Religion to Reality

QUICK SUMMARY
What does the data actually say about how Catholics live their faith today, and who counts as “active”? In this episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with Fr. Thomas Gaunt, SJ, Executive Director of CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) at Georgetown University, to dig into 60 years of Catholic research. They explore why inactive Catholics still fiercely identify as Catholic, what a year of volunteer service does to marriage stability and vocations, and why radical listening—not big campaigns—may be the most powerful tool the Church has. If you work in parish ministry, Catholic education, or simply want to understand the real state of the faith in America, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. 
IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE

Why 30% of self-identified Catholics never attend Mass, yet refuse to stop calling themselves Catholic
CARA’s consistent finding that “care for the poor” ranks #2 in what Catholics say defines their faith
The surprising discovery that 60% of young adult Catholics (18–35) are involved in faith-based activities outside Mass
Why the divorce rate among Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumni was 2% vs. ~12% for comparable peers
How 10–11% of male Catholic volunteers later entered seminary or religious life
The massive demographic churn in the Catholic population, including that 1 in 4 U.S. Catholics is a foreign-born immigrant
Why parish revitalization campaigns need to first ask the parish itself to change
How radical welcome (e.g., parking lot ministers, easy websites, a real person answering the phone) does more than any grand strategy
What Pope Francis’s “arm around the shoulder” posture means for pastoral leadership
Why listening without an agenda may be the most prophetic Christian witness in an age of polarization

ABOUT FR. THOMAS GAUNT, SJ
Fr. Thomas Gaunt is a Jesuit priest with 53 years in the Society of Jesus and 43 years of ordained ministry. He holds a doctoral degree in city planning from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill — making him a proud Tar Heel. He spent his early priesthood as a pastor and Director of Planning for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC, before serving as Formation Director for the Jesuits of the East and Executive Secretary of the Jesuit national office. For the past 14 years, he has served as Executive Director of CARA — the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate — located at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. His research specialties include priesthood and religious life, the impact of volunteer service on young adults, and international Catholic research.
RESOURCES MENTIONED

CARA — Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate
The CARA Report (Substack)
CARA Book: Faith and Spiritual Life of Young Adult Catholics
Catholic Volunteer Network
Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Nativity Parish / Rebuilt (Timonium, MD)
Vinea Research (Hans Plate)
Religion to Reality — DeSales Media Discipleship Study 

MEMORABLE QUOTE
“The most radical way to live the Christian life right now is to become a listener without an agenda.”
— Fr. John Gribowich
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
Use these timestamps to jump to the moments that matter most to you:

[00:00:00] Introducti…

QUICK SUMMARY
What does hard data reveal about the state of Catholic life in America—and what does it mean for the future of the Church? In this bonus episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with Stephen White, Executive Director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation. Stephen draws on the landmark 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests—the largest priest survey in half a century—to explore trust, identity, community, and what it really takes to renew the Church from within.
From the tension between clericalism and lay vocation, to the striking generational shifts among young priests, to the question of how genuine renewal actually happens in Church history, this episode offers both serious analysis and hopeful insight. Whether you’re a priest, a committed lay Catholic, or simply trying to understand where the Church is headed, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. 
ABOUT STEPHEN WHITE
Stephen White is the Executive Director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Founded in 2019 in response to the clerical abuse crisis, The Catholic Project works to foster collaboration and co-responsibility between clergy and laity. Stephen led the production of the acclaimed documentary podcast Crisis: Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church and oversaw the 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests. His background is in Catholic social teaching and philosophy, and he writes frequently on matters of faith, culture, and Church life.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE
1. The Catholic Project and the Crisis Podcast

Founded in 2019 at Catholic University of America in response to the McCarrick revelations and Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
The Crisis podcast was produced during COVID, featuring deeply reported audio documentary-style episodes
Goal: face the Church’s failures honestly while remaining constructive and rooted in love for the Church
Fr. John shares that the podcast was part of his own healing journey as a survivor of clerical sexual abuse

