Breadbox Media

One of the oldest drinks known to man...next to water of course..is alcohol. Brewed out of necessity for health purposes in England the beloved beer has become a of staple of our culture. But were you aware that there is a spiritual aspect to beer as well? Jared Staudt joins me this week to discuss this and how Catholic monks perfected the art of brewing and spread it throughout the world. Learn about the rise, fall, and return of beer brewing on this episode.

If you are one who loves studying Scripture than this episode is for you. Dr. John Bergsma joins me to talk about the EXCELLENT new volume on the Old Testament he co-wrote with Brant Pitre called A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament. This book is packed with charts, graphs, history behind each book of the Old Testament and much, much more within it's 1060 pages. Learn about the book, a little Bible history, and the process John and Brant went through over a span of 10 years to write the book. We even touch upon when we can expect to see the companion New Testament volume. 

Many feel Thomas Aquinas is hard to read. Have you ever considered thinking like him? On the episode I am joined by Dr. Kevin Vost who tells us just how to accomplish. It may take some time but well worth it. Listen in as we take a look at his recent book How to Think Like Aquinas:The Sure Way to Perfect Your Mental Powers.

 

Occasionally a book makes it’s way to me that gives me pause. A book that looks at the faith in a manner that addresses the current divided culture we live in and it brings hope. Join Marge Fenelon and I as we discuss her book 10 Promises of Jesus: Stories and Scripture Reflections about Suffering and Joy. In a world grown cold we need a little joy this year. Marge has chronicled stories that will give you hope!

 

We wrap 2018 up with my favorite saint, Padre Pio. Join author Bernard Ruffin and I as we discuss the life of this beloved saint and Bernard's recently released 3rd edition of his book Padre Pio: The True Story.  In 528 pages Bernard takes a deep look into the life, mystery, and miracles of Padre Pio. This book is perhaps the most complete biography of Padre Pio available and this third edition is newly updated with more details and 16 pages of photos! Saint Padre Pio pray for us!

 

This week on Off the Shelf as we anticipate the birth of Jesus we take a look at some of the many names of Jesus in Scripture. Paul Thigpen joins me to discuss his book The Biblical Names of Jesus: Beautiful. Powerful Portraits of Jesus. From Lion of Judah to King of kings and everything in between, Paul covers many of the 100's of names used to describe the Messiah on Scripture. Learn about the history to a few of them on this weeks episode. 

 

I've recently gotten my hands on one of the most well-crafted rosaries I have ever owned. Actually it is a set of four called The Mysteries of the Rosary set by Ghirelli Rosaries. Family-owned Ghirelli Rosaries has been in the business for a long time and produce some of the most gorgeous rosaries you will ever find craftedin and imported from from Italy. Listen in as Dino Piccinini from Ghirelli and I discuss the rosary design process, how they are made, and Ghirelli's custom- made line of rosaries. PLUS exclusive to Breadbox Media listeners  now through Dec. 31 visit https://www.ghirelli.com/ and enter code BREAD15 at checkout. You will receive a 15% exclusive discount through the end of the year on ALL Items including sale and clearance, plus Free Shipping on orders over $75.  

 

We are in full Advent prep mode and I have a great book to share with you to help us take a focused look at the season leading up to Christmas. Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas by Father William P. Saunders is the perfect resource for learning about and making Advent a prosperous season filled with faith. Join us as we discuss the numerous feast days observed in the season, objects that have become part of our celebrations, and stories behind some of the more well-known Christmas carols of the season. 

 

Kendra Tierney made a concerted effort to bring the feasts and events of the liturgical calendar into her family life and has reaped the benefits of doing so.Now she shares the many simple ways she has found to do so in her book The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life. On this episode, we focus on the season of Advent and how we can stop the hustle and bustle of the secular world and come to a true appreciation for the reason for the season. 

