Advertise on podcast: Driving Home the Faith

Today, Ken talks with Steve Ray about Mary’s life after the birth of Christ; Erika Bacchiochi about a new feminism that benefits all, and much more — plus traffic and weather! Listen in at sacredheartradio.com/listen Steve Ray is at catholicconvert.com Get “Vital Conflicts: Debating Abortion, Gender Treatments, and Claims of Conscience” at ignatius.com The Mercy Otis Warren Initiative for Women in Civic Life and Thought is at scetl.asu.edu/mercy Read and sign the Declaration of Interdependence at abetterwayforwardforwomen.org Fairer Disputations is at fairerdisputations.org The American Federation of Pueri Cantores is at pcchoirs.org Information about the 2027 Pueri Cantores Ohio River Valley Festival & Mass is at pcchoirs.org/2027-covington-youth-choral-festival Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Ken talks with Kimberly Henkel about how parishes can help families adopt and foster children, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse about an international conference about therapists and counselors who want to help people troubled by same-sex attraction, and much more — plus traffic and weather! Listen in at sacredheartradio.com/listen Find Friday’s concert, and scores more Catholic events, at sacredheartradio.com/events Springs of Love is at springsoflove.org Get the Mother Cabrini Sunday Toolkit at springsoflove.org/mothercabrinisunday/toolkit The Ethics and Public Policy Center is at eppc.org Read “The Messenger” at covdio.org The International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice is at iftcc.org The Ruth Institute is at ruthinstitute.org Get “The Sexual State” at tanbooks.com Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does authentic Church renewal always begin with personal conversion rather than institutional critique, and how can sacred liturgy restore a lost sense of the transcendent in secular culture? In the conclusion of their two-part conversation on Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft continues his discussion with Jayd Hendricks—President of Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal and author of the Ignatius Press book To Make All Things New: On the Church, Reform, and Renewal. Building on Pope St. Paul VI’s insight that modern people listen more readily to witnesses than to teachers, Hendricks explains why living a holy life gives credibility to Catholic apologetics and doctrine. They also explore how recovering the classical transcendentals—truth, beauty, and goodness—through reverent, God-centered liturgy lifts hearts beyond secular modernity toward the divine. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can Catholics distinguish between true ecclesial renewal and mere accommodation to secular culture in the age of synodality? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes Jayd Hendricks—founder of Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal, publisher of the Substack What We Need Now, former USCCB executive director of government relations, and author of the new Ignatius Press release, To Make All Things New. Drawing on St. John Henry Newman’s distinction between doctrinal development and corruption, the early Christian witness of the Epistle to Diognetus, and Dominican theologian Yves Congar’s insights on the "Augustinian spirit," Hendricks unpacks how authentic reform unites truth, charity, and community. They also examine the true theological meaning of the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful), clarifying why authentic synodal listening requires communion with the Magisterium and the witness of the saints rather than mere majority-rule opinion polling. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is unfolding right now for Christians and displaced families in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and neighboring Eritrea, and how can Catholics stand with the persecuted Church worldwide during Red Week? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Ed Clancy, Director of Outreach for Aid to the Church in Need USA (ChurchinNeed.org). Clancy examines the deep historical roots of Christianity in the Horn of Africa alongside the devastating modern realities of ethnic conflict, lawlessness, government confiscation of church properties in Eritrea, and mass displacement in northern Ethiopia. He shares how local priests, religious sisters, and Aid to the Church in Need partners remain with suffering families—serving Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim neighbors without religious tests—and invites listeners to join global prayer and solidarity for Red Wednesday on November 18. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does mainstream American history often overlook the deep Catholic roots established in the Southeast decades before Plymouth Rock and Jamestown? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Michael Carter—Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton and Chair of the Forum on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Following the recent beatification of the five Franciscan Georgia Martyrs—killed in 1597 (in odium fidei) for defending Christian marriage—Dr. Carter dismantles the "Northeast bias" and the anti-Catholic "Black Legend" that have obscured Spain's early missionary legacy in La Florida. They discuss the lives of Pedro de Corpa and his four companions, the ongoing anthropological investigation into their relics, and how modern narratives of "ideological colonization" dismiss the genuine freedom of conscience embraced by Native American converts across the centuries. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the harpsichord pave the way for the modern piano, why are young musicians still drawn to the massive majesty of the pipe organ, and what makes the organ at Covington's Cathedral Basilica a national destination? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes Dr. Michael Unger—Associate Professor of Keyboard at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), organist at Isaac M. Wise Temple, and past Dean of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Dr. Unger discusses the evolution from harpsichord to gravicembalo col piano e forte, the thriving interest among college and high school organists, and previews an upcoming free all-French organ recital performed by four CCM graduate students at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, honoring the 30th anniversary of the passing of renowned Parisian composer Maurice Duruflé. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the Catholic Church take root in rural counties across America where no parish exists, and what does missionary life look like right here in the United States? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes Fr. Steve Pawelk—Second Vice President and Novice Director of the Glenmary Home Missioners, headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio. Fr. Pawelk recounts the founding of Glenmary in 1939 by Fr. William Howard Bishop, whose concern for over 1,000 priestless U.S. counties led him to partner with Archbishop John T. McNicholas of Cincinnati. He details Glenmary’s unique missionary lifecycle—starting Masses in carports and storefronts, collaborating ecumenically to serve the rural poor, and hand-off mature, debt-free parishes back to local dioceses—while sharing exciting news regarding the acquisition of their historic birthplace at St. Martin’s in Brown County, Ohio. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Ken’s guests will include UD Professor Dr. Michael Carter on the Church’s newest Blesseds, the “Georgia Martyrs,” Jayd Henricks about renewal in the Church as never-ending grown from strong roots, and much more — plus traffic and weather! Listen in at sacredheartradio.com/listen The Glenmary Home Missioners are at glenmary.org The events mentioned today, and scores more Catholic events, at sacredheartradio.com/events Find Dr. Michael Carter’s essays at scholar.google.com Find more about the Georgia Martyrs at thegeorgiamartyrs.org Aid to the Church in Need is at churchinneed.org The Coalition of Catholics Against Anti-Semitism is at catholicsagainstantisemitism.org Get “To Make All Things New” at Ignatius.com Read “What We Need Now” at whatweneednow.substack.com Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do contemporary Americans treat elections as ultimate life-defining events while ignoring the true monarchical foundation of human society? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft offers a closing reflection on the recent elections, analyzing the paradox of how Western culture takes politics both "too seriously and not seriously enough." Craycraft contrasts the zero-sum frenzy of secular election days with the quiet majesty of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Drawing from Pope Pius XI's landmark 1925 encyclical Quas Primus, Craycraft asserts that true politics is not merely a struggle for power, but a delegated authority ordered toward the salvation and spiritual flourishing of the human soul under the supreme Kingship of Christ. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is a proper pipe organ essential for sacred liturgy, and how will three new instruments transform the acoustic landscape of Cincinnati's Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Matthew Geerlings—Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Office of Divine Worship and Sacraments and Director of Music at the Cathedral Basilica. Geerlings shares major news regarding an ambitious organ project within the Cathedral’s capital campaign. He outlines the mechanical failures of the current organ systems, explains why replacing them is necessary, and details the plan for three distinct pipe organs: a monumental 63-stop gallery organ built by Dutch organ builder Flentrop, a French-style chancel organ by Michel Jarrin to accompany the cathedral choir, and a dedicated chapel organ for daily Masses. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does sacred music elevate the liturgy, bridge centuries of Catholic tradition, and bring diverse choral communities together in worship? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes Matthew Geerlings—Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Office of Divine Worship and Sacraments and Director of the Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. Geerlings previews an upcoming joint concert featuring the Cathedral Basilica Choir alongside the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s mixed and women’s choruses. He walks listeners through a rich musical program—spanning St. Hildegard von Bingen, Philip Stopford, Herbert Howells, and a tribute to the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi—before highlighting Advent Lessons and Carols, Handel’s Messiah on Christmas Eve, and the historical debate surrounding period instruments and early music performance. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Ken talks with Erik Bootsma about architecture, beauty, truth, and more; Matthew Geerlings about an exciting and free combined choir concert this weekend at Cincinnati’s cathedral, and much more — plus traffic and weather! Listen in at sacredheartradio.com/listen Sacred Heritage Tours are at sacredheritagetours.com Erik Bootsma Architect is at bootsma.com The Catholic Art Institute is at catholicartinstitute.org The Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains is at cathedralaoc.org The events mentioned today, and scores more Catholic events, at sacredheartradio.com/events Creo Arts is at creoarts.org The Angelico Project is at angelicoproject.org Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do holy figures in classic literature address the nihilism, sensualism, and spiritual winter of the modern world? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft concludes his conversation with Dr. Jason Baxter—Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College—to explore the core theological themes of his new Word on Fire book, Dostoevsky’s Icon: The Spiritual World of The Brothers Karamazov. Dr. Baxter breaks down the philosophical tension between the Karamazov brothers and highlights Father Zosima's mandate to Alyosha: to leave the monastery and enter the messy secular world. He examines the pivotal turning point of the novel—the death of Father Zosima, Alyosha's trial of faith, and his unexpected spiritual encounter with Grushenka—showing how Dostoevsky illustrates the recognition of divine beauty and iconic dignity within modern souls. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can a 19th-century Russian masterpiece offer a mirror to modern spiritual poverty and reveal an authentic pathway back to sacred beauty? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Jason Baxter—Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College—to discuss his latest book from Word on Fire Press, Dostoevsky’s Icon: The Spiritual World of The Brothers Karamazov. Dr. Baxter shares updates on his forthcoming translation of Dante’s Paradiso before exploring Fyodor Dostoevsky’s role in the 19th-century Russian religious renaissance. He unpacks the concept of "avant-garde traditionalism," offers practical advice for navigating Dostoevsky’s 1,000-page masterpiece, and recommends The Dream of a Ridiculous Man as a quick gateway into Dostoevsky’s spiritual world. Stream now! Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.