Good and Decent

If Jesus and Lazarus were alive today, what would be their favorite way to hang out? In our last episode of Jesus Favorite Podcast, we ask this and many other questions to our guest Fr. James Martin. A prolific writer and speaker, America Media's editor-at-large, and consultant for the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, American Jesuit Fr. Martin is one of the most well-known Jesuits after Pope Francis.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Fr. Martin to learn about his new book "Come Forth," and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If Jesus were alive today, what would his energy be like? In our latest episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we ask this question to Herman Petrick who is an energy healer.Herman has dedicated his life to helping individuals and businesses transform their lives by clearing negative energies and fostering a positive environment. He's been doing this for over a decade and has become a trusted source of guidance and support for those seeking to uplift their spirits, learn about energy dynamics, and be inspired to reach their full potential.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Herman to learn about his story, his work, and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If Jesus were alive today, what would his favorite gospel song be? In our latest episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we had the privilege of chatting with CeCe Winans, the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time.CeCe is a singer, author, philanthropist, and businesswoman. With all her accolades (including 15 Grammy Awards), she has long since cemented her status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in music history. Her latest chart-topping musical offering, Believe For It (PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, LLC), is her first live recording featuring some of the biggest songs in Christian music today.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with CeCe to learn about her story and her understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Starting a fitness journey can be very intimidating if you have no one to help you. If you're trying to get in shape, you might find this episode helpful! Jane and Javi chat with JoAnna Reihner and Kaitlyn Kyger, who are both trainers at the Smith Center at the University of Notre Dame. They offer some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you overcome your fears of starting your fitness journey.How do you overcome the fear? What kind of excercise should you start with? How do you become more comfortable at the gym? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Don't Say Ad*lting is BACK! In this latest episode, we are talking about debt. If you've been stressed or overwhelmed by debt, you'll want to tune in to this episode. Jane and Javi chat with Jim Cunningham, the Assistant Program Director of Notre Dame Programs for Education in Prison. He helps teach incarcerated individuals how to get out and stay out of debt.He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you better understand debt — whether it's student loan, medical, or consumer debt.What is refinancing? Should we refinance our loans? How can you improve your credit score? How do you start budgeting? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If Jesus were alive today, would he be good with money? In our eighth episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we pose this question to Deborah Meyer, an award-winning author of Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Living. Deborah is the CEO of WorthyNest, a fee-only, fiduciary wealth management firm that helps Christian parents and entrepreneurs across the U.S. integrate faith and family into financial decision-making. She also provides accounting, exit planning, and tax strategies to family-owned businesses.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Deborah to learn about her story and her understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If Jesus were alive today, would he be an activist? In our seventh episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we pose this question to Alexia Dukes, an activist who has experience with cultural diversity training and nonprofit activism work.Alexia currently serves as the President of the Youth and College Division of the St. Louis County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was also Miss NAACP 2018-2019, and she graduated in 2022 from Harris-Stowe State University, where she studied psychology.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Alexia to learn about her story and her understanding and experience with Jesus, as well as her work with the NAACP. Listen to the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts. SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Over 43 million people have student loan debt.In this episode of Good and Decent, we're bringing you into a genuine conversation between one of our freelance videographers, Tevon Knight, who graduated college back in 2021, and three of his friends who also recently graduated. They are four of the 43 million people who have student loan debt, and they share their experience with those loans. Their conversations shed light on the individual experience of people in debt, which might not be too different from millions of others.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If Jesus were a contestant on Top Chef, what would he bring to the judges' table? In our sixth episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we ask this question to world-renowned chef Kevin Gillespie, a contestant on season 6 of Top Chef. Kevin began his culinary education at the Art Institute of Atlanta and was determined to gain the experience he needed to become a successful chef. While carrying a full course load at the Art Institute, he worked part-time at various restaurants, perfecting his craft. After graduating with honors, Gillespie held different positions at several well-known Atlanta restaurants, eventually working up to the position of executive chef and was offered a restaurant partnership.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Kevin to learn about his story and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or our YouTube channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

