The goal of the Forte Catholic Podcast is to inspire, uplift, and share the Good News in a way that will help you take the next step in your faith, no matter where you are on your journey with God.
Bad Evangelization & Lost at Sea w/ Fr. Anthony Sciarappa | Forte Catholic Podcast Ep 389
Live from Pittsburgh! Taylor suggests seven Catholic things and asks Father Anthony whether they are more helpful for evangelization or more of a hinderance. Also, Taylor has a new scenario where we explore the grey area of Catholic morality: being stranded at sea.
Live from Pittsburgh!
Taylor visits Fr. Anthony and they record from the rectory. Taylor suggests seven Catholic things and asks Father whether they are more helpful for evangelization or more of a hinderance. They agree on a few, disagree on other but have good conversations about all.
Then, in honor of last year's discussion on the morality of the zombie apocalypse, this year Taylor has a new scenario where we explore the grey area of Catholic morality: being stranded at sea. This is inspired by a true story of men stranded at sea after killer whales attacked their boat and the incredible yet horrifying story of their survival.
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Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Produced by Taylor Schroll
Editing & Episode art by Sarah Allen
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Kathryn Whitaker's First Guest Appearances | Forte Flashback
We're doing a Forte Flashback this week, highlighting our cohost Kathryn Whitaker's first two appearances on the podcast as a guest. These conversations were the seeds planted that eventually led to her joining us on a monthly basis.
We're doing a Forte Flashback this week, highlighting our cohost Kathryn Whitaker's first two appearances on the podcast as a guest. These conversations were the seeds planted that eventually led to her joining us on a monthly basis.
Today's show kicks off with her first appearance is person on Ep 256. We were recording in Liv Harrison's house so the three of us shared some things that are anchors or foundations for them as people that keep us strong during even the toughest of times.
Then we go alllll the way back to Ep 153. This was back in our radio/podcast days. The title of the episode was "Nightmares Are You Scaring /you" which is still one of my favorite episode titles. We discuss her book "Live Big, Love Bigger: Getting Real with BBQ, Sweet Tea and a Whole Lotta Jesus" which is a title that perfectly captures Kathryn's aura. She shares her story of dealing with loss and pain, how it affected her relationship with Christ and, as a bonus, how to share your faith without being a weirdo.
If you like this episode, all of our episodes are available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube. Check out our backlog if you've joined us at some point in the last eight years!
A great place to start is the list of our top ten episodes which can be found at ForteCatholic.com/podcasts.
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Produced by Taylor Schroll
Editing & Episode art by Sarah Allen
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Royal Rumble & Priest Voice w/ Fr. Anthony Sciarappa | Forte Catholic Podcast Ep 376
Fr. Anthony has convinced Taylor to watch wrestling for the second time, and this time it's a family affair! They also discuss "priest voice" and do some rare voice acting!
Fr. Anthony has convinced Taylor to watch wrestling for the second time, and this time it's a family affair! At Fr. Anthony's behest, the entire Schroll family sat down to watch the Royal Rumble and it was a HIT! They discuss how this event really won over these non-wrestling fans and what this experience teaches us about how we can better evangelize.
In the next segment, Taylor shares about a recent podcast he listened to about "pilot voice", when all airline pilots sound the same. They discuss how this extends to priests in homilies and maybe even Catholic speakers/podcasters. It's a fun discussion about conformity, making people feel safe & some bonus rare voice acting work by our hosts.
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Produced by Taylor Schroll
Editing & Episode art by Sarah Allen
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Positivity, Evangelization & Cancel Culture w/Kathryn Whitaker | Forte Catholic Podcast Ep 319
Kathryn joins Taylor in studio to share some exciting news! They talk about the gift of positivity & the Church's mandate to evangelize. Kathryn also helps Taylor write an upcoming talk he is giving on cancel culture.
From all of us at Forte Catholic, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Kathryn joins Taylor in studio to share some exciting news! They talk about the gift of positivity & the Church's mandate to evangelize. Kathryn also helps Taylor write an upcoming talk he is giving on cancel culture.
From all of us at Forte Catholic, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
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Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Episode art by Becka Gerhart
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
The Internet, Alpha & Catholic Fantasy Draft w/Jon Blevins | Forte Catholic Podcast Ep 275
In Jon's favorite episode in months, the guys talk about how we take the internet for granted, the parish evangelization tool Alpha that is growing in popularity & play a new game "Catholic Fantasy Draft" where they choose Catholic heroes for their fantasy football teams.
Jon said this was his favorite episode in a while! Taylor kicks off the show with how he's been thinking deeply about the internet and how we take it for granted. It really is incredible the things we can do with it and we never really give it a second thought.
Next, they discuss the parish program growing in popularity, Alpha. Taylor's parish is starting it this week and Jon has led it a few times at his parish so Taylor picks his brain about it. What worked, what didn't and the importance of the work of pre-evangelization.
To close the show, they play a new game called "Catholic Fantasy Draft." They each drafted Catholic heroes from the Scriptures and Church History to play on their fantasy football team. It was a grand ol time!
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Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Episode art by Becka Gerhart
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Biblical High School Cafeteria w/Fr. Anthony Sciarappa | Ep 265
Hard work now pays off later, deciding which Biblical characters to have lunch with & the awkwardness of inviting people to Church.
Fr. Anthony cohosts a fun show that kicks off with a discussion on how hard work pays off later. We often have to have times where we are putting in extra work in order to relieve our workload and have a better life later. The opposite is also true. If we don't do things we need to now, we will have to deal with the consequences later. He and Taylor chat about managing these seasons.
Next, they have a ton of fun with a meme that asks which biblical character you would choose to sit with in a cafeteria. They give the pros and cons to sitting at each table and ultimately decide who they would sit with. Their answers couldn't be any more different!
Finally, Taylor shares a story where he reflexively suggested a non-denominational Church in town to a couple instead of the Catholic Church. He immediately wondered why he did that, shares the situation with Fr. Anthony and asked what could have done better.
We hope you enjoy this week's show! Have a great week, friends!
Subscribe/Rate
Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Episode art by Becka Gerhart
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 238
Taylor shares a terrible review of him and the show and says the person was actually right lol. He and Jon play Imitate, Intercess or Ignore and then talk about some Scriptures Taylor found in the bathroom lol.
The show kicks off with a hilarious terrible review of Taylor and the show. He tells John what was said about him, who came to his rescue and...how the mean reviewer was...right??? This leads to a discussion on reviewing things in general and how we can use it as a way to shed light into dark places.
Next, they play the new Imitate, Intercess or Ignore game where they each give each other three saints and have to choose what they will do with each. Hilarity and learning a bit about the saints at the same time...and maybe some who didn't actually exist...
Finally, Taylor shares an odd story about some Scripture verses he found in a restroom. It was...strange...to say the least. Enjoy!!!
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Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Episode art by Becka Gerhart
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 232
Fr. Anthony quizzes Taylor on fancy Catholic words and it...doesn't go well. Sam Blair, an ex-Navy Seal and leadership coach for an NBA team joins the show to talk about grit and Fr. Anthony talks to Taylor about comedy in evangelization.
Fr. Anthony quizzes Taylor on fancy Catholic words and it...was something. lol. One of the more fun games we've come up with in a while. Do you know the meaning of more of these words than a guy with a Theology degree? The answer is...probably...
Sam Blair of The Frassati Company joins Taylor for a conversation on grit, heartiness & resilience. Taylor thought those words were synonyms but the ex-Seal and current leadership development expert taught him otherwise. This is a great conversation for us to continue to grow in our current situation.
Finally, Taylor & Fr. Anthony discuss using comedy to open people up for the Gospel.
We hope you enjoy today's show! If you do, please like/subscribe/share. Thanks!
Subscribe/Rate
Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Donate
Forte Catholic is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Support the work with a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks! https://www.fortecatholic.com/donate
Episode art by Becka Gerhart
All music used on the show is by Brandon “BeTheSymbol” Morel. Find his music at bethesymbol.com.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 157
Cohost Shaun McAfee is our correspondent in Rome sharing his experience of attending the canonization of five new saints. Richaél Lucero shares why she’s clumsy and what a theosis is. Jake Stanley defends his nefarious friend and daily reading of Scripture.
Cohost Shaun McAfee was our live correspondent from Rome at the canonization of five new saints this week! He shares about the new saints and the experience of being there. Taylor just shares how the Pope is now a football fan and won him money.
Richaél Lucero, host of the Clumsy Theosis Podcast, joins the show to explain why she is clumsy and what or who a theosis is. But mostly her and Taylor just team up to make fun of Shaun. (ClumsyTheosis.net)
In the final segment, Jake Stanley of Man Fully Alive Ministries joins the show to defend his nefarious cohost and share the impact reading Scripture daily has had on his life.
These are two of the most relaxed interviews we've ever done and felt like we were all just sitting around a fire drinking. And now that I'm done posting this, I'm going to have a drink now. Enjoy!
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Exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic. Hours of more show and a great way to help Taylor feed his three hungry children.
Deals
Catholic Balm Co. Click here for 11% off your next order of anything you've ever need for your beard, lips or skin.
Sock Religious. Click here and use the code “FORTE15” for 15% off of the best socks around.
Stay Close to Christ. Click here a free Tiny Saint on your order of Catholic gear, Saint Cards, gifts and much more.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 156
Allison Sullivan cohosts the 3rd anniversary show! Taylor took a 9th grade theology test and…it didn’t go well. The ladies from Project Light join to share about their film for young women “Speaking to Sparrows.” And the final segment was, in Allison’s words, the “squirreliest” we’ve ever done. Enjoy!
Allison Sullivan cohost with Taylor for the three year anniversary show!!!
Taylor took a 9th grade theology test and...it didn't go well.
Our guests this week are Janine McGann and Liz Sams to share about the film they created "Speaking to Sparrows." This was created for young women to reaffirm their worth in God and help them through their trials.
The final segment is, as Allison put it, "the squirreliest segment we've ever done." She tries to speak about what the Lord has revealed to her about waiting but instead they incessantly make fun of each other. It gets off the rails quick. Enjoy! 😊
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Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Patreon
Exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic. Hours of more show and a great way to help Taylor feed his three hungry children.
Deals
Catholic Balm Co. Click here for 11% off your next order of anything you've ever need for your beard, lips or skin.
Sock Religious. Click here and use the code “FORTE15” for 15% off of the best socks around.
Stay Close to Christ. Click here a free Tiny Saint on your order of Catholic gear, Saint Cards, gifts and much more.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 155
Catholics have been super hateful this week and Taylor is not happy about it. BUT Dr. Peter Kreeft comes in to save the day! This absolute legendary Catholic thought leader joins us to talk about his new book to help us dive deeper into the best Gospel. Cohost Liv Harrison lightens the mood by cringing at a new Catholic superstition Taylor learned this week.
Liv Harrison is in studio as co-host. Over a decade ago, Taylor made a promise to himself never to do a certain thing again. He broke that rule for the first time this week. The amount of hate thrown around by Catholics this week necessitated a change of course. We have to be better than this...
Our guest this week is an absolute legend! Dr. Peter Kreeft has been at the head of Catholic thought for decades and was a huge influence on young Taylor. It was a honor to speak with him about his insanely impressive career and his new book Probes, written to help us dive deeper into the Gospel of John(obv the best one.)
In the final segment, Liv and Taylor lighten the mood from the first discussion by talking about strange Catholic superstitions, including a new one Taylor heard about this week.
Subscribe/Rate
Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Patreon
Exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic. Hours of more show and a great way to help Taylor feed his three hungry children.
Deals
Catholic Balm Co. Click here for 11% off your next order of anything you've ever need for your beard, lips or skin.
Sock Religious. Click here and use the code “FORTE15” for 15% off of the best socks around.
