Shoot The Shiitake with Father Leo

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Catholic priest, TV & Radio Host, Best Selling Author, Former Martial Arts Instructor, award winning Break Dancer & Choreographer, and also professional chef (who won Food Network competition, "Throw Down with Bobby Flay" Season 7 Episode 1), talks with unique and interesting guests from all walks o…

Father Leo


    • May 5, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 118 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Shoot The Shiitake with Father Leo

    Ep. 115 - Chris Stefanik: Real Life Catholic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 56:11


    Fr. Leo interviews TV Host, Author and Speaker Chris Stefanik about what it means to live as a "real catholic," especially in todays world!! This is a re-upload of episode 39 for you listening pleasure!

    Ep. 114: Who is St. Joseph to Jesus and to Me? Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 26:11


    Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion to Catholicism, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times.  Please enjoy part one of this two part series about St. Joseph! *This audio presentation is supplemental to the Shoot The Shiitake Podcast format. This is also a re-upload of episode 86 incase you missed it!*

    Ep. 113: Who is St. Joseph to Jesus and to Me? Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021 27:35


    Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion to Catholicism, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times.  Please enjoy part one of this two part series about St. Joseph! *This audio presentation is supplemental to the Shoot The Shiitake Podcast format. This is also a re-upload of episode 86 incase you missed it!*

    Ep.112 - Sam Rocha, Part 2: Racism and Getting Through it & Over It

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 39:52


    Sam Rocha joins Fr. Leo for a 2nd interview about Racism.  We explore a historical, spiritual and practical approach to dealing with this problem in our modern world. Twitter: @SamRochadotcom

    Ep: 111 - Sam Rocha, Part 1: Sowing Hate and Division?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 44:11


    This is Part 1 of 2 podcasts with Sam. Does Fr. Leo sow hate and division?  Well, Sam Rocha, his guest on today’s show, thinks so. But, at the end of the day, Fr. Leo and Sam show that disagreement doesn’t mean hate speech, especially when we don’t act hateful AND, listening is one I way I don’t sow hate and division, but building a bridge! Twitter: @SamRochadotcom

    Ep: 110 - Mountain Butorac, American Living in Rome (during the pandemic!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 39:49


    Mountain Butorac is an American Living in Rome With his family. He is the founder of the Catholic traveler. He leads thousands of people in pilgrimage to Italy, Europe, and the Holy Land. He is currently in lockdown during the coronavirus and he shares some of his insights about how Italy and particularly Rome has endured this unique experience in Rome's history. Follow Mountain on Twitter!@MountainButorac More ways to follow Mountain:https://linktr.ee/thecatholictraveler

    Ep. 109 - Steven Allbright: Buddhist Becomes Catholic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 47:26


    Chef Steve Allbright, former employee - did I fire him or did he quit? makes another change from Buddhism to Catholicism. And, what kind of gifts do you give a guy like that? *This is a re-uploaded episode from 2019. Steven and I will be joining forces with the Plating Grace and Grub food truck and the Franciscan Center of Baltimore! 

    Ep. 108: Steven Allbright - Ex-Con to Chef!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 56:20


    Ex-Con, Drunk & Drug Addict, Buddhist & now Chef "confesses" and "teaches" priest about the power of invitation, inspiration and integration. Steven Allbright is now the Culinary Director at The Franciscan Center of Baltimore! https://fcbmore.org   *This episode was originally released in 2018! 

    Ep. 107 - John Minidakas, President of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 35:02


    Fr. Leo meets John Minadakas and discusses Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, the immigrant story and the American Dream, what makes Jimmy’s Seafood Famous, and how his family restaurant is making a positive impact helping people in need due to the crazy covid lockdown of Baltimore’s restaurants.   Check out Jimmy’s Famous Seafood!https://jimmysfamousseafood.com Follow @JimmysSeafood on Twitter!

    Ep. 106 - Chaldean Priest Fr. Esshaki and his Deacon Father

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 35:02


    Fr. Leo Shoots the Shiitake with Fr. Simon Esshaki, a Chaldean Priest, along with his dad, a Deacon in the Chaldean Church. Learn their history, their customs and their love for food, faith and family … and fun! Follow Fr. Esshaki! @father_simon

    Ep. 105 - Bishop William Byrne

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 35:08


    My first Bishop ever to interview on Shoot the Shiitake, and catching him while he’s still very fresh as a first time Bishop, just having been recently ordained, Bishop William Byrne shares his thoughts and experiences as a Bishop, especially in a unique time in the life of the Church and World.  Author, Social Media Personality and now Bishop, he carries all of these responsibilities with joy!

    Ep. 104 - Rufus Jones: A conversation on Racism

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 60:00


    Musician, Friend and supporter of the BLM movement, Rufus Jones and Fr. Leo discuss racism from a technical, social, and even spiritual point of view.  It gets deep, but it’s worth hearing the carry out order from Fr. Leo and his guest, Rufus.

    Ep. 103 - Priests, Covid & Pastoral Response

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2021 44:29


    Fr. Leo engages three friends who are priests, thought leaders and pastors for people, helping them with the struggles of the covid pandemic.  They offer great insights, encouragement and hope!  Listen, learn and live a fearless faith in Jesus, our Divine Physician!

    Ep. 102 - Chef Andrew Gruel, Owner of Slapfish!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 29:28


    Meeting a Chef who serves great food but also serves people in need, Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish shows us how to be a great chef and even a better man, husband, father and social philanthropist offering help to the Hospitality Industry during the Covid Pandemic Closures.  Stay inspired and and well fed with Chef Gruel! Check out Slapfish here:https://www.slapfishrestaurant.com/

    Ep. 101 - Chef Chris Spear, Founder of Chefs Without Restaurants

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 38:40


    A trained chef and in the industry for over 25 years, he shares his passion, his struggles and why he created the Chef without Restaurants organization, to combat the stereotypes and prejudices that modern chefs have to experience. It’s an encouraging conversation about food that somehow turns spiritual!

    Ep. 100 - King Randall: Victim to Victorious, The X-Boys to X-Men!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 34:31


    King Randall, a young chef, community shifter and influencer, and founder of X for Boys - a program to help young men learn life skills and formation opportunities to better themselves, their communities and their future! A real mover and shaker! https://thexforboys.org/ Follow King on social Media! @NewEmergingKing

    Ep. 99 - Jeremy Wayne Tate: Classy & Classic Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 38:10


    Jeremy Tate is the founder of Classic Learning Initiative, restoring the foundation of Western Education, hoping to not just raise up smart kids, but integrated and virtuous students.  Let’s admit, we have some pretty uneducated, entitled and brainwashed kids coming out of schools these days.  Jeremy is on a mission to make sure education does what it’s supposed to do: make students perpetual learners!  So, enjoy and keep education classic and classy! Connect with Jeremy on Social Media! @JeremyTate41 jtate@cltexam.com

    Ep. 98 - Sr. Susan Francois, Voting, Elections & Vocations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 41:57


    Former Elections Official becomes a religious sister, and discusses voting and devotion, possible fraud and potential faith, and intimately how we can survive the election madness  Follow Sr. Susan Francois! https://twitter.com/susanfrancois

    EP. 97 - How to Find Happiness with Paul George

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 34:07


    Speaker, Author, and Happiness Consultant Paul George joins Fr. Leo in exploring happiness. They also both go down memory lane and reflect on how breakdancing got Paul and Fr. Leo working together to be evangelists on main stages around the country.

    Ep. 96 - Fr. Scott Nolan - No Communion for Certain Catholics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 42:53


    Fr. Scott Nolan denies Holy Communion to a parishioner because of a public lifestyle choices.  It’s challenging to be a pastor. It takes courage to preach, practice and apply the Catholic Church’s teachings in pastoral settings.  How would you approach this pastoral situation?  

    EP. 95 - Fr. Donald Calloway’s Conversion & Charism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 33:36


    Could God call a surfer, rebel and wild child to the priesthood to spread devotion to Mary and the Divine Mercy?  He does and he did with Fr. Donald Calloway.  Listen to how God uses Filipina women, Mary and a postcard to lead him on a pilgrimage of faith that changed his life and so many other’s lives - leading them to God. 

    EP. 94 - Fr. Arul Edward Joseph, Catholics in The Arab World

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2020 34:23


    Fr. Arul Edward Joseph from India serves as a priest in the United Arab Emirates, where they serve an international Catholic Community that will make Catholics in the USA a little more reflective about their faith.  He helps in the largest Catholic Parish in the world, and helps to enlargen the hearts of the faithful who have a unique challenge and cross to carry out their Catholic Mission in a Muslim world. 

    Ep. 93 - Jonathan Lutz: Evangelical Protestant, Now Catholic & Possible Seminarian

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 28:32


    Jonathan Lutz is a normal college student, but not THAT normal, in that he is taking his Catholic Faith seriously, even if he wasn’t raised as a Catholic. How did he become Catholic and why does he remain a Catholic despite it being boring and all the scandals?  God bless his faith!

    EP. 92 - Jack Bingham: Trauma, Drugs, Alcohol, Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 41:42


    Traumatized as a child, debilitating OCD throughout his life, alcohol and drug addicted, suicidal, and then one meeting with a caring counselor he experiences the first step to a cure!  Now he’s a witness to faith! More on Jack: https://www.jackabingham.com/ Follow Jack Here: https://www.instagram.com/jackbinghamauthor

    Ep. 91 - Sarah Hart: A Song and a Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 31:38


    Musician and speaker, Sarah Hart, shares her story about coming back to faith, and how coffee and donuts helped!   Learn more about Sarah here! https://www.sarahhart.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sarahhartmusicofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahhartmusic

    Ep. 90 - Chris Padgett: The Messy Catholic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020 34:33


    Speaker, Author, Musician and Host of Happy Catholic Homestead shares how to deal with the messiness of life!

    Ep. 89 - Bishop Gintaras Grušas

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 44:02


    An American priest becomes a the Archbishop of Lithuania and shares a unique connection to a country that is recovering from socialism and communism.

    EP. 88, Benas Ulevičius - Fighting Against Communism

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 38:26


    Listen the how communism attempted to destroy the faith of the Lithuanians and hear how teenagers are protecting the faith and living the dream.

    EP. 87 Part 2- Fr. Roger Landry - The Real Meaning of Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 26:55


    Fr. Roger Landry and I continue to discusses ways to make freedom practical and livable in our lives!

    EP. 87 Part 1- Fr. Roger Landry - The Real Meaning of Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 23:11


    Fr. Roger Landry shares the theology and dogma of freedom and a working model of true freedom! This is Part 1, make sure to tune into Part 2 next week!

    Ep. 86 Part 2, Who is St. Joseph to Jesus and to Me?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 26:11


    Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion to Catholicism, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times.  Please enjoy part two of this two part series about St. Joseph! *This is audio presentation is supplemental to the Shoot The Shiitake Podcast format.*

    Ep. 86 Part 1, Who is St. Joseph to Jesus and to Me?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 27:35


    Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion to Catholicism, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times.  Please enjoy part one of this two part series about St. Joseph! *This is audio presentation is supplemental to the Shoot The Shiitake Podcast format.*

    Ep. 85 Part 2: Zuby - Race, Racism and Racialization

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 30:59


    Zuby, International student Nigerian descent living in England has words of wisdom regarding the debate about race. 

    Ep. 85 Part 1 - Zuby, No Cursing and Internet Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 27:03


    Zuby, an independent artist and unique entrepreneur breaks into the rap scene, but in his own curse-word-free way!

    Ep. 84 - Malik Anderson, from Gangster to Gourmet!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 35:22


    From Bully to Bistro, “gangster” to gourmet, and former prisoner to plating grace!   This is a fun and inspiring conversation with Chef Malik Anderson who Fr. Leo is privileged to work with on some culinary activities.  It goes to show that humility, hardwork and faith can go a long way - even when the odds seem stacked against you!  Enjoy this podcast and please share with others!

    EP. 83 - Dr. Gregory Bottaro - Mindfulness for Catholics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020 49:47


    You won’t want to miss this amazing interview with Dr. Gregory Bottaro. Together, he and Father Leo share strategies, including Mindfulness for Catholics),  to help us get through challenging times. 

    EP. 82 - Eddie Imperato, Millennials and Quarantine!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 45:23


    This week's podcast is about how a good natured millennial is dealing with the coronavirus and quarantine. 

    Ep. 81 - Patrick Hyde - No Greater Love, The Priest & The Coronavirus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 38:00


    Fr. Patrick Hyde is a Dominican priest, administrator and director of campus ministry in Indianapolis, and has been selected to anoint people who are prepared to die due to Covid-19.  Join me in this unique deep discussion.

