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This is a simple trailer to let you know that next up for Religion to Reality is a series of bonus episodes. Every other week, we’ll release the full conversation we had with one of our guests from Season One. 
Have a listen to this teaser to hear a quick montage of our favorite topic revealed to us throughout the season.
See you for Season Two in 2026!

Religion to Reality: Season Finale – Living the Integrated Life
Quick Summary
In this powerful season finale of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich reflect on their journey through over two dozen interviews, distilling the most transformative lessons about living an integrated spiritual life. They explore why listening, not activism, may be the most prophetic witness the Church can offer today, challenge traditional clericalism from surprising angles, and discover that belonging must come before belief. Through conversations with Stephen White, Fr. Thomas Gaunt, and Paul Fahey, this episode reveals how authentic relationships, radical listening, and the sacramental worldview can transform both individual lives and Church communities.
In This Episode, We Explore:
The Art of Radical Listening (4:00)

Why listening is the highest form of paying attention and waiting for God
The difference between productive action and contemplative discernment
How the spirit of Advent shapes authentic spiritual practice

Discipleship vs. Activism (6:30)

The dangerous professionalization of Church work
Why doing “Catholic things” doesn’t automatically equal discipleship
How the division between clergy and laity undermines the baptismal call

Clericalism from the Bottom Up (8:00)

Steven White’s provocative insight: laity share responsibility for clericalism
The transactional spirituality that’s persisted for 1,500+ years
Why waiting for bishops to fix problems is itself a form of clericalism

The Fluidity of Roles (12:00)

Moving beyond rigid categories while honoring the sacramental priesthood
How effective preaching happens beyond ordination
Creating healthy tension between structure and Spirit

Research as Sacred Listening (20:00)

Fr. Thomas Gaunt on CARA’s agenda-free approach to Church research
Why Sunday Mass attendance isn’t the only measure of active faith
The surprising power of baptism to create lifelong belonging

The Indelible Mark of Baptism (25:00)

Why does baptizing infants offer a “container” for spiritual growth
How baptism creates belonging regardless of church participation
The beauty of unconditional ecclesial presence

Belonging Before Belief (33:00)

Other Studies and Data with Hans Plate, Josh Packard, and Fr. Joe Gibino
Quick Summary
In this insightful episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich step back from theory to examine the hard data behind Catholic discipleship and faith formation. They explore surprising findings from their comprehensive discipleship study and discuss what the numbers reveal about modern spiritual practices, evangelization comfort levels, and the changing landscape of faith in America.
Featuring interviews with three leading voices in faith research, Hans Plate (Vinea Research), Josh Packard (Future of Faith), and Fr. Joseph Gibino (Diocese of Brooklyn), this episode bridges the gap between data and pastoral practice. Discover what Gen Z really thinks about God, why 100% of people with spiritual directors found them through a spiritual community to which they already belong, and how the Synod on Synodality is reshaping the Church’s approach to listening.
Key Takeaway: Data isn’t just for businesses—it’s essential for understanding how to meet people where they are in their faith journey and creating meaningful pathways to deeper discipleship.
In This Episode, We Explore:
[00:00:00] Opening Reflection

“Listen and silent share the same letters” – the importance of silence in listening

[00:01:00] Why Data Matters for the Church

How businesses use data to serve customers
Applying data-driven insights to church ministry
Understanding where people stand in their faith journey

[00:02:00] Surprising Study Findings

Both physical and digital prayer aids are used across all generations (only 6% use exclusively one type)
100% of people with spiritual directors found them through their parish or faith community
Prayer apps correlate with increased prayer frequency
The challenge of measuring interior spiritual life

[00:04:00] The Omnichannel Approach to Faith

Why multiple touchpoints matter in spiritual formation
The integrated life as the ultimate goal
Different seasons require different spiritual resources

[00:06:00] Interview with Hans Plate (Vinea Research)

Majority of respondents pray over an hour daily
76% are comfortable evangelizing; 56% are proactive about it
High interest in learning more about evangelization
The need to understand what “evangelization” actually means to people

[00:09:00] Rethinking Evangelization

The Power of Community in Faith Formation with Dr. Mark Heyman, Renée Roden, and Luisamaria Hernandez
Quick Summary
How do you find authentic Catholic community in a world that’s more connected yet more isolated than ever? In this episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich explore why community keeps emerging as a central theme in faith formation, and why finding the right fit can be so challenging.
From whiskey tastings to Catholic Worker houses to digital book clubs, discover how different forms of community serve different spiritual needs. You’ll hear honest conversations about parish shopping, the struggle to commit, and why sometimes the best community isn’t the one with perfect liturgy or programs, it’s the one where you show up consistently. Whether you’re searching for your spiritual home or wondering if online connections can ever replace in-person fellowship, this episode offers practical wisdom for the journey.
In this Episode, We Explore:
Community Happens When People Need It (2:00-3:30)

Why genuine encounters with God spark the desire for community
How passion and shared interests naturally create fellowship

Whiskey and the Word: An Unconventional Small Group (4:00-14:00) Guest: Dr. Mark Heyman, Licensed Psychologist & Small Group Leader

Creating low-barrier entry points for men’s fellowship
Why forced sharing turns people off from faith groups
The importance of consistency: same time, same place, every week
Understanding that not every group can (or should) be for everyone
How whiskey breaks down barriers without being about getting drunk

Living in Community: Lessons from Catholic Worker Movement (20:00-32:00) Guest: Renée Roden, Journalist & Catholic Worker Member

The reality check: community life is hard, even with a 1,300-year-old rule
Why intimacy and friendship are foundational to sustainable community
The temptation to become dictators of our own countercultural communes
How families are successfully living the Catholic Worker vision
Why conversion of heart requires healthy community support

Digital vs. In-Person Community (37:00-52:00) Guest: Luisamaria Hernandez, DeSales Media Success Consultant

Using digital spaces as entry points to in-person connection
Why commitment leads to consistency (and vice versa)
The power of showing up: how to actually find communities in your area

Podcasting with Paul Fahey, Christina Semmens, and Jose Manuel de Urquidi
Quick Summary 
Are podcasts reshaping how Catholics engage with their faith? In this episode of Religion to Reality, we explore the explosive growth of Catholic podcasting and what it means for modern faith formation. From survivors finding their voice to Latino communities building networks, discover why this medium is uniquely positioned to meet people where they are—both spiritually and literally.
In this Episode, We Explore:
On the Nature of Catholic Media and Church Authority (00:00 – 08:00)

“Anyone who’s baptized is the church” – Paul Fahey challenges traditional boundaries of who creates “official” Catholic content
Why the institutional church struggles with oversight in the podcast space
The tension between empowering lay voices and preventing spiritual harm through misinformation

Measuring What Really Matters Beyond Downloads (11:00 – 17:00)

“If one person’s heart has been touched, you’ve done your task and mission” – Christina Semmens on redefining podcast success
How the head-heart-hands-feet framework applies to both creating and consuming content
Why discernment, not downloads, should drive your content decisions

From Fishing in Ponds to Sailing the Ocean (20:00 – 29:00)

Jose Manuel de Urquidi’s wake-up call: “We’re all fishing in the same small pond while the ocean is right there”
How John Paul II prophetically identified the internet as the “new Roman Forum” back in 2002
Why podcasts can create deep encounters with God despite being one-way communication 

Meet Our Guests
Paul Fahey – Host of Third Space podcast, limited licensed professional counselor, retreat leader, and catechist who focuses on survivors of church-related abuse. Paul stumbled into podcasting a decade ago and found it uniquely suited to catechesis through dialogue rather than static writing.
Christina Semmens – Host of Say Yes to Holiness With 230+ episodes under her belt, Christina brings a framework of head-heart-hands-feet to integrated Catholic living. Her podcast emerged from her book work and has become a continuous discernment journey.
Jose Manuel de Urquidi – Founder of the Juan Diego Network Leading a podcast network dedicated to Latino Catholics with shows covering everything from church history to children’s stories. His mission: evangelize, form, and entertain—preferably all three at once.
Memorable Quotes 
01:00 – “I can listen to a podcast while driving, running, doing dishes, mowing the lawn” – Why convenience matters for busy Catholics
05:00