Forte Catholic Podcast: Making Catholicism Fun Again

Live from Austin, Texas! Today's episode was recording at Kathryn Whitaker's home in the capital of the great country of Texas! Kathryn recently returned from a family trip to Italy and shares all about her experiences in the heartland of our faith. We also test her mettle at our favorite game "Freestyle Preaching" and Taylor shares his thoughts on conspiracy theories and the Turing Test. We hope you enjoy this week's episode! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Allison & Taylor chat about their holiday break and Allison's recent ADHD diagnosis. They also talk about dealing with haters online & the mix of comedy & responsibility online. This all stems from a recent video Allison made on TikTok that made waves. Our hosts share their differing approaches to how to deal with hatred online. They also discuss a new initiative at their parish and how it can be used as a good barometer for all of us to focus on spiritual growth in the new year. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Happy New Year! I'm terrible at looking back at the past and seeing all the good things God did in my life. I'm usually focused on the present or working towards building a better future that I forget to be thankful for what has already happened. That is why every year, we do a "State of the Forte" as our first episode of the new year to see all the cool things we experienced together. In today's episode, Taylor looks at the highlights of the show from the past year, counts down our top ten episodes, our top ten moments and shares how the show has grown. We also review the additions to our YouTube channel in 2022 and the rest of the work we did through producing other great Catholic podcasts and our events. Taylor also takes a few moments to address the passing of one of his heroes Pope Benedict XVI and his thoughts on the Damar Hamlin situation from this week's Monday Night Football. We hope you enjoy looking back at the past year with us. Blessings on your new year! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craz

Aaron Weber, Father Anthony and Taylor unite for their annual Christmas episode! They debate a theory about comedy that Father Anthony has and Aaron shares the funniest moral dilemma he found himself in that we've ever heard! Check out Aaron's comedy at http://aaronwebercomedy.com/. In the rest of the episode, Taylor & Fr. Anthony touch base on how their Advent went, share some Christmas insights and Taylor shares about a funny announcement made before Mass at his parish. To close the show, they do their new segment "Plane Theology" where Taylor puts Fr. Anthony on the spot with theology questions he got no prep time for. This week's topics include if the Apostles were baptized, if demons can hear our thoughts and if Mary knew. Merry Christmas y'all from the Forte Catholic family! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out th

Kathryn joins Taylor in studio to share some exciting news! They talk about the gift of positivity & the Church's mandate to evangelize. Kathryn also helps Taylor write an upcoming talk he is giving on cancel culture. From all of us at Forte Catholic, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Allison Sullivan joins Taylor as he shares how podcasting has broken him in two ways: one during Mass and the other in normal conversations. They also discuss their thoughts on soccer during the World Cup, a difficult story from a spelling bee(didn't see that one coming) and some overall thoughts on dealing with anxiety and seasonal depression. We're not therapists but we hope you and enjoy our honest conversation with the signature Forte Catholic laughter through the pain ;) Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Taylor shares some fun stories about being mistaken for an elderly woman and how he handled losing a contest in elementary school. He also chats with Fr. Anthony about forsaking sin. As Catholics, we know the importance of confessing our sins but a lot of us have gotten complacent in our call to forsake our sins. We also introduce a new segment called "Plane Theology." Popes have been writing encyclicals for years after careful research and revisions. But in modern times, our leaders are often asked questions on the spot like in interviews or on planes. So Taylor asks Fr. Anthony a series of theology questions he's been wondering about recently with absolutely no prep for the good priest. The topics include Jerusalem, infant baptism and hiccups. Enjoy! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out th

Jon Blevins cohosts as Taylor shares stories from a fun ministry trip to Seattle. The stories involve funniest ministry moments, worst biblical pronunciations & Catholics invading non-denominational camps. They also play one of our favorite games: freestyle preaching. They give each other three random words that they have to include in a 60 second sermon which lead to some great points and good laughs. Finally, they share some of the "best nuggets" from their real preaching at retreats, youth nights, or conferences. They have both been sharing the Gospel for years and share their favorite insights to speak about. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Chris Bartlett is our guest cohost and he talks with Taylor about an event they both get fired from lol. Chris also brings a new game where he gives Taylor marvel heroes and asks how they would use their talents to benefit the Church. It's a blast! Will Hickl joins the show to share about his Catholic record label Novum Records and to share some of their Christmas album. As this is our Thanksgiving episode, we know many people start decorating for Christmas sometime this week, including listening to Christmas music so we have a great selection of Advent/Christmas songs to help you prepare the way for Jesus over the next month. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Forte Catholic! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.yout

Allison Sullivan & Taylor Schroll discuss how expectations can really ruin an experience. They discuss this in regards to movies, video games and people, but it also applies to how we interact with God and the Church. They also go through St. Josemaria Escriva's book "The Way" for tips on the virtues they are best and worst at. It was fun to choose themes we thought the other could work on ;) Our guest this week is Meghan Adams. She is an environmental engineer who is passionate about the Lord's call for us to be good stewards of the earth He has given us. She and Taylor discuss why Catholics should care about the environment, Pope Francis' focus on it in his latest writings and what normal Catholics can do in their daily life to better take care of our shared home. Follow Meghan @red10meg on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to lea

