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In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Catholic artist Johnny Vrba to discuss the power of beauty, the importance of sacred art, and how creativity can lead souls closer to Christ.
Johnny shares his conversion story, his journey as an artist, and his mission to inspire a new renaissance in Catholic art. We explore the inspiration behind his unique portraits of the saints, his experiences in Rome, and why beauty remains one of the most powerful tools for evangelization.
In this episode:
Johnny's conversion story and journey as a Catholic artist
Why beauty is essential to evangelization
The inspiration behind his unique portraits of the saints
His mission to inspire a new renaissance in Catholic art
His artwork of St. Carlo Acutis
The Wedding Feast at Cana and trusting God's timing
How each of us can create beauty in our everyday lives
Sponsored by Truthly
This episode is sponsored by Truthly, a Catholic AI app designed to help you find trustworthy answers to questions about the Catholic faith.
Download Truthly and use code gottabesaints:
https://get.truthly.ai/TlbX/GOTTABESAINTS
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Remember, we're all called to be saints!
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In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Catholic speaker and author Doug Barry to talk about what it means for men to embrace their God-given call to heroism.
We discuss the challenges facing men today, the temptation toward comfort and passivity, and why authentic masculinity requires sacrifice, discipline, and a willingness to take responsibility. Doug shares why men are called to be the “first line of defense” for their families and how prayer, the sacraments, and devotion to Our Lady prepare us for the spiritual battles we face.
We also talk about Doug’s new book, First Line of Defense: The Catholic Man’s Call to Heroism, co-written with Daniel O’Connor, and the practical ways men can grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Get Doug’s book:
https://ignatius.com/first-line-of-defense-fldfp/
Learn more about Doug:
https://dougbarryofficial.com/
This episode is sponsored by Truthly, a Catholic AI app designed to help you find answers about the Catholic faith and navigate everyday questions through a Catholic lens.
Learn more about Truthly:
https://www.truthly.ai/
Use code “gottabesaints.”
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Why do honest conversations matter? And can sharing our struggles actually help lead one another toward holiness?
In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Rob Kaczmark, founder of Spirit Juice Studios and host of the new podcast Flicker & Burn.
Rob has spent nearly two decades using film and media to share the Catholic faith, but this conversation goes well beyond his latest project. We talk about why people need meaningful conversations, the danger of pretending everything is okay, and the role that suffering, friendship, vulnerability, and storytelling can play in bringing us closer to Christ.
Rob also shares how some of the most honest conversations of his life have happened in an unexpected place: the tattoo chair. Those experiences helped inspire Flicker & Burn, a show built around real conversations with people from very different backgrounds about suffering, hope, conversion, loss, and what ultimately sustains us.
We also talk about why suffering can open the door to deeper relationships, what Father Stu teaches us about carrying our crosses, why Catholics need to take digital evangelization seriously, and how God patiently works on each of us, even when our path to Him isn't clean or straightforward.
A podcast can never replace authentic friendship or Christian community. But a good conversation can remind someone that they aren't alone, challenge the way they see their circumstances, and perhaps even help them take another step toward Christ.
In this episode:
• Why honest conversations are essential to the Christian life
• Rob's story and the mission behind Spirit Juice
• The unexpected conversations that inspired Flicker & Burn
• Why Rob intentionally talks with people from different backgrounds and levels of faith
• Isolation, friendship, and our need to be known by others
• Why we shouldn't pretend everything is okay when it isn't
• What suffering has taught Rob personally
• How suffering can allow us to accompany others more deeply
• Father Stu and the Christian understanding of suffering
• Why everyone's journey toward God looks different
• The future of Catholic media and evangelization on YouTube
• Rob's favorite tattoo and how it has opened conversations about Jesus
Resources mentioned:
Flicker & Burn
Listen to Rob's new podcast and find episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/flickerandburn/
Spirit Juice
Learn more about Spirit Juice Entertainment Group and its Catholic media projects:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/
Support Flicker & Burn / Spirit Juice Entertainment
Flicker & Burn and Spirit Juice's other original Catholic content are made available for free through the support of donors:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/flickerandburn/
Juice Box
Spirit Juice's Catholic YouTube content for children and families:
https://www.spiritjuice.org/donate/juicebox/
About Flicker & Burn
Hosted by Rob Kaczmark, Flicker & Burn explores the everyday struggle between life and faith through long-form conversations about doubt, hope, loss, redemption, conversion, suffering, and the search for meaning.
As Rob explains in our conversation, the guests don't all have the same story or even the same relationship with faith. That's part of the point. Whether someone's conversion happens dramatically or unfolds slowly over years, God continues working.
If you're looking for conversations that are real, raw, hopeful, and willing to wrestle with life's harder questions, give Flicker & Burn a listen.
