46 Minutes to Understand the Entire Catholic Faith (Masterclass)

In this pilot episode of Season 5 of the Real+True Podcast, Edmund Mitchell shares a practical masterclass on how to unlock the entire faith through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Most Catholics experience the faith like a “bag of disconnected beads” (random doctrines, books, videos, and quotes floating around). But master evangelists and catechists think differently: they see how the entire faith fits together simply. If you’ve ever felt like Catholic teaching is just a “bag of disconnected facts,” this episode gives you the mental frameworks to see how everything fits together.You’ll learn frameworks and simple navigation “power tools” inside the Catechism, so you can actually find what you need and understand how it all fits together...for life.In this masterclass, you’ll learn:What a catechism actually is (and what it’s trying to do)Why the Catechism of the Catholic Church is uniquely special4 keys that make the whole thing clickThe “golden thread” that helps you connect any doctrine back to JesusThe 4 pillars of the Catechism and how to navigate it fastCommon misconceptions + quick tipsHomework to help you start today (yes, actual paragraph numbers)Chapters / Timestamps00:00 Masterclass Intro00:00:40 Faith: what most people get wrong00:01:30 What master evangelists do differently00:02:12 What we’ll cover today00:04:00 What is a catechism?00:09:30 Why is this catechism special?00:17:00 4 keys to unlock the catechism00:17:30 Key #1: Christ at the center (Christocentric)00:19:00 Key #2: The faith as a symphony (everything connects)00:20:30 The golden thread (Trinity → human person → Jesus → Church)00:21:30 Key #3: The authoritative summary (not opinion)00:23:00 Key #4: The structure is a lesson (the 4 pillars)00:28:30 The 4 pillars of the Catechism (and why they matter)00:35:30 Navigating the Catechism (paragraphs, cross-references, “In Brief,” indexes)00:40:30 Common misconceptions and quick tips00:43:00 Suggested homework (CCC 457–460)✨ NEW HERE? ✨Join Real+True //  https://www.realtrue.org 📱 FOLLOW ON SOCIAL 📱Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/real_plus_trueTikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@realplustrue Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/realplustrue Twitter // https://twitter.com/realplustrue👇 ABOUT US 👇We believe the Catechism is not a textbook, a collection of ideas, or a set of rules. We believe it is the faithful echo of a God who desires to reveal himself to us. The mission of Real+True is to retransform the Catechism into a living voice for the modern world. We’re creating videos, stories, animations, podcasts, to unpack and unlock the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the modern world. All these videos are free, and translated into multiple languages for the world.Real+True is a project of OSV under the patronage of the Holy See and supported by people who join our mission.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this heartfelt episode, Edmund, Emily, and special guest Edmundo Reyes reflect on the final paragraphs of the Catechism and five transformative years of Real+True. They explore the deeper meaning of the word “Amen” and how it connects us to Mary’s fiat, the heart of evangelization, and the ongoing mission of the Church. With touching personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and a look ahead at exciting new projects (including a new podcast series!), this episode is both a celebration of the past and an exciting look into the future. (We also want to thank another surprise special guest, JP Talty, for joining us later in the episode!00:00Edmund, Emily, and Edmundo reflect on the final Catechism paragraphs, focusing on the word “Amen” and its connection to Mary’s fiat. Emily shares a personal story about teaching her niece to say Amen, emphasizing how this small word carries deep spiritual meaning.10:09The team shares how Real+True was never about just making content—it was about mission. They reflect on the project's early vision, earning the patronage of the Holy See, and what they’ve learned through collaboration, creativity, and evangelizing catechesis.19:05The team shares favorite moments from the project, including a young viewer’s testimony about unlocking the graces of Confirmation and Edmund’s emotional experience hearing how his love for analogies helped others teach the faith. They also reflect on receiving Vatican recognition, the global impact of making the videos free, and Emily’s upcoming debut as a parish catechist using Real+True resources.28:19The team reflects on the personal impact of the project and its contributors. Edmund and Edmundo announce Phase 2: a new podcast and book series to help connect the Catechism to real-life topics, with Edmund working on a guide for catechists and everyday Catholics.37:43The team wraps up with gratitude — reflecting on the community behind Real+True and the personal transformations it sparked, inviting listeners to stay tuned for the next exciting phase.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