What would Jesus' favorite contemporary song be? In our fifth episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we talk with Zachary Gillis, who is the Worship Associate / Care Coordinator for South Bend City Church.Zachary Gillis has been proud to call South Bend home since 2009. After graduating from Bethel University, Zach diligently served in Bethel's Offices of Student Development and Diversity & Inclusion while getting his master's degree from Goshen College. Zach joined the SBCC Team in September 2018 and says that he is so grateful to be at a place where he can live out his passions exactly as who God made him to be.Aside from singing and anything else related to music, Zach enjoys his morning walks, brown pop, watching reruns of any Black American sitcom from the 80s or 90s, and spending time with his family, friends, and precious cocker spaniel, Charmaine. Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Zach to learn about his story and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or our YouTube channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Do you think Jesus would prefer improv or stand-up? Would he be impressed by magic tricks? In our fourth episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we talk with Will McDaniel, a comedian and Gospel illusionist.Will is a seasoned comic who has brought clean, family-friendly humor to audiences for over 10 years. He has traveled throughout the United States, sharing his twist on everything from family to faith. No matter the topic, Will's take on it will have you in stitches. As a Gospel illusionist, Will uses object lessons and sleight of hand to create an illusion show that can be used for fun, to teach a lesson, or to drive home a point.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Will to learn about his story and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or our YouTube Channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

What kind of haircut would Jesus get? In our third episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we talk with Kenny Williams, who runs a men's ministry that focuses on fellowship and fades for faith in an old-school barbershop.After seventeen years as an alcoholic, Kenny turned his life around with the help of his local pastor, Chris Pierce. Chris assembled a community of men to help Kenny stop drinking by staying with him for a week. Through the support of this community and dedication to reading Scripture, Kenny began his sobriety journey. His experience led him to start his Barbershop Ministry, where he helps other addicts as his community helped him.Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Kenny to learn about his story, ministry, and understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or our YouTube Channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Is demonic possession real? In our second episode of Jesus' Favorite Podcast, we talk with Father Vincent Lampert, a Catholic priest and the designated exorcist of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.Fr. Vincent spent three months in exorcism training at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. He received practical experience by assisting on over 40 exorcisms with Fr. Carmine de Filippis, the mentor for exorcists in the Diocese of Rome. Our host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Fr. Vincent to learn about his story of being an exorcist and his understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or our YouTube Channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

What would Jesus' favorite TikTok be? We'll be asking questions like this in our new podcast, "Jesus' Favorite Podcast," a show about Jesus, his favorite things, and the people seeking to understand him better. For our first episode, we have Sister Monica Clare, who has grown a following on TikTok. Before she entered the Community of St. John Baptist in 2012, Claudette Monica Powell performed in an acoustic rock duo and an improv comedy troupe in Los Angeles. After years of working in the movie industry in Hollywood, she now goes by Sister Monica Clare, sings in a church choir in Mendham Township, N.J., and posts matter-of-fact videos about convent life on TikTok.Our director and host, Javi Zubizarreta, sat down with Sister Monica Clare to learn about her story, and her understanding and experience with Jesus. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts or on our YouTube Channel. #JesusFavoritePodcastSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Threads Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Listening isn't free — it costs time, attention, and effort. But what if you could get genuine listening for free? In this episode of Good and Decent, Senior Video Producer Josh Long shares a story about a listening project called Sidewalk Talk, where people offer to sit down and listen to you with no strings attached.  We listen to the interview of Aimee Rozen, who is a therapist and one of the listeners in this project. Stay tuned to the end for a special announcement about new things coming with Grotto Podcasts!Watch this mini-doc here:Sidewalk Talk Project Offers Free Listening - Mini Doc #169 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