Truthly
Gotta Be Saints is proud to partner with Truthly, a Catholic AI app designed to provide answers grounded in Scripture, the Catechism, and the teachings of the Church. Use code gottabesaints at https://get.truthly.ai/TlbX/GOTTABESAINTS.
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What can the great Gothic cathedrals teach us about God, beauty, evangelization, and our own call to holiness?
In this episode of Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Branden Stanley of Spirit Juice Studios, co-director of Bishop Robert Barron’s new documentary, Heaven in Stone and Glass. Rather than simply talking about how the film was made, we dive into the deeper ideas behind it: why beauty has the power to stop us in our tracks, how sacred architecture can draw people toward God, and why the Church should never underestimate beauty as a means of evangelization.
Branden shares his experience filming some of France’s greatest Gothic cathedrals, what these buildings communicate about God, and why beauty, alongside truth and goodness, remains essential to the Church’s mission. We also discuss what ordinary Catholics can learn from the people who built these cathedrals and how each of us can create something beautiful with our own lives that points others toward Christ.
Heaven in Stone and Glass
Bishop Robert Barron’s Heaven in Stone and Glass takes viewers on a cinematic pilgrimage through five of France’s great Gothic cathedrals and explores the spiritual and theological truths expressed through their architecture.
The film will be in theaters nationwide on September 20 and 23, 2026.
Learn more and get tickets for Heaven in Stone and Glass
About Branden Stanley
Branden Stanley is a filmmaker and creative leader at Spirit Juice Studios. He served as co-director of Heaven in Stone and Glass and has spent more than a decade helping Spirit Juice tell stories through Catholic filmmaking and visual media.
Learn more about Spirit Juice Studios
Learn more about Branden Stanley
Sponsored by Truthly
This episode is sponsored by Truthly, the Catholic AI app designed to help you find clear answers to questions about faith, Scripture, morality, relationships, Church teaching, and everyday life through a Catholic lens.
Whether you want to understand a difficult teaching, dive deeper into Scripture, learn more about a saint, or get clarity on a question about the faith, Truthly puts Catholic resources at your fingertips.
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Support the show, share this episode with a friend, and remember: we are all called to be saints.

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Welcome back to the final episode of the Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series!

In this episode—Part Four of our series—we’re tackling a vital but often challenging topic: Hard Conversations. I’m joined by Dr. Mario Sacasa, a Catholic counselor, speaker, and host of the Always Hope podcast. Dr. Mario has worked extensively with couples, helping them navigate the tough topics that can arise in marriage while fostering deeper connection and understanding.
Summary
Why Hard Conversations Matter:
We discuss why addressing difficult topics is essential for the health of a marriage. Dr. Mario explains how avoiding these conversations can lead to unresolved issues that undermine trust and intimacy.
Approaching Tough Topics Without Defensiveness:
Dr. Mario offers practical advice for initiating challenging discussions with your spouse in a way that minimizes defensiveness. He emphasizes the importance of using “I” statements, staying calm, and focusing on shared goals.
Common Issues Couples Struggle to Address:
We explore some of the most common topics that couples find difficult to discuss, such as finances, parenting, intimacy, and differing expectations, and why these issues often become sources of conflict.
Developing Better Listening Skills:
Dr. Mario provides strategies for becoming a better listener during tough conversations. He highlights the importance of active listening, validating your spouse’s feelings, and avoiding the temptation to immediately offer solutions.
The Role of Forgiveness in Marriage:
Forgiveness is a key part of healing after difficult discussions. Dr. Mario explains how forgiveness fosters trust and allows couples to move forward after past hurts.
Maintaining Intimacy During Tough Conversations:
We discuss how couples can stay emotionally connected, even when addressing sensitive or painful topics. Dr. Mario shares tips for balancing vulnerability with empathy.
Timing and Setting for Difficult Conversations:
Dr. Mario offers advice on choosing the right time and place for tough discussions, emphasizing the value of a calm, private, and distraction-free environment.
Dealing with Differences in Communication Styles:
We explore how couples can navigate differences in communication styles, such as one partner being more direct while the other prefers a gentler approach. Dr. Mario suggests ways to adapt and meet each other’s needs.
The Role of Faith in Tough Conversations:
Faith can be a powerful tool for navigating hard topics in marriage. Dr. Mario shares how prayer, Scripture, and the sacrament of reconciliation can bring peace and clarity to difficult moments.
Rebuilding Trust After a Hard Conversation:
When a discussion becomes particularly heated or painful, rebuilding trust is critical. Dr. Mario explains how couples can apologize, clarify misunderstandings, and recommit to working together.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Mario closes by encouraging couples to see hard conversations as opportunities for growth, intimacy, and trust. He reminds listeners that marriage is a journey and that God’s grace is always available to help couples through challenging times.
Links and Resources
Dr. Mario Sacasa’s Website
Always Hope Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Dr. Mario’s YouTube Channel
Call to Action
Thank you for joining us for the Gotta Marry Well Podcast Series! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!
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