00:00 Emily and Edmund kick off the episode by introducing the sixth and seventh petitions: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”. They explore how modern generations oscillate between moral relativism and hyper-vigilance about right and wrong, despite many still praying regularly. This sets the stage for examining how the Catechism helps us discern objective morality amid today’s shifting cultural views. 08:08 Edmund and Emily show how over-intellectualizing the Faith led to two extremes, either thinking we can resist temptation on our own (Pelagianism) or feeling powerless without special election (Jansenism). These often show up today as indifference or scrupulosity. They unpack the Greek roots of “lead us not into temptation,” noting it means both “don’t let us enter” and “don’t let us yield,” and encourage praying for God’s help to trust His will and avoid yielding to temptation.15:46 Edmund and Emily emphasize that temptation isn’t sinful, only yielding to it is. They encourage humility and reliance on God’s grace instead of shame. Using everyday examples like marital frustrations over an unloaded dishwasher, they show how praying for virtues (e.g., patience) can help in the midst of temptation. They highlight the Catechism’s wisdom on discernment, distinguishing growth-forming trials from temptations that lead to sin and discuss the importance of avoiding both indifference and scrupulosity.22:15 Edmund and Emily illustrate how charity and community can justly take precedence over strict observance, reminding us that relationship trumps anxious rule-keeping. They stress discernment in distinguishing between trials and temptations. The motto: “rules without relationship lead to rebellion,” highlights the heart’s posture in prayer. 28:05 Edmund and Emily wrap up with practical tips for catechists: integrate the Ten Commandments into prayer by guiding an examination of conscience that moves beyond a checklist to a heartfelt dialogue with God. They stress honest, heart-level prayer and bringing specific struggles before Jesus, asking for grace so that doctrine informs our lived encounter, not just intellectual assent.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the complexities of forgiveness as reflected in the Lord's Prayer. They discuss the importance of understanding the catechism's teachings on forgiveness, exploring common myths and misconceptions of mercy. The conversation includes practical advice for implementing forgiveness in daily life and how to understand forgiveness in relation to reconciliation.(00:00) Edmund and Emily introduce the episode, focused on the petition "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" from the Lord's Prayer. They discuss how this short but powerful petition invites deep reflection on common misconceptions around forgiveness. (10:25) Edmund and Emily debunk the idea that forgiveness is just an emotional release, using neuroscience to show how it reshapes our brain’s response to anger and resentment. They clarify that true forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrongdoing but extends honest mercy while upholding justice.(17:50) Edmund and Emily explain that forgiveness doesn’t excuse the wrong or erase the memory, but frees our hearts by letting go of demands on the offender. They note that reconciliation is valuable but only possible when both parties choose it.(28:19) Edmund and Emily explore how forgiveness and reconciliation can diverge, noting that while full restoration isn’t always possible, we’re called to discern when to pursue peace and when to set healthy boundaries. They illustrate how “willing the good” of others—whether in marriages or teen friendships—lets us extend mercy even when relationships change.(39:10) Edmund and Emily show that accepting mercy is strength, not weakness, and invite the prayer “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” They close with a “forgiveness examine,” using Gospel truths and Ignatian visualization to lay resentments on the cross and embrace God’s healing.(49:14) Edmund and Emily close by describing a powerful Ignatian-style meditation of visualizing your hurts placed on the cross and transformed by Christ. They encourage listeners to engage mind, heart, and the senses in prayer to unblock forgiveness and receive God’s mercy. Finally, they invite everyone to revisit earlier Catechism teachings on reconciliation and join them online at realtrue.org to continue exploring the faith.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode of The Real+True Podcast, co-hosts Emily Mentock and Edmund Mitchell unpack the meaning and significance of the petition 'Give us this day our daily bread' from the Lord's Prayer. They explore its implications for personal spiritual growth and trust in God's provision. They discuss common experiences of unanswered prayers and the importance of having faith in God's plan. They also highlight practical tips, including journaling prayers and fostering a missionary spirit of trust in God's generosity, are shared. Listeners are encouraged to bring their petitions to God with trust and to act as intercessors for others.