Advertise on podcast: Ave Spotlight

Emily Mentock joins Oscar for an honest conversation about faith, influence, and a changing digital era. As the Catholic Church discerns how to navigate influencer culture, we explore what it means to cultivate an authentic online presence rooted in digital mission—not personal branding. Together, we discuss the importance of resisting the pressure to “perform” as influencers by staying grounded in prayer, humility, and parish life. We also look to King David as a surprising model of influence and reflect on why the Psalms remain one of the Church’s most powerful—and underused—spiritual treasures. Check out Emily's Lenten devotional Praying with the Psalms: 3-Minute Devotions for Lent and Holy Week 2026 We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Oscar Rivera welcomes Steve Beckholt—a devout Catholic, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and Houston Texans “Ultimate Fan”—for a conversation that blends football passion with fearless faith. From praying the Rosary for strength to standing by a team through criticism, Steve draws powerful parallels between lifelong fandom and steadfast devotion. This episode challenges listeners to live their faith boldly, lead their families by example, and remain rooted in Christ even when the noise gets loud. Steve Beckholt, also known as the “Ultimate Fan,” is a devoted longtime season-ticket member of the Houston Texans. Behind the mask, Beckholt is a champion for the community, particularly through his work with the Marfan Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of thousands of people living with the syndrome. He and his wife, Norah, regularly volunteer with the Marfan Foundation in support of their son, Hunter. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Gloria Purvis joins Oscar for a powerful dialogue on faith, race, and the Church’s call to uphold human dignity with no qualifiers. When rightly understood scripture demands justice rooted in love not just law. From Southern roots and Catholic School discipline to the Church’s response to racial injustice, Gloria challenges listeners to confront false narratives and reclaim justice and equity rooted in our rich faith. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

In the final week of Advent, Oscar reflects on prayer during this sacred season, the swiftness of time, and the need to slow down amid the rush toward Christmas. He invites listeners to spend quiet, prayerful moments before the manger, making space to contemplate the profound truth of God’s immense love for us. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

January Donovan joins Oscar for a heartfelt conversation on what it means to live intentionally in a noisy, demanding world. From early-morning cappuccinos to setting the tone of the household, January offers practical wisdom on balancing vocation and career, embracing dignity in every season, and creating a home rooted in peace. Together, we reflect on God’s original design for men and women, discovering how love—rather than performance—builds the flourishing civilization our Creator intends. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Oscar sits down with Tim Hanley, a restaurateur and former Franciscan brother to talk about what makes community truly come alive. Tim shares how his time with the CFRs shaped his understanding of simplicity, fraternity, and the priority of relationships over success. We dive into the heart behind his restaurant concepts—from Neapolitan pizza to a 90s hip-hop speakeasy—and how each space is designed to connect people in a disconnected world. Rooted in faith, Tim’s journey reveals how vocation, family, and food all point toward the same truth: we’re made for communion. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

In this Veterans Day episode, host Oscar Rivera pauses to honor and thank the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. Oscar reflects on the themes of faith, discipline, obedience, and sacrifice—virtues shared by both a life in Christ and a life of military service. Drawing on the humility and trust of the Roman centurion in the Gospels, he explores how authentic freedom is always rooted in self-gift. Join us in praying in gratitude for all who serve and safeguard peace. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Oscar Rivera welcomes Teresa Violette, Training Director at the CatholicPsych Institute, for an honest and hope-filled conversation about living with ADHD through a Catholic lens. Teresa shares her story of being diagnosed as an adult and reflects on the misconceptions around ADHD—why it’s more than just “not paying attention,” and how even the name might need a rethink. Together, they discuss the challenges of executive functioning, the struggle to stay focused in prayer, and the beauty of seeing one’s unique wiring as a gift from God. Discover how God works powerfully in our scattered moments and uses even our imperfect focus to draw us closer to him. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Country singer and songwriter John Paul Von Arx joins Oscar for a heartfelt and uplifting conversation about what it truly means to see the image of God in every person. We talk about human dignity, authentic respect, and how to move beyond superficial inclusion when engaging with people who have Down syndrome or other disabilities. From lessons learned in MMA fights to everyday encounters that challenge our perceptions, this episode invites you to see others—especially those the world overlooks—with new eyes and a fuller heart. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

In this episode, Oscar sits down with Chika Anyanwu to talk about growth, creativity, and the struggles of self-doubt and comparison. From cultural connections in food to her powerful experience of Christ’s presence on Holy Saturday, Chika shares how God transforms fear into freedom. Together we challenge listeners to embrace their authentic calling and live boldly in the light of Christ. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Oscar talks to Andrew Laubacher to explore how faith, fitness and intentional living can free humanity from a digital overload. They talk about morning routines, circadian rhythms, and the power of the sun, then they dive into technology impacts on the rhythm of life and mental health. Inspired by Saint Carlo Acutis, Andrew shares practical wisdom on digital detox, balance, and the importance of connection (person-to-person) in a distracted world. It time to shine a spotlight on how humanity and reality need to be in union again. Andrew Laubacher, aka ALOB, was raised in Ventura, California, where he attended Mass, played many sports, hung at the beach and was always into music. He attended Catholic school before switching to a public school because he was “tired of the Catholic rules.” In high school, he partied hard. After a serious wake-up call, he decided to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference where he found God. That changed his life. ALOB received degrees in theology and philosophy from Franciscan University. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

*In a noisy, distracted world, how do we recover a sense of awe before God? * Oscar and Bobby Angel explore the power of silence, the gift of nature, and the witness of saints like Pier Giorgio Frassati. They unpack how digital overload can dull our wonder, why stepping away from screens matters, and how small encounters with grace can lead to lifelong transformation. Bobby also shares moments from his own faith journey that show how living fully present opens us to God’s beauty. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Catholic speaker Brian Greenfield joins Oscar to explore the raw, grace-filled reality of true hope—far deeper than mere optimism. Drawing on the image of childbirth, we unpack how God calls us to push through life’s trials toward holiness, even when comfort tempts us to stop short. Brian shares his powerful conversion story during Eucharistic adoration and offers practical wisdom for young people and parents to enter the back-to-school season with a mindset rooted in faith and perseverance. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Author and middle school teacher Amy J. Cattapan joins Oscar to talk about the joys and challenges of teaching seventh graders, keeping students engaged as both readers and writers, and how a bit of “holy imagination” goes a long way in the classroom. Amy also shares her deep devotion to St. Frances Cabrini and Ignatian spirituality—two powerful influences behind her newest retreat book, Hope Without Borders. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

Cristina Pocta joins Oscar to share her powerful story of love, faith, and advocacy. As a mother of children with spina bifida and the co-founder of Seen, Cristina is on a mission to bring visibility and healing to families often overlooked. In this inspiring conversation, she talks about her new initiative to offer real rest to caregivers, the beauty of cultural identity, the hope of heaven, and the deep comfort of knowing that God sees us—especially in our suffering. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)