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.
Top Ten Podcasts of 2018!
The countdown of the Top 10 most popular podcast episodes of the year!
2018 was an amazing year for the Forte Catholic show!
The podcast continues to improve and listeners are responding!
In 2018, Forte Catholic was nominated for Podcast of the Year by the Fisher’s Net Awards! We also saw the number of downloads increase over last year by OVER 3.5X!!!! Thank you guys so much for all of the support.
We also added a rotating group of co-hosts that people are loving in Fr. Anthony Sciarappa, Fr. Jared Cooke, Shaun McAfee, Allison Sullivan & Jonathan “Bearded” Blevins. This new setup for the show has been a blast for everyone!
I would like to thank everyone who helped with the show this year through management,
the producers, co-hosts and guests. Truly, from the bottom of my heart…thank you!
I look forward to an exciting 2019!
Top 10 Episodes
Here are the most downloaded episodes of the show ranked 10 through 1.
Click the photos to listen.
If you're having trouble viewing the rankings and descriptions on mobile (i.e. from twitter) view in your browser on original mode.
Thank you again to everyone who listens to the show!
Start 2019 off by checking out any of these top episodes you missed, share the show
with your friends & subscribe to/give the show a rating in your podcasting service.
Let’s continue to #MakeCatholicismFunAgain together!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 116
We look back at the highlights of 2018, talk about the importance of remembering, talk to Brandon “Be The Symbol” Morel about what the universality of Catholicism practically means AND reveal the Top Ten most downloaded podcast episodes in 2018. Tune in!
To kick off 2019, we did something a bit different with this episode. Shaun McAfee co-hosts and we looked back at the highlights from 2018 to both reminisce and also catch up our newest listeners.
In the second segment, Brandon “Be The Symbol” Morel rejoins the show to discuss what the universality of the Church really means practically for him in inner city New York. He’s the man behind most of the music you hear on Forte Catholic. Be sure to check out his art!
And finally, we give the people what they’ve been waiting for. We reveal the Top Ten Most Popular podcast episodes of 2018. Tune in to see which shows came out on top!
I am so grateful that the podcast grew so much this year, especially in the last few months! Thank y’all so much for your support this year and for sharing the show with your friends. I truly appreciate it.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 115
Keeping Christmas going, pranks on Fr. Anthony, AND professional comedian Aaron Weber joins the show. Keep that Christmas spirit going by listening to this holiday extravaganza!
Merry Christmas from the Forte Catholic crew!
We start the show off with a prank on Fr. Anthony! We continue by discussing how to keep Christmas going with a new understanding of peace and what the baby King means to us today.
This episode, we are joined by comedian Aaron Weber! Taylor got to see him perform live on his tour with John Crist, thought he was hilarious and invited him on the show. Now that it's not just Taylor & his friends making jokes, this is one you don't want to miss!
In the final segment, we are joined by local youth minister Daniel Loch as he shares a heartwarming story about how his church did something extremely special for a young family. The story is inspirational and challenges all of us on what it means to be church.
Bonus content for this episode includes Fr. Anthony taking over the mic while Taylor leaves the studio(quite possibly the funniest outtake we’ve ever had) & another track with between segment content from all the guys involved in this week’s recording. Check out the Forte Catholic Patreon community today!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 114
In the final Advent show of 2018, Allison Sullivan co-hosts as we talk waiting, suffering, giving back and of course…the fact that we’re all dumb dumb DUMB sheep.
Allison Sullivan co-hosts our final Advent 2018 show! We discuss final Advent ideas & recap the latest live recording event of her podcast Sinner Saint Sister on the topic of Christian Unity.
In the second segment, Sandi Pino joins us to talk about a great opportunity we all have to give back and spread joy this season. To make being charitable and holy easy, click here! Taylor also thinks he finally has the parable of the lost sheep figured out.(maybe?)
In the final segment, Taylor shares a song he used to despise and now loves and how it defines his(and probably your) struggle with suffering.
For bonus content from this episode, check out our Patreon community.
From all of us here at Forte Catholic, we hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 113
Taylor is back from NCCYM with stories & insights. Fr. Jared returns to co-host. We have a friendly homily battle and discuss finding a home in a broken Church w/help from the lyrics of “Who You Say I Am.” Leila Miller is our guest this week as we discuss controversial topics like sex outside of marriage & modesty from her latest book "Made This Way: How To Prepare Kids To Face Today’s Tough Moral Issues."
Taylor has returned from the National Catholic Conference of Youth Ministry with stories & insights, including a Mass Text segment(without the intro...whoops). We decide which homily is better between Taylor's, a 6'8" Bishop's & co-host Fr. Jared's.
In the second segment, we are joined by Leila Miller, co-author of "Made This Way: How To Prepare Kids To Face Today’s Tough Moral Issues." In this book, she and Trent Horn team up to cover how to guide our children to Heaven in today's culture, especially how to answer tough questions about sex outside of marriage, modesty, homosexuality and more.
To close out the show, Taylor and Fr. Jared discuss finding a home in a broken Church through the lyrics of Hillsong's latest hit "Who You Say I Am."
Bonus content for this episode can be found in our Patreon community at Patreon.com/fortecatholic.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 112
As Advent kicks off, we talk about finding rest in this season of hustle and bustle. We also chat with seminarian Travis Crotty about “A Day in the Life” of a seminarian and his insights from a recent media fast. We also chat what we’re doing for Advent this year!
Taylor is joined by Shaun McAfee to kick off the Advent season with ample reminders to slow down and find rest in God. Taylor shares from one of the weirdest weeks he's had in a while that led into Advent. From travel, to being pulled over, to tech difficulties to being a guest on an atheist's podcast, it was an interesting one for sure. And there's an Advent connection to all of it!
In the second segment, seminarian Travis Crotty joins the show to share what "A Day in the life of a Seminarian" is like to give us a behind the scenes look into preparation for the priesthood. He shares particularly about the media fast he took and its implications for us this Advent season.
In the final segment, we chat about what we are doing for Advent & how it is one of our favorite seasons to draw us back into the life of Christ.
Thanks for listening! If you like the show, you can subscribe to make it easier to listen every week as the episode downloads automatically when posted. Also, we would truly appreciate you rating the show on your podcasting service. Thanks!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 111
Don’t use half your brain, “hug people and bring a rope”, drink a lot the Catholic way this holiday season, free speech booths are stupid and more on this week’s show! Fr. Anthony co-hosts and Michael Foley joins as our guest.
Fr. Anthony Sciarappa co-hosts as we start the show talking about not only using half your brain but instead using all God(and yo mama) gave you! Padre's quote at the end of the segment is worth more than gold lol.
In the second segment, we're joined by Michael Foley to discuss the connection between preparing for Christmas and drinking a lot.....in a Catholic way! It's perfect! Get his book on the subject to make your holidays great here!
And in the final segment, Taylor rants about his "free speech booth" encounter and the guys discuss encouragement and end the show by being nice to each other. Twas' quite odd.
We've been nominated as Podcast of the Year by the Fisher's Net Awards! Head over to ForteCatholic.com/vote to cast your ballot for the show today!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 110
Shaun McAfee co-hosts as we talk about Taylor’s recent trip to the National Youth Workers Convention, why Satan fell, experiencing beautiful Church’s….and we roast each other a lot too…so there’s that. We’re also joined by internationally acclaimed author and speaker CHRIS STEFANICK! We discuss his new book about letting God rewrite how we see ourselves.
Taylor returns from a trip to St. Louis for the National Youth Workers Convention with content for daeaaaays & a HUGE guest in Chris Stefanick!
Chris, the internationally acclaimed author and speaker, shares about his new book "I Am ___; Rewrite Your Name, Reroute Your Life." This book is all about seeing yourself as God sees you, infusing our inner monologues with Scripture & understanding how our words and identity are extremely powerful in how we interact with the Lord and others.
Shaun McAfee co-hosts and guest producer Thaddeus Romansky provide witty banter and insightful feedback(they're much smarter than Taylor) throughout the first and third segments. We talk pride, humility, the reason Satan fell and what it means for our mission in life. We also chat about Taylor's visit to the BEAUTIFUL Cathedral in St. Louis, his experience there & how it compared/contrasted with the worship experience at the conference. It got into some pretty insane back and forth where all three seem to just roast each other for half a segment. It was a beautiful experience and we hope you enjoying it as much as we did!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 109
Fr. Anthony co-hosts as we talk keeping things simple, humility and why truths stand the test of time. We’re also rejoined by the coolest monk you’ve ever heard of, Fr. Augustine Wetta, to discuss his new fantasy novel about Odysseus traveling through Dante’s Inferno.
Fr. Anthony Sciarappa co-hosts(WHAT!?!?!) as we talk about what Taylor learned about keeping things simple from the high school students he was on retreat with this weekend. (The students may or may not have been a little comically confused)
In the second segment, we are joined by a listener favorite Fr. Augustine Wetta. He rejoins the show(from his high school classroom with actual students in it) to talk about his new novel "The Eighth Arrow" which explores what it would be like if Odysseus from the Odyssey was in Dante's Inferno. The book is a thoroughly entertaining jailbreak story, full of allusions to great works of old and the lessons contained. A segment with the monk who breaks all monk stereotypes is always entertaining.
In the final segment, Taylor and Fr. Anthony bring back the "Mass Text" segment to revisit this past Sunday's readings, see how Father's homily went, discuss being bad at humility & why truths survive the test of time.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed it, please subscribe, leave a review, & share with someone you think will also enjoy it. For exclusive bonus content, check out our Patreon community at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 108
Taylor has a ridiculous 24 hours, we answer more of your questions, Theresa Zoe Williams makes her podcast debut to help us find God in secular songs and we make a big announcement about the future of the show.
All in 24 hours Taylor gets hurt, has a strange dining experience, is confused by the elections, is frustrated by a doctor's visit and stumped by a Gospel passage.
In the second segment, Theresa Zoe Williams makes her triumphant podcast debut as we explore finding connections to faith in secular songs. She's a tremendous blogger and Tweeter(is that a word?). Check her out at PrincipessaMeetsWorld.com & @TheresaZoe on Twitter.
In the final segment, we answer more listener questions and make an announcement about changes coming to the show.
Thanks for listening! As always, if you enjoyed today's show, please like, rate and subscribe. Also, if you want exclusive content, check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/ForteCatholic.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 107
Finally back from her trip to the Holy Land and the sickness that ensued, Sam returns and we update each other on what's happened in the last month. She weighs in on all the shenanigans we pulled while she was gone AND she shares her experience of traveling to the Holy Land for the first time.
She's here!!!!!!! Finally back from her trip to the Holy Land and the sickness that ensued, Sam returns and we update each other on what's happened in the last month. She weighs in on all the shenanigans we pulled while she was gone AND she shares her experience of traveling to the Holy Land for the first time. We finish the show off talking about the effects of Confirmation and how the Sacrament is(and isn't...) affecting us today.
For a bonus track from this episode involving Taylor forgetting how to speak(it was reallllly bad), check out our community over on Patreon.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 106
Producer Sam and Fr. Jared Cooke were SUPPOSED to be back for this episode but they both got sick in the Holy Land. So instead, guest producer AJ Barrows and I talk about what we would do if we won the 1.6 billion dollar lotto and who would win in a fight: Taylor or a baby elephant. We also have the author of “Jesus Loves Movies” to chat about connecting our favorite films to our faith.
Producer Sam and Fr. Jared Cooke were supppooooosed to be here this week to share about their trip to the Holy Land. But alas, they were both sick(I blame the Holy Land...) so AJ Barrows guest produced. Instead of talking the beauty of the Holy Land, we talked about what we would do if we won the 1.6 billion dollar lotto, finding happiness AND(of course) who would win in a fight: Taylor or a baby elephant.
Our guest this week is the author of "Jesus Loves Movies," Phil Strangolagalli(yea, you try to pronounce it!). His book walks through 30 of our favorite films and draws out connections to our walk with Christ in them. I was fascinated by some of the brilliant connections he makes. I'm gonna go watch a movie now! Enjoy the episode!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 105
Allison Sullivan co-hosts! Former Swiss Guard Andreas Widmer joins as our guest! Tis a good one folks! We talk the good, bad and ugly of our week and answer more of your questions, including a deep convo on what we look for in friends. Tune in!
Allison Sullivan rejoins the show to co-host this episode! We discuss the good, bad & ugly of our week's, including ANOTHER terrible travel experience for Taylor.
In the second segment, Taylor releases an interview from last month with former Swiss Guard, Andreas Widmer. He is in the running for most interesting man in the world. He was a Swiss Guard for JPII, once had Christmas Eve Dinner with the Pope, made a fortune in the dot com era, was essential in the creation of the voice recognition tech we now now as Siri or Alexa. He's fascinating! He currently teaches Entrepreneurship and the Catholic University of America where he shares the essential business principles he has learned throughout the years, how it affects our faith & much more!
In the final segment, Allison & Taylor pick up where we left off last week in answering questions from YOU, the listener. We spend most of our time discussing the qualities we look for in friends.
I hope you enjoy the episode! If you do, please like/rate in your podcasting service of choice AND share a link to the episode with your friends or social media feed. Thanks!
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 104
Producer Sam is gone so Taylor crowdsourced this episode! I have dozens of listener questions to get to, some social media beef to tackle & Twitter Queen Mother/Author @TeaWithTolkien to chat Lord of the Rings and Catholicism.
Producer Sam is in the Holy Land so Taylor is all alone in the studio.....sooooo this week's show was crowd sourced! We got tons of questions and topics submitted by you the listeners. From CrossFit to Fortnite to chicken nuggets to Vatican III, we have something for everyone this week!
I also throw absolute shade at my frenemies at the Roman Circus podcast with the help of Fr. Anthony Sciarappa and throw shade at said priest with the help of his brother, producer Nick Sciarappa. Producer Sam wasn't around to carry the show so creativity and assistance from everyone involved was needed.
In the second segment, I am joined by my co-nemesis @TeaWithTolkien to talk about our "beef", her Catholic Twitter title & of course....tea & Tolkien. Check out her book here!
Tune in to this very different but super interesting(I'm biased) episode! Let me know what you think of today's format and content on social media.
@TaylorSchroll on Twitter/Instagram
@ForteCatholic on Facebook/Twitter
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 103
Two year anniversary of Forte Catholic going on the air for the first time! Chris Mueller of “EverydayCatholic.com” joins the show to talk about leading from the pews. We also have convos about Producer Sam’s upcoming trip to the Holy Land, Beyoncé’s “Halo”, conversation with Twitter bots & #InternationalPodcastDay.
Celebrating two years of Taylor talking too much! This episode marks the two year mark from the first Forte Catholic episode airing on RED-C Radio. We start off with a mini-celebration, update on Producer Sam and talk about her upcoming trip to the Holy Land.
In the second segment, Chris Mueller of Everyday Catholic joins the show. He's essentially the successful & better looking version of Taylor. We talk about what speaks to a regular Catholic and how to lead from the pews.
In the final segment, we talk about how Beyoncé's "Halo" & Taylor's recent lunch choice apply to a few of this week's feast days. We also talk about #InternationalPodcastDay, give away a prize & Taylor's conversation with a Catholic Twitter bot.
