# Ave Explores A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way. Page: Feed: --- ## [Week Six: Books are a Bridge feat. Katie McGrady](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/aveexplorescatholicisminliteraturemcgrady) _2026-07-01 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ At the beginning of this season, Pope Leo told the Vatican Publishing House that books are bridges of encounter. By the season's end, he told writers that books help us more deeply explore what it means to be human. In this concluding episode, Katie reflects on how reading has shaped her own life and faith, and why great literature has the power to transform us. She also shares a curated list of… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/03530886-7976-41ea-8ca3-d53f06ef6e2d.mp3) ## [Week Five: A Russian Novel for Lent on Hallow feat. Alex Jones and Ashley Lenz](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/aveexplorescatholicisminliteraturehallow) _2026-06-24 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ When Hallow CEO Alex Jones told Ashley Lenz he wanted to feature The Brothers Karamazov in the app’s annual Pray40 Lenten challenge, she had one condition: a weeklong retreat at Notre Dame. The retreat became the foundation for what would become Hallow’s most successful Pray40 campaign ever. More importantly, it confirmed a conviction at the heart of her work—that a truly good and beautiful book… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/8862fdf7-1585-409d-8e99-8c00c571a3cf.mp3) ## [Week Four: Finding Community through Great Books with Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt, Founders of Well-Read Mom](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/aveexplorescatholicisminliteraturewellreadmom) _2026-06-17 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ In this episode, Katie talks with Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt, co-founders of Well-Read Mom, a nationwide book club for women seeking deeper friendships and meaningful conversations through great literature. Marcie and Colleen share how reading good books transformed their own lives, making them a better person, wife, and mother. In a culture increasingly shaped by constant screens and… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/9cd7e807-c9ed-4b3c-b85e-50765f76ab97.mp3) ## [Week Three: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien: Faith, Imagination, and the Power of Story feat. Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefmaveexplorescatholicisminliteratureswaffordfacista) _2026-06-10 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ In this episode of Ave Explores: Catholicism in Literature , Katie sits down with Kaitlyn Facista and Andrew Swafford to discuss the enduring legacy of two of Christianity’s greatest storytellers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Facista, author of \_Into the Heart of Middle-earth and founder of Tea with Tolkien, shares how Tolkien’s works played a significant role in her conversion to… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/4bacdb3d-3b16-4f62-bc95-1a5f400c47a5.mp3) ## [Week Two: Murder Mysteries and Vampire Novels with Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, and Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefm10) _2026-06-03 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, both set out to write fiction, only to find their stories taking unexpected turns. One created a tale involving a priest entangled with the mafia; the other imagined a world where young adults navigate the mysteries of vampires. Unlikely stories from a priest and a religious sister—but perhaps all the more compelling because of their vocations.… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/9d637491-437a-424d-aac6-3d19058f4fa4.mp3) ## [Week One: Reading in the Home](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefm9) _2026-05-26 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ Authors Haley Stewart and Claire Swinarski reflect on how a lifelong love of reading sparked their writing careers, helped cultivate a rich reading culture in their homes, and continues to open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with others. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/a364331c-bfa9-453a-b01b-1ea68b6b6266.mp3) ## [Teaser: Read like a Friar with Fr. Jonah Teller, OP](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/httpsaveexploresfiresidefmaveexplorescatholicisminliteratureteller) _2026-05-20 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ To kick off the new series of Ave Explores on Catholicism in Literature, Fr. Jonah Teller, OP, shares how a lifelong love of reading shaped his faith, imagination, and vocation. In an age dominated by scrolling and screens, he reflects on why great books still matter and how the classics form us in wisdom, virtue, and attentiveness to God and the world around us. Fr. Jonah also offers practical… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/9da267bd-eb7e-4343-ac9d-f502c7bb153b.mp3) ## [BONUS EPISODE: One Year with Pope Leo XIV](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/bonus-episode-one-year-with-pope-leo-xivhttpsaveexploresfiresidefmbonus-episode-one-year-with-pope-leo-xiv) _2026-05-08 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. In the months since, his leadership, messages of peace, and warm presence among the faithful have offered much to reflect on. In this special episode of Ave Explores , Katie McGrady and Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, discuss the lessons and insights Pope Leo XIV has shared with the Church and the world. We would love it… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/82f98afc-3973-4d1a-a9d7-01b5c9306fe6.mp3) ## [Easter: Feast after the Fast with Laura Kelly Fanucci](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/aveexploreslentwithfrpatrickmarybriscoeopfanucci) _2026-04-03 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ We usually arrive at Easter ready to stop "counting the days" of Lent and happy to end our fasting. Laura Kelly Fanucci's new Easter devotional, Living Easter encourages us to enter the 50 days of Easter with the same focus and purpose as we did for the 40 days of Lent. Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen. We would love it if you could leave a written… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/34db1e2f-23aa-4999-ae81-8e48ba22978b.mp3) ## [Find what they just said (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/deQONVyfwDMp) _2026-04-03 · **Sponsored**_ Surface recent public signals so you can send policy-aware, relevant outreach ## [Holy Week: The Shock of Holy Week with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP](https://aveexplores.fireside.fm/aveexploreslentwithfrpatrickmarybriscoeopholyweek) _2026-03-30 · katieprejean@gmail.com (Ave Maria Press)_ Holy Week arrives with a sudden silence—marked by darkness, stillness, and striking liturgical traditions—that invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery and memory of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, helps us prepare for the intensity of the week by sharing the rich Holy Week traditions of the Dominican Order. Get your copy of Witness today, with a… [Listen](https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6a318dcd-0de6-440f-b0ed-4c3f7cc314bd/906f594d-6332-4913-a18a-edf41cb65d4e.mp3)