Taylor Schroll & Fr. Anthony Sciarappa have a conversation about holy and unholy things. They discuss what sacrilege is, Taylor tries to toe the line. They also share that a recent hit song might possibly be the most sacrilegious pop song EVER! Next, they discuss the SURPRISING origins of the term "Yolo" and how it actually lines up with the Christian notion of remembering that we only have one life and should be acting accordingly. Finally, they play the "imitate, intercess or ignore" game with saints who's feast days are in October and November. Laugh along as we learn about saints in the silliest of ways. Enjoy! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Jon Blevins cohosts as Taylor shares his mixed feelings on music by a former Catholic, now atheist being played at Mass. It was initially frustrating but then ended in hope. They also discuss how Jesus can simultaneously be the seemingly contradictory Lion and the Lamb and what that means for us. We're also joined today by very special guest Fr. Dave Dwyer of the "Busted Halo Show" on Sirius XM's "The Catholic Channel." Taylor has looked up to Fr. Dave for years and Fr. Dave's show has been a huge influence on Taylor's approach to Catholic media. After years of working in media, including stints at MTV & Comedy Central, Fr. Dave has written his first book "Mass Class." He answers some of our most pressing questions about the Mass as well as some of the strangest he's received through the years. Listen to Fr. Dave's show on "The Catholic Channel", check out the podcast wherever you enjoy pods and get his new book today. (https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/0666-0/mass-class.aspx). Subscribe/Rate Never miss o

There are a lot of "firsts" in this episode! First episode with Taylor in his new recording set up. First time guest cohost Peter Schmidt has been on the show and first time for Catholic comics creator Andy Shaggy Korty! Taylor introduces Peter and they talk about the online Catholic young adult community he's been able to create through Game of Favorites (on Twitch.tv/ptony). Taylor also has a confession to make about last week's show that made him feel VERY dumb. Andy Shaggy Korty is our guest this week and he shares about his new idea "Nov Arts Ordo." Andy is an incredible comics creator who's plan is to invite other creators to make something each day in November that is connected to the saints. Connect with Andy on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter @andyshaggykorty. Peter closes out the show with a topic he wanted to focus on: poverty. They discuss how whether we are rich, poor or anywhere in between, we can all still struggle with our connection to money. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of ea

Taylor shares a personal & professional announcement with Allison to kick off the show and then they discuss how they have accumulated enemies at an alarming rate since the pandemmy started. Taylor gets introspective and asks why he has so many enemies, if he needs to change everything, how to deal with enemies internally and struggling to forgive them. Allison gives her wise counsel as always. They also discuss the recent She-Hulk Marvel series and how it was such a great show and really gave great insight into the differences between men and women by showing the differences between the Hulk & She-Hulk. They have a conversation about the show and highlight some of their favorite moments highlighting women's issues, anger, and friendship. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and oth

Taylor asks Fr. Anthony why he and his brother priests act in persona Christi and not in persona Fathery/Spirity/Trinity. He also makes Fr. Anthony play the Catholic hymns edition of Finish the Lyrics, proving that we all think we know these classic songs but we mostly just remember a jumbled mess of faith associated words. Finally, they discuss how the Church could be more welcoming to gay Catholics and better help them on their journey of discipleship. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Jon Blevins cohosts as Taylor tries to prove to Jon that his barber is lying to him. They also discuss the Four P's and how they affect our professional and spiritual lives. Next, Taylor has questions about a famous St. Francis story and why he had to do things the way he did. They also discuss a change to the Mass a few years ago that makes very little sense. Finally, they discuss parish life and Taylor asks Jon for assistance in an issue he's working through at his parish. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress O.P. has been a guest on the show many times but this is his first time in the cohost chair. He is a Dominican priest who serves as the Campus Minister at the University of Virginia. Taylor met him at a conference while Father was dressed up in a dinosaur costume and the rest is history. They discuss how we are all more equipped to minister to people than we may expect, how Taylor avoids social media bans & how sometimes people are just trying way to hard and need to chill. We hope you enjoy this week's episode! Connect with Fr. Joseph-Anthony: Instagram | @jakressop Instagram | @Catholichoos Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Taylor & Allison had very different weeks. He was bed-ridden. She enjoyed a week-long get away on a hidden island off the coast of Seattle. Needless the say they arrived at this week's episode in different moods. Taylor shares a bit of his struggle while Allison shares the joys of her Orca Isle adventures! Then they have a deep discussion about some of Taylor's internal struggles about things that he should be thrilled about but is instead frustrated/conflicted. He has mixed feelings about converts, highlighted by the recent news of Shia LaBeouf becoming Catholic. Take a listen to this conflicted soul struggle with how he feels vs. how he should feel...with Allison to guide him along the path. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: ht

Taylor & Fr. Anthony have a HUGE announcement in this week's episode! But first, Taylor has to complain about the flooding in his house and how he blames Fr. Anthony for it. Once he is done complaining, they announce that Forte Catholic is going on pilgrimage to Rome next summer! We want you all to join us for a wonderful trip to Rome, Assisi, Florence & Tuscany in June of 2023. More info at ForteCatholic.com/travel. Following this big announcement, Taylor follows it up with another announcement: he is now a cult leader! Well, in a video game at least... He tells Fr. Anthony about it and asks if it was sinful or bad for him to be playing this game that clearly has some things in it that oppose our faith. They end the show with a silly hodgepodge of topics involving pipe organs, the alphabet, maydays and more. We hope you enjoy this episode! :) Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain

Taylor is finally worthless and he couldn't be more excited! He & Liv discuss remembering the days that we prayed for what we have now. Taylor has a hard time being thankful for the little wins because he is constantly looking towards the next goal. They have a conversation about how to slow down and look back on how far things have come. Finally, Taylor shares how the woman at the well story has always bothered him a bit and the new insight from an unlikely source that helped him quite a bit. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect