How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a scottsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the caribbean by providence, impoverished in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar? We cover all this and more in our episode on HAMILTON: An American Musical. Broadway vets Stacey Sumereau and David Sanborn join us to share their stories and their thoughts on this remarkable piece of musical theatre. Along the way, Mike plays some music, does his Lin Manuel Miranda impression, and cries like a small child.

Does my brokenness define me? Is there anything really special about me? Can I ever repair the damage of my past mistakes?

Entrepreneur and game maker extraordinaire, Tony Vasinda joins us to discuss one of Netflix’s top series. On the way, we talk about:

- Can you rely on God too much?

- approval seeking behaviors

- should you stick with it or quit?

- Men and women as brothers and sisters

- do the ends justify the means?

- The ring of power from Lord of the Rings

- the effects of chronic pain

- Eros & charity

- Love between siblings

- coming alive in the Holy Spirit

- miraculous healings

- Self identity as gift and relationship

Mike is joined by Redeemer Radio host Kyle Heimann to plumb the rock/rap/funk political mele that is Rage Against the Machine. Their music is as relevant now as it ever was. Mike & Kyle bust out the guitars and uke’s to see what Tom Morello riffs they can still play. We cover a LOT of controversial political topics so prepare yourself:Racism and police brutalityWhich political party Catholics belong inCulture, eurocentrism and the liturgyrevolution vs reformliberation theology & social justiceThe breakdown of the familyFancy terms from Catholic Social TeachingA tea party with John Paul II and Zac De La RochaStorming the gates of hellApathy, silence, and sins of omissionThe culture of deathPatriotism vs nationalismWhy I call this show Pop Culture Catechism

Journey with us to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away to plumb the depths of the Star Wars mythos. Awaken Catholic veterans Jon Marc Grodi (Elevate Ordinary, The Men’s Show) and Rob Hohler (The Men’s Show) join Mike for some major nerd time. We discuss:

-Is the force kinda sorta maybe like the Holy Spirit?

-What to do after a powerful religious experience

-Religious people and Jedi who abuse their power

-The way of non-violence

-What is balance?

-Are force ghosts kinda sorta maybe like the intercession of the saints?

-Christian communion vs the diabolical unity of the Sith

-What’s wrong with the world?

-Our favorite characters

-Why the Hallow App should include Star Wars meditations

-who wins in the end: the Palpatines or the Skywalkers?

-And much more!

We venture “Into the Unknown” to unpack the hit Disney movies Frozen I & II. We are joined by the dynamic teaching duo of Kim & Jeremy Rheam. The are Disney nerds, love experts, and long time friends help us journey through some big questions:

What is true love and how do you become a love expert?

What to do when a voice inside is calling you?

Is freedom all it’s cracked up to be?

Why is a frozen heart so dangerous?

Who is the bad guy in these movies?

How to hear God speaking everyday?

Did Ana and Elsa have really bad parents?

How to handle life changes?

Does “For the First Time In Forever” hit a little too close to home in the middle of a pandemic?

And of course, do you want to build a snowman?

Can you become numb to intimacy? What is the power of prayer? What makes for good art? Is Bruce anti-American? Why does everyone from New Jersey want to get out? What does all this have to do with Nickelback and the Notorious BIG?

Singer-songwriter, podcaster, and Springsteen aficionado, Kevin Heider joins us to discuss all this and more, walking us through almost 50 years of the Boss’ music.

A child star turned international phenomenon drops a sexy new banger for 2020. On the surface, Justin Bieber’s “Holy” and Ariana Grande’s “Positions” share much in common. But go deeper and you find some big differences and some profound questions:

- What does “holy” feel like?

- Can you change for someone else without losing yourself?

- Is sex dirty or holy?

- Is the missionary position really part of church teaching?

- What’s harder: being married or being celibate?

Brian Greenfield (Hard As Nails Ministries, Steubenville Youth Conferences) and Mike break it down.

Join us as we geek out hard for one of Pop Punk's quintessential records, Paramore’s sophomore album RIOT! We discuss doubt, faith, fame, friendship, and what you get when you let your heart win. Our guest for this episode is Benjamin Jude, singer-songwriter and worship leader from St. Louis and friend of AWAKEN Catholic.

Twenty One Pilot's breakout album "Blurryface" is arguably the biggest rock album of the 2010's and also one of the most thematically Christian mainstream albums ever. JonMarc Grodi (of the Coming Home Network) and Mike take a deep dive into the album and explore all the musical and spiritual nooks and crannies. Stick around until the end to hear Mike's rendition of one of the best known songs off this album.

Ed Sheeran is the 2nd most streamed artist of the decade (behind Drake) and just wrapped up the highest grossing and biggest tour of all time. He's the real deal. Mike talks with evangelist Brian Rhude about why Ed Sheeran's one man show as well as his songwriting, is so compelling. We talk about death and mourning, love, vocation, Theology of the Body, soteriology, love, persecution, evangelization through beauty, and also make fun of each other a lot.

We go Crawling through the past twenty years of the world's biggest Rap/Rock group since their debut album, Hybrid Theory, changed the game. Nick & Mike discuss their very different upbringings as well as the devil, St. Ignatius and the Jesuits, our false and true selves, conversion, discernment, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Disturbed, Twenty One Pilots, and more! We also rap and sing a bit, and pray for the repose of the soul of Chester Bennington.

Put on your cardigans and join us for this deep dive into Folklore, Tay Tay's surprise album which dominated the charts at the end of the summer. It's been called "the perfect quarantine album" and Mike's fanboy level is 11. Our guest is Sr. Liz Sjoberg of the Daughters of Charity and host of the podcast "In the Company of Charity." It's a love story, just say yes.

[PARENTAL ADVISORY]
Everything you've wanted to know about cervical mucus. Mike Tenney tackles the hottest and most controversial song of the summer with guests Laura Beeson, an NFP teacher with the Couple to Couple League, along with Angelica De La Torre, pop artist, and Nick De La Torre, president of AWAKEN Catholic. In this inaugural episode of Pop Culture Catechism we talk about sex, NFP, double-standards, empowerment, feminism, Theology of the Body, sexual trauma, and more. Be advised: this episode has some explicit language and covers several mature topics. You've been warned.