2. The 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests

The largest survey of priests in the United States in over 50 years
Key findings include:

Younger priests (ordained post-2000) describe themselves as significantly more theologically orthodox than older cohorts
Younger priests are more likely to identify as politically moderate — cutting against simple “conservative priest” narratives
The youngest cohort is the most racially and ethnically diverse
There has been a dramatic collapse in priests identifying as liberal or progressive
Younger priests experience more isolation: many are sole pastor of a parish from day one of ordination

A follow-up longitudinal study is currently in development for spring 2025

3. Clericalism, Authority, and Church Renewal

Clericalism is not only a top-down problem — bottom-up clericalism (laity expecting clergy to do everything) is widespread in the US
Pope Francis has simultaneously called out clericalism and warned against “clericalizing the laity”
All authority carries the potential for abuse; the response is vigilance, formation, and accountability — not the elimination of hierarchy
The Church’s vertical (hierarchical) and horizontal (communal) dimensions must work together

4. How Genuine Church Renewal Happens

Historically, renewal almost never comes from the top down institutionally
It begins with one person or small group responding radically to the Gospel (e.g….

Season 2 of Religion to Reality is on the horizon—and it begins with a simple but urgent question: what does it mean to truly listen?
In a world marked by noise, division, and constant distraction, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich return to the heart of the podcast’s mission: living an integrated life where faith isn’t separated from the rest of who we are. Reflecting on Season 1, they explore how one theme kept surfacing again and again—listening as a sacred act.
This upcoming season builds on that foundation, asking:
How do we become bridge builders with no agenda? How do we recognize God already at work in the person in front of us?
Inspired by the spirit of Vatican II and the Church’s call to encounter and dialogue, Season 2 features conversations with voices across Christian communities and other faith traditions—not to debate or convert, but to listen.
New episodes begin June 1, with weekly releases every Monday.

QUICK SUMMARY
What does it really mean for the Church to walk together — and what do Catholics in Brooklyn actually say they need? Fr. Joseph Gibino, pastor, vicar, deacon director, and co-director of Brooklyn’s Synod on Synodality, pulls back the curtain on what the faithful are really asking for, and why the answer might surprise you. From family prayer to sacramental living to the radical act of listening without an agenda, this conversation is a hopeful, grounded look at where the Church is headed.
IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE

“The synod was never about divisive political issues — it was about how we journey together as the Body of Christ.” (00:05:30)
The three things Catholics in Brooklyn said they needed most — and how they mirror what the English-speaking world was saying (00:02:30)
Why Fr. Joe says “listen” and “silent” share the same letters — and what that means for the Church (00:11:00)
How family catechesis could be the key to reinvigorating the institutional Church (00:16:00)
The simple prayer Fr. Joe says every morning before his feet hit the floor (00:37:30)
Why today’s teenagers love service — and what that tells us about where the Spirit is moving (00:44:30)
Fr. John Gribowich on why we’re in a “liminal” moment in Church history — and Fr. Joe’s stunning response (00:57:00)
“The Eucharist is not a reward for good behavior.” What it really is — and why that changes everything (00:59:30)

ABOUT FR. JOE GIBINO
Fr. Joseph Gibino is pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Brooklyn Heights and administrator of St. James Cathedral. He serves the Diocese of Brooklyn as Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, and co-directed the Diocese’s Synod on Synodality alongside Sister Mary Ann Seton LoPiccolo. He is also adjunct faculty at St. Joseph’s Seminary and — by his own description — the diocese’s chief “party planner” and wildfire put-outer.
RESOURCES MENTIONED

Synod on Synodality – Vatican Overview
Diocese of Brooklyn
Jubilee of Hope 2025 – Vatican
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — referenced in the context of Latino Catholic communities shaping Brooklyn’s pastoral identity
Ignatian Examen (Nightly Examination of Conscience) — recommended by Fr. Joe as a nightly practice
Neocatechumenal Way / ecclesial movements are mentioned as models for family faith formation
Knights of Columbus — highlighted for their service work during the pandemic and with immigrant communities in Brooklyn

