Sons of Thunder Podcast

Fr Doug joins the Sons of Thunder and reveals ALL the secrets of perpetual eucharistic adoration, as well as a miracles extravaganza fest.  And after some whining, Jesus gives Sam peanut butter when he needed it most - not joking.  Listening will probably be your best spent hour this week.  I couldn't make it any shorter. - Marty

How do we find fulfilment in life and why do we make the choices we do? So long as the guys can find find a way through the introduction, it could be worth discussing! Fulfilment; how have we defined it?

Everyone carries burdens - Marty had depression, Sam had PTSD, and Fr Dave has to deal with Marty & Sam. How exactly does God enter into our brokenness and heal our anxiety? And why does Marty want Sam's dreams published?

Has there been a more famous Saint with so little known of their life? And yet, the little we do know is extraordinary. In our age fleeing frantically from humility it's a healthy practice to take a step back, and meditate on the foster-father of Our Lord Jesus and protector of The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph.

We can all receive love when we think we've earned it, but can we be loved and love others in our brokenness - in their brokenness? In a world vying for perfection in everything the notion of purity in holiness can be greatly skewed. In God's mercy we are perfected. 

The seven deadly sins, of which there are sometimes eight, and they are technically vices, are so engrained in our everyday existence that it's pretty important to stop and take stock of how much 'gardening' we require in our life.

The Sons of Thunder podcast is limited, so we decided to dedicate an entire episode to the books that have inspired us! Some recommended reading, from St Louis de Montfort, to G.K. Chesterton, to Dante, to Pulitzer Prize winner Edwin Black, and quite a few in between. Essential reading to inspire faith and love.

What does it mean to follow God, and to walk with others on that journey into God's love? Are we actually engaging in discipleship or floating through life and relationships, even with God? In Episode 31 the challenge posed is can we intentionally follow Christ?

Everyone meditates. Often on multiple things at the same time. And often on things that aren't helpful. How can we meditate on what will give us life, and how have those who've gone before us, like the Carmelites, immersed and grown through meditation to encounter Christ?

Living a life steeped in joy, gratefulness, awe & wonder, whilst moving from selfishness to love of the other - this is the journey we are called to! Purity, far from being about becoming a prune, is the perfection of love.

In the moments of being tempted to bring others down, to lower our standards, or to turn our back on God, what grace do we have at hand to fight that battle? And how can three guys on Zoom pray in unison when there's a 1sec lag? They can't. 

Season 3 begins with one of the most important podcasts we'll ever do - a discussion on the reality of the Divine Liturgy; the Mass. It's not what most of us grew up understanding! And Sam can't pronounce his P's.

Pumas, pilgrimages & proposals, this interview has it all! Wrapping up our 2nd season the interview with David & Eva Batten is one of an unlikely couple becoming an ordinary family, in an extraordinary way. And how did Dave become known as 'Puma Dave'?

Likely to be sick sometime soon, or die eventually? Yep, us too. The final episode in The Sacraments series focusses on the healing power of Jesus, and not just physically. Welcome to Ep 25!

In today's episode Fr Dave explains the beauty & sacrifice of Holy Orders, Sam learns that he's wrong, again, and Marty cries over spilt beer. Thank the Lord for Fr Dave and the gift of Holy Orders!

What does it mean to enter marriage 'free', 'faithful', fruitful' and 'total'? And if you are married, or hoping to be, what is your mission through marriage? *May contain quotes from 'The Princess Bride'

The scientific observations surrounding Eucharistic miracles is an engrossing subject, especially when Fr Dave bumps into a young Italian doctor who has just finished translating into English a new book on Eucharistic miracles. A very special interview!

Ever wondered what the Eucharist actually is? Why is it so central to worship? In part IV of the sacraments series the Sons of Thunder unpack the extraordinary reality of Christ's flesh & blood in our midst; supernatural nourishment.

Do you remember your confirmation? Do you know what this sacrament of initiation is? And will Marty be successful in 'bringing back the slap'? Unlikely. Welcome to episode 20!

What is the sacrament of penance and how does it affect us? Take an examination of conscience in Part 2 of a 7 part series on the sacraments as the Sons of Thunder explore the need for, and the experience of, Reconciliation.

What is Baptism and why is it so significant? Immerse into Part 1 of a 7 part series on the sacraments as the Sons of Thunder explore the beauty, formula and history of Baptism. 

Fr Robert Fox is a diocesan priest from Wyoming, USA, who had a massive impact on Sam during his walk for unity. Fr Fox, now battling significant health issues, reflects hilariously on their encounter, imparts the wisdom that assisted him on his amazing journey to the priesthood, and beautifully shares the faith and prayers that sustain him. This is a must listen.  

Wojtek Solecki is a Polish orthopaedic surgeon who was the only person on the world walk for unity to say, "That section you're about to walk is too dangerous," and then take a day off work to guide me along a safer route. He was back five years later as the always-eating co-driver in Venezuela & Panama for 'The Road to Adolfo' documentary, and has an amazing story of dating a non-Catholic and the journey they undertook before marriage.

We think this is the most hilarious episode to date - an interview with Trish McCarthy, Spiritual Director and all round amazing woman! Beautifully edifying and informative as her passion for life and spiritual direction are occasionally spoken of in between random banter and the most off-topic stories possible. An interview with joy itself.

Mario Borg; 'Youth Group King Pin'. That's what Marty reckons anyway. Imagine overseeing 28 youth ministers facilitating 13 concurrent youth groups, while helping establish Australia's only accredited Catholic Bible College, and you're only just scratching the surface of the vision-filled life of Mario Borg.