You may have considered grad school during or after your undergrad years. But how do you know if it's the right move for you? In the twelfth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and our student worker, Ryan Broussard, chat with returning guest Evan Gage, who also had to ponder this question of grad school before pursuing it. He offers some knowledge from his experience, advice, and resources that can help inform your decision to go to grad school. Should you take a gap year? Is getting your master's degree worth it? Outside of the classroom, how else can you learn more about your profession? What's the difference between funded and nonfunded grad school? How can you get into a funded grad school program? How can you best learn about the different grad programs you are considering? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen! SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

From particle colliders to virtual reality — the future is coming whether we like it or not. But what will it be like? In this episode of Good and Decent, Senior Video Producer Josh Long and freelance producer Jonathan Rodgers share two stories of people who see our future in two very unique ways. Mark Rodgers is a science fiction author who co-wrote a comic called “The Blessed Machine” with the late Jesse Hamm. Their comic takes place in a future where Earth was made inhabitable because of a scientific experiment with the Higgs boson — aka the “God particle.”Then they share the story of J.J. Castillo who is a VR game developer. He believes that VR/AR is the future and that it holds exciting opportunities for future generations. We get to hear both of their views of our future in our latest episode of Good and Decent.Watch these mini-docs here:How the “God Particle” Inspired this Comic AuthorBreaking Boundaries: The Exciting Future of VR InnovationSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

"It's never too early to save for your retirement." You've probably heard this more than once, even if you're just starting out in your career. But understanding the differences between a 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) and what you should be contributing can be very overwhelming. If you've found yourself intimidated by this, you might find the eleventh episode of Don't Say Ad*lting helpful. Jane and Ciara chat with Carl Ackermann, Ph.D., who teaches financial management and personal finance to undergraduates at the University of Notre Dame.He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources that can help you better understand retirement plans and how to maximize your money.What is a 401(k)? What is the difference between a 401(k) and 403(b)? Is a RothIRA better than 401(k) and 403(b)? Are there any tax advantages to choosing one vs another retirement plan? What are mutual funds? How much should we contribute? What is the mistake most people make in retirement plans? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!Want to dive deeper into this subject? Here's a book rec from Dr. Carl — Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties by Beth Kobliner: https://a.co/d/83jPByB SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, we share two stories of people who find their joy by bringing it to others through comedy. Mike Logan and Ellis Aych are both stand-up comedians — Mike is from Brooklyn, New York, and Ellis is from Austin, Texas. We get to hear the reason behind their passion for doing comedy in our latest episode of Good and Decent.Senior Video Producer Josh Long and Associate Video Producer Jane O'Connor also share a story of their recent experience at an open mic night. Watch these mini-docs here:The Compassion Behind Comedy: https://youtu.be/wgBzOyjO7j4 Using Comedy to Showcase Life's Beauty: https://youtu.be/gwvExQadIk0 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Whether you're trying to find clothes for work or just everyday life, finding your style can be confusing — especially when you don't know where to start. If you've struggled with this, you might find the tenth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting helpful. Jane and Mike chat with Ali (Oesch) Patel, who founded and owns a fashion boutique called Ali On The Boulevard.She offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you find your professional and personal style.What can you do to find the balance between comfort and professionalism? What does business casual actually mean? Are jeans okay for work? Is there a difference between fashion and style? Can you find your style while on a budget? How can you find confidence in what you wear? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, Senior Video Producer Josh and Associate Video Producer Jane share the story of David Fried and his tree nursery in Elmore, Vermont, called Elmore Roots. For over 40 years, David has been growing fruits and nut varieties that were once believed impossible to grow in the hillsides of Vermont.Gooseberries, seaberries, haskap, lingonberries, and kiwiberries are just a few of the many berries, fruit, and nut trees that the team at Elmore Roots tends to.Subscribe to our YouTube channel Youtube.com/@grottonetwork for more stories like this.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Almost everyone has had a plant — and chances are you might have ~also~ killed one. (Don't worry, we have too.) Lucky for all of us, in our ninth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and our Art Director, Becky, chat with Benjamin Futa, who has been a plant lover all of his life and founded The Botany Shop, a local indoor plant store. He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you keep your plant alive.How often should you water your plant? How can you tell when you need to water your plant? What plants are best for beginners? Should we use fertilizers and pesticides? What apps can you use to help you with your plant? What common mistakes should we avoid when caring for our plants? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Have you ever gotten in a minor car accident and not known what to do? Or maybe you've experienced being pulled over and been unaware of what to do first. Well, on our eighth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike chat with Corporal Ross Johnson, who has been with the State Police for nine years. He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you be prepared for any future accidents you may get into — as well as information you may not know when it comes to being pulled over.What should you do when you get into an accident? Should you pull over to help if you witness an accident? What do you need to have readily accessible when pulled over or in an accident? What should you do when you are pulled over? Is it actually illegal to drive with your lights on in the car? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, we tell two different stories that are connected by a love of ice cream

Making friends after college is challenging. Finding people you enjoy being around and have a common interest in can sometimes be more difficult than figuring out taxes. So on our seventh episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane chats with her friend Evan Gage who she met in her new city after college. With insights from personal experience in finding friends and creating community in a new area, they chat about what they found has worked well for them and what you can do to find your community. Jane and Evan also share some eye-opening facts about the state of our generation when it comes to finding friends and loneliness, as well as some advice that you may find helpful in your search for friendship and community.Why are we so lonely? Why is it so difficult to find friends after college? How do you avoid the awkward stage of making friends? Where do I find people that have the same interest? When should you make the move to ask a friend out to do something? How do you host a party with new friends? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Dating is...complicated, to say the least. And finding a date in the real world might not be as easy as it was on a college campus. So on our sixth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike talked to Timothy O'Malley, Ph.D., who is a professor at the University of Notre Dame and the Director of Education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. He assigns an extra credit assignment for one of his classes that requires his students to ask someone on a date — challenging them to date intentionally.He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you build up the courage and knowledge to go on a date. Should we use dating apps? How do you ask someone on a date? How do you avoid confusion when dating or in a relationship? Can you avoid awkwardness in dating? Is asking someone on a date better in person or through text? How do you respond to rejection? How many dates should you go on before you can make a decision? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Have you wanted to start a skincare routine but weren't sure where to start? Jane was in the same place, so in our fifth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike chatted with Dr. Miles Andrew, M.D., who has been practicing general medical dermatology for 30 years. He offers some knowledge, advice, and resources to help you take better care of your skin and build a skincare routine. How do you go about starting a skincare routine? When should you see a dermatologist? What products should you use to take care of your skin? Do you need to use sunscreen every day? Can a beard make your face more oily?! These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, we hear about Sister Barbara from the Sisters of Providence, who ministers to inmates on death row in Terre Haute, IN, as a spiritual companion. She shares a bit of what she gets to do, and in particular, she talks about her time spent with William LeCroy before he was executed in 2020. This story is heavy but offers a glimmer of hope through William's forgiveness journey.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, we dive into a powerful story on forgiveness. Anthony Federico was a Content Editor for ESPN back in 2007. After writing a title that would change his life forever, he found himself discerning the priesthood. We shared Father Anthony's story in 2018, and today, we got an opportunity to catch up with him with freelance video producer Katie Rutter to revisit this story of forgiveness.Watch the mini-documentary of Father Anthony Federico here: https://youtu.be/kPnoUBRBgC0. SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Saving and budgeting can be daunting tasks! Finances are something that we all seem to stress about, but having the right tools and knowledge can put that stress to rest. So in our fourth episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike talk to Kristen Collett-Schmitt, Ph.D., who is an Associate Teaching Professor of Finance at the University of Notre Dame. She offers advice, tips, and resources to help anyone who has wanted to start budgeting but doesn't know where to start. When should you start saving? Should you apply for a credit card? How do you build credit? What is the "Golden Rule" for budgeting? What program and tools can help with this? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode of Good and Decent, senior producer Josh Long brings on former Grotto associate producer Ben Kruis to talk about a local firefighter named Josh Comeau. When Ben was on the team at Grotto, he produced a video about Josh Comeau's struggle with cancer. He, unfortunately, passed away a little over a year after we released the mini-documentary.  Josh Long and Ben reflect on Josh Comeau's legacy, and how his passing affected Ben.Watch the story on Josh Comeau here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afst3gQYrFESUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Learning how to cook for yourself can be intimidating. Like many young adults living on their own for the first time, Jane's found it difficult to get into the routine of cooking for one. So in our third episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike talk to Jairo Aleman, who has been cooking for all of his life. He is a cook and runs a catering business with his fiancée Robyn "Mee Sun" Klingerman. He offers advice, tips, and resources to help anyone beginning their cooking journey.How can you grow to actually like cooking? What ingredients should you have in your kitchen at all times? What is a good protein to start with? How can you prevent overcooking your food? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Ever been intimidated or confused about where to start when looking for a used car? Or ever wondered how you should know if a car you're interested in is a good value or not? Well, in our second episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike talk to Danny DePrez, who has worked in the automotive industry for years, to help answer some of those questions.He offers advice, tips, and resources to help you in your first (or your next) car purchase at the perfect price for your budget.Which car should you buy? Should you consider the Kelly Blue Book value? Can you look on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, or should you stick to a dealership? How and when should you negotiate the price of the car? What are some red flags to look for when buying a car? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In our first episode of Don't Say Ad*lting, Jane and Mike discuss one of the most significant steps in our lives after college — Finding, applying, and interviewing for a job.They chat with Sara Iannone, who works with juniors and seniors in college to help them build their resumes and prepare for job applications, interviews, and more. She offers advice and tips on what you can do if you are looking to find your first job or a new job. Should you have a photo of yourself in your resume? How do you answer the infamous question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" or "What is your greatest weakness?" How do you network? Is it really that important? How do you leave a job you are ready to move away from? How to ask about a salary respectfully? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode, so make sure to give it a listen!SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Good and Decent is back with a new episode!In this episode, we tell the story of when our video team had the opportunity to visit Mis Moles in Chicago. They witnessed first hand how Eufemia Lopez makes her locally famous mole.  We learn how she left her job cooking for Rick Bayless, a prominent chef in Chicago, for family purposes. Eufemia and her family shared what it meant to open her own restaurant centered on a family recipe that many people now enjoy. The Grotto video team, Josh Long, Kevin DeCloedt, and Jane O'Connor give us a taste of what it was like watching the process of the mole being made and being Eufemia's restaurant.Later, we also hear Ford Wyatt's story, a young man who had an occupational change from the oil industry to renewable energy.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media! Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In this episode, breakdancer Nimoy Vaidya and marathon swimmer Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, meet for the first time. We walk with them from a Chicago coffee shop, and then down to the lakefront, as they discuss their passions — and dive into how they started getting out of their comfort zones.Watch Nimoy's and Br. Matt's mini-documentaries below:This Young Breakdancer Found Healing in Hip HopAn 8-Mile Swim In Lake MichiganSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

In this episode, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, the former captain of Notre Dame's football team and an NFL hopeful, shares his journey through grief to find hope in his faith and caring for his mental health.Grotto producers Josh Long and Kevin DeCloedt talk about what it was like filming Myron's story, and introduce a conversation Myron had with ND strength coach Matt Balis. Then we hang out with Myron and his roommate (and fellow ND teammate) Michael Vinson as they discuss grief, the pressures of college, caring for mental health, and finding faith as a glue to hold it all together. Watch Myron's story here: Raiders Newcomer Advocates for Mental HealthSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

We're deep into our storytelling edition where we wonder what else is out there, and this episode of Good and Decent explores everything from the mythical to the supernatural.Video producers Josh Long and Tara Kelly were curious about local cryptids — mythical creatures like Chicago's Mothman — and so they set out to learn what they can. When Josh travels south on vacation, he begins to feel like he can't get away from these mysterious creatures.Our editor, Josh Noem, brings in a respectable authority — Father Aaron Michka, CSC — who is both a priest and an anthropologist. Together, they discuss paranormal phenomena and UFO sightings, beginning with Father Aaron's own encounter with “beings of light” that visited him for a time in his youth. Video producer Kevin DeCloedt chimes in with his own personal encounter with the supernatural. Read more from Father Aaron about UFOs: https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/belief/are-ufos-real/And read the full news story about Bigfood hunters in southern Alabama that Josh Long mentions: https://www.wsfa.com/story/34533043/evergreen-big-foot-capital-of-alabama/ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

In this episode, Good and Decent is going to the margins — to two very different places and moments in history — to find the power in embracing the most neglected in our society. Grotto host Javi Zubizarreta speaks with reporter and author Michael O'Loughlin about the history of the AIDS crisis and the Catholic Church. Michael is the host of the podcast Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church and the author of Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear. A gay Catholic himself, O'Loughlin's powerful work brings together unimaginable stories of empathy, heartbreak, and grace from the LGBT+ community and the Church. He and Javi discuss the power of these stories, their impact on Michael's own life, and how Pope Francis himself reached out to recognize this work. From Michael's apartment on the north side of Chicago, Grotto then goes to downtown Cincinnati to meet Gary Short of Foot Care for the Souls, an organization reaching out to people experiencing homelessness. Every day, Gary takes the feet of countless unhoused people into his lap and makes sure they are clean, healthy, and cared for. It's a powerful witness of serving and loving the most marginalized.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

In this episode, Grotto hosts Becky Rogers and Liz Colleran speak with Jacob Zumo, an artist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Becky is Grotto's art director and Liz is our assignment desk manager, so they're pretty hands-on in our creative process — the conversation they share with Jacob digs into storytelling with art. Jacob says he wants to paint images that are arrestingly beautiful, and that cause people to wonder, “What's the story behind that?”Jacob is a bridge-builder as an artist — he's classically trained, but also does paintings for rappers and athletes. He talks about “pushing the sacred” whenever he can — he honed his craft in Florence, Italy but brings a modern take to sacred art so that people feel connected to his paintings, especially people from underrepresented communities.Watch more of Jacob's story with this video documentary: Louisiana Artist Modernizes Sacred ArtSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

