Practicing Catholic

Latest Episodes:

Catholic Marriage Advice You’ll Actually Use Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Preparing for marriage—or trying to strengthen yours? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger share heartfelt and practical insights on what it means to live out the Sacrament of Marriage.

From learning to not count the cost to seeing marriage as a sacrament of service, they dive deep into how couples can truly love one another as Christ loves the Church. Whether you’re engaged, newly married, or decades in, this honest and hope-filled conversation will encourage you to see marriage as an adventure of love, sacrifice, and grace.
Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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Why You Struggle to Pray—And How to Fix It Oct 13, 2025

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Struggling to stay consistent in prayer? Taylor Kemp & Dr. Scott Hefelfinger share practical ways to deepen your daily prayer life and make time for God—no matter your season of life.
Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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Why Is Prayer So Hard? Oct 06, 2025

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Why is prayer so difficult—even when we know it’s important? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Heffelfinger dive into the struggles we all face in prayer: distraction, busyness, pride, and dryness. Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the wisdom of the saints, and personal experience, they explore why prayer often feels like a battle and how humility, trust, and perseverance help us grow in friendship with God.
Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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Why the Saints Still Matter Today Sep 29, 2025

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What can the lives of the Saints teach us about following Christ today? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, we explore why the Saints are more than distant historical figures—they are models, guides, and spiritual “big brothers and sisters” who show us how to grow in holiness.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com/

Mentioned in today's episode:

Explore the "Based on a True Saint" documentaries: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1138316
Watch "Littlest Saints" on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/801622
Listen to the Catholic Saints Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-saints/id1597828386

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Why Work Matters: A Catholic Perspective on Purpose & Productivity Sep 22, 2025

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Work isn’t just a paycheck — it’s a path to holiness. In this episode ofPracticing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger dive deep into the Catholic understanding of work: why it’s fundamentally good, how Scripture and Church teaching frame it, and how simple practices like the morning offering can transform your daily routine.

They discuss real-world struggles like distraction, burnout, and the temptation to see work as “just drudgery,” and offer practical ways to see your labor as a way to glorify God.

If you’ve ever wondered How should Catholics approach work? or How can I find purpose in my daily job? — this episode is for you.
Have a question or topic idea for future episodes? Submit them here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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Triumph of the Heart: Why Art & Suffering Matter in Faith (w/ Filmmaker) Sep 15, 2025

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In this episode of Practicing Catholic, hosts Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger sit down with filmmaker Anthony D’Ambrosio, writer and director of the powerful new film Triumph of the Heart about St. Maximilian Kolbe.

From Auschwitz to the timeless call of Christ, discover why Catholicism doesn’t shy away from suffering, how art has always shaped the Church’s identity, and how beauty can emerge even from tragedy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Catholic art embraces suffering and beauty together
How St. Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrifice reveals the heart of the priesthood
What Catholic creatives can learn about perseverance in their work
How modern technology like film carries the Gospel today

🎬 Triumph of the Heart is in theaters now! Don’t miss this powerful Catholic film:

👉 Buy tickets on Fandango: https://www.fandango.com/triumph-of-the-heart-2025-241138/movie-overview

👉 Buy tickets on AMC: https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/triumph-of-the-heart-79988

If you’ve ever wondered why Catholic art can be so raw or how beauty saves souls, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com/

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Holiness Isn’t Just for Saints: What Vatican II Really Taught Sep 08, 2025

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Holiness isn’t just for saints. Vatican II taught that every Catholic is called to holiness—here’s what that actually looks like in real life.

What does the “universal call to holiness” really mean? In this episode of Practicing Catholic, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger dive deep into this teaching from Lumen Gentium and Vatican II, breaking down what holiness looks like in everyday life. Is it about miracles and levitation—or the perfection of charity? Hear stories of struggle, perseverance, and adventure in the Christian life, plus answers to real listener questions about discouragement, discerning your vocation, and living holiness as a lay Catholic.

If you’ve ever wondered how to respond to Christ’s words “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”—this episode will help you see that holiness is both possible and personal.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: http://practicingcatholicpodcast.com/

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Why ANOTHER Catholic Podcast? Living the Universal Call to Holiness Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the first episode of Practicing Catholic! Hosts Taylor Kemp and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger dive into what it really means to practice holiness as a Catholic in today’s busy world. They share their personal faith journeys—a conversion and a reversion—and reflect on the universal call to holiness, the role of daily prayer, and the wisdom of the saints. Listeners will learn why patience and hope are essential virtues, how to take practical first steps toward a deeper spiritual life, and why holiness is a lifelong process of growth. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic, a convert, or simply seeking to live your faith more intentionally, this episode will encourage and equip you to become a “practicing Catholic” in the truest sense.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear it! Click here: practicingcatholicpodcast.com

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