Start Praying as a Family — Where to Begin
Fr. Joe offers this simple on-ramp for families who feel disconnected from faith at home:

Start with gratitude, not religion: “What are we thankful for today?”
Try an Advent giving jar — brainstorm 30 simple acts of generosity as a family before December 1st
Don’t underestimate small acts: donating a meal’s worth of money to a food bank, buying tube socks for a homeless shelter
Evaluate at Christmas: How did we do?

The Three Things Brooklyn Catholics Said They Need

Better adult faith formation — people don’t feel equipped to share their faith
More support for youth and young adult faith form…

QUICK SUMMARY:
What if the biggest obstacle to ministry isn’t a lack of resources, programs, or content — but a missing system for actually knowing the people in front of you?
In this bonus episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with Josh Packard, sociologist of religion and co-founder of Future of Faith, for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most urgent challenges facing the Church today: how to do genuine relational ministry at scale.
Drawing on years of research data and his experience at Spring Tide Research Institute and NCEA, Josh explains why trust in institutions is collapsing — and why the only antidote is time spent in a real, consistent relationship. He introduces practical tools anyone can download free at futureoffaith.org, shares why Gen Z isn’t “leaving the church” (their parents already did), and makes a compelling case for why AI will only make human connection more, not less, essential.
If you work in ministry, Catholic education, or any field that depends on reaching young people, this episode is required listening.
ABOUT JOSH PACKARD
Josh Packard is a sociologist of religion and a former professor at the University of Northern Colorado, where he taught applied sociology. He was the founding executive director of Spring Tide Research Institute, one of the most respected sources of data on youth and faith in the United States. He is now co-founder of Future of Faith, a nonprofit dedicated to helping ministry leaders build scalable relational tools grounded in a theology of sacred listening.
 
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:
1. Trust has collapsed — and that changes everything2. Relational ministry needs a system, not just good intentions3. The Text to Connect tool4. Belonging before believing — and time before truth5. Gen Z didn’t leave — they were never there6. The Church’s strongest offering may be its most overlooked7. AI will deepen — not solve — the relational challenge 

0:00 — Introduction: Who is Josh Packard, and what is Future of Faith?
2:15 — The Core Problem: How do you do relational ministry at scale when people only trust what’s right in front of them?
5:30 — The Free Tools: What the Future of Faith listening tools are and how to download them at futureoffaith.org.
10:30 — Text to Connect: A step-by-step walkthrough of the emoji-based check-in tool — and how a color-coded Google Sheet can transform youth ministry.
14:00 — The Youth Minister’s Dilemma: A real-world portrait of a minister running on voice memos, Apple Notes, and reactive attention.
20:00 — Sacred Listening vs. Ministry with an Agenda: John challenges Josh: can you really listen without an end in mind?
23:30 — Time, Trust, Truth: The framework that flips the church’s traditional approach: belonging before believing.
.31:00 — Tarot, Crystals, and the Spiritual-but-not-Religious: Why young people are finding spiritual systems on TikTok that the Church hasn’t figured out how to offer.
39:00 — Young People Aren’t Leaving the Church: Josh pushes back: their parents left. The generation the Church is trying to reach was never there.
42:00 — The Church Is Answering Questions Nobody Is Asking: John on the disconnect between pulpit priorities and what young people actually need.
57:00 — AI and the Future of Trust: Why artificial intelligence will push the locus of trust lower — toward one-on-one relationships — and what that means for the Church.

 
MEMORABLE QUOTES

For sharing on social media or in…

QUICK SUMMARY
What happens when the Church you love has also hurt you? For many Catholics, there’s no safe space to hold both truths at once, until now. In this powerful bonus episode, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich talk with Paul Fahey, licensed counselor, catechist, and host of the Third Space Podcast, to unpack what spiritual abuse really looks like, why so many Catholics unknowingly surrender their freedom, and how genuine listening may be the most prophetic act the Church can offer right now. 
IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE

Spiritual abuse — coercive or controlling behavior in a religious context — is far more widespread than most Catholics realize.
Claiming something is a mortal sin for another person, or presenting personal opinion as Church teaching, are clear markers of spiritual coercion.
The desire to surrender freedom to rules or authority is deeply human and easily exploited. Mature faith requires owning one’s conscience.
Using “the devil” as a scapegoat can itself become a mechanism of harm. True discernment leads to solidarity, not deflection.
Success in ministry is not measured by numbers, but by whether someone experiences encounter, gains language for their experience, and knows they are not alone.
The most prophetic gift Christians can offer today may simply be listening — without an agenda.

[00:00] — Introducing Paul Fahey Paul shares his background: eight years as a parish Director of Religious Education, husband and father of five, and now a licensed counselor in Michigan.
[01:30] — From Pope Francis Generation to The Third Space Paul co-founded the Pope Francis Generation Podcast with Dominic Dusa of Smart Catholics after unexpectedly leaving his parish job. As his work with abuse survivors deepened, he began noticing gaps between Pope Francis’ teaching on human dignity and his governing decisions — prompting a full rebrand toward a podcast centered on Christ in the vulnerable and marginalized.
[06:00] — What Is “The Third Space”? Inspired by a conversation with mentor Monica Pope, Paul identified a void: survivors of Church harm are met either with Catholic defensiveness or with “why do you even stay?” The Third Space holds both — a place for people who want congruence between their experience of harm and their experience of good in the Church.
[07:45] — Who Is This Podcast For? Survivors of clerical sexual abuse, yes — but also the much broader category of spiritual abuse. Paul cites research from Dr. Lisa Oakley (UK) suggesting roughly 75% of Christians have experienced coercion or manipulation in their church communities. His audience is anyone harmed by the Church, and anyone with ears to hear the Gospel as told by those who’ve been hurt.
[10:00] — Why Podcasting? More than convenience — podcasting allows for live dialogue and spontaneous vulnerability that writing simply can’t capture. Paul describes it as closer to leading RCIA or a small group than publishing an article.
[13:00] — Is the Church Doing Podcasting Well? A candid take on the lay-driven nature of Catholic media — and the troubling amount of spiritually harmful content circulating under the Catholic label. Bad Catholic content isn’t poorly produced; it’s content that misrepresents God, misrepresents the Church’s teaching, and coerces consciences.
[16:30] — Defining Spiritual Abuse Paul walks through the core definition: a pattern of coercive or controlling behavior in a religious context, using spiritual authority to control others. Key markers include claiming something is a mortal sin for another person, presenting personal opinion as Church teaching, or using religious fear to manipulate beha…

QUICK SUMMARY
What does it really mean to live the Gospel, not just inside church walls, but on the street corner, in the storefront, and in the lives of people the world has written off? In this powerful bonus episode of Religion to Reality, hosts Dave Plisky and Father John Gribowich are joined by Father James O’Shea, a Passionist priest and co-founder of Reconnect, a community organization in Brooklyn that has spent over a decade transforming lives through employment, mentorship, and belonging. Father Jim shares why crossing the street, literally and figuratively, is the first and most essential act of discipleship. This conversation will challenge you, inspire you, and might just upend your narrative.
 
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:

“If you don’t want to leave the block, then we transform the block.” — Father Jim on the founding philosophy of Reconnect (00:03:30)

How a simple basketball program at a public school became a window into the lives — and recurring tragedies — of young men in Bed-Stuy (00:08:00)
Why moralizing with people goes nowhere, and what the church should do instead (00:09:30)
The difference between “behave, believe, then belong” vs. leading with belonging — and why it matters (00:10:30)
What the Passionists are, and how the charism of the Cross connects contemplation to solidarity with the suffering (00:14:30)
Why Father Jim fell in love with Bedford-Stuyvesant the first Sunday he went there (00:18:00)
The predictable, heartbreaking pattern he watched play out in young men’s lives — and how Reconnect interrupts it (00:19:30)
“The church is the only institution I see that really has the capacity to continually witness: you are worth us doing this because we know who you are.” (00:43:00)
Why human dignity as a concept may owe more to Christianity than most people realize — and what that means in the age of AI (00:48:30)
The irreplaceable role of women religious in humanizing American culture (00:52:00)
How the church should navigate controversial moral teachings while still leading with love (01:02:00)
“I’m not going to pontificate about it until I hear people’s stories.” — Father Jim on listening before judging (01:14:30)
Whether radical listening might be the defining prophetic witness the church is called to offer right now (01:08:30)
Why listening is “a very dangerous enterprise” — and why that’s exactly the point (01:13:00)

About Father Jim O’Shea
Father Jim O’Shea, CP, is a member of the Passionist Congregation and currently serves as Provincial of the Passionists’ Holy Cross Province, based in Queens, New York. Ordained in 1989, Father Jim spent approximately 25 years in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he earned a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University and became deeply involved in community organizing, affordable housing advocacy, and youth ministry. In 2010, he co-founded Reconnect, a social enterprise and mentorship program for young men in distressed communities. Reconnect is now based at Thomas Berry Place in Queens.
 
MEMORABLE QUOTES 
“If you don’t want to leave the block, then we transform the block.” — Father Jim O’Shea
“Moralizing with people is easy. But the legitimate question back to me is: what’s your value add in my life?” — Father Jim O’Shea
“The church is the only institution I see that really has the capacity to continually witness: you are worth us doing this because we know who you are.” — Father Jim O’Shea
“It’s very hard to hate someone that you’ve really dee…

QUICK SUMMARY
In this bonus episode of Religion to Reality, Renée Roden, a freelance religion journalist and Catholic Worker community member, has an in-depth conversation about living faith in action. Renee shares her journey from theater student at Notre Dame to running a Catholic Worker house in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, while offering a thoughtful exploration of how Catholics can bridge the gap between sacramental life and works of mercy. This conversation challenges listeners to reconsider what it means to truly live out their faith beyond Sunday Mass.

IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE
[00:03:00] The Catholic Worker Movement Explained Renee provides an accessible introduction to the Catholic Worker movement, founded in the 1930s by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. She explains how Dorothy Day prayed for a way to unite her writing skills, love for the poor, and newfound Catholic faith—and the next day met Peter Maurin, who introduced her to Catholic social teaching. Within months, they launched The Catholic Worker newspaper (cleverly named to counter the communist Daily Worker), and the movement exploded from 2,500 copies to six-figure readership within three years. The movement centers on Houses of Hospitality, voluntary poverty, and practicing the corporal works of mercy.
[00:11:00] Navigating Political Division The conversation tackles how Catholics can remain faithful during politically charged times without getting distracted by national politics at the expense of local, concrete action. Renee explains Dorothy Day’s anarchism: she marched for women’s suffrage and was imprisoned for it, yet never cast a vote herself. Day believed the state always serves its own interests and those of corporations or elites. Rather than focusing on distant political figures we don’t even know personally, the Catholic Worker approach asks: “How do I care for my neighbor right now?” This localized focus prevents us from treating national political disagreements as distractions from the immediate, joyful work we can do in our own communities.
[00:15:00] Personalism as a Third Way Drawing on philosopher Emmanuel Mounier’s concept of personalism, Renee articulates how the Catholic Worker offers a political vision centered on human dignity and freedom—distinct from both individualistic capitalism and collectivist ideologies. She explains that personalism asks fundamental questions: “What causes a human person to flourish? Are our structures supporting a person’s ability to seek the good?” This approach shifts the focus from abstract national policy debates to concrete encounters with neighbors at the local level, bringing politics back to its first principles.
[00:20:00] Voluntary Poverty and True Freedom Renee wrestles honestly with the challenging concept of voluntary poverty, sharing how her partner James once told her “voluntary poverty promotes community and is freeing”—which initially baffled her. She explains how it’s not about deprivation but about answering the question: “Who do I depend on?” Rather than depending on personal wealth and self-sufficiency, voluntary poverty means bringing your needs to God and depending on community. It creates genuine relationships based on material need, not just emotional connection, making community more meaningful and human.
[00:27:00] The Eucharist and Works of Mercy Connection Father John and Renee explore the deep connection between sacramental life and active service, addressing why the discipleship study shows Catholics excelling at liturgical participation but struggling with consistent works of mercy. Renee discusses the liturgical movement’s influence on Dorothy Day, particularly the understanding that the Eucharist contains a call to “go be Eucharist in the world.” As Pope Francis teaches in <...

