Encounter Grow Witness

Episode 21: Bad Habits and How to Overcome Them

March 6th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  47 mins 16 secs

In this episode, Fr. Pullis and Beth unpack the bad habits that prevent us from unleashing the Gospel, that are outlined in Unleash the Gospel. They discuss each one of the five listed and share their experiences and insights on how to combat them. They highlight the urgency of sharing the Gospel, and illustrate how these bad habits, when left unattended to, can prevent us from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ as we’ve been called to do.

Episode 20: The Roots of the Crisis and How to Overcome Them

January 31st, 2023  |  Season 1  |  44 mins 35 secs

As a new year of the Encounter Grow Witness Podcast kicks off, Fr. Pullis and Beth revisit a critical section of Unleash the Gospel: the roots of the crisis. During their discussion, they unpack the ways scientific fundamentalism, moralistic therapeutic deism, and secular messianism have created great challenges in evangelization, but highlight the ways we can respond to those realities, and the unshakable hope that we have in Jesus.

Episode 19: The Reset

December 9th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  32 mins 37 secs

catholic, evangelization, parish leaders

Fr. Pullis and Beth discuss the Church’s mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ and invite listeners to recommit to this work of this mission, by seeking out ongoing personal conversion, growth in holiness, and acceptance of present circumstances. They share that, in the new year, they will continue to return to Unleash the Gospel, to guide this recommitment to mission.

Episode 18: Julianne Stanz

October 25th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  39 mins 34 secs

catholic, eucharist

Beth and Fr. Pullis are joined by Julianne Stanz, Director of Parish Life & Evangelization Mission Team for the Diocese of Green Bay. Julianne shares about her work in Green Bay, on the executive team for the National Eucharistic Revival, and how she’s lent her gifts to the I AM HERE campaign. Listen for loads of encouragement and inspiration for your parish to carry you through the National Eucharistic Revival.

Episode 17: Christopher West

August 25th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  35 mins 48 secs

catholic, family, marriage, sexuality, theology of the body

“The Gospel is not a call to crush the desires of our hearts…we are invited by Jesus to the super abundant fulfillment of those desires” In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome world-renowned speaker and author Christopher West. Our guest shares about the power of the Theology of the Body as the key to understanding ourselves, our vocations, our world, and the heart of God. He gives insights into how to live a life of intimate communication with God while serving in ministry, and how John Paul II’s writings can unlock how we view our own bodies.

Episode 16: A Pastoral Response to Pride Month

June 22nd, 2022  |  Season 1  |  45 mins 31 secs

“Remember the Gospel is good news in your life. We shouldn’t be afraid.” In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny discuss the ministerial approach to addressing LGBT concerns. They remind us that we must be attentive listeners who are willing to ask questions and mess up, but most of all, we must be people of faith who want to share the good news of human sexuality with our brothers and sisters in joy. Listen in as they give practical and spiritual footholds to living as faithful stewards of truth and compassionate members of our society.

Episode 15: Vocations with Fr. Craig Giera

May 24th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  41 mins 13 secs

archdiocese of detroit, catholic, ministry

Encounter Grow Witness podcast breaks open the Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Starting this June 4th, the Archdiocese of Detroit will pray together for the men God is calling to serve us as priests. In preparation, your hosts Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome Fr. Craig Giera, Director of Priestly Vocations. He shares what the diocesean priesthood is, how a young man can discern his vocation, and the path to the seminary. This episode closes with practical and powerful ideas for the laity to help support vocations to the priesthood. Take a listen!

Episode 14: Building Unity in the Church

April 18th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  48 mins 29 secs

archdiocese of detroit, catholic, ministry

Summary:
Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny take on the question: how can we build unity in the church? Together, they delve into the topics of charity, humility, a heart of evangelization, listening, forgiveness, and investing time in one another. This discussion is sure to inspire your heart to encounter those around you, grow together as disciples, and witness to the power of God’s love to bring unity where there is discord. Take a listen.

Episode 13: Collaboration

March 18th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  42 mins 18 secs

archdiocese of detroit, catholic, ministry

How can we collaborate better together as a church? In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Sandy O’Shaughnessy shares how her role as Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Michigan has been transformed through collaboration. Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny join the discussion as the three reflect on healthy conflict, listening, and patience. A highlight of this episode is Sandy’s sharing about what her morning prayer time looks like, and some practical things she does to welcome the Lord into her day. Take a listen!

Episode12: Finding Grace in Seasons of Transition

February 17th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  49 mins 58 secs

catholic, detroit, encounter grow witness, parish ministry, unleash the gospel

Fr. Steve and Beth welcome guest John Lajiness to the podcast for a profound conversation on seasons of transition, maintaining a mission focus while working in ministry, and trusting God's plan for our work.

Episode 11: Work-Life Balance in Ministry

January 4th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  44 mins 53 secs

archdiocese of detroit, catholic, ministry

Fr. Steve and Beth welcome guest Nicole Joyce to the podcast, where Nicole discusses her journey working for the Church and reflects on the importance of work-life balance for those in ministry.

Episode 10: Innovation in Catechesis

November 18th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  35 mins 24 secs

catechesis, catechism, catechist, catholic, detroit, real and true

Fr. Steve and Beth speak to guest Emily Mentock about her project, Real + True, and discuss the impact of evangelization in digital spaces, especially by bringing the catechism to life for younger audiences.

Episode 9: The Importance of Prayer

October 21st, 2021  |  Season 1  |  40 mins 59 secs

catholic, detroit, halloween, ministry, prayer

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss why prayer is important in the lives of parish leaders, common challenges of prayer life, and their personal prayer routines.

Episode 8: The Importance of Conflict

September 21st, 2021  |  Season 1  |  44 mins 52 secs

catholic podcast, conflict, conflict resolution, encounter grow witness, equip the evangelizers, evangelize the evangelizers, ministry

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss the importance of conflict in our mission as Christians and explain how to engage in healthy conflict with our superiors, peers, and those we lead.

Episode 7: The Beauty of Truth

August 19th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  39 mins 16 secs

archbishop vigneron, beauty, catholic podcast, communication, encounter grow witness, equip the evangelizers, evangelize the evangelizers, truth

Beth and Fr. Steve examine Archbishop Vigneron’s June pastoral note The Beauty of Truth: A Pastoral Note on Communicating Truth and Love in the Digital Age and how we can implement these ideas in ministry.

Episode 6: The Call to Holiness

July 15th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  47 mins 30 secs

call to holiness, catholic podcast, encounter grow witness, equip the evangelizers, evangelize the evangelizers, gaudete et exsultate, holiness

Fr. Steve and Beth discuss the universal call to holiness through the lens of Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate.