Why Catholic?

Latest Episodes:

#146 - Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard kicks off our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils with an introduction. What is an ecumenical council? Why aren’t all councils and synods considered ecumenical? Why are these councils called? And how do Catholics consider the outcome of these councils’ decisions?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Episode 11: From Baptist Pastor to Faithful Catholic

* The Journey Home - Justin Hibbard

* Episode 65: From Doctrine to Dogma

* Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by RC Sproul

* Simply Catholic: What is an Ecumenical Council

* Catholic Answers: The Authority of Ecumenical Councils

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#145 - Radical Reversion with Katherine Mosco Depfer Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this special interview episode of Why Catholic, Justin Hibbard is joined by Katherine Mosco Depfer. Katherine shares how she went from growing up in a Catholic bubble, to abandoning her faith at college, and the radical reversion she experienced as a prodigal daughter. She gives practical advice for Catholic parents as well as Catholic teens.

Interested in having Katherine speak at an event or a retreat, you can email her at katherine.mosco@gmail.com or find her on Instagram @missmosco.

This episode is also available in video format on YouTube.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#144 - The False Dichotomy of Religion vs. Relationship Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard concludes our series on the Catholic approach to prayer by addressing the claim made by many Evangelicals: “Religion is man’s way to get to God; Christianity is God’s way to get to man.” Is that true? Is all religious practices Pharisaical and a distraction from a relationship with Jesus? Or does religion actually help us pursue the heart of God?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES:

* Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus by Jeff Bethke

* Bishop Barron on "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"

* Fr. Pontifex - Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus

* Episode 73: Faith Seeking Understanding

* Episode 131: Why Prayer is so Hard

* Episode 135: Intentional Prayer

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#143 - Prayer: Our Most Powerful Weapon Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

In continuation on our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer, Justin Hibbard talks about how Scripture teaches us that prayer is our most powerful weapon. Why do we often neglect prayer for more practical measures, and how can the Christian learn to arm themselves with prayer?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Politico: Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows

* Pro-Abortion Protests Held at Catholic Churches All Over the Country | EWTN News Nightly

* Episode 105: The Upside Down Kingdom

* This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

* The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

* Episode 131: Why Prayer is so Hard

* Episode 33: The Trinity: a Blueprint for Marriage

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#142 - Ordering Our Lives Around Prayer Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer by focusing on the rhythm of prayer. How has the Catholic Church cultivated a practice of ordering our day around prayer? How do common Catholic prayers create a rhythm that helps us to pray? What are some ideas on how we can cultivate a more purposeful and disciplined prayer life?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Video: Islamic Call to Prayer in Baghdad, Iraq (2003)

* Sing the Hours on YouTube

* Episode 107 - Interview with Paul Rose, Creator of Sing the Hours

* History of the Liturgy of the Hours

* Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours Website

* iBreviary - Best app for the Liturgy of the Hours

* The Rosary

* The Divine Mercy Chaplet

* The Jesus Prayer

* The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#141 - Prayer in Motion May 27, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard reconvenes our series on the Catholic approach to prayer by talking about prayer while we move. What are some common ways that Catholics incorporate movement in prayers? And how can we think of prayer beyond just sitting still and saying words but rather pray with our bodies?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* How to pray the body prayer from the Order of Julian of Norwich

* Episode 71 - All Hallowtide: The Triduum of Death

* Using Physical Movement to Increase Student Engagement and Learning

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#140 - What Makes a Pope "Great" May 23, 2025

Show notes

In light of our new Pope - Leo XIV, Justin Hibbard explores the attributes that make a Pope “Great.” What do the “Great” Popes have in common? How did they become known as “Great?” And what experiences does Pope Leo XIV have that might position him to also be a “great” Pope?

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

* Episode 110 - Papal Supremacy

* Episode 111 - Papal Infallibility

* Episode 113 - The Great Popes

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#139 - Yes, the Conclave is an Antiquated Process, and That's a Good Thing May 09, 2025

Show notes

Is the Conclave “antiquated,” and is it time for the Catholic Church to “get with the times?” Justin Hibbard explores why the Conclave has evolved to what it is today and why the Catholic Church isn’t eager to have election processes that mimic the elections of democratic nations.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

SHOW NOTES:

Episode 114 - The History of Papal Elections

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#138 - A Papal Funeral and a Poetic God May 07, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues reflecting on the change of the papacy by focusing on Pope Francis’ funeral. What is the irony of Pope Francis’ funeral occurring at the very place where St. Peter was martyred? What does the funeral say about Pope Francis’ final act on earth and how should it serve as an example for all of us?

ubscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#137 - The Importance of Grieving for Pope Francis Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

We have lost the 266th Vicar of Christ - the Pastor of 1.3 billion people. What should our response be? Justin Hibbard shares the importance of grieving for Pope Francis, ways we can be introspective, and what we lose when we mentally try and rush to fill the empty chair at our table.

Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe