Gotta Be Saints

Send us a textIn this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Angela Costley, a Hebrew Catholic theologian and Scripture professor based in the UK, to talk about what it means to be both Jewish and Catholic—not as a contradiction, but as a fulfillment.We discuss why the phrase “Jewish Catholic” can sound confusing at first, how the Church is grafted onto the “olive tree” of Israel (Romans 9–11), what Vatican II helped recover about the Church’s relationship to the Jewish people, and why Hebrew Catholics need space to live their Jewish identity faithfully within the Church.This conversation draws from Dr. Costley’s work as co-editor of From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church—a book that doesn’t shy away from the painful history of Jewish-Catholic relations, while also offering real hope for the future.About Dr. Angela CostleyHebrew Catholic theologian based in the UKScripture professor at St Mary’s College (seminary)Studied at Durham, Oxford, and earned her PhD at the Pontifical University in MaynoothBoard member of the Association of Hebrew CatholicsIn this episode, we talk about:What a “Jewish Catholic” is (and why it isn’t a contradiction)Why Catholicism can be understood as the heir of “Temple Judaism” fulfilled in ChristThe Mass and the fulfillment of temple worship and offerings“Salvation comes from the Jews” (John 4:22) and what Catholics should do with thatRomans 9–11 and the image of the olive tree (Israel as root; Gentiles grafted in)Why the Church isn’t a “new Israel,” but Israel in fulfillmentJewish identity as personal and collective (and why assimilation can be spiritually damaging)The Association of Hebrew Catholics and the need for community and witnessFacing hard history: antisemitism, misunderstandings, and doctrinal developmentWhy friendship and dialogue matter for healing and authentic witness todayHope in Romans 11 (“all Israel will be saved”) and what that means going forwardDr. Costley’s “Mount Rushmore of saints,” her hoped-for patronage, and how to pray for herGet the Book📘 From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church (Ignatius Press) Ignatius PressEpisode Sponsor — TruthlyThis episode is sponsored by Truthly, the Catholic action app that helps you reflect, learn, and share your faith with confidence. Start your free trial with code gottabesaints at Truthly’s website: TruthlyStay ConnectedFollow Gotta Be Saints on Instagram: @gottabesaints Support the show

Send us a textThe Reason to Stay Catholic (with Colleen Dulle)In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Colleen Dulle — wife, mother, Vatican reporter, and author of Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter.We talk honestly about why we remain Catholic in a wounded Church: how to stay when you’ve seen the worst, how to wrestle with God without walking away, and where real hope is found when scandals, hypocrisy, and disappointment hit close to home.From covering the clerical abuse crisis as a young journalist, to processing the revelations about Jean Vanier and L’Arche, to a powerful moment of grace at the tomb of Christ in the Holy Sepulchre, Colleen shares how the Lord has met her in the mess — and why, despite everything, she’s convinced the Gospel really is our only hope.About Colleen DulleVatican reporter and longtime journalist with America MagazineAuthor of Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican ReporterHas covered some of the Church’s most painful scandals up closeWife and mother, soon moving with her family to Rome to cover the Vatican full-timeIn this episode, we talk about:Why stay Catholic at all? Colleen’s story & vocation as a Vatican reporterBeauty and brokenness in the ChurchThe Jean Vanier / L’Arche revelationsThe clerical abuse crisis and a crisis of faithLearning to “yell at God” & wrestle in prayerA moment of grace at the Holy SepulchreMadeleine Delbrêl and a “heart stripped of trust in all things human”The Church that moves slowly (and why that matters)Hope for ordinary CatholicsColleen’s “Mount Rushmore of saints”If she becomes a saint one day… andHow you can pray for her Get the Book📘 Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter by Colleen DulleFind purchase options and more at Colleen’s website: colleendulle.comPrefer audio? Look for the audiobook version narrated by Colleen on major audiobook platforms.Stay Connected👉 Follow Gotta Be Saints on Instagram: @gottabesaints Episode Sponsor — TruthlyThis episode is sponsored by Truthly, the first Catholic action app helping you reflect, learn, and share your faith confidently.With Truthly, you can:Take short, practical actions to live your faith each dayDeepen your understanding of Catholic teachingShare truth online without feeling overwhelmed or underprepared🎁 Start your free trial with code gottabesaints at truthly.ai. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Michael Pakaluk — husband, father of 15, philosopher, and author of The Shock of Holiness: Finding the Romance of Everyday Life.We talk about the beauty of the Catholic faith, why holiness is both deeply attractive and deeply demanding, and how God meets us in the very ordinary, sometimes messy, details of daily life.From stories about daily Mass with small children, to reflections on his late wife Ruth (now a Servant of God), to a mind-blowing insight into Jesus walking on water and the Eucharist, this conversation will help you see your own life with new eyes.About Dr. Michael PakalukProfessor of Political Economy at the Catholic University of America (Bush School of Business)Philosopher and scholar, especially in the thought of AristotleAuthor of 14 books (with more on the way!) and father of 15 childrenWidower of Ruth Pakaluk, whose cause for canonization has begun, and husband of Catherine Pakaluk, author of Hannah’s ChildrenIn this episode, we talk about:The beauty of the Catholic faithWhy holiness is so attractive — and so uncomfortableRuth’s story and the reality of heroic holinessThe universal call to holiness in ordinary lifeThe romance of everyday lifeA fresh look at the Eucharist and transubstantiationHow to actually live this outGet the Book📘 The Shock of Holiness: Finding the Romance of Everyday LifeOrder from Ignatius PressOr ask your local Catholic bookstore to order it (and put a copy on the shelf!)Stay Connected👉 Follow Gotta Be Saints on Instagram: @gottabesaints If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs the reminder that holiness is possible — right in the middle of ordinary life.Episode Sponsor — TruthlyThis episode is sponsored by Truthly, the first Catholic action app helping you reflect, learn, and share your faith confidently. Start your free trial with code gottabesaints: truthly.ai Support the show

Send us a textIn this powerful and timely episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Charles “Charlie” Camosy — moral theologian, bioethicist, and author of Living and Dying Well (order here).Charlie shares deep insights into the cultural push toward physician-assisted killing, why our society is at a “tipping point,” and how the Catholic vision of life and death offers a radically hopeful alternative rooted in dignity, community, and love. Drawing from Church teaching, real-world data, and his father’s own end-of-life journey, Charlie shows how we can resist the throwaway culture and accompany the sick and elderly with compassion and purpose.Whether you’re caring for aging parents, worried about dementia, or simply wondering what it means to “die well” as a disciple of Jesus, this conversation reframes aging and dying as invitations to deeper love.In this episode, Charlie shares:Why some states are pushing physician-assisted killing — and why others still strongly resistWhat “autonomy” really means in our cultural momentWhy the poor, disabled, and marginalized are most at riskHow consumerism distorts our view of productivity and worthWhat it truly means to live and die well in Christian communityHow demographic trends and the dementia crisis complicate end-of-life careHow Catholics can build a counterculture of hospitality, encounter, and hopeIf you’ve ever asked yourself…How do I support a loved one who fears being a burden? What does the Church actually teach about assisted suicide? How do I walk with aging parents with dignity and charity? What does resisting the throwaway culture look like at the end of life? …then this episode is for you.Learn MoreExplore more of Charlie’s work: charlescamosy.comTruthlyThis episode is sponsored by Truthly — the first Catholic action app helping you reflect, learn, and share your faith confidently. Start your free trial with code gottabesaints: truthly.aiFollow Gotta Be SaintsInstagram: @gottabesaints Subscribe and leave a review to help others discover the call to holiness. Support the show

Send us a textIn this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I’m joined by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI — priest, theologian, and author of beloved spiritual classics The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire.Fr. Ron shares wisdom from his new book, Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years, exploring what it means to grow old with grace, purpose, and hope. Together we discuss how aging, loss, and even physical diminishment can become powerful acts of love — mirroring Christ’s own Passion and self-gift in the Eucharist.Whether you’re entering your later years, caring for an aging loved one, or simply wondering how to find meaning in seasons of limitation, this episode will help you see aging not as decline but as a sacred call to deeper love.In this episode, Fr. Ron shares:Why modern culture avoids talking about aging — and how the Church can respondWhat Jesus’ Passion teaches us about fruitful passivity and surrenderHow to turn diminishment and dependence into spiritual giftsThe hidden grace of caregiving and receiving careWhy forgiveness, gratitude, and inner work prepare us for our final act of loveThe meaning behind the title Insane for the Light — and what it means to “stare into eternity”If you’ve ever asked yourself…How can I find purpose after retirement or loss?What does it mean to grow old as a disciple of Christ?How can I accompany my parents or grandparents in their final years? …this episode is for you.Learn More:Order Fr. Ron’s book: Insane for the Light Visit: ronrolheiser.comFollow Gotta Be Saints:Instagram: @gottabesaints Subscribe and leave a review to help others discover the call to holiness.Sponsored by TruthlyThis episode is brought to you by Truthly — the world’s first Catholic action app helping you reflect, learn, and share your faith confidently. Start your free trial with code gottabesaints at truthly.ai. Support the show