(00:00) Emily and Edmund introduce the episode topic, focusing on the Lord’s Prayer and highlighting the relevance of its petitions in modern life. This episode covers specifically the petition “ introducing intercessory prayer as a key topic of this episode.(06:48) Edmund discusses how the "Lord’s Prayer" reminds us of community and intercession. Prayer isn't solely individual; it's communal, involving praying for others' needs. Emily affirms this point by referencing the Catechism, emphasizing intercessory prayer as central to Christian solidarity and collective spirituality.(12:13) Edmund emphasizes practical prayer as integral to discipleship, exploring how believers handle requesting things from God and understanding unanswered prayers. The conversation stresses the need for realistic approaches to prayer that bridge the gap between spiritual expectations and everyday life challenges, encouraging practical faith expressions.(15:19) Emily explores the challenge of genuinely trusting in God's will while avoiding prematurely accepting suffering without expectation. She encourages believers to maintain real faith that God will answer prayers meaningfully, underscoring reliance on divine provision rather than passive resignation to circumstances.(22:23) Emily explains the concept of intercessory prayer teams, highlighting the Archdiocese of Detroit's initiatives. She describes these groups as spiritually gifted individuals specifically commissioned to pray for pastoral renewal and evangelization. The discussion underscores the transformative role such dedicated prayer teams have within church communities.(34:52) Edmund illustrates the dynamic of prayer through the relatable metaphor of a child persistently asking a parent for treats. He reflects on the difficulty believers often face applying this familiar parental dynamic to their relationship with God, urging listeners to embrace authentic childlike trust and persistent communication with the Father.(36:03) Emily concludes by encouraging listeners to revisit relevant Catechism sections and reflect deeply on the Lord's Prayer during personal and communal prayer, especially at Mass. She invites listeners to internalize the petitions' meanings and consider how they practically apply in their daily spiritual lives.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, 'Thy will be done.' They discuss teaching the importance of accepting God's will, especially in the context of suffering. The conversation explores how this petition impacts various aspects of ministry, emphasizing the need for practical applications and a fuller understanding of suffering in the context of God’s will. They discuss the way the catechism acknowledges and addresses the existence of evil and suffering, the significance of free will, and the importance of cooperating with God's plan prayerfully and with obedience. The episode also offers practical advice on how to approach and support individuals grappling with these emotionally-charged questions concerning God’s will and suffering. Show Notes00:00  In the opening of the episode, Edmund and Emily explore the petition “Thy will be done” from the Lord’s Prayer. They unpack the meaning of “will” through the lens of ministry, suffering, and spiritual discernment. Drawing from the catechism and Jesus' agony in the garden, they emphasize choosing God’s will with love, trust, and action—especially when facing challenges in ministry and discernment of our vocation.07:48  Edmund and Emily explore the challenging question of how to reconcile God's will with the reality of suffering and evil. They reflect on free will, the catechism’s teaching (especially paragraph 309), and Jesus’ own suffering. They discuss how catechists and ministers can address questions of suffering with honesty, empathy, and theological clarity, helping others reconcile God's goodness with a broken world.16:01  The conversation then begins to explore ways suffering is sometimes dismissed by well-meaning christians and how genuine compassion calls us to enter into others' pain like Christ did. They discuss emotional maturity, empathy, and the idea of “unconditional positive regard” in ministry, drawing on personal experiences, therapeutic insights, and the catechism’s call to unite our will with Christ’s through suffering and trust in God’s greater plan.24:58  Edmund and Emily dive into the tension between God's mysterious, sovereign plan and our free will, using Scripture, the catechism, and examples from film and spiritual direction. They discuss how we’re all called to actively cooperate with God's will not as passive recipients, but as free agents choosing to trust in God’s plan, even amid uncertainty, suffering, or difficult discernment.31:49  In the closing of the episode, Edmund and Emily reflect on practical ways to accompany others through suffering with empathy and compassion. They emphasize listening over fixing, respecting people’s emotions, and rooting ministry responses in Jesus and the catechism’s wisdom on suffering, obedience, and God’s will. They offer concrete tips like using the Stations of the Cross, the sorrowful mysteries, and stories from the lives of the saints to help people unite their suffering with Christ’s. The episode closes with a pastoral call for catechists to study the theology of suffering and compassionately support those they serve.