Who are the Saints? And how do you become one? Saints & Sanctity is a brief look at the world of transformation in Christ, and an exploration into whether or not Marty can tie his pub crawl into all of this. We're not convinced he did. Welcome to Ep 13!

The 4th & final episode of 'The Gospel' series zeroes in on Heaven & the New Life in Christ. What is it? Dispelling the notions of harpists sitting on fluffy clouds eating Philadelphia cream cheese the Sons of Thunder look back at what Jesus has actually established, both for us now, and eternity. 

What is Mercy & Forgiveness? In part III of the IV part series on the Gospel, Sons of Thunder dig into the uncomfortable world of mercy, in both receiving it, and offering it. And why did God enter the world as a new born child, and not like The Terminator enters at the start of the film...?

What went wrong? Part II of 'The Gospel' four part series opens up the question of what was 'the fall'? How did sin enter the world, and what does that mean? We all see the oppression, the anger, the injustice, and the pain in the world around us - if God loves us, where did all this come from? And can we make Sons of Thunder merchandise appropriate for an MGL priest to wear? Big questions. Welcome to episode ten.

What is the message of the Gospel? What is the Good News? Season 2 begins with a four part series on the Gospel, beginning in part I with, in the beginning. What a splendid place to start. In the beginning we were created good, and with purpose. Out of the studio and in their home states the Sons of Thunder take social distancing too far, sitting some 4000km apart from each other. Got to love Australia. And Zoom. Welcome back for season 2!

Join Marty & Sam in conversation with the wonderful Heather Sweeny, a recent convert to the Catholic Church. What does this young woman find attractive in the church, and what have been the obstacles in going deeper in faith? In this week's episode you are invited into the life and wonderings of a woman encountering the sacraments for the first time, the various forms of the Mass, and the riches & conflicts within the Church. With a self-professed lack of filter on what she says, we knew from the outset it would be an enjoyable conversation!

In between season 1 & 2 we have a special treat for you! The wonderful Nicola McDermott - Australia's high jump champion - popped into the studio for an interview. From being a medalist at the Commonwealth Games and qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, through to encountering Jesus and being a witness to the faith, it becomes apparent that Nicola has one special skill... maintaining her train of thought whilst Sam & Marty go off on wild tangents. A beautiful interview with a star of Australian sport. 

In the final episode for season 1 of Sons of Thunder the guys discuss the tangible evidence for God's existence that has personally struck them, and at times confronted them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that our, "...faith is not a blind impulse of the mind." So what evidence is this faith built upon, in fact, is there any evidence at all? From the historical evidence for Jesus, to the miracles of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lourdes & Fatima, to terminal lucidity and a transcendent soul, this is dinner time conversation at its best! At Marty's household anyway...

"Thunderbolt & lightning, very, very frightening me, Galileo! Galileo!" So what was the controversy with Galileo? And the crusades? And abortion? And what on earth WAS the Spanish Inquisition? More to the point, how is it that Sam, Marty & Fr Dave love the Church when so many don't? In episode 5 of Sons of Thunder the guys dig deep into why, when it's all weighed up, they are Christian, and whether we can simply believe in God without being a part of the Church. We also discover the reason why Sam was pinned to the ground in Guatemala and... 'exorcised'. Let's hope it worked. Welcome, to Episode 5, 'The Church; the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly'! 

Poor communication can have dire consequences. And it's beautifully ironic that on an episode picking apart communication that Marty's microphone played up horribly. Good thing he has the loudest voice. Actually, it's mainly his laugh that's loud. In this week's episode Sam, Marty and Fr Dave pick each other's brains on why the Gospel has been communicated so poorly in the past, and what they've learnt along the way. How do we truely encounter Jesus? Sam also has a coughing fit that is unceremoniously mocked (although Marty wonders if mocking has ever been done 'ceremoniously'). Welcome, to Sons of Thunder.

Where is God in difficult times, and how can we persevere when all seems lost? Also, how do you subdue angry pigs in southern Mexico? The big questions. This week Fr Dave, Sam and Marty interrupt each other so regularly that the interruptions in of them selves become a form of adversity, whilst discussing how we can persevere in difficult times. From the three things that nearly sent Sam home from the walk around thew world, to Fr Dave's complete helplessness while hiking alone through snow in Australia's Snowy mountains, episode three is a celebration of hope. Sit back, enjoy, and again, all three apologise for continually interrupting each other...

Sons of Thunder, Ep2 - Prayer. From facing death in the wilds of a Russian winter to a mugging in Costa Rica, the fruits of prayer are picked apart by Sam, Marty and Fr Dave as they recount the foundations that have both challenged and blessed them. Is it possible to step from simply praying for what we want, to silently listening to the voice of God? Welcome to Episode 2! #sonsofthunder #prayer #mgl #walk4one #podcast Recorded in November 2019, released 22nd April 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic because we finally had time to edit all the episodes. Might even tidy my room after this.

A world adventurer, an opinionated engineer, and a very well read missionary priest walked into a sound studio... welcome to Sons of Thunder! From 2006 to 2008 Sam Clear walked 15,600km around the world for the complete unity of the church in truth and in love. He nearly died 11 times. Marty, his best mate, freely offered his opinion in the planing stages, during the journey, and pretty much every day since. And Fr Dave Callaghan, before, during and after the journey, offered far more sound advice. Now the three friends unpack the complexities of faith through the lens of the walk for unity, beginning with their own adventures together, and the confronting reality of disunity.