A range of new Catholic podcasts have hit the streets in recent months, offering opportunities for spiritual reflection and nourishment, engagement with the big issues of the day, and support for families.
The Australian Redemptorists, through Majellan Media, have introduced a new podcast called Figuring out Families .
Majellan Media recently launched this new podcast supporting family life.
“(Through the new podcast), Majellan hopes to reach a new audience, especially at a time when being a family seems to be harder than ever,” they said in a media release.
The new podcasts feature prominent people and expert guests who discuss issues faced by families and offer advice and insights on what each of us can do to help our families to be the best family they can be.
The first episode featured Denis Fitzgerald, outgoing Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV).
Figuring out Families podcast series is available from most podcast services and on Spotify or find the podcast here.
Meanwhile, Catholic women across Australia have been given a new avenue to explore and question their faith.
The Diocese of Parramatta, through its youth ministry Catholic Youth Parramatta, has launched a new podcast series called At The Well.
Catholic Youth Parramatta’s Local Engagement Leader, Qwayne Guevara, and Assistant Director Rosie Drum MGL, together with writer and mother Joy Adan co-host At The Well.
At The Well co-hosts Rosie Drum mgl, Joy Adan and Qwayne Guevara. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
The pilot episode was launched online through Soundcloud on Wednesday 28 August.
“This is a pilot episode of what we hope will be a series of conversations that allow us to really delve into the issues that are facing young women, particularly those who are striving to live a life of holiness in today’s society,” Qwayne said during the introduction to the podcast.
The podcast starts off with a prayer, before exploring a particular topic relevant to women and faith.
The idea to start a podcast for women followed the success of two “At the Well” evenings for young women, which were inspired by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Year of Youth.
“There is a lot of content podcast-wise or blog-wise for Catholic women, but there’s very little in the Australian context. So, we’re hoping to add a little bit of content that empowers women, encourages women and equips women to recognise their identity in God and also to strive with other women to live lives full of holiness,” Rosie explained.
“I hope this podcast becomes a platform by which people can journey with us so that they can also see the beauty of our faith and want that for themselves and for their loved ones.” Qwayne said.
The podcast is set to be released monthly, with the hosts exploring options of being released through Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the podcast via Soundcloud by visiting tinyurl.com/atthewellpodcast and submit your questions or contact the hosts through the At The Well Facebook group.
And the Sydney Archdiocese has launched a new podcast series for anyone interested in the intersections of life and faith.
This Catholic Life, is a one-hour weekly show featuring ordinary Aussie Catholics in relaxed yet genuinely searching conversation covering topics from religion to politics, movies to mental health or families to fast food.
Hosts Notre Dame University’s Peter Holmes and Dr Renee Kohler-Ryan welcome a variety of local and international guests to the show each week.
This Catholic Life host Peter Holmes, guest Anna Hitchings and producer Mike Lynch record a podcast in the Sydney archdiocese studio. PHOTO: Peter Rosengren, The Catholic Weekly.
Guests include popular Catholic Weekly columnist Monica Doumit who is the archdiocese’s director of public affairs and engagement, and contributor Anna Hitchings whose article on dating as a faithful Catholic went viral this year.
“The growing popularity of podcasts is a great opportunity for Catholic media,” said Mr Holmes, who said the show would model respectful disagreement on issues of importance.
“When we looked at doing this podcast we knew that it has got to be good, it’s got to be professional and it can’t be for this tribe or that tribe, it’s got to be a genuine conversation.
“The idea is also that anyone can listen to it, I could have my protestant siblings or atheist friends listen.
Find It On iTunes – This Catholic Life Podcast.
This article draws from articles published in Catholic Outlook and The Catholic Weekly.