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode, Edmund and Emily discuss the meaning and applications of the petition 'Thy Kingdom Come' from the Lord's Prayer for parish ministry. The episode emphasizes the importance of engaging parish communities in bringing God's kingdom into their local community through both prayer and action. They share personal experiences and practical examples, including the need for awareness of the local parish community needs and the vital role of discernment and prayer in parish ministry. The episode encourages listeners to actively participate in transforming their parishes into reflections of God's kingdom on Earth.Show Notes(00:00) Edmund and Emily dive into the petition “Thy Kingdom Come,” exploring how praying this line of the Lord’s Prayer calls us to action. Drawing from the Catechism, they reflect on how Christian communities, and especially parishes, must actively serve justice and peace. They discuss discerning true progress from cultural trends and embodying the Kingdom of God in our daily lives.(06:18) This part of the episode explores what it truly means for a parish to live out the petition “Thy Kingdom Come.” They challenge listeners to reflect on whether their parish would be missed if it disappeared, and what impact it has on the local community beyond events and mass. Sharing example stories from parishes, they highlight practical ways parish communities can serve as visible signs of God’s kingdom in the world.(12:06) Edmund and Emily share more powerful stories of parishes actively living out “Thy Kingdom Come” by engaging their local communities. From small acts of service to driving every street in a parish boundary, they emphasize how parishes can reflect God's kingdom through presence, care, and discernment of local needs. They encourage listeners to take initiative and discover their parish’s unique mission for their parish’s neighborhood.(18:04) This part of the episode, the conversation turns to reflecting on how awareness, discernment, and small intentional acts can help parish communities live out the petition “Thy Kingdom Come.” They share low-cost, high-impact ideas: from building relationships with neighboring churches to tracking community needs. They discuss the goal to build parish communities as places where disciples can experience a prayer life rooted in action and solidarity. Even simple practices like prayer intention boards can help transform a parish into a visible sign of God’s kingdom.(24:08) Edmund and Emily close the episode with a powerful real-life story of a man welcomed by a parish community and transformed by their love and presence during his unexpected time of need. They emphasize how prayer fuels action, creating a parish culture of awareness and care. “Thy Kingdom Come” is not only a petition of the Lord’s prayer, it’s a call by Jesus to a mission lived together through relationships, service, and solidarity.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, co-hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the significance of the phrase 'Hallowed be thy name' in the Lord’s Prayer, from the fourth pillar on prayer in the Catechism. They reflect on the often-overlooked importance of revering God's name and how this contributes to our spiritual lives and evangelization. The discussion touches upon themes like the importance of our names, cultural realities of revering God, and practical advice for catechists. They also discuss the remarkable story of a man born without words from an episode of Radiolab, exploring how these real world stories can help open people up to spiritual realities. The episode underscores how the sanctification of God's name is linked deeply to our own lives and prayer.00:00 In the opening of the episode, Edmund and Emily discuss the meaning behind the phrase "Hallowed be thy name" in The Lord’s Prayer. They explore how God's name carries significance for us personally and how we participate in making it holy through our lives and prayer. Drawing from catechism paragraph 2814, they reflect on how our actions shape the sanctification of God's name in the world.06:35 Edmund and Emily discuss the importance of explicitly naming Jesus in our prayer, evangelization, and daily actions. Drawing from Evangelii Nuntiandi and the catechism, they emphasize that true evangelization proclaims Jesus Christ, not just general moral goodness. They reflect on how living in God’s name shapes our witness and challenges us to make His name known in the world.12:15 The conversation shifts to the importance of using God’s name in prayer and life as a way of deepening our personal relationship with Him. They explore practical ways catechists and evangelists can help others grow in this practice, from being aware of how we address God to reflecting on the significance of baptismal and confirmation names.18:24 Edmund and Emily explore the impact of saint names and the names of places as part of the inherited story of Church history. They also reflect on the weight and consequences of Jesus’ name throughout history and the sacrifices made by early Christians, leading into a compelling story from Radiolab about the impact of language and meaning.24:10 Edmund and Emily close the podcast reflecting on the moving story of Ildefonso and St. Paul’s encounter in Athens, exploring how names deepen understanding and connection for relationships. They emphasize that evangelization and catechesis must always point to the name above all names: Jesus Christ, and the relationship we are all invited to have with Him.