This week we celebrate the 100th episode of Off the Shelf. To do so we have guest Mike Aquilina who was my first written author interview in 2013. We chat about his most recent book Villains of the Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Sound ominous doesn't it? Trust me, its  a great read and we will cover some of these characters from Judas to the no-so-obvious Origen.

 

We haven't dived into our Thanksgiving feasts yet but this week we are going to talk about Advent. I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to get their hands on the excellent Advent journal from Fr Mark Toups Rejoice: Advent Meditations with Mary. Fr Mark and I take a look at why it is important to include Mary in our Advent journey to Christmas, why Christmas day is an event rather than a single 24 hour occurrence, and how we can effectively dive into scripture to build a lifelong rewarding habit of journaling. 

Sometimes it seems as if us parents are steering our ship into the wind rather than with it. Society is attempting to indoctrinate our children with one message while we attempt to teach them the messages we hold dear that our faith teaches us. Leila Miller has co-authored with Trent Horn Made This Way: How to Prepare to Kids to Face Today's Tough Moral Issues. This book is a MUST read. Listen in as we discuss the issues our kids will be faced with while being face with making potentially life altering decisions. 

 

This week's guest requires no introduction. After four decades, fifty-plus albums, and thirty-plus books John Michael Talbot is one of the most beloved artists in Christian music today. Join as we discuss some of the life lessons he has learned along the way and that he shares in his latest book Lessons from a Troubadour: A Lifetime of Parables, Prose, and Stories. 

 

This week it's all about the first native-born American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton. Author Catherine O'Doneell has penned one of the most comprehensive biographies on this great saint in recent memory. Join us a s we discuss the hardships and ultimate triumphs realized by Elizabeth Seton. 

 

Journaling seems to be all the craze these days and my dear friend Allison Gingras has brought her own spin to the options available with her new Stay Connected Journals. The series, currently at three, includes her own book The Gift of Invitation: 7 Ways That Jesus Invites You to a Life of Grace. Join us as we take a look at each of those seven invitations, as well as discussing Allison’s favorite places to journal and the impact journaling has had on her faith journey. By the end of the show you will want to grab these books, your favorite pen, and find a comfy chair to dive into the faith with!

 

New Age thought and the New Age Movement is  a very dangerous playground to dabble in. The entire focus of New Agers is to bring the attention towards oneself making YOU the God of your life. Moira Noonan understands this because she was heavily involved in the New Age Movement for years until the Blessed Mother rescued her. Listen in as Moira and I discuss her journey which she details in her book Ransomed from Darkness: The New Age, Christian Faith and the Battle for Souls.

In the current climate of the Church today many may be feeling a mix of emotions. Hurt, confusion, sorrow, and maybe even anger. In his recently re-released book The Angry Christian: A Bible-based Strategy to Care and Discipline a Valuable Emotion, Bert Ghezzi offers some solid advice on how to rein in this emotion and make it useful. Join us as Bert and I discuss anger and how we can effectively apply it to the current crisis in the Church and in our everyday lives as well.

 

Papa's got a brand new bag....or Bible in this case. Over the years I have had the opportunity to check out and review many Bibles. Recently I got the chance to get my hands on the new The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press. What I am about to say i don't say lightly. This has become my Bible of choice. Why? Listen in as Jeff Cavins and I discuss what makes this Bible so unique. 

This week Father Augustine Wetta and I take a look at the often neglected virtue of humility. In his book Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem Father Wetta breaks down Saint Benedict's method into twelve pithy steps for finding inner peace in a way that can be applied to anyone's life. In today's society humility is a rarity. Join us and learn how to make it a part of your virtue toolbox. 

On the episode of Off the Shelf we take  a look at God incidents. What are they? These are the little occurrences that God sends our way that. These are the things in life that happen to us that when we sit and think about them we have no other explanation for them then that they were the doing of Him. Join author Tom Lukes and I as we discuss his book God Incidents | True Stories of God Working in the Lives of Catholics.