#MakeCatholicismFunAgain
If you enjoyed the show, please take a few seconds to subscribe to & rate the show in your podcasting app. Also, share the link to the episode on your social media. Extra time out of Purgatory for all who assist in this work of the Lord :)
Appearance on the "Young Catholics Respond" Podcast
My appearance on Bill Snyder’s “Young Catholics Respond” as part 2 of our podcast crossover event. We talk complacency & the “why” behind faith.
We love our podcast crossover events! This week, Bill Snyder(host of Young Catholics Respond) was our guest on episode 102 of Forte Catholic. I also had the privilege of appearing on his show this week as well. We talked about #MakingCatholicismFunAgain, complacency, the “why” behind our faith. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts including iTunes & Stitcher.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 102
Taylor had a loooong week. Producer Sam had a rough week. So we decide to laugh through the pain and the stress. Join us for the fun! We also do another podcast crossover event with “Young Catholics Respond.”
Taylor had a crazy week. Producer Sam had a rough week. So what did we decide to do? Share stories and laugh through the pain with a conversation about a car wreck, the power going out in the middle of ministry and start a new segment where we answer questions from Curious Cat.
In the second segment, we are joined by Bill Snyder, the host of the "Young Catholics Respond" podcast. This is another podcast crossover event as Taylor joins this week's episode of Bill's show this week as well. We get to know Bill and hear his story of how three open heart surgeries have impacted his faith.
If you like the show and want time out of Purgatory, leave the show a rating and share it on your social media.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 101
This episode we talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. We do this through discussions of the Captain Marvel trailer, the aftermath of Avenger’s Infinity War, & a classic Old Testament story. We are also joined by Tony Vasinda of ProjectYM to talk about the work they are doing to support youth ministers across the globe.
We kick of this week's show(THE FIRST TRUE PALINDROME EPISODE IS SHOW HISTORY!!!) by talking about the Captain Marvel Trailer release and our reactions to it. We talk about how the Avengers post-Infinity War are stuck between a rock and a hard place. This is our theme for the day as we begin a conversation about the Israelites being stuck between a rock and a hard place at the Red Sea here and finish it in the 3rd segment. We talk about the "Red Sea Rules"; the lessons we learn from looking at how God worked in this story.
In the second segment, we are rejoined by Tony Vasinda, this time to talk about the work of Project YM and what they are doing to support youth ministers around the world. Tony gives us a peek into the lives of a youth minister that most people don't see and how we can support them as well.
Support the show and get exclusive bonus content in the Forte Catholic Patreon community!
Appearance on the "Catholic Vs." Podcast
I join David Ross on his show “Catholic Vs.” to share my story of faith, struggles and we talk about the recent abuse scandal response.
I joined David Ross on his show Catholic Vs. where he interviews people from all walks of faith about what they believe, how they came to believe it and why. I share my story of faith, struggles and we talk about the recent abuse scandal response.
Listen on iTunes or Soundcloud/Youtube below.
Forte Catholic Podcast Episode 100!
Huge celebration show planned for the 100th episode! We had 8 guests on this episode, all of which have had a huge impact on the show's history. Everyone was brought together for a grand evening indeed!
Huge celebration show planned for the 100th episode! We had 8 guests on this episode, all of which have had a huge impact on the show's history.
In the first segment, everyone's favorite Forte Catholic character, "Rocco" the Eagles super-fan, returns to the show to give us an update on the Eagles and his faith. Then Taylor's two favorite priests, Fr. Anthony Sciarappa and Fr. Jared Cooke, face off to see if one of them can reign supreme by the end.
In the second segment, the bros Lance Rosen of the Catholic Coaster Podcast and Alex Gotay rejoin the show. We all make fun of each other, talk faith and culture & of course continue the Texas vs. Canada debate.
In the final segment, Chris Bartlett and J.P. Quinn rejoin the show with our surprise guest to talk favorite podcasts, Forte Catholic memories, Fortnite & more.
A huge thank you to everyone who has ever listened to the show, supported, shared, reviewed, etc. I couldn't have made it to 100 episodes without you. I hope you continue to enjoy as we #MakeCatholicismFunAgain together!