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode of the Real Plus True podcast, co-hosts Emily Mentock and Edmund Mitchell dive deep into the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on the opening words, 'Our Father who art in heaven.' The discussion covers the role and qualities of a father, comparing earthly fatherhood with the divine fatherhood of God as revealed by Jesus. They explore the theological foundations of calling God 'Father' and its implications on our relationship with God and each other. They also touch on the challenges people might face due to their own experiences with fatherhood and offer resources and insights on deepening this divine relationship through catechesis and prayer.(00:00)  Emily and Edmund open by welcoming listeners and revisiting this season’s focus on the Lord’s Prayer, introducing this episode’s topic and focus: Learning to pray “Our Father”. They reflect on how cultural portrayals and personal experiences of fatherhood shape our view of God as Father.(08:28)  Edmund and Emily explain that Jesus uniquely reveals God as Father, something we can’t grasp by reason alone. Through Jesus, we learn we are adopted children of God. They highlight how calling God “Abba” was revolutionary at the time, showing a new depth of intimacy with God.(13:16)  The conversation focuses on the importance of a Trinitarian foundation in prayer. God is one and God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Praying the Our Father unites us to Jesus’s own relationship with the Father. Edmund and Emily recommend resources for deeper study.(20:37) Edmund and Emily highlight that the Catechism advises us to set aside flawed earthly images before saying “Our Father.” They note how worldly models of fatherhood can impact our understanding of God as Father.(27:37)  The conversation transitions to emphasizing the power of praying “Our” Father, which unites believers as one family rather than individuals in isolation. Even in private prayer, the communal aspect reminds us we share a bond with all who call God Father. The episode ends by urging listeners to revisit the Lord’s Prayer with deeper gratitude in daily prayer.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode, Emily and Edmund dive into the Catechism’s call to make prayer “the life of the new heart” (CCC 2697), exploring how daily rhythms and personal expressions of prayer deepen our relationship with Jesus. They reflect on the importance of modeling prayer for others, learning from witnesses, and creating space for personal encounters with God. Practical tips include building habits of prayer, incorporating lectio divina, and fostering prayer in the domestic church. They also address common struggles like distraction, dryness, lack of faith, and acedia, offering insights from the Catechism and encouragement to persevere in a life of prayer powered by trust and grace.(00:00) Emily and Edmund open this episode discussing the Catechism’s call to make prayer “the life of the new heart” (CCC 2697), emphasizing the importance of daily rhythms and personal expressions of prayer. They encourage catechists to witness a prayerful life, blending structure and spontaneity, as they model walking with Jesus in our daily relationship with Him.(07:20) Emily and Edmund reflect on the importance of modeling prayer for others and learning from witnesses of daily rhythms of prayer. They discuss creating space for personal encounters with God, turning inward to the heart where prayer begins, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide deeper connections in evangelization and catechesis. (14:08) The conversation shifts to building habits of prayer through techniques like habit stacking and incorporating prayer into daily routines. They explore the three expressions of prayer—vocal, meditative, and contemplative—and offer practical tips for introducing meditative prayer, like using lectio divina, to foster deeper reflection and connection with God.(21:09) Emily and Edmund discuss building habits of prayer in daily life, emphasizing the role of the domestic church in fostering rhythms of prayer. They explore common difficulties in prayer—distraction and dryness—offering insights from the Catechism on how these challenges can reveal attachments, prompt self-reflection, and invite deeper conversion of the heart.(28:11) Emily and Edmund explore the struggles and joys of prayer, reflecting on the Catechism’s insights into distraction, dryness, lack of faith, and acedia as challenges in the life of prayer. They offer practical takeaways for fostering a daily walk with Jesus, emphasizing trust, grace, and openness to the Holy Spirit.An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.