    EP. 80 - Elizabeth Lev

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 42:03


    Elizabeth Lev, an Art Historian, professor, tour guide, and a leading influencer in the topic of Faith and Art. She resides in Rome and gives us an in-depth look at what has been happening in light of the Corona Virus in Italy, particularly in Rome, right around the corner from St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis offered a most sacred ritual and blessing that roots back to another plague.   Listen and enjoy this deep dish discussion with an American-Italian living in one of the Coronavirus epicenters. 

    EP. 79 - JD Flynn: COVID-19 and receiving communion on the tongue vs the hand.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2020 49:10


    JD Flynn is the editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency and a canon lawyer. He worked in the church as an archdiocesan chancellor, a canonical and policy advisor to several bishops, a communications director, an adjunct seminary professor, and in various other capacities. He has served as a consultant to the USCCB, and served on the boards of Catholic non-profits and ministries. He has published in the Washington Post, the NY Post, First Things, National Review, and elsewhere. Flynn has a licentiate in canon law from Catholic University of America, and a masters in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

    EP:78 - Fr. James Martin and his thoughts on the LGBTQ Community - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 33:14


    Here’s the 2nd Half of the Show where I try to “learn something” from Fr. Martin: how to build bridges. Why? Because every human is made in God’s image and likeness, and even if we vehemently disagree, we can learn from one another if we are willing to listen to each other. In this episode, you’ll also notice that while I could have gone into my interview with “guns a blazing,” that is not my intention nor my pastoral style. I hope this very challenging conversation can give you all an opportunity to ask more questions, not just simply dismiss people, but find the common ground. Enjoy the Episode!

    EP:77 - Fr. James Martin and his thoughts on the LGBTQ Community - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 29:18


    This is Part 1 of my interview with Jesuit Fr. James Martin, who has found himself in the middle of a controversy and his thoughts on the LGBTQ community. For the past few years has been writing and speaking about how the Church can better minister to LGBTQ Catholics. Hope you enjoy Part 1 of this deep dish discussion! 

    Welcome to the New Season of Shoot The Shiitake!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 17:22


    Today, I interview.... MYSELF! Give a listen to the introduction to the NEW SEASON of deep dish conversations between a priest, hungry to save souls, and his special guests and discussion of special topics! Be sure to tell your family and friends about this new season of shows and encourage them to sign up at their favorite podcast platforms!  

    Mental Illness: How to Deal with It?!?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2019 37:02


    It's not something we like to talk about but it's real. How can we help people with mental illness when we're not doctors! Fr. Leo Shoots the Shiitake with someone who lives with it. It's a touching and hopeful message.

    Holy Land with Pilgrims, Including an Athiest

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 46:51


    Fr. Leo talks with pilgrims, answering questions and even finding out what an Athiest thinks of the experience of faithful foodies in Jerusalem, Jordan, Galilee and beyond!

    Harikrishna, Holiness and Hungry

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2019 40:23


    What do Harikrishna and Catholics have in Common? Find out on this special episode where Fr. Leo takes a road trip in Mexico and learns how to be a better Catholic from a Harikrishna, Luis Gonzales

    Traddies versus Modernists

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2019 47:24


    Joe Condit of Catholic Speakers Organization talks about why he prefers the "Old Mass" known as the Extraordinary Form or the Tridentine Liturgy - and whether women should be in the sanctuary during prayers? Interesting stuff!

    Football is Spiritual with NFL Baltimore Ravens World Champ Matt Birk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2019 35:02


    Matt Birk discusses Football, ProLife, God, Faith, Family and a dabble into politics. Why didn't he go to the White House under President Obama, and how is proving Football Players are hardly dumb!

    Catholic Media Needs Help with Catholic Guy's Lino Rulli

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 38:27


    Lino Rulli gets real about Catholic Media and how to discern if you're called to get involved in media in the first place

    Hipster to Healer with Andrew Laubacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 39:18


    Pot smoker, surfer, now healer leading people in worship and even possible faith healing an atheist woman at an airport, just by praying over her?

    Leadership Lessons from "Unlikely" People: Accountants!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2019 29:03


    Siegfried Group of Accountants, Leadership Lessons, Characteristics of success, the devil in the details, and bringing the "sexy" back to Accounting?!?

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