QUICK SUMMARY
What does it truly mean to live out your Catholic faith in everyday life? In this compelling conversation, Peter Andrastek, Senior Consultant at The Evangelical Catholic, challenges the common misconception that holiness means becoming more like a priest, nun, or monk. Instead, he reveals how ordinary Catholics are called to extraordinary holiness right where they are—in their workplaces, families, and communities.
Discover why most parishes aren’t equipped to form laypeople for their unique vocation, how the distinction between “ministry” and “apostolate” changes everything, and what practical steps you can take today to become salt, light, and leaven in your corner of the world. This bonus episode offers a refreshing vision of Catholic life that goes far beyond Sunday Mass attendance.

IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:
Understanding Ministry vs. Apostolate (02:40)

Why most Catholics misunderstand their true vocation
How ministry flows from holy orders to build up the church
Why apostolate is the specific calling of the laity to sanctify the world
The difference between “ad intra” (within the church) and “ad extra” (to the world)

What Sanctifying the World Actually Looks Like (09:00)

A CEO who makes breakfast for colleagues every Friday morning
Why holiness is “extraordinary love lived in the ordinary”
How personal transformation radiates mysteriously to others
The “apologetics of meaning” that makes people ask, “What’s different about your life?”

The Skills vs. Holiness Debate (16:00)

Why evangelization training without personal holiness is manipulation
The role of human formation: “Don’t be weird”
How character and personality can facilitate or impede the gospel
Why we can’t “train people into zeal”

The Seminary Challenge (20:00)

Young seminarians who want to be “weird” and countercultural
The attraction to smells, bells, and traditional liturgy
Why liturgical emphasis alone won’t reach most people
Navigating between authenticity and accessibility

Pastoral Principles That Work (24:00)

“That which is received is received according to the disposition of the receiver”
Working within your circle of influence vs. circle of concern
Starting with a few well-disposed people rather than massive programs
The mustard seed principle of parish renewal

A Practical Starting Point (28:30)

Begin with 3-5 people you’d enjoy growing with
Focus on three topics: Life, Growth, and Mission
Keep 3-5 names on a prayer list and check in regularly
Why most Catholics think holiness means spending more time at parish

The Real Models of Holiness (33:00)

Fr. John’s confession: “My heroes are people raising eight kids, not priests and monks”
Why religious life is “institutionalized” and doesn’t require the same daily sacrifice
The sublimity of the lay vocation that’s meant to “pass unnoticed”
Why 5,000 people attend certain funerals

The Airline Pilot’s Apostolate (43:00)

A major airline pilot who made his cockpit his mission field
Intentional conversations leading to broken marriages being healed
“Define, Plan, Act” exercise for getting specific about your apostolate
Why apostolate is “almost more about you than other people”

Something’s Got to Give (37:00)

Every pope since Vatican II has called for lay renewal
Why we’re living in an exciting, adventurous time
The proble…