How do we set out to find a new start? Often, when we think of new beginnings, we imagine a new habit or goal that we want to establish. So we pick an objective and start incorporating it into our days. But what about those moments when the new start you need is deeper and bigger than just a new workout routine? Like, when you need to change the direction of your life? “A lot of times we think of the gym or starting a workout or running routine or reading and it's this quick start,” says producer Josh Long in this episode. “What I like about Ian is that his new beginning is a soul-searching, long process — over the course of years.”Ian Shankster is a friend of Josh's who had experienced a divorce and needed to start over. He wanted to see the country, but still had to pay off his student loans, so he took a job as a truck driver. Josh got to ride along with Ian on a trip — in this episode, he reflects on that journey with Ian, which took place at a moment when Grotto was in a new beginning, too. His story is one of the very first stories we told. Sara Thoms joins Josh for the conversation — she shares some insights about starting fresh from her own experience of moving across the country in the past few weeks to take a new job. Together, they reconnect with Jesse Woodworth to hear about how he decided to leave Denver for rural Indiana to take over a family farm. Transitions take time, especially if they come from a wound or a place of deep conviction. And, as Sara notes, no one is expert at navigating those transition moments — there are a lot of bumps along the way. But if we stay in touch with ourselves — journaling and prayer work for Sara — we'll stay grounded and authentic as we make our way.Watch these videos to ride along with Ian's in a truck cab and watch Jesse fire up a giant old combine.Capturing Beauty Along American HighwaysMoving from Denver to Indiana to Support the Family FarmSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Fresh off of a cross-country move, Adrienne is starting a family and looking to make his house a home. It's a struggle to find a place — and the right people — where they feel like they belong. The conversation in the newest episode of our Good and Decent podcast uses some interesting stories to explore how we find “home.”  Adrienne and Sara speak with Daniel Baker, a neighborhood carpenter who creates home furnishings without the use of any power tools. The craftsmanship he invests in his pieces connects him to his community in a deep way — he wants to be present to his neighbors “from crib to coffin.”Building Furniture & Community for the Neighborhood They also speak with Alan Graham, who founded a 27-acre community of tiny houses and homes designed to lift up off the streets the most “outcast, lost, and abandoned people” in Austin, TX: the chronically homeless.Tiny House Community Shelters Homeless SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Many of our Grotto Stories show people finding ways to dig deep and stand strong when adversity strikes. Our first episode in this second season of Good and Decent explores one disposition that seems to keep them grounded through it all: gratitude.In this episode, host Sara Thoms is joined by guest filmmaker Kevin DeCloedt to explore the kind of gratitude that pulls us through tough times. They dig into the stories of two extraordinary people who are responding to debilitating disease with resilience and hopefulness: Trey Gray and Gillian Mocek.Kevin found Trey's story and produced it for us. He learned that 16 years ago, Trey was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease and given 10-15 years to live. Trey feels that his work as a professional drummer has helped him fight the disease. Beating the Odds of Huntington's DiseaseGillian was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 10 months old, and doctors told her parents that she might live to age 18. Today, she is 27 years old, married, and a mother. Producer Katie Rutter brings us her story: Learning to Live with Cystic Fibrosis with JoySUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for more!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

In the season 1 finale of Good and Decent, Javi pitches an idea to Josh and Sara: A group of air guitarists in Boston have something in common with a cloistered monk in Kentucky. Confused but intrigued by this contrasting pair, the three hit the road for their first post-pandemic road trip...and their first time working together as a trio in person! They set out to discover what it is that connects these seemingly disparate people.Along the way, they discuss the meaning of life — is it always and only about what we produce in the world? Our work is important, surely, but isn't there something more to life? Both our air guitar friends and Brother Paul Quenon seem to have a deep-down joy that doesn't come from work. When something is truly use-less, having no apparent “use,” it is done for the sake of itself. Br. Paul describes that there's a freedom in that. Both playing air guitar and praying as a monk develop a kind of interior life. What in your life is use-less? Is there anything you do for the joy of it and nothing else? Can we truly find deeper meaning in simply being and not doing?Enjoy the episode! Make sure to turn on notifications so you don't miss an episode! Please leave Good and Decent a review and rating if you get a chance!Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: Playing Air Guitar to Make a Better WorldInside the Life of a MonkSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

"Friendship is a problem,” host and producer Josh Long says in this week's episode of Good and Decent. Lately, Josh has been feeling like his friendships have suffered — and he's not alone. Almost one-third of young adults feel that they have no best friends. What keeps two people bonded together over the course of a life? Josh and co-host Sara Thoms turn to three Grotto stories for inspiration on the topic of friendship. In the first, a video gamer, known as Bearded Blevins, with a large following shares his experience of friendship transcending the boundaries of space and time through his Twitch platform.The second story is of Pilar Amado, a woman of color who started rock climbing with a desire to find community. Josh introduces one more (bonus!) Grotto story about inter-generational friendship — a story of three wild turkey hunters in central Michigan.In this episode, Josh and Sara invite us to take a deep dive into our own friendships: How are your friendships? What do your friends need from you, and you from them, in this season of life?Enjoy the episode! Make sure to turn on notifications, so you don't miss an episode! Please leave Good and Decent a review and rating if you get a chance!Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: Bearded Blevins Fortnite Stream Aims to Change the WorldRock Climbing: How to Form CommunityWild Turkey Conservation and Oak Savanna RestorationSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

