens a discussion on the dating of biblical texts, alongside intriguing inquiries about the identity of Melchizedek and the implications of Genesis 1 regarding the Trinity. Other topics include the reality of dinosaurs in relation to the creation story and the reliability of different biblical texts.

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Questions Covered:

03:40 – Why do you date John’s Gospel earlier than the modern consensus?
17:27 – Gen 1 the Spirit is named and the Father is named but Jesus isn’t. Could the face of the waters be a reference to him?
32:07 – Who was Melchizedek and there an actual order based on him?
40:10 – Are dinosaurs real? Scientists say they lived like 70 million years ago. But that doesn’t seem to work with the creation story in Genesis, where the animals were created after Adam and Eve.
44:57 – In your video on the Ark of the Covenant, you said you believed the Ark was destroyed by the Babylonians. How could they have done that given the story of Uzzah, who just touched it and died?
50:00 – A Protestant told me that the Alexandrian texts of the Bible were not reliable because they were so far away geographically from the origin point that they would have been corrupted. I believe his conclusion was that therefore the King James Version is the only reliable version of the Bible. What do you make of this?

#12838 How Do Catholics Handle the Eucharist and Infallibility? - Karlo Broussard Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

“How do Catholics handle the Eucharist?” This question leads to a discussion on the accommodations for those with gluten allergies. The conversation also touches on the conditions for papal infallibility, including the implications of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, and offers insights on evangelizing those who feel the Church distorts the Gospel.

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Questions Covered:

07:50 – How do Catholics handle the eucharist who has a gluten allergy?
18:00 – When is the pope infallible? When Pope Benedict XVI resigned did he still have infallibility? How does it all work?
24:10 – How can Catholics better evangelize those who think we distort the gospel?
40:00 – How do I become a better Catholic? I just returned to Church about 4 months ago.

#12837 Are Some Saints Better Than Others? Conversion and Unity - Karlo Broussard Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

“Are some saints better than others?” This question opens a discussion on the unique virtues of saints, while also addressing the journey of conversion for those considering joining the Catholic faith. Additional topics include the importance of knowledge in conversion and the complexities of reunifying with the Orthodox Church regarding apostolic succession.

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Questions Covered:

07:11 – Are some saints better than others at certain things?
30:47 – My husband and I are looking into converting. Should I wait till I know everything about Catholicism before entering?
43:47 – How would it work if we were to reunify with the Orthodox especially regarding apostolic succession since they do not have it through St. Peter?

#12836 When Should You Receive Anointing of the Sick? Conversion and Mary - Joe Heschmeyer Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

“When should you receive the Anointing of the Sick?” This question is addressed alongside practical insights for recent converts grappling with Marian dogmas and a discussion on the implications of 2 John 1:1-2 regarding infallibility and sensus fidelium. The episode covers a range of topics relevant to faith and practice.

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Questions Covered:

07:18 – When is it appropriate to receive the anointing of the sick? Can one get it before surgery?
17:30 – What advice would you give to someone who just converted 4 months ago and is really struggling with the Marian dogmas?
41:40 – 2 John 1:1-2 Is this a good argument for infallibility and sensus fidelium?

#12835 How Can We Trust Early Christians? Intercession and Unity - Joe Heschmeyer Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

“How can we trust early Christians?” This question opens a discussion on the reliability of early Christian teachings, alongside inquiries about the Catholic Church’s agreements with the Oriental Orthodox and the practice of seeking intercession from deceased loved ones. These topics highlight the complexities of faith and tradition in Catholicism.

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Questions Covered:

07:14 – How do we know which early Christians to trust?
20:20 – Do you think the Catholic Church’s agreement with the Oriental Orthodox on many doctrines is a good argument against Protestantism?
43:03 – Can you ask deceased family or friends for intercession even though they haven’t been canonized?

#12834 Should New Converts Evangelize? Signs from God and the Torah - Jimmy Akin Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

“Should new converts evangelize?” This question opens a discussion on the role of new believers in sharing their faith, addressing whether they can represent their parish right away. Other topics include the antiquity of Miriam’s song in Exodus, the timeline of the Torah’s final form during King David’s reign, and the interpretation of light patterns as signs from God.

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Questions Covered:

03:45 – I’m a new convert. Can new converts evangelize on behalf of a parish or are they required to wait till they’re not as new to the faith?
12:41 – Is Miriam’s song of the sea in Exodus 15:21 more ancient than what Exodus claims?
35:03 – What evidence led you to conclude that the Torah, in its final form, was concluded in the time of the reign of King David?
48:09 – Can you take things like light refracting on a wall that looks like a religious symbol as a sign from God or can it just be dismissed as one’s imagination?

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