Christendom is Dead. Why Msgr. James Shea Thinks This Is the Most Exciting Time to Be Alive!

What happened to the catholic church's influence in our culture — and what comes next?

In this episode of the A Reason For Hope Podcast, Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary, sits down with Mario Costabile and breaks down the end of Christendom — the 300-year unraveling since the Enlightenment — and why we are now living in a new apostolic era.

Msgr. Shea explains why you can't lead with moral rules before winning minds and imaginations, using his baseball analogy: you don't teach a kid the infield fly rule before taking him to the game. You'll hear why faith is dynamic and atrophies if you don't give it away, how every lay person is sent to witness without needing a master's degree in theology , and why our post-christianity moment leaves people deeply thirsty for meaning.

Featuring stories from rural North Dakota, G.K. Chesterton on the Church burying its undertakers, and this line you’ll want to share: If God doesn't exist we can do anything we want, but nothing matters. If God does exist, we can't do anything we want, but everything matters.

If you want to learn how to share your faith and how to evangelize in a secular world, this conversation on catholic answers to modernity will give you cheerful endurance to not give up.

⏰TIMECODE⏰

00:00 Hook

01:30 Start of Interview

02:03 What does Christendom mean?

04:44 Was Christendom as Ideal as we Imagined it?

06:42 When did Christendom Start to Unravel?

10:05 What were the causes behind Christendom's collapse?

12:06 How does this affect the way the Church Evangelizes?

13:36 How do we evangelize to our secular culture?

19:21 Importance of Creating Encounters with Christ

22:26 What does it mean for the Church to enter an age of Apostolic Mission

23:52 The importance of personal witness

28:21 The Opportunities for Evangelization

32:58 Message of Hope for Non-Believers

34:15 Message of Hope to Believers

37:58 How is University of Mary Preparing Students for the Future?

41:06 Goodbyes

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The A Reason For Hope Podcast is a catholic podcast on a mission to help our culture decipher the truths of our catholic faith , sharing catholic teaching on prayer , bible , theology, the eucharist, catholic mass, the rosary, morning prayer catholic , metanoia catholic and life in the catholic church.

What does it take to create truly compelling Catholic media in today’s world?

In this powerful episode of A Reason For Hope Podcast, Mario Costabile sits down with Father David Guffey, National Director and Head of Production at Family Theater Productions in Hollywood. From his work consulting on The Chosen to producing meaningful, faith-filled content for modern audiences, Father David offers deep insight into the intersection of faith, storytelling, and media.

We explore:

The importance of high-quality Catholic content in a competitive media landscape

How to evangelize through storytelling without being preachy

What makes The Chosen so impactful across audiences

How the Church can better engage young people through digital media

Behind-the-scenes insight into Chime Travelers

The role of beauty, creativity, and excellence in encountering God

Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, or someone passionate about sharing the faith, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical wisdom.

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What does the Catholic Church actually teach about same-sex attraction?

In today’s culture, this topic is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or avoided altogether. In this powerful and honest conversation, Host Dr. David Hajduk sits down with Catholic speaker Kim Zember as she shares her personal journey—from experiencing same-sex attraction and living a double life, to encountering Jesus Christ and rediscovering her true identity as a beloved daughter of God.

This episode goes beyond headlines and stereotypes to explore:

• The difference between same-sex attraction and identity
• What the Catholic Church really teaches (and why)
• How to live with both truth and authentic love
• The cultural pressures facing young people today
• Practical guidance for parents and grandparents walking with children navigating questions about sexuality

Whether you’re personally experiencing same-sex attraction, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking clarity on Catholic teaching, this conversation offers hope, truth, and compassion.

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Are right and wrong just social constructs—or is there a real moral law written into the human heart?

In this episode of A Reason for Hope, we explore the Catholic understanding of good vs evil, natural law, and conscience. Discover why moral relativism falls short, how we can truly know what is right, and why “following your conscience” isn’t as simple as it sounds.

We break down:

• The existence of a universal moral law
• Why good must be pursued and evil avoided
• How to actually make moral decisions
• The difference between intention, action, and circumstance
• What the Catholic Church really teaches about conscience

If you've ever wondered how to live a moral life in today’s confusing world, this conversation will challenge and clarify your thinking.

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What does it really take to build a strong Christian marriage that lasts a lifetime?

In this powerful conversation, Mario Costabile sits down with Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth to explore the role that faith in God plays in building a successful, Christ-centered marriage. After more than 40 years of marriage, our guests share the real story behind staying together through conflict, heartbreak, differences in personality, parenting challenges, and seasons of loss.

Instead of offering quick fixes, this conversation dives deep into the spiritual foundation of marriage—including how prayer, grace, forgiveness, and commitment help couples grow stronger together.