This week on Good and Decent, producer Josh Long and Sara Thoms sit down with filmmaker and producer, Michael Burke. When the podcast team sat down to think about the topic of empathy, we realized many of Grotto's mini-docs were produced by Michael. Josh and Sara decided to give him a call.When Sara and Josh sat down with Michael, he shared a bit about his personal motivations to do social justice work through filmmaking. He also speaks about the process of documentary filmmaking — the spontaneity and unpredictability of it. For Michael, the lack of empathy found in public policy and the infrastructure at the border inspired a passion in him to tell stories in that space. Josh and Michael discuss the ways their perspective shifted after documenting and witnessing the pilgrims and their work at the border, as well as the bravery of the migrants.Enjoy the episode! Make sure to turn on notifications, so you don't miss an episode! Please leave Good and Decent a review and rating if you get a chance!Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: The El Paso PilgrimageSaving Migrant Lives in the Arizona DesertSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Have you ever changed your mind about something? This week's episode of Good and Decent digs into two intriguing stories about experiencing a radical change of heart: tattoo artists who help people cover up racist tattoos, and a man who decided to “live off the grid.”Randy Orak chose to sell his car and ride a modified bike everywhere. This decision wasn't simply about living eco-friendly or enjoying biking to work — for Randy, it was something that felt in sync with his soul. Leaving his tech job propelled him into the world of gardening and agriculture. Ben and Sara discuss how radical changes of heart can come all at once, or little by little. This episode of Good and Decent begs the question: are you feeling drawn to have a change of heart? If so, how? If not now, when?Enjoy the episode! Make sure to turn on notifications, so you don't miss an episode! Please leave Good and Decent a review and rating if you get a chance!Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: From Videographer to Farmer: A Story of AuthenticityTattoo Artists Cover Up Racist TattoosSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Have you ever met certain people and thought, “Geesh… what's in their coffee? And how can I get some of what they have?” This week on Good and Decent, Sara and Javi muse on people who exude generosity in their daily lives and what we can learn from them. Two such people are Charles “Bike Man” Jenkins, who fixes bikes for kids in his local community, and Annie, a barista at the Local Cup — a cafe that runs on the generosity of others. Charles, for example, gives away his services — and even bikes — for free much of the time. “I just continue to do it,” he says, “it's the love of my life.” His story also reveals how generosity and kindness create far-reaching ripples through communities.Annie values the connections made within communities and reminds us that we can start small, for example, learning the name of the person who delivers the mail. Enjoy the episode! Make sure to turn on notifications, so you don't miss an episode! Please leave Good and Decent a review and rating if you get a chance!Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: 'Bike Man' Has Kept His Community Moving for DecadesLocal Coffee Shop Runs on Acts of KindnessSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

In this first episode of Grotto's new podcast, Good and Decent, we search for wonder in the world. Our hosts, Javi and Sara, discuss how awe can be an antidote to the mundane. Their conversation draws upon encounters with Harvard cosmologist, Mila Chadayammuri, and a priest on safari, Father Pat Reidy, CSC. “In heightened moments of wonder and awe, you have this sense that creation is alive,” Sara says. “This is the universe alive and speaking to us, if we have the stillness and solitude to receive it.”Make sure to turn on notifications so you don't miss an episode!  Watch the full mini-docs featured in this episode: Wonder and Awe in the Study of CosmologyCelebrating Mass in the Ngorongoro CraterSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

We've been working on this podcast for a long time, and we're excited to finally drop our first episode next week — on April 13! This trailer will give you a good idea of what you can expect from Good and Decent. You can now subscribe to Good and Decent everywhere you listen to podcasts. Make sure to turn on notifications, so you don't miss our first episode! "Being good and decent in today's wild, wild world is truly a radical act. It's hard to do, but we believe that it's very much worth it."SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!Connect with us on social media!InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterest Visit us at grottonetwork.com/Subscribe to our weekly newsletter