Stay Close to Christ. Click here a free Tiny Saint on your order of Catholic gear, Saint Cards, gifts and much more.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 145
Allison and Taylor share travel stories including her getting tackled in an airport! They also discuss the often misunderstood Catholic Social Teaching & share their dueling Forte Five Countdowns of best bible verses to yell in public. Dave Neeson of Catholic Athletes for Christ joins the show to talk about his work with the NFL, providing Sacraments to a high number of Catholics in professional football.
Taylor and Allison Sullivan discuss their recent travel, share stories including her getting tackled in an airport and him being better than her lol. This leads to a conversation on Catholic Social Teaching and how it gets a bad rap.
Our guest this week is Dave Neeson, a youth minister who's side hustle is cooler than anyone else's. He works with Catholic Athletes for Christ, an organization that makes sure every Catholic in the NFL has access to the faith, especially the Sacraments, throughout the season. His stories involving some of our favorite sports heroes being die-hard Catholics are really inspiring.
In the final segment, Taylor and Allison face off in a duel of the Forte Five segment! They countdown their top five bible verses that they would yell in public! There's a point to all this madness....we promise.
Subscribe/Rate
Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks!
Patreon
Exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic. Hours of more show and a great way to help Taylor feed his three hungry children.
Deals
Catholic Balm Co. Click here for 11% off your next order of anything you've ever need for your beard, lips or skin.
Sock Religious. Click here for 15% off your next order of the best socks around.
Stay Close to Christ. Click here a free Tiny Saint on your order of Catholic gear, Saint Cards, gifts and much more.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 74
We talked about the launch of the 2nd annual Ministry Madness bracket and how Taylor's chubbiness can benefit you spiritually. We're also joined by Tony Vasinda, host of "The Threshold Podcast."
Exciting episode!
We talked about the launch of the 2nd annual Ministry Madness bracket where you, the listeners, vote on who you think would win in a boxing tournament amongst Catholic ministry leaders. Fill out your bracket here.
In the second segment, we are joined by a man of many talents, Tony Vasinda. We primarily discuss his Threshold Podcast where he talks with people from vast religious backgrounds about what they believe. The podcast is fantastic and is vulnerable and authentic in a way that you don't hear often. Search for "The Threshold Podcast" on your favorite podcasting service.
In the final segment, Taylor shares about how his chubbiness can help you spiritually. Yes...really.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 42
My good ol' pal and youth ministry buddy Joe Mastrangelo drove up from Houston to join me for this whole episode. We chatted about thinking outside the box in the ministry as well as coffee and its connection to faith. We also had a friendly(ish) youth ministry trivia competition.
My good ol' pal and youth ministry buddy Joe Mastrangelo drove up from Houston to join me for this whole episode. We chatted about his ministry, how his parish is doing something very different in order to evangelize their young people and what we can learn from thinking outside the box in the Church.
We also were pitted in a vicious youth minister vs. youth minister trivia game with a perfect balance of questions about Catholicism and Pop Culture in the second segment.
In the final segment, I asked Joe what he is passionate about and he answered coffee, so that's what we talked about. He compares coffee to evangelization about how a familial and home-y atmosphere can do a lot for a Church community.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 40
In this episode I answer listener submitted questions, interview Trent Horn of Catholic Answers on his new book "Why We're Catholic" and play a quick fire trivia game with the producers of the show.
In this week's show, I continue answering listener submitted questions. This week, I tackle two questions about leading young people to Christ, especially when they don't seem to enjoy church. I also want to equip parents with the tools they need to speak with their children about faith. For more, visit beyondthepew.org.
In the second segment, Trent Horn returns to the show to talk about his new book "Why We're Catholic." This book is flying off the shelves due to its non-confrontational style to urge people to grow in their faith instead of trying to win them over simply through argument.
In the final segment, we play a rapid fire question and answer game with those in studio. This is to help get across the point that building trust and getting to know who people are is the necessary first step in evangelization.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 36
In this episode, I talk about summer camps, what that has to do with the important and often neglected subject of pre-evangelization and some encouragement for times we struggle to pray consistently.