You’ll learn:

• Why God must be at the center of marriage

• How Christian couples can navigate conflict with grace

• The role of prayer in strengthening relationships

• Why marriage is one of God’s greatest tools for spiritual growth

• How faith helps couples stay committed through the hardest seasons

• Practical wisdom for couples who want a Christ-centered relationship

Whether you are newly married, engaged, or have been married for decades, this conversation offers hope, encouragement, and biblical wisdom for building a marriage rooted in faith.

If you're searching for guidance, this episode will encourage you to keep trusting God in your relationship.

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GET THEIR NEW BOOK HERE

⏰TIMECODE⏰

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Start of Interview

08:23 How They Met

11:38 The motivating factor to write this book

16:59 When they realized Marriage would require a lot of effort

19:42 Why Adults Are Getting Married Later Now

24:25 How God Has Made Their Marriage Stronger

29:30 How God has refined their marriage

33:56 Advice on How to Navigate Struggles for Young Couples

41:02 Grace's Role In Marriage

46:54 How the Loss of a Child Affected Their Marriage and Faith

57:57 Explanation of Book Title

59:38 Final Remarks

Why are so many people converting to Catholicism today?

In a world marked by uncertainty, woke ideology, and the loss of traditional values, more and more people are turning to the Catholic Church in search of truth, beauty, order, and transcendence. This episode explores the rising wave of conversion stories—from atheists to evangelicals—who have found a spiritual home in the richness and stability of the Catholic faith.

We dive into why the Catholic Church continues to attract new believers, how Catholicism offers something deeper than modern culture can provide, and what it is about the Church's teachings that resonate so powerfully in today's world.

Whether you're a convert, a seeker, or someone rediscovering their faith, this conversation will help you understand why the Church is growing in unexpected places and among unlikely people.

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more stories of conversion, Catholic truth, and living the faith in a secular world.

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In this episode of A Reason For Hope Podcast, Mario Costabile sits down with Nate Guyear to explore the mystery and gift of divine grace. Discover why grace is a supernatural gift that we cannot earn, and how it radically transforms our human nature, enhances our free will, and helps us make sense of suffering.

We dive deep into the Catholic theology of grace, discussing:

• Why the natural cannot reach the supernatural without God's help
• How grace draws us to God
• How suffering can be transformed through grace
• What role free will plays in accepting or rejecting grace
• How to be more open to grace in everyday life

If you’re looking to understand Catholic truth, deepen your Catholic spirituality, or simply want to be reminded of the power of God’s grace, this episode is for you.

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⏰Timecode⏰

00:00 Introduction

01:26 Start of Interview

03:15 What is Grace in the Catholic Tradition?

07:04 Is Grace Necessary?

08:42 How is Grace Acquired?

15:41 What does it mean to be in a "State of Grace"?

16:46 How does Grace change us?

19:36 Cooperating with Grace

23:43 How does Grace change suffering?

30:48 The Proper Response to God's Grace

36:48 How to Keep Up To Date with Nate

Are you struggling with emotional wounds, shame, anxiety, or spiritual dryness?

In this episode of A Reason for Hope Podcast, Mario Costabile sits down with Dr. Bob Schuchts—founder of the John Paul II Healing Center and author of Be Healed—who shares how true healing comes through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

Many faithful Christians love God but still feel stuck in patterns of fear, unforgiveness, trauma, or broken relationships. In this episode, we explore the roots of spiritual and emotional wounds, why forgiveness is essential to healing, and how unhealed pain can affect our relationship with God. Bob also shares insights from the recent John Paul II Healing Center retreat and offers practical steps to invite Jesus into your wounds.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re not experiencing the healing you pray for, or if healing is even possible for you, this conversation will remind you that Jesus is not just a teacher—He is a healer. No wound is beyond His mercy. No heart is beyond restoration.

🙏 Subscribe for more Catholic content on healing, faith, spiritual growth, and encountering Christ.

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⏰Timecode⏰

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Start of Interview

02:43 What gravitated you toward Healing in the Church?

03:59 Healing The Whole Person

05:16 How is Healing Connected to our Salvation?

07:58 How do we help those in our lives to acknowledge the need for healing?

13:01 Having compassion toward those who hurt us

16:43 The Limitations of Therapy Without God

24:26 The importance of identifying the roots of our wounds

28:18 The Importance of Forgiveness in Healing

31:31 What is a Spiritual Stronghold?

34:21 Demonic Strongholds and Lies

36:49 Ways to strenghten ourselves in healing

42:30 Jesus as our Healer

44:49 The Invitation to Return to God's Love

46:42 What Bob is Up To Next