The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
Episodes
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget our dignity and worth. However, Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that every person is worth more than the entire universe. Yet at every Mass, we still pray, "Lord, I am not worthy."
How can both be true?
Fr. Mike unpacks this beautiful paradox of the Catholic faith. Our worth is immeasurable, but in the Eucharist, even the smallest fragment of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus C...
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Luke 12...
Why can't Catholics scatter ashes? Why does the Church ask us to bury the dead?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catholic understanding of honoring the dead, explains why scattering ashes isn't permitted, and reveals what these practices teach us about the dignity of the human person and the promise of eternal life.
Become a saint by saying "yes" to God, starting with the Mass.
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Eucharist is God's greatest gift and why the saints made it the center of their lives. If we want to become holy, we can't ignore the place where Jesus gives Himself completely to us.
Don't settle for what's easy, discover why faithful participation in the Mass is essential on the path to sainthood.
What does Jesus mean when he tells us to “bear fruit”?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that bearing fruit isn’t simply about being productive or avoiding laziness, it’s about who we are becoming and allowing God to transform our lives.
How can you bear fruit today?
What does "Give us this day our daily bread" really mean?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores why Jesus teaches us to ask for "daily bread" and how this simple prayer invites us to trust God one day at a time.
Are men and women really that different? And if so, what do those differences reveal about how we relate to one another?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores how the differences between men and women are not reasons for division, but reminders of our need for one another. Rather than pitting the sexes against each other, our unique strengths and perspectives can help us pursue truth, navigate difficult decisions, and flourish together.
What's the difference between criticism and correction, and does it really matter?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how to offer correction in a way that is both loving and effective. Instead of assuming motives, resorting to name-calling, or making personal attacks, he encourages us to focus on the facts. And when we're unsure of someone's intentions, choose trust over suspicion.
Are headlines, podcasts, and politics consuming your attention?
Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us to step away from the constant noise of news, politics, and our phones and turn instead to Scripture. In the Bible, we encounter the wisdom, truth, and peace that no news cycle can provide.
What do you say to someone when they're at their last moment of life?
Fr. Mike Schmitz shares what he would tell someone who's dying and it might be different than what you think.
Fr. Mike wants everyone to be Catholic, but why? Isn't Catholicism just a list of rules?
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Catholic faith is about far more than simply “following rules.” Instead, it’s about encountering the goodness of God and experiencing the beauty of life with Him through the Catholic faith.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6
Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that our actions carry weight. He cautions us to remember that someone is always watching, and that we represent something greater than ourselves. Are our actions and behaviors leading others closer to God o...
If you're a Christian and you follow Theo Von at all, you've probably heard about his reaction to an audience member calling in and getting vulnerable about his struggles. Theo Von responds by opening up about his ongoing spiritual journey and his struggles in vice and prayer.
But Fr. Mike didn't choose to highlight this moment just because of Theo Von and his journey. Theo Von's vulnerability, honesty, and frankness reveal a lot ...
We can fall into two traps when it comes to the body: believing the body is nothing, or believing the body is everything. Both are distortions of the truth.
Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that we are both body and soul. Your body is part of who you are, and your soul is part of who you are, so caring for both matter.
At the same time, St. Pope John Paul II warned against the “cult of the body”, the idea that our value is...
Struggling to pray?
Fr. Mike Schmitz shows how Ignatian prayer makes prayer simple again by using Scripture and your imagination to enter into the Gospel. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for help, choosing a short Gospel passage, and slowly immersing yourself in it one sense at a time.
Rather than replacing other prayers, Ignatian prayer deepens them, helping you grow in trust and a more personal relationship with Christ.
Pray the Luminous Mysteries with Fr. Mike Schmitz!
Struggling to understand the Bible?
Fr. Mike Schmitz shares how the Great Adventure Bible Timeline helped him finally connect the story of salvation. Now fully refreshed, with on-location filming and expert insights, this powerful series brings Scripture to life like never before.
Whether you're new or experienced, see the big picture of God’s plan and your place in it!
Happy Easter! In this joyful season, as we celebrate the beauty of our faith, we’re also reminded of our human brokenness, and how at times, that brokenness can reflect poorly on the Church.
Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us not to get discouraged nor walk away, whether we’re new to the Church or have been Catholic our whole lives, but instead to refocus on what makes our faith truly unique, Jesus Christ, fully present in...
Throughout Lent, and really throughout the entire Christian life, we keep Christ crucified before our eyes as a reminder of how deeply we are loved. But it also confronts us with a question: Do I want to be associated with that?
Fr. Mike Schmitz challenges us, especially during Holy Week but also every day, to answer honestly: Do I want to be associated with Jesus, even if it means suffering?
Our hope is that the answer becomes &...
Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with Michael Iskander, best known for his role as King David in House of David, for a powerful conversation on faith, vocation, and the journey toward God.
They reflect on David as a flawed man after God’s own heart, exploring what it means to live faithfully, trust God’s mercy, and simply do the “next right thing.”
Michael also shares his journey to Catholicism, including his ex...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.