Curiously Catholic

Join Naomi Haramai as she sits down with Matthew Mystczewski to talk faith, family, and the realities of entrepreneurship. Discover how Catholic values intersect with building a business, managing time, and navigating today’s challenges.The role of faith and family in shaping business decisionsBalancing entrepreneurship, marriage, and parenthoodThe discipline required for success in work and spiritual lifeThe risks and rewards of the entrepreneurial journeyThe impact and potential of virtual reality technology in modern life00:00 Balancing work from home and family09:18 Balancing family and business priorities15:57 Defining success in personal terms18:33 Building a Family Foundation24:36 Scheduling prayer and spiritual time27:29 Starting the gardening business35:05 Structuring the workday with breaks41:02 Balancing work and passion goals45:40 Finding purpose in suffering50:51 Balancing parenting and personal goals55:38 Balancing business startup with family01:02:12 Ethics of wealth and success01:07:28 Reflecting on inner struggles01:12:37 Struggles and joy in business01:21:19 Building resilience through challenges01:23:15 Avoiding video game addiction01:27:48 Using VR to treat phobias01:34:53 Encouragement for aspiring entrepreneursCatholicism, entrepreneurship, family, virtual reality, business, faith, parenting, discipline, homeschooling, spiritual life, software engineering, New Zealand, success, sacrifice, grind culture, work-life balance, VR therapy, overcoming phobias, motivation, men's ministry, Fit for the Kingdom, joy, suffering, calling, time management, personal growth, fatherhood, resilience

Meet the dynamic duo behind the Messy Family Project as they discuss the realities of raising a large Catholic family in the modern world. In this episode, Michael and Alicia Hernan share hard-won wisdom, authentic stories, and practical advice on parenthood and faith.The Hernans’ journey of having 10 kids and 10 grandchildren, and how family shapes faithThe challenges and growth from parenting young children to adultsParenting in the digital age: screens, technology, and protecting real relationshipsThe importance of community, learning from others, and avoiding online parenting pitfallsHow to build virtue and positive behaviours in children through realistic expectations and modeling00:00 Growing up in large families06:25 Value of sibling relationships14:22 Balancing faith and family life21:16 Thoughts on the traditional wife23:38 Trad wife expectations and frustrations31:03 Balancing technology and family life33:59 Concerns about kids and technology42:06 Teaching kids to take turns44:12 Parenting through teen transitionsMessy Family Project, parenting, Catholic family, Michael Hernan, Alicia Hernan, large families, raising children, virtue, faith, technology, social media, community, gentle parenting, family life, marriage, New Zealand, Catholic conference, generational wisdom, kids and screens, modern parenting, family vocation

Is the "disciplined life" actually sustainable, or is it just a path to burnout? In this episode of the Curious Catholic Evangelion Podcast, I sit down with Tomas Mones-Cason from Fit for the Kingdom to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to live with heroic virtue.Thomas shares his raw experience balancing the growth of a massive social media platform with the upcoming arrival of his first child. We dive deep into the "soul-crushing" moments of early wake-ups, why quality matters less than consistency in the age of AI, and the explosive Catholic revival currently taking place in Christchurch. Whether you are struggling to stay on the "hard path" or curious about the St. Michael's Troop movement, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for the modern Catholic man.Key Topics Covered:The reality of the 4 AM wake-up call and how to stop hitting snooze.The impact of the Radio New Zealand (RNZ) article on the local Catholic community.Connect with us:Follow Evangelion for more episodes on faith and discipline.Check out Thomas at Fit for the Kingdom for daily virtue-driven content.Video Chapters00:00 Struggling with spiritual routine08:28 Finding motivation in role models14:49 Importance of intentional leisure17:28 Finding your reasons to exercise24:40 Living with stoic mindset26:24 Finding satisfaction in effort35:37 Consequences of modern lifestyle choices38:11 The richness of Catholic traditions42:35 The purpose of the Church51:25 Masculinity in church leadership54:55 Discussing gender roles in society01:02:32 Discussing Andrew Tate's appeal01:08:56 Young role models in faith01:11:52 Integrating spiritual and physical virtues01:15:37 Morning routine and reflections01:20:27 Parenting through example01:26:05 Sharing faith through podcasting

Good Friday is tomorrow, and it's time to reflect deeply on the meaning of Christ's Passion. In this episode, we explore the real consequences of sin and what Easter truly means for our lives.Facing the reality and consequences of our sinsThe tension between human imperfection and God's forgivenessLessons from Pontius Pilate’s role in the Passion narrativeHow God transforms our faults and failuresPractical ways to welcome the risen Christ into daily life00:00 Reflecting on sin and forgiveness05:43 Reflecting on Good Friday traditions07:55 Pontius Pilate's role in the story13:08 Pontius Pilate and the labeling14:52 Christ’s victory and atonement19:12 Balancing family visits and energy21:14 Making time for ChristGood Friday, Easter, Passion, sin, forgiveness, Psalm 51, repentance, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, heroism, sacrifice, humility, Lent, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, resurrection, Christ crucified, guilt, confession, redemption, Old Testament, Mosaic law, suffering, consolation, routine, relationship with Christ, Messy Family Project, Dr. Robert Haddad, Catholic faith, spiritual reflection, Holy Week

Are Muslims better at fasting than Catholics? In this episode, Dom breaks down the differences between Ramadan and Lent, asking if the Church has softened or if we’re missing the point.- Comparing the intensity of fasting during Ramadan and Lent- How modern Catholic fasting differs from traditional practices- The importance of engaging with your own vocation during Lent- Practical ways to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving- Why Lent isn’t about intensity, but building a deeper relationship with Christ00:00 "Your Vocation Is Your Program"06:30 "Prioritize Vocation Over Distractions"10:17 "Benefits of Spiritual Reading"14:08 "Personal Sacrifice in Fasting"15:10 "Living Lent with Intentionality"Ramadan, Lent, fasting, Catholicism, Islam, prayer, almsgiving, spiritual practices, intensity comparison, family life, sacrifice, New Zealand bishops, spiritual reading, silence, vocation, personal growth, religious traditions, spirituality, discipline, self-mastery, church rules, relationship with Christ, Curiosity Catholic, Evangelion podcast

Join Rachel Wilson and Dom for a direct conversation about forgiveness, authenticity, and Christian success. They tackle tough questions about family, music, and the real meaning behind letting go.What true success looks like for Christians vs. secular definitionsThe struggles and lessons of authenticity in artistry and music productionThe power and process of forgiveness, inspired by real-life storiesGender roles, masculinity, femininity, and their portrayal in society and mediaParenting, family life, and finding purpose amid challengesDon't miss Rachel's new single "I Forgive"—out March 27th.00:00 Hillbilly Thomists' Healing Music09:05 Pursuing Music: A Reflection14:22 "Authenticity in Christian Success"19:22 "Success, Perspective, and Purpose"26:14 "Two Cheers for Manosphere"27:18 "Men Prepared for Battle"35:42 "Critique of Marxist Power Dynamics"38:49 "Faith and Empowering Motherhood"45:18 Forgiveness and Divine Intervention50:27 "Self-Reflection Before Criticism"56:07 Forgiveness and Divine Mercy Journey01:02:17 Forgiveness Through Confession Reflection01:06:07 Childlike Faith and Biblical Narrative01:13:17 "Why Women Struggle: Eve's Legacy"01:19:53 "God Delights In You"01:24:44 Family Bonding Through Intentional Choices01:29:12 "Believing People Are Priority"01:31:05 Marriage Roles and Shared Life01:39:32 "Entrepreneurship, Homeschooling, and Independence"01:41:26 "Finding Music and Wisdom"forgiveness, Rachel Wilson, music, artistry, Catholicism, Christianity, motherhood, family, healing, creativity, masculinity, femininity, success, vocation, faith, podcast, spirituality, childlike faith, Lent, emotional healing, Catholic podcast, parental roles, authenticity, self-mastery, challenges, reconciliation, inspiration, personal growth

Fit For the Kingdom's very own Tomas joins me to tackle the challenges men face in the world today, what do men need in oder to feel love? Are the way we are dealing with mens issues to actually beneficial for men? We talk about all this and more in this episode!! Here's what you'll get from this episode:The realities and challenges of modern masculinity and why men are feeling lostThe influence of culture—social media, toxic masculinity, and the struggle to find true purposeWhy intentionality, discipline, and virtue are essential to authentic manhoodThe importance of brotherhood, sacrifice, and taking responsibility in life and faithWhy silence, surrender, and a life modeled on Christ offer true transformation for men todayLike, share, and subscribe to stay connected with more authentic conversations just like this!Get involved in the mission www.evangelion.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/evangelion_nz/https://www.tiktok.com/@curiouslycatholicmasculinity, being a man, Catholic podcast, Fit for the Kingdom, virtue, discipline, sacrifice, responsibility, faith, intentional living, self-improvement, brotherhood, self-control, silence, self-reflection, men’s mental health, purpose, spiritual growth, role models, leadership, St. Joseph, Jesus, podcasting, community, fitness, mentorship, New Zealand, family, perseverance, Christian life00:00 "Faith, Fitness, and Masculinity"06:18 Faith, Fitness, and Young Men13:53 "Creating Content and Finding Voice"18:46 "Modern Masculinity and Purpose"23:23 "Modern Masculinity and Society"27:04 "External Validation vs. Self-Awareness"36:20 "Falling Asleep in Cars"42:05 "Surrender to Destined Peace"44:18 "Finding Calm Amid Anxiety"50:42 "Physicality's Role in Masculinity"55:37 "The Sacrifice Play"01:01:55 Self-Control: A Warrior's Strength01:05:20 "Masculinity, Suffering, and Identity"01:14:45 "Parents Change, Just Like Us"01:17:51 "Finding Virtues Through God"01:22:00 "Fit for the Kingdom Podcast"

Join Dom and Fr Landry as they dive into practical Catholic living, balancing spiritual discipline, and impactful missionary work. Get actionable advice for building your spiritual "plan of life" and see how small habits can spark big change.The real difference between Advent and Christmas—and how to decorate thoughtfullyHow New York City’s holiday atmosphere connects to evangelizationWhat the Pontifical Mission Societies really do (and how small efforts multiply worldwide)Spiritual optimization: combining practical plans with faithBuilding habits, overcoming obstacles, and integrating prayer into busy daily life00:00 "Advent vs. Christmas Distinction"06:17 "Christmas: Imperfect Yet Meaningful"08:32 Origins of Pontifical Mission Societies11:09 Pontifical Mission Societies Overview17:02 Pilgrimage of Faith and Impact21:15 "Support Missions: $1 Weekly Sacrifice"22:40 "Planning and Doing Properly"27:45 "Forming Lives Through Discipline"28:53 "Start Your Day with Prayer"32:52 "Heroic Moments: Rise and Rest"37:28 "Uniting Life with God"40:42 Small Daily Steps to VirtueNew York City, Advent, Christmas decorations, Catholic faith, secularization, Pontifical Mission Societies, missionary work, prayer habits, plan of life, discipline, spiritual growth, evangelization, Hail Mary, charity, daily rituals, Eucharistic pilgrimage, personal development, CatholicPreaching.com, mission support, spiritual optimization, family life, resilience, morning offering

Kick off 2026 with practical strategies to level up your habits, mindset, and daily systems. Dom breaks down four high-impact habits and shares honest advice for sticking to your resolutions all year, and breaks down the advice from ‪@ChrisWillx‬ and Steve Bartlett from an interview on ‪@TheDiaryOfACEO‬    Four habits that delivered the highest ROI in 2025 Why waking up early and putting your phone across the room works The importance of planning your day and setting up for success How going to the gym benefits both physical and mental health Quality over quantity: finding resolutions you actually care about, and how to bounce back when you slip  Like, share, and subscribe to help us reach our goal of 1,000 subscribers this year. Stay curious and stay Catholic!  Time Codes 00:00 "Reflecting and Planning for 2026"04:48 "Facing the Wall of Rain"08:16 "Phone-Free Wind Down Benefits"09:49 "Intentional Living Shapes Your Life"14:38 "Building Willpower Through Challenges"17:18 "Winning 2026 with Better Systems"21:50 "Nature Abhors a Vacuum"25:23 Consistency Over Intensity26:50 "Getting Back on the Horse"30:22 "Goal: TH000 Subscribers"

A year of growth, milestones, and spiritual reflection—Dom shares what's happened with Curiously Catholic in 2025. Tune in for a recap, key insights on Advent, and a look ahead at what's next for the channel.Highlights from the Shroud of Turin tour and why it matters for Catholic faithImpressive channel growth: 160,000 views, nearly 200 new subscribers, and content plans for next yearReflections on building discipline through weekly episodes and personal spiritual practicesInsights into the meaning and purpose of Advent as a season of waiting and preparationWays to get involved, provide feedback, and help spread the gospel through the channelStay curious. Stay Catholic. God bless!connect with us:https://www.instagram.com/evangelion_nz/https://www.tiktok.com/@curiouslycatholichttps://open.spotify.com/show/5sxmEIgD7JKnuIYhF0dgzh