S1E2: Discussion for Learning: A Lost Art

As Christians we know from the Gospel that we are not made for this world. That the weight of our inheritance is the promise of eternal life with our Creator. We know we are not only promised suffering but called to embrace it. But what happens when we forget that our bodies can only be understood in the context of our eternal souls? What happens when we willingly trade our birthright for fear of the suffering it might bring us? How do we retain courage and hope in the midst of widespread confusion and the possibility of life cut short? Is it worth it? Is it even smart? What does the tradition of our Catholic faith teach us in such times of desperation? Join us for this much needed, slightly controversial conversation, that we hope will give the grace of new perspective, clarity and peace.

As our world snowballs with the parade of relativism, religious deconstruction, influencers, technology, wokeism, and modernity, this episode traverses Scripture’s own words on the marks of a true Christian. Unbiblical Christianity is not Christianity at all, but what an unpopular thought, right? We discuss the vital role of humility as soil for Christ’s transformation in the human soul, and the unparalleled gift of submitting one’s own opinions and desires to God. **This episode also doubles as Atticus’ Broadway debut.

This episode explores the true nature of what it means to be a child, the great (and forgotten) mercy that children are to a society, and finally the honored and grave responsibility it is to raise a human soul. Our children are the future. Our children hold our past. But more than anything, they demand we join the present. Come unpack powerful lessons that children innately teach us, and the responsibility we have to cultivate their unique presence as the gift of all gifts.

Living in the age of modern technology has its perks, but what happens when tech comes to rule every aspect of our lives? How do we create balance and find peace in the “unplugged”? How do we re-teach our minds to be bored, fostering true originality and creativity? How do we get back to investing in our village with neighbors, family, and friends in REAL life versus in the illusion of intimate relationships online? If you’re asking these same curious questions, come join us for our sixth episode!

What a puzzling but common design we human beings have! We are, each of us, a riddle; aching to understand ourselves and reaching for the nearest potential solution. What is this hunger that keeps us up at night, secretly motivates us, and never quits? Hint: it’s not bad, random, or an accident. Our design acts as a compass, leading us to our deepest purpose, desire, and fulfillment!

Do “capital S” saints still walk among us? What does it mean to love God with your whole heart in the context of marriage, family, dishes, laundry, anxiety, illness, work, and loss? In this episode, we unravel how God doesn’t require words like “thy” and “thou” in order to work profoundly in every avenue of our life, or to grow His goodness in us like wildflowers. Sts. Louis & Zélie show us that daily life is heroic and that God dances in between the small moments we find familiar and unremarkable.

Faith, family, and freedom are the cornerstones that make us uniquely American. Our founders proclaimed these three values belong to us by our birth, yet we are seeing their erosion through new laws and policies. As America calls into question the relevance of our Constitution, we the people of a “more perfect union” find ourselves more divided than ever. What specifically is at stake in this election? How does our vote this year differ than previous years or years to come? What does justice demand of us at this juncture in history? Come next Tuesday, the choice is ours! 🇺🇸🗽

What does it mean to share, discuss, and grow together? Come join us as we wade through subjects like: human connection, Socratic discourse, interrogation techniques, and “offense” as a gridlock to growth. Proverbs reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Let’s shake up 2020 with some brotherly love, igniting virtue through thoughtful discussion!

Pull up a chair, grab a cup-a-Joe, and come meet your co-hosts: Alley Marrow and Kiki Wallyn! As dear friends from college who are passionate about our Catholic faith and went on to work in the trenches of parish ministry, mental health, and Catholic education, we discuss the reason we’ve begun Grace Is Gritty. We explore the reality of grace as the transformative force of God’s love- not a cover up. We take a look at our Church in the present day and cover topics that scratch where the itch is. Whatever your beliefs, we hope you’ll take from this episode an insightful discussion and possibility of hope!