This week's show was pre-recorded as I am currently leading a Junior High Summer Camp! In the spirit of summer camp, we talked pre-evangelization, what fun has to do with faith and how events like this can really be an avenue to bring people to Christ.
So often, we try to catechize people who haven't been evangelized and evangelize people without making a human connection with them first. In this episode we explore how we can bring Christ to others no matter where they are in their journey with him.
I am also joined by Vern Laborde from Deer Creek Camp to hear how they impact the lives of young people in a huge way each summer! Hear her stories, insights and her love for camp!
In the final segment, we dive a little deeper into the topic of prayer. So many of us struggle with prayer and I will walk through two stories from Scripture that can help us when we don't feel like praying.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 32
In the first and third segment of this week's show, we find out how to be "after God's heart" from David in the Old Testament. We look at how David sought God's will, even through trials, and did not hold back in his worship of the Father.
In the second segment, I was pleased to be joined by Catholic Answers author Eric Sammons on his book "The Old Evangelization." He shares how we need to get back to the basics of sharing the Good News the way Jesus did.
In the first and third segment of this week's show, we find out how to be "after God's heart" from David in the Old Testament. We look at how David sought God's will, even through trials, and did not hold back in his worship of the Father.
In the second segment, I was pleased to be joined by Catholic Answers author Eric Sammons on his book "The Old Evangelization." He shares how we need to get back to the basics of sharing the Good News the way Jesus did.
In your favorite way to listen to podcasts, please subscribe to the channel, like, rate, and share this show with your friends. I would be ever grateful!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 22
Mardi Gras show! I talk about stress and Lent and what they have in common. I am also joined by the founder of SPSE to learn about evangelization.
Happy Mardi Gras!
Lent is soon upon us, so let's talk about getting prepared for this great season while also dealing with the reality of stress in our lives. This weekend, I went on a retreat called "Stressed Out" about how to deal with stress as a Christian. In this podcast episode, I share what I learned over the weekend and how it applies to our Lenten season. We also do a Forte Five countdown segment of the best 5 things I've ever given up for Lent.
I am also joined by the founder of Saint Paul Street Evangelization, Steve Dawson. He has a great story of how God has worked in his life and also talks about how their ministry works and what they can do to help us grow in our ability to share the Gospel.
Tune in now on iTunes or Soundcloud. If you listen in iTunes, please subscribe and review the show. This will give me great feedback and also help the show appear to more people on the platform. Thanks and happy listening!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 19
In this episode we talk about the Super Bowl, what sports and faith have to do with one another and interview the Pokevangelist.
In this week's episode, we talk about the amazing Super Bowl that happened this weekend, why we love sports, what sports can teach us and how it can help us grow in our faith. I talk about the things that I learned while playing sports growing up and how those lessons have made me a better Christian.
In the last segment, I interview youth minister Chris Johnson, also known as the Pokevangelist. Tune in to join in our laughter and find out what the heck a Pokevangelist is, how pop culture can be used to assist in ministry and more.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 10
I can't believe I got to interview this giant in apologetics! Tune in to hear the interview with Jimmy Akin about his faith journey and new book as well as a discussion about my trip to the National Catholic Conference of Youth Ministers.
Jimmy Akin! Jimmy Akin! Jimmy Akin!
I can't believe I got to interview this giant in apologetics! If you are not familiar(because you were just born or this is your first trip to the internet), Jimmy has been working for Catholic Answers as an apologist, radio show host, blogger and writer for many years. Tune in to hear the interview with Jimmy about his faith journey and new book as well as a discussion about the National Catholic Conference of Youth Ministers I went to this weekend and the Forte Five segment returns.
Check out the podcast on iTunes or Soundcloud below. Please help others hear the show by liking, commenting, subscribing, rating and sharing it with you friends.
As I said in the show, comment below with who has influenced you in your faith the most and how they did that.